Seeing The Forest Through The
Trees
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1st Peter, 4:16-19
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by:
Bobby Ripp
updated 10-15-06
Most Christians today believe we are living in the last
days. A time in which prophecies and biblical writings reveal events that will
be horrific and relentless, and will befall both Christians and non-Christians.
And according to the Bible will be humankind's darkest and most devastating
since humankind's genesis. Even the apostle Peter alluding to the last days
said; The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a
thief in the night; in 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. and Peter
3:9-
In other
words, even for Christians it will be a time of immense sorrow and tribulation.
Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 24:21-22, summarizes the horrific events of the last days; For then shall be great
tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no,
nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no
flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. And
Jesus implying that not only calamities will befall Christians and
non-Christians, but also warns Christians that deceptions will be so deceptive,
that, even the very elite will have difficulty discerning them; For there shall
arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect. Matthew 24:24.
As the End Times progress, it is becoming obvious by the horrific events that we view or read via News Media, be it natural calamities like droughts, floods, plagues, and earth quakes or man-made catastrophic loss of life and unprecedented anguish due to wars and from untold number of conflicts taking place world wide, that, as Christians whose salvation hinges on how one lives his or her daily life in accordance to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is of the utmost importance how we both respond and perceive these unprecedented events. For example, post September 11, 2001, ninety percent of Christians support Operation Enduring Freedom. And, in order to eradicate terrorists, as with military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, against Palestinian people and others that have been branded as Axis of Evil, innocent women and children are being killed. The justification cited by conservative Christians is that, the children of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestinian and other alleged 'Axis of Evil' countries and peoples will grow up and become terrorists. Therefore killing innocent children is their way of ridding the world of future terrorists. However, to support or condone and believe that it is justified to kill innocent people of any nationality, race or religious belief is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Especially Jesus' teachings recorded in the Bible in chapters 5 and 6 of the book of Matthew, called the 'Sermon on The Mount' also deemed 'The Beatitudes'. Furthermore, this is where Jesus says if someone hits one cheek, offer to them the other, and should love even our enemies. Sounds Familiar...?
It can not be express enough that during these final hours, deemed 'Jacob's Trouble', thus 'The Great Tribulation', like never before, our faith, our knowledge and our understanding of the Written Word of Christ 'Will Be Put To The Test'. In other words, if ones understanding of the timing of the Rapture, Israel and the Jews' participation in these last days, the 'Mark of The Beast' and the kingdom of the antichrist/god are distorted, that Christian will have an extremely difficult time enduring to the end.
Therefore, regarding End Times, Christians' ability to endure to the end and sustaining salvation during these last days, consider the words which Jesus said and is recorded in the Bible: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Mat 24:13-14 . He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Rev 2:11. And he that overcometh , and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. Rev 2:26 . He that overcometh , the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.Rev 3:5. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Rev 3:12. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son . Rev 21:7.
An example of how far Christians have strayed from biblical truth, there is an alleged end time event advocated by pre-tribulation proponents and galvanized by the popular 'Left Behind Series' and others; and especially now because the events of 9-11 and the increasingly instability of the middle east, an unprecedented 99 percent of Christians believe has God's anointing; this event is the building of the 'Third Jewish Holy Temple'. It is advocated by pre-tribulationists that on the site presently called by Jews the 'Temple Mount' and by Muslims 'The Noble Sanctuary' (Al-Haram al-Sharif, and at its southernmost end is Al-Aqsa Mosque and at its center the celebrated Dome of the Rock), a Temple must be erected, and must be both built and consecrated according to the blueprints that the first and second Jewish Temples were built. Thus re-establishing the ancient or old covenant and Mosaical Laws.
However, aside from the fact that there are no scriptures in the Holy Bible which can validate a third Jewish Temple and considering present day turmoil between Palestinians and Jews, one does not need to be a Theologian or a veteran Politician to see that building a third Jewish Temple and bulldozing Al-Haram al-Sharif will not be an easy task, and will take many years to complete. Also, it can be plausible to expect that during the process of the construction, the shedding of blood of thousands or maybe millions of innocent people. Furthermore, regarding this teaching of a third Temple, it is also advocated by this same teaching that at mid point (three and one half years of the seven years) of the Great Tribulation, the antichrist will enter the Holy Temple and will proclaim to be God; thus fulfilling the prophecy of the 'Abomination Unto Desolation'.
Furthermore, pre-tribulationists speculate that the True Church 'the Faithful' will
be raptured just prior to the 'Great Tribulation.' However, it is
credible to conclude that should a pre-tribulation rapture take place, the construction of the
third Holy
Temple should at that time be well on its way of being erected.
Anyway, the 'Dome
of The Rock' or the Muslim Holy Mosque should at least be cleared
or removed from the Holy Temple site (which could possibly ignite World
War
3) at the time of the pre-trib rapture. In other words, excluding
the volatile
issue of who will control Jerusalem, notwithstanding the fact that
this
battle of land rights between Israel and the Palestinians has been
raging since
1948, to speculate a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church is imminent, the
evidence
to validate this imminent rapture of the Church is weak. A stronger
case
can be given to the post tribulation rapture position where a role played
by
Israel does not play part, nor the construction of a third Temple is
needed.
Note: The preceding did not come by way of the mind of this writer, but by way which has been already proclaimed by the Written Word of God, the Bible. Therefore, regarding Christendom's present and yet future standing with God and Israel/Jews' annulment-severed standing with God; read the words of the writer of the book of Hebrews. Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which as a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9.
Friends, in closing, please remember that Satan in order to overcome the Church (and He is) will have to employ deception to overcome God’s people. And for a moment, please consider the ramifications or consequences of those who believe they will be in Heaven (while the rest of the world is engulf with unprecedented chaos, loss of life and destruction) should they have to go through the Great Tribulation. And because much of the Bible is about the ‘End Times’, consider the damage to a Christian's understanding of the Gospel of Christ, a total rethinking of the Bible will have to take place... Moreover, pre-tribulation proponents out number post tribulation proponents by at least 9 to 1. Oh God Help us and have Mercy on us…!
Revelation 12:9; And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 13:14; And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.' Rev;13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues and nations. Daniel 8:24-25; And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
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In Christ,
Bobby