Unawares?

RUE? = Are You Ready? Recently it has been impressed upon me that we are very near to seeing severe troubles in the United States. I am absolutely amazed at all the Christians who think that everything is going to be great till we are raptured. That nothing bad could occur to us because we are going to be taken out of here via the rapture before the bad stuff happens. I guess people forget that Christians in recent times have gone through things like the depression, WWI, WWII, etc.

I believe that Christians in America and all over the world for that matter are going to experience severe tribulation before the rapture occurs. Want to know what is going to happen before the rapture? Here is a partial list; a new world order will arise (seal 1), chaos and war (seal 2), famine (seal 3), death (seal 4), the antichrist will come to power and he will persecute Jews and Christians and no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark (seal 5). All of these will take place before the rapture then the rapture will occur--after the sixth seal is opened, that is when we are taken out of here and God's wrath starts.

Look we are almost out of time we need to get ready for what lies ahead. I care about you and do not want you to be caught unawares, that is the main purpose of this ministry. Please wake up before it is too late. if you want to know why I believe such things you can read The Coming Epiphany in which I prove from scripture that the rapture will not occur until after the 6th seal is opened.

So if the above mentioned things are near to happening what should one do? Some prepping for the end reccomend the following.

1. water filter

2. wood stove

3. dehydrated food stores

4. gold and silver

5. guns and ammo

6. mountain retreat

7. cooking stove

8. learning how to hunt and fish

9. alternative electric source or plan to live without it

10. medical supplies

11. seeds

12. Camping equipment, fishing rod, vitamins, etc.


Christians will not be raptured till after the first 6 seals are opened. R U E? Some to whom I have mentioned that bad things could happen before we are raptured and thus we need to prepare have scoffed at me. Their basic reply "God will take care of me." If that is how you think, think about this. If a strong hurricane were coming your way would you sit in your living room by the big picture window and watch it and say God will protect me? Or would you store some food and water, gather emergency supplies, board up the windows, and move to a safer part of the home or even evacuate the area altogether trusting God in all your preparations?

As Dr Bob Jones senior said "God will not do for you what He has given you the power to do for yourself." Think about this; what would it hurt to have emergency preparations? How could it help? The seals are coming and I can prove it--read The Coming Epiphany today before it is too late. RUE?

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:34-36

Chapter 14

Chapter 14
Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah Jireh my provider His grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me! Jehovah Jireh my provider His grace is sufficient for me. My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory. He shall give His angels charge over me Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me! Jehovah Jireh cares for me. Have you ever sung the song “Jehovah Jireh”? If you have, then you know the meaning of those words: “Jehovah Jireh—my provider…” Jehovah Jireh is a name of God that focuses on His ability and promise to provide for His children and take care of their needs. During the 70th Week, it will be no different; God will provide for us and take care of us. After reading this book, some Christians—realizing that they will not be raptured until after the sixth seal is opened—may become frightened. It was not the intention of this book to scare you, although that may be a natural reaction to the things that you have read. The intention of this book was to share the truth of what is about to take place on the earth so that you may properly prepare yourself and your loved ones—spiritually, mentally, and physically. Being properly prepared can help bring you comfort and peace. Not being prepared will bring about the most fear. Panic, many times, is the result of being caught off guard when traumatic situations arise. This book is not about scaring you. It is about giving you information so you may properly prepare for the days leading up to the glorious appearing of the Son of God and have peace through the Lord when times become difficult.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:4-6)

What does God tell us about fear? God has commanded us hundreds of times to fear not! Remember, God will take care of you. Here are just a few of the many scriptures that remind us of those facts.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deut 31:6)

Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. (1 Chron 28:20)

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:28-31)

If you are a Christian, then God is your Father. Just as a loving earthly father will watch out for and protect his children, so God in a greater way will protect His children. A sparrow cannot fall from the sky unless God allows it. If God cares for the sparrows, how much more does He care for you? God sees your needs; He will help you through whatever may come your way. Go to Him with your needs in prayer and He will answer.

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:9-13)

One of the most beautiful and familiar passages in the Bible is Psalm 23. It eloquently speaks of the care, comfort, and protection that God will give to all His sheep.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup Runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Let me briefly elaborate on the truths contained in this passage. It says that we “shall not want.” That means that God will meet our needs, which include physical, mental, and spiritual needs. “To lie down in green pastures,” tells us that God will not only meet our needs, but also do it lavishly. “Leadeth me beside the still waters” says that He will give us peace. “He restoreth my soul” speaks of how He will revive our spirits after we have fallen or been dismayed. “Leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” witnesses to the fact that He will lead us into truth and righteous living.

And here is the most important verse in light of the information presented in this book: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” The first six seals of the 70th Week of Daniel are at times going to be like walking through the valley of the shadow of death. But what are we to do? Fear no evil! And why are we to fear no evil? Because He is with us! Trust in Him, rely on Him. He will not fail you, and He will show Himself mighty through you to do His work if you let Him. Not only are we not to be afraid, but we can trust that God will meet our physical needs, too. He will give us food and clothing; we can trust Him for that. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” There is a verse that we can put our confidence in. Read this Psalm carefully and be assured God will take care of His own:

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be….For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away….The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread….But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” (Psalm 37)

So do not be afraid. As long as you are living a life pleasing to God, He will protect you, provide for you, and pour out His Spirit upon you in a mighty way. In a lot of ways, it will be a time to look forward to. It will be a time when the Lord will work mightily on the earth. Yes, there will be problems and trials and tribulations, but God will take care of you. Consider this comforting quote from The Days of Praise.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb 13:5)… Actually, the promise is even more emphatic in the original Greek. The word “leave,” which means to uphold or sustain, is preceded by a twice-repeated negative. It literally means, “I will not, I will not cease to uphold you!” The word “forsake” implies forsaking one in a position of hopelessness, and is preceded by a thrice-repeated negative: “I’ll never, never, never abandon you in a hopeless state!” JDM.[1]

The fact that God will take care of you, however, does not negate the fact that we also need to prepare as best that we can. Of course one should never trust in his preparations, and it is possible that our preparations might be taken from us. In that regards, we should start praying now against that happening. We should also give everything—possessions, family, health, everything—to God and trust Him to take care of it. God can protect his possessions better than we can, so give everything to Him and trust Him with it. An excellent story that illustrates this spiritual concept is “The Pineapple Story,” which can be obtained from The Institute In Basic Life Principles. At the same time, we realize that a non-Christian and or disobedient Christian has no claim to the protection of God, but can expect to receive chastisement

Will We Suffer?Some Christians will be called to suffer during the 70th Week. Yes there will be difficulties, problems, trials, and sorrows. But God will be there with us and He will help us if we go to Him. Some Christians will be martyred during the 70th Week. Should Christians be afraid of being killed? No, absolutely not! Would you be afraid if your boss came to you and said, “I hate you because you are a Christian and I am going to send you on a lifetime all expense paid vacation to Hawaii?” No, you would be rejoicing. Heaven is a million times better than any “paradise” on earth, and if somebody kills you, you will immediately enter into paradise and be able to live with God forever. As many have said, “You cannot threaten me with Heaven.” Besides, martyrdom is an honor. Being killed for the cause of Christ brings many eternal rewards. I am not saying that you should seek to be martyred, but if that is God’s will for you, do not worry or fret, but rejoice for great is your reward in Heaven. Our attitude should be “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Lk 22:42) Reflect upon the words of our Lord in these regards:

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come…And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:17-31)

So as one proceeds through the 70th Week of Daniel, draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Go to Him as a child goes to his or her daddy. Pour out your heart before Him. He will be with you all the way. God loves you more than you realize. Do not be afraid. When we are afraid, we are telling God that we do not trust Him. This saddens Him as it would any mother or father if their child was afraid that they would not take care of them. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). Remember the words of our Lord:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” (John 14:1-4)

Should I Be Angry?Another reaction to reading this book may be one of anger. You may feel anger toward God for not planning it so that the Christians will be raptured before the 70th Week begins, or you may be angry that you have been taught a wrong rapture view by many well respected Bible teachers.

First, it is impossible for God to do anything wrong. “In Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). He is perfect and holy and righteous. Anything that God does is right and perfect. We also know that anything that God allows to happen to believers is for our good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Thus, we have no right to be angry with God.

Some may be angry with those who have taught them a wrong rapture view. That is not right either, because we are responsible for our relationship with God and it is our responsibility before the Lord to make sure that we believe in correct doctrines. We cannot place the blame for believing in incorrect doctrine at the feet of someone else. In most cases, our respected Bible teachers have given many years of service, sacrifice, and study in trying to accurately preach and teach the word of God. I know none who intentionally try to teach error. I believe modern Christianity fell into the trap of believing in a wrong rapture view because it was easy and pleasant to believe that Christians would not have to endure any “sorrows” at the end of the world. So if we are going to be angry, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. But there is a better reaction. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Do not be afraid of the trials and tribulations that are coming upon us. Do not be angry that you have to go through it. God will take care of you. Draw nigh to Him and He will draw nigh to you. Seek the Lord and He shall be found. Remember Jehovah Jireh cares for you, for you, for you!

[1] Morris, John D., The Institute for Creation Research, Days of Praise, Friday June 26 entry, June – August 2009.

 

Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Be Prepared

Many years ago, I had the wonderful experience of being a Boy Scout. I learned many important skills and character traits through the Scouts. One of the first things I learned was the Boy Scout motto—“Be Prepared.” There is nothing worse than being faced with an adverse situation and not being prepared. In the Scouts, we were taught to think ahead about situations that we might encounter while camping and prepare accordingly.

Many difficulties that we face in life, likewise, can be overcome if we think ahead and plan and prepare accordingly. In this chapter, we will think ahead to what difficulties we will face in the 70th Week and I will suggest ways that we can plan and prepare accordingly. By the time you read this book, even though I am writing it before the 70th Week starts, you may already be in it. Even if that is the case, it is still not too late to prepare.

In endeavoring to prepare for this time, you must first realize that many people will be deceived and will not recognize the signs of the prophetic times in which we live. For as the Apostle Paul said, Christ’s return to the clouds and the rapture will catch many people off guard and will come upon them as a thief in the night:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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. (1 Thess. 5:1-3)

When the rapture happens, the people of the world will pretty much be going about their daily routines. Even though the 70th Week will have started and the first five seals will bring about much death and destruction, the majority of the people will be so deceived that they will not be able to recognize the prophetic times in which we live.

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matt. 24:37-42)

So we see that, even though the first five seals will be opened, and tribulations and sorrows will be experienced by the world, the vast majority of people will not recognize that we are in this prophetic time period and will be caught off guard by the Day of the Lord because they will be deceived by the devil and his cohorts.

But that is not to be the case for the believer. The believer, as Jesus says, is to watch:

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matt. 24:42-44).

The Apostle Paul also echoes the same idea and further tells us that the Day will not overtake us as a thief:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thess. 5:1-6)

Note what it says in reference to the Day of the Lord, that it will not overtake the brethren as a thief. Why? Because any serious student of the Bible will recognize the signs of the times and, more specifically, will probably be able to know that the 70th Week has started and will be able to discern the occurrences of the seals. Thus, after seeing the signs, they will know that the Lord’s return is imminent. Hopefully, you will be walking close enough to the Lord that you can recognize His pending return and prepare many years in advance for the difficulties that lie ahead.

The most important consideration in getting ready for the Lord’s return is to make sure you are prepared spiritually. Jesus told a parable that teaches the importance of being spiritually ready for His return:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matt. 25:1-13)

Are you ready for the bridegroom?

Spiritual PreparationThe starting point for being spiritually prepared is to make sure that you are a Christian. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves…” (2 Cor. 13:5a) Becoming a Christian is a very simple yet profound process. There are four things one must know in order to become a Christian:

1. We are sinners. As the Bible says; “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Sin is falling short of God’s perfection. Everyone has sinned many times in life. We have all lied, or stolen, or cheated, or done something wrong at some time in our lives. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10).

2. We deserve Hell. Realize that there is a punishment for being a sinner, and that punishment is death. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The punishment for sin is not just physical death, but also spiritual death. The place of spiritual death is Hell. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rom. 21:8). We all have sinned and we all deserve the punishment of Hell for our sin.

3. Jesus died for our sins. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Jesus willingly went to the cross, shed His blood, and died for our sins. On the cross Jesus paid the price for our sins, He suffered the punishment that we deserve, He suffered Hell for us. Hell is a place of total separation from God. When Jesus was on the cross, God the Father separated Himself from God the Son. That is why Jesus cried out “with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” While Jesus was on the cross He was experiencing separation from God the Father. In other words He was suffering Hell. He was suffering the Hell that we deserve. While on the cross Jesus paid for all the sins of mankind, past, present, and future.

4. We must receive Christ by faith. In order to receive the forgiveness of our sins and become a Christian it is not enough to know that we are sinners, that we deserve Hell, and that Christ died for our sins, but we must receive Christ by faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8,9).

Notice that that verse tells us that we cannot earn our way to heaven. We obtain salvation through faith, not by works. Faith basically boils down to placing your trust in something or someone. If you are sitting down while reading this book, you are placing your faith or trust in the chair that you are sitting upon. Faith requires more than just an intellectual belief; it involves an action of your will. For example, if there were a pond covered with ice, and there were people standing around saying that the ice could hold them up, but they were not willing to walk on the ice, then they would only be demonstrating an intellectual belief and not faith. If they stepped out onto the ice, they would be demonstrating faith.

One can place their faith in Christ by simply calling out to Him in prayer, for the Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

I placed my faith in Christ by sincerely praying a prayer like this: “Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I deserve Hell. Thank you for dying for my sins. Save me. Come into my life. Make me the kind of person that you want me to be. I thank you that you have and that you will take me to heaven when I die. Amen.”

If you sincerely pray that prayer with all your heart, then the Lord Jesus will come into your life and forgive your sins, and save you from an eternity of Hell. If you were to die tomorrow, you would go to heaven. Not because you are good enough to get there, but because you have received the payment of your sins. It is that simple.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (Jn 5:24)

So the first thing that one needs to do in order to get ready spiritually for the Lord’s return is to make sure that you are a Christian. I would encourage you, if you are not sure of your eternal destiny, to take a moment right now and bow your head and sincerely pray the prayer listed above and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you are saved, nothing can separate you from the love of God. For more on the security of your salvation, see the article “Eternal Security” at http://www.thecomingepiphany.com/.

Righteous Living
The next step in being spiritually prepared for the Lord’s return is to make sure that you are living a righteous life — that is, a life without offence toward God and man. There are serious consequences for the believer who is not living in obedience to our Lord’s commands.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor. 11:30-32)

These verses suggest that the disobedient Christian will be subject to problems, sickness, and even death for their disobedience. You certainly do not want to be in a disobedient state when the Lord returns.

How do you live a righteous life? Righteous living is summed up in just two commandments:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matt. 22:37-40)

Thus, the two most important things for a Christian to do is to love God with all his heart and love his neighbor as himself.

How does a Christian love God? Jesus answered that question succinctly:

If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (Jn 14:21)

Jesus told us the way that we love God is to keep the commandments.

There are some Christians who say to make a list of items that you should obey is legalism. No, to not have a list of things a Christian should obey is licentiousness. Legalism is when you say that one must obey a list of “dos and don’ts” for salvation. To have a list of dos and don’ts from the Bible to show love to God is godly living. Those who say the Christian is free or at liberty to do as they wish are not free. Rather, they are enslaving themselves to sin at the dictates of their misguided imaginations and fleshly desires. If someone is legalistic in saying, in order to love God you must keep the commandments, then Jesus was legalistic when He commanded us to keep them. We know that this was not the case. Therefore it is not legalism to obey God.

Here are some of the many things that the Lord, either directly or by application of principle, commands Christians to do:

· Pray and read the Bible daily
· Be baptized
· Attend church
· Give tithes and offerings
· Love our neighbor as our self
· Share the gospel
· Obey authorities
· Forgive others
· Dress modestly

Here are some of the many things that the Lord, either directly or by application of principle, commands Christians to not do.

· Lie
· Steal
· Cheat
· Cuss
· Covet
· Murder and commit acts of violence
· Hate
· Harbor unforgiveness
· Fornicate
· Commit adultery
· Listen to rock and rap music
· Look at unwholesome things

Unfortunately, many Christians have swallowed—hook, line and sinker— the lie of the devil that a Christian is free to live as they please. This philosophy is contrary to the teaching of scripture. I have worked with Christian young people for 20 years, and I have seen a steady progression of worldliness and unrighteousness in the lives of the children and their parents. And sadly enough, many of these young people have fallen into grievous sins and brought great destruction to their lives. For more information on how to live righteously, see the article entitled “Living Righteous” at http://www.thecomingepiphany.com/.

Remember we obey God, not for the purpose of earning salvation, but because God has saved us from a terrible hell and we out of love for the Lord want to glorify Him by abstaining from sin and living a Godly life. Let us not use our liberty in Christ as a license to sin. The Apostle Paul gives us a strong admonition if we continue in sin:

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (Eph. 5:1-7)

Dear Christian, as we see the Day of the Lord approaching, let us sincerely examine ourselves before the Lord with a humble and contrite heart to make sure that we are in the faith and that we are living a life that is pleasing to Him. Let us all strive to hear the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter into the joy of thy master” (Matt. 25:21). Do not try to claim that you love the Lord if you do not obey Him. Jesus said; “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” (John 14:24)

This may seem difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. The power and ability to live the Christian life comes through the controlling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. In scripture, this is referred to as walking in the Spirit or being filled with the Spirit.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:17,18)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)

How can a Christian be filled with the Spirit? Colossians 2:6 answers that question: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” This verse is basically saying that in the same way that we received Christ, we should also walk in Him. How does a Christian receive Christ? Through faith, thus, we are to walk in Him by faith or be filled with the Spirit through faith. So in order to be filled with the Spirit, we must first desire to be filled. Then we must make sure that we have all sins confessed — for God will not fill a dirty vessel — we must also present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice to be used any way that He may wish, and ask to be filled and believe by faith that we are filled.

Here is a suggested prayer to be filled with the Spirit: “Dear God I present myself to you to be used any way that you desire. Fill me with your Spirit, direct me, control me and empower me. Live your life through me. I thank you that you will. Amen.”

Mental PreparationIn order to be ready for the return of the Lord, we must not only be spiritually prepared, but we must also be mentally prepared. To do this, we need to have a good working knowledge of prophetic truths. The Lord admonishes believers to not be asleep in regards to prophetic matters:

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is…Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Luke 13:32-37)

Here, Jesus warns believers of being asleep at His return. I believe He is specifically referring to being mentally and spiritually asleep, or unaware of the prophetic times that we live in, and the pending sorrows and tribulations that Christians are going to have to endure during the 70th Week. This description would probably classify the vast majority of sincere Christians that, due to a lack of fervency in seeking after the truth in relation to end times prophecy, have blindly adhered to what their well-respected, but erring pre-trib teachers have taught them.

So I say, wake up, Christian, know that we are very close to entering the 70th Week of Daniel, and by the time you read this we may already be in it. Do not remain asleep to the pending trials that are going to come upon the world with the opening of the seals. Christians who remain asleep and do not prepare spiritually, mentally and physically for those trials will be subject to extreme difficulties and hardships. After the Abomination of Desolation, the antichrist will require all to take the mark in order to buy or sell.

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: 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. (Rev. 13:16,17)

What are Christians who have not prepared for those times going to do when they are faced with the choice of not being able to buy or sell unless they take the mark? And yes, it will be a choice, and will not be forced upon anyone as was depicted in the popular, but scripturally inaccurate, Left Behind series. Many misinterpret Rev. 13:16, which says, “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,” to read “And he forces” instead of “And he causeth.” The Greek word in question here is poieo. Strong’s Greek and Hebrew dictionary defines it as “to produce, construct, form, fashion, to be the authors of, to make ready, to prepare.” The word in no way means, “to force.”

It will be a choice that all alive at the time will have to make, and I fear some nominal Christians will choose the mark, undoubtedly reasoning it away somehow, especially when they are faced with not being able to buy or sell. Some may even be faced with a choice of taking the mark or being put to death. Unfortunately, the threat of death will, along with the many deceptions and persecutions, will be part of the reason there will be a great falling away from the faith. Scripture even indicates that many nominal Christians will fall away to the point where they will even betray family members.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mark 13:12,13)

If somebody takes the mark are they really doomed to hell? The answer is found in Rev. 14:9-12:

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
So yes, those who take the mark are doomed to hell. Do not let any fantasy series convince you otherwise. The Left Behind series portrayed an individual who was forced to take the mark and who later was saved. This is in contradiction to the scripture above. Taking the mark will be an eternal choice with clear ramifications.
 

Physical Preparations

Along with making spiritual and mental preparations for the return of the Lord, one must also make physical preparations. Preparing for the future is a basic life principle. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Prov 6:6-8) “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Prov 22:3) These verses make it clear that a Christian is to prepare for the future. So how can a Christian prepare physically for the 70th Week? We must first consider what we are likely to be faced with. As already discussed, Christians will be faced with living through the first five seals....