A-Prophetic-Vision-1919

It has been one year since our mom entered glory.   
Though I was blessed to spend many years soaking in the wisdom and anointing that was upon her, it was the last years that were most precious to me.  Our talks were deeper than ever in the Spirit of Christ.  With my mom, it was He must increase, and I must decrease.   

It was as if we were joined in Him, yet saw nothing in ourselves.   I pray we all would be like that with one another.  Though our Lord removed the pain of the loss of my mom, the loss of the joining as mentioned above is sorely missed.  I am sure you all feel it too.  Yet I have never had the sense as I do today of my own mortality.  I, too, will be seeing my Lord soon.  Whether rapture or death, our lives are as a puff of smoke (James 4:14).  

As Noah tells me all the time, we will soon join Ben, Brad, Wade, Mom, Mark, Dennis, Margo and so many others.  Soon, so soon.   This is one of my favorite moments with my Mom.,  It was close to where I proposed to Sarah!  My mom and I had been there many times.  Yet this time, my mom seemed very much removed, yet she still wanted to go to our spot in La Jolla.  I remember in one of the little shelters, I just held and sang with her.  And it will be glory for me!  

Sarah was the only person she ever allowed to live with her.  She saw the Lord’s jealousy over her.  He told her that she was called to be His alone!   So she is!  

Of course, my mom had other daughters, too, who were also part of her!  

I thought of all meeting at her grave site but the Lord put on my heart, why do you seek the living amongst the dead?   Here are the sisters!   

My mom loves you all and will see you again soon!  

One of my mom’s favorite songs…

At North Peak with my mom

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God’s Promises: 50+ Powerful Bible Promises To Build Your Faith

Discover a collection of powerful promise quotes to help you in whatever you’re facing today.

The promises of God

As Christians we know from Genesis, to Peter, Hebrews to Revelation the Bible is full of God’s promises and His Word reminds us that He is faithful. Let this powerful list of God’s promises teach you more about His incredible character. Reflect on this rich collection of promise quotes to help you in whatever you’re facing today. Take encouragement from the truth that God is with you.

As scripture says in Corinthians 1:20, we can take heart because “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” God’s promises reminds us of his presence in our lives and shapes us to reflect his character. As we learn to trust him, we grow in the Fruit of the Spirit displaying love, joy and peace in every circumstance.

The following God’s promises Bible verses are taken from the NIV version of the Bible.

Bible promises about God’s goodness

When things get tough, it can be easy to focus on ourselves and our difficulties. Read these Bible promises about who God is and let them lift your eyes away from your own situation to the God who is infinitely good. Bible verses about peace can remind us of the peace that God has promised us in the midst of any circumstance.

•  Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
• Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
•  1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
•  Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
•  James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
•  2 Samuel 7:28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
•  Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
•  Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
•  Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
•  Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
• Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
• Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God’s promises about being with us

Whatever you’re facing, hold onto these scriptures on hope in the Bible and the promise that God is with you in your individual situation. Remember the time in the Bible when God gave Noah a rainbow as a sign that God keeps his promises. As He was faithful to Noah, He will be faithful to you.

 Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

•  Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
•  Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
•  Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
• Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
• Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
• Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
• Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• John 1:12 -13 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The promises of God about provision

 Matthew 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

•  Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
•  Matthew 7:9-11 Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
•  2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
•  Psalm 34:10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
•  Romans 8:39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• John 5:24 Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
• James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven.

Amazing things Jesus promised

During His time on earth, Jesus made many promises about the peace and hope He offers us. This collection of Jesus’ promises gives us great hope that He truly is the Saviour of the world.

•  Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
•  John 14:6 Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’
•  John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
•  Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners …
•  John 14:15-16 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”
•  John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
•  John 11:25 Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’
•  John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
•  Matthew 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
•  John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
•  John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

God’s promises about answering prayer

Prayer is so powerful! Reflect on these Bible verses about prayer and let God’s promises spur you on to pray to your Heavenly Father and share your hopes and needs with Him today.

•  James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
•  Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
•  Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
•  John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
• Luke  11:9-13 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
• Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
• Psalm 102:17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
• Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

God’s promises about salvation

God saves and protects us in our day-to-day life. In Exodus we see the example of God promising to save the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. In Exodus 5:6-8 God makes promises to Moses, “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’” And he kept his promise, finally bringing them to the promised land of Israel.

 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

•  1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
•  2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
•  John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
•  Romans 10:9-10 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
• 1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.
• Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.
• Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
• Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

New Believer 101!

2 Cor 5:17 a new man!

Gal 4:5 sons now

1.  Believe the words of Jesus  John 1:1 – 5  John 5:24 Matt 7:24 
2. You are now to live in the new creation  2 Cor 5:17
3. Read the word daily, Rom 12:2  and Matt 4:4 
4. Obey God and His wor,d John 14:15 

Community

1. Attend every service Acts 2:41-42
2. Spend time with your brothers and sisters Heb 10:24 25
3. Serve others 1 Pet 4:10
4. Submit to your elders  Heb 13:17

Holy Living

1. Resist temptation and sin Col 3 5 -10 
2. Pursue Godly character Col 3 12-14 
3. Walk in the Spirit Gal 5 22-23
4. Renew your Mind  Phil 4:8

Let your light shine!

1. Share your joy   1 Pet 3:15
2. Love your neighbor, Matt 22:39
3. Be a light, Matt 5:16
4. Be a good steward with what God has given you.  

Seek God with all of your heart

1. When you seek me, you shall find me Jer 29:13
2. Desire the celestial city Matt 6:33
3.  Seek the Lord for your strength 1 Chr 16:11
4. My soul thirsts Psalm 37:4

Humble yourselves

1. Seek humility, Zeph 2:3
2. Yoked with Jesus Matt 11:29
3. Don’t be proud, James 4:6
4. Identify with Christ  1 Pet 4:14

How do I do all this?  I see the impossibility in me!

1. I am the way, John 14:6
2. The Lord’s ways are not my ways, Matt 5:10-12
3. Made stronger Acts 14:22
4. The victory found in His way 2 Cor 4 8-10 James 1:12

Going ever deeper, how Lord?

1. He learned obedience through what he suffered   Heb 5:8
2. The power found ISA 50 5-7
3. Be Filled Eph 5:18 
4. Walk in Spirit Gal 5 16-25

Free Will

1. To lay a life down, John 10 17-18
2. I delight to do thy will, Psalm 40 6-8

Joy in this way

1. Not Ashamed Rom 5 1-5 
2. Fellowship of love 1 Pet 4:13 
3. Comfort in Jesus 2 Cor 1:5
4. Aguint yourself with His ways Job 22 21-25

Bonus reading: The Beatitudes Mat Ch 5 

The Lord’s prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Taking a Stand

I watched for trouble as John Bunyan preached to a crowd in the town square. The foolish man had been warned he’d be arrested for preaching outside the church. At this rate, he’d end up in my jail before long.

“I must preach,” I once heard him tell an officer. “When God lays that on a man’s heart, it is terrible to disobey, more terrible than your jails.”

“Humph,” I thought. “Does he really know what jail is like?” Did he understand how dark they were, how only the faintest light penetrates the damp stone walls? Did he realize that he’d get just a quarter loaf of bread a day and that no one in the crowded cells got to bathe?

If Bunyan did know about these conditions, he didn’t let it stop his preaching. I became curious. Why would a man act like this? Did Bunyan really believe what he said about God? What did I believe? These questions were in my mind when I went to hear him, hoping no one in the crowd would recognize me.

Bunyan’s preaching kept my attention. I’ll give him that. He spoke about what makes a person a Christian. Now that was a funny thing to talk about. Weren’t we all Christians since we were born into the Anglican Church?

“Those who receive Christ are the ones who truly know God,” he shouted.

That’s when it started– a disturbance at the edge of the crowd. Officers of the British government muscled their way past worshipers. “John Bunyan, we arrest you in the name of the king for holding an illegal religious meeting.”

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I slipped away and returned to the jail; there’d be a new prisoner to process.

The Times

I stood before him with my hands on my hips. “Well, Bunyan, look at where your preaching got you.”

He sat on the rough bench regarding me with peaceful eyes. Fear usually envelops my prisoners’ faces.

“You understand the law, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. These are troubled times, and the new king fears that hotheads could stir up revolution. But I’m not interested in politics. My zeal, as you know, is for bringing lost people to Jesus Christ,” insisted John.

I jumped. “And how would I know?”

Again, the smile. “I saw you out there today.”

“Yes, well, a man can be curious, can’t he?” I grumbled and hurried away. John Bunyan wasn’t going to get his hooks in me.

Bunyan drew a lot of visitors to my jail, including his devoted young wife, who was expecting a baby. She always came in with her head high and proud, as if defying the stench and the darkness. She constantly went to the authorities to plead Bunyan’s case. One man shouted her out of his chambers claiming, “John Bunyan does the devil’s work!” Like her husband, she never quit.

When she didn’t come to see him for several days, I figured she was out badgering the judges again. When she did come, it was clear that she had lost their baby. Bunyan remained in prison, toiling away, making shoelaces to earn money. I didn’t hear him complain, but sometimes he looked very sad.

Never Give Up

Three months after Bunyan came to jail, a big-shot came looking for him, wrinkling his nose at the smell.

“If you promise to stop preaching, you may go free,” I heard him tell Bunyan.

“I cannot go against God,” he said.

“Pitiful,” I thought. “After all he and his family have been through, he’s still holding out. What’s wrong with him?”

Preach and write, write and preach. That’s what Bunyan did day in, day out. Many a morning while I passed the bread along to the hungry inmates, I’d hear him preaching to the others. “God will come to the aid of anyone who believes in Him,” he said.

“Don’t you ever stop?” I growled at him.

He shook his head and smiled. “I’m already in here for preaching the Gospel. What’s to prevent me?”

Blind Mary Brings Soup

For all the hardships I saw him endure, what really got to me was his daughter, Mary, a little girl of 10. The first time I saw her I said, “Why do you want to be coming to a place like this?”

“I’ve brought my father his supper,” she replied holding up a hot jug of soup.

When she tripped over the stoop, I shook my head at her clumsiness. “Better watch where you’re goin’.”

“I can’t help it, sir,” she said. “I’m blind.”

I could’ve eaten my words and bitten my tongue. Poor lass! Naturally, I let her in. She memorized the way to the prison and started coming daily to give her father soup. I knew where she got her dedication.

It nearly broke my heart when, three years later, she didn’t come.

“Where’s the lass?” I asked her brother.

He hung his head. “She’s awful sick.”

Then she died. I half expected Bunyan to start wailing at the news. Instead, he took up his pen. Through his quiet tears he explained, “I must write about the resurrection of the dead.”

That’s when I started wondering if it might be true.

John Bunyan’s Progress

Twelve years passed, and finally Bunyan was set free. It seemed as if his troubles were over and he could go back to a quiet family life. Yet, one day three years later, I looked up and there he was again.

A pompous looking officer said, “This man is under arrest for illegal preaching.”

I sighed. Was there no end to this man’s troubles?

“C’mon in,” I said. “I believe you know the way.”

When he got settled, he started writing again as if he had something urgent to say. He paused a few weeks later and looked up as I brought his bread. “And what keeps you so busy these days?” I asked.

“There’s a story I’ve been working on for a long time. It’s about a Pilgrim named Christian who is making his way through a world full of hardship and temptation. He’s going to make it, though, to Heaven, or what I call the Celestial City.”

“A Celestial City? Ha! This world is so full of troubles, how can anyone believe in heaven? Surely, all your trials have taught you that, John!”

John’s eyes held compassion. “My friend, we all have trials in this life. But if we put our faith in God, then we will see that we are just pilgrims passing through this world on our way to heaven.”

Finally, it was all so clear to me! John Bunyan was like a Pilgrim on a difficult journey, but he knew he was going to a better place. By keeping his sights on heaven, he could face anything, even imprisonment!

Make It Real! Questions to make you dig a little deeper and think a little harder.

In John Bunyan’s time in England there was no freedom of religion. Can you think of places in the world today where religious freedom is restricted?

John Bunyan could have been released from jail if he would stop preaching. Do you think he made the right decision?

John Bunyan’s most famous book is The Pilgrim’s Progress. The book is an exciting adventure that shares spiritual truths. Why do you think this has become the bestseller of all time, besides the Bible?

John Bunyan used his time in prison for good. Look up Philippians 1:12-14 to learn of another man who worked for good while in prison. Have you ever served God during a time when your circumstances were bad?

Suggested reading:

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin (available from Vision Video)

The Pilgrim’s Progress Audio Drama

(“John Bunyan: The Jailor’s Story” published on Christianity.com on July 19, 2010)

https://www.sevensealedbook.com/proposition-e

The rapture will occur pre-The Seven Year Tribulation Period, or pre-Daniel’s 70th Week.

see here

This website concerns the last days and an event on the horizon that is far bigger than anything that has happened in this world since Jesus Christ came the first time—His return for the rapture of the Church.  It concerns a pre-trib (or pre-Daniel’s 70th Week) rapture view that is not only very different from the common pre-trib view, but the mid-trib, post-trib, and pre-wrath views as well.  It is a view that is largely brought to light by a different understanding of the Seven Sealed Book or Scroll spoken of in The Revelation (5:1), an understanding that I submit is a major key to unlocking the mysteries of The Revelation and other last days’ prophecies.

     For those new to this site or just starting to delve into their own study of the last days, there is some helpful information further below.  For those more familiar, I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider the following few things that have never been brought out and are not a part of the other views.  I trust that by these you will see the need to take yet another look at what God has seen fit to reveal to us in His Word about what lies ahead.

     First of all, by way of an observation that has engaged my interest ever since I first saw it (some 30 years ago), have you ever wondered where the United States fits in Bible prophecy?  With all that we find in the book of The Revelation, has it ever captivated your interest that it’s a “third part” of the earth that is to be destroyed or drastically affected when the first four trumpets of chapter eight are sounded (vss. 7-12)?  Did you know that the land area of what is in our Western Hemisphere represents an exact third part of the landmass of the earth, even to within less than one percentage point?  Is this just a coincidence?  Consider the evidence.  And, what does this have to do with the rapture or its timing?  Stay tuned.

     Back to the United States, if you are familiar with Daniel’s Seventy Weeks’ prophecy, (click here if not), you will know that what is on our side of the earth was not in the picture of the fulfilling of the first 69 weeks of this prophecy, as the Americas had not in that time even been discovered!  Would it interest you that this could be the case for the last or 70th Week as well?  Something that dovetails with this possibility in an interesting way (with which I agree) has often been put forth by others concerning the Church, as it too was not in the picture of the first 69 weeks.  That such a pre-Cross setting could again come into being for the fulfilling of the final week of Daniel’s prophecy is certainly a huge and captivating thought, is it not?

     Though huge, it should not be overly surprising that we would find evidence that God is going to effect something comparable to a WORLD STAGE RESET prior to the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week.  In tune with the foregoing, what this would do is bring the world’s focus to bear upon Israel and the lands of the Bible days—ONCE AGAIN—as the case was for the first 69 weeks.  On a different note, have you ever wondered how that “every eye” on the face of the earth will be able to simultaneously see Christ at His Second Coming or Second Advent?  The answer is really quite simple and relates to what we are considering.​​

     Changing directions, let me call your attention to that event Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:29-31, which begins, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall…”  Have you ever gave much thought to the similarities between what Jesus here said and what John saw relating to the opening of the 6th Seal (Rev. 6:12-7:17)?

     Further, what is it that the people see with the opening of the 6th Seal that causes them to exclaim to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16)?  Is what they are seeing the appearance of “the sign of the Son of man in heaven” that Jesus spoke of in the Matthew 24:29-31 reference?  Because He says that He will be seen at this time “with power and great glory” (vs. 30), it seems that all have interpreted this to be of His Second Advent, but is it?  Suffice it for now to say that whether it be for a “sign” appearance like He spoke of or His Second Advent, the NEXT TIME Jesus is seen, He will be seen “with power and great glory”!

     Looking once again at Jesus’ words from Matthew 24:29-31, what about His use of that word “after” in His opening, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days…”?  This is something that all who defend the post-trib view have seized upon, which is quite understandable, especially if the tribulation that Jesus is here speaking of is that seven year period of Daniel’s 70th Week.  But, is it?  On my part, if it wasn’t for what we find in The Revelation, I might never have had this question.  BUT, WE HAVE THE REVELATION!

     Changing directions one more time, let me call your attention to Revelation 11:2-3, where we find the first mentioning in the New Testament of two 3-1/2 year timeframes.  By these timeframes and the context, we have solid evidence that what John begins to see at this time connects with Daniel’s 70th Week.  Is there any such evidence as to where in The Revelation that this week begins?  It could rightly be supposed that this would be indicated by something showing that the Antichrist has confirmed his infamous seven year covenant with Israel that he is prophesied to make (Dan. 9:27).  But, is there any evidence of this to be found?  Let me suggest that there is, right before our very eyes.

     Look with me at what John is told in Revelation 11:1, just before the mentioning of those timeframes that I just pointed out:  “Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”  Question:  Just because worship is going on at this time in the temple of God, does this mean that it is God who is being worshiped?  My mind is drawn to what is written concerning that “man of sin” and “son of perdition” in II Thessalonians 2:3.  Notice that of this person, Paul wrote the following:  “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;  so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (II Thess. 2:4).  Has something been being missed here?  Yes, and more than this.

     Curiously, what I have put forth above has not been factored into the common pre-trib view, nor the other prevalent views.  In my thinking, the consequences of such oversights have been the misinterpreting of many scriptures, especially by those who try to defend the common pre-trib view.  What’s more, this has often resulted in this view being rejected in favor of one of the other views.  Yet, Scripture consistently supports the “bottom-line” of the common pre-trib view, which is that Christ could come for His Church at any time!

     In the course of this website, we will be studying the above (and much more) in depth, while looking at understandings that I have come to that I submit will align with everything we find in Scripture concerning the last days and the timing of the rapture.  As I indicated at the first, these understandings make for a rapture view that is different from the prevalent views, but one that I believe will be found to be so solid and compelling that many long held positions will have to be rethought or abandoned.  Where to from here?  My encouragement would be to be obedient to God’s counsel in what I embrace as my life Scripture (Pro. 3:5-6) and to be ever sensitive to the “Spirit of Truth” concerning “ALL TRUTH,”  especially of “things to come” (Jn.16:13).

FOR NEW VISITORS

​​​Because most who discover this website will do so as the result of a search concerning its subject matter, I have worded it in a way that supposes that the reader will be somewhat familiar with the subject.  However, I have not forgotten about those less familiar or those who probably would have never known about this site if they had not known me.  If this is you, I hope you will read the page I have entitled, TO THOSE WHO KNOW ME.  For those who may become curious concerning how and when this differing view came to be, I would encourage you to read my BOOK PREFACE and BOOK INTRODUCTION.  Anything highlighted in red is a link, and all of these (like the navigation links) are internal to this site.  Click on the link or touch it if you have a touch screen, and the link will open.  Depending on the device and other technological issues (ugh!), I have sometimes seen navigation delays, so please be patient!

​     Because I just made mention of my book, I feel it is important to immediately clarify that it and much more is what now makes up this website.  I no longer have a book that is available.  Also, there are no solicitations or advertisements connected with this site, nor will there ever be.  I have been much delighted that I live in a day where that God has made it possible for me to make my life’s work available for free for whoever may be helped by it.  In my heart and mind, this website belongs to God, and as long as He enables me, I will ever be at work seeking to make it more what He would have it to be, all for the cause of Christ and His Kingdom purposes.

​     For those who may have never had an interest in rapture views, it is hoped that this site will still be found to be rewarding, for it is about more than a view, it is a Bible study.  It should be realized that a correct understanding of what the Bible teaches about the timing of the rapture is essential to correctly understanding much of what it teaches about other aspects of the last days.  Moreover, the importance of being ready for the rapture exceeds (by far!) anything else of importance relating to this present world, as it could happen at this very moment.

​     I have divided the main elements of my different view into 36 propositions or key truths that bear upon the timing of the rapture.  These propositions are the headings for 36 of the main chapters in this website and are shown in THE KEYS sections of the menu.  A survey of the list of these propositions (A-Z and 1-10) will give you a bird’s-eye view of my understandings.  A study of the chapters will be like getting a bug’s-eye view of them.

​     Finally, if you find some of what I’ve spoken of in this introduction to be difficult to grasp in your first visit (or second or third!), don’t give up or be too hard on yourself.  Be assured, everything is explained more fully in the chapters, so go easy on yourself, at least for now!  In the menu, you will also find other helps that are related to the view herein set forth, often expressed from different angles.  Personally, I would recommend starting with PROPOSITION A, which is like the true beginning.  I hope you will proceed prayerfully in your quest for the truth and that what you find here will be of some help to you in better understanding what God has revealed to us about these last days in which we live.

The 9th of Av, known as Tisha B’Av, is a day of mourning in Judaism, commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is traditionally observed with a fast and other mourning customs. 

Why am I sending this? The Jewish people are going forward with more and more brazen efforts to rebuild the temple. The last time a prayer was done here there was a terrible uprising of protest.

link here I suggest that you read this article

Part of the prayer, from what I looked up:

My L-rd, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise.

Bend Knees at “Blessed“; bow are “You“; Straighten at “L-rd our G‑d“:

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d and G‑d of our fathers, G‑d of Abraham, G‑d of Isaac and G‑d of Jacob, the great, mighty and awesome G‑d, exalted G‑d, who bestows bountiful kindness, who creates all things, who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs, and who, in love, brings a redeemer to their children’s children, for the sake of His Name.

Bend Knees at “Blessed“; bow are “You“; Straighten at “L-rd our G‑d“:

O King, (You are) a helper, a savior and a shield. Blessed are You L-rd, Shield of Abraham.

You are mighty forever, my L-rd; You resurrect the dead; You are powerful to save.

In summer say: He causes the dew to descend.

He sustains the living with loving kindness, resurrects the dead with great mercy, supports the falling, heals the sick, releases the bound, and fulfills His trust to those who sleep in the dust. Who is like You, mighty One! And who can be compared to You, King, who brings death and restores life, and causes deliverance to spring forth!

See this video on rebuilding the temple   

Here is there website

You may ask again, why are you sending this now? 

It is from the Lesson of the Fig Tree  (Matthew 24:33)
32Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door. 34Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.…

POINTS ON THE RAPTURE AND TRIBULATION

There are many sound reasons for believing in the Rapture. We shall list a few of them here with brief explanations and scripture references, and then also some reasons for believing that the Rapture will precede the Tribulation.
Why believe in the Rapture?
(1) To not have the church called out would mean that Christians stay on the earth and meet Jesus on the earth when He returns. The Bible plainly states that this is not the manner in which we will meet our Saviour. In addition to the reference above from I Thessalonians 4:16-18, which states that believers are to be “caught up,” remember that Jesus said, “. . . if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3) This clearly is a separate event from the Second Advent when Jesus returns to the earth to destroy the wicked and establish His kingdom.
(2) The Rapture is necessary in order that Christians might be called up to heaven before the Judgment Seat of Christ and then be judged and rewarded for their service (Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:10). No lost people will be present at this judgment, yet millions of lost people will be on the earth.
(3) The Rapture is also necessary in order for Christians to take part in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and then return with Christ at the Second Advent (Rev. 19:9-21).
(4) If the “he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (II Ths. 2:7) is a reference to the Holy Spirit indwelling the church, then the church must be removed from the earth so the Antichrist can arise and fulfill his satanic calling (II Ths. 2:8-12).
(5) The church must be taken out of the world so as to escape the wrath of the Great Tribulation. I Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 1:10 says that we are waiting for God’s Son from heaven, “. . . which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
(6) It is in the Rapture that Christians receive their new incorruptible bodies, a special event that doesn’t concern the world in any way (I Cor. 15:51-52).
(7) The Rapture doctrine is supported by Biblical typology. It’s truly sad that so few Christians have an appreciation for (or even an understanding of) the many types that God has planted in His word. When it comes to prophecy, there are types of the Second Coming, types of the Great Tribulation, types of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, and, yes, there are types of the Rapture. We here offer three examples:
(a) Enoch’s translation without dying before the flood is a type of the church being translated to heaven before the Tribulation (Gen. 5:2; Heb. 11:5).
(b) Lot’s special deliverance from God’s judgment on Sodom is a type in the same way (Gen. 19).
(c) In John 11:24, Martha told Jesus that her brother Lazarus would not be resurrected until the “last day,” but Jesus disagreed in verses 25 & 26, and He then raised Lazarus BEFORE the last day in verses 43 and 44, just as He will one day raise the church.
One may prefer to use the Bible terms “first resurrection,” “translation,” or being “caught up,” but it all amounts to the same thing: this world is not our home, so we are about to be beamed up because the time of our departure is at hand.
Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Now, how do we know that the Rapture will precede the Great Tribulation, thus sparing Christians from the harsh judgments of the book of Revelation?
In addition to the references given above from I Thessalonians about Christians escaping the wrath to come, there are some other good Bible reasons for the church not going through the Tribulation Period. Some of the stronger reasons are listed below:
(1) The pre-tribulation view of the Rapture is the only view that truly honors the principle of rightly dividing the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15). Mid-tribulation and post-tribulation rapture views tend to overlook clear distinctions between Israel and the church, thus misapplying many portions of scripture.

(2) The Bible speaks of the Christian looking for very positive things, such as “his Son from from heaven” and “that blessed hope” (I Ths. 1:10; Tit. 2:13), not the Antichrist and his reign of terror.
(3) The chronology and language of Revelation matches the pre-tribulation view. For instance, immediately after the messages to the seven churches (chapters two and three), the words “come up hither” occur in Revelation 4:1, which is after the church age (chapters two and three), yet before the Tribulation Period (chapters six through nineteen). The church is on earth in chapters two and three, but in heaven in chapters four and five. Then the Tribulation Period begins in chapter six. The words “church” and “churches” are found all through chapters two and three, but nowhere in the Tribulation chapters (chapters six through nineteen). Yet, long after the Tribulation judgments are over, the churches are mentioned again (Rev. 22:16).
(4) The Bible defines the Tribulation Period as a Jewish dispensation, not a church age dispensation. The Tribulation Period is the seventieth “week” of Daniel 9:24-27, and it’s the “time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7. As prophecy students well know, Daniel’s “seventy weeks” consist of a 490 year Jewish time table. The first 483 years have been fulfilled, none of which concerned the church in any way, so the remaining 7 years will also deal with Israel and her place in God’s program, not the church. It’s the time of Jacob’s trouble, not the time of the church’s trouble. This explains why Jews and Jerusalem are mentioned in the Tribulation Period (Rev. 7:4; 11:8, etc.) when the church is not.
(5) The Bible never attempts to prepare the church for the Tribulation Period. No instructions are given to the church on how to prepare for and endure the Tribulation Period.
Additional arguments could be made, and some of the above points could be broken down into more than one argument, but these are the main points with which the Christian should be familiar.

Scoffers Are Here—How Much Longer Until Judgment?

Scoffing as a Last Days Prophecy

The Bible explicitly warns that in the last days, scoffers will arise, mocking the promise of Christ’s return. These scoffers will be both outside the church and, more dangerously, inside the church.

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Scoffers in the World

Scoffing as a Mark of the Last Days
2 Peter 3:3-4 – “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’”

This is not just general unbelief—this is mockery directed specifically at the return of Christ. The world arrogantly assumes that judgment will never come because they have not yet seen it.

Scoffers Reject the Warning of Past Judgment
Jude 1:17-18 – “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’”

Jude directly ties scoffing to apostolic prophecy. This rejection of truth is not just skepticism—it is spiritual rebellion fueled by wicked desires.

Scoffing is a Sign of Judgment
Proverbs 19:29 – “Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.”

Though they laugh now, judgment is already prepared for them. This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:3, where sudden destruction will come upon those who feel secure in their mockery.

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Scoffers Within the Church

The Church Will Reject Sound Doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

Many within the church reject or ignore bible prophecy, dismissing the return of Christ as a distraction. They will prefer comfort over conviction.

The Denial of Christ’s Return
Matthew 24:48-49 – “But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him.”

Jesus describes a servant within His household who stops expecting His return. Today, many within the church say, “People have always talked about the end times—nothing has changed.” This is precisely what Peter warned about in 2 Peter 3:4.

Corrupt Leaders and False Teachers
2 Peter 2:1-2 – “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.”

False teachers within the church distort truth, leading others astray. Some openly mock prophecy, teaching that warnings about the Tribulation, the rapture, or Christ’s return are unnecessary distractions rather than essential parts of the faith.

Even within the church, the watchman’s duty remains:
•Ezekiel 33:7 – “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.”
•Mark 13:37 – “And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Final Thought: Are We Among the Scoffers or the Watchmen?

As Thou Goest Step by Step I Will Open up the Way Before Thee

Prov 4:12

Omega Message – October 1981

Poem by Arthur C. Ritchie

Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes on thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known to me.

Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning
Of my command, but thou the light shalt gain:
Walk on in faith, upon my promise leaning,
And as thou goest all shall be made plain.

One step thou seest – then go forward boldly;
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For step by step, Thy Lord is leading thee.

Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting
For I, the Strong, will open the way.

Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee
Having my promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, where’ere the future finds thee,
In all thy journeying I go before.