Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Twenty two New Testament references to the rapture that correspond with the 9th of Av (part 1 -- introduction)

As we know Pentecost refers to a 50 day count, the number 5 is associated with grace and when you multiply it by 10 it is the completion of grace. The Lord was baptized on or around Pentecost and then four years later His ministry of grace was completed when the Holy Spirit was poured as the new wine into the church as the new wine skins. The church age began at that point. Now if the church age began on the same day that Israel refused to go into the good land out of unbelief, that is very significant picture. Imagine a man getting engaged on the very same day a woman he had been engaged to rejected him, that is no accident.

We are told in the Bible that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. There are very few appointed feasts in the New Testament. We are told clearly by Paul that we are not required to keep the appointed feasts given in the Law. We are, however, charged to keep the Lord’s table. That is certainly an appointed feast of the New Testament. The only other feast that we are told about is Pentecost. Jesus as the bread and wine is our Passover feast, He is our unleavened feast, He is the feast of first fruits for us, we celebrate His ascension and so He is our Shavuot, the Lord’s table is where we trumpet the soon return of the king and also it is our day of atonement where we must examine ourselves. We look to the Lord’s coming so in that sense it is also our Feast of tabernacles. So all of those feasts are wrapped up in our celebration of the Lord’s table. The feasts in the Old Testament were part of the covenant that God made with Israel, but He has divorced Israel, so the day of their judgement is also the day of our engagement.

However, the feast of Pentecost is also unique to the New Testament, it is where the church was formed, and it is where the Holy Spirit was given to us as an earnest of the promise. When you make a covenant there must be a price paid, that was paid by the Lord on the cross, there must also be the rules given, the Lord told us at His ascension to do all that He commanded, and there must be an earnest of the promise, a downpayment. The Holy Spirit was given to us as the earnest of the promise, it is our downpayment.

From this point the groom, Jesus Christ, has two years to build us a place to live in His father’s house. The Lord told us He was going to to do this and then return for us. Therefore we consider that the two thousand years since this point would be those two years. So then we expect all of this to be fulfilled by 2030. However, anyone who has studied eschatology knows that the last seven years are complicated. There is evidence that some get taken prior to these seven years, some in the middle and some at the end. I have looked at these different doctrines on this blog. In my opinion there is a strong Biblical basis to say all three will take place and no legitimate basis (in my opinion) to rule out any of these. I think about one sixth of the living saints will be raptured prior to the tribulation, five sixths will either die or be raptured during the tribulation and then Israel will be saved as a nation at the end of the tribulation. I also think all of that will be done by the year 2030, though the Jews could be on a Hebrew calendar which would take them into 2031 to the end of March. This is simply Bible interpretation and any or all of us could be wrong. But it is important to have a framework from which to work. The Jews can be taken because if the husband dies, as Jesus did on the cross, they are free to marry again. The Jews that received Jesus as the Messiah will be those who get saved prior to this two thousand year deadline.

Interestingly the three major chapters on the Lord’s return in the gospels all begin with the question when will these things be, referring to the temple being destroyed, and the destruction of the temple is the context from which the Lord tells us about the end of the age. He likens the destruction of the temple and the scattering of Israel to the beginning of the tribulation.

However, the prevailing eschatology that I am using has the tribulation starting with the rapture. So then from the viewpoint of everyone on earth the rapture of the saints will be the destruction of the church (it will be gone and whatever is left will be attacked and burnt with fire by Antichrist and his armies) and all the believers will be scattered. What is fascinating about this is that the destruction of the temple took place in 70AD on the 9th of Av. That event is part of the New Testament history and that date is the answer to “when will these things happen” that the disciples asked the Lord. But here is the thing, the 9th of Av does not apply to Gentiles, our date would be when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, that is the same day that the flood began in Noah's time.

So then let’s learn a little about the 9th of Av. This is the date in Exodus when Moses came down from the mountain and broke the ten commandments because the children of Israel were involved in an orgy while worshipping Moloch. Pentecost takes place at the same time. When Moses broke the ten commandments 3,000 died and when Peter preached the gospel at Pentecost 3,000 were saved. They were having their orgy at the time of the feast of new wine and Pentecost is the feast of new wine. This is contrary to traditional teaching in Christianity. So the 9th of Av is really significant to Jews, but not to Gentiles who were first saved when Cornelius household was saved. The church age is the "times of the gentiles" so the 9th of Av is significant as a type, but not as a start date for the time.

In Christianity the traditional teaching is that Jesus ascended 40 days after He rose from the dead. This is based on a superficial reading of Acts which says that the Lord appeared to the disciples 40 days or 40 times after the resurrection. The problem is that John tells us the second time he appeared was 8 days after the first and the third time He appeared was when they went fishing. It is hard to believe that right after Jesus appears Peter says “I’m going fishing”. Therefore at the very least it should be 48-50 days after the resurrection. Shavuot depicts Moses, a type of Jesus, ascending the mountain just like ascension day. It is the day after seven complete sabbaths after the resurrection. Therefore it is about 52-53 days after the resurrection. Jesus conception, birth, baptism, death, burial, and resurrection were all on appointed feasts. Therefore many have questioned how the ascension was not also on an appointed feast. In addition, if the ascension was two or three days before Shavuot and Pentecost was on Shavuot (traditional Christian teaching) then it doesn’t make sense that Jesus tells them to tarry in Jerusalem. They all came to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot according to the law, of course they will tarry till then. However, if Jesus ascended on Shavuot it explains why they were all in Jerusalem and it explains why He said to tarry till the Spirit be poured out. They had to wait another 50 days, fasting and praying. Also, it was 50 days after Shavuot that Moses came down, broke the ten commandments and 3,000 were killed. Also, on the feast of Pentecost some mocked that they were drunk on new wine. Pentecost is the feast of new wine, it is 50 days after Shavuot. However, Peter said they couldn’t be drunk because it is only 9am. At 9am (the third hour) the priests have to pour out the new wine as the first fruits to God, only after that can everyone drink. Peter was saying they can’t be drunk because the Priests have just poured out the wine, no one has had a chance to get drunk yet. So we see Pentecost as the day that the church was born, but it wasn't that day for the Gentiles.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Twenty two New Testament references to the rapture that correspond with the 9th of Av (part 2)

A second reference that ties in with this feast of new wine is Paul saying the church is the pillar and base of the truth. This is a reference to Samson pushing out the pillars and the temple to Baal collapses killing 3,000. The pushing out of the pillars by Samson is a reference to the rapture and it coincides with the collapse of the temple of Baal and the death of the idol worshippers. What is interesting about this reference is that we are told specifically that when the restrainer (Holy Spirit) is taken out of the way the evil one is fully revealed. We have also learned that the nuclear option for Israel is called the Samson option because he said "let me die with the Philistines" when he pushed them out. Again, my point is that this is a specific reference to the sins of Israel, but you can apply this to the sins of the nations, but you have to use the day that Adam and Eve sinned.

A third reference to the rapture is when the Lord said “it would be as the days of Noah”. On the 9th of Av Noah released both the dove and the raven. The dove represents the Holy Spirit and the raven represents the spirit of Satan going to and fro over the face of the earth. The dove is then drawn into the ark for seven more days referring to the raptured saints being kept in safety during the tribulation. This reference to the raven flying to and fro reminds us of Job and all the things that happened to him remind us of the tribulation. Again we see the rapture and the start of the tribulation coincide and occur at the same time. Yes, but the day the flood began was also the day that Adam and Eve sinned. So for the church and the pre tribulation rapture we should be using the day the flood began, Israel is saved at the end of the flood.

Fourth, the New Testament term for rapture is “harpazo” which means to be snatched out of the way of certain destruction. When you read the book of acts the tribulation and persecution against the church starts shortly after Pentecost. The very first thing we learn is that they all shared and had everything in common. This sounds like what will happen during the tribulation when you cannot buy or sell without having the mark of the beast. But look at Acts what happens after Cornelius receives the Holy spirit and is baptized? The religious leaders in Jerusalem contend with Peter, Herod the King kills John the brother of John and arrests Peter. This launches Peter's ministry and we also see that Paul and Silas are also on ministry journeys. We see the two witnesses.

Fifth, the dead in Christ rise first. This also is a reference to the 9th of Av, so let me explain. On this day the ten spies gave an evil report and the two spies prior to them gave a good report. After 38 years on this date the dead rose up out of the graves. Every year after the curse a portion of the Jews in the wilderness died on this night. They would dig graves and lie in them and then in the morning the dead would still be in the graves. But 38 years later the curse was over and everyone rose up out of the graves, just like Paul saying “the dead in Christ rise first”. Again, this is a picture of the rapture, but for the Jews, not the church.

Sixth, the apostasy comes first. Paul said that before the day of the Lord comes there will be a falling away from the faith. This word apostasy is only used twice, it can refer to a departure but the first time it is used it is an accusation against Paul that he has departed from Moses. This is what we see on the 9th of Av, God tells Moses to get down because they are sinning, they have departed from the covenant. What happened to Israel is an example to the church.

Seventh, in a moment the rapture takes place. This is the same term that God used when talking about destroying the worshippers of Moloch at Mount Sinai. But for the rapture of the church it is likened to the days of Noah and the days of Lot, not the days of Israel.

Eighth, the judgement on the Great Babylon, the whore that rides the beast, refers to the apostate church which has prostituted itself to Satan and the beast. This is mentioned in the book of Revelation in a number of places. The judgement on the temple of God always takes place on the 9th of Av. But when does the judgement on Babylon take place?

Ninth, they will be marrying, and giving in marriage, eating and drinking. According to Jesus this will be taking place right up to the moment the flood comes and takes them all away. No Jewish person would get married on the 9th of Av, nor would there be eating and drinking. It is a fast day for all Jews. The Lord’s word indicates that the rapture is a dividing line between people getting married and having feasts and not getting married and having feasts. That sounds like sunset on the 8th of Av. But what about Christians in the church, is there a day they would never get married? I don't think any would get married on Halloween and this Halloween is also the same day on the Jewish calendar when the flood took place and when Adam and Eve sinned.

Tenth, according to the picture of the rapture in 1Corinthians 15 we are caught up into the clouds to be with Jesus. In the picture in Exodus Moses calls out to the Levites to “come up hither” to him. That is a picture of the rapture. In the same way if the rapture is God calling to the true priests in the church to come up hither while the apostate church is worshipping Moloch wouldn't that refer to Halloween as well? Imagine the Lord returns on Halloween and the apostate church is celebrating it? Same picture.

Eleventh, the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. Pattern is prophecy. Judas was a thief and he came as a thief in the night when he betrayed Jesus. When Jesus was arrested He was taken from the believers. In that sense the crucifixion was like a thief coming in the night for those who were sleeping and not watching. The 9th of Av this year is on a Wednesday. If Jesus rose early in the morning on the Lord’s day and was crucified on Wednesday, spend three days in the tomb (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and then rose early on the Lord’s day you could compare that pattern to the rapture, followed by three days of darkness followed by believers hiding in an upper room beginning to talk about the rapture. The night before Halloween is called "Mischief night" and is a picture of "a thief in the night".
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Twenty two New Testament references to the rapture that correspond with the 9th of Av (part 3)

Twelfth
, the date of the 9th of Av on our calendar is 7/26. Strong’s identifies the words of the New Testament by usage. The 726th word used in the New Testament is Harpazo, the word we use for rapture. So then once again, this is a shadow of the rapture, but the 9th of Av is the Jewish equivalent of the day of Noah's flood for the nations.

Thirteenth — Paul says we are not appointed to wrath. On the 9th of Av the Jews were supposed to get the wine cup of marriage, instead they got the cup of wrath. Moses ground up their idol, put it into the water and made everyone drink. Those that swelled up were killed. Once again, that applies to the Jews whereas the days of Noah applies to the nations.

Fourteenth — "I go to the Father and if I go I will come again that where I am you may be”, this matches Moses going up the mountain on Shavuot and then coming again and calling the Levites up to be with him.

Fifteenth — The Lord used the analogy of gathering the wheat to the barn for the rapture. Ruth, who was a type of the gentile bride is married to Boaz a type of Christ as the kinsman redeemer. The marriage happens at the time they are threshing the wheat. It says that she lay down with Boaz by the threshing floor and you don’t thresh barley, you only thresh wheat. Shavuot marks the first fruits of the wheat harvest followed by the general harvest for the next fifty days. The feast of new wine, Pentecost, is when the wheat harvest is concluding, they are threshing the wheat and bringing it to the barns. We are told repeatedly that the end of the age is the "harvest". Genesis 8 tells us that Harvest time will be a constant for us, and the end of the Harvest is the end of October, which this year is the same day that Noah's flood began.

Sixteen — Revelation 3:18 “and the shame of thy nakedness do not appear”. The Lord warns Laodicea, the apostate church, that if they didn’t repent the shame of their nakedness would appear. This reminds us of Exodus 32:25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made the people naked unto their shame among their enemies), another reference to the 9th of Av. However, for the gentiles this reminds us of Adam and Eve when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This year that is the last day of October.

Seventeen — Pentecost, the feast of new wine can also be tied to Song of Songs where it says we have been brought to His banqueting house. The word we translate as “banqueting” is translated as “wine” in the other 138 usages. This should be called the house of wine.

Eighteen — Jesus says He will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until He drinks it new with us when the kingdom comes. Pentecost is when we drink wine new with God. 5. Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Nineteen — Ephesians 2:21 says the church is growing unto a holy temple in the Lord. The 9th of Av is the day that the temple departs from the earth according to Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. Again, this is the Jewish temple, we should realize that these things are an example for us, but the church does not celebrate the same days. When we say Jesus redeemed us from sin we are not talking about the 9th of Av for the nations, we are talking about Adam and Eve.

Twenty — We are told that the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light before the great day of the Lord comes. If we interpret this to mean we will have a solar eclipse followed by a lunar eclipse prior to the great day (let's say before the next full moon) that would eliminate the 21 phony predictions of the rapture since 1948. Not one of them fits that model. However, the end of October this year does fit that model. Also, there will not be another lunar eclipse following a solar eclipse for several years, so if it is not now, then it won't be for a few more years.

Twenty one1Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

These twenty previous points describe the rapture of the church to be the judgment of the apostate church and that this precedes the seven year tribulation on the nations. According to Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 this judgment at the end of the age is similar to the destruction of the temple which took place on the 9th of Av in AD 70.

Twenty two2Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: God is going to send a strong delusion to those that hate the truth. John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. However, the purpose is that those who listen to the Lord’s word and treasure His words will believe. The delusion is only for those who despise the word. Therefore it is perfectly reasonable that the Lord would tell us beforehand concerning the rapture so that those who are left behind would not be caught up in the great delusion but rather that they would believe.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Rapture & 2nd Coming Secret In Zephaniah 3:8 Hebrew Explains A Lot ⬆️

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
JESUS WARNED THE LAST GENERATION--DON'T GET OVERCONFIDENT, UNGUARDED, NEUTRALIZED & DEFEATED

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
The Rapture & God's Story Revealed In The Names Of The 24 Priests! 🤯🙌🔥

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Ezekiel 37:15-28 The rapture and the tribulation end the debates.

15 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 16 And thou, son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel, his companions. And take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions. 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thy hand. 18 And when the children of my people speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not declare unto us what thou meanest by these? 19 say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions, and will put them with this, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in my hand. 20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thy hand before their eyes. 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, whither they are gone, and will gather them from every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.

Once again I fully appreciate that this prophecy is fulfilled in the restoration of Israel. However, for Christians we also are divided into denominations and all kinds of cliques based on the understanding of God’s word. Not only so but there is something known as the apostasy where some believers, like myself, believe that every word of the Bible is the inspired word of God that we are to keep. Others freely say which verses in the Bible you should keep and which you don’t need to, which are important doctrines and which are doctrines you can ignore. These issues will not be resolved with debate. Rather they will be resolved by the rapture. Once there is a rapture it will end all debate on whether or not that is literal. Right now Christians, genuine Christians, know that the world is filled with false prophets and false teachers. The rapture will be God’s seal of approval on true teachers. This is like the resurrection, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead He was designated Lord of all by the Father, that ended all debate on whether or not Jesus was a genuine prophet or whether He was leading the people astray. This is like what happened to the Jews, the holocaust ended all debates about whether they needed to have their own country, Israel.

23 And they shall not defile themselves any more with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; and I will save them out of all their dwelling-places wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

This is the truth, there are Christians who are defiled with idols and with the detestable thing. The answer is not to compromise, the answer is to confess, repent, and be cleansed. Being left behind will be a great opportunity for many to repent.

24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: and they shall walk in mine ordinances, and keep my statutes, and do them.

The rapture exposes the false shepherds. All the phony shepherds that took care of themselves and led the people astray will be judged. Jesus has always been the Great Shepherd for the last two thousand years, the problem is that some genuine saints were led astray by hirelings and false teachers.

25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and David my servant shall be their prince for ever. 26 And I will make a covenant of peace with them: it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for ever. 27 And my tabernacle shall be over them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 And the nations shall know that I Jehovah do hallow Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for ever.

Let’s not focus on the process. Going through the tribulation is messy, it is scary, and for many it will end quite abruptly with them making a glorious testimony to the executioner. Instead focus on the goal. We will dwell for eternity with God, with the Lord Jesus, and with the saints. The transformation that we have seen take place in Israel is only a foretaste of what we will see over the entire world.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Jeremiah 21:14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the Lord: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Timothy Dixon Prophetic Word (10/28/2023): SHOCKING & URGENT MESSAGE FROM GOD - MUST HEAR!

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Jesus Christ, Savior of the World.

I am my beloved's and my beloved's is mine.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
The purpose of man is to reveal the redeemer

You often hear people asking "if God is real why does he let terrible things happen". We are revealing the redeemer. Prior to the fall of man no one knew God as the one who redeems people from sin. If Satan had known that he never would have tried to tempt man. When someone who is caught up in drugs gets redeemed and forgiven and saved they learn how Jesus can forgive, redeem, and save those caught up in drugs and so he can have a ministry to bring drug addicts to the Lord. Likewise with someone caught up in fornication, or criminal enterprise, or any other sin. None of us fully understands the length, breadth, height and depth of the Lord's salvation, but all of us together can express the fullness and glory of God. In this way each of us has a ministry and each of us is essential because without our portion we will not get the fullness of the glory of God.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Praying that our Father would be helped

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name"

I have a new appreciation for this word, so let me share an experience which I think will shine a light on this prayer that many of us may not appreciate.

When I was younger my father agreed to be the Scout Master for my Boy Scout troop one year. I had already been a patrol leader for two years but I wanted to give my dad help and so I decided to be a patrol leader again because I feel this is the job that does the most work and is the most essential to the troop. My best friend, Joshua, was the "senior patrol leader" (this story is true, nothing added or changed). At the start of the year my dad called a special meeting for the four patrol leaders at the senior patrol leaders house. He had a pad with the 8 patrol members in each of the four patrols (there were four patrol leaders). He turned to the first kid and asked him for two names from his patrol that he didn't want in his patrol. He did the same to the second and third patrol leaders (these two kids had previously been in my patrols, I didn't know the first kid). Then he skipped me and asked the first kid to choose two kids from my patrol that he wanted, and then he did this for the next two patrol leaders. In this way I was given the eight kids no one wanted. By this time I had figured out what was going on, someone had complained to my dad that the system was rigged for me, my father was the Scout master and my best friend was the senior patrol leader. Every year there is an award for the best patrol. At first I was insulted that they would think I was trying to rig the system but then I thought about it. My patrol had won the award the last two years and both those years I had had the "premier scout" the kid who won the award (it was the two other patrol leaders that I knew). I had not given that any thought, I had won two premier scout awards and two premier patrol awards, but I would simply come home and put them in a drawer, we treated them like participation awards. So I realized this made sense, they thought I had won the awards because I had the best kids. As I was leaving that meeting the Lord reminded me "you wanted to help your dad by being a patrol leader, this patrol will be the answer to that prayer". So I wasn't offended, I agreed with that, but I had three problems. First, one of the kids I was given was the younger brother of one of the patrol leaders. I knew he would go home and tell his brother that no one wanted him and this in turn would be spread to the whole troop. Second, I had Tommy Dieck, I hadn't seen this kid in a year, I didn't know he was still in the troop. The worst thing that can happen is if everyone stops coming to the patrol meetings and if started the year with one kid down it was a bad start. (My first year in the boy scouts my patrol leader was Glen Babakian, in my opinion he was the best patrol leader, much better than me. My second year I had a kid that was the worst patrol leader. I considered myself to be average. In the best patrol the focus is on the members, what they need. In the worst patrol the focus is on the patrol leader. Those meetings were horrible, just him, his best friend and me, everyone else had stopped coming.) The third problem I had was that my mom didn't want any patrol meetings at our house. So somehow I had to let the patrol know this. First they learn that no one else wanted them, then they learn that my mom doesn't want them either. So then, in the first meeting we had the younger brother is sitting over on the side sulking and he says to me "looks like they gave you all the losers" (everyone was watching this conversation). So I said "I'm not a loser, my patrols are not losers, who told you that you were a loser?" (His older brother had been the premier scout the previous year. One thing I know, younger brothers are not intimidated by older brothers, if your older brother is a winner, then don't tell me you are a loser). Then Tommy Dieck says "can we have the patrol meetings at my house". Wow! Everyone started fighting "no, that isn't fair, I want the patrol meeting at my house". I was so happy with Tommy! I said "Here is the rule, everyone can get a turn, but if you don't show up to a patrol meeting at someone's house then you lose your turn, but to make this better I'll give up my turn".

A few months later we are on a hike, just about my whole patrol is on this hike. Josh and I sleep in his tent, a Northface, this was a new tent and for the first time we were able to cook inside the tent. It was pouring rain outside but we were inside making chicken soup and hot chocolate. We were laughing that it was like staying at a five star hotel. The next morning I learn that Tommy Dieck, who also had a Northface, had pitched his tent in a dry river bed (we put our tent on a small bluff), the tent had been swamped, filled with mud, and they had all piled into the man's tent who was leading this hike. This was the father of the first patrol leader (since my dad had given him first choice I feel he was the one who had complained that I was trying to rig the system). He was in a very foul mood and wanted to get home immediately so he was demanding that we all move out immediately. Tommy's pack was a mess, his muddy sleeping bag was hanging out of his pack. Our troop was famous for our hikes, we went on 50 even 65 mile hikes, three even four nights. I had often seen people looking this bedraggled, but never from our troop. I knew what would happen, everyone would be embarrassed because of him, they would pick on him, mock him, ridicule him, pull on the sleeping bag, soon it would be dragging on the ground. I could see he was going to have a meltdown, it was going to be a disaster but there was no time, the man was demanding we leave right then. I told my friend to take the point and I would take up the rear. Then I have my pack to Tommy and told him we would switch back at the first rest stop. I repacked his pack and caught up to everyone by the first rest stop. Catastrophe avoided. Then on the last camping trip of the year I had a kid in my patrol what was 50 points behind the first place guy. Our patrol had sewn up first place months ago, but I got angry. They insulted my kids so I wanted him to win as a fitting response. I went to the scribe (the guy who assigns points) and asked how many points would he get if he builds a shelter. He said 25 points. I said "that's not enough". He said "but I'll give him 75 points if he sleeps in the shelter" so we shook on it and I went and got Doug and we built the shelter and slept in it. He complained the entire time that he didn't care about winning and I felt terrible but I had made a deal so we followed through.

Then we had a barbecue where they invited the parents and we had a bonfire and awards. I was surprised to see Doug's two parents, they never ever came to these (his older brother was notorious in the troop). I also saw Tommy Dieck's parents which surprised me, I had never seen them come before either. It seemed every time I turned around I saw more people that I didn't expect. Even my mom came, she had never come before (and my older brother had been in the boy scouts too). I figured she came because my dad was the Scout master. Then I saw Doug, he was very similar to "pig pen". He would pass inspection, but kind of like Bill Belichik, with the most crumpled uniform you could imagine. He was wearing a starched and ironed uniform. I couldn't believe it, I was like "what is going on?" He just ignored me. Then when they handed out the awards it hit me, he lied to me, he really did care a whole lot about that award, and all these parents, they hadn't come before because they had been embarrassed. For the third year in a row my patrol had won the award and one of kids in my patrol had won the premier scout award. This was my last year in the boy scouts and also for my dad.

This brings me back to my prayer, "our Father is glorified" when we express him. People put their kids in the boy scouts hoping for a good example that will teach boys to be men. They all looked on my dad with reverence. They realized he had set an example that they now needed to try and live up to.

How will our father in heaven be hallowed? It will be when they see the children that he has raised that express him.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
There is a strange issue with Moses, many people assume there was something wrong with his speech. But let's consider this for a minute. Moses wrote the five books of Moses which would make him one of the best educated people of his day, if not the best educated. He was raised in Pharaoh's house and we are told specifically this included the education that all those in that house receive. So Moses was very well educated, so obviously he was intelligent enough to speak so some theorize he had a speech impediment or some other issue. But there is no corroborating evidence to support that.

So then today it hit me, do you think that if Pharaoh's son had killed an Egyptian slave master he would have to flee for his life? I think that is absurd. I think all those who were descended from Pharaoh were "above the law". No one would dare arrest them, charge them or try and prosecute them.

Also, murder charges don't expire yet when Moses returns his step brother who is now the Pharaoh doesn't care one iota about the murder. This tells me it was just Pharaoh that would have killed Moses. I think this is proof that Moses was not considered an equal among Pharaoh's household but rather treated like a red headed step child. Perhaps he was treated like Seabiscuit was when they made Seabiscuit lose races to boost the confidence of the other horses. Perhaps Moses was always ridiculed, rebuked, and told to be quiet.

This would mean he was somewhat like Tom Brady. He was often the fourth string quarterback, in practice he would get 2 reps while the starting quarterback gets 20 reps. The result is you want to make every play count because for all you know this is your last play. We see this in the books of Moses, every word is precious.

But having a spokesman is what Presidents and kings do. It eliminates debates. People ask Aaron a bunch of questions and want to start a debate he simply says "I'm just the messenger". Perhaps there was no speech impediment, instead God didn't want a bunch of useless and vain questions that cause strife. There is evidence this was the case, when Moses came down from the mountain and saw them worshipping a golden calf he was able to get everyone's attention himself. Millions of people in the middle of a big orgy, I don't think someone with a speech impediment could do that. He told the Levites to come up here and tens of thousands came up the mountain. He could speak loudly and clearly when he wanted.

However, in chapter 3 of Exodus God tells Moses He is going to send him to Pharaoh with a message and Moses says "why are you sending me?" Well for one he is your step brother and for another you grew up with him and spent 40 years with him. Why would Moses ask this? Again, if they had always ridiculed him and made him lose to his brother to boost his brother's confidence you could see Pharaoh being overconfident when he sees Moses and you could see Moses asking "why are you sending me, don't you know I always lose to him?"
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
*WOW* Hamas & The World War 3 Moon Prophecy of The Coming Third Temple

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
PROPHECY-- DESTRUCTION UPON DESTRUCTION

(See video posted 10/25/2022 for Destruction Upon Destruction (1))

Jeremiah 4:19-21 19 My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. 21 How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?

My son, THIS NATION THAT LOVES SIN HAS INVITED EVIL TO FALL UPON IT. The people are blinded and have no direction but to sin. Violence and sin are continually in their hearts, and they have rejected the truth of My Word. I NOW PRONOUNCE - DESTRUCTION UPON DESTRUCTION - ON THIS NATION AND ITS PEOPLE. Those who reject the truth and live in a lie, walk around blinded, not knowing where they are or the times they are in. SUDDEN DESTRUCTION WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU - AND WHEN YOU THINK IT IS OVER - MORE DESTRUCTION WILL COME.

My son, as THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE NEARS - THE WORLD WILL ROCK TO AND FRO AND STAGGER AS A DRUNKARD. THE PEOPLE WILL BE UNABLE TO STEADY THEMSELVES AS I SHAKE THE WHOLE EARTH - NOT JUST ONE CONTINENT. I have warned and warned to no avail, as the people are stubborn and stiff-necked. I SAY NOW THAT WAR WILL COME UPON YOU VERY QUICKLY AND AND BY TOTAL SURPRISE. This nation thinks it is impervious to death and destruction - but I say, DESTRUCTION UPON DESTRUCTION IS NIGH YOU.

My son, THOSE I HAVE CALLED HAVE BEEN AT WAR ON THEIR KNEES, tearing down the walls of the enemy - but they are few and battle worn. My children will be CAUGHT UP IN THE SNARE AND NOT BE READY for the judgment on this nation. In one hour this nation will be brought down, and the world will say, " LOOK HOW THE MIGHTY HAS FALLEN!" As your military READIES ITSELF FOR BATTLE, the enemy has already strengthened themselves within your walls. They will bring the FIRE OF DESTRUCTION to your cities. Why have you not prepared your hearts??? Many of My children will not see the truth until they are standing before Me. DESTRUCTION UPON DESTRUCTION IS COMING MUCH SOONER THAN YOU THINK OR BELIEVE.

My son, SHOUT REPENT NOW to this stubborn people, and SHOUT READY YOUR HEARTS FOR WHAT YOU WILL WITNESS. REPENT NOW! Allow Me to comfort you in these last days. My children - YOU MUST LEARN TO WALK IN GREAT FAITH AND TRUST ME BEYOND ANY DOUBT. I, Lord Jesus, speak unto you now and say, REPENT! FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND YOUR FATHER IS NEAR. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER. AND BRACE NOW! FOR DESTRUCTION UPON DESTRUCTION COMES.

Amen. Lord Jesus
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113

God's Name Is On Jerusalem He Told Us Where & When Rapture Soon
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Revealing whose heart is for the world

2Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

How often do preachers today reprove, rebuke, exhort? To reprove is to convict someone with the sense of shame added. To reprove someone is includes the thought of a punishment administered. To exhort is like the guy in the football game screaming at his teammates to block.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Once saved always saved has turned into a fable. A sinner discovers this magic prayer, he prays it and now he lives happily ever after. The prosperity gospel is a fable, like the golden goose, you put money into that box at church and tomorrow you get 10x that money given to you.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

If you are truly following in the footsteps of Jesus and the apostles this will be your testimony as well.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Isn't it amazing how many Christians do not love the Lord's appearing? What a brilliant way to reveal what is in their heart, and how their heart is for the world.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
35,178
6,258
113
Why does the Lord seem to delay?

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

These guys expected to see the kingdom come in a few years and when it didn't happen, what, they quit?

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

How wonderful to put these two verses together, Mark was one who quit, but then repented. Put these verses together and you get

1. A crown for those who love the Lord's appearing

2. Those who loved the world get exposed

3. During the tribulation they repent and return to the Lord.