Jeremiah
32:27 -
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of
all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
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There is no shortage of speakers today, ready to interpret the book of Revelations and share their celestial knowledge that will somehow make you feel like one of the chosen few. There is also a plethora of preachers and scientists who claim to have decoded the Mayan calendar, and predicting the end of the world will take place on December 21, 2012. What do all of these people have in common? Two things! 1. Whenever they speak on these subjects, they
draw large crowds of people, most of whom are all sitting with their mouths open with that "deer in the headlights look", totally fascinated by the speaker. The problem here, and the reason I am addressing this at all, is because it has become similar to a "soap opera". People are hooked on it to the point where you can preach Jesus all day long to an audience that is fighting to stay awake, but mention "the beast with 7 heads and 10 horns" and people wake up and get instantly attentive. Most of these folks don't understand a word that is said, and can't remember anything they've heard when they leave, but are fascinated none the less. ~ THE RETURN OF JESUS ~ Preachers may go on and on about the second coming of Christ, and how you need to be one of the elite so you will not be deceived. I'll save you the trouble of sitting through an hour long sermon + overtime. Jesus couldn't have been more strait forward and to the point when he described exactly how we will know it is him when he returns and not some false Christ or false prophet. Matthew 24:23 - "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him.Matthew 24:24 - "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Note: Don't let the word elect throw you) Matthew 24:25 - "Behold, I have told you in advance. Matthew 24:26 - "So if they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go out, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. Matthew 24:27 - "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 2-Thessalonians 1:7 - and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,To make this as clear and simple as possible, you will know Jesus has returned by the fact that he "will" (literally) appear in the sky, coming on the clouds of the sky. (In other words, don't look for the guy lighting "sparklers" with his kids in the back yard, look instead for the 4th of July fireworks in Times Square) What Jesus was saying was, if he had not told us "exactly" how he would be coming, these false Christ's and false prophets would be so impressive, they could fool even the disciples or chosen ones. However, he "did" tell us exactly how he would appear, therefore you do not need some hot shot claiming that he has broken the "secret code" of the bible to tell you when he will come, or who Jesus is when he comes. (Put that wallet or purse away and save it for the poor) Matthew 24:30 - "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.Matthew 24:31 - "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.Jesus told us strait out, False Christ's will come first and they "will" be impressive, but when "he" comes, you won't be able to miss it, and you won't have to be one of the elect to know it. Like lightning flashes across the sky, it will be a very dramatic event. There will be no mistaking it. However, the false Christ's will be very convincing. Revelation 13:13 - He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.Revelation 13:14 - And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.~ THE TIME IS NEAR ~ You don't need some self proclaimed Guru or someone claiming to have a revelation from God with "privileged knowledge" from heaven, to know that we have entered the last times. You can stop looking for these people right now, because they have already been with us for a long time. The one who had the revelation and privileged knowledge from heaven was John and he already shared it with us. It is called the book of Revelations, and he wrote it. There was also a great prophet over 2000 years ago who had inside knowledge of heaven and earthly events to come. His name was Jesus, and he has already told us what to look for, and what "not" to look for. You can stop looking for the guy with all the answers because Jesus said: "No one knows the day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only God alone. Matthew 24:36 - "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.Jesus said we would know when the time was near by the signs, and the signs are here! You don't need some "Special person" to tell you, you simply need to open your eyes.
All of these things are happening more frequently with more intensity. The list goes on, but I think you get my point. Even if you could somehow know the exact day, hour and time of Christ's coming, it would not make you any more saved than you are right now. Focus instead on the two commandments Jesus gave us. Then, whenever the day is, "you" will be one of the "elect".
Matthew 22:38 - "This is the great and foremost commandment. Matthew 22:39 - "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' Matthew 22:40 - "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." These are the things Christ wanted us to focus our attention on. These are the things that will make you find favor with God, no matter when Christ returns. Sure, looking for secret hidden codes and privileged knowledge is fun, but so is reading your horoscope! However, neither one will help you find favor with the Lord. Jesus said, if you fulfill these two commandments, you have fulfilled "all" of the commandments and laws. ~ THE COMING SOCIALIST WORLD GOVERNMENT ~ Many are understandably worried and concerned over our current administration's efforts to change this country into what appears to be a "Socialist State". This would appear to fall in line with God's plan. Revelation 13:16 - And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, Revelation 13:17 - and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.Revelation 13:18 - Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.Whether you realize it or not, this perfectly describes a "Socialist State". The "Beast" will no doubt be a government or the head of a government. The new health care bill that was recently drafted into law was a big step in that direction. Now the government is telling you "what to buy", the next step will be the government telling you "if you can buy". To me, it looks a though the time table will not allow the United States to fall too far under a socialist rule. The American people would never allow it, and they are already standing up against the government in a way that has not been seen since the "Boston Tea Party". Prophesy usually centers around the middle east, and it is my belief that the United States will simply be taken out of the way or made dormant. This has already started with the current administration distancing itself from Israel. It is my belief that we in the United States will not feel the crush of the "Beast" nearly as much as the countries over seas. This is simply my opinion and my opinion really doesn't matter. Don't think I'm some kind of prophet or similar. It's just an opinion and everybody has one. What I am telling you has already been told to you in Revelation 13:16-18, I'm just repeating it. The scriptures above clearly describe a socialist state where people need permission from some higher authority before they can buy or sell. Whether that authority be a person, government or spirit remains yet to be seen. When these scriptures come to pass, you "will" be living under a socialist rule if it happens during your lifetime. Just know that God "is" in control, and things "will" play out exactly as he wishes. Our task is simply to love God and help each other, no matter what the future holds. Focus on the two commandments! Dan Douglass ~ I Have Spoken ~ GIVE ONLY WHAT YOU CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD! Make checks or money orders payable to:
Last Updated
07/05/2010
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