There is no escaping the fact that from Genesis to Revelation the “last days,” the “latter times,” and the “end times,” and other similar terms are used again and again with what is clearly a major theme of the Bible.  Israel is the key to Bible prophecy. I know there are well-meaning ministries out there who put the church in the forefront of all end time events, thus producing such viewpoints as a mid-tribulation rapture, a post-tribulation rapture and even some camps who teach there will be no rapture. All that has been written in the past by prophets and apostles has a bulls eye on THIS time of history when we are seeing events take place that scholars in the early 1900s and even mid-1900s would have paid blood for to see. To make the last days anything less than a time of great social, economic and spiritual upheaval prior to Christ’s return is false.

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: 2 Peter 3:1-8 - This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: [2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

        Before we get into this message today I want to share a prophetic word received this week from Rick Reddings of Jerusalem. Rick spoke this word days after Hurricane Katrina hit the United States with cataclysmic destruction. To a person, every prophetic person who has spoken on Katrina has tied the events of the storm to Israel's pullout of Gaza two weeks prior.

        This is what Rick said about these events:

How should we pray in the wake of what may soon prove to be one of America's greatest natural disasters in history? Is this crisis a one-time thing, or is it only the second in a series of disastrous judgments waiting at America's door, unless there is a massive move of lasting repentance??  9-11 was a powerful wake-up call. It seems America was awakened out of her sleepy spiritual state long enough to push the "snooze" button on the alarm, but then quickly went back to sleep. One of the clear ways of God seen in His historical dealings with Israel, was that He would allow a lesser judgment to come in order to stir His people out of their spiritual slumber. If they awoke, and turned from idolatry in a true and lasting fashion, the greater judgment was averted. If they did not, He released (with great sorrow of heart) the greater judgment, which for Israel meant two times the destruction of Jerusalem, resulting in the destruction of Israel's economy and the exile of her people into the nations.

God's Displeasure

Katrina means "pure", and I believe it is a call for purification. A week before Katrina, as we prayed about the forced removal of Jewish people from their homes in Gaza and parts of Samaria (the northern "West Bank"), we sensed that God was going to speak soon in very strong terms His displeasure with the continued and increasing pressure of the nations to "divide up the Land" (Joel 3:2). Psalm 29 came out very strongly in both our day and night "watches" (we did not know until the following day that we had both received the same Scripture and message).

Evening, night, morning, and afternoon intercessors, all separately received a sense that a storm was coming. They felt that God was very angry about the pullout, and that His voice would soon thunder His displeasure through nature. Some significant Scriptures received were:

"The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters . . . The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever." --Psalm 29:3, 9, 10

"You boast, 'We have entered into a covenant with death, with the grave we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.' I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the grave will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it." -- Isaiah 28: 15, 17, 18

( See also Isaiah 30:27-33; and Psalm 18:1-15)

God's Mercy

For any who might question the link of the Gaza/Samaria evacuation with the New Orleans evacuation, I encourage you to read an article by our friend, Avner Boskey, showing the parallels between the two uprootings (See www.elijahlist.com/words). In the hours just before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of America, we were crying out to God here in Jerusalem, where we conduct 24/7 worship and intercession from our center, facing Mt. Zion. As we asked God to "in wrath remember mercy", we were led to confess two root sins.

The first is the exploitation of sin and decadence, to not only parade it shamelessly, but also to use it to gain money through tourism and exportation, via the media. Secondly, the sin of saying that God does not have the "right" to set the borders of nations -- pressuring Israel to divide up the Land and give away her biblically promised inheritance to be replaced by an Islamic terrorist state, probably to be dominated by forces openly dedicated to the destruction of Israel. I believe that Katrina's last minute veer to the right, avoiding a head-on with New Orleans, was an expression of "in wrath remember mercy." Although we deeply grieve over lives lost, it could have been even worse.

UNLESS AMERICA AND EUROPE HEED THE WAKEUP CALL . . .

Unless America heeds the wake-up call this time, and Europe heeds the wake-up call from the London terrorism and the recent flooding, there are worse judgments standing in line, waiting to be released upon America and Europe. May we, as intercessors, cry out for a spirit of repentance to be poured out upon America and Europe before judgments come that are far worse than 9-11, the London bombings, or Hurricane Katrina.

       There was a spirit of boasting and scoffing that hit America months prior to this catastrophe, the same spirit that gripped the nation prior to 9-11-2001. Peter warned the church that in the last days "scoffers" would come making fun of God's offer of mercy in lieu of judgment as the world grows closer to the advent of the Second Coming of Christ.

The Scoffers Of These Last Days
 

        The similarity of 2 Peter, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, Jude and Revelation should be noticed. All picture the great apostasy of the last days. All describe the leaders of this apostasy, and reveal the end of anti-Christian forces. Revelation is the final unveiling of the latter-day apostasy under Antichrist (Rev. 6:1-20:3 with 2 Thes. 2:1-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:1-13; 2 Tim. 4:1-6; 2 Peter 2:1-3:9; Jude 1:3-19). Peter unlike any other of the aforementioned writers, directly warned the church that in the last days MANY would scoff at the coming of Christ.

Ps 73:8-13 - They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.

2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. [3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2 Peter 3:3
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
 

         The word scoffer means "one who shows contempt by mocking, sneering, or scorning." <Gen. 21:9; Ps. 73:8>.  It is the same word used in Isaiah 28:9-13 which illustrated the contempt and scoffing of Israel towards Isaiah's decree of coming Assyrian judgment if the nation did not repent.

Isaiah 28:9-13
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. [10] For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: [11] For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. [12] To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. [13] But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

        The sense of this passage (Isaiah 28:9-13) is that of contempt, scoffing, and rejection of the way God had been speaking to them by Isaiah. The scoffers mentioned in Isaiah 28:14 said of Isaiah, Whom will he instruct? To whom will he impart his doctrines? Will he treat us as mere babes and infants just weaned? He does nothing but stammer about law upon law and line upon line as though we cannot understand anything but the most elementary lessons. Is he going to regard us as children and treat us as senseless babes by giving us endless repetitions (Isaiah 28:9-10)? Isaiah answered their mockery by acknowledging their complaint was true and that they (drunkards as they were) should be dealt with by such methods seeing they weren't capable of receiving sound doctrine, in their drunken stupor. Even though God would speak to them with stammering lips and in foreign and strange languages which would be rest and refreshing for the weary, yet this people would not hear (Isaiah 28:11-12). In other words, since they considered the prophet's messages unintelligible (like words of stammerers and foreigners whose tongues they could not understand) God would use these very methods to reveal Himself to them and thereby give rest and refreshing; but this would be rejected also as foolish and unintelligible. They responded to Lot's warning much the same way the scoffers of 2 Peter 3:3-4 are predicted to receive teaching about Christ's coming in the last days.
 

        To take and repeat the words of Rick Redding:

'How should we pray in the wake of what may soon prove to be one of America's greatest natural disasters in history? Is this crisis a one-time thing, or is it only the second in a series of disastrous judgments waiting at America's door, unless there is a massive move of lasting repentance??  9-11 was a powerful wake-up call. It seems America was awakened out of her sleepy spiritual state long enough to push the "snooze" button on the alarm, but then quickly went back to sleep. One of the clear ways of God seen in His historical dealings with Israel, was that He would allow a lesser judgment to come in order to stir His people out of their spiritual slumber. If they awoke, and turned from idolatry in a true and lasting fashion, the greater judgment was averted. If they did not, He released (with great sorrow of heart) the greater judgment, which for Israel meant two times the destruction of Jerusalem, resulting in the destruction of Israel's economy and the exile of her people into the nations.'

The Last Of The Last Days

2 Tim. 3:1-3
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

 

      There is no escaping the fact that from Genesis to Revelation the “last days,” the “latter times,” and the “end times,” and other similar terms are used again and again with what is clearly a major theme of the Bible. There are actually FOURTEEN mentions of words related to the end times found in the Word of God:

1. Latter times—last years ending this age before the Millennium (1 Tim. 4:1)
2. Latter years—Armageddon and the end of this age (Ezekiel 38:8,16)
3. Latter days—the future tribulation (Numbers 24:14; Deut. 4:30; Deut. 31:29; Jeremiah 23:20; Jeremiah 30:24; Jeremiah 48:47; Jeremiah 49:39; Daniel 2:28; Daniel 10:14)
4. Latter day—Millennium (Job 19:25)
5. Latter days—Millennium (Hosea 3:5)
6. Last days—end of this age preceding the Millennium (Daniel 8:19; 2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 1:18)
7. Last day—the rapture, at least seven years before the Millennium and second advent (John 6:39,40,44,54; John 11:24.)
8. Last days—the tribulation period or last seven years of this age (Acts 2:16-21)
9. Last days—first coming (Hebrews 1:1-2)
10. Last times—first coming (1 Peter 1:20)
11. Last time—apostolic times and the whole church age (1 John 2:18)
12. Last time—second coming (1 Peter 1:5)
13. Last days—Millennium (Genesis 49:1; Isaiah 2:1; Micah 4:1)
14. Last day—end of the Millennium (John 12:48; cp. Rev. 20:7-15)
 

        In the book of Daniel alone much insight into last day events is given. The “time of the end,” occurs five times, and the man Daniel is told that it means that God has appointed a particular time when events will take place signifying the end of this current age will come. A change is in the air neighbor!  Human history as we have known it will indeed come to an end, brought about by man’s rebellion and God’s direct intervention here on Planet Earth. God has intervened directly in the past – at the flood and at Babel – and He will do so again when the wickedness of man has reached such heights that he can no longer forbear. God knows exactly when this will occur, as well as everything that will lead up the climax of present history. This is known as the Great Tribulation period, a period Christ called the worst since man had been created and the worst that any future generation will ever see. In other words - this period, which is soon ahead, will be the most intense, the most horrific, the most deadly, the most prophetic, the most riveting of ANY TIME ON PLANET EARTH!

Matthew 24:20-22
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

    Though some may argue that early Christians thought they too were living in the last days, the argument that these terms used in the writings of Paul, Peter, and John are not relevant to our time is absurd. Neighbor, it’s getting late. That’s the message of this journal – to increase your awareness of the time we live in and the urgency to make our calling and election sure. There will be SCOFFERS in these last days seeking to woo you away from the diligence of this hour due to error and demonic influence. Men tinker with the Word of God to suit their own carnal, demonic and hellish theology that places man in charge of the human race and not God. Just because a ministry names the name of Jesus doesn't mean that ministry is OF JESUS!

        In the LAST DAYS, the Lord will POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT upon ALL flesh. There is a true move of God coming to Planet Earth and I can guarantee you this - it WON'T INVOLVE THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE! This move of God will not need Willow Creek Church's cell group model to bring souls into the Kingdom of God. It won't need the Catholic Church's book of exorcism to cast out demons! It won't need Rick Warren's "purpose driven" 40-day journal to cause people to find deliverance and meaning in life. Our meaning and purpose in life is CHRIST! It's not good works. Nothing we ever do will be "good" enough! Man needs a redeemer and deliverance. In these last days that is really all that will matter!

Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Joel 2:28-32
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: [29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. [30] And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. [32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

        Peter’s words in Acts tells us he was declaring what was happening at the moment in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost was a conditional fulfillment of Joel’s writings as it related to Jerusalem. He was showing Israel what COULD have happened if she had repented of her rejection of Christ; she could have experienced the millennial reign of her Messiah that Joel went on to describe. It was an offer that Israel refused (as it had been prophesied she would) but which she will accept at a future time, after God’s judgment shall be visited on her again in the end times.

        Israel is the key to Bible prophecy. I know there are well-meaning ministries out there who put the church in the forefront of all end time events, thus producing such viewpoints as a mid-tribulation rapture, a post-tribulation rapture and even some camps who teach there will be no rapture. All that has been written in the past by prophets and apostles has a bulls eye on THIS time of history when we are seeing events take place that scholars in the early 1900s and even mid-1900s would have paid blood for to see.

        To make the last days anything less than a time of great social, economic and spiritual upheaval prior to Christ’s return is false. The apostle John, writing in 95 A.D. said this:

1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

        John was not declaring the end times had come in his day as some assert. He made it clear that although there were already many “antichrists,” THE ANTICHRIST was to appear at a future time. Elaborating on John’s writings, Peter wrote that there would be “in the last days scoffers,” who would ridicule the very idea of the second coming. Implying that many years could elapse before “last day” prophecies had all been fulfilled, he explained that to God “a thousand years (are) as one day.”

2 Peter 3:3,4
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Peter said the coming of the Lord was tied into the final end of Planet Earth when fire and brimstone would burn up the elements of the present world we know today.

2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

        Paul also spoke of “last-days” events as unmistakably future, referring to specifics that would not occur until after his death. He told Timothy this:

2 Tim. 4:6,7
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Acts 20:29
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

        It is certain that while Peter, Paul and John always looked for the Lord’s return, they knew the events they prophesied about were for a future time outside the scope of their life times. The rapture could have occurred at ANY moment once Christ ascended into heaven. The early church, as we are now, was waiting in eager anticipation of being taking to heaven in that glorious event. With both situations, there are really no explicit signs to indicate when the rapture would occur. The “LAST DAYS” signs are not for the CHURCH, but for an unbelieving Israel. Nothing stands between the church and that “blessed hope,” of being caught up to meet her Bridegroom in the air.

        The events that Christ prophesied when he was asked for the signs of His coming are intended to warn ISRAEL of Antichrist’s appearance and that, after guaranteeing her peace, he would seek to destroy her. The signs also herald the coming of Israel’s Messiah to rescue her from Antichrist’s attacking armies, an event which Christians refer to as Christ’s SECOND COMING in power and glory. The Second Coming is two-fold – one FOR THE CHURCH, one WITH THE CHURCH. The first part of this event Christ does not come to Earth to stay; we meet Him in the clouds. The second part of this great event Christ DOES come to Earth, placing His feet on the Mount of Olivet and setting up a kingdom in Jerusalem to rule and reign for 1,000 years. I know that sounds elementary to some who read this and study their Bibles. But you’d be amazed at the number of Christians who DON’T know the difference between the rapture and Christ’s literal return.

        The rapture could take place at any moment. I want to say that again. The rapture could take place at ANY moment. In saying that I want to make it clear that the church of the living God is about to experience some of the most trying times it has ever experienced on Planet Earth prior to the rapture. Some use the rapture as an “escape,” from the all the troubles of the end time saga. I believe we will not see wrath, but IN THIS WORLD WE HAVE TRIBULATION! Whether that means we participate in the Great Tribulation or not is not the question. I know some well-meaning theologians hope we do so as to not make them look as stupid as they do right now predicting we will.

        Our family is actually split on this issue as well. My dad and I are firm believers in the Pre-Tribulation rapture position which believes that the rapture will occur PRIOR to the advent of Antichrist and the events spoken of in Matthew 24-25, as well as Revelation 6-19 and Daniel 7-12. My brother is probably more of a mid to even late-tribulationist believing that the church will be overcome by the Antichrist during the first 3 ½ years and then raptured before God’s wrath on Planet Earth. He holds that much of the martyrdom that John saw in the visions on Patmos of the tribulation saints were of believers who were killed by the Antichrist in their opposition to him. He believes this is where the great falling away takes place when millions will chose to deny Christ as to give up their lives. I’m not saying that theory is all wrong either.

        I guess if anything I’ve learned in my older age with these wonderful gray hairs on my forehead is not to be dogmatic on EITHER view. I believe the Bible teaches a pre-tribulation rapture. I also believe however that the church is in store for both its greatest hour of glory and it's greatest hour of trouble and persecution unknown to modern people living today.

       With an American church full of pride, self and ego, the coming persecution here will be a major change in both the theology and SELFISHNESS of what we see as the institution known as "church" today. I DO believe that millions will fall away from the faith in the face of unparalleled events that will shake the faith of many and cause hearts to fail. Christ prayed that Peter’s “faith,” fail not. The faith of some will fall in these last days. The Holy Spirit through Paul said it would happen.

2 Tim. 4:1-4
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

1 Tim. 4:1-4
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

2 Tim. 3:1-8
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

        The catalyst for such a falling way may be a number of additional things outside persecution. There are a MYRIAD of possibilities as to why men who love God will turn their backs on the Christ who has redeemed them. Deception will be one. Persecution will be another. The love of money, the world and fleshly pleasures will be another. No matter the reasons, a great falling away is taking place now but will only increase in it’s intensity and scope as we draw closer to the rapture of the church.

        I heard the other day a radio commentator make the statement that the rapid pace of end time events has been startling. What she was referring to was the recent death of the Pope this spring, the clamor in the apostate church for world unity among religions and the increase in surveillance tracking devices now on the market bringing the world close to the advent of a one-world government with one banking system and the ability to monitor the location of every single human being on planet Earth at any given time! Just within the past few months we have seen historic hurricanes, terrorist bombings in one of the world's largest city, London, and the fight in America over the Supreme Court that could very well tilt the balance towards the end of Roe. V. Wade, the damnable law that legalized abortion in 1973.

        All these things are wake up calls to let us know that the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH is close!  Yet, there are those who SCOFF at the very thought of a rapture.

        The CHURCH is not the main focus of God’s end-time drama in scripture, ISRAEL is! The church has a major role in the end times, don't get me wrong, but the nation of Israel being brought back to God is the focal point of ALL end time prophecy!

        When Harry S. Truman stood up for Israel in 1948, he stood up for her because he had been reading the Bible and saw the destiny of that nation in the end times!! Biographers say Truman, who was not even a deeply religious man, got convicted because of what he saw as America’s prophetic place in history in helping the nation come into existence. My question is this. If a semi-religious president who really never acknowledged he had a relationship with Jesus can see Israel’s destiny, then why can’t seminary ordained preachers see it????????

        ISRAEL is ALL OVER God’s end-time drama! This does not diminish to role of the church in the end times. Don't get me wrong. We as the Body of Christ are living in the greatest and most powerful time in all of human history. The traumatic events of Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami of December, 2004 and the terrorist bombings in London are things that have happened just within the last 6 months of the date of this writing! This does not even count the historic, even through damnable and without excuse, America-pressured withdrawal of the Gaza Strip by Israel in mid-August. Not one single prophetic voice in this nation right now has disagreed on the reason behind Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans with such force and destruction - ISRAEL!

        Even despite the stretching of well intentioned preachers, America cannot be found in scripture as it relates to the end times. Our role as super power in the world is coming to an end soon friend. The last superpower mentioned in scripture prior to the Lord's return is the kingdom of Antichrist! America is in trouble friend. America is headed dangerously close to a place of no return unless she turns around with true repentance from top to bottom. America needs revival. America needs to have a wake up call to reality that it seems is not happening even in the midst of national tragedies dating back to 9-11-2001.

        Many think America woke up for a few minutes on 9-11-2001, the hit the snooze button and is back asleep again. What will it take this next time to get our attention off ourselves and our own selfish lives? Will it take a nuclear attack on our east coast that takes the lives of MILLIONS, instead of 3,000. The death toll from this recent Hurricane is expected to possibly reach into the thousands. Has the nation paused and looked to heaven in repentance before God for our sin and unbelief?? Not even close. We have sunk into a mood of blame, cynicism and blasphemy in spite of a direct warning judgment from God. It was a dress rehearsal for what will take place in the tribulation.

Rev. 9:19-21 -  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. [20] And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

        Neighbor, the clock is ticking down to a dramatic change in the Earth. That change is sure to bring us closer to the greatest event for the church - the RAPTURE, when the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet them in air, and so shall we EVER be with the LORD! AMEN and AMEN! How hard is that to understand? Why do we tinker with such an elementary doctrinal issue in the New Covenant that teaches that our purpose in doing ALL things for the gospel sake right now is to do these things in light of eternity and the rapture of the church?

        The purpose of this journal is to bolt you from sleep and this moronic line of thinking that the days ahead of us as the Church will be rosy and sweet with no problems. The exact opposite is true. Sadly, most preachers who preach a pre-tribulation rapture lull their people into a false security believing that nothing bad is going to happen to the church before it is raptured out.  As stated earlier, it is the view of this writer that we may very well at least KNOW who the Antichrist is and in some ways come under persecution on a world-wide scale briefly before the rapture takes place. But even embracing that gives me great pause to know the rapture could take place at any moment. It is clear from 1 Thessalonians 5 we are NOT appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation!

1 Thes. 5:1-12 - But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. [2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. [3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. [4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. [5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. [6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. [7] For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. [8] But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. [9] For God hath not appointed us (WHO IS US? THE CHURCH!) to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. [11] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. `[12] And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

When You See ALL These Things.......

Matthew 24:33
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

        Jesus told Israel that when she saw ALL these "things," then they would know His Second Coming to Earth was near, even "at the doors." Israel would have been premature in her expectations for Christ to come with just a few mere signs in her early history.

        The New Testament writers seem to have understood that the “last days” would be a time that began with the ascension of Christ and would culminate with His second coming. That event would be preceded by specific signs indicating that the generation on earth at that time was living in the LAST of the last days. It is exciting to note that NO generation has ever had solid biblical reason for believing that it was living in the LAST of the last days preceding the second coming of Christ – UNTIL NOW!

        We have recently written several messages outlining the destiny and call on this generation we live in today. I’m excited to be living in this time of history. Our generation, as opposed to all previous ones, have given witness to many major signs the Bible gives warning about as to the nearness of Christ’s second coming. Many of these signs in scripture would not have been applicable in generations past – even within the last century. For the first time in history ALL of the signs heralding the second coming could occur at any moment. In fact, this present generation – unlike any generation before it – has more than sufficient reason for believing that the second coming is very near.

What Shall Be The Signs Of Your Coming?

Matthew 24:1-3
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. [2] And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.  [3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

        What are the signs we refer to and those who don’t believe scoff at? Let’s take a look at what Jesus said about the future.

1. A Time Of Great Destruction

        Jesus warned of a time of such great destruction prior to His Second Coming that unless the days were shortened NO flesh would survive on Planet Earth!

Matthew 24:22 - And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

        In past generations world destruction was not really possible, even with the conventional weapons of World War II. When Harry Truman dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima the entire landscape of civilization changed. We are the first generation in history for which this particular prophecy no longer awaits some future development to make it possible. The great wars of the coming Tribulation period will be some of the most fierce that will kill millions, possibly BILLIONS of people. There are weapons now – many of which that are being sought by terrorists – that can destroy all of human life on this Planet. The term “weapons of mass destruction,” is not just a coy phrase used by a Washington politician. They will be used by the forces of Antichrist to conquer those who oppose him.

2. World Control Under A World Leader Known As Antichrist

Rev. 13:16-18
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

        In the vision of the future given to Him by Christ, John saw a world ruler controlling the whole earth not only politically and militarily, but economically. No one would be able to buy and sell without Antichrist’s mysterious “666” stamp of approval embedded on his forehead or hand to indicate his loyalty. Past generations took this threat seriously but there was nothing on the landscape indicating a system capable to controlling ALL commerce and banking from one location.

        Today, there is! We have the computers, communication satellites, and worldwide electronic banking networks which make such control very feasible and PROBABLE within the next decade. My brother feels, as do I, that when the Antichrist implements his “sign,” or “mark,” that the world will actually not be that shocked because it will be used to doing things with perhaps an implant chip in our hands that has all information on it. It’s a diabolical scheme for world domination that will end at Armageddon. But before Armageddon friend, the Antichrist will firmly grip hard on this planet and cause those who refuse his mark to die with the loss of their heads. These are the days of vengeance that are ahead. It’s not something to scoff at as so many do. This demonically inspired and possessed individual will come close to total world domination but will be cut off by Christ at the battle of Armageddon.

Daniel 7:7-19
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. [8] I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.  [9] I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. [10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. [11] I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. [12] As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

3. A World Wide Worship of Satan, Along With Antichrist

Rev. 13:4
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Rev. 12:4
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

        Previous generations have never seen the depths of outward satanic worship as ours has today. Hard-core Satanism has been called the “fastest growing sub-culture among American teens,” since the 1960s. The New Age revival of the occult along with certain rock and roll music which glorifies Satan and uses demonic imagery to control the minds of our youth is at a fever pitch. These things will just increase in scope and intensity as we draw closer to the rapture. Yet many SCOFF at the fact this is happening, calling it just another “fad,” that will pass. Neighbor, it won’t pass. We’re living in the last of the last days.

        At the same time that the world is being set up to worship the Antichrist, so is the professing church. Paul’s warnings concerning apostasy or a turning away from the faith in the last days are many. One of the specifics he mentions seems unbelievable really:

1 Tim. 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

        Such a prophecy is shocking: that a characteristic of the last days will be trafficking with evil spirits by those who call or have called themselves Christians! Our generation is experiencing this to a degree never known before in human history.

        The question must be asked, what catalyst will cause such a falling away? There are a number of possibilities. One such possibility that seems very plausible to this writer is the affect of the coming persecution that I believe is about to descend upon American Christianity. Other parts of the world are already experiencing persecution and to them this is a mute point. Millions are already dying for their faith, especially in the S.E. Asia rim where a devastating tsunami hit in December, 2004.

        Many are so very unprepared for the last days drama that is about to unfold before us. The entire scope of MOST gospel preaching has to do with what “WE” have or don’t have i.e. cars, houses, wealth, etc. Very little gospel preaching concerning the Cross and the finished work of Christ is heard today. Man’s only solution for victory over sin, the flesh and Satan is found in the CROSS. That is why the enemy is fighting so hard right now to keep preachers from preaching it!

A Departing From The Faith

1 Tim. 4:1-4
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

        Paul called the end time apostasy a “departing from the faith.” Sadly, this “departure” from the faith is in the name of faith. Seducing spirits are being contacted, but here they don’t pose as “deeper levels of the psyche,” or as “ascended matters” but as Christ Himself! The practice of “visualizing Jesus” or “visualizing Mary,” along with other practices such as RIKKI, “inner healing,” and all sorts of other techniques are being used to gain power with God. The “Jesus” who appears and takes on a life of its own is NOT the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible, but a “seducing spirit.” Millions of well-meaning, yet deluded and deceived Catholics believe they see visions of the Virgin Mary, when in reality they are possibly communicating and embracing demon spirits.

        The explosion of this phenomenon is becoming rampant in most church circles. Mankind has always been self-centered, selfish, and narcissistic. Our generation, however, is the first one in history that is being TAUGHT to love self. Self is the new idol and god of this age. It is now widely accepted that we naturally dislike ourselves and must learn to love ourselves before we can learn to love God or other people. The first commandment has become “thou shall love ‘thyself’ relegating “thou shall love the Lord thy God” to second place. Christ would have never said “do unto others as you would have them do to you” if we all disliked ourselves. His command to “love our neighbor as ourselves,” obviously assumes that we already love ourselves and is not intended to encourage but to CORRECT self-love. It urges us to give to our neighbors some of the loving care we naturally lavish upon ourselves.

        Evangelical churches are now conducting seminars to teach members “how to love themselves,” and “raising one’s self-esteem.” This is just pouring gasoline on a fire already out of control. THIS generation has seen a rapid rise in such teaching – a road paving the way for the ultimate self-lover and self-deceiver – the Antichrist! Paul called the Antichrist' work in the end times the "mystery of iniquity."

The Mystery Of Iniquity

1 Tim. 4:1-16
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. [6] If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. [7] But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

2 Thes. 2:2-8
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. [3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. [5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

        When John watched the “beast” come out of the sea in his vision, he saw a world worshipping Satan (the Dragon) and the Antichrist as God.  The work of the Antichrist on earth is called "the mystery of iniquity." Paul said this spirit was already at work even in his day. How much more so would this be true today as we near the end?

        There are seven components to this mystery of iniquity that are key things to look for as signs the rapture is near. ALL of these are happening as we write this journal and the intensity and scope of their influence will only get more and more pronounced:

1. A Departing from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1). Greek: aphistemi (GSN-868), to put away; remove; separate; to revolt from. Translated "depart from" (1 Tim. 4:1; Luke 2:37; Luke 4:13; Luke 13:27; Acts 12:10; Acts 15:38; Acts 19:9; Acts 22:29; 2 Cor. 12:8; 2 Tim. 2:19; Hebrews 3:12); "refrain from" (Acts 5:38); "fall away" (Luke 8:13); and "withdraw" (1 Tim. 6:5). It is possible to depart from the faith and apostatize if such passages are true. No man can depart from something that he is not in or does not have. All men do not have faith (2 Thes. 3:2). Only men of that class would find it impossible to depart from faith for they have no faith to depart from. Men are warned to take heed, lest their hearts become evil and unbelieving and cause them to depart from God (Hebrews 3:12).

2. A Giving heed to seducing spirits (1 Tim. 4:1). Greek: planos (GSN-4108), leading astray. Translated "seducing" (1 Tim. 4:1) and "deceiver" (Matthew 27:63; 2 Cor. 6:8; 2 John 1:7). These are deceiving demons that seduce men. To seduce means to lead astray; draw into evil; specially to entice to surrender chastity. Demons are charged with carrying out the program of enticement to forfeit virtue or surrender chastity. This is the same as forbidding to marry.

3. A Giving heed to doctrines of devils (1 Tim. 4:1). To urge departure from the faith is the first work of demons. This results in departure from holy living, and acceptance of doctrines that will damn the soul. Men who pretend inspiration and revelation and false teachers of all kinds are the agents of demons (2 Cor. 11:14-15). Every religion that denies the reality of God; Christ; the Holy Spirit; the atonement; the death and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; sin; sickness; Satan; demons; hell; heaven; and the other fundamental doctrines of Scripture are as much of Satan and demons as the Bible and Christianity are of God. And don't think that this is relegated to the cults. Most so-called gospel preaching today in modern church pulpits has become void of any preaching against sin and a sad absence of the preaching of the cross of Christ! Let the reader beware, these type things show us we're close to the rapture!

4. Speaking lies in hypocrisy (1 Tim. 4:2). Greek: pseudologos (GSN-5573), speakers of lies in pretended revelations; putting on an act of self-denial and mortification of the flesh in order to prove their false doctrines to be truth. This can also be seen in church movements pushing "works" and "control" over their people in lieu of grace, mercy and loving-kindness. You can't work your way into favor with God. Grace is because of what CHRIST did, not because of what we "do!"

5. An epidemic of men having their conscience seared with a hot iron (1 Tim. 4:2). Greek: kauteriazo (GSN-2743), to sear with a red hot iron; to brand; to be seared in conscience. Only here. It means to make callous, withered, hardened, and insensible to right and wrong. It was customary in ancient times to mark criminals with a hot iron so that (according to the heathen) the infernal judges would know their vices and appoint them punishment according to their sins. A conscience seared with a hot iron loses it's ability to know the difference between right and wrong. As a nation, America is in such a state, as is most of the world system!

6. An attitude that forbids marriage and promotes promiscuity/lasciviousness (1 Tim. 4:3). To forbid means to prohibit, hinder, oppose, or operate against. Seducing spirits influence people to hinder and operate against wedlock by enticing them to meet the demands of the sex drive apart from the sanctity of marriage. To heed (as in "giving heed to seducing spirits," 1 Tim. 4:1) means to pay attention to and act under the leadership and control of. Hence, those who satisfy their sex needs through perversions—any of the ways contrary to what is approved by Scripture—are under the control, more or less, of demons (Romans 1:21-28; Leviticus 20:13; Joel 3:3). This also applies to religions that discourage or forbid marriage to anyone among laymen or clergy. Marriage is honorable to all and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Cor. 7).

7. Commanding to abstain from meats (1 Tim. 4:3). Among the heathen and even some of the so-called Christians, certain meats and food are forbidden in utter disregard of 1 Tim. 4:3-4. Such unscriptural commanding under the new covenant is prompted by demons arrayed against the gospel and the liberty it provides regarding food (Genesis 9:1-7; Romans 14:1-6).

In Closing

2 Peter 3:2-5 - That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

        As we close this journal, let me repeat this somber warning to the reader. We should pay careful heed as to what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle is now telling us. We are living in the "last days" which, again, refers to the time immediately preceding the Rapture of the Church, and then the Second Coming. Actually, the term“ last days” refers to these coming events: 1. The Rapture of the Church. 2. The rise of the Antichrist. 3. The acceptance by Israel of the Antichrist, thinking he is actually the Christ. 4. The great seven year Tribulation, as outlined in Revelation, Chapters 6 through 19. 5. The Battle of Armageddon. 6. The Second Coming of the Lord. 7. The introduction of the coming Kingdom Age, with Christ ruling and reigning Personally from Jerusalem, aided and helped by the glorified Saints of God. 8. Israel now regains her place and position after having accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, finally fulfilling the predictions made by the Prophets. Concerning these“ scoffers” we must remember that these are people in the Church, who conclude themselves to be saved, even religious leaders.

        Peter said the scoffers mocking the Second Coming, "walked after their own lusts." This is confirmation that these men placed no confidence at all in the Cross of Christ. They have adopted other ways and means of attempting to live this life for the Lord, and that’s the reason for them“ walking after their own lusts.” There is only one way of victory, and that is by the Believer placing his faith, trust, and confidence totally and completely, in what Jesus has done for us at the Cross. The answer for all humanity's ills - even in these perilous times we live in - is found in the Cross. (Rom.6:3- 5, 11, 14)

        These“ scoffers” will question the Coming of the Lord. 2. The argument of the End time false teachers is that since there was no judgment meted out upon the ungodly in the past, there will be none in the future. 3. The idea here is, these scoffers have formulated their own ideas of futuristic events, while rejecting the predictions of the Bible.

        They ask the question, “And saying, where is the promise of His Coming?”, refers to the Second Coming and not the Rapture. As we have stated, these individuals had formulated their own ideas as to what the future held. While the indication is that they believed in some parts of the Word of God, other parts they had badly misquoted. Going back to the Third Verse, let’s look at the word“ day” as it is given in Scripture. Actually, there are four“ days” in Scripture. They are:

1.“ The day of man”:( I Cor.4: 3). This particular day started with Adam’s Fall and will last until the Second Advent( Second Coming) during which time, unsaved man has liberty under the permissive Will of God to do as he pleases, at least up to a certain extent.

2.“The Day of Christ”:( Phil.1: 6). This pertains to the Rapture of the Church, when Christ will take His people out of this world.

3.“The Day of the Lord”:( Isa.13: 9; Rev., Chpts.6- 20). This will include the Great Tribulation and the Millennium, when the Lord has His day, visiting judgment upon the ungodly.

4.“The Day of God”:( II Pet.3: 12). This pertains to the close of the Millennium, when will take place the Great White Throne Judgment, followed by the restoration of the Earth and its planetary heavens to their pristine glory, as they were before the original rebellion by Lucifer.

        We must remember, and as already stated, that these particular“ scoffers” pertain to these present days in which we are living. My contention is this: The main reason that the Second Coming according to the Bible is questioned, is because there is improper understanding of the purpose and reason for His First Coming. If we do not understand the First Advent of Christ, in that He came to this world to die on a Cross in order that man might be saved, then we will not understand the purpose and reason for His Second Advent. Concerning End time events, most of the modern Church, and I think I exaggerate not, little believes in the Rapture. And their idea of the Second Coming is somewhat convoluted. For the most part, they little believe in a coming great Tribulation, rather claiming that things are getting better and better. Actually, many in the modern Church are presently teaching what I refer to as“ Kingdom Age philosophy.” They teach that we will bring Christ back by initiating events on Earth, which will make the world better and better. In other words, they teach that Christianity will ultimately come to terms with the major religions of the world, with all ultimately welcoming Christ.

        Such convoluted theories may sound good to the carnal ear, but there is nothing in the Word of God which even remotely suggests such foolishness. The Scriptures teach the opposite: The Word of God teaches a falling away from Truth, in other words, a great apostasy that will grip the Church in the last of the last days. In fact, the Bible teaches that the Church in the last days will conclude itself to be“ rich, and increased with goods, and having need of nothing.” But in reality, it is“ wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”( Rev.3: 17). Actually, this particular Church is pictured as having Christ standing outside the door knocking and calling, attempting to get in (Rev.3: 20). Paul said concerning the last days:“ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”( I Tim.4: 1).

        He also said,“ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come”( II Tim.3:1). The“ perilous times” of which he speaks, pertains to the spirituality of the Church. So we know from the Word of God that things aren’t going to get better and better as it regards the Work of God, but rather the very opposite. So, what these false teachers are proclaiming as it regards things getting better and better, has no Scriptural foundation. Actually, and as stated, the opposite is what is actually going to happen. And once again allow me to proclaim the fact, that misunderstanding regarding End time events are brought about because of a failure to understand, or willful unbelief as it regards the purpose and the reason for the First Advent of Christ. All unbelief, misinterpretation, and wrong direction, can be traced back to an improper understanding of the Cross.

        The two major themes of the Word of God, which in fact undergird and provide the foundation for the entirety of the Bible, are the Atonement and End time events. If we have a proper understanding of the Atonement, the Holy Spirit, I think, will help us to have a proper understanding of the latter.

        Peter uses the term "willful ignorance" in verse 5 as to why these men believe the way they do. Neighbor, it's getting so late. It's a time in history we can't afford to be "willfully ignorant" of! I pray  you are ready to meet the Lord today. I pray you have your faith in the Cross of Christ. I pray this journal has turned on a light in your heart today to repent and get all known unconfessed sin under the blood of Christ. I pray this journal has stirred you to do "all things for the gospel's sake," as we draw closer to the Rapture of the Church. I pray this journal today has quickened you out of the slumber of selfishness and pride into a mood of LOVE, MERCY, JUSTICE, TRUTH and LOVINGKINDNESS towards ALL those in your sphere of influence. We're quickly rushing towards judgment friend on Planet Earth. Whatever we do, we need do it now while we have the light because, as Jesus said, the night is coming, when no man can work. Praise God.

Heavenly Father, we pray today you take the words of this journal and quicken hearts with the content of its message. Draw us closer to you as the nearing of your coming draws close to us! We ask this in Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

Rev. 6:1-5 - And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. [2] And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. [3] And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. [4] And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. [5] And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.