dickbraswell

The Primary Passage that deals with the Rapture of the Church is found in I Thess. chapters 4 and 5. For us to GET READY for the RAPTURE, we need to examine these verses very closely… In these Scriptures, God says THREE THINGS: (1) What will happen at the Rapture (2) What the believers’ attitude should be concerning the Rapture. And (3) The SEQUENCE or ORDER of the RAPTURE: [a] What happens at the Rapture; [b] What happens in heaven following the Rapture; [c] What happens on earth following the Rapture.

TEXT: I Thess. 4:13 – 5:13

FIRST:  What will happen at the Rapture:

I. Do NOT BE IGNORANT (4:13)

The word “ignorant” here implies a lack of knowledge as well as having the opportunity to KNOW and simply IGNORING the truth that is available. Many in the church have NEGLECTED TRUTH about the end‑time. Some have chosen to remain ignorant. God wants YOU to KNOW what will happen at the RAPTURE and He has PROVIDED the WORD of GOD to reveal this truth.

(1) Do not be Ignorant concerning those who have DIED in CHRIST. If you KNOW the TRUTH you will not be carried away with sorrow and lingering grief as “those who have no hope”… those who are not Born Again. (v. 14)

(2) Do not be ignorant about the RESURRECTION of the SAVED DEAD, It is as SURE as the RESURRECTION of the Lord Jesus.. Do you Believe that Jesus was RAISED from the DEAD? Then be just as sure that the Dead in Christ shall RISE FIRST.. “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord (the Rapture) shall not prevent (precede or be raised. resurrected before) them which are asleep…” (v. 16).

(3) Do not be ignorant regarding those who are ALIVE and REMAIN until the Coming of the Lord… For we shall all be CHANGED.. “Behold, 1 show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep. (die), but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump            or the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed…” I Cor 15:51.            (v. 17)

(4) Do not be ignorant concerning HOW the RAPTURE will HAPPEN…

………………….. 1. Jesus HIMSELF will descend from Heaven

………………….. 2. He will SHOUT a COMMAND: Perhaps it will be the same command He gave to Lazarus

………………….. 3. The Archangel will lift his voice in agreement

………………….. 4. The Trumpet will Sound

………………….. 5. The Saved Dead will be Resurrected… First.  The lost will remain in the grave until the Second Resurrection.

………………….. 6. All Living Believers will be Caught Up with the Resurrected Saved                      

………………….. 7. All will rise to meet Jesus in the Clouds… in the air

II.         What happens in Heaven after the Rapture:

(1) The Judgment Seat of Christ:

The Believer’s works on earth will be judged and rewarded accordingly.

Rom. 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2Cor: 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that ever one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(2) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Only those who have been Born Again are invited to participate.

Rev. 19:6 And 1 heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Rev. 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

III. What Happens on earth after the Rapture: The Tribulation

Matt. 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. .

(1) Revelation Chanters 6 ‑18 The Time of Tribulation (7 years).

            The 7 Seal Judgments (Rev 6‑8)

           The 7 Trumpet Judgments (Rev 8‑13)

            The 7 Vial Judgments (Rev 15‑18)

 (2) The rule of the antichrist: Revelation Chapter 13

Rev. 13:1 And 1 stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev. 13:2 And the beast which 1 saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Rev. 13:3 And 1 saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

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

Rev. 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Rev. 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

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.

Rev. 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him; whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev. 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Rev. 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Rev. 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Rev. 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Rev. 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Rev. 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., 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.                              

Rev. 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Rev. 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Rev. 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

(3) The Battle of Armageddon                     

Rev. 14:14 And 1 looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Rev. 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of, the earth is ripe.

Rev. 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

Rev. 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Rev. 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Rev. 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Rev. 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (184 miles).

(4) satan bound one thousand years

The earth will be free from the curse of sin and all evil will be eliminated. 

Rev. 20:1 And 1 saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Rev. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev. 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed, a little season.

(5) The Millennium

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In Scripture it is called:

The Thousand Year Reign of Christ

The Dispensation of the Fullness of times

            The Day of the Lord

            The Age that is to come

            The Kingdom of Christ and of God

            The Kingdom of God

            The Kingdom of Heaven        

            The Regeneration

            The times of the Restitution of all things

           The consolation of Israel

           The redemption of Jerusalem

           The Kingdom of His Dear Son

            Satan will be bound

            The Kingdom will be literal and on earth

            It will ha a Theocratic Government

            The Apostles will rule over each Tribe of Israel

            All saints will have a part in ruling as Kings and Priests.

            The world capital will be Jerusalem

            The Kingdom will be world‑wide

            There will be no desolate places on earth    

            Israel will be given all the original Promised Land    

            The Holy Spirit will be poured out on all flesh

            There will be universal knowledge of the Lord

            No sicknesses… divine healing for all

            Universal Peace… all nations

            Universal prosperity

            Human life will be prolonged indefinitely

            Light from all planets will be increased

            Animal natures will be changed as before the fall

            Love and righteousness will prevail

            Fruitful seasons will exist all year

            Deserts will blossom again as a rose

            All rebellion will be put down

(6) satan loosed for a “little season.”

Rev. 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

The millennium will end in one more brief period of rebellion, then the final destruction of all rebels will take place, leaving the saints (natural and resurrected) in charge of the eternal perfect earth.

(7) satan doomed to the Lake of Fire forever

Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.

(8) The Second Resurrection (of the unsaved dead and the Great White Throne Judgment:

Rev. 20:11 And 1 saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev. 20:12 And 1 saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

(9) The Renovation of Heaven and Earth:

2Pet. 3:10 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.

2Pet. 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2Pet. 3:12 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?

2Pet. 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

(10) The Ages to Come: The Eternal Perfect State:  HEAVEN

                                                                   Revelation 21 ‑ 22

Word for Today:  September 23

We must be missing something.

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph. 3:19

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Eph. 3:20

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  2Cor. 4:7

There must be something we have not understood about this.  Do we really know what these verses mean?  Have we come into a Revelation of the awesomeness of these statements of fact?  How is it that we have settled into such wimps and weaklings when all of Heaven’s Power is in us?  What is wrong?  What has happened?  Where have we missed it?

God has made an awesome investment in you.

• God has confidence in you.
• God believes in you.
• God’s Miracle Power is in you.
• You have the potential to change anything that needs to be changed.
• You can even change you.
• Nothing is too hard for God and God lives in you.

The Word says that with God all things are possible.  Paul wrote:

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…  Phil 4:13

The Word declares that if:

 You can believe all things are possible to him that believeth…”  Mk 9:23.

When you got saved, God made a Divine Deposit in you.  Your body became the Temple of the Holy Ghost.  You are no longer your own because you were bought with a price…

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.   1Cor 6:19-20

Your “earthen vessel” is a mine filled with priceless treasure.

 Acts 27:13-44

THE SITUATION “all hope was then taken away…”  (20) 

Ac 23:11 …the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

God said it.  Believe it.  That settles it.

Read Acts 27:13-44

 There will come times in your Christian Experience when it seems that everything is going wrong.    Some of you are there today… and if you’re not there, you will get there sometime in your life.  Once you have determined to believe God and Life by Faith satan will challenge every step you take.  Your faith will be tried!  How you act and what you do while you are under pressure reveals your spiritual growth and development.

Have you ever faced a situation that got worse as you stood in faith?  You prayed for someone who was sick and they got sicker.  You really believed for a miracle and it never manifested.  The harder you tried the worse things got!  What do we need to do in the face of failure?

Many Bible characters developed into spiritual giants in the face of failure…

• Joseph… thrown into the pit and sold as a slave.   Became the Prime Minister of Egypt 
• Moses… Faced the Red Sea with the enemy approaching…. God showed up led them through
• Gideon…  Hid behind a barn scared of the Midianites… His 300 defeated the hordes of enemy troops
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…  Refused to deny God and Survived the fiery furnace

When things go wrong, there are some options before you.  You have choices that you can make.  You will make choices today and what you choose to do will determine success or failure in your situation.

• You can quit…  never good
• You can blame God for your mess… blame someone else… rationalize
• You can waste time trying to figure it out… the natural thing to do
• You can run away…  will never solve the problem…  or:
• You can Believe God… and this will always result in victory and deliverance

What Paul Did when everything went wrong…  He refused to let the situation control him… Instead, he took control of the situation.

Acts 27

• God Said it and Paul Believed it (Acts 23:11)

Ac 23:11 …the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

What God says will surely come to pass.  If God says it, it will happen.  What has God spoken to you?

You are more than a conqueror.   You can do all things through Christ.  Nothing shall be impossible to you.  You are an overcomer.  You are destined to win and will never lose.  God is for you and no one can be against you. 

• Cheer Up (22)

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship

Anybody can moan and groan and grovel in self-pity.  Anybody can call things as they are instead of as they are going to be.  If you will be of good cheer, you can turn your situation around.  If necessary God will move heaven and earth to rescue you.  There will be a visitation from the Father.  You will live and not die.  You have nothing to weep about and everything to shout about.  Impossible situations attract God’s attention.  Be of Good Cheer!

• Fear Not.  (24)

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Fear and panic always invite disaster.  Fear gives satan opportunities to torment you.  Fear moves the devil and activates powers of darkness.  Faith taps into the resources of God and cancels out Fear.  Fear and Faith are opposites.  Faith cancels out fear and fear prevents our faith from working.  Never give in to fear. 

The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of who shall I be afraid?  Psa 27

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil’ for Thou art with me… Psa 23

Check out Psalm 91

• Believe God in the midst of the storm (25)

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Believe God and what God has said.  It does not matter what IS … the only thing that matters is what God has Said.   “I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me…” (25)

Do not believe circumstances.  Do not look at your storm.  Do not analyze your storm.  Do not worry when things go wrong.   Instead believe what God has promised.

What God told me about Life Church. “I have put before you an open door and no man can close it…”  Rev 3:8 Times of imminent failure: foreclosure.  Church splits.  Accusations.  Lies.  Gossip.  Criticism.  Cantankerous church members…. I believed God… and God did!

• Don’t Run Away (31)

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Never run from the situation.  Don’t look for lifeboats… The shortest and best way through an impossible situation is straight through.   Stay with it.  Stick with it.  Never give up.  Do not abandon ship.

God is in control if He is in control of you.  Help is on the way.

• Act Like Nothing is Wrong (34)

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

The only way satan has of getting information is by observation.  By looking at you and listening to you.  Act as if nothing is wrong and everything is great.  This will drive the devil up the wall.  Never plan your future on present circumstances or existing conditions.  Remember… God’s supply is always greater than your needs. 

• Your Faith in the fire will inspire.  (36)

36 Then were they ALL of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

Your victory stand in the midst of any impossible “hopeless” situation will inspire others to trust God.

• The Storm will subside, and you will survive (44)

44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

“And it came to pass (not to stay) … that they escaped all safe to land….”

Delay is not defeat.  Every raging demon will fail.  

So…  what about now.  Today.  What you are facing.  The stuff that’s going wrong.  The stress you are experiencing.  Your worries.  Your fears.  Your anxieties.  Trust God.  You will make it through.  You will survive and all will be well.

BELIEVE GOD

Word for Today:  September 22

Do not faint in your mind.

Your Mind is the key to the power in you.  That is why satan attacks the mind… he knows if he can get you to faint in your mind you cannot draw from the Power within.  (Eph 3:20)

When you faint in your mind:

1. You forget what you know (the Word)
2. You become caught up in the problem… moved by the circumstance
3. You begin to doubt and fear sets in
4. You fall into this seven-fold temptation:

(1) Discouragement

(2) Depression

(3) Despair

(4) Resignation… (“Nothing will help… it will always be this way”)

(5) Acceptance of Failure

(6) Condemnation, guilt, inferiority

(7) Death

The way to fix your mind… your “fainting” mind… your “shaken” mind… your “weary” mind is by considering Him…

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Heb 12:3

Just think about Jesus

What’s next?  The Bible is very plain about the events that will take place at the close of this age.  If we know the Word we will know what is going to happen.  If we are aware of the Eternal Purpose of God we will know what to expect and when to expect it.  God never intended for His children to be ignorant of His End-Time plan.  Now, if you do not care, you will not know.  If you are lazy and carnally minded, you will not know.  If you are caught up in the world system, you will not know.  If you are bound up in religious bondage and dead doctrine, you will not know.  However, you can know and you will know if you open your heart to the Holy Spirit right now!!

            We are now living in the End-Time.  There is no doubt about this.  Look at what the Bible says concerning events that will be taking place at the time Jesus comes again.  From what I can determine from the Bible, there is not ONE PROPHECY left to be fulfilled before Jesus Comes Again.  His appearance is IMMINENT. 

            The NEXT EVENT will be Jesus coming in the clouds to take His Church  out of the earth. “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 (harpadzo) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord…”  1 Thes 4: 16-17.

            “Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…”  Mat 24:40-42

            This is referred to as the Rapture of the Church.  It is a “catching away” or a “snatching away” of all true Believers from the earth at a time when it is least expected.  It will be world-wide and it will be sudden.   It will be blessed for those are saved and it will be tragic for those who are lost.  According to the Bible, the Saved who have died and gone to be with Jesus will be reunited with their bodies and they shall “rise first” and then those of us who are alive and remain shall be taken up together with them in the air. 

Suddenly, all the Christians will be gone from the earth.  Suddenly, all Christian influence will be removed from the earth.  Suddenly, all the church buildings and facilities of True Believers, will be vacant and empty.  Godly men and Godly women and Godly young people will ALL BE GONE.  Mothers will leave unbelieving children.  Daddys will leave unbelieving children.  Brothers will leave unbelieving brothers.  Sisters will leave unbelieving sisters.  Families will be divided.  Friends will be separated.  Only those who are READY will be taken.  Those who are living in disobedience, in rebellion, in open sin… those who are luke-warm and lazy will be left. 

The True Christians will all be gone.  No one left on earth but the lost, the backslidden, the unbelieving, the skeptic… “the lawless and disobedient, the ungodly, the sinner, the unholy, the profane, murderers, manslayers, whoremongers, those that defile themselves with mankind, kidnappers, liars and perjurers…” (1 Tim 1:9-10)  All goodness will be gone.  All love will be gone.  All kindness will be gone.  All compassion will be gone.  The CHURCH will be GONE and the world will be left to the powers of hell and destruction. 

Antichrist will emerge and begin to rule and millions will be tortured, persecuted, abused, and murdered.  There will be another holocaust… but this one will be world-wide and it will cause blood to run in every street in every city in every nation on the earth.  Demon forces will be loosed on earth and suffering will be supernatural. 

These events are plainly detailed in the Book of Revelation, Chapters 6 through 18.  After the Rapture, there will be NO ESCAPE.  The suffering and torment that will be experienced by those who are left behind is indescribable.  Men will cry for the mountains to fall on them and for the earth to swallow them up… they will scream for death but death will not come.  “…and the kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief captains and the mighty men and every bondman and every free man hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand?…”  Rev 6: 15-17. 

            This is called the Time of Tribulation.  And it will last for a period of 7 years.  For 7 years the antichrist will reign and the earth will be ruled by demon forces.  There will be a continual series of Judgments… 7 seal judgments, 7 vial judgments and 7 trumpet judgments… Millions will die as this 7 year period of Tribulation ends with the Battle of all battles… the Battle of Armageddon.  “And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.  And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”   (184 miles)  Rev 14:17-20.  See also Rev 19: 11-21. 

            While these events are taking place on earth during the 7 years of Tribulation, those of us who were Caught Up at the Rapture will be in heaven with Jesus.  We will be preparing for the Millennium.  We will be getting ready to return to earth with Jesus and to rule with Him for 1000 years.  There are two events that will take place in heaven while antichrist is ruling on earth.

            First, we will go with Jesus to the Judgment Seat of Christ.  It is here that all Believers will be rewarded according to their faithfulness while they lived on earth.  We must each stand individually before Jesus and answer to Him in regards to our conduct on earth.  “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels and then He shall reward every man according to his works…”  Mat 16:27  “…for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God…”  Rom 14: 10-12  “For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad…”  2 Cor 4:10.  “And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be…” Rev  22: 12.

            It is here that we will be rewarded and receive our crowns which will be laid at Jesus’ feet.  It may be a time of great rejoicing and it could be a time of great regret.  We will be judged and rewarded according to our works.  We are not saved by our works, but we will be rewarded according to our works.  The rewards we receive and the crowns we are given will be cast at the feet of Jesus as we honor Him and worship Him.  It will be all that we have to GIVE to Him.

            Next, we will accompany Jesus and all the Saints of all the ages to the Marriage Feast or Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.  And He saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God…”  Rev 19: 7-9. 

            Now, the choice is YOURS TODAY.  Which will it be, Tribulation or Triumph?  Suffering or the Marriage Supper?  If you could miss the wrath of God that will be poured out without mixture… surely you would.  If you could instead be guaranteed a place at the Marriage Supper, I know you would accept.  I am sent by God to make you an offer.  I am His messenger (angel) to give you that invitation.  What will it be?  What will you do?  God extends to you a request for your presence… will you accept?

___Yes ___No

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Word for Today:  September 21

Use what you have. Begin where you are.

David, the sling shot boy, did not wait until he had something else or something better… he took what he had and trusted God to make it work…  He took his staff… his sling… and five smooth stones.  He did not wait for something better or delay for more equipment to arrive… He used what he had.

You can take what you have and defeat the devil today.  If you have been waiting for something else you have been waiting in vain.  Some are waiting for more faith…. more strength… more favorable circumstances… more money…  but God wants you to take what you have and use it to overcome the devil.

You are a New Creation in Christ Jesus and you can do all things through Him.  You have more than enough right now to overcome the devil. Remember… the devil’s biggest and best is still no match for the smallest and weakest in the Kingdom.   Jesus said: “He that is least in the Kingdom is greater than John the Baptist…”

David took what he had and partnered with God. And that, friend, will always give you the advantage over the powers of darkness.  Any warfare with the devil is always unfair to the devil…  he always has the short end of the stick and is at the mercy of the weakest Believer.

What you have is enough.

Just. Use. It.

 

There are probably more flaky ideas about heaven than any other subject in the Bible.  There is little or no teaching about it in most churches today and even less is written about it.  Heaven is a place where we all want to go, but we do not know what we will find when we get there.  We have been told some really wild tales about heaven.  It should not be so.  We need to know the truth. 

The Bible is very plain in describing heaven.  It tells us what heaven is like.  It tells us who is there.  It tells us what heaven is.  It tells us how to get there (Jesus said: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven…”). 

What do you know about heaven?  How did you find out what you know about heaven?  Did someone tell you?  Preach to you?  Encourage you at some funeral?  Did you study about it in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School or in some Home Prayer Meeting?  Did you hear about heaven from your parents?  From your preacher?  Where did you learn what you know about heaven?  There is only one legitimate source of information and that is the Bible.  Let’s look and see what the Bible says about heaven.

The Bible speaks of different kinds of heavens.  When the Bible says  “heaven” you need to know which heaven it is talking about.

There is the First heaven.  This is the heaven of the atmosphere.  This is the blue sky where the clouds are.  It is the air we breathe.  It is the blanket of air that covers the earth to a depth of approximately 15 – 20 miles.  It is the closest heaven to earth. 

Then, there is the second heaven.  This is the heaven of outer space.  The stars and planets and galaxies are there.  The second heaven is the heaven of outer space.  Where the sun is.  Where the moon is.  Where the planets are.    The stellar heaven and our solar system and all the universe… these are located in the second heaven.

The third heaven is the dwelling place of God.  It is where God’s Throne is and where God dwells.  It is just as real and just as tangible as the first and the second heaven.   The first heaven and the second heaven are physical and natural.  The third heaven is spiritual and supernatural.  Paul was caught up into the “third” heaven.  John was allowed to see into heaven through a “door that was opened” (Rev 4:1).  The rich man Jesus told about was able to see into heaven from his place of torment in hell.  He saw real people in a real place that he knew and recognized.  He was able to talk to those in heaven and beg them to send him a drop of water to cool his tongue.  It is this third heaven we want to know about.

What is not there:  the curse, sin, tears, death, sorrow, sickness, crying, pain, parting.

Who is not there:  the devil, the fearful, unbelievers, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars.

Who is there:  God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, the Redeemed.  Angels and Ministering Spirits.

What is there:  note the following:

Here are some facts about the third heaven:

1.  It was created by God (Gen 1:1; 2:1; Psa 8:3; Isa 42:5; 45:12-18)

2.  It is possibly a planet.  It is like a planet.  It could be one.  (Gen 1:1; 2:1; Psa 8:3)

            It is in the highest place (Eph 1:21; 4:10; Heb 7:26)

3.  It was created in the beginning ((Gen 1:1; Prov 8:22-31)

4.  It was made to be inhabited (Isa 45:18; Psa 8:3-8; Col 1:15-18; Rev 4:11)

5.  It is now inhabited (Eph 3:15; Mt 22:30; Col 1:15-18; Rev 5:13)

6.  There are kingdoms there (Eph 3:9-10; l Pet 3:22)

7.  It is God’s dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30, 39, 43, 49; Dt 26:15)

8.  It is located in the north (Isa 14:12-14;  Psa 75:6-7) above (1 Kings 8:23) in the highest part of creation (Job 22:12; Lk 2:14; Eph 1:21; 4:10)

9.  It is round (Job 22:14; Psa 19:6) like the earth (Isa 40:22; Eccl 1:6)

10. It has cities (Heb 11:10-15; 13:14; Rev 21:2, 9-27)

11. It has mansions (Jn 14:1-3)

12. It has temples (Psa 11:4; Rev 3:12; 7:15)

13. It has foundations

14. It has a Tabernacle

15. It has a Sanctuary

16. It has Thrones

17. There are Books in heaven

18. There are Trumpets in heaven

19. There are Bowls in heaven

20. There are Tables in heaven

21. There is Food in heaven

22. There are Chariots in heaven

23. There is Furniture in heaven

24. Heaven has Floors, Rainbows, Lightning, thunders, lamps

25. Heaven has Fountains and Rivers of water

26. Heaven has Musical instruments

27. Clothing is in heaven

28. There are Feasts, drinks, bread, roast lamb, fruits, hidden manna in heaven

29. Animals are in heaven

30. Innumerable inhabitants are in heaven

31. Armies are in heaven

32. Trees, streets, mountains are in heaven

33. All material things we have on earth are in heaven

34. There are Things in heaven which we would not believe if we heard about them!!

Men have been taken to heaven and have lived there for thousands of years in their natural bodies (Gen 5:24; 2 Ki 2:1, 11)

One of the cities in heaven is the heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26; Heb 11:10-16; 12:22; 13:14; Rev 3:12;  21:2,10)

The Heaven that we will inhabit forever is a city.  It is a city that is presently located on the planet called heaven.  It is a city in preparation.  Jesus said in John 14 that He was going to prepare a place for us and if He went and prepared a place for us He would come again and receive us unto Himself so that where He is we would also be.  (John 14).

In Revelation 21:9 – 22:5 heaven is described

It is a city that is filled with the glory (majesty, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace) of God.  It has an outward appearance of a beauty and precision and wealth that has never been witnessed in the natural.   The light within the city is like reflections from precious gems and priceless jewels.  John describes it as “her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal…” (21:11).  The jasper stone is a beautiful sea-green.

It is a city with walls and foundations and gates (21:12-14).  It is the biggest and largest city ever known or imagined.  It is 1500 miles square.  It is measured with a gold measuring reed.  (21:15).  (God is extravagant!  Even His yard stick is made of gold!!)  It is as long and wide as it is high. 

The wall around the city is over 200 feet high.  It is made of some material that resembles jasper (a precious gem of opaque quartz that is dark green in color).  The wall has 12 foundations (must be huge to support a wall 200 feet high)

            1.  Jasper

            2.  Sapphire:  Precious stone of transparent rich blue

            3.  Chalcedony:  Pale blue translucent quartz with wax-like luster

            4. Emerald:  Rich green gemstone

            5.  Sardonyx:  An onyx having parallel layers of deep orange and red

            6.  Sardius:  Deep orange and red gemstone

            7.  Chrysolyte:  A gold like stone with a dusky green and yellow cast… a type of topaz.

            8.  Beryl:  Transparent bluish-green gem

            9.  Topaz:  Pale green gem with a mixture of yellow

            10. Chrysoprasus:  Yellowish green stone with a bluish hue

            11. Jacinth:  Red and yellow stone… a cinnamon stone

            12.  Amethyst:  Purple or violet stone composed of strong blue and deep red

There are twelve gates in the 200 foot wall that surrounds the city.  Three gates are positioned on each of the four sides of the wall making 12 gates in all.  Each gate is made from one pearl… (21:21) not “pearls” but “pearl” singular.  The city itself is made from pure, transparent gold… nothing like it has ever been seen by human eyes.  It is beyond human comprehension in beauty and opulence and extravagance.

The street or streets in the Holy City are made of pure transparent gold just as the city.  This is a substance that is unknown to us here on earth.

The city itself is made of pure transparent gold as clear as glass   (21:18).

There is no temple there that is necessary for one to enter into in order to meet with God as it was in the OT.  God and Jesus will be visible and present within the city at all times anywhere for any who come in to worship and have fellowship.  God and the Lamb are the Temple of it!! (21:22).

The glory of God and of His Son is of such brilliance that the city has no need of the sun for light.  It is never dark in the New Jerusalem… “there shall be no night there…” (22:5)  for the glorious Light of the Eternal Presence of God continually illuminates the city.

The New Jerusalem will be the eternal headquarters and dwelling place of God throughout Eternity.  The nations of the earth (those who lived from the tribulation period through the millennium will multiply and replenish the earth in order to carry out the original plan and purpose of God as Adam and others would have if man had not sinned.   These are the “sheep nations” of Matthew 25), will flow into the New bringing their gifts and presenting themselves before God and the Lamb forever.  It will be a time of worship, praise, celebration, joy and fellowship greater than anything the world has ever witnessed. The city is called Mount Zion (Heb 12)

The gates will never be shut.  It will be open eternally for any of the redeemed to pass into and through.  Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be allowed to enter. 

This city of God will have a pure river of water flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb (22:1).  There are other part of In Revelation 21:1″”23);  “the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north” (Isa 14:12-14);  “the mountain of His holiness” (Psa 48:1).    This city of God will haves Each of the great broadways (three on each side; 12 in all) proceeding out from each side of the throne of God will have one of these “water of life” rivers flowing in the midst of it.  On either side of these great golden broadways will be rows Trees of Life which bear 12 kinds of fruit each month.  The preservation of life will be provided by the leaves of these trees.  Since there will be no sickness or disease in Heaven, these leaves are taken to preserve eternal life and health for all heaven’s inhabitants throughout eternity.

There will be no more of the curse that came as a result Lucifer’s and Adam’s rebellion.  Conditions will be as before the curse and they will continue forever just as if the curse had never happened.  The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in this great city and all the inhabitants of heaven will serve God eternally.  The servants are those who are redeemed, the faithful angels and all of earth’s creatures that have not rebelled or who have been delivered from all possibility of rebellion in all eternity (Eph 1:10; 1 Cor 15:24-28).

All those in the Holy City will be able to see the Face of God.  His Name shall be written in their foreheads and they will rule and reign with God forever.  They will actually assist God in administering the affairs of the universe for ever and ever.  

How to get there:  Romans 10:9-10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.   For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Word for Today:  September 20

God has always had a Voice.

In times of trouble and distress and confusion… God has always had a Voice.   His prophets and His servants would come into great anointing and they would speak forth the message of God.

They were Perceptive.  They operated with great insight as well as foresight.

They were Receptive.  They were not blinded by or hindered by the fear of men.  They were TURNED ON and TUNED IN.

They were Called.  Anointed and Appointed and Commissioned.  They were extensions of God on earth and spoke with His authority and His power.

They were Radical and Unreasonable.  They were distinctive and different.  They were careless (toward the world) and careful toward God.  They walked humbly and circumspectly before God.  They respected Him and feared Him. (Held Him in awe and reverence).

We are coming into a fresh end-time anointing.  More than ever before… at any time in the history of man… we will speak as the very Voice of God to a hungry-hearted generation… to a wounded and hurting Church…  to a world that is in desperate need.

The voice of the Prophet will be heard once again.

And satan’s kingdom will fail because the Anointing will prevail

The scene in Heaven the day Jesus stepped down from His Exalted position in Obedience to His Father, and willingly vacated His God-Power, His God-Nature and His God-Position, would stagger the imagination of every human being who has ever lived.     

I believe the Heavenly Choirs stopped singing.  The Heavenly Orchestras stopped their anthems.  The Heavenly praise dropped to a low and God Himself was stricken with a measure of sadness.  The lights were dimmed a bit and the heaven-inhabitants were moved into an emotional place they had never ever been in all eternity.  

It was a New Day in Heaven.  Only God, by His Omniscience, knew how the scene would play out. 

While Jesus fulfilled His Redemptive Work here, all heaven watched anxiously.  They saw Him in His prime and they witnessed the culmination of His earthly ministry…. His rejection.  His suffering.  His freely-given measureless love.  His abject Obedience.  And His untimely torture and crucifixion…  the shock resonated through the expanse of God’s Great Heaven. 

Then:  the news came concerning the Victory of Jesus and the unconditional surrender of the powers of darkness in the bowels of the underworld.  Jesus stripped satan of his power and deprived demons of their authority and undid the sting of death and the conquest of the grave.  And leading a Great Easter Parade HE led those held captive in Paradise into a Glorious Entry into heaven. 

Then:  Jesus, the Sinless Lamb of God, emerged from the grave as the LION of the Tribe of Judea, clothed in all the glory and power and splendor of the God-Head. 

And

The Heavenly Choirs began singing a New Song. The Heavenly Orchestras Played a New Anthem.  The Heavenly Praise rose to a New Crescendo and REJOICING reverberated throughout all the boundaries of God’s Great Heaven. 

And the lights were bright once again.

Word for Today:  September 19

One factor.

There is only one factor that gives credibility to any ministry.

There is only one factor that guarantees the success of Kingdom work.  There is only one factor that makes preachers really preach and churches really produce lasting results.

Effectiveness and productivity are not the result of man’s effort, ingenuity or education.   Success is not correctly measured by size.  Bigger is not always better.   And smarter is not always wiser.   Breadth is never as important as depth.

In Kingdom Ministry it is the Anointing that produces results.  Without anointing all our efforts are but sounding brass and tinkling symbols.  Where there is no anointing, there is no LIFE.

It is the anointing that breaks the yoke and sets the captive free.  It is the anointing that brings revelation and produces conviction.  It is the anointing that moves the heart and rends the soul.

With all our getting let us be certain we get unction.  Education is good, but it can never substitute for anointing.   Personality and popularity and acclaim are good, but they can never accomplish what the anointing can accomplish.

In all the years of ministry, I’m not so sure I can explain what the anointing really is, or how to adequately describe it, but I can surely tell when I haven’t got it.  And so can you.

The anointing gives credibility to ministry.  The anointing eradicates human limitation.  The anointing speaks the truth.  The anointing breaks the stronghold of the enemy.  The anointing ignites the hearts of complacent Christians and impregnates the barren church to produce spiritual children.

We must have the anointing