I know...the title doesn't sound like one of my usual posts. That's because it isn't. Our Passion Play has just concluded and let me tell you; it changed my life! I had the wonderful privilege of playing Disciple John and it was so humbling. Not only was it humbling, but the Passion Play taught me so much about the Bible and the life of Jesus. My role brought me so much closer to Christ because I was able to feel what I believe the real John felt while following Jesus. Let me give you some examples. The first scene of the play where the disciples follow Jesus into the crowd, I feel that we still didn't know too much about Jesus Himself. So, as we see Him make the lame to walk, heal the blind, cast out demons and make the dead to live again, we are absolutely amazed. The only part that I didn't like about my role was the fact that I had to try to turn away children from seeing Jesus just after His sermon on the mount. I believe that John is secretly wondering about Jesus, and starting to really believe what He is saying...especially when He calms the storm and walks on the water. I believe that John was trying to comprehend and understand the love that Jesus had for others. Many times in His life, Jesus was silent. (I try to remember this as I live my life from day to day) for example, when the adulterous woman is about to be stoned, Jesus just neals down and writes in the sand. For a while, He doesn't say anything at all. Many people wonder what He writes because the Bible never specifies. Jesus says "alright stone her, but let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I hear many people say that He is writing the accusers sins, but I believe that Jesus is writing their names in the sand. You can form your own opinion as to why He may be writing their names, being that they were going to stone an adulteress woman...but anyway...back to my point. Again, when Jesus is being judged He is completely silent. He doesn't argue or try to fight, but He is silent before His accusers because He knows the truth. WOW!! talk about being meek! That is a great example of having power under control. In the play, I also get to experience the pleasure of sitting with Jesus at the last supper and partaking of His body, as well as the disappointment of falling asleep on Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. There are so many different emotions to this part; and I can only imagine what John was feeling. I get to experience the rage of seeing the one I follow being captured and falsely accused because Judas betrayed Him. I get to fight for my Jesus while He is being tried and sentenced to scourging and crucifition. I get to try to plead with the soldiers to stop beating Him and to let Him go because He is innocent. I feel so helpless when all others besides myself have turned their backs on Him, but yet I know the truth. John was a man who wasn't scared to stand up for what he believed in. He was right there with Jesus through every single thing that He death with, no matter how much the Roman soldiers placed threats on his life. I also understand to know how it feels when Jesus cries out, "My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?!" It feels that everything for John is absolutely falling apart and that Jesus really is gone. I feel the anguish of watching Him being lowered of the cross and placed in a tomb. Here comes my favorite part..I know how it feels to find out that Jesus has risen from from the dead and to see it first hand..I get to explain to my fellow Disciples that everything that Jesus taught was the truth! What an amazing experience.
My future father in law talks alot about the Mexico mission trip and how much it changed his life. It is awesome to hear him talk about it because you can really tell that he was affected by it. I'm am the same way with the Passion play. It has so dramatically changed me that I will never be the same. I have made a promise to Jesus to fully and whole-heatedly seek Him with everything that I have until I am broken down. I want to train myself to think like Jesus did, to react to situations the way He did, and to teach and lead the way He did and is still doing. In beginning this transformation, I consider myself a REAL living Disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. This task will be very difficult, and will go on for the rest of my days, but the Love of Jesus compels me to do this.
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Dramatic Events Unfold
Here lately, I have been spending a lot of time in the Bible reading prophecy material and relating them to current events. I find myself in the book of Daniel very often. Daniel was a man who was shown visions about times such as these and he was very close to God. These studies have very much affected my prayer life, as I pray to be shown things as well. I must admit that I was praying with little faith, because I was thinking that God wouldn't show me things so vividly and so dramatic, but boy was I wrong. Just last night I was driving down 421 on my way to town and it was around 8:30 or 9:00. I gave my signal to switch lanes and when I checked my rear view mirror I saw what I believe that God had me to see that night just above my car. The sky looked just like an angel holding what looked like a lightning bolt directed towards the earth. Now I know that sounds so so crazy, but I'm telling the truth. The bolt of lightning and its wings were so vivid and clear, and I could see the shape of its upper body. The image was there for about 2 or 3 minutes then disappeared; just long enough for me to get the image in my head. Before really even praying about it, God spoke and told me that this was a sign that these events on the earth now are going to continue and begin to escalate. By "these events" I mean the events in Libya, Japan, Egypt, Israel, America and many others. After seeing this, I wasn't like Daniel, trembling and afraid. I was just at peace about it. It was very interesting. I just thought I would share what I got to experience.
I have much to talk about in this post, so here we go. First of all, a "No Fly Zone" has been issued over Libya. Everything has been going okay with it so far, but last night, I saw on the news that there has been bombings in Tripoli, which is on the coast of Libya.
In another live video, it was about 2:30 in the morning there, and the sky looked like a multitude of aircraft and missiles in the air. That seems so huge to me. There is still so much to learn on that story. The nation to watch is Israel. The nation of Israel is God's chosen people. The reason for the 1000 year reign of Christ is so that He will keep His promise to Abraham when He told him He would protect the nation. Some Americans, for some reason, think that Americans are Gods chosen people. I have news...we are NOT. God is all about keeping His promises and another promise that He made was that during the tribulation time, 144,000 Jews will come to Christ. Its amazing to me how God chooses such a small nation to be His chosen. All of Israel is about the size of New Jersey. Yet this nation is the nation to watch. It will be the focal point of the End Times. America has almost always been allies with Israel, which is a very good thing, being that Israel has such a strong army, but we are beginning to pull away from them for some reason, which is bad.
This is called the Dome of the Rock, which is in Jerusalem. This will be the site of the New Jerusalem, but first, during the tribulation period, the Antichrist will go inside the temple and set up an image of himself.
"He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. "
2 Thessalonians 2:4
By the way, another indication of the last days is that the temple will be rebuilt and as we speak, the material is being prepared. The tends to put things into perspective doesn't it?
I know this a lot, but I have one more thing. Lets look at something the physician Luke wrote.
"There will be sings in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea."
Luke 21:25
On March 19th, the moon was closest to the earth that it has been in 18 years and possibly closer....lets take a look.
Check this out! How many times do we see a FULL MOON that close?! That is amazing. That definitely speaks to me. With God, nothing is just by chance. The moon was only an estimated 221,365 miles from the earth. Personally, I love astronomy. It is beautiful to see the planets and the moon and stars, so this interests me; much less the fact that it is in Gods word! At the moons normal distance from the earth, it has such a huge gravitational pull that it actually controls the tides of the oceans and seismic activity such as tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes. So at this close distance, imagine what kind of imbalance that can cause..its amazing.
Lets look at the second part of that verse. "on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring of the sea." Does anything come to mind? How about the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan, which are the largest ever recorded in history.
These pictures are so devastating. I believe all that is going on is truly Gods "wake up call" if you will, to this world. Christians, lets us not forget our purpose:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
Every nation today is in need. Although they are in need of different things whether it be disaster relief, or types of freedom, they are all in need of the same thing, which is Jesus Christ. In the end, He is all that matters. "I am the way, the truth and the life" "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" -Jesus
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
I have much to talk about in this post, so here we go. First of all, a "No Fly Zone" has been issued over Libya. Everything has been going okay with it so far, but last night, I saw on the news that there has been bombings in Tripoli, which is on the coast of Libya.
In another live video, it was about 2:30 in the morning there, and the sky looked like a multitude of aircraft and missiles in the air. That seems so huge to me. There is still so much to learn on that story. The nation to watch is Israel. The nation of Israel is God's chosen people. The reason for the 1000 year reign of Christ is so that He will keep His promise to Abraham when He told him He would protect the nation. Some Americans, for some reason, think that Americans are Gods chosen people. I have news...we are NOT. God is all about keeping His promises and another promise that He made was that during the tribulation time, 144,000 Jews will come to Christ. Its amazing to me how God chooses such a small nation to be His chosen. All of Israel is about the size of New Jersey. Yet this nation is the nation to watch. It will be the focal point of the End Times. America has almost always been allies with Israel, which is a very good thing, being that Israel has such a strong army, but we are beginning to pull away from them for some reason, which is bad.
This is called the Dome of the Rock, which is in Jerusalem. This will be the site of the New Jerusalem, but first, during the tribulation period, the Antichrist will go inside the temple and set up an image of himself.
"He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. "
2 Thessalonians 2:4
By the way, another indication of the last days is that the temple will be rebuilt and as we speak, the material is being prepared. The tends to put things into perspective doesn't it?
I know this a lot, but I have one more thing. Lets look at something the physician Luke wrote.
"There will be sings in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea."
Luke 21:25
On March 19th, the moon was closest to the earth that it has been in 18 years and possibly closer....lets take a look.
Check this out! How many times do we see a FULL MOON that close?! That is amazing. That definitely speaks to me. With God, nothing is just by chance. The moon was only an estimated 221,365 miles from the earth. Personally, I love astronomy. It is beautiful to see the planets and the moon and stars, so this interests me; much less the fact that it is in Gods word! At the moons normal distance from the earth, it has such a huge gravitational pull that it actually controls the tides of the oceans and seismic activity such as tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes. So at this close distance, imagine what kind of imbalance that can cause..its amazing.
Lets look at the second part of that verse. "on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring of the sea." Does anything come to mind? How about the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan, which are the largest ever recorded in history.
These pictures are so devastating. I believe all that is going on is truly Gods "wake up call" if you will, to this world. Christians, lets us not forget our purpose:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
Every nation today is in need. Although they are in need of different things whether it be disaster relief, or types of freedom, they are all in need of the same thing, which is Jesus Christ. In the end, He is all that matters. "I am the way, the truth and the life" "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" -Jesus
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time For A New Revelation
I want us to look at something real quick. Something I was thinking about last night. When Jesus was carrying His cross, a man helped Him and said "I am an innocent man forced to carry a condemned mans cross". Isn't this the other way around?? Jesus had to carry our cross because we couldnt have done it oursleves. Just let that sit..
On another note....Im sure we have all heard about the disaster in Japan that has killed at least 10,000 people. This, to me is almost like a scene from a movie! Who would have thought this sort of thing could have happened so unpredicted?? But will not the same be for the return of the Son of Man? The thing that caught my attention was the fact that the quake moved the coast line in Japan 8 feet. It also moved the ENITRE EARTHS AXIS 18cm, and we lost 2 millionths of a second on each day. An earthquake that can change time...thats huge. Check this out. I want us to think about some things through out this post..
"I watched as he opened the sixth seal, There was an earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place."
Revelation 6:12-14
No earthquake in history has ever moved the physical being of the earth...much less 8 feet! And changed time!! Thats major.
So is the Japanese earthquake the one that marks the beginning of the end? Maybe. Personally...I believe so. Here are my reasons for thinking so. I hear alot of people say that things have always been happening and people have always been expecting the end. But let us look around. Yes, things like this used to happen, but not nearly this often. There is still protesting all over the world now...even in America, and now a massive earthquake hit Japan which triggered one of the largest tsunamis ever recorded. Not to even mention all the nuclear meldowns and blasts. Also, people have always expected Christs return..but not anymore. The population of Christians is rapidly declining and people are so wrapped up in their own little world that it takes something such as this to even get their attention. So no...people arent at all expecting it anymore. The Bible says that He will come like a theif in the night.
"For as lightining that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man."
Matthew 24:27
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him"
Matthew 24:42-44
See? Jesus Himself tells us to be watchful. For me, that says enough.
Matthew 24 is a great passage of scirpture. Jesus was leaving the temple when His disciples got His attention and came to Him privately, asking what the signs of the end of age are. He mentions to them that there will be those who claim to be Christ, wars and rumors of wars. Nations will turn against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. There will be earthquakes in various places. Jesus says that all these things must happen before He returns.
So here is my theory. I believe the events in Japan, Lybia, Egypt and other events in America are a wake up call from God. We aren't by any means in the tribulation period now...because Christians are still here. In the tribulation period, things will be so much worse than they are now. For example, the Bible says that it will take an entire days wages just to buy a loaf of bread! The people will then pretty much get fed up with the Antichrist and rebel against him. This will be what we know as the battle of armageddon. The events during the tribulation time will be far worse than what we are seeing now. Much more catastrophic. Think of it...tornadoes, asteroids, hurricanes, floods, lightning, fires, etc on a regular basis. Theres more...$65 for a loaf of bread and $100 for a gallon of gasoline. These times will be impossible for the non-believer and very difficult for those who come to Christ during that time, if not, harder.
But like I said, what we are seeing now is just a wake up call for what is to come. Soon, when the last person accepts Christ, He will come back for us. Imagine the confusion. Wow. So as far as watching the days and events of this current age, I think the real place to watch in Israel. Israel is where everything will take place and take a shape. I believe that we can look for the Antichrist to be of the Muslim faith, because he will have access to the temple, where he will set up the image of himself to worship, much like king Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel. I believe that these things will unfold day by day. But, we must remember our most important duty as Christians
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
In the past weeks, my Pastor has been doing a sermon series on Heaven, and I must say, I look forward to Heaven way more than I ever have. We must take every thought captive, and our hearts must be on things above.
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
On another note....Im sure we have all heard about the disaster in Japan that has killed at least 10,000 people. This, to me is almost like a scene from a movie! Who would have thought this sort of thing could have happened so unpredicted?? But will not the same be for the return of the Son of Man? The thing that caught my attention was the fact that the quake moved the coast line in Japan 8 feet. It also moved the ENITRE EARTHS AXIS 18cm, and we lost 2 millionths of a second on each day. An earthquake that can change time...thats huge. Check this out. I want us to think about some things through out this post..
"I watched as he opened the sixth seal, There was an earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place."
Revelation 6:12-14
No earthquake in history has ever moved the physical being of the earth...much less 8 feet! And changed time!! Thats major.
So is the Japanese earthquake the one that marks the beginning of the end? Maybe. Personally...I believe so. Here are my reasons for thinking so. I hear alot of people say that things have always been happening and people have always been expecting the end. But let us look around. Yes, things like this used to happen, but not nearly this often. There is still protesting all over the world now...even in America, and now a massive earthquake hit Japan which triggered one of the largest tsunamis ever recorded. Not to even mention all the nuclear meldowns and blasts. Also, people have always expected Christs return..but not anymore. The population of Christians is rapidly declining and people are so wrapped up in their own little world that it takes something such as this to even get their attention. So no...people arent at all expecting it anymore. The Bible says that He will come like a theif in the night.
"For as lightining that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man."
Matthew 24:27
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him"
Matthew 24:42-44
See? Jesus Himself tells us to be watchful. For me, that says enough.
Matthew 24 is a great passage of scirpture. Jesus was leaving the temple when His disciples got His attention and came to Him privately, asking what the signs of the end of age are. He mentions to them that there will be those who claim to be Christ, wars and rumors of wars. Nations will turn against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. There will be earthquakes in various places. Jesus says that all these things must happen before He returns.
So here is my theory. I believe the events in Japan, Lybia, Egypt and other events in America are a wake up call from God. We aren't by any means in the tribulation period now...because Christians are still here. In the tribulation period, things will be so much worse than they are now. For example, the Bible says that it will take an entire days wages just to buy a loaf of bread! The people will then pretty much get fed up with the Antichrist and rebel against him. This will be what we know as the battle of armageddon. The events during the tribulation time will be far worse than what we are seeing now. Much more catastrophic. Think of it...tornadoes, asteroids, hurricanes, floods, lightning, fires, etc on a regular basis. Theres more...$65 for a loaf of bread and $100 for a gallon of gasoline. These times will be impossible for the non-believer and very difficult for those who come to Christ during that time, if not, harder.
But like I said, what we are seeing now is just a wake up call for what is to come. Soon, when the last person accepts Christ, He will come back for us. Imagine the confusion. Wow. So as far as watching the days and events of this current age, I think the real place to watch in Israel. Israel is where everything will take place and take a shape. I believe that we can look for the Antichrist to be of the Muslim faith, because he will have access to the temple, where he will set up the image of himself to worship, much like king Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel. I believe that these things will unfold day by day. But, we must remember our most important duty as Christians
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
In the past weeks, my Pastor has been doing a sermon series on Heaven, and I must say, I look forward to Heaven way more than I ever have. We must take every thought captive, and our hearts must be on things above.
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Daniel's Visions and Today's World
(The preparation for this post has took a lot of time and studying, but I think you will enjoy it.)
Since my last post, I have been studying about the end of age, tribulation time, the Antichrist and so much more. A question of mine that came to mind was "Who in the Bible knew about these subjects very well?" The first person that came to mind was not John (the author of Revelation) but Daniel, who wrote his book to the Jewish exiles in Babylonia anywhere from 605-530 B.C.
What I am about to say has really nothing to do with what is going on in our world today....or does it? Seemingly, it doesn't have much to do with anything the world is experiencing, but if you pay close attention, it has almost everything to do with our world today. Just remember that as you read.
I began my study in Daniel chapter 7. Daniels first personal experience of visions takes place in Chapter 7; just after adventure in the lions den in Chapter 6. As I go into the text, I am going to try to supply you with all of the historical, sociological and geological information that goes along with it.
Daniel 7:1 - In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
The first year of king Belshazzar, or his first year as king, was around 553 B.C.
Daniel 7:2 - Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.
The great sea in Daniels vision refers to the world of nations and peoples. What is the four winds of heaven? Ill get to that in just a second.
Daniel 7:3 - Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
Daniel 7:4 - The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.
Daniel 7:5 - And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'
Daniel 7:6 - After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
Daniel 7:7 - After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
Daniel 7:8 - While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
Here is a picture to give you an idea. If you re like me, seeing things helps put the concept into perspective.
Verse 4: The lion with eagles wings symbolizes the Neo-Babylonian empire. I believe the rest of verse 4 (wings torn of, given the heart of a man) refers to the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4.
Verse 5: The bear raised up on one of its sides refers to the superior status of the Persians in the Medo-Persian alliance. The three ribs could represent its three principal conquests: Lydia (546 B.C.) Babylon (539) and Egypt (525).
Verse 6: The leopard with four wings symbolizes the fast conquest of Alexander the Great. (334-330). The four heads correspond to the four main divisions into which his empire fell after he died in 323. Which is Macedon and Greece, Thrace and Asia Minor, Syria, the Holy Land and Egypt.
Verse 7: The fourth beast, with its irresistible power represents, you guessed it...the Roman Empire. The ten horns simply represent its authority.
Verse 8: The other small horn that the beast has is the Antichrist or a world power sharing the characteristics of the Antichrist. That also points to the "mouth that spoke boastfully" as the Antichrist will do very well.
This passage of scripture represents historical events that were dead on the money with Daniels vision, (that an angel, whom I believe was Gabriel, interpreted),
The four great beasts are indeed four great kingdoms that will rise in the world. The interpretation says that the small horn (the Antichrist) on the fourth beast will wage war with the saints and defeat them until the Ancient of Days (God) steps in and pronounces the judgement in favor of the saints.
For me, the most interesting thing about this whole chapter is that the angel tells Daniel that it will be a very long time before these things come to pass. That was in Daniels time, roughly 530 B.C. Its been a long time don't you think? At that time, Daniel would have been around the age of 80 years old just after his experience in the lions den, so he was no young man.
So, the fourth beast is a fourth Kingdom that will rise form the earth that will be much different from any other kingdom, and will devour all other nations. Do any nations come to mind? How about Rome? its a pretty big empire wouldn't you say? Or even China, whom America is in great dept to and they have the upper hand. Im not certain of this nation, or the king that will rise from this nation...but im just trying to get you to imagine and do a little bit of homework because this stuff really is amazing to watch play out. The ten horns are ten kings that will rise from this kingdom. After them, another king will appear, different from all the rest. The Bible says that this king will speak against the Most High and oppress His saints and try to change times and laws. But ultimately, the court will sit, and every knee bow and every tongue confess how great is our God! :)
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world
Since my last post, I have been studying about the end of age, tribulation time, the Antichrist and so much more. A question of mine that came to mind was "Who in the Bible knew about these subjects very well?" The first person that came to mind was not John (the author of Revelation) but Daniel, who wrote his book to the Jewish exiles in Babylonia anywhere from 605-530 B.C.
What I am about to say has really nothing to do with what is going on in our world today....or does it? Seemingly, it doesn't have much to do with anything the world is experiencing, but if you pay close attention, it has almost everything to do with our world today. Just remember that as you read.
I began my study in Daniel chapter 7. Daniels first personal experience of visions takes place in Chapter 7; just after adventure in the lions den in Chapter 6. As I go into the text, I am going to try to supply you with all of the historical, sociological and geological information that goes along with it.
Daniel 7:1 - In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
The first year of king Belshazzar, or his first year as king, was around 553 B.C.
Daniel 7:2 - Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.
The great sea in Daniels vision refers to the world of nations and peoples. What is the four winds of heaven? Ill get to that in just a second.
Daniel 7:3 - Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
Daniel 7:4 - The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.
Daniel 7:5 - And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'
Daniel 7:6 - After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
Daniel 7:7 - After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
Daniel 7:8 - While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
Here is a picture to give you an idea. If you re like me, seeing things helps put the concept into perspective.
Verse 4: The lion with eagles wings symbolizes the Neo-Babylonian empire. I believe the rest of verse 4 (wings torn of, given the heart of a man) refers to the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4.
Verse 5: The bear raised up on one of its sides refers to the superior status of the Persians in the Medo-Persian alliance. The three ribs could represent its three principal conquests: Lydia (546 B.C.) Babylon (539) and Egypt (525).
Verse 6: The leopard with four wings symbolizes the fast conquest of Alexander the Great. (334-330). The four heads correspond to the four main divisions into which his empire fell after he died in 323. Which is Macedon and Greece, Thrace and Asia Minor, Syria, the Holy Land and Egypt.
Verse 7: The fourth beast, with its irresistible power represents, you guessed it...the Roman Empire. The ten horns simply represent its authority.
Verse 8: The other small horn that the beast has is the Antichrist or a world power sharing the characteristics of the Antichrist. That also points to the "mouth that spoke boastfully" as the Antichrist will do very well.
This passage of scripture represents historical events that were dead on the money with Daniels vision, (that an angel, whom I believe was Gabriel, interpreted),
The four great beasts are indeed four great kingdoms that will rise in the world. The interpretation says that the small horn (the Antichrist) on the fourth beast will wage war with the saints and defeat them until the Ancient of Days (God) steps in and pronounces the judgement in favor of the saints.
For me, the most interesting thing about this whole chapter is that the angel tells Daniel that it will be a very long time before these things come to pass. That was in Daniels time, roughly 530 B.C. Its been a long time don't you think? At that time, Daniel would have been around the age of 80 years old just after his experience in the lions den, so he was no young man.
So, the fourth beast is a fourth Kingdom that will rise form the earth that will be much different from any other kingdom, and will devour all other nations. Do any nations come to mind? How about Rome? its a pretty big empire wouldn't you say? Or even China, whom America is in great dept to and they have the upper hand. Im not certain of this nation, or the king that will rise from this nation...but im just trying to get you to imagine and do a little bit of homework because this stuff really is amazing to watch play out. The ten horns are ten kings that will rise from this kingdom. After them, another king will appear, different from all the rest. The Bible says that this king will speak against the Most High and oppress His saints and try to change times and laws. But ultimately, the court will sit, and every knee bow and every tongue confess how great is our God! :)
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A New Twist...
I know what I'm getting ready to talk about isn't what I usually post...but its a revelation in my own life. For the last few weeks, my Pastor has been teaching about Heaven and what it will be like. I have grown so much in just these last weeks that I am seeing life through a whole new set of lenses. I now long for heaven so much more than I ever have. 2 weeks ago on Sunday, I was in church and got so broken down that I was just being drawn to pray. But, when I did begin to pray, I had absolutely no words to offer. It was because my God had something for me. In my quiet time in the midst of all the music and prayer, God spoke to me and said "If you will live this life, and break yourself down for me...give it your all...come back to me with no breath left in your lungs...not even able to speak or stand...weary. I will make sure that you will stand tall!" The Lord of Heaven and Earth said that to me!! I know that I am to be used. (Just wanted to share that)
So now with my subject. Have you noticed lately how much we are seeing abortion in our society today? Did you know that 22% of all pregnancies end in abortion? How about homosexuality? There are 8.8 million people in America that claim to be homosexual. What about different religions? There are now 22 major religions in America today, with Scientology on the rise and Christianity on the downfall. Please don't get me wrong...to me..Christianity to me is not at all a "religion". Religion is merely man-made. Christianity is having that personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, letting Him be Lord of your life. But back to my point, why is this happening? It seems to me that Christians today are just so afraid of stirring things up. They think that Christians are just supposed to be such passive, meek creatures. NO! absolutely not! Was Jesus hesitant about shaking things up? Not at all. He says in His word that He has overcome this world. Don't you think that by doing that took some stirring up? Also, He was not about to let anyone make a mockery of His house. Jesus was so much more than just a passive man.
So why are we so passive and calm? I believe its because we don't want to stir things up, or cause a scene. Jesus caused many scenes. Think of all the protests that I have been talking about lately...just think...what if Christians did that and actually fought for what we believe in, rather than just talking about it.
Lets look at some history vs. today's society. All the people today that are getting abortions, and claiming homosexuality, and claiming false religions; do you think people would have been doing that even 15 or 20 years ago? Absolutely not. What has caused this? many many things...way too much to mention in one short blog. Poor parenting, worldly ideas and Satan instilling thoughts into weak minds. But today, people are not trying to hide sin at all...they don't even recognize it.
My Scripture?
2 Kings 17:16 - They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal.
2 Kings 17:17 - They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
People in this scripture were doing the things that many are doing today: worshiping other gods, partaking in things that are clearly against the will of God. So...what was the consequence and Gods punishment? (because He is sovereign)
2 Kings 17:18 - So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left,
God removed them from His presence....wow...what would it feel like to be completely away from God? Terrifying.. Notice where the scripture says "only the tribe of Judah was left" The tribe of Judah was the only Christian nation in the middle east at that time, and they were right in the center of everyone else.
I see the exact same thing happening in our world today as what was happening in those days in the middle east. Like I said before...history can tell us so much about our future...it will make you think, won't it?
May we seek Christ in the midst of our world.
So now with my subject. Have you noticed lately how much we are seeing abortion in our society today? Did you know that 22% of all pregnancies end in abortion? How about homosexuality? There are 8.8 million people in America that claim to be homosexual. What about different religions? There are now 22 major religions in America today, with Scientology on the rise and Christianity on the downfall. Please don't get me wrong...to me..Christianity to me is not at all a "religion". Religion is merely man-made. Christianity is having that personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, letting Him be Lord of your life. But back to my point, why is this happening? It seems to me that Christians today are just so afraid of stirring things up. They think that Christians are just supposed to be such passive, meek creatures. NO! absolutely not! Was Jesus hesitant about shaking things up? Not at all. He says in His word that He has overcome this world. Don't you think that by doing that took some stirring up? Also, He was not about to let anyone make a mockery of His house. Jesus was so much more than just a passive man.
So why are we so passive and calm? I believe its because we don't want to stir things up, or cause a scene. Jesus caused many scenes. Think of all the protests that I have been talking about lately...just think...what if Christians did that and actually fought for what we believe in, rather than just talking about it.
Lets look at some history vs. today's society. All the people today that are getting abortions, and claiming homosexuality, and claiming false religions; do you think people would have been doing that even 15 or 20 years ago? Absolutely not. What has caused this? many many things...way too much to mention in one short blog. Poor parenting, worldly ideas and Satan instilling thoughts into weak minds. But today, people are not trying to hide sin at all...they don't even recognize it.
My Scripture?
2 Kings 17:16 - They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal.
2 Kings 17:17 - They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
People in this scripture were doing the things that many are doing today: worshiping other gods, partaking in things that are clearly against the will of God. So...what was the consequence and Gods punishment? (because He is sovereign)
2 Kings 17:18 - So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left,
God removed them from His presence....wow...what would it feel like to be completely away from God? Terrifying.. Notice where the scripture says "only the tribe of Judah was left" The tribe of Judah was the only Christian nation in the middle east at that time, and they were right in the center of everyone else.
I see the exact same thing happening in our world today as what was happening in those days in the middle east. Like I said before...history can tell us so much about our future...it will make you think, won't it?
May we seek Christ in the midst of our world.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Things Are Quickly Changing..
First of all, I want to appologize for not posting a new blog in a few days, but the crisis in Egypt seem that nothing was changing day by day, but they have changed! Im sure that we have all heard that Mubarak has stepped down, so I dont think I need to elaborate too much on that. Im here to talk about something very different....something that I never even thought about before yesterday!
I want us to look at some different things we use today.....
These are just stracthing the surface of what I would like to mention...
The Apple iPad.....you can get on the internet...any website you want...talk to anyone you want to with just the touch of a finger..
Global Positioning System (GPS) this tiny screen can tell you exactly where in the world you are to the exact longitude and latitude points. This picks up a signal from a global satalite to tell you where you are...AND...how to get to where you want to go with turn by turn directions, vehicle speed, and surrounding objects.
The blackberry cell phone (I think we all know what these can do)
So why am I talking about all these gadgets?? No big deal, right? we all use them. That we may, but what does the bible say? You mean the bible talks about this stuff? OH YES! lets take a look.
But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."
Daniel 12:4
The bible states here that man will have a great increase of knowledge just before the end of time...and wouldnt you say thats what is happening now? Look at our world just 15 years ago...I was 3 years old. There was no internet, no GPS, no iPad or iPhone.
Lets look at some more things in our world.
What you see here is a nuclear warhead. This one bombshell could easily take North Carolina off the map! The part that scares me is that this is something that most countries do have..but anyways....
Remember the verichip? Let me refresh your memory.
Like I said in a previous post, this device keeps track of everything about you...criminal background, SSN, and anything and everything financial. With the VeriChip, you are just a number.
You may be saying "yes, this is all great stuff, but man is just getting smartet.." Well...how much smarter?
Think back in your history class. Was anything much different in 1700 and 1900? Not really at all. Electricity was discovered by Thomas Eddison in 1880, but thats about it. Thats one major discovery in 200 years...one! The invention of vehicles came about around 1920. Now, lets take a look at the year 1995 and 2011 and whats happened in between. In 1995, cell phones were just being made, and the internet wasnt really going yet.
Here is a brand new cell phone in 1995
what about a new cell phone in 2011?
Big difference in just 16 years..
How about vehicles?
the same car in 2011...
Its came a long way hasnt it?
So I challenge you...look around and see what you can find..
History can tell us so much about our future..
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world
I want us to look at some different things we use today.....
These are just stracthing the surface of what I would like to mention...
The Apple iPad.....you can get on the internet...any website you want...talk to anyone you want to with just the touch of a finger..
Global Positioning System (GPS) this tiny screen can tell you exactly where in the world you are to the exact longitude and latitude points. This picks up a signal from a global satalite to tell you where you are...AND...how to get to where you want to go with turn by turn directions, vehicle speed, and surrounding objects.
The blackberry cell phone (I think we all know what these can do)
So why am I talking about all these gadgets?? No big deal, right? we all use them. That we may, but what does the bible say? You mean the bible talks about this stuff? OH YES! lets take a look.
But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."
Daniel 12:4
The bible states here that man will have a great increase of knowledge just before the end of time...and wouldnt you say thats what is happening now? Look at our world just 15 years ago...I was 3 years old. There was no internet, no GPS, no iPad or iPhone.
Lets look at some more things in our world.
What you see here is a nuclear warhead. This one bombshell could easily take North Carolina off the map! The part that scares me is that this is something that most countries do have..but anyways....
Remember the verichip? Let me refresh your memory.
Like I said in a previous post, this device keeps track of everything about you...criminal background, SSN, and anything and everything financial. With the VeriChip, you are just a number.
You may be saying "yes, this is all great stuff, but man is just getting smartet.." Well...how much smarter?
Think back in your history class. Was anything much different in 1700 and 1900? Not really at all. Electricity was discovered by Thomas Eddison in 1880, but thats about it. Thats one major discovery in 200 years...one! The invention of vehicles came about around 1920. Now, lets take a look at the year 1995 and 2011 and whats happened in between. In 1995, cell phones were just being made, and the internet wasnt really going yet.
Here is a brand new cell phone in 1995
what about a new cell phone in 2011?
Big difference in just 16 years..
How about vehicles?
the same car in 2011...
Its came a long way hasnt it?
So I challenge you...look around and see what you can find..
History can tell us so much about our future..
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world
Friday, February 4, 2011
Egyptian Protests Ripple Across the World...and...Does the Mark of the Beast exist today?
The north African nation of 11 million has issued an arrest warrant for its president, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, as well as his wife and several relatives. They face charges including maintaining and exporting foreign currency illegally, carrying weapons and ammunition without licenses and inciting armed violence among Tunisians. The ex-leader fled to Saudi Arabia last month after mass protests that left more than 100 people dead. Also, Jordanian Islamists meet with the king, but they are saying the protests there will continue. The middle east is getting to be in the worst condition its ever been in. Whats new in what is now the Middle Eastern protest? Today, The president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, says that he believes if he immediately resigns as president, it will cause the protests to become even more violent. You can make your own opinion about that; but I believe since the majority of the people want him gone anyways, his immediate resignation would be the best thing possible. However, there are now "pro-Mubarak" protests, wanting him to remain in power. So...besides increasing violence, not too much has changed in Egypt.
Whats going on in the rest of the world? The protests in Egypt have quickly spread throughout the middle east and now, even Africa. There was also an uprising in Tunisia, forcing almost 1/4 of the country to flee to Saudi Arabia. Similar demonstrations have taken place in Lebanon, Yemen and Algeria.
So get this....
This brings me back to my original point. I said all that to say this agian: the peace of this world is crumbling, which is perfect situations for the Antichrist's appearance.
Now, for the second part of this post. What I promised to talk about in my last post. The mark of the beast. There has been a very new invention called the "VeriChip". Here is a picture.
This device you see here is just a little bigger than a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin by needle in the back of the arm or in the top of the hand. The VeriChip is something that governments have developed over a period of time. It can and will hold all financial information, social secutiry number, credit score, buying history, and so on, about that person that it is in. Think of it as your debit or credit card. It even has a barcode that is scanned through the skin by the scanners that are already used in stores today. Who gets it first? The highest government officials, the president, ect. Then, it will trickle down to state employees like police officers, Paramedics, so forth. Here's the scary part. It is required. Without it, you cannot buy, sell or trade. Wanna know what the bible says?
Rev 16:2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Rev 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Rev 13:17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
Rev 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Please note Revelation 13:17 in reference to what I said before.
Is the VeriChip the mark of the beast? Maybe, maybe not. I cant say for sure, but I do want you to know that this technology is out there and waiting to be used.
My point is that Im certain that we are in the last days, and that my generation, and the generation before me, will see the end of time and ultimately, Christs return.
Lets make sure that we do not forget our main goal and purpose: Matthew 28:19-20
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
Whats going on in the rest of the world? The protests in Egypt have quickly spread throughout the middle east and now, even Africa. There was also an uprising in Tunisia, forcing almost 1/4 of the country to flee to Saudi Arabia. Similar demonstrations have taken place in Lebanon, Yemen and Algeria.
So get this....
This brings me back to my original point. I said all that to say this agian: the peace of this world is crumbling, which is perfect situations for the Antichrist's appearance.
Now, for the second part of this post. What I promised to talk about in my last post. The mark of the beast. There has been a very new invention called the "VeriChip". Here is a picture.
This device you see here is just a little bigger than a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin by needle in the back of the arm or in the top of the hand. The VeriChip is something that governments have developed over a period of time. It can and will hold all financial information, social secutiry number, credit score, buying history, and so on, about that person that it is in. Think of it as your debit or credit card. It even has a barcode that is scanned through the skin by the scanners that are already used in stores today. Who gets it first? The highest government officials, the president, ect. Then, it will trickle down to state employees like police officers, Paramedics, so forth. Here's the scary part. It is required. Without it, you cannot buy, sell or trade. Wanna know what the bible says?
Rev 16:2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Rev 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Rev 13:17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
Rev 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Please note Revelation 13:17 in reference to what I said before.
Is the VeriChip the mark of the beast? Maybe, maybe not. I cant say for sure, but I do want you to know that this technology is out there and waiting to be used.
My point is that Im certain that we are in the last days, and that my generation, and the generation before me, will see the end of time and ultimately, Christs return.
Lets make sure that we do not forget our main goal and purpose: Matthew 28:19-20
May we seek Christ in the midst of this world.
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