*Preface: Vol. 11

The apostle Paul exhorts us to continue in the steadfastness of our faith in Christ (the Word).

Colossians 2:7 ... Rooted and built up in HIM, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

*****

As we think on various concepts taught us in the Bible, we water our root system, building our faith on those things that are really true and keeping our faith in God and that which HE says.

In the world, we hear things that would trouble us greatly except for the fact that we ground ourselves in that which God has said, doing those instructions authored by God by HIS Spirit.

The churches today have eliminated so much scripture that we begin to think like them about the Word if we sit among them.
Matthew 5:32 ... Jesus said ... But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

*****

Paul said "perilous times" would come in the last days. (II Timothy 3)

We must renew our minds to scripture ... considering what is true in the sight of God.

We have hope and stability through THE WORD, through prayer, through knowing the Word of God.

For example:  Because of II Peter 3, we know that no man will destroy the present earth.  We know this heaven and earth will be destroyed in the end by God but no man can ever do this.

Knowing this, why would we ever be caught up in the worries of man concerning such things as the ozone layer or the "Greenhouse" effect?

Don't we know the truth?

II Peter 3:10-14 ...  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

*****

The wrath of God will come to judge this world and those churches who mishandle scripture and change scripture. 

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 ...  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.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  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.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

*****

Don't we know that Jesus will come for us to deliver us from that which is coming on this world if we hold fast to the scripture?  And not only does Jesus come for us, but when HE comes the dead in Christ will also rise to be with HIM.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 ...  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep (dead).

For the Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

*****

Those who are still alive on this earth at that time, will be changed from these present physical bodies in the "twinkling of an eye", instantly, immediately ... blink your eyes ... that is how fast this will happen.  (I Corinthians 15)

And such will be given new bodies which are not subject to the pain of this present flesh ... nor will we have sorrow of any kind ... nor hatred ... nor resentments which are of this flesh.

We will be taken, transported, with them to the "new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" ... that "new Jerusalem" spoken of by the apostle John in Revelation 21.  

Revelation 21:1-4  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  

Knowing these truths from the Bible, how can we sorrow as this world sorrows?  

How can we rejoice in this present world and seek after this present world as if it is the end of all things?  For us it is not the end.  We are just passing through this present world.  And God has made a way through faith in HIM that we can spend our days on this earth "in peace" ... "without spot and blameless" ... when we understand the concepts of God set forth in the New Testament. 

Instead of fretting over rulers and governments of men as this world does, we are instructed to pray. 

I Timothy 2:1-2 ... I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

*****

When we do the things instructed in Bible and when we believe the concepts of the Bible, we enter into a peace of God this world cannot know.

The following exhortations, in this book, are based on concepts given by God to encourage us in ways of God that we might go in ways of God while we live on this present earth.

As Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world," (John 18) ... neither is our kingdom of this world.

When we understand this, so many of those things that once troubled us will not trouble us now.

Joan Boney  

 

  

*11/1 ... Foundational Concepts For All Who Are of God

We, who are of God, believe Jesus Christ to be the "Messiah" of the Old Testament, the Son of God, the Eternal ruler.  Jesus was with God before the creation of the heaven and earth and all things and all creatures were created by HIM (The Word).   John 1 & I John 1

Jesus came to this world in the flesh in the form of a man but born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit and the will of God.


Jesus knew what it was to feel things as our flesh feels, pain/sorrow/temptations, but Jesus was without sin, paying for all our sins by laying down HIS own life according to the will of God and the plan of God.

God raised Jesus from the dead and God will raise us also from the dead.  I Thessalonians 4

Indeed we are raised from the dead of this world when God reveals HIMSELF to us and causes us to be born again of HIS Spirit.  We are changed from the person we once were, now having a desire toward God.  We grow into the ways of God bit by bit as we continue to live on this earth and try to do according to the will of God in the various encounters of this life.

*****

As we live on this present earth, like the children of God who lived before us, we wait patiently for the coming of Jesus,  the second time Jesus comes to gather the church to HIMSELF. 

Jesus will come in the air with a great shout that wakes the dead and the dead in Christ will rise to meet Jesus in the air.  (I Thessalonians 4)

Some people of God will still be alive on this earth when this happens and they will be changed immediately, in the twinkling of an eye, in a blink of the eye, leaving behind these current physical bodies which are subject to physical pain and decay of the flesh, and they will rise to meet Jesus and those who have been raised from the dead.  (I Thessalonians 4 & I Corinthians 15)

Now all will have a new body as it pleases God.  We will not have these current physical bodies.  (I Corinthians 15) 

Notice that Jesus does not come to this present earth but we rise to meet Jesus "in the air".  (I Thessalonians 4) 

This present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God. (II Peter 3)  It will no longer exist.  

There will be a new heaven and a new earth, the new Jerusalem spoken of by the apostle John in Revelation 21. 

In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no sorrow, no pain as we have now for we will have "new bodies" which are not subject to the flesh as is this current physical body.  (I Corinthians 15)

*****

As we wait for this second coming of Jesus, we glorify God as we walk in HIS light, going HIS way, doing what HE shows us to do.

The world glorifies itself as they seek personal greatness and achievement.

We glorify God as we do what God says to do.  That is our role on this earth.

As we obey God, it is different and they notice that difference ... others would choose to rant and rave and demand their rights ... we are waiting patiently ... That is like a light, a beacon on a hill, shinning all around.

One major difference between us and the people of this world is like Jesus, our kingdom is not of this world.   John 18:36

This world is their life ... it is all they have.  So they grab it and squeeze it and try to get as much out of it as possible.

For us, things of this world don't usually live up to expectations.   Even when we try them, they often fall flat for us and go dead.

And we realize there is another "country" set up for us by God.  We are like the people described in Hebrews 11 ...

Hebrews 11:13-16  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.   And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.

*****

So our role as we live on this present earth is to endure, glorifying God as we obey HIM in that which pertains to this present life.  And we eventually come to realize we are just waiting for that which is "expected" ... the new creation, the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, where there is no evil and no pain, and no sorrow as we have in this world.  Where there is constant joy and rejoicing and it does not grow dim as it does on this earth.  And it is forever, a concept most of us can't imagine.

*****

The following, which Paul told Timothy, is a very good plan for us also.

I Timothy 4:13 ...  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

This is a very good daily plan for us also that we might have a proper root system and be grounded and stay grounded in God as we live on this present earth.

*11/2 ... Righteousness Through Faith in God

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.   Romans 4:3

*****

God revealed Himself to Abraham.  

Genesis 12:1-4 ... Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him;

*****

The apostle Paul was doing many "good" works for the Pharisees as he rounded up believers in Jesus and brought them to the chief priest to put them in prison.  All of a sudden, God revealed HIMSELF to Paul.  Paul then believed on Jesus and the righteousness of God took place in Paul's life, replacing his own righteous works which he had been doing.

Acts 9:1-6 ... And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard A VOICE saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?

And he said, Who art THOU, Lord?

And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt THOU have me to do?

*****

God gave Abraham the sign of circumcision after Abram believed God and obeyed God.

They circumcised the babies in the Jewish faith.  (8 days old)

This is similar to the way Catholics baptize babies.  

But circumcision and baptism do not cause you to belong to God.

We are baptized after we believe, after God opens our eyes and reveals HIMSELF to us. 

Baptism is a sign that we now believe God.

We believe ... then are baptized ... 

*****

There are some people today who want to join the church and they go forth and are baptized.

But this does not make you a member of God's children.

This does not cause you to have the Spirit of God.

Jude vv. 17-19 ... But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers (imitators) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

***** 

We believe in God and that makes us a child of God.

Therefore we are saved by faith in God and what HE has said and done, not in that which we do and have done.

The work of God is to believe God, says Jesus.  

John 5:24 ... Jesus says ... 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. 

*****

We "hear" and then we "believe" ... 

Therefore a person could go forth and join a church and be baptized and still not be of God.  It happens all the time with emotional young people at churches.  Certainly baptism of infants, as the Catholic do, does not make that baby a child of God.

We believe God and believe in what God says and then we are baptized as a sign of our belief in God.

Acts 9:17-18 ...And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

*****

Baptism is a sign of our death ... and new life.   For after we believe God, that which we were before dies, we are crucified with Christ the Word.  

When we are lowered into the water it is like being buried with Christ.

When we are raised from the water it is like being raised with Christ.

It is all a sign of the old man dying and the resurrection of the new man, created in God and true holiness.

Romans 6:3-4 ... Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into HIS death?  Therefore we are buried with HIM by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

*11/3 ... Abounding With Thanksgiving To God

It is so important for us to keep an heart full of thanksgiving to God.

There are so many reasons to be thankful.

- God raised Jesus from the dead and God raises me from the dead.

Daily I am raised from the dead of this world by the Word of God, seeing the way of God for HIS people.  Understanding this life is only very temporary and the many things of this life are temporary.  Keeping a view on the truth that my kingdom is not of this world therefore I do not have to strive as the people of this world.

When a man defrauded me and another man showed there had been evil gossip spoken about me in secret in his family, God gave me an open vision showing me flying above both men.  I thought of the way Paul told us in Romans 8, that if God be for us, who can be against us.  Also I remembered how Paul told us that we, who belong to God, are more than conquerors through Christ who dwells in us, and indeed we are, because we know none of this really matters and God provides for us amply, giving us food and clothing, and we have all that we need as HE leaves us on this present earth before we are taken out by God to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.  (II Peter 3)  This present earth will never be righteous no matter what we do, so live in peace, keeping ourselves by the word of God and by the Spirit of God who lives in us. 

*****

- God gave us HIS Spirit, the Holy Spirit, so we can know the way of God for us and have the many extra benefits of the Spirit of God who guides us into all truth, teaches us all things, reminds us of that which is spoken by Jesus, and shows us things to come.  (John 14:26 & John 16:13)

*****

- God gives us HIS Word continually so we can live through HIM and go in HIS way.  (We rise above this world when we see God's way and go in that way.)

*****

In personal ways, I am thankful God has provided for me food, clothing, shelter ... and has given me many things that suit me well and are beautiful to me.

I am very grateful that I am able to see ... can drive my car to get my food.

*****

I am thankful for God's spiritual gift of exhortation which enables me to exhort the church.

I am thankful for the Internet and the blogs which allow me to send writings to the church all over the world to exhort them in ways of God.

I am thankful for the avenue whereby we could put the books of exhortation on Amazon and for the world wide circulation to all parts of this world through Amazon

These are truly remarkable things which allow us to speak the Word of God freely to all in the entire world. 

*****

Learn to think on the many good things from God and stay thankful to God continually.

Philippians 4:8 ...  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In other words, think on the Word of God which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, full of virtue (strength), and praise to God. 

* 11/4 ... Traditions of Men vs. The Word of God

Jesus said the traditions of men make the word of God void.

Mark 7:1-9 ... Then came together unto HIM the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.  And when they saw some of HIS disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.  And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked HIM, Why walk not THY disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 

HE (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth ME with their lips, but their heart is far from ME.

Howbeit in vain do they worship ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups:and many other such like things ye do.

And HE said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

*****

Paul warned us about taking on the traditions of men.

Colossians 2:8-10 ...  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in HIM dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in HIM, which is the head of all principality and power:

*****

Some of the traditions of men ...

- Decorating graves ... What is a person really saying when he carries flowers to a grave and decorates a grave?  Is this pagan or Christian?  Where did this tradition come from? Is this worldly or spiritual?  Are we told in Bible to do this or is this tradition of man? 

My cousin's husband of 60+ years died.  As she spoke of the funeral they had planned for him, she spoke of decorating his grave. 

I asked her, "Who are you trying to impress?  Thurman is 'asleep'.  This is what death is, falling asleep.  He doesn't see you there.  He doesn't know you are there.  So who are you trying to impress?"

She grew silent for a moment ... then she said, "Then it really doesn't matter where a person is buried." 

I replied:  "THAT'S RIGHT!"

In USA there is day set aside yearly called "Memorial Day."  People go out and decorate graves.  When some Baptist women were doing this I asked them why they would do this.  It does not testify to the resurrection so why would you do this.  One said, "It made her feel better."  Flesh ... all flesh ...

Isaiah 65:3-4 ... God says ... A people that provoketh ME to anger continually to MY face;
that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, 

*****

Bible example:  When Sarah died, Abraham purchased a burial place so he could "bury her out of his sight." 

We go forward, pressing forward in the ways of God, not focused on the dead.

*****

Another tradition of men ... making New Year's Resolutions which worldly men and women consider to make themselves better on this earth ...

Only by God are we made better as HE reveals to us HIS Word and we choose to set aside our own way of our flesh and go in HIS way are we made better.

The flesh never improves!  Paul told us this in Romans 7.

The works of the flesh are:

Galatians 5:19-26 ... Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

*****

The churches today also have set up some traditions to be observed in the church services. 

Many churches pass around crackers and grape juice calling this "The Lord's Supper."

There is no power at all in crackers and grape juice.

The Lord's Supper is the eating and drinking of the Word of God.

*****

The world sets up traditions thinking the eating of certain foods to bring luck through the year. (Witchcraft)

In the USA, on New Year's Day, many eat black eyed peas saying this brings luck throughout the year.

This becomes food offered to an idol.

Paul warns us not to participate if anyone give us a food offered to an idol.

I Corinthians 10:20-21 ... But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

...  27-28 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

*****

Another tradition of man that I will not participate in is the clicking of drink glasses together as if there is some power by doing this.  (witchcraft/superstition)

Man is just acting by tradition when he does this and is trying to feel power is of himself.

I know power is of God and not of man.  I do not want to exalt man falsely, over God and will not be a part of such.

*****

We, as Christians, delivered from this world by God should think about what we do on this earth.

"Where is that in the Bible," should be continually in our heart as a point of examination over that which we do on this earth.

There are many idols today which man avidly pursues that I choose to avoid.

Bodily exercise ...  

Paul says, I Timothy 4:7-8 ...   But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.  

Abstaining from meats ...

I Timothy 4:1-5 ... 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.  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  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. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Preventive medicine ...

Jesus said ... Matthew 9:10-12 ... And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with HIM and HIS disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto HIS disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?  But when Jesus heard that, HE said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Jesus was making a common sense point that whole people do not need a physician.  Today we have entered into another wisdom of man but even now some are questioning this wisdom.

Lighting of candles and tying ribbons around trees thinking some form of power in such ... (witchcraft/superstition)

This ribbon "tradition" came from a popular music song during a recent war.

Lighting candles for power is practiced in Catholic church, as I understand, it has to do with getting prayer answered.  There is certainly no such thing in the Bible.  Faith in God is important in prayer.

Such things as this put emphasis on what the human does as if there is a power in that act of the human.  This denies the power of God and faith in God and what HE does.

*****

As people of God we should be very careful about participating in pagan rituals.  We should think about what we are doing after we are born again.  

Is this really in the Bible?

*****

In 1979, God gave me the following terrifying dream:

A meeting was going on.  A man was speaking to a room filled with people.  I went in and began to listen.

A second man rushed in and said:  "Stop ... Wait ... Can't you see ... It's too late ... It's already begun."

The first man resumed speaking.

I looked out the window to see what had "already begun."

There was a tall pole with a yellow civil defense speaker at top of the pole.  A gas was coming out of the speaker.  I knew it was poisonous and would kill the people.  It was coming directly toward us!

The shocking thing was the speaker that was set there for the purpose of warning us was being used as the instrument which dispersed the gas that was poison and would kill us!

I looked at the man seated next to me.  He had a big grin on his face and was looking directly at the man who was speaking to the group.  But then I saw this man was a corpse, though he looked alive.  He was already dead!

I looked about the room at the other people and realized they were all dead.

As I sat back in my chair and listened to the man speaking I began to feel sleepy and I knew as I sat there among them this was killing me too.

*****

God was showing me the anarchy that was already going on in our church groups in 1979.  It is much worse today ... Must cling to scripture.

*11/5 ... Witchcraft ... What Is This Today?

In Galations 5, one of the works of the flesh is "witchcraft" ...

God showed me some of the ways witchcraft is practiced today, in 2017.

Basically witchcraft is doing something to try to bring good luck upon yourself or trying to put an "hex" (bad luck) on another.  (superstitions)

Athletes often cross themselves thinking to bless themselves ... This is witchcraft based on religous superstition.  It has no basis in Bible.  There is no such thing in Bible.  It is simply conjuring of man.

*****

We see sports fans do this as they do little signals with their hands, often thinking some power comes from this.  Usually they do these signals in mass, with many joining their "curse" against the opponent team.

*****

We see a form of witchcraft when we see people clicking drinking glasses together, drinking toasts to other people, thinking to bring good luck.  (thinking power in themselves and not in God ... no consideration at all of God ... just thinking they can bless of their own will and flesh.)

*****

Certainly we do not want to join anyone in such things as this.  I've often been at a table where women would begin clicking their drink glass together.  I just sat there, saying nothing, but making no effort toward lifting my glass and they would just ignore me when I didn't join them.  If forced, I would say this is simply witchcraft.

Another witchcraft is the observations of various superstitions of men.

There have been times when a woman said to me, "Things always happen in threes."  I replied, "That's not in the Bible.  That's not true."  (With that she stopped speaking.)

Another superstition of man has to do with believing certain numbers, such as 13, are bad luck.  Sometimes buildings skip the #13 in numbering floors of buildings.  Witchcraft.


Galatians 5:19-21 ... Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

*11/6 ... Works of the Flesh Defined According to Bible

Galatians 5:19-21 ... Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

*****

Adultery:  sexual unfaithfulness to husband by wife or to wife by husband ... divorced woman who marries another man ... man who marries divorced woman.

Matthew 5:32 ...  Jesus says ... Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Romans 7:2-3 ...  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 

I Corinthians 7:10-11 ...   And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Matthew 5:28 ... Jesus says ... But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

*****

Fornication:  sex outside of marriage ... two become one flesh at time of sexual intercourse. 

I Corinthians 6:15-18 ...  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith HE, shall be one flesh.  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
 
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

*****

Uncleanness:  defrauding another for gain  

I Thessalonians 4:6-7 ...   That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

*****

Lasciviousness:  lust (not just sexual but other lusts also) ... could be lust for power, for money, for praise of men, for things, for glory of man

Matthew 4 ... 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil ... 
8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  And saith unto HIM, All these things will I give THEE, if THOU wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and HIM only shalt thou serve.

I John 2:15-17 ...   Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

*****

Idolatry:  

Colossians 3:5-7 ...   Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

*****

 Witchcraft:   Trying to bless or curse, but with power not of God. (superstition)

Examples of witchcraft today:  Clicking glasses together at dinner, trying to evoke "good luck" or "charm" from some unknown source ... Sports fans often try to evoke curses or evil upon opposing team by strange hand signals ... belief in various superstition such as bad luck for 3 to use same match  and saying such as things always happen in threes which is saying of man but not in Bible and not even correct always. 

*****

Hatred:  

I John 4:20-21 ...  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

***** 

Variance:  Disagree ... quarrel ... to "vary" with another and enter into verbal disputing

II Timothy 2:23-26 ...   But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

*****

Emulations: To try to equal or surpass another, typically by imitation.

Jude vv. 17-19 ... But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  How that they told you there should be mockers (imitators) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Acts 20:29-30 ... Paul says to the church ...   For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

*****

Wrath:  Extreme anger, often with malice ... wanting to see enemy get what you think he deserves.

Romans 12:19 ... Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

*****

Strife:  Usually verbal disputings to try to put another person down and get the best of him in fleshly disagreements.

*****

Seditions:  Advocating the overthrow of established authority, often through rioting or demonstrating.

My kingdom is not of this world, says Jesus ... John 18:36

*****

Heresies:  Trying to establish doctrine different from Bible ...

Titus 3:9-11 ...  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 

*****

Envyings:  Desiring that which another has for yourself.

Romans 13:9-10 ...  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

*****

  
Murders:  The taking of a natural life and bringing a natural death ... or the taking of something from another which brings the form of death, making that person lifeless.

*****

Drunkenness:  The Bible defines drunkenness as a work of the flesh, a sin of the flesh, not an illness.

Ephesians 5:18 ...  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

*****

Revellings:  "Partying" ... participating in worldly orgys of the flesh.

*****

Galatians 5 ... of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

*****

If you are born of the Spirit of God you cannot continue in these works of the flesh.  One by one, you will put such away, yielding to God's Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-26 ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 

*11/7 ... Jesus Died For Our Sins To Pay For Our Sins ... We Must Put Past Sins Away From Us By Faith In The Word

In the New Covenant, God says HE will not remember our sins.

Hebrews 8:10-12 ... For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to ME a people:  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know ME, from the least to the greatest.  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

After we are born again, we enter into newness of life.  The old man which we once were in the flesh is crucified with Christ.  We are "buried" with HIM. (Baptism is a symbol of this.)  And we are given now the Spirit of God so we have another spirit living in us.  We are "raised" now with Christ so we can serve God, keeping down our flesh by the Spirit.  Following the Spirit instead of our flesh.

Our past sins have been paid for by the blood of Jesus, HIS Sacrifice for our sins.  God says HE will not remember our sins.  Neither should we do so.  And certainly we should not go about telling another person about those sins we once committed unless we are using them by the Holy Spirit as an example of salvation from sin.

*****

  
Some people refuse to accept us as born again.  They remember our sins.  But God doesn't.  

Also we see that if we walk in the light, we are continually cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

I John 1:7 ...   But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ HIS Son cleanseth us from all sin.

We must forgive those who do not understand being born again when they keep referring to our sins of the past.  And we must not think on other people's sins of the past, especially if that person has been born again.

We walk in the light of forgiveness ... through the sacrifice of Jesus who paid for our sins with HIS own blood.

*****

In the KJV we read.


James 5:16 ...  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The KJV was written keeping as close as possible to the original manuscrips.  Other versions, NASB & NIV were written to try to put KJV into modern language and in doing so they changed the above scripture to read "Confess your sins one to another."

But sins are very different from a fault.

A fault is often a problem of character trait built up from childhood training or experiences.  For example, a person might be shy and be driven to silence because of being taught that way.  Some people as children are taught to only think good of people and therefore they are often deceived by evil.  Evil exists but some people want to see only good.  These people might need help in prayer to overcome this stronghold.  Jesus said:  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.   Matthew 10:16

I believe the correct version of James 5:16 is "Confess your faults" ... (not sins) KJV

And even in confessing your faults, I would be very careful about this.  First I would go directly to God and ask HIM for help before going to another person.  And I would wait, giving time for God to deal with this.  If I did go to another person, I would be very careful in choosing that person.   

*****

A sin is a work of the flesh through the lust (desires) of the nature of man.

Galatians 5:19-21 ... Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Confess your sins directly to God in prayer ... if you have not already done so.  If you have already done this, you should believe by faith that God is faithful to forgive you those sins and not keep confessing them as if you do not believe they are forgiven.

Believe in the faithfulness of God to do what HE says HE will do.

Believe the Bible. 



I John 1:9 ... If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

***** 

Confess your sins to God who has power to forgive your sins and walk forward in the light of God being cleansed constantly by the blood of Christ.  

God might have a person go to the person sinned against and repent ...

And walk in the light of the word and the blood of Jesus cleanses us continually from all sin.

*11/8 ... Can You Believe in the Faithfulness of God To Do What HE Says HE Will Do?

I John 1:9 ... If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Can you believe in the faithfulness of God?

Can you have faith in God doing what HE says HE will do? 

*11/9 ... Paul Believed By Faith He Was Delivered From The Wrath To Come.

I Thessalonians 1:9-10 ... how ye turned to God from idols to serve the LIVING and true God;  And to wait for HIS Son from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

*****

Notice how Paul said "which delivered us from the wrath to come" ... It was as if it were already done ... yet the wrath was yet to come.

This is how faith sees things.  When we believe, it is as if it is done, though it is still to come.

The apostles Paul and Peter knew of coming wrath of God upon this earth.  We see this by what they wrote.

Peter tells of the coming wrath of God in II Peter 3:10-14.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

*****

Paul explains to us that the children of God are not appointed to go through the wrath of God but we will be delivered from this happening  ... 

I Thessalonians 5:1-11  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.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  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.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM.
 
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

(But if you wake up one day and all the godly people you knew are gone and you remain on this earth, know this:  Somehow you did not "endure" to the end.)

*****

By faith in what God has said in Bible, we also believe the wrath of God will come upon this earth and God will destroy this present heaven and earth.

I believe we, who belong to God and continue with God, will be removed before this happens.

We will be removed as follows:

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 ...   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep (dead).

For the Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

*****

Notice we will all meet "in the air", not on this present earth.

We will be given "new bodies" before this happens ... spiritual bodies (as it pleases God) ... we will not have the physical bodies we have now.   (I Corinthians 15) 

I believe we will be taken by Jesus to the "new heaven", the "new earth", which is spoken of by John in Revelation 21.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard A GREAT VOICE out of heaven saying,

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and God HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

*****

By faith in what God has said in Bible we believe these things as if they are already done for that is the way faith is.

*11/10 ... The Coming of Jesus for the Church

I Thessalonians 3:12-13 ...  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  To the end HE may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all HIS saints. 

*****

If Jesus comes while we are still alive on this earth, we are likely to experience an incredible sight!

We know from the Bible (I Thessalonians 4), that Jesus will come through the air... 

and first the dead in Christ will rise to meet Jesus in the air ... 

Then those who are alive at the time will be changed in the blink of an eye into new bodies (no more flesh, no more physical pain, no more emotions of the flesh) and they will arise to meet everyone in the air   (I Corinthians 15) ...  

And all will be translated to "the new Jerusalem, the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness!"  (Revelation 21)

We will be saved from the wrath of God through HIM.  (I Thessalonians 5) 

We are not appointed to wrath ... we will not go through the great tribulation (unless we somehow depart from the faith) where the angels of God pour out the various troubles on this present earth.  (Revelation 8, 11)    

After the great tribulation, the present heaven and earth will be then destroyed by God.   (II Peter 3)

In the new heaven and new earth there will be only righteousness. 

We will have new bodies which are not subject to physical pain, nor sorrow, nor emotions of this flesh which can cause so much grief.

It is wonderful to think on these things and to know these things from the Bible. 

*11/11 ... The Great Tribulation: The Wrath of God

When considering The Great Tribulation: The Wrath of God, we first need the concept of the difference between the wars caused by humans and the wrath of God.


Matthew 24:3-8 ...  And as HE (Jesus) 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? 

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in MY name, saying, I (Jesus) am Christ; and shall deceive many. 

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Since the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus men have risen up by nations to fight wars.

These are wars created by men, by humans.

The great tribulation, The Wrath of God, will be created by God, not by humans.


Revelation 8 ...  (the apostle John reports) ... 

2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.  And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
 
And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

*****

7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
 
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;  And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
 
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
 
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

This is the Wrath of God poured out on all the earth.

*****

The apostle Paul speaks of the coming wrath of God in Romans 1 ...  

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of HIM from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even HIS eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified HIM not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

*****

The wrath of God that is coming upon the whole world, The Great Tribulation, is like nothing that has ever been seen before.

The significant point is this wrath is from God and created by God and sent by God. 

We have just read in Revelation 8 some of the things coming upon this earth:

- hail and fire mingled with blood
- 1/3 of the trees burned on the earth
- all green grass burnt
- mountain burning with fire cast into sea and became blood with 1/3 of creatures in sea died and ships destroyed
- great star burning falls on rivers causing many men to die of the waters which were poisoned

These are things only God could cause to happen:  This is the great tribulation, the coming wrath of God upon this earth.

These (the above listing of troubles) are from 3 of the angels sounding the trumpets ... 4 more angels sounded trumpets ... Then vials of the wrath of God were given to be poured out on this earth.  (Rev. 9-11)  

One of these torments coming upon man would last 5 months and would be like the sting of a scorpion ... (we have no concept of how long this coming wrath will be, months or even years or perhaps decades between the sounding of each of the 7 trumpets and the pouring out of the vials of torment upon men living on this earth) 

*****

Will we be here at the time of this wrath or will we be removed by Jesus before the great tribulation? 
 
I believe the apostle Paul answers this question for us in the following scripture:

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 ... 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. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  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. 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

If we continue to the end, holding fast to the scripture, continuing to abide in love toward Jesus and HIS people, staying awake and not falling asleep, I believe we will be delivered by God before the Wrath of God.

But I also believe the stage is set for the coming of Jesus and the Wrath of God because we have seen and are seeing the apostasy in the churches and this had to happen before the Wrath of God and the Day of the Lord could come upon the earth.

II Thessalonians 2:3-8 ... NASB ... Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the LORD) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed

The Holy Scriptures "restrained" lawlessness from the church but when scripture was removed, even in part, from the church the restraint against the man of lawlessness, antichrist, was removed and lawlessness moved into the church.

It has happened and we are seeing this happen today in churches.

*****

How will we be delivered?

I believe this, also, is explained by the apostle Paul as follows:

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 ... But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep.

For the Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

*****

Our "kingdom" will not be on this present earth.  The wrath of God is coming on this present earth. God will destroy the present heaven and earth in the fire, after the Wrath of God is completed. 

We will be taken to "the new heavens and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."  This present earth will be destroyed after all the trumpets have been sounded by the 7 angels and after all the vials of torments are poured out on this present earth.

The apostle Peter explains:

II Peter 3:10-14 ... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

*****

So do not be troubled nor deceived by wars caused by humans or threats of wars caused by man.  This is not the great tribulation but precedes the great tribulation.

The great tribulation will be caused by GOD, not by man.  Things will happen that only God can cause, earthquakes, stars falling, rivers turning to blood, and such. 

I find this very comforting for God will always do the right thing.


Do not be troubled?  Instead pray when you are afraid.

And know that no man has the power to cause the events of the great tribulation.  Only God can do that.

This gives me great peace for we can trust God!  

Psalm 94:14-15 ...  

For the Lord will not cast off HIS people,
neither will HE forsake HIS inheritance.
But judgment shall return unto righteousness:
and all the upright in heart shall follow it. 

*****

In 1979, God gave me the following terrifying dream:

A meeting was going on.  A man was speaking to a room filled with people.  I went in and began to listen.

A second man rushed in and said:  "Stop ... Wait ... Can't you see ... It's too late ... It's already begun."

The first man resumed speaking.

I looked out the window to see what had "already begun."

There was a tall pole with a yellow civil defense speaker at top of the pole.  A gas was coming out of the speaker.  I knew it was poisonous and would kill the people.  It was coming directly toward us!

The shocking thing was the speaker that was set there for the purpose of warning us was being used as the instrument which dispersed the gas that was poison and would kill us!

I looked at the man seated next to me.  He had a big grin on his face and was looking directly at the man who was speaking to the group.  But then I saw this man was a corpse, though he looked alive.  He was already dead!

I looked about the room at the other people and realized they were all dead.

As I sat back in my chair and listened to the man speaking I began to feel sleepy and I knew as I sat there among them this was killing me too.

*****

God was showing me the anarchy that was already going on in our church groups even in 1979.  It is much worse today.