February 21, 2025, the 52nd day of 2025
Preparing for the End: Part One: It is Coming Sooner Than You Think
I wonder what every Christian would live like if they believed that the Antichrist was c... View MoreFebruary 21, 2025, the 52nd day of 2025
Preparing for the End: Part One: It is Coming Sooner Than You Think
I wonder what every Christian would live like if they believed that the Antichrist was coming soon and they would have to face what that meant.
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Revelation 1:1-3
Revelation starts out with a blessing to those who read, who hear and also heed what it has to say. We are to be patiently watchful so we do not miss the signs and be caught off guard and unprepared when this day comes upon us.
"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober."
I Thessalonians 5:1-6
As it became more and more obvious that technology was catching up with Revelation and that the mark of the Beast was not only feasible, but doable, more Christians started to prepare for the end.
But at the same time, the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture was gaining ground.
The idea that Christians would be invisibly whisked away before things got bad, was so much more acceptable than preaching preparation for a time that Christians would not be able to buy or sell.
It was easier to believe everything would go on until the rapture and then when we were safely gone, the chaos could begin. There was no need to do anything but get saved with that belief.
Added to that there was a paranoia over various things that did not have all the signs of the "mark of the Beast" being called the "mark of the Beast" which caused many to toss aside that warning all together.
But there were still many Christians that started out strong, preparing for that time, with the knowledge that before Jesus returns the Antichrist will arise.
But it takes perseverance to keep going when everyone else lives at ease. It takes money to prepare, investing it in things other than pleasures and comforts for now.
It takes time to prepare. It takes hard work and setting aside an easier lifestyle for one that is harder, more grueling, less forgiving of mistakes. It takes conviction that doing so matters.
And it takes being willing to stand alone, if necessary, when others think you are stubborn and foolish to live as you do.
"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4
The falling away from standing on the truth of the Bible is well underway, and has been for decades. It is a major sign that we were warned about.
As more and more churches and people stray from the Biblical foundation there has been an eroding of society and the church as well, until almost anything sinful goes now, and people will still say they are a Christian and safe from coming judgment. They will not change the coming punishment.
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of iniquity!’
Matthew 7:21-23
As the decay has been slow and steady and most people have grown up during the changes, it does not seem as drastic to us.
What once would have signaled a sign of the great apostasy, now is hardly worth raising an eyebrow over. And that is a dangerous sign to overlook.
Since the unobservant and the busy can overlook so many warnings signs, they go unheeded. And every single day, the danger draws closer and we have become numb to the warnings.
Since to this dull mindset it appears as if the end is taking longer than expected, they don't see the obvious signs fulfilled before their very eyes.
So many who once prepared, have given up preparing and have settled into just living and investing in this world, ignoring what will soon be upon them, as if it will never come.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
II Peter 3:1-7
Because God knows what is going to happen--and that once the mark of the Beast is rolled out and demanded, that anyone who receives it is eternally lost--He is giving us time to prepare.
"Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Revelation 14:9-11
God is giving us time to mentally prepare to stand for Him. And He is giving us time to physically prepare, to make it a bit more comfortable for us to stand.
Stay strong! Don't neglect to study and know the word of God, to properly prepare for what is coming!
NAN
February 20, 2025, the 51st day of 2025
Four Years Ago Today
Four years ago today our house burned to the ground. Remembering that day is not enjoyable, but remembering how God saw us through it br... View MoreFebruary 20, 2025, the 51st day of 2025
Four Years Ago Today
Four years ago today our house burned to the ground. Remembering that day is not enjoyable, but remembering how God saw us through it brings a sense of peace.
Becauae even in such a horrific situation, God was working and helping our family. Four years later, He is still working things out, helping us.
We still feel the loss, even as we rebuild our lives and work on our home. It is not easy. There are all kinds of challenges we still face. It is more difficult because of those losses.
But we are encouraged by what is done, not discouraged by what still needs done. It just takes time, patience and hard work.
It has been rough. There is no getting around that. But Jesus makes things smoother even in the rough times.
This world will one day pass away. It wasn't meant to be our permanent home. God has a better place. Our life wrapped up in Jesus, eternal and unending, is what is permanent. Losses of all kinds remind us of that.
Stay strong! Let Jesus help you through everything in your life. It may be difficult at times, but with Jesus that burden is shared
NAN
page=1&profile_user_id=114876&year=&month=
Load More
