Are We In The End Times?

[PloughBoy]

Hi Sue

No I am not referring to 'don't show evidence of' as you put it, that would be judgement on our part. Scripture doesn't say that.

Scripture says 'You will know them'. We won't need to think about it, we must not judge, it will be obvious for us to see.

It will be as obvious as not expecting grapes from a thorn bush, or figs from thistle, it will be that obvious.

In other words a person may appear to be saved, appear to be one of the sheep, but then they F and Geoff (Sorry any Geoff's on here), or their sins of lust show their true colours. We will jot have to go looking or checking people are saved, it will be as obvious as the two examples given.

Luke 6:43-45 (NKJV)
43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV)
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Although the Spirit indwells a newly born again from above person, they like babes have to grow and learn, they will make mistakes at first as a child does in learning, these are not the issue, a person will no doubt be apologetic, it is when they appear to grow in faith but do not have the Holy Spirit in them. They are sheep in wolves clothing, speaking the speak, talking the talk, social blending, but they are as Matt 7:15 says, really just false prophets, we are told to be aware of them. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Bless you

Hummmm, (Matthew 7:15).
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Wondering, do I appear like a nice sweet talking gentle sheep, but do I appear like a barking watch dog? Alright becareful, move very slow.

 

[PloughBoy]

Hummmm, (Matthew 7:15).
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Wondering, do I appear like a nice sweet talking gentle sheep, but do I appear like a barking watch dog? Alright becareful, move very slow.

LOL, sorry guys I could not help it, Ok

 

[Sue D.]

There will not be the desire To grow without the Holy Spirit indwelling them.

Seems that we are talking about two different things.

Does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a person's life make a difference or not. Yes, it does.

There Are a lot of people who have been misled as to what salvation is or is Not. What constitutes salvation. Belief in the heart and confession by mouth. Constitutes salvation. People around that person Will notice a difference. It will be a Positive difference. As people grow older they can be influenced by unGodliness.

There was a situation about 50 yrs. ago. I was dating a guy -- he was willing to go to church with me -- Sunday dinners with my folks -- I lived at home. My sister and her husband were there a lot, too.

After a few weeks he shared that was interested in salvation. I suggested he talk with my brother-in-law -- missionaries to be. Apparently he Did accept Christ. His interest became to invite his neighbor to church with him. He did and his friend also accepted Christ. Don't remember him getting baptized. He might have been sprinkled as an infant. Never had that conversation. He ended up being drafted / I broke up with him. I broke off the engagement and ended up marrying the friend he'd invited to church. Did his life show Christ? Wasn't around him enough to find out. He Did have his problems which is why I broke up with him. He was in and out again and no one had much chance For follow up with him. Was he actually saved? in his case, only God knows for sure. And that's possibly true for Lots of born again believers. They are Not a shining star that every one notices.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Hummmm, (Matthew 7:15).
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Wondering, do I appear like a nice sweet talking gentle sheep, but do I appear like a barking watch dog? Alright becareful, move very slow.

Barrrr

 

[Trevor]

There will not be the desire To grow without the Holy Spirit indwelling them.

Seems that we are talking about two different things.

Does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a person's life make a difference or not. Yes, it does.

There Are a lot of people who have been misled as to what salvation is or is Not. What constitutes salvation. Belief in the heart and confession by mouth. Constitutes salvation. People around that person Will notice a difference. It will be a Positive difference. As people grow older they can be influenced by unGodliness.

There was a situation about 50 yrs. ago. I was dating a guy -- he was willing to go to church with me -- Sunday dinners with my folks -- I lived at home. My sister and her husband were there a lot, too.

After a few weeks he shared that was interested in salvation. I suggested he talk with my brother-in-law -- missionaries to be. Apparently he Did accept Christ. His interest became to invite his neighbor to church with him. He did and his friend also accepted Christ. Don't remember him getting baptized. He might have been sprinkled as an infant. Never had that conversation. He ended up being drafted / I broke up with him. I broke off the engagement and ended up marrying the friend he'd invited to church. Did his life show Christ? Wasn't around him enough to find out. He Did have his problems which is why I broke up with him. He was in and out again and no one had much chance For follow up with him. Was he actually saved? in his case, only God knows for sure. And that's possibly true for Lots of born again believers. They are Not a shining star that every one notices.

There are people Sue, who come to the Lord with a true heart, and then because of bad teaching, show no sign of growth. and become the star that nobody notices.

 

[Born Again 2004]

There are people Sue, who come to the Lord with a true heart, and then because of bad teaching, show no sign of growth. and become the star that nobody notices.

God's feelings are the only ones that count when it comes to what is in a man's heart and only He knows whether growth is sufficient.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Do you believe that we are in the very end times, where Jesus can return within the next 100 years or so?

I would advise using the book of Revelation as a gauge of where you think we're living in currently chronologically.

Some thoughts about the end times signs...

What will happen in the end times? (Summary)
Financial Signs of the End Times (audio)
Understanding the End Times
12 Signs of the End Times

This is meant to be a fun poll and bible discussion. Ultimately:

Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

Is it important ?

 

[MorningBirds]

Sometimes I wonder about what the end times are going to look like, but I think it could look very similar to the first coming as well. Surely, God has given us signs and understanding of the Bible for the reason of being able to recognize the second coming of Jesus.

 

[Sue D.]

Are we getting the rapture and the 2nd coming as being the same event?

And His 1st coming was as a babe in the manger. His 2nd coming will be as righteous leader for 1,000 yrs. here on earth.

Upon His 2nd coming it will be on the Mt. of Olives -- that is told about in Zachariah 14. vs 4 through rest of chapter.

It's the rapture of the Church -- it being taken up by a shout of the archangels -- meeting Jesus in the air -- and That event is when no one except the Father knows the timing of. The Church, being all the born again believers from all over the world.

And looking at world events -- That could take place in the very near future. It won't be the end of the world -- it Will be the end of the Church age.

 

[brighthouse98]

MorningBirds,I would think that at his coming,at that moment,in an instant of an eye,you will truly be as he is,and will have no more questions! LOL( John 4:25) is a fine example of what I am saying.So I fully agree with your fine words!( 1 John 4:17!!!)

 

[Sue D.]

If a person is a believer at that moment in time, yes. We need to go by what Scripture says -- not especially what we hope to be the case.

 

[UncleD]

I am sorry that this may be a bit long but if I may I would like to contribute to this discussion with the following:

Dan 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

The end times are here already. We have been in the end times since the days of Jesus. He, being the first fruits of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:20), shows that the resurrection has already started we are just waiting for our role in it. The two thousand years since the first coming of Christ is nearly over. The final seven year period spoken of in Daniel 9:24-27 is about to happen. It is very, very significant that Israel, in 1948, became a nation again, a nation established in one day. God is bringing them into their own land for judgement (the Day of the Lord).

It starts with Thlipsis (Greek) (tribulation Matt 24:4-8) and continues to the Mega Thlipsis (Greek) (great tribulation starts (Matt 24:9-21 Emphasis verse15 & 21 it is good to read these synoptically with the other gospels)), and when the abomination of desolation is set up in the temple the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) will persecute the Jews and all born again Christians. This is Satans last ditch attempt to prevent the second coming of Christ. When all the nations are gathered together against him (Israel) and have surrounded the city of Jerusalem they will not have any other hope but to call on their Messiah. Doing so then brings about His return to take His rightful place on the throne in Jerusalem. Consider David and Goliath. This is a picture of what will transpire when Jesus Christ returns. Israel is confronted with the Philistines and their leader Goliath. Goliath is a picture of the Antichrist and the Philistines a picture of the nations gathered together under one head to attack and destroy Israel. The leadership in Israel at that time is the same as their leadership today. A leadership without Gods anointing. Saul was without God (God had rejected him as king because of his blatant disobedience) and without an effective army. The leadership in Israel today is not anointed and is without God and by the time the nations gather against her their army and other defence mechanisms will be ineffective against a vast army surrounding Jerusalem. Then David, a type of Christ at His second coming, takes on and overcomes Goliath (a picture of the Antichrist) and the Philistines flee in fear. So then, when Jesus Christ returns He will take on Antichrist and God will supernaturally destroy the nations coming against Israel. These are the judgements of God seen in the book of Revelation starting at chapter 8. The book of Revelation is not a chronological book so one cannot start at chapter one and see the events happening one after the other chronologically. The first chapter is an introduction. Chapters 2-3 are letters to the seven churches in Asia minor but are also the condition of the church at different stages throughout church history. Chapters 4-5 show the throne room with the 24 elders which are the 12 patriarchs of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. The first 6 seals are things happening here on earth regarding the tribulation and the great tribulation. They match Dan 7:25; Matt 24:4-8; Mk 13:8 and Matt 24:9-28 respectively. Between the 6th and the 7th seal we see the resurrection and the rapture happening. Israel’s repentance and receiving their Messiah happens after this (See the verses below the text).

Also consider Israel, especially Jerusalem – the city of our God - is the centre of attention now for all nations. Even the UN has more resolutions in the Security Council against Israel than any other nation. The so -called human rights abuses by other nations, including China, are not even dealt with to such an extent in UNHRC. Israel is always seen as the instigator of hostilities and is considered an occupying people in their own land. Also consider that currently with all the technology and with globalisation ever increasing we have all nations becoming one in preparation for the Antichrist a man possessed by Satan. Just in passing - What is happening in the US today is part and parcel of globalisation efforts. Once those Socialists masquerading as democrats get into power again they will start to restrict the Gospel from going out and there will be heavy persecution of the saints there. It is imperative that all believers in the western world get prepared for it and not be caught short. It is already happening on social media to a degree where alternative sites for posting video sermons and teachings are being sought. As long as the US is still sending out the Gospel and sending missionaries all over the world and they are assisting and are allies with Israel Gods blessing will remain. Satan is definitely attempting to bring the US to its knees. God has allowed one last time for the US to show where it wants to go so use your choice wisely. (Note: I am not residing in the US and I am not a citizen but one looking in and seeing what is happening).

In support of the above relating to Israel consider the following verses: Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Zec 12:4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. Zec 12:5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. Zec 12:6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. Zec 12:7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. Zec 12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zec 12:11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. Zec 12:12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; Zec 12:13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; Zec 12:14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. NOTE! Between verse 2 and 3 there has been a change . Israel at this point has repented as a nation and has received their Messiah. First God brings the nations against Jerusalem then He comes against those same nations. They then fulfil the prophecy given in Zechariah 12 10-14.

This is a spiritual war between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). The seed of the woman is Jesus Christ who is the Messiah that comes out of Israel. The seed of the serpent is a man possessed by Satan and we know him as being the Antichrist. In the end Jesus Christ overcomes Antichrist and those in Him (Christ) will reign with Him here on earth for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand years there will be Gog and Magog coming against Jerusalem again when Satan is let loose out of the Abyss then God supernaturally destroys them. The second resurrection takes place and those who did not obey the gospel are cast into the lake of fire for eternal judgement. Then there will be a new heaven and a new earth, God and the Lamb (Jesus) will be the light as there will be not need for the sun or the moon anymore. We will eat again from the tree of life situated in the garden.

I end off with the following regarding the day of the Lord when God pours out His vengeance on the nations:

To read more about the Day of the Lord look at the Book of Zephaniah and Is 2:12; Is 13:6 & 9; Jer 46:10; Lam 2:22; Ezek 13:5; Ezek 30:3; Zep_1:7; Jer_30:7; Eze_30:3; Joel 1:15; Joe_2:1, Joe_2:11, Joe_2:31; Joe 3:14; Amos 5:20; Oba 1:15; Zec 14:1; Mal_4:5; Act_2:20; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Rev_6:17.

1Th_5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

2Pe_3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Rev 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Joe_2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

Isa_34:8 For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

Amo_5:18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

I hope you are all blessed in the Lord Jesus, keep your eyes firmly fixed on Him as trying times are coming for all of us who hold unto the end the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

 

[twcstp111]

I am sorry that this may be a bit long but if I may I would like to contribute to this discussion with the following:


It starts with Thlipsis (Greek) (tribulation Matt 24:4-8) and continues to the Mega Thlipsis (Greek) (great tribulation starts (Matt 24:9-21 Emphasis verse15 & 21 it is good to read these synoptically with the other gospels)), and when the abomination of desolation is set up in the temple the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) will persecute the Jews and all born again Christians. This is Satans last ditch attempt to prevent the second coming of Christ. When all the nations are gathered together against him (Israel) and have surrounded the city of Jerusalem they will not have any other hope but to call on their Messiah. Doing so then brings about His return to take His rightful place on the throne in Jerusalem. Consider David and Goliath. This is a picture of what will transpire when Jesus Christ returns. Israel is confronted with the Philistines and their leader Goliath. Goliath is a picture of the Antichrist and the Philistines a picture of the nations gathered together under one head to attack and destroy Israel. The leadership in Israel at that time is the same as their leadership today. A leadership without Gods anointing. Saul was without God (God had rejected him as king because of his blatant disobedience) and without an effective army. The leadership in Israel today is not anointed and is without God and by the time the nations gather against her their army and other defence mechanisms will be ineffective against a vast army surrounding Jerusalem. Then David, a type of Christ at His second coming, takes on and overcomes Goliath (a picture of the Antichrist) and the Philistines flee in fear. So then, when Jesus Christ returns He will take on Antichrist and God will supernaturally destroy the nations coming against Israel. These are the judgements of God seen in the book of Revelation starting at chapter 8. The book of Revelation is not a chronological book so one cannot start at chapter one and see the events happening one after the other chronologically. The first chapter is an introduction. Chapters 2-3 are letters to the seven churches in Asia minor but are also the condition of the church at different stages throughout church history.


Chapters 4-5 show the throne room with the 24 elders which are the 12 patriarchs of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.


The first 6 seals are things happening here on earth regarding the tribulation and the great tribulation. They match Dan 7:25; Matt 24:4-8; Mk 13:8 and Matt 24:9-28 respectively. Between the 6th and the 7th seal we see the resurrection and the rapture happening. Israel’s repentance and receiving their Messiah happens after this (See the verses below the text).

Friend,

I separated, bolded, and underlined this portion for an inquiry I would like to make with you.

The Scroll and the Lamb
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.




6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.

8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.


If the 24 are the 12 patriarchs and 12 Apostles, and the 12 Apostles being those whom God ordained and which Jesus the Christ built up and established in the office of the Most High, then is the Lamb Jesus? If Jesus is the Lamb (whom He is), then how is it that the 12 Apostles could fall down and give worship to Him before being established as 12 of the 24 elders, the 12 Apostles whom Jesus built up in the most Holy Faith of the Most High?

 

[Michael BoryAlis]

The End of Time? . .
Yes, those ascending into the lofty realms of Light are entering Timelessness.
The Infinite Now.

Are you 'going up hither'? (Rev 4:1) or still wallowing in the swill.

 

[Michael BoryAlis]

Hummmm, (Matthew 7:15).
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Wondering, do I appear like a nice sweet talking gentle sheep, but do I appear like a barking watch dog? Alright becareful, move very slow.

The wolves keep you in the Wide Gate to Death (MATTHEW 7:13-15) - keep it in context.

 

[twcstp111]

The End of Time? . .
Yes, those ascending into the lofty realms of Light are entering Timelessness.
The Infinite Now.

Are you 'going up hither'? (Rev 4:1) or still wallowing in the swill.

I have work to do, which I have purposed in my own heart for my Mother, my Brothers, all Sisters and Fathers--In this work I will please God, because I am now moving and acting for love and for peace, which is of His righteousness. If God will have it so, I will bless God and Man and the Rock we live on and in and through right now.

Whether I'm going up or going down isn't really necessary for me to consider and think about or imagine when I hear the crying voices and desperate pleas of many who have never received the blessing that I have been given, neither did they receive godly hands blessed by The Lord for their sake--I will work to bless them even as I have been blessed, and this I will do as I live not because it has been given to me to do but I will do my work because my heart approves and sees the light of the world and that it is good, even as life is good--not by vain imaginations, but by the truth; honeydew melons are delicious, apples, oranges, nuts, vegetables, fruits, all kinds of wonders are here and given freely to all life that is here for the seed it plants and the fruit that it produces------alllll of this goodness, which gives life without denying it.

I am grateful to God and to man, but I am most grateful to my brothers and my mother and this Rock which we sit presently--how else would I know The Lord except I were to learn of Him, and how am I to learn of Him except He gave me the experience to seek Him, to have time (where I am not being killed) (safety) to learn of Him, and to receive the blessing of gratitude which is to know I am not blessed by them and by Him because I wanted to be or asked for it but because my brothers, my mother, and The Lord blessed me. The blessing I have been given is that I can acknowledge that I have been blessed in this life, and that others, so many, have not. I have a deep appreciation, and much gratitude; I will to share it even as I have received it.

 

[twcstp111]

The End of Time? . .
Yes, those ascending into the lofty realms of Light are entering Timelessness.
The Infinite Now.

Are you 'going up hither'? (Rev 4:1) or still wallowing in the swill.

In truth I say this:

the end of times doesn't even matter to me, that great and dreadful day is not one I want to see neither is it to be desired. That day is doom and it is destruction.


What matters to me is not the end of times, but the beginning of times in truth and in grace throughout the whole earth: times of peace and times of joy, and times of great love; imperishable times, times that are perfect in Him; times on this planet, this place, times forwards of this Earth right here which are everlasting in peace and in truth. Times that will spring forth great joy and great love throughout all ages forever.

 

[twcstp111]

See, I know what I am as I sit here.

I was born; freely was I fed, taught, disciplined, given to, and loved.

I have been given the essence of life which allowed me to learn that I am able to think not because I think or am thinking, but because of the blessings given to me; I can think and act and be disposed or indisposed of my own will because all of this has been given to me. I did not grow on my own, or learn on my own, or suffer on my own, or receive love on my own--everything that I am and that I have is everything that I have been given, of which I created none but received portions of it all.

So it is even as it has been spoken: it is more blessed to give than to receive, and I thank God that He has given me the understanding to appreciate how that all of this has been given to me and without price but in love, and how He has taught me that if I have the love of God in my heart then even as I have been loved, I ought to love also. Each minute and every second, these are all moments that are received of Him for He gives them, but the love of a mother comes from Her heart and from His blessings; through my mother I have learned love, and by Him I have learned understanding; His love did not come from Him alone, but through her who chose Him and it has been them together who blessed me.

Many do not know love and have not received it even though their life and their living is God given and blessed from the beginning. Many have not received this understanding because they have not sought it or they were slaughtered too early or perished untimely. Understanding love in our person and in our word is knowledge of Him; it is knowledge of the heart of love that is God's heart which he reveals to those who ask and seek Him.

Strange, but necessary. It takes so much fortune, and even so much misfortune, to become able to seek Him and to learn oh Him and from Him; Noah, Jesus the Son, Job, the Apostles--all of them, very, very blessed, and for the greatness of their blessedness which God gave them, how deep, even as the deepness of their blessings, how deep they suffered.

Oh, and they blessed God and Man in the world all the same--never forsaking the love which is to love.

 

[Michael BoryAlis]

John 12:36 While ye have the Light believe into the Light -

If not, you'll remain in darkness and be on the way to the morgue.
"...and gross darkness shall be upon the people" - Isaiah 60:2.

 

[34BillionthHumanBeing]

We are living the beginning of the end of western civilization. We are living the beginning the of a new dark age, the rise and fall of men's empires, dreams and social failures no different than we seen over the course of thousands of years. The kings and monarchies are returning back to the earth and the world's population returning back to serfs and peasants will be working on corporate fiefdoms. Like all centralized statist welfare systems in the past this new one will also fail and give way for men to find their way again back to truth and righteousness rebuilding new civilizations that will once again compete with backward evil nations that seek to enslave, kill and conquer.

What we are seeing today is merely consequences of men disregarding God, not an orchestra of planned execution to a grand end finale.

If you are worried about the mark of the beast then stop! It already happened. It was the Roman Empire.
However that still won't stop wicked human beings from forcing you to denounce Christ in today's age. Stay Strong!