Summary of Bible references on the Rapture
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You aren't ready yet to enter the ring
Luke 5:12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
This account is also in Mark. There is no difference between the tribulation saints and the saints raptured before the tribulation, all were lepers cleansed by the Lord.
15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
But this is where the difference is between Mark and Luke. Nothing in Luke suggests that this cleansed leper is the one who violated the Lord's word. In Mark it is very clear that the cleansed leper went out and "blazed it abroad" and that he "published it". He wrote a book about how he was healed. In Luke it is word of mouth, others see and as a result they share, this helps others to witness and testify as well.
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
There is a lot of speculation about why Jesus told this man not to tell any man. In my experience it was because I was not ready to enter into the spiritual warfare. I had an experience of the Lord without knowing anything of the Bible. If I had gone around sharing it I would have been destroyed. To me it is like being a white belt in Karate, you enter into the ring during a competition and the black belts will destroy you. I know some think this is because the crowd around Jesus made it hard to speak openly. I don't think so, the Lord's ministry was guaranteed to result in those great big crowds, that was not going to change by one cleansed leper, I think the Lord was giving advice to the new believer that he is not ready yet to enter into the ring.
Luke 5:12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
This account is also in Mark. There is no difference between the tribulation saints and the saints raptured before the tribulation, all were lepers cleansed by the Lord.
15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
But this is where the difference is between Mark and Luke. Nothing in Luke suggests that this cleansed leper is the one who violated the Lord's word. In Mark it is very clear that the cleansed leper went out and "blazed it abroad" and that he "published it". He wrote a book about how he was healed. In Luke it is word of mouth, others see and as a result they share, this helps others to witness and testify as well.
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
There is a lot of speculation about why Jesus told this man not to tell any man. In my experience it was because I was not ready to enter into the spiritual warfare. I had an experience of the Lord without knowing anything of the Bible. If I had gone around sharing it I would have been destroyed. To me it is like being a white belt in Karate, you enter into the ring during a competition and the black belts will destroy you. I know some think this is because the crowd around Jesus made it hard to speak openly. I don't think so, the Lord's ministry was guaranteed to result in those great big crowds, that was not going to change by one cleansed leper, I think the Lord was giving advice to the new believer that he is not ready yet to enter into the ring.
4 Steps to having a ministry
Step 1 -- Heal the leprosy.
This is a contagious disease, it is on the skin, you are to proclaim that you are unclean. For example, maybe you are a prostitute, maybe you are a drug addict, or a drug dealer, or maybe you are living in fornication. This must be dealt with first. However, you are still not ready for ministry.
Step 2 -- Deal with the heart
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. 17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
Palsy is where the fluid around the heart does not drain away and as a result it is hard for the heart to beat, it is like it is strangling the heart.
19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Suppose a woman is a prostitute, she gets saved, cleansed from that life, and now she is a Christian walking in the Lord. But then she thinks on the sins done to her in her life, and a root of bitterness begins to grow within her. That is palsy. That fluid is building up around her heart because just as the Lord has forgiven her, she also needs to forgive others. If you are having a hard time rising up to minister because of bitterness in your heart, it is unforgiven sins. Forgive everyone, be merciful to everyone. That fluid will drain away from your heart and you will be able to pick up your bed and walk.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
There are people who can hold a grudge for decades. If you are one of these bitter old people and you get saved and now are filled with the joy of the Lord, that is a powerful testimony to those who knew you before.
Step 3 -- Begin the ministry
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Now this is the beginning of ministry. Cleanse the Leprosy, heal the heart, and now you are ready for ministry.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Go to where the need is. If you were saved out of a gang, preach to gang members. If you were a drug addict, preach to drug addicts. With what measure the Lord has measured to you, measure it to others as well.
Step 4 -- Satan will question your faith
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
You don't need to fast and pray before starting a ministry. What you need to do is be cleansed from sin and heal your heart from bitterness. That is the prerequisite. At that point you have a ministry by sharing with others how the Lord helped you.
36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
You are a new bottle, you are filled with new wine.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Do not be discouraged because you are a baby ministry. You know what saved you, and you know those who are in the same condition and need the same word. As you grow and mature in the Lord the wine will get better. Think of all the great hymns in the Christian church, the early church didn't have any of them. When a toddler is first learning to walk he will fall down often, but because he is so small it is no big thing. Do not wait until you are a full grown man to learn how to walk. At that point falling down will be a potentially injurious event.
Step 1 -- Heal the leprosy.
This is a contagious disease, it is on the skin, you are to proclaim that you are unclean. For example, maybe you are a prostitute, maybe you are a drug addict, or a drug dealer, or maybe you are living in fornication. This must be dealt with first. However, you are still not ready for ministry.
Step 2 -- Deal with the heart
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. 17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
Palsy is where the fluid around the heart does not drain away and as a result it is hard for the heart to beat, it is like it is strangling the heart.
19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Suppose a woman is a prostitute, she gets saved, cleansed from that life, and now she is a Christian walking in the Lord. But then she thinks on the sins done to her in her life, and a root of bitterness begins to grow within her. That is palsy. That fluid is building up around her heart because just as the Lord has forgiven her, she also needs to forgive others. If you are having a hard time rising up to minister because of bitterness in your heart, it is unforgiven sins. Forgive everyone, be merciful to everyone. That fluid will drain away from your heart and you will be able to pick up your bed and walk.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
There are people who can hold a grudge for decades. If you are one of these bitter old people and you get saved and now are filled with the joy of the Lord, that is a powerful testimony to those who knew you before.
Step 3 -- Begin the ministry
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Now this is the beginning of ministry. Cleanse the Leprosy, heal the heart, and now you are ready for ministry.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Go to where the need is. If you were saved out of a gang, preach to gang members. If you were a drug addict, preach to drug addicts. With what measure the Lord has measured to you, measure it to others as well.
Step 4 -- Satan will question your faith
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
You don't need to fast and pray before starting a ministry. What you need to do is be cleansed from sin and heal your heart from bitterness. That is the prerequisite. At that point you have a ministry by sharing with others how the Lord helped you.
36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
You are a new bottle, you are filled with new wine.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Do not be discouraged because you are a baby ministry. You know what saved you, and you know those who are in the same condition and need the same word. As you grow and mature in the Lord the wine will get better. Think of all the great hymns in the Christian church, the early church didn't have any of them. When a toddler is first learning to walk he will fall down often, but because he is so small it is no big thing. Do not wait until you are a full grown man to learn how to walk. At that point falling down will be a potentially injurious event.
Being healed of our murmuring and complaining
Exodus 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
If you take a branch or a vine and stick one end into the filthy water (the end that is closest to the root or trunk) and hang it so the other end is lower, clean water will drip through this branch. It will work as a remarkable filter that can clean the foulest water. This is a picture of us, we are like this putrid pool of foul water and the branch refers to the cross of Christ. Let the cross of Christ act as a filter and all the foul putrid water you are filled up with will be filtered so that only clean, clear, sweet water will proceed from your lips.
Exodus 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
If you take a branch or a vine and stick one end into the filthy water (the end that is closest to the root or trunk) and hang it so the other end is lower, clean water will drip through this branch. It will work as a remarkable filter that can clean the foulest water. This is a picture of us, we are like this putrid pool of foul water and the branch refers to the cross of Christ. Let the cross of Christ act as a filter and all the foul putrid water you are filled up with will be filtered so that only clean, clear, sweet water will proceed from your lips.
Jesus is Lord of the rapture
Luke 6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
This is the kind of ridiculous attacks you will get when you first start a ministry. The most religious will make it seem like it is illegal for you to even eat. Think of the word of God as these stalks of corn and you are plucking different verses, grinding them and finding little grains of life in each verse. This is what the watchmen were doing when they first started piecing together all the verses on the rapture. We were reading the Bible, searching the scriptures and getting words of life from them. But then religious people attacked as though what we were doing was illegal. "The Bible says no one knows the day or the hour" as though that was some kind of prohibition against reading the scriptures and searching them
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
Read a little further, where it says "no one knows the day or the hour" it will then conclude that we need to "watch therefore". What we were doing is only legal for the priests to do. But according to the word of God all believers are priests, so then what hypocrisy for these people to attack us, it revealed they didn't know the word of God.
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Take a look at Revelation 3:3, Jesus rebukes the church in Sardis and tells them they need to dig into the word just like they did originally, otherwise they will not know the hour in which He is coming! The very same people telling us to stop what we are doing because no one knows the hour are being warned that if they don't watch with us and examine the word with us then they will be the ones who don't know the hour! Yes, Jesus said that no one knows the hour two thousand years ago, He did not say that no one will know the hour. In the Bible there is a principle, God says He does nothing without telling His prophets. Consider the days of Noah, he entered the ark one week before the flood, that means he got a heads up one week before to get into the ark. Consider the days of Lot, he also was warned a day before the fire fell to leave Sodom. Jesus said it would be as the days of Noah and as the days of Lot. Both of them were given a heads up right before the tribulation begins. Just because we don't know the hour doesn't mean that Jesus won't know the hour that He is coming. Jesus said that we are His friends and that He would tell His friends what He is doing.
Luke 6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
This is the kind of ridiculous attacks you will get when you first start a ministry. The most religious will make it seem like it is illegal for you to even eat. Think of the word of God as these stalks of corn and you are plucking different verses, grinding them and finding little grains of life in each verse. This is what the watchmen were doing when they first started piecing together all the verses on the rapture. We were reading the Bible, searching the scriptures and getting words of life from them. But then religious people attacked as though what we were doing was illegal. "The Bible says no one knows the day or the hour" as though that was some kind of prohibition against reading the scriptures and searching them
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
Read a little further, where it says "no one knows the day or the hour" it will then conclude that we need to "watch therefore". What we were doing is only legal for the priests to do. But according to the word of God all believers are priests, so then what hypocrisy for these people to attack us, it revealed they didn't know the word of God.
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Take a look at Revelation 3:3, Jesus rebukes the church in Sardis and tells them they need to dig into the word just like they did originally, otherwise they will not know the hour in which He is coming! The very same people telling us to stop what we are doing because no one knows the hour are being warned that if they don't watch with us and examine the word with us then they will be the ones who don't know the hour! Yes, Jesus said that no one knows the hour two thousand years ago, He did not say that no one will know the hour. In the Bible there is a principle, God says He does nothing without telling His prophets. Consider the days of Noah, he entered the ark one week before the flood, that means he got a heads up one week before to get into the ark. Consider the days of Lot, he also was warned a day before the fire fell to leave Sodom. Jesus said it would be as the days of Noah and as the days of Lot. Both of them were given a heads up right before the tribulation begins. Just because we don't know the hour doesn't mean that Jesus won't know the hour that He is coming. Jesus said that we are His friends and that He would tell His friends what He is doing.
The apostasy comes before the rapture
Chapter 10 — More on the man born blind — Jesus leads us out of organized Christianity and the apostasy. We discover all kinds of saints around the world on Youtube and the internet. The watchmen talking about the signs of the Lord’s imminent return are no longer welcome in organized religion.
John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
The door is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is also a rapture imagery with Jesus at the door and then the door is opened and of course we are called up to enter in the door and of course the door is shut on the foolish virgins and they cannot enter in but are left in the tribulation. The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night and here He explains, these are the ones who are trying to steal the sheep but don't enter in by the door. The apostasy is when people try to enter into the church as the Pastor or board of directors but are not entering in by Jesus Christ, the only name by which we may be saved and the incarnated word of God, which is inerrant.
Consider when Kabul fell to the Taliban. That was robbery. It seems very clear to me that Biden "climbed up some other way" to become president using fraud. The president of Afghanistan was a hireling, a puppet that as soon as he saw the wolves coming he fled. He had a bigger army that was better equipped but he was a coward. The day of the Lord is when the full revelation of how evil and corrupt human government is will be made known to the whole world. The United Nations composed of globalists is "the beast" that whore of Babylon has been riding. The United States has become the great Babylon and our leaders like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris represent the "whore of Babylon". At the end of the age the Beast will hate the whore and she will be "sacrificed", we see her burned with fire and naked.
If you steal an election you are a thief and you "climbed up some other way". When Biden was elected people thought they would finally have some peace and security. Instead on day 1 he signed a stack of executive orders and it was clear, we had a tyrant. We now know many of these orders were signed with an autopen while Biden had dementia. Think of Bhagram airbase, a wonderful strategic location in Afghanistan. We handed it over with billions of dollars of weapons and large pallets of cash to the Taliban who in turn have now handed it over to China. It was sudden, in the middle of the night the army was given the order to evacuate immediately.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
We go into the sheepfold at night to protect us from wild animals, and during bad weather and during winter. The lambs are generally born during the winter (primarily during December and January).
The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night to steal, and to kill and to destroy. The Antichrist will be given power to do this. The goal is for people to repent and turn to the Lord from their worship of material things.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This is a reference to false prophets. Recently the amount of liars and false prophets has grown exponentially. It is stunning the extent of the lies on the media. It seems anyone that could have been trusted has been removed from speaking ever since Covid pandemic.
AI has multiplied the amount of bots and trolls on the internet, they are growing exponentially. Algorithms shadow ban those who speak on behalf of the Lord while amplifying the false prophets. Fake news is making it harder and harder to discern what is true and what is false.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Look at the protests in Brazil, in the US, in France, in Peru, in China, in South Korea, all over the world. People are refusing to follow these thieves and liars.
They are not entering the church through Jesus, they are not entering the church through the incarnated word of God. Instead they are "climbing up some other way" like these doctrines "once saved always saved" that basically say once you pray to receive the Lord you can sin with impunity or the prosperity gospel where the term "blessing" is all about money and mammon. These are "another way". What is the way that the true believers take? It is the way of the cross.
Now let's think about this -- the last time we saw a door it was at Passover and it had the blood of the lamb on it. That was the beginning of our Christian life. We were brought out into pastures, out into the spring and summer and fall. Eventually the winter came, the long night came, no one could work, the sheep are in the sheep fold with thieves and robbers climbing up to break in. But then at the end of the age the Shepherd will come, we'll open to Him, and He will lead us out. That is the rapture.
That blood was a testimony to us and to others. Now the rapture and the first 42 months of the tribulation will be a testimony for the Jews. Many of them reject Jesus as the Messiah, but that event will wake them up and our testimony and the testimony of the two witnesses will be something they can put on their door as a testimony as they partake of the word of the Lord to strengthen them to go through the tribulation. I believe they will confess that Jesus is the Messiah and look in Him whom they have pierced at the 2nd Passover.
Chapter 10 — More on the man born blind — Jesus leads us out of organized Christianity and the apostasy. We discover all kinds of saints around the world on Youtube and the internet. The watchmen talking about the signs of the Lord’s imminent return are no longer welcome in organized religion.
John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
The door is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is also a rapture imagery with Jesus at the door and then the door is opened and of course we are called up to enter in the door and of course the door is shut on the foolish virgins and they cannot enter in but are left in the tribulation. The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night and here He explains, these are the ones who are trying to steal the sheep but don't enter in by the door. The apostasy is when people try to enter into the church as the Pastor or board of directors but are not entering in by Jesus Christ, the only name by which we may be saved and the incarnated word of God, which is inerrant.
Consider when Kabul fell to the Taliban. That was robbery. It seems very clear to me that Biden "climbed up some other way" to become president using fraud. The president of Afghanistan was a hireling, a puppet that as soon as he saw the wolves coming he fled. He had a bigger army that was better equipped but he was a coward. The day of the Lord is when the full revelation of how evil and corrupt human government is will be made known to the whole world. The United Nations composed of globalists is "the beast" that whore of Babylon has been riding. The United States has become the great Babylon and our leaders like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris represent the "whore of Babylon". At the end of the age the Beast will hate the whore and she will be "sacrificed", we see her burned with fire and naked.
If you steal an election you are a thief and you "climbed up some other way". When Biden was elected people thought they would finally have some peace and security. Instead on day 1 he signed a stack of executive orders and it was clear, we had a tyrant. We now know many of these orders were signed with an autopen while Biden had dementia. Think of Bhagram airbase, a wonderful strategic location in Afghanistan. We handed it over with billions of dollars of weapons and large pallets of cash to the Taliban who in turn have now handed it over to China. It was sudden, in the middle of the night the army was given the order to evacuate immediately.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
We go into the sheepfold at night to protect us from wild animals, and during bad weather and during winter. The lambs are generally born during the winter (primarily during December and January).
The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night to steal, and to kill and to destroy. The Antichrist will be given power to do this. The goal is for people to repent and turn to the Lord from their worship of material things.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This is a reference to false prophets. Recently the amount of liars and false prophets has grown exponentially. It is stunning the extent of the lies on the media. It seems anyone that could have been trusted has been removed from speaking ever since Covid pandemic.
AI has multiplied the amount of bots and trolls on the internet, they are growing exponentially. Algorithms shadow ban those who speak on behalf of the Lord while amplifying the false prophets. Fake news is making it harder and harder to discern what is true and what is false.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Look at the protests in Brazil, in the US, in France, in Peru, in China, in South Korea, all over the world. People are refusing to follow these thieves and liars.
They are not entering the church through Jesus, they are not entering the church through the incarnated word of God. Instead they are "climbing up some other way" like these doctrines "once saved always saved" that basically say once you pray to receive the Lord you can sin with impunity or the prosperity gospel where the term "blessing" is all about money and mammon. These are "another way". What is the way that the true believers take? It is the way of the cross.
Now let's think about this -- the last time we saw a door it was at Passover and it had the blood of the lamb on it. That was the beginning of our Christian life. We were brought out into pastures, out into the spring and summer and fall. Eventually the winter came, the long night came, no one could work, the sheep are in the sheep fold with thieves and robbers climbing up to break in. But then at the end of the age the Shepherd will come, we'll open to Him, and He will lead us out. That is the rapture.
That blood was a testimony to us and to others. Now the rapture and the first 42 months of the tribulation will be a testimony for the Jews. Many of them reject Jesus as the Messiah, but that event will wake them up and our testimony and the testimony of the two witnesses will be something they can put on their door as a testimony as they partake of the word of the Lord to strengthen them to go through the tribulation. I believe they will confess that Jesus is the Messiah and look in Him whom they have pierced at the 2nd Passover.
We must be able to discern for ourselves
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
The rapture is when Jesus tells us that He is the door again. He told us this once at the time of His crucifixion. The apostasy came in to dispute this, but then when all those who listened to the apostate preachers are left behind they will hear this again, that Jesus is the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
This is referring to the sheep that are raptured. Those who are left behind will realize that those Christians would not listen to the apostate pastors and priests.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
This message is repeated, that is how important it is. It used to be you did not have to be so careful in who you trusted or who you listened to. Yes there were scam artists and flim flam men, but they get exposed eventually and so people learned to be wary of strangers. But now with TV, then the telephone and ultimately the internet the ability for strangers to scam people has grown exponentially. As a Christian you must know the word of God for yourself and you must be able to discern between the voice of the Lord and all others.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The election fraud was a warning. All those in darkness were asleep. They didn't care that Biden was compromised by China, they didn't care that big tech was censoring any story contrary to Biden, they didn't care that the Main Stream media was taking orders from his campaign on how to spin the news. The day has overtaken them as a thief in the night and they are going to be ashamed.
Are the illegals that are coming across our border, are they entering by the door or climbing up some other way? How about the got aways? Is the WHO taking over sovereignty of the US and the world through legal, constitutional means or by some other way? How about this war in Ukraine, are we fighting Russia by declaring war on them or by some other way? What about the Pandemic, was that by some other way?
They are thieves and robbers. This is a warning to us. Think of how you will feel if you have believed in the Lord Jesus and yet you are left behind! You will feel like you were robbed.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
The rapture is when Jesus tells us that He is the door again. He told us this once at the time of His crucifixion. The apostasy came in to dispute this, but then when all those who listened to the apostate preachers are left behind they will hear this again, that Jesus is the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
This is referring to the sheep that are raptured. Those who are left behind will realize that those Christians would not listen to the apostate pastors and priests.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
This message is repeated, that is how important it is. It used to be you did not have to be so careful in who you trusted or who you listened to. Yes there were scam artists and flim flam men, but they get exposed eventually and so people learned to be wary of strangers. But now with TV, then the telephone and ultimately the internet the ability for strangers to scam people has grown exponentially. As a Christian you must know the word of God for yourself and you must be able to discern between the voice of the Lord and all others.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The election fraud was a warning. All those in darkness were asleep. They didn't care that Biden was compromised by China, they didn't care that big tech was censoring any story contrary to Biden, they didn't care that the Main Stream media was taking orders from his campaign on how to spin the news. The day has overtaken them as a thief in the night and they are going to be ashamed.
Are the illegals that are coming across our border, are they entering by the door or climbing up some other way? How about the got aways? Is the WHO taking over sovereignty of the US and the world through legal, constitutional means or by some other way? How about this war in Ukraine, are we fighting Russia by declaring war on them or by some other way? What about the Pandemic, was that by some other way?
They are thieves and robbers. This is a warning to us. Think of how you will feel if you have believed in the Lord Jesus and yet you are left behind! You will feel like you were robbed.
Left Behind saints = Sheep without a Shepherd
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
That is a very interesting point. The wolf "catches the sheep and scatters them". I saw this pastor who was arrested and charged because while outside an abortion clinic he pushed a man that was harassing his son. They show up at his house with a swat team, they put him in handcuffs and shackle his feet, and they threaten to put him in prison and bankrupt him with fines. Why? So that they will intimidate many others and "scatter them".
Mark 6:34 describes the people as sheep without a shepherd. Mark is the gospel to the left behind saints and at that time they will be like sheep without a shepherd. This word is not in Luke which is a word to those taken prior to the tribulation.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Are doctors bad? Are lawyers bad? Are politicians bad? Maybe not, but for the vast majority they are hirelings and they flee when they see the wolves. Those that don't flee get killed. We saw this with 911, and with the Mortgage crisis in 2008 and with the Covid pandemic in 2020.
The Main Stream Media are hirelings. They don't care for the sheep, that much we know for sure.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
This is how we know that Jesus and the apostles were good shepherds. They laid down their lives for the sheep. The same is true the last five years, some went along with closing churches, vaccine mandates, and all of that. Others took a stand even if it costs them their job, their house, their career, and their reputation.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I 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 there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
This was the case at the time of Jesus' ministry on Earth but it is also true at the time of the pre-tribulation rapture. There will be many more that follow the Lord after that event and they will all become one fold. Think of how divided Christianity is. There are many cults like Jehovah Witness, and Prosperity Gospel, and Calvinists. Everyone thinks they are right and everyone else is wrong. After the rapture everyone will know that the word of God is right and all the charlatans and con men will be exposed.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it 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 have I received of my Father. 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
There are many accusing Christians of being conspiracy nut jobs with tin foil hats. But after the rapture it will be clear that their eyes were open. This gives us the picture of the Church right at the time of the rapture where it will be divided, there will be lots of thieves and robbers, and liars.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
That is a very interesting point. The wolf "catches the sheep and scatters them". I saw this pastor who was arrested and charged because while outside an abortion clinic he pushed a man that was harassing his son. They show up at his house with a swat team, they put him in handcuffs and shackle his feet, and they threaten to put him in prison and bankrupt him with fines. Why? So that they will intimidate many others and "scatter them".
Mark 6:34 describes the people as sheep without a shepherd. Mark is the gospel to the left behind saints and at that time they will be like sheep without a shepherd. This word is not in Luke which is a word to those taken prior to the tribulation.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Are doctors bad? Are lawyers bad? Are politicians bad? Maybe not, but for the vast majority they are hirelings and they flee when they see the wolves. Those that don't flee get killed. We saw this with 911, and with the Mortgage crisis in 2008 and with the Covid pandemic in 2020.
The Main Stream Media are hirelings. They don't care for the sheep, that much we know for sure.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
This is how we know that Jesus and the apostles were good shepherds. They laid down their lives for the sheep. The same is true the last five years, some went along with closing churches, vaccine mandates, and all of that. Others took a stand even if it costs them their job, their house, their career, and their reputation.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I 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 there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
This was the case at the time of Jesus' ministry on Earth but it is also true at the time of the pre-tribulation rapture. There will be many more that follow the Lord after that event and they will all become one fold. Think of how divided Christianity is. There are many cults like Jehovah Witness, and Prosperity Gospel, and Calvinists. Everyone thinks they are right and everyone else is wrong. After the rapture everyone will know that the word of God is right and all the charlatans and con men will be exposed.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it 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 have I received of my Father. 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
There are many accusing Christians of being conspiracy nut jobs with tin foil hats. But after the rapture it will be clear that their eyes were open. This gives us the picture of the Church right at the time of the rapture where it will be divided, there will be lots of thieves and robbers, and liars.
The Feast of Dedication
John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
So this lets us know the rapture preceded Hanukkah, but it was at the same time as Hanukkah. The name Hanukah is based on the name of Enoch, who was the seventh from Adam, a picture of the church that is raptured. What is a "feast of dedication"? It is a celebration of all those who are fully dedicated to the Lord. At the time of the Maccabees you had an apostasy as many Jews tried to compromise with the Greeks. But it was the old "give them an inch and they will take a mile". Ultimately they realized they could not compromise any longer and they took a stand. What will help all those who are in the apostate churches to take a stand is when the rapture takes place. When all the saints fully dedicated to the Lord are taken, that will cause all those who are lukewarm like Laodicea to repent. The story of Hanukah is not about the rapture, it is about the left behind saints being healed of their blindness, seeing the thieves and robbers who have cheated them, and taking a stand for the Lord during the tribulation. In this story they flee to the mountains, just like what will happen during the tribulation. Also, Antiochus Epiphanes is a type of the Antichrist who sets himself up in the temple. It depicts how many Christians will be thoroughly corrupt. The church is the temple of God and in some congregations they let these antichrist figures set themselves up and make defiling sacrifices. For example think of Minnesota that allowed Tim Walz and Ilhan Omar to set themselves up as thieves and robbers and took $1 billion of their tax dollars and sent it to a terrorist organization in Somalia. Once you realize you have been scammed you will kick out all the crooks and robbers, prosecute them, and clean house. This is a shadow of what will happen during the tribulation.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
The rapture is when Jesus will tell them plainly. Joshua said that the rapture is 9/23. On the Jewish calendar 9/23 is the day before Hanukah starts.
Wow, we just jumped to Hanukah. This is a key point to the tribulation, it will convince many people to repent. Before they believed in Jesus but thought Jesus freaks were too extreme or embarrassed them, or should not make waves or should not get involved in political issues. However, after the first rapture He who restrains will step aside and then they will see what the world is like with Antichrist and demons running wild. What we saw in Kabul is a foretaste of what we are about to see in the US. Once you realize the US is the Great Babylon the prophecies are very clear. In an hour she will fall, she will be destroyed, religiously, economically, politically. We will be burned with fire and stripped naked.
John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
So this lets us know the rapture preceded Hanukkah, but it was at the same time as Hanukkah. The name Hanukah is based on the name of Enoch, who was the seventh from Adam, a picture of the church that is raptured. What is a "feast of dedication"? It is a celebration of all those who are fully dedicated to the Lord. At the time of the Maccabees you had an apostasy as many Jews tried to compromise with the Greeks. But it was the old "give them an inch and they will take a mile". Ultimately they realized they could not compromise any longer and they took a stand. What will help all those who are in the apostate churches to take a stand is when the rapture takes place. When all the saints fully dedicated to the Lord are taken, that will cause all those who are lukewarm like Laodicea to repent. The story of Hanukah is not about the rapture, it is about the left behind saints being healed of their blindness, seeing the thieves and robbers who have cheated them, and taking a stand for the Lord during the tribulation. In this story they flee to the mountains, just like what will happen during the tribulation. Also, Antiochus Epiphanes is a type of the Antichrist who sets himself up in the temple. It depicts how many Christians will be thoroughly corrupt. The church is the temple of God and in some congregations they let these antichrist figures set themselves up and make defiling sacrifices. For example think of Minnesota that allowed Tim Walz and Ilhan Omar to set themselves up as thieves and robbers and took $1 billion of their tax dollars and sent it to a terrorist organization in Somalia. Once you realize you have been scammed you will kick out all the crooks and robbers, prosecute them, and clean house. This is a shadow of what will happen during the tribulation.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
The rapture is when Jesus will tell them plainly. Joshua said that the rapture is 9/23. On the Jewish calendar 9/23 is the day before Hanukah starts.
Wow, we just jumped to Hanukah. This is a key point to the tribulation, it will convince many people to repent. Before they believed in Jesus but thought Jesus freaks were too extreme or embarrassed them, or should not make waves or should not get involved in political issues. However, after the first rapture He who restrains will step aside and then they will see what the world is like with Antichrist and demons running wild. What we saw in Kabul is a foretaste of what we are about to see in the US. Once you realize the US is the Great Babylon the prophecies are very clear. In an hour she will fall, she will be destroyed, religiously, economically, politically. We will be burned with fire and stripped naked.
The Dress rehearsal for the Tribulation
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
The rapture will tell the world plainly that Jesus is Lord. It will also cause the religious leaders to be exposed that they are not His sheep. A troll is simply someone who refuses to believe because they are not the Lord's sheep.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Why do you think that CNN and MSNBC's ratings have tanked? No one is listening to them, no one is following them. It is because they have lied to the people and the people know it. Now you can make a mistake, that is true of everyone, and if you do make a mistake confess it and repent. But with CNN and MSNBC and all the other main stream media we learned that they intentionally lied to us to lead us astray and they have not confessed that or repented.
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
The word "pluck them out" is Harpazo. That is the word for the rapture. Jesus raptures His saints prior to the tribulation and then during the tribulation the Antichrist tries to pluck them out of His hand with the mark of the beast and the threat to worship him or die. Those that refuse to worship antichrist will be a powerful testimony that He can't pluck them out of the Lord's hand.
So right after saying it was the feast of dedication we now talk about the tribulation saints.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Pluck them out of my hand is the same word we use for the rapture. Jesus can rapture us, pluck us out of the way of harms way but Antichrist and Satan are powerless to pluck the believers out of His hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
This is the purpose of the witness of the saints during the church age, to testify to all that Jesus and the Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
During the tribulation they will use the Noahide laws to execute anyone who claims Jesus is God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
The great delusion includes the fallen angels coming to earth and claiming they are gods.
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
During the tribulation the saints will escape being killed and have to flee to the wilderness
Wow, they threatened to fire people if they don't get the vaccine, and look how quickly people tremble over losing their job. Here they are threatening to stone Jesus and He doesn't blink. If you think you will stand strong against the Antichrist, how did you do with the illegal vaccine mandate? That was a dress rehearsal.
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
During the tribulation, after the left behind saints flee, they will have to return to the beginning to start over with their walk of faith.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.
This is the other thing, the more the tribulation heats up the more people will believe in Jesus. This is the revival you have been praying for. There will be a big revival shortly after the rapture.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
The rapture will tell the world plainly that Jesus is Lord. It will also cause the religious leaders to be exposed that they are not His sheep. A troll is simply someone who refuses to believe because they are not the Lord's sheep.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Why do you think that CNN and MSNBC's ratings have tanked? No one is listening to them, no one is following them. It is because they have lied to the people and the people know it. Now you can make a mistake, that is true of everyone, and if you do make a mistake confess it and repent. But with CNN and MSNBC and all the other main stream media we learned that they intentionally lied to us to lead us astray and they have not confessed that or repented.
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
The word "pluck them out" is Harpazo. That is the word for the rapture. Jesus raptures His saints prior to the tribulation and then during the tribulation the Antichrist tries to pluck them out of His hand with the mark of the beast and the threat to worship him or die. Those that refuse to worship antichrist will be a powerful testimony that He can't pluck them out of the Lord's hand.
So right after saying it was the feast of dedication we now talk about the tribulation saints.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Pluck them out of my hand is the same word we use for the rapture. Jesus can rapture us, pluck us out of the way of harms way but Antichrist and Satan are powerless to pluck the believers out of His hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
This is the purpose of the witness of the saints during the church age, to testify to all that Jesus and the Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
During the tribulation they will use the Noahide laws to execute anyone who claims Jesus is God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
The great delusion includes the fallen angels coming to earth and claiming they are gods.
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
During the tribulation the saints will escape being killed and have to flee to the wilderness
Wow, they threatened to fire people if they don't get the vaccine, and look how quickly people tremble over losing their job. Here they are threatening to stone Jesus and He doesn't blink. If you think you will stand strong against the Antichrist, how did you do with the illegal vaccine mandate? That was a dress rehearsal.
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
During the tribulation, after the left behind saints flee, they will have to return to the beginning to start over with their walk of faith.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.
This is the other thing, the more the tribulation heats up the more people will believe in Jesus. This is the revival you have been praying for. There will be a big revival shortly after the rapture.
This is why I started this blog
Luke 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Look at the progression. First you get healed of leprosy, then you get your heart healed of palsy, then you have a feast for your friends and then the attacks come. Are you truly walking by faith? Your ministry is violating the religous rules and laws. Now some will abide by those religious rules. Imagine you are a pastor of a church and the board of directors says don't talk about the Antichrist, or about the end times or the prophecies about the end times. That is like having to have a ministry with one hand tied behind your back. So of course that hand becomes withered. Jesus enters this congregation and there is the man, trying to minister but has a withered hand.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Seriously, do they really think it is not lawful to do good? Think about the pandemic with the vaccine mandate, or with pastors protesting abortion and standing for the pro choice movement. Is that lawful?
10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
When you start studying the prophecies, and diving into the current events fulfilling these prophecies you get stretched, your hand gets stretched. This was the reason I started this blog, no one talks about these things in the church meetings, so I wanted to study them so I would know them.
11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Look at the progression. First you get healed of leprosy, then you get your heart healed of palsy, then you have a feast for your friends and then the attacks come. Are you truly walking by faith? Your ministry is violating the religous rules and laws. Now some will abide by those religious rules. Imagine you are a pastor of a church and the board of directors says don't talk about the Antichrist, or about the end times or the prophecies about the end times. That is like having to have a ministry with one hand tied behind your back. So of course that hand becomes withered. Jesus enters this congregation and there is the man, trying to minister but has a withered hand.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Seriously, do they really think it is not lawful to do good? Think about the pandemic with the vaccine mandate, or with pastors protesting abortion and standing for the pro choice movement. Is that lawful?
10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
When you start studying the prophecies, and diving into the current events fulfilling these prophecies you get stretched, your hand gets stretched. This was the reason I started this blog, no one talks about these things in the church meetings, so I wanted to study them so I would know them.
11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Wheat
There are 12 references (a perfect number representing God mingled with His creation) to wheat in the New Testament.
In the gospels there are 8 references (new beginnings).
In the synoptic gospels there are 7 references (signifying the church).
1st reference -- Ephesus
Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Revelation 2:2 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
they were very focused on purging the floor of all those who were liars and were not apostles.
2nd Reference -- Smyrna
Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
This is the church where some will be put to death (sleep)
3rd Reference -- Pergamos
Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
This was the church that was married to the world, had a mixture of those with the teaching of Balaam on one hand and Antipas on the other. Just like the roots of the wheat and the tares being intertwined.
4th Reference -- Thyatira
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
This is the first church of the seven where Jesus refers to them being there at His coming. It is clear that some will be put to death, the children of Jezebel, and others will overcome and for those they will have power over the nations.
5th Reference -- Sardis
Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
This is exactly the same as the first quote in Matthew. With the church in Ephesus they were focused on purging the floor and were commended for their hard work. To this church they were rebuked for the works not being perfect and were told to repent and remember how they had first received and heard the word. Ephesus was purging the floor of the chaff, and Sardis now has allowed the chaff to take over the church.
6th Reference -- Philadelphia
Luke 16:7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
Fascinating, they are likened to the unrighteous steward. This guy is afraid that he is about to lose his job and so he has a "going out of business sale" where he is able to sell off all the inventory. The Lord commends him because he is wise. Compare this with the story about the servants who each received some talents and went and traded them. This guy was not the "best" salesman, or the most talented. In Philadelphia the Lord doesn't say they are a mighty church, no, they have a little strength. But this person is concerned about his job as a steward and you certainly cannot compare him to the slothful servant who buried the talent and made excuses. This guy is not making excuses, he is coming up with solutions.
7th Reference -- Laodicea
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
The three synoptic gospels appear to speak to three groups: Luke is for those raptured before the tribulation, Mark to those raptured out of the tribulation and Matthew to Israel saved as a nation. Peter in this verse depicts the ones who denied the Lord and are now going through the tribulation. Satan wants to sift them as wheat but they need to see that Jesus is praying for them. This is Laodicea. Jesus is not in that church, He is outside knocking. This is because, like Peter, they have denied Him.
Now the 8th reference is in John and it makes all things new!
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
The 9th reference is Judgement that will take place during the tribulation
Acts 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
The 10th reference is 5 (the work of our hands) x 2 (testimony)
1Corinthians 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
The 11th reference symbolizes disorder or chaos
Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The 12th reference is completion
12 is 6 (man) x 2 (testimony) signifying man is a testimony of God. It is also 3 (triune God) x 4 (creation) signifying God is mingled with His creation.
Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
If it were not for how well the previous 11 mentions fit you might think this is a quirk. But the odds of all this being a quirk are now astronomical, so we have to see that this is the completion. Wheat here is the testimony of God, it is God mingled with His creation. The merchants are crying because they are gone. God took the wheat to His barn. This is a reference to the rapture.
This is the only mention of Cinnamon in the New Testament, it was a spice in the anointing oil, it signifies the sweetness of the Lord's death. Ointments reminds us of the woman who poured out the precious ointment on the Lord, something that would be remembered for the entire church age. Frankincense was one of the spices given by the wise men. It is only mentioned twice, here and in Matthew. The saints of the Lord will have a unique testimony of the Lord. Frankincense signifies prayer. The Holy Spirit is depicted as the new wine and also as the oil for lighting the lamps. Each of these words, like slaves, depicts different saints in the church age (Paul was a slave of Jesus Christ) and all the believers are sheep.
There are 12 references (a perfect number representing God mingled with His creation) to wheat in the New Testament.
In the gospels there are 8 references (new beginnings).
In the synoptic gospels there are 7 references (signifying the church).
1st reference -- Ephesus
Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Revelation 2:2 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
they were very focused on purging the floor of all those who were liars and were not apostles.
2nd Reference -- Smyrna
Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
This is the church where some will be put to death (sleep)
3rd Reference -- Pergamos
Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
This was the church that was married to the world, had a mixture of those with the teaching of Balaam on one hand and Antipas on the other. Just like the roots of the wheat and the tares being intertwined.
4th Reference -- Thyatira
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
This is the first church of the seven where Jesus refers to them being there at His coming. It is clear that some will be put to death, the children of Jezebel, and others will overcome and for those they will have power over the nations.
5th Reference -- Sardis
Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
This is exactly the same as the first quote in Matthew. With the church in Ephesus they were focused on purging the floor and were commended for their hard work. To this church they were rebuked for the works not being perfect and were told to repent and remember how they had first received and heard the word. Ephesus was purging the floor of the chaff, and Sardis now has allowed the chaff to take over the church.
6th Reference -- Philadelphia
Luke 16:7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
Fascinating, they are likened to the unrighteous steward. This guy is afraid that he is about to lose his job and so he has a "going out of business sale" where he is able to sell off all the inventory. The Lord commends him because he is wise. Compare this with the story about the servants who each received some talents and went and traded them. This guy was not the "best" salesman, or the most talented. In Philadelphia the Lord doesn't say they are a mighty church, no, they have a little strength. But this person is concerned about his job as a steward and you certainly cannot compare him to the slothful servant who buried the talent and made excuses. This guy is not making excuses, he is coming up with solutions.
7th Reference -- Laodicea
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
The three synoptic gospels appear to speak to three groups: Luke is for those raptured before the tribulation, Mark to those raptured out of the tribulation and Matthew to Israel saved as a nation. Peter in this verse depicts the ones who denied the Lord and are now going through the tribulation. Satan wants to sift them as wheat but they need to see that Jesus is praying for them. This is Laodicea. Jesus is not in that church, He is outside knocking. This is because, like Peter, they have denied Him.
Now the 8th reference is in John and it makes all things new!
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
The 9th reference is Judgement that will take place during the tribulation
Acts 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
The 10th reference is 5 (the work of our hands) x 2 (testimony)
1Corinthians 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
The 11th reference symbolizes disorder or chaos
Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The 12th reference is completion
12 is 6 (man) x 2 (testimony) signifying man is a testimony of God. It is also 3 (triune God) x 4 (creation) signifying God is mingled with His creation.
Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
If it were not for how well the previous 11 mentions fit you might think this is a quirk. But the odds of all this being a quirk are now astronomical, so we have to see that this is the completion. Wheat here is the testimony of God, it is God mingled with His creation. The merchants are crying because they are gone. God took the wheat to His barn. This is a reference to the rapture.
This is the only mention of Cinnamon in the New Testament, it was a spice in the anointing oil, it signifies the sweetness of the Lord's death. Ointments reminds us of the woman who poured out the precious ointment on the Lord, something that would be remembered for the entire church age. Frankincense was one of the spices given by the wise men. It is only mentioned twice, here and in Matthew. The saints of the Lord will have a unique testimony of the Lord. Frankincense signifies prayer. The Holy Spirit is depicted as the new wine and also as the oil for lighting the lamps. Each of these words, like slaves, depicts different saints in the church age (Paul was a slave of Jesus Christ) and all the believers are sheep.
The Twelve Apostles
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Have you ever seen the movie "Miracle" about the US Olympic team's victory in Lake Placid? The coach agonized over picking his team because he had to cut someone. I feel like this is what is being described here when Jesus continued all night in prayer before selecting these twelve.
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
This is approximately the size of a basketball team. These twelve (Judas will be replaced and ultimately Paul will become the thirteenth apostle) are going to change the entire world. Do we appreciate these men? We know about Peter, but not Andrew, not James, not Philip and Bartholomew. We know Matthew, but all we know about Thomas is "doubting Thomas". Then there is a second James, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes. We do not speak of them.
Bartholomew the Apostle's life was characterized by his initial skepticism, his eventual deep faith, and a life of missionary work leading to his martyrdom. He is believed to have preached in regions like India and Armenia, where he converted King Polymius to Christianity, which resulted in his gruesome death by flaying and beheading at the hands of the king's brother, Astyages.
Andrew the Apostle was a fisherman who became one of Jesus' first disciples and a key figure in spreading Christianity. After Jesus' death, he is traditionally believed to have undertaken extensive missionary journeys throughout the Black Sea region, Greece, and Asia Minor, leading to many conversions. His life ended in martyrdom in Patras, Greece, where he was crucified on an X-shaped cross.
Philip the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles who followed Jesus, known for his role in connecting people to Christ by sharing his faith and inviting others to "come and see". His life included being present at the miracle of the loaves and fishes, asking Jesus to show the Father, and witnessing Christ's ascension. According to tradition, he later traveled to Asia Minor to preach the Gospel, enduring persecution before being martyred, often depicted as being crucified.
Simon the Zealot was one of Jesus' twelve apostles who, before his calling, was likely a member of a radical Jewish sect opposed to Roman rule. After becoming a disciple, he channeled his passion for his people into spreading the gospel, traveling extensively to preach in places like Egypt, North Africa, and Persia. Tradition holds that he was eventually martyred for his faith.
I can't help but think that Judas committing suicide helped all of them see there were two roads, one ended in destruction and one ends in life. Also they were likely selected because of their ability to witness in these various parts of the world, sending the gospel out to the nations.
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Have you ever seen the movie "Miracle" about the US Olympic team's victory in Lake Placid? The coach agonized over picking his team because he had to cut someone. I feel like this is what is being described here when Jesus continued all night in prayer before selecting these twelve.
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
This is approximately the size of a basketball team. These twelve (Judas will be replaced and ultimately Paul will become the thirteenth apostle) are going to change the entire world. Do we appreciate these men? We know about Peter, but not Andrew, not James, not Philip and Bartholomew. We know Matthew, but all we know about Thomas is "doubting Thomas". Then there is a second James, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes. We do not speak of them.
Bartholomew the Apostle's life was characterized by his initial skepticism, his eventual deep faith, and a life of missionary work leading to his martyrdom. He is believed to have preached in regions like India and Armenia, where he converted King Polymius to Christianity, which resulted in his gruesome death by flaying and beheading at the hands of the king's brother, Astyages.
Andrew the Apostle was a fisherman who became one of Jesus' first disciples and a key figure in spreading Christianity. After Jesus' death, he is traditionally believed to have undertaken extensive missionary journeys throughout the Black Sea region, Greece, and Asia Minor, leading to many conversions. His life ended in martyrdom in Patras, Greece, where he was crucified on an X-shaped cross.
Philip the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles who followed Jesus, known for his role in connecting people to Christ by sharing his faith and inviting others to "come and see". His life included being present at the miracle of the loaves and fishes, asking Jesus to show the Father, and witnessing Christ's ascension. According to tradition, he later traveled to Asia Minor to preach the Gospel, enduring persecution before being martyred, often depicted as being crucified.
Simon the Zealot was one of Jesus' twelve apostles who, before his calling, was likely a member of a radical Jewish sect opposed to Roman rule. After becoming a disciple, he channeled his passion for his people into spreading the gospel, traveling extensively to preach in places like Egypt, North Africa, and Persia. Tradition holds that he was eventually martyred for his faith.
I can't help but think that Judas committing suicide helped all of them see there were two roads, one ended in destruction and one ends in life. Also they were likely selected because of their ability to witness in these various parts of the world, sending the gospel out to the nations.
May your ministry be blessed
Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
This should be our goal as a Christian, to have a ministry that heals people of their diseases and casts out unclean spirits that are vexing them.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
What is it that you lack, ask and you shall receive. The Lord is blessing your ministry, for yours is the kingdom of God, and you have a promise, if you are seeking first the kingdom of God ask what you will and it will be done for you.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
If you are hungering for righteousness you will be filled. If you are weeping and mourning for the unrighteousness and corruption, the day will come when you shall laugh. You need to ask, you need to seek and you need to knock, but if you do the door will be opened, you will find, and you will receive.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel. He was arrested, he was imprisoned and he was ultimately killed. All the apostles were killed for the gospel. It is an honor to be numbered with them.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
I enjoy listening to people like Michael Jordan say they are just happy to be counted worthy to be in the hall of fame. Larry Bird said all he ever wanted was to be able to play with the best. These debates about the "GOAT" are stupid. I saw Wilt Chamberlin, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird when they were the best and none of them could have won their championships without the other members of the team. The guy who said it best is Tom Brady who some consider the "goat among goats". He said nothing good ever happens with the ball in his hands. His goal in every play was to get it out of his hands to someone who could do something as quickly as possible. Peter, Paul and John have all passed the ball to us.
Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
This should be our goal as a Christian, to have a ministry that heals people of their diseases and casts out unclean spirits that are vexing them.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
What is it that you lack, ask and you shall receive. The Lord is blessing your ministry, for yours is the kingdom of God, and you have a promise, if you are seeking first the kingdom of God ask what you will and it will be done for you.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
If you are hungering for righteousness you will be filled. If you are weeping and mourning for the unrighteousness and corruption, the day will come when you shall laugh. You need to ask, you need to seek and you need to knock, but if you do the door will be opened, you will find, and you will receive.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel. He was arrested, he was imprisoned and he was ultimately killed. All the apostles were killed for the gospel. It is an honor to be numbered with them.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
I enjoy listening to people like Michael Jordan say they are just happy to be counted worthy to be in the hall of fame. Larry Bird said all he ever wanted was to be able to play with the best. These debates about the "GOAT" are stupid. I saw Wilt Chamberlin, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird when they were the best and none of them could have won their championships without the other members of the team. The guy who said it best is Tom Brady who some consider the "goat among goats". He said nothing good ever happens with the ball in his hands. His goal in every play was to get it out of his hands to someone who could do something as quickly as possible. Peter, Paul and John have all passed the ball to us.
A warning to those in ministry of the coming attacks
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
You do not want to be rich. Laodicea thought they were rich and had no idea that they were naked, they were shameful, they were an embarrassment. You do not want to be the pastor of a big, wealthy church where the Board of Directors are telling you what you can and cannot say. You don't want to be Goliath, you want to be David.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Can you imagine in a world where there are so many needs that are not met that a Christian could be full? When so much unrighteousness and abuse is taking place to so many people a Christian could be laughing? The Lord has a sense of humor and the Lord supplies our needs. But deep down you should have a burden, something you are hungering to accomplish, and until it is done you cannot laugh.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
This is how those involved in witchcraft will behave when they infiltrate the church or your ministry. I have had a few people over my life come to me showering me with praise. Immediately there is an alarm that goes off inside. I don't even know this person, why are they trying to butter me up?
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
The worst enemy is the one that pretends to be your friend. These ones at least are honest and not deceitful.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
How many times have I seen some brother or sister begin to share the word, it is full of life and light. But then they get smitten on the cheek and so they walk away. They didn't want to start a fight. What do you mean you didn't want to start a fight?! You are speaking light and life into people in the kingdom of darkness. You are sharing a word that will break bonds and shine a light on their path to leave that world. You think Satan is going to just sit by? Yes, if you have a ministry of the word of God, the word that is light and salt, then yes, you will be starting a fight with the enemy. When they hit you on one cheek turn the other cheek. That is a statement that you will stand your ground and if that means a fight you are going to fight. You are going to take the kingdom by force. Satan will attempt to take stuff away from you, shake your trust in the Lord. Instead you have to believe if the Lord is taking away my cloak and my coat then He will replace them.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
You do not want to be rich. Laodicea thought they were rich and had no idea that they were naked, they were shameful, they were an embarrassment. You do not want to be the pastor of a big, wealthy church where the Board of Directors are telling you what you can and cannot say. You don't want to be Goliath, you want to be David.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Can you imagine in a world where there are so many needs that are not met that a Christian could be full? When so much unrighteousness and abuse is taking place to so many people a Christian could be laughing? The Lord has a sense of humor and the Lord supplies our needs. But deep down you should have a burden, something you are hungering to accomplish, and until it is done you cannot laugh.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
This is how those involved in witchcraft will behave when they infiltrate the church or your ministry. I have had a few people over my life come to me showering me with praise. Immediately there is an alarm that goes off inside. I don't even know this person, why are they trying to butter me up?
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
The worst enemy is the one that pretends to be your friend. These ones at least are honest and not deceitful.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
How many times have I seen some brother or sister begin to share the word, it is full of life and light. But then they get smitten on the cheek and so they walk away. They didn't want to start a fight. What do you mean you didn't want to start a fight?! You are speaking light and life into people in the kingdom of darkness. You are sharing a word that will break bonds and shine a light on their path to leave that world. You think Satan is going to just sit by? Yes, if you have a ministry of the word of God, the word that is light and salt, then yes, you will be starting a fight with the enemy. When they hit you on one cheek turn the other cheek. That is a statement that you will stand your ground and if that means a fight you are going to fight. You are going to take the kingdom by force. Satan will attempt to take stuff away from you, shake your trust in the Lord. Instead you have to believe if the Lord is taking away my cloak and my coat then He will replace them.
Armor plating to protect you from Satanic attacks
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
There are different openings that we give Satan to attack us. One is if we are materialistic. Think of yourself as a soldier who is traveling light. The less stuff you have to carry, the better.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
This is the basic principle, you will be treated the way you treat others. If you lie, then you have no ground to stand against Satan lying about you. If you gossip, same thing. Be generous, be merciful, these are things that Satan has no way to attack.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Satan doesn't love you, he is your enemy. How you treat your enemy is how he can treat you.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
I get it, loving your enemy can be very difficult. But start with baby steps, start by doing good to your enemy.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Remember when banks wouldn't give mortgage loans to minorities in certain neighborhoods. Now they do. Does that mean they are somehow more Christlike? No. It just means they are profit oriented.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
This is armor that protects you from any Satanic attack.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Mercy is impenetrable armor. Think about the royal law. If you are merciful to others then God will be merciful to you. That is a powerful protection against attack. Imagine you have an enemy, you could destroy them but you don't, instead you are merciful to them. Later Satan has an opportunity to destroy you but he can't. Why? Because God is treating you with mercy just as you treated your enemy with mercy.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
There are many ways to be merciful. Maybe you are in a position to judge, but you refuse to judge. Maybe you are in a position to condemn, but you refuse to condemn. Change your mindset, you are in a position to forgive, take every opportunity to forgive others and you also will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
In the world we have this mindset that we want to accumulate, we want our wealth to grow. Change your mindset, you want your giving to grow. In the world the wealthy think it is a competition to see who can get the most zeros in their bank account. Change your mindset, it is a competition to see who can give the most. Make it so that you are competing with God.
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
There are different openings that we give Satan to attack us. One is if we are materialistic. Think of yourself as a soldier who is traveling light. The less stuff you have to carry, the better.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
This is the basic principle, you will be treated the way you treat others. If you lie, then you have no ground to stand against Satan lying about you. If you gossip, same thing. Be generous, be merciful, these are things that Satan has no way to attack.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Satan doesn't love you, he is your enemy. How you treat your enemy is how he can treat you.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
I get it, loving your enemy can be very difficult. But start with baby steps, start by doing good to your enemy.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Remember when banks wouldn't give mortgage loans to minorities in certain neighborhoods. Now they do. Does that mean they are somehow more Christlike? No. It just means they are profit oriented.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
This is armor that protects you from any Satanic attack.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Mercy is impenetrable armor. Think about the royal law. If you are merciful to others then God will be merciful to you. That is a powerful protection against attack. Imagine you have an enemy, you could destroy them but you don't, instead you are merciful to them. Later Satan has an opportunity to destroy you but he can't. Why? Because God is treating you with mercy just as you treated your enemy with mercy.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
There are many ways to be merciful. Maybe you are in a position to judge, but you refuse to judge. Maybe you are in a position to condemn, but you refuse to condemn. Change your mindset, you are in a position to forgive, take every opportunity to forgive others and you also will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
In the world we have this mindset that we want to accumulate, we want our wealth to grow. Change your mindset, you want your giving to grow. In the world the wealthy think it is a competition to see who can get the most zeros in their bank account. Change your mindset, it is a competition to see who can give the most. Make it so that you are competing with God.