Summary of Bible references on the Rapture
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Luke 21:25 A Prophecy Game Changer!
When the NT and Jesus say that there will be signs in the stars that could be translated as "in the constellations", in fact the word for "stars" means "a group of stars" which we call constellations. However, it seems Bible expositors were concerned with astrology so this has been hidden.
When the NT and Jesus say that there will be signs in the stars that could be translated as "in the constellations", in fact the word for "stars" means "a group of stars" which we call constellations. However, it seems Bible expositors were concerned with astrology so this has been hidden.
Adapted from 1Samuel 12
Oh people, hear the words of Samuel true The righteous acts of Jehovah he'll pursue He brought your fathers out of Egypt land Appointed Moses and Aaron with His hand
Jacob and his descendants cried and pled Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron ahead They made your fathers dwell in safety's space But they forgot Jehovah, their God of grace
They were sold to their enemies by God's decree For forsaking Him and serving other deities They cried to Jehovah, "We have sinned, forgive" And He sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah to relieve
Nahash, the king of Ammon, came with might They said, "We need a king to lead us right" Jehovah was their king, but they wanted more So Jehovah granted their wish and did implore
If you fear Jehovah, and follow His command He'll bless both you and your chosen king's land But if you rebel and refuse to hear His wrath will be upon you, so do not veer
Jehovah will do a great thing before your eyes It's harvest time, yet thunder and rain will arise A sign that your wickedness is great, indeed For asking a king instead of Jehovah to lead
Samuel called to Jehovah, and thunder came All the people feared and praised His name Oh, people, heed these words that Samuel shared Jehovah is your God, follow Him, be prepared.
Oh people, hear the words of Samuel true The righteous acts of Jehovah he'll pursue He brought your fathers out of Egypt land Appointed Moses and Aaron with His hand
Jacob and his descendants cried and pled Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron ahead They made your fathers dwell in safety's space But they forgot Jehovah, their God of grace
They were sold to their enemies by God's decree For forsaking Him and serving other deities They cried to Jehovah, "We have sinned, forgive" And He sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah to relieve
Nahash, the king of Ammon, came with might They said, "We need a king to lead us right" Jehovah was their king, but they wanted more So Jehovah granted their wish and did implore
If you fear Jehovah, and follow His command He'll bless both you and your chosen king's land But if you rebel and refuse to hear His wrath will be upon you, so do not veer
Jehovah will do a great thing before your eyes It's harvest time, yet thunder and rain will arise A sign that your wickedness is great, indeed For asking a king instead of Jehovah to lead
Samuel called to Jehovah, and thunder came All the people feared and praised His name Oh, people, heed these words that Samuel shared Jehovah is your God, follow Him, be prepared.
Here's the hybrid poem that combines elements of the Bob Dylan song "Blowin' in the Wind" and the poem "Oh People, Hear the Words of Samuel True":
Oh people, hear the words of Samuel true
The righteous acts of Jehovah he'll pursue
He brought your fathers out of Egypt land
Appointed Moses and Aaron with His hand
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
Jacob and his descendants cried and pled
Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron ahead
They made your fathers dwell in safety's space
But they forgot Jehovah, their God of grace
They were sold to their enemies by God's decree
For forsaking Him and serving other deities
They cried to Jehovah, "We have sinned, forgive"
And He sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah to relieve
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Nahash, the king of Ammon, came with might
They said, "We need a king to lead us right"
Jehovah was their king, but they wanted more
So Jehovah granted their wish and did implore
If you fear Jehovah, and follow His command
He'll bless both you and your chosen king's land
But if you rebel and refuse to hear
His wrath will be upon you, so do not veer
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
How many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
Jehovah will do a great thing before your eyes
It's harvest time, yet thunder and rain will arise
A sign that your wickedness is great, indeed
For asking a king instead of Jehovah to lead
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Samuel called to Jehovah, and thunder came
All the people feared and praised His name
Oh, people, heed these words that Samuel shared
Jehovah is your God, follow Him, be prepared.
Oh people, hear the words of Samuel true
The righteous acts of Jehovah he'll pursue
He brought your fathers out of Egypt land
Appointed Moses and Aaron with His hand
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
Jacob and his descendants cried and pled
Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron ahead
They made your fathers dwell in safety's space
But they forgot Jehovah, their God of grace
They were sold to their enemies by God's decree
For forsaking Him and serving other deities
They cried to Jehovah, "We have sinned, forgive"
And He sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah to relieve
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Nahash, the king of Ammon, came with might
They said, "We need a king to lead us right"
Jehovah was their king, but they wanted more
So Jehovah granted their wish and did implore
If you fear Jehovah, and follow His command
He'll bless both you and your chosen king's land
But if you rebel and refuse to hear
His wrath will be upon you, so do not veer
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
How many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
Jehovah will do a great thing before your eyes
It's harvest time, yet thunder and rain will arise
A sign that your wickedness is great, indeed
For asking a king instead of Jehovah to lead
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Samuel called to Jehovah, and thunder came
All the people feared and praised His name
Oh, people, heed these words that Samuel shared
Jehovah is your God, follow Him, be prepared.
Verily, Verily, Jesus is the door that leads to the pasture
John 10:7 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
When you repeat a word it gives it emphasis. There are a lot of phony "doors" out there. They promise to lead you out to some kind of utopia. These are the multitude of false Christs, antichrists, that John told us we already have.
8 All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
Do you know how you identify the real door? This is like that game show where you were to choose one of three doors. The real door has blood on it. The crucified Jesus is the real door, He didn't come to steal or rob you, He came that you might have life and He did that by dying in our stead on the cross.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
This is like a pretty girl with a long line of suitors, but one laid down his life that she might live. Not hard to figure out which was the good shepherd.
12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: 13 he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Wake up, the wolves are coming and these thieves and robbers in the government are fleeing the sinking ship like rats.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, 15 even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.
This is a commandment! Jesus was commanded to lay His life down for us to save us and He also had power to rise from the dead.
John 10:7 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
When you repeat a word it gives it emphasis. There are a lot of phony "doors" out there. They promise to lead you out to some kind of utopia. These are the multitude of false Christs, antichrists, that John told us we already have.
8 All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
Do you know how you identify the real door? This is like that game show where you were to choose one of three doors. The real door has blood on it. The crucified Jesus is the real door, He didn't come to steal or rob you, He came that you might have life and He did that by dying in our stead on the cross.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
This is like a pretty girl with a long line of suitors, but one laid down his life that she might live. Not hard to figure out which was the good shepherd.
12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: 13 he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Wake up, the wolves are coming and these thieves and robbers in the government are fleeing the sinking ship like rats.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, 15 even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.
This is a commandment! Jesus was commanded to lay His life down for us to save us and He also had power to rise from the dead.
The Ballad of King Saul (adapted from 1Samuel 13)
In ancient times of Israel's land, Saul was crowned with a scepter in his hand. At forty years, he began to reign, And soon he faced a battle, a great campaign.
Two years had passed since he took the throne, And with three thousand men, he set out alone. Two thousand with him, in Michmash they stayed, While Jonathan, with a thousand, in Gibeah laid.
Jonathan attacked the Philistines' garrison, And the news of it spread to every nation. Saul blew the trumpet for all to hear, And Israel's people gathered near.
But thirty thousand chariots of the foe, Six thousand horsemen, and a multitude below, Camped in Michmash, ready to fight, And the Israelites trembled with fright.
Distressed and hiding in caves and rocks, They prayed for help, as they faced the shock. Some had fled to Gad and Gilead, But Saul remained, his people filled with dread.
For seven days, they waited for Samuel's return, But he didn't come, and their hearts did burn. Saul grew restless and decided to pray, And offered the burnt offering, come what may.
As he finished, Samuel came into sight, And Saul rushed to greet him with all his might. But Samuel saw what Saul had done, And said he had failed to obey the Lord, the One.
Samuel said that Saul had done foolishly, And that he'd lost his chance to reign successfully. God had found a man after His heart, And Saul's kingdom would soon depart.
With only six hundred men at his side, Saul and Jonathan faced the enemy with pride. The Philistines divided their forces in three, And the Israelites wondered what would be.
In all the land of Israel, no smith was found, For the Philistines had forbidden swords to be around. So the Israelites went to the enemy instead, To sharpen their tools and weapons, in dread.
The day of the battle came at last, And the Israelites had no swords to grasp. But Saul and Jonathan had weapons, indeed, And with them, they'd fight, and they'd succeed.
In ancient times of Israel's land, Saul was crowned with a scepter in his hand. At forty years, he began to reign, And soon he faced a battle, a great campaign.
Two years had passed since he took the throne, And with three thousand men, he set out alone. Two thousand with him, in Michmash they stayed, While Jonathan, with a thousand, in Gibeah laid.
Jonathan attacked the Philistines' garrison, And the news of it spread to every nation. Saul blew the trumpet for all to hear, And Israel's people gathered near.
But thirty thousand chariots of the foe, Six thousand horsemen, and a multitude below, Camped in Michmash, ready to fight, And the Israelites trembled with fright.
Distressed and hiding in caves and rocks, They prayed for help, as they faced the shock. Some had fled to Gad and Gilead, But Saul remained, his people filled with dread.
For seven days, they waited for Samuel's return, But he didn't come, and their hearts did burn. Saul grew restless and decided to pray, And offered the burnt offering, come what may.
As he finished, Samuel came into sight, And Saul rushed to greet him with all his might. But Samuel saw what Saul had done, And said he had failed to obey the Lord, the One.
Samuel said that Saul had done foolishly, And that he'd lost his chance to reign successfully. God had found a man after His heart, And Saul's kingdom would soon depart.
With only six hundred men at his side, Saul and Jonathan faced the enemy with pride. The Philistines divided their forces in three, And the Israelites wondered what would be.
In all the land of Israel, no smith was found, For the Philistines had forbidden swords to be around. So the Israelites went to the enemy instead, To sharpen their tools and weapons, in dread.
The day of the battle came at last, And the Israelites had no swords to grasp. But Saul and Jonathan had weapons, indeed, And with them, they'd fight, and they'd succeed.
Ballad of King Saul, adapted from 1Samuel 14
In days of old, when Saul was king And Israel faced a fearsome thing The Philistines, their garrison strong Their hold on Israel seemed so long
One day young Jonathan, son of Saul Told his armor-bearer with a call "Let's go over to the Philistines' side And see what fate may there abide"
But to his father, he did not tell He left with just his armor-bearer, well Saul stayed back in Gibeah's place With six hundred men, their fears to face
Jonathan and his man did cross To the Philistines' side, with no loss They passed through rocky crags so steep Bozez and Seneh, their names to keep
"Let's go," said Jonathan, "to these uncircumcised Perhaps the Lord will for us provide He can save by many or by few There is no restraint to what He can do"
His armor-bearer said with heart sincere "I am with you, let's go without fear" They would show themselves to the Philistines bold If they said "Come up," then their fate was told
If they said "Tarry," then they would stay Until their Lord showed them the way The Philistines said, "Behold, the Hebrews come Out of their hiding places, no more to run"
Jonathan and his man climbed up The Philistines saw them and raised their cup "Come up to us," they said with pride And then their fate was sealed, and they died
Twenty men fell, in a half-furrow's length Their fear and trembling at Israel's strength The earth quaked and the Philistines fled Their hearts filled with terror and with dread
Saul and his men saw the Philistines' flight The watchmen saw them flee from sight They numbered the men, and to their surprise Jonathan and his man weren't with their eyes
Saul told Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God" For Israel's deliverance, they needed this rod As Saul talked to the priest, the Philistines' roar Grew louder and louder than ever before
Saul and his men then went to the fight Each man's sword against his fellow, what a sight The Hebrews with the Philistines before Joined with Israel, and fled no more
Jehovah saved Israel that day The battle passed over by Beth-aven, they say And Jonathan and his armor-bearer bold Helped deliver Israel from the Philistine hold.
In ancient Israel, a curse was laid On any who ate until evening shade Saul had adjured, and the people feared None dared eat, though their hunger seared
But in the forest, Jonathan found Honey on the ground, sweet and profound He ate a little, his eyes were bright The people were faint, too weak to fight
Jonathan said, "My father hath troubled the land See how my eyes have been enlightened by this hand If the people had eaten from the spoil There would have been no great Philistine toil"
They smote the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon But the people were faint, their strength was gone They ate the spoil, and sinned with the blood Against Jehovah, their cries were heard
Saul said, "Bring me every ox and sheep We will slay them here and not sin with the meat" He built an altar to Jehovah's name The first altar of his fame
He said, "Let us go down and take spoil Till morning light, let not a man uncoil" The people agreed, but the priest said nay "Let us ask God if it's okay"
Saul asked, but God answered not He asked the chiefs, but they were caught In silence, none answered his call Saul said, "I and Jonathan shall"
"Show the right, oh God of Israel" Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, what befell Saul said, "Cast lots between me and my son" And Jonathan was chosen, to his father's stun
Jonathan said, "I tasted a little honey" "I must die," he said, to his father, no money Saul said, "You shall surely die" The people said nay, and did not lie
They said, "He hath wrought with God this day He shall not die, no matter what you say" Saul fought against Moab and Ammon Edom, Zobah, and the Philistines, all were undone
In days of old, when Saul was king And Israel faced a fearsome thing The Philistines, their garrison strong Their hold on Israel seemed so long
One day young Jonathan, son of Saul Told his armor-bearer with a call "Let's go over to the Philistines' side And see what fate may there abide"
But to his father, he did not tell He left with just his armor-bearer, well Saul stayed back in Gibeah's place With six hundred men, their fears to face
Jonathan and his man did cross To the Philistines' side, with no loss They passed through rocky crags so steep Bozez and Seneh, their names to keep
"Let's go," said Jonathan, "to these uncircumcised Perhaps the Lord will for us provide He can save by many or by few There is no restraint to what He can do"
His armor-bearer said with heart sincere "I am with you, let's go without fear" They would show themselves to the Philistines bold If they said "Come up," then their fate was told
If they said "Tarry," then they would stay Until their Lord showed them the way The Philistines said, "Behold, the Hebrews come Out of their hiding places, no more to run"
Jonathan and his man climbed up The Philistines saw them and raised their cup "Come up to us," they said with pride And then their fate was sealed, and they died
Twenty men fell, in a half-furrow's length Their fear and trembling at Israel's strength The earth quaked and the Philistines fled Their hearts filled with terror and with dread
Saul and his men saw the Philistines' flight The watchmen saw them flee from sight They numbered the men, and to their surprise Jonathan and his man weren't with their eyes
Saul told Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God" For Israel's deliverance, they needed this rod As Saul talked to the priest, the Philistines' roar Grew louder and louder than ever before
Saul and his men then went to the fight Each man's sword against his fellow, what a sight The Hebrews with the Philistines before Joined with Israel, and fled no more
Jehovah saved Israel that day The battle passed over by Beth-aven, they say And Jonathan and his armor-bearer bold Helped deliver Israel from the Philistine hold.
In ancient Israel, a curse was laid On any who ate until evening shade Saul had adjured, and the people feared None dared eat, though their hunger seared
But in the forest, Jonathan found Honey on the ground, sweet and profound He ate a little, his eyes were bright The people were faint, too weak to fight
Jonathan said, "My father hath troubled the land See how my eyes have been enlightened by this hand If the people had eaten from the spoil There would have been no great Philistine toil"
They smote the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon But the people were faint, their strength was gone They ate the spoil, and sinned with the blood Against Jehovah, their cries were heard
Saul said, "Bring me every ox and sheep We will slay them here and not sin with the meat" He built an altar to Jehovah's name The first altar of his fame
He said, "Let us go down and take spoil Till morning light, let not a man uncoil" The people agreed, but the priest said nay "Let us ask God if it's okay"
Saul asked, but God answered not He asked the chiefs, but they were caught In silence, none answered his call Saul said, "I and Jonathan shall"
"Show the right, oh God of Israel" Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, what befell Saul said, "Cast lots between me and my son" And Jonathan was chosen, to his father's stun
Jonathan said, "I tasted a little honey" "I must die," he said, to his father, no money Saul said, "You shall surely die" The people said nay, and did not lie
They said, "He hath wrought with God this day He shall not die, no matter what you say" Saul fought against Moab and Ammon Edom, Zobah, and the Philistines, all were undone
This is shocking!
19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: 20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried. 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame
When I read this before I thought that this rich man was not aware of the poor beggar that lay at his gate. I'm imagining the rich man lives in a palace like Buckingham palace, or he lives in a skyscraper like Trump Tower. Across the street from Trump Tower is Central Park, lots of beggars. You would not expect some billionaire coming down from the Penthouse and getting into his limousine to know these beggars across the street by name. Yet this rich man knows Lazarus by name! I was shocked! It is one thing to be ignorant of a beggar who is starving near your house, it is quite another thing to not only know about him, but you know his name and yet you let him starve? No one is saying he is responsible to care for all homeless beggars, but the ones next to his house? Can't you at least take care of your own house, your own street, your own neighborhood? Even gangsters like Gotti did that.
19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: 20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried. 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame
When I read this before I thought that this rich man was not aware of the poor beggar that lay at his gate. I'm imagining the rich man lives in a palace like Buckingham palace, or he lives in a skyscraper like Trump Tower. Across the street from Trump Tower is Central Park, lots of beggars. You would not expect some billionaire coming down from the Penthouse and getting into his limousine to know these beggars across the street by name. Yet this rich man knows Lazarus by name! I was shocked! It is one thing to be ignorant of a beggar who is starving near your house, it is quite another thing to not only know about him, but you know his name and yet you let him starve? No one is saying he is responsible to care for all homeless beggars, but the ones next to his house? Can't you at least take care of your own house, your own street, your own neighborhood? Even gangsters like Gotti did that.
Where is the rebuking of sin?
Luke 17:1 And he said unto his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Yesterday we learned that the UN is trying to legalize pedophilia (perhaps decriminalize is a better word). We see the elites trying to normalize the grooming of children in public school and things like transgender story hour. Know for a certain that woe is coming over this.
3 Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
The apostasy emphasizes forgiving and loving, but where is the rebuking? There is no rebuking of sin and there is no repenting of sin. Instead they embrace sin.
4 And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Also, for those who claim to be so forgiving, their is no forgiveness. Instead we see cancel culture. It isn't "pedophilia" or "grooming" that is the sin, it is those who rebuke the sin that are now the sinners. Anyone who rebukes sin will now be cancelled and there is no forgiveness. Even if it was twenty years ago they will cancel you. This is how hypocritical they are. They use words like "love" and "forgiveness" but what they really mean is "embrace sin or else we will kill you".
Not everyone, many will be deceived and so when they repent forgive them.
Luke 17:1 And he said unto his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Yesterday we learned that the UN is trying to legalize pedophilia (perhaps decriminalize is a better word). We see the elites trying to normalize the grooming of children in public school and things like transgender story hour. Know for a certain that woe is coming over this.
3 Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
The apostasy emphasizes forgiving and loving, but where is the rebuking? There is no rebuking of sin and there is no repenting of sin. Instead they embrace sin.
4 And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Also, for those who claim to be so forgiving, their is no forgiveness. Instead we see cancel culture. It isn't "pedophilia" or "grooming" that is the sin, it is those who rebuke the sin that are now the sinners. Anyone who rebukes sin will now be cancelled and there is no forgiveness. Even if it was twenty years ago they will cancel you. This is how hypocritical they are. They use words like "love" and "forgiveness" but what they really mean is "embrace sin or else we will kill you".
Not everyone, many will be deceived and so when they repent forgive them.
The kingdom of God cometh not with observation
Luke 17:20 And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
I feel this is a major point that the watchmen do not emphasize enough. The Lord's return is not going to come because of some planet in some constellation. If you want to know what to look for you should be looking for the kingdom of God coming from within the believers. Look for many believers rising up to speak, to preach, to pray, to minister, and to prophesy. You will see them dreaming dreams and seeing visions. You will see them standing for righteousness sake.
Luke 17:20 And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
I feel this is a major point that the watchmen do not emphasize enough. The Lord's return is not going to come because of some planet in some constellation. If you want to know what to look for you should be looking for the kingdom of God coming from within the believers. Look for many believers rising up to speak, to preach, to pray, to minister, and to prophesy. You will see them dreaming dreams and seeing visions. You will see them standing for righteousness sake.
Adapted from 1Samuel 15
O Saul, anointed king by God above, Hear now the words of Samuel's mournful love. The Lord commanded you to smite and slay The wicked Amalek on that fateful day.
The king of Amalek you did take alive, But all the rest with sword you did deprive. Yet in your heart you spared the sheep and ox, And kept the best for sacrifice and pox.
The Lord, displeased, spoke to Samuel true, "I regret that Saul is king, for he withdrew From following me and broke my command." Samuel was wroth, he cried out to God's hand.
The next morn, Saul came to Carmel fair, Set up a monument, but in despair. Samuel rebuked him for his evil deed, But Saul denied, his heart with sin did feed.
Samuel, then, revealed the word of God: "Though small in sight, you were made head and rod Over Israel, but you did not obey. You flew upon the spoil, sin led you astray."
Saul begged for pardon, but it was too late, For God had sealed his fate, a bitter fate. The Strength of Israel will not repent, He tore the kingdom from Saul, it was spent.
O Saul, hear now the mourning voice of woe, Your reign has ended, gone with every foe. May we learn from your tragic tale of sin, And turn to God, let righteousness begin.
O Saul, anointed king by God above, Hear now the words of Samuel's mournful love. The Lord commanded you to smite and slay The wicked Amalek on that fateful day.
The king of Amalek you did take alive, But all the rest with sword you did deprive. Yet in your heart you spared the sheep and ox, And kept the best for sacrifice and pox.
The Lord, displeased, spoke to Samuel true, "I regret that Saul is king, for he withdrew From following me and broke my command." Samuel was wroth, he cried out to God's hand.
The next morn, Saul came to Carmel fair, Set up a monument, but in despair. Samuel rebuked him for his evil deed, But Saul denied, his heart with sin did feed.
Samuel, then, revealed the word of God: "Though small in sight, you were made head and rod Over Israel, but you did not obey. You flew upon the spoil, sin led you astray."
Saul begged for pardon, but it was too late, For God had sealed his fate, a bitter fate. The Strength of Israel will not repent, He tore the kingdom from Saul, it was spent.
O Saul, hear now the mourning voice of woe, Your reign has ended, gone with every foe. May we learn from your tragic tale of sin, And turn to God, let righteousness begin.
Mourning for Saul, in sorrow drowned Rejected as king, his fate unbound "How can I go? For Saul may kill me dead" "Say you've come to sacrifice instead" Call Jesse forth, to the holy rite Anoint the chosen king, with all your might
Samuel did what Jehovah said, Trembling Elders awaited with dread Asked if he came in peace and love "I've come to sacrifice unto the Lord above" He sanctified Jesse and his sons, Called them to the Lord's anointed ones
The Lord said, "Don't look on outward guise, For I see what's within, past disguise" Seven sons in total passed by, But none of them did fit the divine eye "Are here all thy children?" Jesse said nay "There's one more, the youngest, keeping sheep, far away"
Samuel said, "Fetch him, we'll not sit down Until he's here, and rightfully crowned" David was brought in, with a countenance fair "Arise, anoint him, for this is the one" - a new era to bear The Spirit of Jehovah came upon David from that day A king was anointed, to lead the way
We will, we will, rock you!
We will, we will, rock you!
adapted from 1Samuel 16
Samuel did what Jehovah said, Trembling Elders awaited with dread Asked if he came in peace and love "I've come to sacrifice unto the Lord above" He sanctified Jesse and his sons, Called them to the Lord's anointed ones
The Lord said, "Don't look on outward guise, For I see what's within, past disguise" Seven sons in total passed by, But none of them did fit the divine eye "Are here all thy children?" Jesse said nay "There's one more, the youngest, keeping sheep, far away"
Samuel said, "Fetch him, we'll not sit down Until he's here, and rightfully crowned" David was brought in, with a countenance fair "Arise, anoint him, for this is the one" - a new era to bear The Spirit of Jehovah came upon David from that day A king was anointed, to lead the way
We will, we will, rock you!
We will, we will, rock you!
adapted from 1Samuel 16
One secret about the cults
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, Lo, there! Lo, here! go not away, nor follow after them:
Many people don't realize that the people who are attracted to cults are often desiring to see one of the days of the Son of man. The reason they fall for the cults is because they can't see those days in organized Christianity.
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, Lo, there! Lo, here! go not away, nor follow after them:
Many people don't realize that the people who are attracted to cults are often desiring to see one of the days of the Son of man. The reason they fall for the cults is because they can't see those days in organized Christianity.
Listen up, y'all, I got a story to tell
About Saul and an evil spirit that made him unwell
The Spirit of Jehovah had departed his side
And an evil spirit from Jehovah had come to reside
Saul's servants said, "You're troubled, what can we do?"
"There's an evil spirit from God that's messing with you"
They had an idea, a way to ease his pain
Find a man who can play the harp and soothe his brain
Saul said, "Bring me someone who can play that thing"
A young man spoke up and said, "I know just the king"
He's a son of Jesse, a skilled player, and wise
And with Jehovah by his side, he's sure to rise
So Saul sent messengers to bring David to him
Jesse sent him with bread, wine, and a kid, not too slim
David played the harp, and Saul's soul was refreshed
The evil spirit left him, and his pain was finally addressed
Saul loved David and made him his armorbearer
David found favor with Saul, and they made quite a pair
And that's how David played the harp, and Saul was healed
A story of faith, music, and how love can be sealed.
About Saul and an evil spirit that made him unwell
The Spirit of Jehovah had departed his side
And an evil spirit from Jehovah had come to reside
Saul's servants said, "You're troubled, what can we do?"
"There's an evil spirit from God that's messing with you"
They had an idea, a way to ease his pain
Find a man who can play the harp and soothe his brain
Saul said, "Bring me someone who can play that thing"
A young man spoke up and said, "I know just the king"
He's a son of Jesse, a skilled player, and wise
And with Jehovah by his side, he's sure to rise
So Saul sent messengers to bring David to him
Jesse sent him with bread, wine, and a kid, not too slim
David played the harp, and Saul's soul was refreshed
The evil spirit left him, and his pain was finally addressed
Saul loved David and made him his armorbearer
David found favor with Saul, and they made quite a pair
And that's how David played the harp, and Saul was healed
A story of faith, music, and how love can be sealed.
Context, Context, Context!
Luke 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, Lo, there! Lo, here! go not away, nor follow after them: 24 for as the lightning, when it lighteneth out of the one part under the heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things and be rejected of this generation.
Why must he first be rejected of this generation? This is how we protect ourselves from false messiahs and false prophets. The only way we will all know for a certainty over the next two thousand years that Jesus is the Christ is that He goes to the cross and dies to save us from sin and death.
Luke 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, Lo, there! Lo, here! go not away, nor follow after them: 24 for as the lightning, when it lighteneth out of the one part under the heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things and be rejected of this generation.
Why must he first be rejected of this generation? This is how we protect ourselves from false messiahs and false prophets. The only way we will all know for a certainty over the next two thousand years that Jesus is the Christ is that He goes to the cross and dies to save us from sin and death.
Adapted from Revelation 17
In visions of great wonder,
An angel spoke to me,
Come hither, see the judgment
Of the great harlot, and her decree.
With kings of earth, she lay in sin,
And all who dwell on earth were drunk
With wine of fornication,
In a cup of gold, she served her junk.
Upon a scarlet-colored beast,
Full of names of blasphemy,
She sat adorned in purple and gold,
A woman of great infamy.
Her hand held a cup of abominations,
And on her forehead, a name was writ,
"Mystery, Babylon the Great,"
The Mother of Harlots, and all that's unfit.
Her drunkenness was not from wine,
But blood of saints and martyrs slain,
The angel spoke of the beast she rode,
From the abyss, it rose again.
The seven heads are seven mountains,
On which the woman sat and reigned,
The ten horns are ten kings who serve,
With the beast they have ordained.
In war against the Lamb they stand,
But He shall overcome them all,
For He is Lord of lords and King of kings,
And those with Him shall never fall.
The waters where the harlot sat,
Are peoples, nations, tongues, and all,
And the beast and ten horns shall hate her,
And destroy her, both great and small.
For God has put it in their hearts,
To come together and do His will,
Until the words of God are fulfilled,
And His purpose is revealed.
So let us heed the angel's words,
And walk in wisdom day by day,
For the woman we saw in visions,
Is the great city that holds sway.
In visions of great wonder,
An angel spoke to me,
Come hither, see the judgment
Of the great harlot, and her decree.
With kings of earth, she lay in sin,
And all who dwell on earth were drunk
With wine of fornication,
In a cup of gold, she served her junk.
Upon a scarlet-colored beast,
Full of names of blasphemy,
She sat adorned in purple and gold,
A woman of great infamy.
Her hand held a cup of abominations,
And on her forehead, a name was writ,
"Mystery, Babylon the Great,"
The Mother of Harlots, and all that's unfit.
Her drunkenness was not from wine,
But blood of saints and martyrs slain,
The angel spoke of the beast she rode,
From the abyss, it rose again.
The seven heads are seven mountains,
On which the woman sat and reigned,
The ten horns are ten kings who serve,
With the beast they have ordained.
In war against the Lamb they stand,
But He shall overcome them all,
For He is Lord of lords and King of kings,
And those with Him shall never fall.
The waters where the harlot sat,
Are peoples, nations, tongues, and all,
And the beast and ten horns shall hate her,
And destroy her, both great and small.
For God has put it in their hearts,
To come together and do His will,
Until the words of God are fulfilled,
And His purpose is revealed.
So let us heed the angel's words,
And walk in wisdom day by day,
For the woman we saw in visions,
Is the great city that holds sway.
Adapted from Revelation 18
In modern times as if of yore, An angel came with mighty roar, Down from heaven with great authority, His light shone bright for all to see.
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great," He cried aloud, sealing her fate, A habitation of demons and unclean birds, A place for spirits with vile words.
Through her fornication and wantonness, Nations fell, and kings were in distress, Merchants prospered by her power, But soon their gains would turn sour.
"Come forth, my people, out of her," The voice from heaven did confer, "Do not partake in her sins or woes, Lest you receive her plagues and woes."
For her sins reached even to the skies, God remembered all her wicked lies, Double unto her the double of her deeds, For she sits proud, and none can impede.
Death, mourning, and famine in one day, Her plagues will come, with no delay, Utterly burned with fire, never to be seen, For the Lord God is mighty and keen.
The kings and merchants of the earth, Who lived with her in wanton mirth, Shall weep and wail, as she burns in smoke, With all her riches now a joke.
No more will they sell their goods, As the great city falls for good, All that was dainty and sumptuous gone, Never to be seen, forlorn.
Every shipmaster and mariner afar, Shall cry out, "What city can compare?" They'll cast dust on their heads and weep, As Babylon is gone, forever to sleep.
No more will there be harpers and minstrels, No more craftsmen or their chisels, No more will the bridegroom and bride, Be heard in Babylon's streets or inside.
Her merchants were once princes of the land, But their sorcery deceived nations, unplanned, For in her was found the blood of the slain, Prophets and saints, never to rise again.
Thus spoke the strong angel with a millstone, "Great Babylon shall fall, and be found no more alone," Rejoice, ye saints, for God has judged her fate, And she shall be remembered nevermore, that is her great estate.
In modern times as if of yore, An angel came with mighty roar, Down from heaven with great authority, His light shone bright for all to see.
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great," He cried aloud, sealing her fate, A habitation of demons and unclean birds, A place for spirits with vile words.
Through her fornication and wantonness, Nations fell, and kings were in distress, Merchants prospered by her power, But soon their gains would turn sour.
"Come forth, my people, out of her," The voice from heaven did confer, "Do not partake in her sins or woes, Lest you receive her plagues and woes."
For her sins reached even to the skies, God remembered all her wicked lies, Double unto her the double of her deeds, For she sits proud, and none can impede.
Death, mourning, and famine in one day, Her plagues will come, with no delay, Utterly burned with fire, never to be seen, For the Lord God is mighty and keen.
The kings and merchants of the earth, Who lived with her in wanton mirth, Shall weep and wail, as she burns in smoke, With all her riches now a joke.
No more will they sell their goods, As the great city falls for good, All that was dainty and sumptuous gone, Never to be seen, forlorn.
Every shipmaster and mariner afar, Shall cry out, "What city can compare?" They'll cast dust on their heads and weep, As Babylon is gone, forever to sleep.
No more will there be harpers and minstrels, No more craftsmen or their chisels, No more will the bridegroom and bride, Be heard in Babylon's streets or inside.
Her merchants were once princes of the land, But their sorcery deceived nations, unplanned, For in her was found the blood of the slain, Prophets and saints, never to rise again.
Thus spoke the strong angel with a millstone, "Great Babylon shall fall, and be found no more alone," Rejoice, ye saints, for God has judged her fate, And she shall be remembered nevermore, that is her great estate.
Fitly framed and knit together
Ephesians 4:16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
There is this debate that has raged for years about who the greatest of all time is in the NBA. I have heard this debate (I taught in Brooklyn) and to me they have missed one huge point. They will talk about championships (if they choose MJ) or they will talk about stats (if they choose Lebron) or they will talk about killer instinct (MJ) or all the things that Lebron can do with rebounds, assist as well as scoring.
But all of that misses the most important point. Obviously this debate is based on 20/20 hindsight. Why, as an owner would I pick Lebron? He will simply leave when his contract is up to play for another team.
There are three players who to my mind built their teams into champions. Without a doubt Wilt was the greatest skilled player when he came into the NBA, but he never built his team into champions. Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and MJ all built their teams into champions. They had to adjust, they had to put their own stats aside for the sake fo the team. You could never have a team that is fitly framed and knit together when you have one guy who wants it all about him. If I am picking a player it is one of those three, because they will stick with it, make everyone else better, and lead us to victory.
Instead of picking the "goat" I would first start with the best team in history. The '96 Bulls are a contender. Now, how could I make that better? Well, Kareem would definitely improve that team, you replace a good defensive center with perhaps the best ever and not only so he would be the perfect person for the triangle offense. They had a shut down defensive point guard in Ron Harper, but perhaps Gary Payton would be an improvement. A championship team is generally seven players, so I would add Bill Russell, he could fill in for anyone on the front court (Kareem, Rodman or Pippin). I would also add Steph Curry. The '96 team had Steve Kerr who helped spread the court for Jordan, Curry could easily do that.
But this should be an illustration to the kingdom, each member works in due measure, they fit into the building and do their roll. The triangle shows that you need three pre-eminent scorers (Kareem, MJ and Pippin) and then you need a great rebounder (Rodman or Russell) and someone out on the wings to kick it out to but even more that can play shut down defense if there is a turnover (Payton or Curry). You can put five superstar defenders on the same team, they will make each other better, but you can't put five superstar scorers on the same team. However, if you have Curry on the floor at the same time as Payton, Rodman, Pippin and Russell you would still have a potent offense with Russell, Pippin and Curry.
If you are fitly framed and built together you may not win awards, you may not have the best stats, but your team, like the Celtics or Lakers or Bulls will be a championship team. What is Lebron's team? What about Wilt's what championship team did he build?
I left out two really great players who fit this bill, Magic and Bird. But the reason is simple, I view MJ and Pippen as a package deal. You don't always know if players will fit together and work together.
Now if we were choosing sides my first choice is MJ, the reason is simple, no one is going to pick Pippin without Jordan, so I am getting two for that first pick. If they pick Kareem I pick Olajuwon, if they pick anyone else, then I pick Kareem. My third pick is Bill Russell. With those three you have the heart of a championship team. Fourth pick is Pippin and final pick is Payton. That is a killer defensive team and I have two unstoppable scorers with the best sidekick in the history of the game.
This is what Jesus is doing, He is building an army, each person is fitly framed, they are knit together, and they have a role to play.
Wilt Chamberlain was the most dominant player I have saw, he had jaw dropping stats, yet he didn't have what it takes to build a championship team. Yes, Lebron is a fantastic player, but he is not someone you would pick to build a dynasty. Let's see how he does against this team I have with the best defenders in the history of the game.
Everyone knows about Jordan overcoming the Pistons, but don't forget they outlawed dunking when Kareem went to college and he adapted with the sky hook. This is what champions do, they don't run from adversity, they overcome it.
Ephesians 4:16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
There is this debate that has raged for years about who the greatest of all time is in the NBA. I have heard this debate (I taught in Brooklyn) and to me they have missed one huge point. They will talk about championships (if they choose MJ) or they will talk about stats (if they choose Lebron) or they will talk about killer instinct (MJ) or all the things that Lebron can do with rebounds, assist as well as scoring.
But all of that misses the most important point. Obviously this debate is based on 20/20 hindsight. Why, as an owner would I pick Lebron? He will simply leave when his contract is up to play for another team.
There are three players who to my mind built their teams into champions. Without a doubt Wilt was the greatest skilled player when he came into the NBA, but he never built his team into champions. Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and MJ all built their teams into champions. They had to adjust, they had to put their own stats aside for the sake fo the team. You could never have a team that is fitly framed and knit together when you have one guy who wants it all about him. If I am picking a player it is one of those three, because they will stick with it, make everyone else better, and lead us to victory.
Instead of picking the "goat" I would first start with the best team in history. The '96 Bulls are a contender. Now, how could I make that better? Well, Kareem would definitely improve that team, you replace a good defensive center with perhaps the best ever and not only so he would be the perfect person for the triangle offense. They had a shut down defensive point guard in Ron Harper, but perhaps Gary Payton would be an improvement. A championship team is generally seven players, so I would add Bill Russell, he could fill in for anyone on the front court (Kareem, Rodman or Pippin). I would also add Steph Curry. The '96 team had Steve Kerr who helped spread the court for Jordan, Curry could easily do that.
But this should be an illustration to the kingdom, each member works in due measure, they fit into the building and do their roll. The triangle shows that you need three pre-eminent scorers (Kareem, MJ and Pippin) and then you need a great rebounder (Rodman or Russell) and someone out on the wings to kick it out to but even more that can play shut down defense if there is a turnover (Payton or Curry). You can put five superstar defenders on the same team, they will make each other better, but you can't put five superstar scorers on the same team. However, if you have Curry on the floor at the same time as Payton, Rodman, Pippin and Russell you would still have a potent offense with Russell, Pippin and Curry.
If you are fitly framed and built together you may not win awards, you may not have the best stats, but your team, like the Celtics or Lakers or Bulls will be a championship team. What is Lebron's team? What about Wilt's what championship team did he build?
I left out two really great players who fit this bill, Magic and Bird. But the reason is simple, I view MJ and Pippen as a package deal. You don't always know if players will fit together and work together.
Now if we were choosing sides my first choice is MJ, the reason is simple, no one is going to pick Pippin without Jordan, so I am getting two for that first pick. If they pick Kareem I pick Olajuwon, if they pick anyone else, then I pick Kareem. My third pick is Bill Russell. With those three you have the heart of a championship team. Fourth pick is Pippin and final pick is Payton. That is a killer defensive team and I have two unstoppable scorers with the best sidekick in the history of the game.
This is what Jesus is doing, He is building an army, each person is fitly framed, they are knit together, and they have a role to play.
Wilt Chamberlain was the most dominant player I have saw, he had jaw dropping stats, yet he didn't have what it takes to build a championship team. Yes, Lebron is a fantastic player, but he is not someone you would pick to build a dynasty. Let's see how he does against this team I have with the best defenders in the history of the game.
Everyone knows about Jordan overcoming the Pistons, but don't forget they outlawed dunking when Kareem went to college and he adapted with the sky hook. This is what champions do, they don't run from adversity, they overcome it.