Tag Archives: bible

The Rapture Is Near

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First a quick word about the rapture so you know what I’m writing about. In the Bible, in I Thessalonians 4, it is made clear. Quickly, in the twinkling of an eye, Jesus will return for His Church. Suddenly every person who was saved and is dead, will be brought to life and they will go up to meet Jesus. Then, quickly, those who are saved and remain alive, will be changed and also will go to be with Jesus.

Those who remain will go through the tribulation, a time of great misery, which will last for 7 years.

Now, read for yourself and it will become clear to you, all the signs are met. However, there is one more thing. The more we hear people scoff that it is not near, the more likely it is near. Some say it may yet be another two thousand years. Actually, that is true. It could be another four thousand years. I simply don’t know. No one knows but God.

However, it might also be in the next 2 minutes. If that be the case, it would be a wise thing not to put salvation off for 5 minutes. Indeed, even the scoffing is predicted as Jesus compared it to the way those of Noah’s time mocked Noah about the ark.

Once God sealed the door on ark and all but Noah and his family perished; once the rapture is over, all who remain will face the tribulation.

Censors?

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At one time, movies were actually censored officially. Whenever a movie was produced, it had to be previewed by sensors and if it didn’t pass the sensor’s rules, it could not be released until it did.

I guess it was continued until some time in the seventies. Until then, the content was guarded, both visual and audio.

Even today, in theory, what goes out into the world of radio and TV is regulated. I get the feeling that many FCC regulators intentionally look the other way. I can’t imagine that it is legal for some of what is broadcasts meets specs. Moreover, they are all the time pushing the envelope, always just pushing it more and more, day by day. The swimsuits keep getting smaller; the language is getting worse; and the activities/subjects becoming more graphic.

That is not to say that we don’t still have sensors. Only the sensors have started limiting in other ways. Already, preachers are beginning to have some fears in preaching about homosexuality. If churches wonder into the politics, they stand in danger of losing their tax free status, unless it is a Black church. Then it is encouraged.

Worse, there is the unspoken censoring. Preachers aren’t kept from preaching on certain subjects, but when they do, the media launches assaults on them. They joke about them and they search for ways to make them look like hypocrites. Look how they went back into the pasts of the more recent judge appointments, also coined as Borking. Moreover, there is no shame, even when there is no proof. In the court of public opinion, none is needed. The allegation is all they need. Saying it enough makes it so.

These same methods are now used on preachers and conservatives. I am not proud of some the things Trump said and did, but no one gets called on any of it if they have a D after their name. Perfection is required for republicans only.

Moreover, politically incorrect things are not permitted on radio, TV and even on college campuses. This censoring is more powerful and stringent than any of the old censoring. Worse, things such as the Ten Commandments are not permitted in many places and it’s getting even more so disallowed over time.

Could it be that they will even be disallowed in our churches; or Bibles; or casual conversation, or thoughts.

I mean what is so objectionable about the words, “Thou shalt not bear false witness?” Why does anyone want to block the words, “Thou shalt not murder,” from our schools or courts? Why is it so bad to suggest that we encourage our nation to honor our fathers and mothers?

It would seem that there are those afraid of the words. If I put them out on my front lawn, I suspect that someone would sue me the next day to have it removed. They just can’t stand to have the words in their face reminding them daily of what they are doing wrong. If there is no God, why are they afraid of His law? Why to they fear His words?”

Why is it so important that they censor every word of the Bible? What harm does it cause them?

Is it Lack of Control or the Desire

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I would suspect there of other reasons that people use profanity. However I would suspect that the above two reasons sum it up for most part. Indeed, if a person cannot control his tongue, it is probable he cannot control his life either.

On the other hand, there are those that use profanity intentionally. It helps their ego. They think it adds authority to commands or instructions. When calling attention to another persons faults, they think that it helps add emphasis. .The stronger the profanity, the more of them that are strung together, the louder the words, the more emphatic.

Jesus, when he was told that some people were not washing their hands before eating, said that it is not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out. With these few words, He tells us that a man defiles himself when he uses profanity, regardless of the reason. By implication the Bible says that when filth pours out of a man’s mouth, then it tells us that what is in his heart is filthy too.

Some lack control. Some do it for their ego. Some use it to profane God’s name. Some do it on purpose and then act as if it was a moment of weakness. To God, it is all worse than not washing our hands.

Because it has it has become so commonplace, people think it’s okay. Fact is, that makes it all the worse.

A State of Confusion

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It reminds me of the old saying that my older brother used to love to repeat, “Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you to stand behind you to speak on something of which I know nothing about.” Okay. You can look it up on the internet, though my brother did not quote it right. It really is worth reading the whole thing if you have a minute or two. However, it’s not my point at this time. It is simply a way to introduce that which confuses me.

A number of decades ago, there was a nation, a horrible nation called Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). As I read the Bible, which I have read completely at least 7 times cover to cover, I did from time to time come across verses that confused me. They never caused me to doubt but they did cause me confusion.

Perhaps some of those passages is in Ezekiel. Well, at one one time, I was pretty sure of my understanding, you know the part about Gog and Magog. Between my own reading and some commentaries, I figured that it was referencing the USSR. The problem with that is that, now, the USSR no longer exists.

Ronald Reagan said that the nation would fall. In my mind, I said, “Right. Like that is going to happen. Communist nations never fall. Once the commies have their hold on any country, they won’t ever let go,” but they did. It seemed in a matter of weeks but it was more like months, the huge powerhouse crumbled before my eyes.

So. So much for my belief that the USSR is Gog and Magog. The thing is, Ezekiel is clear about it. Gog and Magog will come down from the north and attack Israel. It is also very clear that it will be a very powerful nation.

While Russia is still powerful, it is not what it used to be. However, to be sure, Russia is not much better than the USSR. More than that, Putin has voiced his desire to put the former empire back together. Worse, the dems don’t seem to want to get in his way. By driving the price of oil up to a hundred dollars a barrel, they have helped in the financing of it.

So, is Gog and Magog going to be the the reconstituted Soviet Union?

As I said in my opening statement, I don’t know. It sounds logical. Regardless. No matter what nation is being referred to, I would not want to be there when God decides to punish them. I won’t tell you what will happen to them. Just read it for yourself in Ezekiel 23.

I might be confused as to who Gog and Magog are. However, I have a pretty good idea of the punishment that awaits them and the reason.

Finally, for those who doubt the existence of God, study the history of Israel. A) The prophecies concerning the nation are coming true. B) Notice what happens to those nations that have treated Israel badly. Egypt, Babylonia, Rome and Germany. They aren’t but shells of what they were. I suspect it will not be long before Russia will receive their punishment as well regardless of if they are Gog and Magog or not.

For those who have a brain, take note. God can reduce the US to rubble. He just might decide to do it if we, too treat Israel badly. We have been forewarned. Even more, we have the examples.

Why Did Noah Build an Ark?

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It is a simple question. It just might be conceivable, though not likely I’m the 1st to ask it. I guess most of us think he did as he was told. Then again, maybe it was simply that he was afraid for him and his family.

He might have had the attitude, if there is a flood, it will come in handy. You do realize, while he built, he evangelized? That was part of the reason for building ark. When those around saw him building the ark, they did laugh at him. They did ask him about the project.

I do sort of wonder, was he the first to build anything like a boat. Did they ever go sailing on a weekend. These guys were living four and five hundred years, remember. They had plenty of time to build stuff like this just for fun. Contrary to what some learned folks might say, we are likely speaking of a very advanced civilization. The Bible recorded that there was a man who worked with iron, long before the bronze age.

So, let’s say Noah has some success at evangelizing. I think it was even conceivable that God might change his mind and not send the flood. We know, of course, God has the foreknowledge. He knew they wouldn’t. However, we also know He was giving them one more last chance to repent.

It looks to me as if Noah was acting from faith. However, we also know that if Noah was a successful evangelist, he would have been the only one in town with a big boat sitting in his front yard.

However, it would still have purpose. Every time the animals started going into it, 2 by 2, the neighbors might take note.

Which does bring up a plausible additional reason for Noah to take on the project. It did give Noah a tool for evangelism. As I said, they did laugh at him. However, some must have started taking note as the animals without any prompt, started wandering in. Some might even have repented but fear. They did not want to be subject to the same ridicule as Noah.

I don’t know when the rain started, some just might have had second thoughts if it started sprinkling before the door was closed. If I may, I don’t think God would mind me using a little imagination. I am almost sure that God had the love that allowed everyone every last chance. I suspect it was sprinkling before the door was sealed.

Then, Noah and his family boarded the ark. God, Himself, closed and sealed the door. It was for two reasons. It kept both the water and the people out. It was the final decision point in time. Those that were in the ark lived. Those that were outside the ark died.

Not only is it a historic fact, but it is something of a picture for us. God is long suffering. He gives us chance after chance because of His love. However, one day, He will close the door for each of us. Those of us who never repented and accepted Jesus, it is too late. Death is all that remains for them. With that in mind, for those who haven’t already, it would be a good idea to accept Jesus, now, before the rain starts falling.

Some, when they tell the story of the ark, use the term perish instead of died. Well, the do both mean the same. Perhaps, perish sounds better. Perhaps it covers it a little so that it has a little less of an edge. But it was not my intention to make it sound nice in the least. I wanted it to have its full impact, for the benefit of anyone who needs to know. If I take the edge off, how does it help those who need to repent?

Political Parties and Jesus

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Just happened to be listening to Allen Jackson, the preacher, not the singer, though I do listen to the singer from time to time too. Though it was not his primary subject of his sermon, he did, in an aside speak to the claim that Jesus was never a member of a political party. However, He did speak to power and he did speak to the powerful.

Incidentally, if I were a multi-millionaire, I would never contribute a penny to either party. They have been far too weak on abortion and border matters. It would be my way of speaking to power. Republicans have come out weak on gambling. Indeed, in some cases, some republicans have fought for it. You can come out with you logic why why I am making my mistakes. If I give any money to anyone, it is to the individual and only to the individual that shares my beliefs.

Looking back over things, you might have a tendency go along with me. The Republican party selected a senator who was a thief and another man who was a wimp rino. It is no wonder they both lost.

Sometimes these preachers say more as an aside than they say as their main subject. I think this is one of those cases. Every time we vote, we speak to the powerful. Every time we send a note to representative, we are speaking to the powerful. And, of course, this is regardless of political party.

Moreover, God does caution us not to call good evil, or evil good. It is not idle advice but a warning. There are threats of punishments for that.

Given these two little factors, maybe it would be a good idea not to vote for a political party that is in favor of causing death, you know, like abortion. Like causing wars. Like causing rumors about viruses and virus treatments that resulted in large amounts of death and then denying it. Do you really think He would want any of us to be in favor of a party that doesn’t punish the lawless and looks the other way in mass theft and rioting.

If and when you voted for Old Joe, you spoke to power and you told them that killing is perfectly okay. The doctors that do it should be respected instead of put in prison. As a voter, you have said that we cannot use a gun for defense, but the lawless can use them to steal and and murder. You have told the powerful to stop locking up the lawless and be sure to arrest Trump and anyone who supports him. This though you know he never did anything to deserve it.

Before you vote for Kamala, just remember, in essence you are speaking to power and saying good is evil and evil is good. That is true, regardless of any party affiliation.

Jesus might not be a Republican, but he is pro life. He still is in favor of the truth. As dems speak their lies, they may and do deceive some people. They may and sometimes do deceive themselves. However, they never deceive Jesus. And it is true; He is neither Republican or Democrat. So pretending to be one or the other will not impress Him one bit. For Him, those that deceive are guilty no matter if he has an R or a D after his name.

80,000 Year Comet

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I keep hearing about it on the news. They say we can see it, but we won’t be able to see it for another 80,000 years. That is a long time. As I sit here, I try to think of a comparison. I can’t really think of any.

None the less, I think I’ll pass on looking for it. Astronomy was never one of my bigger interest. Besides, if I want to see it latter, it won’t be a problem. Jesus has promised me forever. That makes 80,000 years look short. Indeed I will be able to see it 80,000 times as it goes passing by.

My suggestion, if you are going to spend forever somewhere, you might want to make sure it is the right place. Nowadays, people so casually say things like, “See you in hell.”

First, there is no way I would want to spend one day in hell, certainly not 80,000 years, or forever. Secondly, if I am right, you’ll not see anyone in hell. Though there will be many there, part of the punishment is that it will be lonely. You won’t see the 80,000 year comet there. I suspect it will be so dark that you will see nothing. For God is light and hell will be a place without God and without light. If you go there, I don’t even think you will be able to see the stars.

Better that you accept Jesus as your savior and spend eternity in the light, in Heaven with Jesus.

A Common Religious Lie

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If I heard it once, I heard it a hundred times that we are all children of God. I have even heard it from behind the pulpit. Either it is a lie or Jesus lied. I am going to believe Jesus.

When Jesus was being confronted by the pharisees, (John 8:40 to 48) He said that their father was the devil and that they did the will of the devil.

While all men and women are created by God, not all men chose to be his children. Instead they chose to follow Satan. When a person chooses to not follow God, then he follows Satan and Jesus, according to this passage, says that their father is the devil.

Only when a person accepts Jesus as his savior and master does a person become the child of God. Once a person becomes a child of God, that is permanent. It is irreversible. Argue with me if you like. First read the passage. Read what Jesus has to say on the matter. Read John 3:16 and 17. (Note, if eternal life might be reversed, then it is not eternal.)

Winning & Losing

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When I was a lad, I played a lot of chess. I was pretty good, though I’m pretty rusty today. Okay. I am very rusty today.

Back in the day, I did play a lot, I really liked it when I won, as I did frequently. You might find this odd, but also felt badly when I won. Okay. That doesn’t make an ounce of sense.

Let me explain. Mostly, when I played, my opponent, was a relative or friend. I knew how it made me feel when I lost so I hated to see my opponent lose. I never threw a game. It would not be right to do that. It would be disrespectful. Still, especially as I grew older, it did kind of spoil the win.

Then they came out with computers and they came out with computer chess. I didn’t have to feel bad about beating the computer. It has no feelings. Besides, unless I kept it on he lowest level, I usually lost. What an ego buster.

I watched the professional sports, in which of course, there were also winners and losers. I really liked it when the Dodgers won. When the Rams lost won, I was unhappy, for a while anyway.

And so it is, there seems to always be those who win. Then too, there is also a loser. The winners always loves it. The losers always feel dejected. I think that was true more at the college level than at the pros. Think about it. Loyalty really isn’t so important in the pros. While it is always still good to win. While it always feels bad to lose. The player might actually end up playing for that team they just beat so greatly last season.

If we go back to the chess for a while. The loyalty thing isn’t an aspect there. I don’t know of too many cases where chess is a teem event, though I suppose it is possible. It might even make things interesting.

I think most realize that chess is actually a game based on real war. If nothing else, the names of the pieces makes that plain, right? Actually, many board games are base on wars, though I guess one of the most popular is based on business and real estate.

In chess, each player sets his pieces in array. Then while following the rules, the player tries to capture the opponents king. In many ways, it is the way battles of old were fought.

You wonder why the soldiers back then wore bright uniforms. It was so the officer, the one moving the pieces, could tell his men from his enemy’s soldiers. While the men charged each other, the officers sat on their horses on a high place so they could see what was happening and issue their commands.

When it comes to real war, for sure, no one wanted to lose. All the soldiers, from the private to the generals wanted to win. Rarely did they feel bad for the loser. Those that might, often lost. To be sure, if it is decided that war is a must, then it is imperative that you fight all out to win. As loose quote- it is not good to give your life for your country. It is far better that you make sure the enemy soldier gives his life for his. (Thank you General Patton for making sure we get the right perspective.)

I was a marine. I never faced an enemy face-to-face. Though I hate killing, if I were ever put in the position where I were on a battlefield, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger, over and over. I wouldn’t like it but I would.

Sargent York didn’t want to go to war during the first big war. He tried to be a coconscious objector. Yet, when it came down to it, he killed several Germans and took many more captive. When his CO asked why? York basically said it was to protect those he was fighting with.

In most cases, soldiers don’t fight against men but monsters. During their training they are taught those that they are fighting are subhuman. It helps to avoid feeling bad about pulling the trigger. Truth be told, I don’t think York ever thought as his enemy sub-human. He might not have ever shot at the Germans if it were just him. However, they were killing his friends and fellow soldiers. He felt he had to stop them. Moreover, he never felt like a hero for doing it.

Not all wars are fought on the battle field. Some would say we are in a battle of ideas. A few decades ago, maybe I would agree. Nowadays, it is a battle of deception. I am convinced that if people really knew Trump they would vote for him. If people really knew Kamala and her liberal friends, very few would vote for her.

And so it is, Trump is trying to expose the truth. He knows if he does, he will win. On the other hand, Kamala is trying to hide the truth. She knows if you learn who she is, she will lose. Personalities aside, if you vote for someone that is two bits different than a communist, you are helping the deceit. The hitch is that this is real. If the dems win this battle, all future votes will likely be nothing more, nothing less than a show. The outcome will always be predetermined as it was in the Soviet Union. It will be as it today in China. And our Constitution will become nothing more than old paper and ink. No one will respect it. Actually, not many respect it now. Many have no idea what it means.

I found it thoughtful that Jesus said that wars must be. He said there will be wars and rumors of wars. No atheist will ever be able to deny this little bit of prophecy. Speaking of wars, he said that these must be. He could see the end from the beginning. He knew what would happen.

But why did he say that about wars, as something of an afterthought, that the wars must be? I know it is not because He liked war. It is simply because, Jesus, knowing what He knew, saw that there would be wars, not in general, but specifically. He knew every man that would die and how.

Occasionally, He would intervene. Had he not helped us during the Revolutionary war, our primary monetary amount would be the pound. Hitler slept through the landing at Normandy and the Nazi’s reserve tanks could not be used to repulse the allied troops. By the way, even the weather helped. It was stormy before the landing, but cleared just in time for the successful landing.

Millions of Arabs surrounded Israel with their planes and tanks. Yet, greatly outnumbered, the Israelis sent them all running. God has his hand on the Jews. Better all take note. I can’t speak for God, as I am not a prophet. But this one thing I know for sure. No mater your weapons. No matter the size of your army. Unless God permits it, no foreigner will put one foot in Israel. If you decide to attack Israel, you might as well figure on being on the losing side.

Then too, I know I am on the victorious side. It has been foretold. It is there for all to read. I am not talking about chess or Monopoly. When it is time, Jesus will ride His white horse and he will destroy evil, all of it.

All battles on earth are temporary at best. When Jesus comes, the outcome will be permanent and complete. Jesus and those He has saved will will live with Him forever. Those that refuse to take Jesus as their savior will spend eternity in hell. They will be the losers.

For sure, I will feel bad for those losers, but I assure you, I don’t want to have any part with them. Those who fight against God, deceive themselves. They will be on the wrong side.

Remember these two things. If you do become one of those on the losing team, it will be permanent and it will be horrid. No one is going to be trading you to another team, unless it is before you die. Up until that point, there will always be room on on

God’s team. It just is, you must accept His payment in full. You cannot make any effort to pay in full or even in part. You must have faith in Jesus as your savior. If you take any other stance, you will spend eternity on the wrong side. You will be the eternal loser.

Observation of Security Cameras

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About 2 or 3 times a year, someone will come by and try to sell me a security camera. Well, actually, they would love to sell me a complete thousand dollar security system. I don’t have the money for that. I have big car payments and a bigger insurance payments. A couple of thousand a year for my house, a couple of thousand for my car.

Maybe I should take my drill instructor’s advice and not buy things like that. Then, there would be no upkeep or insurance. Somehow, in the next few months, I will have to buy some real insurance. The tree at the corner of my house is starting to work on the foundation. It will likely cost me 2 K to bring that thing down and keep it from tearing up my home.

At any rate before you got me off subject, I tell them no. I can’t afford it. One guy got very indignant with me. I got the impression he thought I was lying to him. Like, what difference does it make. I don’t have to explain my decision to him. What in the world would make him think I owe him any kind of explanation.

At any rate, the latest salesman got me to thinking. Do the things work? I mean, if I put a bunch of cameras all over the place and someone steals something, will it help me recover my property?

That, in itself creates other questions. If the thief can find much worth steeling, I suppose I will have to tip my hat to him. I have an antitheft method that works good. I simply don’t don’t have enough to make someone want to break in.

At any rate, let’s say he breaks in and runs off with my old $100 dollar TV. Just what would be the chances of me ever seeing that particular TV again. Actually, my wife has a wedding ring he could steel. However, if he took it to a pawn shop, the guy would laugh it him. He might give him a ten dollar bill for it. It’s not gold and the stone is fake. The fake looks really nice but it’s fake. When we got married we couldn’t afford one. (That’s OK. I have a fifty year marriage instead)

So, here I am, still. Wondering how successful would I be in retrieving the TV. It makes me think about all those news reports on TV. They flash a picture up on the screen and they ask, “Have you seen this person?” “If you know this person, can you please call the police?”

Sometimes, I’ve thought about taking a copy of the photo around Memphis and see if I can find the culprit. Honest, it does make me want very badly to help. I know what it is like to have someone take things from me. It just is that most of the time, they guy has his face covered, usually with a hoody. (maybe we need to outlaw hoodies) The other half the time, if I passed the man on the street, I wouldn’t know it. I never was all that great at remembering faces, especially those I will likely never see again.

I would guess this world is full of folks as me, who isn’t good with faces.

And so, it makes me wonder, just how many people get phone calls when they put something like that on the TV. It makes me wonder, of all the times that a picture is taken of the thief, how many times is it that the thief is caught as a result?

If someone knows an instance or two when their security camera helped, maybe you could send me a comment. I don’t mean where the neighbor is caught but rather some stranger breaks in and you lose the family silver. Did you ever get it back because of the camera.

For quite a while, people steered clear of cameras. Not so much anymore. It would appear the crooks have come to the same conclusion as I have. I don’t think the things do much good.

I wish they did. Then I might buy one, just to keep people from breaking in, even if I have nothing.