What is coming?

A movie trailer advertises, or promotes, a coming movie by showing a series of selected shots of the movie. Its purpose is to generate interest in the movie. Since the edited film does not exist, at this point, the trailer editors work from rushes, or dailies. Thus, the trailer may contain footage that is not in the final movie.

GOD gives us glimpses, or previews of what is coming with the purpose of preparing us by seeing what lies ahead to be aware of the pre-birth events that are occurring today and motivate believers in JESUS to witness of JESUS to those who do not believe that they may be saved out the wrath that will be poured out on the earth on those who have refused the love of the knowledge of the truth.

Biblical prophecy shows us what is ahead. Since The eternal Creator/ Sustainer of heaven and earth acts on absolute knowledge, HE never ever presents something that will not occur. When it is recorded that it will happen it will happen for GOD is not a man that HE should lie nor the son of man that HE should change HIS mine. Has HE said it, then HE will do it (Numbers 23:19).

Before birth there are always pains that show that the time is drawing near. For a baby to be born. So it is with the coming of the 7 year Tribulation. We can’t help but see in the USA and around the world an upsurge of hatred, violence, crime, injustice, wars, food and gas shortages, inflation, upsurge of unprecedented climatic conditions like floods, earthquakes, heatwaves and sexual confusion. But these are just a preview, like pre-birth pains of what is coming. By them we hear the hoofbeats of the 4 horsemen of Revelation 6.

Over and over in the New Testament the phrase “the first shall be last and the last shall be 1st” is used in various settings. That phrase came alive to me when I caught myself using scripture clearly meant for the Jews, when I was praying for the church. I stopped to ask GOD if I was wrong to do that, and I believe HE answered me when the phrase, “the first shall be last, and the last shall be 1st” come immediately to mind.

You see, the Jews were 1st of GOD’s people. Then came the church. The term the last days is used in reference to the time from when JESUS was on earth and to the present time. Interestingly, in Hebrews 1 it says, “in these last days GOD is speaking to us through HIS SON, JESUS.”

Therefore, hearing that phrase the last shall be first and the first last, I began to understand how many of the promises- things foretold concerning the Jews, would 1st happen to Christians. That is we get a glimpse of what will happen to the Jews.

The Jews then will get their turn in the “day of the LORD” which is a term for the period of time from after the Rapture of the church for 7 last years of discipline (Daniel 9:24-27) clear through the 1,000 years of plenty that follow as promised them by GOD.

Revelations 13 tells of the world powers with blasphemous names, each defying and insulting GOD, I couldn’t help but think of what is happening here in the United States, where GOD is being pushed out and the Christians’ right to worship openly is being slowly taken away.

No prayer to the One wise GOD, who created heaven and earth, is allowed in our schools. The name of our LORD and savior JESUS CHRIST, is not to be used in public meetings. GOD’s standards are being mocked, while evil is being promoted not just on the media but in our schools.

We Christians are told not to openly witness of our GOD, but pagan rituals, and even witchcraft classes are given in some public schools. Bad is spoken of as good, and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20). Christians are said, by some, to be worse that the terrorists who hit the Twin Towers 21 years ago. We who hold to GOD’s word are said to hate, if we warn others of dangers. We are expected to let others face death, like letting a toddler run out into traffic, without trying to stop them from killing themselves.

Yet even in this environment, GOD still says “You are MY witnesses”. Are we witnessing by telling other about JESUS?

But you and I who have acknowledged that were are sinners and have called on the LORD to save us (Romans 10:9-10, 13) do not need to be afraid. JESUS has promised to come get us out of here before the wrath of GOD falls upon the earth (Revelation 3:10), just as HE got Lot out of Sodom before fire came down and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah creating the Dead Sea as well (Genesis 19:22).

The wrath of GOD is to be poured out on the evil of all those who refuse to love the truth of JESUS and have embrace the corruption that is in the world through lusts. (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

Once the believers in JESUS are gone, evil will escalate in the absence of the goodness of GOD. We believers now are standing for JESUS still shine as lights in this acceleratingly evil world. And that which is restraining the complete unleashing of evil will be gone (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7).

Looking up for JESUS. Are you?

Hugs

Sharon

Praying for leaders

Don’t you love it when you see eternal truth you know clearly from reading the New Testament seen unmistakably in the Old Testament?  As it is written, “at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1).

Today as I read in different sections of the Bible, over and over again truth I know from the New Testament, I saw anew in surprising places in the Old Testament.  So went back and forth writing the texts of my cross references in the borders of my Bible so I would be able to find them again.

One such truth is that GOD has preset each person’s times and boundaries/ locations for a definite purpose.  I knew that from Acts 17:26-27; but saw it fresh in Job 14:1, 5.  That truth explains how GOD BEFORE appointed what this girl from California is working at here and now in Pueblo, Colorado and who she is interacting with (Ephesians 2:10).  I delight in this truth, just one of GOD’s awesome ways, though it boggles my mind.

When I turned to where my bookmark is in Ezekiel, my eyes fastened on the bookmark.  The bookmark is actually a folded, ear-worn prayer calendar for Praying through the Window 7/ Political and Spiritual leaders of the 10/40 Window.  The portion open to view has the faces of several of the political and spiritual leaders in the 10/40 of that day.  

Early in 1990s began a worldwide cross cultural prayer incentive for evangelical Christians called Praying through the Window. Organizations such as AD 2000 with George Bush, Every home for Christ with Dick Eastman, YWAM with leaders such as Fred Markert along with my church began the incentive and encouraged teams from local churches across the USA and elsewhere to go to the 10/40 window countries and pray on site with insight for the people there.

The 10/40 Window represents a rectangular area of the world, extending from 10 degrees to 40 degrees north of the Equator from west Africa to eastern Asia.  That area was studied and mapped  as Gospel resistant by missionary agencies. Those countries were often closed to receiving Gospel presentations.  Every major non-Christian religion began and is based in that area. Within that area most Christian persecution takes place and is also where mankind began.

Because of odd circumstances, I found the LORD had placed me in the very church from which the incentive proceeded.  Ones I met there during a prayer meeting were used of GOD to get me on several prayer trips across the oceans and into the 10/40 Window.  What adventures we had!

Today when I saw my bookmark, I thought, “Ah, would I ever like a bookmark with pictures of the political and spiritual leaders of the 10/60 + north… those characters described in Ezekiel 38-39 that are in the news so much today.”  What a reminder that would be to pray for them as we look up awaiting our LORD’s soon call to come up (Luke 21:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

We are told to pray for all men everywhere, especial those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).  Do you, do I obey that command and thus hasten that day? (2 Peter 3:12).

Hugs

Sharon