We are waiting

Right now, we who believe in JESUS are” WAITING for HIS (GOD the FATHER’s) SON from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, even JESUS, which delivered us from the WRATH to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).  For GOD has not appointed us to WRATH, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Now there are 2 kinds of WRATH: the WRATH of GOD and the WRATH of man. 

The WRATH of man can be with or without reason.  The unprovoked WRATH of man was poured out on Israel on October 7^th by men, and a provoked WRATH of man now is being being poured out today by Israel. 

GOD’s WRATH is against sin.  GOD sent HIS SON JESUS to bear all the sin of mankind.  But only those who receive JESUS get placed into JESUS and are forgiven.  If you believe in JESUS GOD has removed your sin so HIS WRATH will not ever touch you.

GOD’s WRATH however is reserved for a specific time period we call the 7-year-Tribulation or Jacob’s trouble and will also include being placed into the everlasting lake of fire (2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 6:16-17, 20:14-15).  But like the burning bush Moses saw, those in the lake of fire will never burn up for their worm (soul) dies not (Mark 9:43-44).

John 3:16 For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. 36 He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the WRATH of GOD remains on him.

Romans 2:5 But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto yourself WRATH against the day of WRATH and revelation of the righteous judgment of GOD; 

2 Thessalonians 2:10 ^And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Yes, the WRATH of GOD is coming, but cannot occur until believers in JESUS are removed from the earth for the WRATH of GOD will come on those on the earth (Revelation 3:10).  Therefore, JESUS who has delivered us from the WRATH to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) must come and take us from the earth that we may be where HE is.

As JESUS said in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto MYSELF; that where I am, there you may be also.”

For the LORD HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in CHRIST shall rise first:Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the LORD (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

But why will JESUS meet HIS bride the church (we who believe in HIM) in the clouds rather than coming all the way to the earth to get us and take us with HIM to where HE is?

Acts 3:18-21 But those things, which GOD before had shewed by the mouth of all HIS prophets, that CHRIST should suffer, HE (JESUS) has so fulfilled.  Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the LORD.  And HE shall send JESUS CHRIST, which before was preached unto you: Whom (JESUS) the heaven must receive until the times of RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS, which GOD has spoken by the mouth of all HIS holy prophets since the world began.

GOD the FATHER said to JESUS. “Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Hebrews 1:13, Psalm 110:1, Mark 12:36).

A time which even earth’s creatures are waiting for (Romans 8:19-22).

It has been decreed by GOD that JESUS must remain in heaven until all HIS enemies are made a footstool (until JESUS is over them).  Until after the 7-year-Tribulation when JESUS will come down from heaven and end the battle of Armageddon and then set up a 1,000-year reign and RESTORE ALL THINGS as before the fall in the Garden which restoration was promised to the Israelites.  After that 1,000 years much more is coming but that is another story.

Since GOD cannot lie, HE must keep HIS word and JESUS must remain in heaven so cannot come to the earth but will call us up to HIMSELF into the clouds and we will go with HIM to the place HE has prepared for us.

In hope of eternal life, which GOD, that cannot lie, promised before the world began Titus 1:2

Hugs

Sharon

One of GOD’s ways

Most will agree that we live in troubling and violent times. Some of what we see and hear about is heartbreaking yet, I was greatly encouraged as I was reminded (John 14:26) of one of GOD’s ways.

We are told that GOD’s ways and thoughts are not like our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). As we learn more and more about our Creator in HIS word and watching HIM at work we see patterns revealing some of HIS ways.  Just as an artist’s work can be recognized by something particular found in his work, so we discover GOD’s signature when we find a star at the base of every rose and in the center of every apple. In a like manner, the repetition of the way the LORD handles similar events point to one of HIS ways.

I was reminded of how GOD has acted before bringing destruction, I was encouraged this morning as I read in 2 Chronicles 34 of GOD speaking a promise to King Josiah. 

“Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shalt be gathered to thy grave in PEACE, neither shall your eyes see all the destruction that I will bring upon this place and upon the inhabitants of the same” (2 Chronicles 34:28).

Noah came to mind and how GOD shut the door of the ark to protect him before opening the floodgates that deluged the earth and killed all life outside the ark (Genesis 7:16, 21-22).

Then my thoughts flew to Lot and how GOD sent angels to take Lot by the hand and get him out of Sodom before fire and brimstone fell and destroyed that city and all surrounding area and it was said destruction could not be done until Lot was safe (Genesis 19:16, 22).

Just for good measure the LORD directed my thoughts to Hezekiah who also was taken in PEACE before destruction fell (Isaiah 39:8).

JESUS said of us who believe in HIM,  “For GOD has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

I am writing this in obedience to 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 where believers in JESUS are told to ENCOURAGE one another with the truth at JESUS is going to gather all who believe in HIM by calling us to come to HIM in the clouds and go to be with HIM forever. HE is going to gather us up to HIMSELF before all hell breaks loose.  Up until we are gathered to JESUS (Raptured) we are the light of the world (Philippians 2:15) sharing the truth of the saving faith in JESUS work on the cross, in hope some will believe.  Until we are gathered to JESUS we are holding back the complete release of evil on earth.  Though I know it seems like it has already happened but what we are seeing are just birth pains that come before the actual birth.  For we must be taken, (gathered unto JESUS) before the Antichrist can be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8) and the 7 years of Tribulation called Jacob’s trouble can begin.

So be encouraged as with Noah, Lot and Josiah had to be taken before destruction could come, so must every believer in JESUS be gathered to HIM in the clouds before that last 7 years of the wrath of GOD can begin.  So, hang in there and tell everyone you can about the love of GOD and how JESUS saves. Remember it is the longsuffering of GOD and HIS amazing goodness that leads people to repentance and salvation (Romans 2:4).

Hugs

Sharon

Bring the LORD joy

Bring joy to the Lord. Talk about Him with others.  Just meeting with a friend or two to study 📖 God’s word and pray brings God’s presence in a special way and brings Him joy Malachi 3:16-17 Then they who feared the Lord spoke often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard it and a book 📚 of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and thought on His name. And they shall be Mine says the Lord of hosts, in the day I make up My jewels and I will spare them as a man spares his own son that serves him.