tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77009000144345503842024-03-13T21:15:23.644-05:00AnointingsDevotional Bible Studies from the WORD of God. Apostolic and non denominational. Affirmations for Faith and for Healing. The writings of Bro. Thomas Blake; who has been involved in Christian Ministry for over thirty five years proclaiming the Gospel: DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRISTBro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-54432759724870809362011-10-23T17:11:00.000-05:002011-10-23T17:11:10.306-05:00Sorrow into JoyIt is with great sorrow that I am writing this. My husband Thomas Blake passed away on Oct 20, 2011. He was devoted to this blog and spreading the word. The blog will remain up so that people can continue to read his writings and learn from him. There is nothing that made him happier than communing with God each day in preparation for his writing. I am heartbroken at his passing and yet joyful in knowing that he stayed the course and made it to the end strong in his faith. If you are in need of further information please feel free to contact me at cindy.blake1023@yahoo.com. I do not have the writing skills that my husband had but am going to find a way with the help of God to continue his work.<br />
<br />
Gods peace and love be with each one of you,<br />
<br />
Sister Cindy BlakeBro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-44372026255537515942011-10-12T00:17:00.003-05:002011-10-12T00:18:06.274-05:00The Riches of the Inheritance<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">We have all heard of stories of someone coming into a great inheritance from some long forgotten or never known relative.<span> </span>This seems possible and we all would like to believe it.<span> </span>It is that tiny bit of belief that allows perpetrators to thrive on internet hoaxes and everyday; someone, somewhere is turning over their social security number, their banking account information and passwords to these internet thieves.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Blake is a very common name and it is a fact that all of the Blake families are related; which makes the Blake name fertile soil for thieves.<span> </span>Several times a year, for the past fifteen years or more; some barrister or solicitor from somewhere in Africa; contacts me as the only named heir in a $10 million dollar estate.<span> </span>All they need is my confidential banking information to release the funds to my account.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God’s inheritance is placed in you<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ephesians 1:17-18 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:<span> </span>(18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">All it takes is belief and faith<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hebrews 11:6 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>But <b><u>without faith it is impossible to please him</u></b>: for he that cometh to God <b><u>must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder </u></b>of them that diligently seek him.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belief = Up to 99.9 % certainty<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 117.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -81.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Faith = 100% Fact; substance, evidence and hard tangible proof<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hebrews 11:1 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>Now faith is the <b><u>substance</u></b> of things hoped for, the <b><u>evidence</u></b> of things not seen.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is hard to make our inheritance in Christ a vivid reality because we have been lied to about it most of our lives.<span> </span>The inheritance has been programmed to be the lesser of the two evils (the two choices); Eternity in heavens bright light of nothingness or the tormenting fires of eternal damnation in the lake of fire and hell.<span> </span>Is your inheritance worth dying for?<span> </span>If not; it needs to come alive through faith and understanding of God’s WORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 9.0pt; mso-border-alt: thin-thick-thin-medium-gap windowtext 9.0pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-alt: thin-thick-thin-medium-gap windowtext 9.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tonight; through this study; the WORD is going to make your inheritance come alive; become substance; with hard, tangible proof.<span> </span>The WORD will paint a vivid picture.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt;">FAITH IS OUR CANVAS AND THE WORD IS OUR PAINT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our Faith Comes From Jesus the WORD Made Flesh <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hebrews 12:2 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>Looking unto Jesus <b><u>the author and finisher of our faith</u></b>; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The WORD in written, and spoken form<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Romans 10:17 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">So then <b><u>faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We must allow the gift of our faith to grow in and through Jesus Christ our LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt;">THE BEGINNING: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">God wanted someone to talk to<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Because God is LOVE; and love is out flowing to others; God wanted someone to talk to and to express Himself to; not just an inanimate object; nor a puppy dog pet.<span> </span>God wanted someone His equal.<span> </span>Mothers and Day Care workers know this all too well.<span> </span>Day after day of spending endless hours with babies and preschoolers; there becomes a craving to have some intelligent conversation at an adult level.<span> </span>A university professor would become very bored if there were not graduate students and colleagues to stimulate their thoughts in discussion at their level.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">From Eternity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The WORD; that is to say God in His spoken intelligence; has eternally existed and everyone else and everything else was created by and through him; even the universe.<span> </span>Since the universe cannot contain God; the universe is contained in God; thereby making God ever present everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">John 1:1-3, 14 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b><i><u>In the beginning was the Word</u></i></b><i>, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<span> </span>(2)<span> </span>The same was in the beginning with God.<span> </span>(3)<span> </span><b><u>All things were made by him</u></b>; and without him was not any thing made that was made.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 1:1-2 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.<span> </span>(2)<span> </span>And the earth was <b><u>without form</u></b>, and <b><u>void</u></b>; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.</span></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The original word in the Hebrew describe a state that would best be related to being war torn; NOT A NEWLY CREATED STATE!<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Without form<span> </span>Tohu – Waste and desolation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Void<span> </span>Bohu – Ruin and emptiness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">This would suggest that the time between its original creation and verse 2 would account for the war in heaven between Lucifer and God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Isaiah 14:12-16 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!<span> </span>(13)<span> </span>For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:<span> </span>(14)<span> </span>I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.<span> </span>(15)<span> </span>Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.<span> </span>(16)<span> </span>They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The creation account in Genesis could very well be a recreation.<span> </span>The original creation of earth may have been initially for the angels.<span> </span>The book of Jude refers to fallen angels as having left their first estate.<span> </span>It is my belief and conclusion from drawing all of the scriptures together on the fall of Lucifer and his demons; that He (Lucifer) was given the project of preparing for the creation of man and would have been responsible for ministering to man along with one third of the angels which were assigned to him.<span> </span>When he realized that he was helping God prepare for the heirs of promise, which excluded him; he rebelled; taking a third of all of the angels with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jude 1:6 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b><i><u>And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation,</u></i></b><i> he hath <b><u>reserved in everlasting chains under darkness</u></b> unto the judgment of the great day.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 1:26-28 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.<span> </span>(27)<span> </span>So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.<span> </span>(28)<span> </span>And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">John 1:14</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b><u>And the Word was made flesh</u></b>, and <b><u>dwelt among us</u></b>, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God’s master plan is to reproduce Himself; but the one thing that God cannot create is <b>HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, PERFECT, GODLY CHARACTER.<span> </span></b>To create this would be to create robots.<span> </span>Godly character must be developed out of free moral agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God made human life in His image</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Human life was to provide a character development program; by which humans would be transformed from carnal creatures into the very sons of God.<span> </span>He made male and female to both be co-heirs to this incredible human potential; however, certain of His traits He put more dominate in women (nurturing and creative) and others He put more dominate in man (hunter/gatherer and logic); as a general rule; but both would possess all of God’s traits.<span> </span>By making man and women; God set in motion a perfect opportunity for two people to grow in oneness physically, emotionally and spiritually in a temporal human life; while at the same time growing in oneness to God Himself.<span> </span>This is why Paul’s writings on marriage are so important.<span> </span>The process of a woman becoming a physical bride mirrors the process by which both men and women become the Bride of Christ.<span> </span>The ultimate goal for Christians is to sit with Christ on His throne with Him and judge the nations; here on earth and ultimately throughout the vast universe that sits there awaiting the beautification that the Saints of the Most High will embark upon for all eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt;">PHYSICAL MARRIAGE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ephesians 5:26 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ephesians 5:21-27 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.<span> </span>(22)<span> </span>Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.<span> </span>(23)<span> </span>For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.<span> </span>(24)<span> </span>Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. <span> </span>(25)<span> </span>Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;<span> </span>(26)<span> </span>That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,<span> </span>(27)<span> </span>That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></u></i></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt;">SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE AS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">:<span> </span>THE CHURCH – [GREEK: ekklēsia] CALLED OUT ONES</span></b><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background: #CCCCCC; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">THE GOAL: Called To Overcome – To Be Transformed In Christ – <i><u>To the ones that Overcome; Jesus gives the following 15 Promises: </u></i></span></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 2:7 <i>KJV</i></span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="color: red;">He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to <b>[1] <u>EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE</u></b>, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 2:11 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="color: red;">He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh <b>[2] <u>SHALL NOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 2:17 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to <b>[3] <u>EAT OF THE HIDDEN MANNA, AND WILL</u> [4] <u>GIVE HIM A WHITE STONE, AND IN THE STONE</u> [5] <u>A NEW NAME WRITTEN</u></b>, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 2:26 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end<b><u>, </u>[6] <u>TO HIM WILL I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS</u></b></span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 3:5 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span></span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">He that overcometh, the same <b>[7] <u>SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT</u></b>; and <b>[8]</b> <b><u>I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE</u></b>, but <b>[9]</b> <b><u>I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE MY FATHER, AND BEFORE HIS ANGELS</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 3:12 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Him that overcometh will <b>[10]</b> <b><u>I MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD</u></b>, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: <b>[11]</b> <b><u>AND I WILL WRITE UPON HIM MY NEW NAME</u></b>.</span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 3:21 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">To him that overcometh <b>[12]</b> <b><u>WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE</u></b>, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 21:7 KJV </span></b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">He that overcometh <b>[13]</b> <b><u>SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS</u>; AND [14] <u>I WILL BE HIS GOD</u>, AND [15] <u>HE SHALL BE MY SON.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">If God came to you as a trillionaire business man and offered to finance your hearts desires until you died at age 90, in perfect health; you would do most anything.<span> </span>God owns it all; the entire universe; He’s offering everything for all eternity; just answer His call and live holy, in His righteousness.<span> </span>The riches of your inheritance are beyond comprehension!<span> </span>Don’t turn God down!<span> </span><b><u>Repent</u></b>; <b><u>be baptized in Jesus’ name</u></b> and receive the gift of the <b><u>Holy Ghost</u></b> today!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-15837921096698563332011-10-07T04:48:00.000-05:002011-10-07T16:30:32.571-05:00A Second Warning<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhoS1jL1x6g/To4kwju-7gI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ZErOsDa7mLA/s1600/biblekjv.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhoS1jL1x6g/To4kwju-7gI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ZErOsDa7mLA/s200/biblekjv.JPG" width="138" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Never before in the history of the world has the WORD of God gone out in a greater warning than it has in these past twenty years. The Bible remains the all time No. 1 best seller in the world! No other book comes close. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With the popularity and affordability of MP3 players, the demand for audio Bibles has created a substantial new market for the Bible. It once took a briefcase full of cassette tapes; then a notebook of CDs; to hold the entire Bible in audio form. Now it all fits on a micro card ¼ the size of the standard postage stamp; a mere 2 gigabytes per translation. People are walking around with ten or more versions of the Bible in audio and e-book form on their smart phones.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">FAITH COMES BY HEARING</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 10:17 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>So then <b><u>faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In the 70s, while doing mission work on a Hopi Indian reservation, Jerry and Annette Jackson discovered a room full of beautiful, unused Hopi Bibles. Because of illiteracy, printed Bibles were of little use to the Hopi. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">The Jacksons wondered, “If people can’t read, how can they know the Scriptures and make an eternal decision for Christ?”</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Jacksons founded Hosanna in 1972 with the goal to share God’s Word. Morgan, their son, joined the staff in 1983 and became International Director in 1991. In response to God’s leading, the ministry has focused on providing the Word of God to poor and illiterate people in a culturally relevant format. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">Requests to record the Bible in the indigenous languages of Haiti and Peru were the inspiration for the Audio Dramatized New Testament. Since then, Faith Comes By Hearing has become the largest producer of the Audio Bible in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/">http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The organization Faith Comes By Hearing has recorded the New Testament in nearly every language of the world; of all peoples; and has developed a Tri-Powered MP3 player that is completely a stand alone unit. It has an amplification system that can be heard by 300 people sitting around it. It has AC/Solar/Hand Crank means to power it. Hand-crank it for 20 minutes and it plays for 2 hours. The WORD of God has literally reached every creature on the planet. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu2mKg5VQGk/To4lvz0nbkI/AAAAAAAAAPY/NZ-H-lcteuI/s1600/banner+languages.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu2mKg5VQGk/To4lvz0nbkI/AAAAAAAAAPY/NZ-H-lcteuI/s640/banner+languages.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBdMEoZsUXw/To4lqKUz-0I/AAAAAAAAAPU/8alRWaegPRE/s1600/world.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBdMEoZsUXw/To4lqKUz-0I/AAAAAAAAAPU/8alRWaegPRE/s640/world.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Speaking to His disciples about the End Time and His coming; Jesus said that the Gospel had to be preached to every <b><u>nation</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 13:10 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><u><span style="color: red;">And the gospel must first be published among all nations.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The word <b><u>nation</u></b> in the Greek language means: race, tribe, Gentile, heathen, nation and people; basically it must be preached to <b><i><u>everyone everywhere</u></i></b>. <b>Mark 16:15</b> says to every <b><u>creature</u>. </b> The word creature in the Greek means: building, creation, creature, and ordinance. American legislative ordinances and laws are decided upon in sessions of the Congress that are opened in prayer by pastors; traditionally Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As of 2011, all Senate Chaplains have been Christian</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> but can be members of any religion or faith group. <b><u>Guest Chaplains, recommended by Senators to deliver the session's opening prayer in place of the Senate Chaplain</u></b>, have represented "all the world's major religious faiths."</span></i> <b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE OPEN LITTLE SCROLL<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWLb5ng3zds/To4q2tegujI/AAAAAAAAAPg/-rUWoCtt5Uo/s1600/angelscroll+sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWLb5ng3zds/To4q2tegujI/AAAAAAAAAPg/-rUWoCtt5Uo/s320/angelscroll+sea.JPG" width="320" /></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 10:1-2 ESV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. (2) <b><u>He had a little scroll open in his hand</u></b>. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5spMJzR-sE/To4majc9JDI/AAAAAAAAAPc/wab-EqJ6frQ/s1600/honey-185x185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5spMJzR-sE/To4majc9JDI/AAAAAAAAAPc/wab-EqJ6frQ/s1600/honey-185x185.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 10:8-11 ESV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "<b><u>Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel</u></b> who is standing on the sea and on the land." (9) So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, "<b><u>Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.</u></b>" (10) And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. (11) And I was told, "<b><u>You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings</u></b>."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This prophecy may very well be an instruction to the End Time Church to preach the Gospel again. When we think that we have reached everyone; preach it again to the entire world. Obviously; God takes His WORD very seriously and so should we. The WORD gives us life and secures our eternal life with Jesus Christ. Stand with the WORD; stand in the WORD; eat it and digest it and prepare for the future. Your preparation time is fast escaping!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-37694299400119410472011-10-06T00:38:00.000-05:002011-10-06T00:38:08.410-05:00The Seventh Seal of Trumpets and Plagues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1uzUw0rt7A/To0x_MS5R8I/AAAAAAAAAOs/zJ2Yy-F5kdM/s1600/trmpt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1uzUw0rt7A/To0x_MS5R8I/AAAAAAAAAOs/zJ2Yy-F5kdM/s200/trmpt2.JPG" width="196" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">We have been looking at the prophetic End Time events as described in Revelation and their correlation to Jesus’ own words in Matthew 24.<span> </span>Most everyone today, over the age of forty would have to say that; they can’t ever remember the magnitude of the perils of war and crime along with the frequency and intensity of world natural disasters.<span> </span>Most people in the over forty generations would admit that there is something different about the times that we live in now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God’s WORD has been warning the world through the prophets; through the written WORD and through the sayings of Jesus Christ; that there will come a time on the earth; such as has never been, nor will ever be again.<span> </span>The Bible tells us to watch and be prepared.<span> </span>We need to live as if every moment could be our last; but also live as if we will live until we reach a ripe old age of 95.<span> </span>Being prepared does not mean; “stop living;” and watching does not mean to just wait.<span> </span>There is the story of the talents.<span> </span>The one who just waited, who buried his one talent and did nothing; he was cast into outer darkness and his one talent was given to the one who had ten.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have looked previously at the first six seals and their correlation to today’s world; things already upon us and things yet to come.<span> </span>As we open the seventh seal; there is complete silence for half an hour.<span> </span>We can just gloss over this simple statement; but think about it.<span> </span>Here is the headquarters that runs the universe; it has to be a busy place because our earth is round and people are going to bed as others are just getting up.<span> </span>The affairs of planet earth must keep heaven busy.<span> </span>We have read previously about the throne of God and the four heavenly beasts and the twenty four elders who praise God continuously.<span> </span>All of this activity, praise, worship and normal day in and day out business stops for a half an hour.<span> </span>Every being in heaven will know what this silence announces.<span> </span>It will be a mixture of joy and sorrow.<span> </span>This heavenly host has seen all of the evils going on from the Garden of Eden forward.<span> </span>The return of Jesus Christ will change the governments of the world into the governments of heaven.<span> </span>This will bring great joy.<span> </span>The sorrow will come with all of the events that will try the entire world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 8:1-6 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b><i><u>And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.</u><span> </span></i></b><i>(2)<span> </span>And I saw the <b><u>seven angels which stood before God</u></b>; and <b><u>to them were given seven trumpets.</u></b><span> </span>(3)<span> </span>And <b><u>another angel came</u></b> and stood at the altar<b><u>, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.</u></b><span> </span>(4)<span> </span>And <b><u>the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints</u></b>, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.<span> </span>(5)<span> </span>And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.<span> </span>(6)<span> </span><b><u>And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">For six thousand years; God has been looking to these events and all of the Heavenly host have been watching in prepared readiness along with all of the angels.<span> </span>All of the prayers of all of the saints down through the ages have been sitting on the golden altar of incense before the throne of God.<span> </span>The silence and stillness will erupt in smoke with thunder and lightening and an earthquake!<span> </span>This is the greatest prelude to the greatest moment ever in the entire universe.<span> </span>The resurrection of the saints; will happen with the sound of a trumpet.<span> </span>This trumpet will announce eternal life to those who have allowed God to place His character within them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God could not give His character to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; to do so would have made them robots.<span> </span>God does not want robots; He wants being like Himself, who voluntarily embrace righteousness!<span> </span>God can create everything and He has.<span> </span>He could become flesh and walk with His creation and He did.<span> </span>He could live and pave the way for us as the captain of salvation and He did and does; but only we can choose Him out of a free moral agency<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The trumpets will begin to sound:</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqqzz58nkzc/To0y0spq9tI/AAAAAAAAAO0/KLhpGwaJYHM/s1600/1stTrumpet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqqzz58nkzc/To0y0spq9tI/AAAAAAAAAO0/KLhpGwaJYHM/s320/1stTrumpet.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">An angel sounded the <b><u>first trumpet</u></b> and one third of all trees grass and vegetation will be destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g18PN_Xx2jY/To0zWpWNagI/AAAAAAAAAO4/FtMWwD1hRqs/s1600/trmpt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g18PN_Xx2jY/To0zWpWNagI/AAAAAAAAAO4/FtMWwD1hRqs/s320/trmpt2.JPG" width="313" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">An angel sounded the <b><u>second trumpet</u></b> and one third of of all sea life will be destroyed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Exan1ID2Js/To00P4qn_pI/AAAAAAAAAO8/QktMyhBQxHo/s1600/poison-river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Exan1ID2Js/To00P4qn_pI/AAAAAAAAAO8/QktMyhBQxHo/s320/poison-river.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">An angel sounded the <b><u>third trumpet</u></b> and one third of all fresh water; the rivers will be turned to wormwood.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-vQQK7LreE/To03sLL5IYI/AAAAAAAAAPA/yDNcyRBDCLQ/s1600/4th+trumpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-vQQK7LreE/To03sLL5IYI/AAAAAAAAAPA/yDNcyRBDCLQ/s1600/4th+trumpet.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div>An angel sounded the <b><u>fourth trumpet</u></b> and one third of sun, moon and stars become black.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuvEqk7bV7s/To04fFA5e2I/AAAAAAAAAPE/PfvWwesSHu8/s1600/5th+trumpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGefdM7r1Oc/To09DXu1czI/AAAAAAAAAPI/xvkHEmGvkP4/s1600/helicopters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGefdM7r1Oc/To09DXu1czI/AAAAAAAAAPI/xvkHEmGvkP4/s200/helicopters.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuvEqk7bV7s/To04fFA5e2I/AAAAAAAAAPE/PfvWwesSHu8/s1600/5th+trumpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuvEqk7bV7s/To04fFA5e2I/AAAAAAAAAPE/PfvWwesSHu8/s1600/5th+trumpet.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">An angel sounded the <b><u>fifth trumpet</u></b> which announces three woes and an angel has the keys to the bottomless pit and out of it comes locusts that do not harm vegetation, but inflict illness upon people that will last five months.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sePoRDYIED8/To0-EX-8aGI/AAAAAAAAAPM/8B-LJ6zn8NA/s1600/200+million+army.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sePoRDYIED8/To0-EX-8aGI/AAAAAAAAAPM/8B-LJ6zn8NA/s320/200+million+army.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An angel sounded the <b><u>sixth trumpet </u></b>which announces a huge army of 200 million soldiers that will battle for 1 year; 1 month; one day and one hour.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 8:7-11 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>The <b><u>first angel sounded</u></b>, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and<b><u> the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up</u></b>.<span> </span>(8)<span> </span>And the <b><u>second angel sounded</u></b>, and as it were <b><u>a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood</u></b>;<span> </span>(9)<span> </span>And the <b><u>third part of the creatures which were in the sea, </u></b>and had life, died; and the </i><u>third part of the ships were destroyed</u><i>.<span> </span>(10)<span> </span>And the <b><u>third angel sounded</u></b>, and there <b><u>fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;<span> </span>(11)<span> </span>And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters</u></b>, because they were made bitter.<span> </span>(12) And the <b><u>fourth angel sounded</u></b>, and the <b><u>third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise</u></b>.<span> </span>(13)<span> </span>And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, <b><u>Woe, woe, woe</u></b>, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">These are horrific events that will effect every man, woman and child.<span> </span>The fifth trumpet unleashes locust which do not harm vegetation, but they strike men with a five month illness so bad that they seek death and can’t find it.<span> </span>John never saw a helicopter; most scholars of the book of Revelation believe that what John saw were modern day helicopters and war implements.<span> </span>The five month disease was some type of biological weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 9:1-10 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And the <b><u>fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit</u></b>.<span> </span>(2)<span> </span>And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the <b><u>smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.<span> </span>(3)<span> </span>And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.</u></b><span> </span>(4)<span> </span>And it was <b><u>commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.</u></b><span> </span>(5)<span> </span>And to them <b><u>it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.</u></b><span> </span>(6)<span> </span>And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, <b><u>and death shall flee from them</u></b>.<span> </span>(7)<span> </span>And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.<span> </span>(8)<span> </span>And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.<span> </span>(9)<span> </span>And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.<span> </span>(10)<span> </span>And they had tails like unto scorpions, <b><u>and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. <o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Sixth Trumpet 200 Million Man Army<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The stage will be set for a mighty army to come from the East.<span> </span>They will kill a third of all men on the earth.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 9:13-15 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,<span> </span>(14)<span> </span>Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.<span> </span>(15)<span> </span><b><u>And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 9:16-21 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b><i><u>And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand(200 Million Man Army):</u></i></b><i> and I heard the number of them.<span> </span>(17)<span> </span>And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.<span> </span>(18)<span> </span>By <b><u>these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.</u></b><span> </span>(19)<span> </span><b><u>For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.<span> </span>(20)<span> </span>And the rest of the men which </u></b>were not killed by these plagues <b><u>yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood</u></b>: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:<span> </span>(21)<span> </span><b><u>Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In Chapter 10, God tells John to warn the people of the world a second time before the seven last plagues are poured out upon the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Seven Last Plagues</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (Revelation Chapter 16)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">1. Grievous sore<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">2. Sea became as the blood<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">3. Rivers and fountains of waters became blood.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">4. Sun scorch men with fire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">5. Darkness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">6. Euphrates dries up<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">7. Destruction of earth at 2nd coming of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God is not angry with the people of the world without cause.<span> </span>Man has forgotten that he was made for God and not for himself.<span> </span>Human nature is a powerful drive.<span> </span>Without the Holy Ghost abiding within man; he would always bring himself to the brink of destruction.<span> </span>We live in a world of appalling evil; the fruit of man without the guidance of Almighty God; the fruit of man choosing for himself what is right and wrong; instead of following God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-56705588326201899252011-10-02T08:56:00.002-05:002011-10-02T09:51:00.579-05:00Except those days be shortened<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOruNZYzhqI/TohrrNEcuxI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/3SykzS_gdTY/s1600/mushroom-cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOruNZYzhqI/TohrrNEcuxI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/3SykzS_gdTY/s200/mushroom-cloud.jpg" width="175" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">“There should no flesh be saved alive;” so says Jesus Christ about our generation! There are false prophets who would deceive you into paving their own lives with your riches; lining their coats with your money. They want to alarm you into following them! This writer only wants you to follow Jesus Christ; but we do live in perilous times. This world needs a savior, this world needs Jesus Christ! Have you invited Jesus Christ into your life? Is the LORD the pilot of your life? Are you secure in His hands and prepared for what lies ahead? Are you part of God’s elect?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:22 KJV <i><span style="color: red;">And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved (alive): but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_gT7sH3z3g/Tohr-LtIQcI/AAAAAAAAAOU/bMs1yBcGoLM/s1600/christretrn+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_gT7sH3z3g/Tohr-LtIQcI/AAAAAAAAAOU/bMs1yBcGoLM/s320/christretrn+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">You need to know where you stand before the LORD. If Jesus Christ came tonight; you need to know where you stand. This life is your one chance to grab onto eternal life in paradise with the LORD or to throw it all away for a few pleasures of sin for a short season and pay for it with an eternity in hell with the devil. It is your choice to win or to lose. God sets before you today; life or death; blessings or curses; and the LORD is their lovingly hoping that you will choose life and blessings; not just for a few short years in this life; but for all eternity. Jesus is at the door knocking and offering you an invitation to be saved and to be blessed!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you <b><u>life and death</u></b>, <b><u>blessing and cursing</u></b>: therefore choose life, <b><u>that both thou and thy seed may live:<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The world’s Christianity keeps you in a mystery; keeps you in a fog for their personal gain. They have convinced many that the Bible is impossible to understand; a book shrouded in hidden meaning; that they only; ”clergy;” like themselves can understand. They want you dependent upon them instead of Jesus Christ. One pastor of a major denomination once told me; “It is our job security to keep the people dependant upon us.” The Bible doesn’t conceal; it reveals!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGv__AgK5eM/TohsNegOAHI/AAAAAAAAAOY/2Uy3hTl30-w/s1600/4HRSMNa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGv__AgK5eM/TohsNegOAHI/AAAAAAAAAOY/2Uy3hTl30-w/s200/4HRSMNa.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The last book in the Bible; the book of Revelation is precisely a book of revealing truth. We have been talking about the <b><i><u>Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse</u></i></b> and the <b><u>Seven Seals of a Scroll</u></b> that is now opening on the horizon of world events today! These are a prelude to the return of our Savior and LORD Jesus Christ! The first rider is a warning that there is a great deceiver that would steal your eternal inheritance; a false Christ! Jesus warned of this in this very chapter where we are reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:4-5 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And Jesus answered and said unto them, <span style="color: red;">Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B45UHHpiUko/Tohs3-bMZ_I/AAAAAAAAAOg/x4nyuV1LOpA/s1600/rapture3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B45UHHpiUko/Tohs3-bMZ_I/AAAAAAAAAOg/x4nyuV1LOpA/s200/rapture3.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>144,000 Rapture</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We have read about two large companies of people who will be sealed. That is the next event that we are now awaiting; the Rapture of 144,000 and a great immeasurable multitude. God has sent His angels to hold back the impending events that will trigger the final destruction of the devil’s rule over the earth. The LORD is holding back these events so that you can get your house in order and be ready!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 7:1-4 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, <b><u>holding the four winds of the earth</u></b>, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. (2) And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, (3) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, <b><u>till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads</u></b>. (4) And I heard the number of them which were sealed: <b><u>and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand</u></b> of all the tribes of the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eZt0NhHQp8/TohsbBGOYFI/AAAAAAAAAOc/Xtpt-IEGfDg/s1600/great+multitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eZt0NhHQp8/TohsbBGOYFI/AAAAAAAAAOc/Xtpt-IEGfDg/s320/great+multitude.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Great Multitude</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 7:9-10 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> After this I beheld, and, lo, <b><u>a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;</u></b> (10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, <b><u>Salvation to our God</u></b> which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The next event to follow; will be the Great Tribulation. My friend, you want to be sealed in Christ! The hour is coming upon mankind to try all of the souls of people. It will be a horrific time, because the devil is going down fighting; fighting God! Has he won your soul to keep you in hell with him for all eternity? Are the pleasures of this world holding you to its master; the devil? Are you addicted to pleasure; worldly entertainment; sexual immorality; violence, lust, greed, drugs, nicotine and alcohol? These are the vices of the devil to deceive you into relinquishing your crown of life with Jesus Christ! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRaYbrVAT5U/TohtWb3X5-I/AAAAAAAAAOk/9b4qXqXkJkQ/s1600/hellr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRaYbrVAT5U/TohtWb3X5-I/AAAAAAAAAOk/9b4qXqXkJkQ/s320/hellr1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Short lived Pleasure leads to an eternity in hell.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In my short life of 52 years; movies have gone from G (general public for families and children) to PG (movies of questionable material not suited to children under twelve) to R (restricted to over 17 for filthy language; sex and violence) to X (gratuitous implicit and illicit sexual content) to NC-17 (movies that contain material that used to have an x rating). Free love (sex outside of marriage) of the 1960s opened the door to teen age pregnancy being common place in the 1970s; to homosexuality being accepted as just, “an alternate, but acceptable life style;” of the 1980’s; to the AIDS epidemic along with ramped out of control sexually transmitted diseases of the 1990s. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBbtP2DnndM/TohuTTL3oFI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Ht_iW1bWQ2Q/s1600/millenial+scene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBbtP2DnndM/TohuTTL3oFI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Ht_iW1bWQ2Q/s320/millenial+scene.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Eternal Joy with Christ or Torment in Hell It is<br />
Your Choice!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">People feared the end at the turn of the century; going into the New Millennium. Things slowed down in 1999; but when the ball fell in Times Square in New York City on New Years Eve 1999 and Y2K didn’t bring an end to life as we knew it; the devil has stepped up the party of decadence; and the world has become filled with more selfish and pleasure seeking people than ever before. The devil has the world right where he wants them, in a drugged stupor of pleasure and distraction that will lead only to destruction with him in hell. This is your wake up call! Now is the time to REPENT; be BAPTIZED IN JESUS’ NAME and receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST! NOW IS THE TIME TO GRAB HOLD OF SALVATION. IT IS YOUR CHOICE! CHOOSE LIFE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-67202515637081294642011-09-30T21:46:00.008-05:002011-10-01T10:32:15.183-05:00Storm Before Peace: 7 Trumpets -- Readiness Answered The Call<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQl68JtNgs0/ToaZVXqN-RI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Xd0csvetBXo/s1600/boatlift+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQl68JtNgs0/ToaZVXqN-RI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Xd0csvetBXo/s200/boatlift+9.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The American people and the world watched in great disbelief when terrorist attacks took down the two World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001. Ten years later we are still learning new things about that day. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUwUDyhYN9Q/ToaaXou0joI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ZrrHsjipjWQ/s1600/boatlift+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUwUDyhYN9Q/ToaaXou0joI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ZrrHsjipjWQ/s320/boatlift+4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">The towers were on Manhattan which is an island. The bridges that connect it to New York City were immediately closed; trapping everyone on the island. Hysteria broke out when nearly the entire island became engulfed in a cloud of dust from the two massive towers imploding. Most had no idea of what was happening. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvBofZbGkUc/ToaZk36u22I/AAAAAAAAAOA/WYBRcJ5zwtg/s1600/boatlift+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvBofZbGkUc/ToaZk36u22I/AAAAAAAAAOA/WYBRcJ5zwtg/s320/boatlift+7.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They ran to the area where the ferry docked to try to get off the island. It became immediately evident that the ferry boats would not be enough. A call went out to boat operators to help shuttle people off of the Island. It is not known how many boats came to the rescue of the people of Manhattan; but around 500,000 people were evacuated off of the Island in about 9 hours; by thousands of boats. As one witness said, “If it floated, it responded!” An eleven minute; very well done professional quality documentary narrated by Tom Hanks has been circulating through emails, twitter and Face Book this week. If you haven’t seen it; check out the link to it below.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDOrzF7B2Kg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">9/11 has taught us that catastrophe can strike at anytime. There is very little that we can do to be prepared physically for these types of attacks. No preparation would have physically saved anyone in the Towers who was above the point of impact. Saving our physical lives is instinct and we will all fight to the death to save ourselves; our family and our friends. Some have shown reckless abandonment for themselves in order to save a stranger. Jesus Christ says that there is no higher love!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">John 15:13 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><u><span style="color: red;">Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">How many of those who died in 9/11 were saved eternally? How many of them were ready to meet God face to face that day? It didn’t have to be from terrorist attacks because 150,680 people die every day worldwide; that is almost 2 people every second. How many are saved? How many of them are immersion baptized in Jesus’ name; blood washed, Holy Ghost filled Christians? Jesus said that we have to be born again! These are not my words. Being born again, means to be born of both the water and of the spirit; once again; the LORD’s words!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">John 3:3-5 ESV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Jesus answered, </span><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">"Truly, truly, I say to you, <b><u>unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.</u></b>" (4) Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (5) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, <u>unless one is <b>born of water and the Spirit</b>, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">When asked by His disciples; Jesus told them to watch and know the times so that they would be ready for His return and the “End Time.” However, it is not just for the “End Time;” that we need to be ready. The end of our lives can come as quickly as it did for those who died upon impact that day at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and that field of heroes where the third plane crashed. Those who had time to contemplate their eminent death had the time to say a prayer and prepared to meet their maker; not everyone is given such a chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In April of this year, after becoming delirious suddenly; from a septic infection; my wife called paramedics and they rushed me to the hospital and doctors braced my wife for my death which seemed most certain. Although it appeared that I was conscious, I have no memory of that day; three weeks later I awoke from my coma. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">Praise the LORD that He saved my physical life and healed me. Thankfully, my walk with the LORD is 24/7, 365; worship, prayer and Bible study are my daily habit. An older and very wise man, Pastor John W. Grant; taught me to dwell in heavenly places daily through prayer and worship with the speaking in the tongues of the Holy Ghost. I love the LORD with all of my heart, mind and soul. Christianity is not a religion and church is not a place to go; being a Christian is who I am and church is what I am as well. Three times in the past three years; death was knocking at my door and doctors expected me to die. Each time; thank the LORD; I was ready.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Being ready for the return of Jesus does not mean merely waiting. There are many people who have prediction addiction who are always setting dates or following some guru who sets dates and these people have actually stopped living life to wait. We each need to live everyday as if it were our last; living in His righteousness and holiness; but LIVE! Live and prepare as if you are going to live until age 105!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There are many professing Christians that believe that they can be steeped in the world; committing adultery and fornication; lie, steal and cheat; totally ignore God and spend as little time as possible in worship, prayer, Bible study and church; and they believe that they are going to heaven!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 18pt;">Friends, you need to know your Bible, because only through your Bible are you going to know God. There is a warning going out from God in the form of world events that have been happening in greater proportion and magnitude. The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse/Revelation are here. They are the first 4 of 7 seals that have been opened. You want to be on the right side of God when 5 and 6 are opened. When the seventh seal is opened, it will be too late for the backslider and the unbeliever! <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSf6TzK124/ToadkK3WFbI/AAAAAAAAAOM/taeIDvkpLVw/s1600/revJohn3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSf6TzK124/ToadkK3WFbI/AAAAAAAAAOM/taeIDvkpLVw/s1600/revJohn3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSf6TzK124/ToadkK3WFbI/AAAAAAAAAOM/taeIDvkpLVw/s1600/revJohn3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSf6TzK124/ToadkK3WFbI/AAAAAAAAAOM/taeIDvkpLVw/s1600/revJohn3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSf6TzK124/ToadkK3WFbI/AAAAAAAAAOM/taeIDvkpLVw/s320/revJohn3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 15:1 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">The seventh seal will unleash seven blasts of the trumpet in succession; each trumpet will unleash unimaginable catastrophic plagues that will culminate with three final woes and the return of Jesus Christ to punish this world and put it on a Godly path of His Righteousness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-5649704157461561162011-09-26T20:48:00.001-05:002011-09-26T21:06:04.450-05:00Beginning of Sorrows: Part 11 -- Prelude to Trumpets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArNKbJz1w90/ToEhWadR2BI/AAAAAAAAANE/znH6KXQiQh4/s1600/rev7AngelsTrumps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArNKbJz1w90/ToEhWadR2BI/AAAAAAAAANE/znH6KXQiQh4/s320/rev7AngelsTrumps.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">You may love surprises and have all of the patience in the world to look at gifts under a Christmas tree and be happy to wait to open your gift. Surprises and patience to wait has never been my strong suit. My mind does not work well not knowing! In fact, it will drive me stark raving mad! Surprise me as long as you don’t tell me that something is coming; that is the worst! If you can plan it all out; without me having a clue; that is O.K. What is not known can’t bother me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Along with wanting to know is also my need to prepare and set goals. Some people never set goals; they just take life as it comes. My administrative nature knows that less gets done without setting goals and planning. At the end of a vacation nearly twenty years ago; prompted in the middle of the night; God led me to write down on the hotel stationary; ten goals and their timelines for achieving them over the next five years. The paper got lost and was never consciously thought about until it emerged a little over five years later. To my great surprise; all ten of the items were accomplished according to their individual time frames.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">God’s Perfect Timing<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">God has perfect timing and that is not by accident. Our material universe runs better than a Rolex watch. We can all count on God’s planning and preparation that makes the universe work perfectly. In His perfect order and timing; He will return to earth as Jesus Christ once again; not as the little LORD in the manger; but as the Almighty God; the King of kings and the LORD of lords!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">God’s Perfect Plan<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We have been looking at the “End Time Events;” those things that will happen just before the LORD’s return. Because of mankind’s vain and rebellious nature; Jesus will have to take back; by force; the rule over the nations. Unfortunately; the world will not welcome Jesus Christ and the peace that He will bring! The world has been ignoring all of the LORD’s messages and signs. We need to know the LORD’s plan; if we are going to make any sense of the current and upcoming world events. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Prophecy: God’s Plan is Changing History <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The statistics sited below are a repost from earlier articles. The first ten years of the new century are unprecedented in world history. The twentieth century ended as the bloodiest period of time for genocide; some of the bloodiest was at the end of the century in Africa. </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yS5pKQ1Ll2M/ToEjK54xdbI/AAAAAAAAANI/I90JoJaH0zI/s1600/rwandaskulls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yS5pKQ1Ll2M/ToEjK54xdbI/AAAAAAAAANI/I90JoJaH0zI/s320/rwandaskulls.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Skulls from mass graves in Rwanda</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These are not war casualties; but just mass murders for race, nationality or political view. Add those killed in wars and the death toll is more than 300,000,000! The new century and new millennium started out with some of the greatest natural disasters ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation Becoming Our Reality<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The catastrophic events that are detailed in the Book of Revelation have become a reality in our lifetime. We can ignore the facts or justify them away by saying that we have more media available to report current events. Even without statistics to back up gut feelings; there is a sense that we have never seen such dramatic proportions of political unrest and weather upset and disaster. Along with the increase of sexual immorality; not heard of sin Sodom and Gomorrah; we have definitely reached new levels of chaos, confusion and the extinction of the nuclear family as defined by God’s WORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Around 160,000,000 people were killed in wars during the 20<sup>th</sup> Century<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For detailed statistics; log on to </span><a href="http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html">http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html</a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Around 150,000,000 people who were murdered for their race, nationality or political view. This is just for the 20<sup>th</sup> Century! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For detailed statistics; log on to <a href="http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/dictat.html">http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/dictat.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBbYaaL4mQE/ToEj2alhnFI/AAAAAAAAANQ/l3ChAebNXig/s1600/rwanda3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBbYaaL4mQE/ToEj2alhnFI/AAAAAAAAANQ/l3ChAebNXig/s320/rwanda3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Children and People are Still Mourning <br />
Their Loss.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bIyFOdarMwM/ToEkDz6lsHI/AAAAAAAAANU/7JpCMIbmtgE/s320/rwanda2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="281" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Nearly 1 Million People Were Murdered <br />
in 90 days in 90 days of genocide. </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bIyFOdarMwM/ToEkDz6lsHI/AAAAAAAAANU/7JpCMIbmtgE/s1600/rwanda2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">The first ten years of the new century brought the following:</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">3,852 disasters killed more than 780,000 people over the past 10 years, affected more than 2 billion others and cost a minimum of US$960 billion. </span></i></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">March 3, 2010 Reported CRED: Center for Research on Environmental Disasters. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aP1JnEGJtoU/ToEqGnHmE7I/AAAAAAAAANc/LiFlV1QWOig/s1600/haiti.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aP1JnEGJtoU/ToEqGnHmE7I/AAAAAAAAANc/LiFlV1QWOig/s320/haiti.JPG" width="320" /> </a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-camNxKK4vAs/ToErhZGyyKI/AAAAAAAAANk/i851lVCBl_k/s1600/haiti+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-camNxKK4vAs/ToErhZGyyKI/AAAAAAAAANk/i851lVCBl_k/s640/haiti+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Asho4rlK30/ToEqaPHQO6I/AAAAAAAAANg/usXtgMY1YWQ/s1600/haiti2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Asho4rlK30/ToEqaPHQO6I/AAAAAAAAANg/usXtgMY1YWQ/s400/haiti2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In 2010 alone the world experienced the following:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Earthquakes, floods, a heat-wave and cold-wave were among the 373 natural disasters recorded in 2010. Together, they killed over 296,800 people, affected nearly 208 million others, and cost almost US$110 billion. </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">January 25, 2011 Reported by CRED: Center for Research on Environmental Disasters.</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We Haven’t Seen Anything Yet!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We have spent the last eleven days looking at the beginning of the Book of Revelation; calling it the <b><i><u>Beginning of Sorrows</u></i></b>. The events prophesied next will effect every man, woman and child. The initial war between Lucifer and God knocked all of the planets out of orbit. The war between Man and God, will change the face of earth!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Next is the <b><u>Seventh Seal</u></b>. It will announce; with <b><u>Seven Trumpets</u></b>; catastrophic events that are beyond comprehension. These will culminate with <b><u>Seven Last Plagues</u></b>; that will usher in the return of Jesus Christ as the 7<sup>th</sup> Trumpet Sounds. I have been living the past 40 years in anticipation of this time and I hope to see it in my lifetime. Many await in their graves for the return of Jesus Christ and many of us are hoping to see Christ before we see the grave. The Kingdom of God will put an end to all suffering and injustice! This is what fuels true Christians; <b><i><u>“A Better World in Christ!”</u></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VduSvh4iOC0/ToEowAro8bI/AAAAAAAAANY/AZAqQ8Yv3h8/s1600/swinging-incense-burner-218x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VduSvh4iOC0/ToEowAro8bI/AAAAAAAAANY/AZAqQ8Yv3h8/s1600/swinging-incense-burner-218x300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 8:1-4 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. (2) And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. (3<b><u>) And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.</u></b> (4) And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Christians around the world and through the ages have been praying for this devastating day of man and victorious day for Christ! Since the Garden of Eden, the clock has been ticking down nearly six thousand years; awaiting the time when the Fall of Man will be totally righted and humans will once again live in a Garden Paradise. Unfortunately, there will be great suffering and great travail as the kingdoms of this world are birthed into the Kingdoms of Christ! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now is the time to prepare our hearts and minds to change our mindset from worldliness to Holiness; exchange sin for a season for an Eternal Crown!<span> </span>Your eternal future will depend upon your readiness for the events that may lie just shortly ahead.<span> </span>The people of Haiti repented in mass.<span> </span>Over 1 million people surrounded the Presidential Palace for 3 days of Prayer and Fasting after an earthquake killed 316,000 people and destroyed the country; injuring over 300,000 and leaving 1 million people homeless.<span> </span><b><i><u>Now is the time to Repent and be Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.</u></i></b><span> </span>The warning is going out.<span> </span>Soon the Heavenly Trumpet Blasts will be sounding and it will be too late.<span> </span>Now is the Day of Salvation! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Click on the video below for the video of Haiti's Revival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/30rWm84z-zg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <div style="background: #CCCCCC; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.0pt;"><a href="http://anointings.blogspot.com/">Anointings</a> <b><span style="color: navy;">is a sponsored ministry of<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.0pt;">Crystal Lake United Pentecostal Church<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.0pt;">Lake in the Hills Illinois 60156</span></b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.0pt;"><a href="http://clupc.org/">CLUPC.Org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bro. Thomas C. Blake<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.careminister.org/">CareMinister.Org</a><br />
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Copyright © 2011<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;">This page is produced and maintained by</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #810081; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;"><a href="http://www.pathway2020.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4e7dbf;">http://www.pathway2020.com</span></a></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-63599332284595847542011-09-25T17:37:00.000-05:002011-09-25T17:37:19.215-05:00Beginning of Sorrows: Part 10 -- 144,000 & The Great Multitude<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tg4i0_Rl9yk/Tn-qHyQKn0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/1EWQXJYb4Ow/s1600/144k3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tg4i0_Rl9yk/Tn-qHyQKn0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/1EWQXJYb4Ow/s1600/144k3.png" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">W</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">e have been looking at the End Time events as depicted by the seven seals of the great scroll that was in the hand of the One who sits on the throne and how it could only be opened by the LAMB of God who is the only one worthy.<span> </span>The First four seals are depicted as four horses and their riders.<span> </span>They are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; and represent events that correlate with Matthew chapter 24; “the signs of the end of the world (age).”<span> </span>Seal five revealed the saints who were martyred who cry out “How long until our blood is avenged?”<span> </span>The LORD says, “Wait just a little longer.”<span> </span>The events of the sixth seal are great and horrific; a time of the Great Tribulation to occur just before the seventh seal and the return of Jesus Christ.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">144,000 Sealed and Protected From Tibulation<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><span>It is at this juncture that a 144,000, thousand from all of the tribes of the children of Israel are sealed in Christ.<span> </span>They are true Christian believers.<span> </span> </span>Four angels from all four corners of the earth hold back the four winds from harming the earth, sea or any tree; until the servants of the LORD are <b><u>sealed</u></b>; this is the 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe of Israel).<span> </span>These specifically chose; twelve thousand from every tribe of Israel are sealed.<span> </span>The Greek word means to be stamped for preservation (literally or figuratively) and by implication; to keep secret; to seal up, attest.<span> </span>Since the New Testament Jew is one inwardly; whose heart has been circumcised; these 12,000 from every tribe may represent each tribe.<span> </span>Seeing how God directed the genealogy of Mary and Joseph to give Jesus the direct descent from both the house of Aaron (High Priest) and David (Royal Kingship) as well as Jew and Gentile;<span> </span>It would be in keeping with how God orders things to make every Christian of the 144,000 to perfectly have a direct genealogy that will perfectly represent 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes; regardless of which race may seem physically dominant.<span> </span>After all; this would be the perfect fulfillment to Abraham and preserve Abraham’s direct lineage as God’s chosen people for all eternity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:198pt;height:128.25pt'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Blake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.png"
o:title="144k2"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uePfLin0Ts8/Tn-r90aatAI/AAAAAAAAAM0/kqKchJTUVmM/s1600/144k2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uePfLin0Ts8/Tn-r90aatAI/AAAAAAAAAM0/kqKchJTUVmM/s320/144k2.png" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 7:1-4 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span><i>And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.<span> </span>(2)<span> </span>And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, (3) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, <b><u>till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.</u></b><span> </span>(4)<span> </span>And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Once the servants of God of Israelite descent, are sealed and protected (12,000 from each tribe); then the Tribulation; and the fullness of the End Time events will be unleashed.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Great Multitude of Believer’s Saved<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Out of the Great Tribulation, God will call and save a Great Multitude of people from all nations, from all tribes and peoples and languages.<span> </span>This will fulfill Joel’s prophecy that <span> </span>whosoever will call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered and Paul’s prophecy that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joel 2:31-32 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>The <b><u>sun shall be turned into darkness</u></b>, and <b><u>the moon into blood</u></b>, before <b><u>the great and the terrible day of the LORD come</u></b>.<span> </span>(32)<span> </span>And it shall come to pass, that whosoever <b><u>shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered</u></b>: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Romans 10:13 KJV</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> For <b><u>whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:153.75pt;height:174pt'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Blake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image005.png"
o:title="144k"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk6lyd_Gy4A/Tn-sW8v1wrI/AAAAAAAAAM8/dBYcFM0RPcQ/s1600/144k.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk6lyd_Gy4A/Tn-sW8v1wrI/AAAAAAAAAM8/dBYcFM0RPcQ/s1600/144k.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">These are people who will have washed their lives in the blood of Christ and will be clothed in the white linen of Christ’s own righteousness.<span> </span>They will have had to endure the Great Tribulation.<span> </span>They are the people left behind to witness during the Great Tribulation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 7:9-10 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>After this I beheld, and, lo, <b><u>a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;</u></b><span> </span>(10)<span> </span>And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 7:13-15 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, <b><u>What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?</u></b><span> </span>(14)<span> </span>And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, <b><u>These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.</u></b><span> </span>(15)<span> </span>Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">7 Messages to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We Studied the Messages to the seven churches earlier this year.<span> </span>These were actual churches at the writing of the Book of Revelation.<span> </span>They are also seven types of church (good & bad traits); they also represent seven attitudes and possibly seven eras with Laodicea being the church of the Great Tribulation and Philadelphia being the church of brotherly love of the Rapture.<span> </span>It is clear that all seven types and all seven attitudes will be extant at the return of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVzrwm5xthw/Tn-s8DJb_5I/AAAAAAAAANA/qGXTlKnbBww/s1600/Map-7-Churches-of-Revelation-Asia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVzrwm5xthw/Tn-s8DJb_5I/AAAAAAAAANA/qGXTlKnbBww/s320/Map-7-Churches-of-Revelation-Asia.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Ephesus</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – They Lost Their First Love.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Smyrna</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Was rich in God’s grace in terrible tribulation & persecution.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Pergamum</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Allowed members to be pagans and Nicolaitans.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Thyatira</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Practiced sexual immorality & idolatry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Sardis</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Was a church of dead works; weary of well doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Philadelphia</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Had a little faith and was known for brotherly love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church at Laodicea</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Was lukewarm and was going to be tried in the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Friends; we could be 200 years away from Christ’s return or it could happen at any time.<span> </span>God will choose His perfect timing.<span> </span>You don’t want to be cut short; you don’t want to be tried in the fire of the Great Tribulation; you certainly don’t want damnation for all eternity.<span> </span>NOW IS THE TIME TO GET RIGHT WITH JESUS CHRIST!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-36338191734865538552011-09-24T23:25:00.003-05:002011-09-24T23:33:18.683-05:00Beginning of Sorrows Part 9 the Sixth Seal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yfex-Wqzx08/Tn6o_1-aEuI/AAAAAAAAAMk/L16fYOvX_jk/s1600/6th+seal+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yfex-Wqzx08/Tn6o_1-aEuI/AAAAAAAAAMk/L16fYOvX_jk/s320/6th+seal+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">It was a Thursday night, August the 2<sup>nd</sup> in 1990 when a special news report broke into regular programming to announce Saddam Hussein’s attack on Kuwait. Within days, hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells and fields were set ablaze by Iraqi forces and the sun became as sackcloth. As a child, growing up in a church that believed in “End Time,” events; this was starling! It seemed that Revelation chapter 6 was beginning to happen. We believed that the Gospel had gone to the entire world as prophesied in Matthew 24:14. That was the one thing that could hold back the End Time. We knew to look to the Middle East for the culmination of world events; but this was not that event. As we have been going through the Book of Revelation, and have looked at the first five seals of the scroll of Revelation chapter 6; today we are going to look at the sixth seal which is about Heavenly Signs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbIRjYtoCxc/Tn6q5YBbwyI/AAAAAAAAAMo/iq2QVnXxc98/s1600/Lamb+7+Seals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbIRjYtoCxc/Tn6q5YBbwyI/AAAAAAAAAMo/iq2QVnXxc98/s200/Lamb+7+Seals.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><b><u>The First Six Seals</u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First Seal -- False Prophets</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Second Seal -- Wars<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Third Seal -- Famine<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fourth Seal -- Pestilence<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fifth Seal -- Tribulation and </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the Rapture</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sixth Seal -- Heavenly Signs </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and Wonders</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 6:12-17 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And I beheld when he had <b><u>opened the sixth seal</u></b>, and, lo, <b><u>there was a great earthquake</u></b>; and <b><u>the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;</u></b> (13) And the <b><u>stars of heaven fell unto the earth</u></b>, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. (14) And the <b><u>heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together</u></b>; and <b><u>every mountain and island were moved out of their places</u></b>. (15) 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, <b><u>hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains</u></b>; (16) 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: (17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">7 Great Events will take place as part of the Sixth Seal</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGEAZFXYdzY/Tn6rihM1t9I/AAAAAAAAAMs/hCmV_X-Uifw/s1600/6th+seal+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGEAZFXYdzY/Tn6rihM1t9I/AAAAAAAAAMs/hCmV_X-Uifw/s640/6th+seal+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The following seven events take place after the fifth seal Rapture of God’s people and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The events will climax with the seventh seal events that unleash the seven last trumpet events. The seventh Trumpet blast will signal Christ’s return.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Great Earthquake<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Moon becomes as blood<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Stars (celestial bodies) fall to the earth in great number<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Heaven departs like a scroll when it is rolled together<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Every mountain and Island is moved out of its place<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">7.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All men; kings and slaves alike try to hide from Christ, in the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Who will stand when the Day of the LORD comes?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Prophet Malachi speaks about the return of Jesus Christ in the Day of the LORD; when He shall return as the refiner’s fire! The LORD’s appearing will be so great and upon such horrific events that Malachi asks; who shall stand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Malachi 3:2-4 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><u>But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?</u></i></b><i> for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (3) And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (4) Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We have the choice to be refined by God now; willing subjects to His way; or we can go through hell on earth and the Great Tribulation and be refined by force. Either way; every knee will bow to Jesus Christ the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 45:22-23 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Look unto me, and <b><u>be ye saved</u></b>, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (23) I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me <b><u>every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 14:11 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> For <i>it is written, As I live, saith the Lord,</i> <b><i><u>every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God</u></i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">If you have not been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ the LORD; and received the gift of the Holy Ghost; then you are gambling with your eternal life! Those who believe and are baptized shall be saved while the unbeliever shall be damned! Now is the time to make sure that your spiritual house is in order; now is the time to revive your relationship with Jesus Christ; now is the time to awake and take action in your life!<b><i><u><o:p></o:p></u></i></b></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-56796266910762007942011-09-21T04:41:00.001-05:002011-09-22T16:52:19.598-05:00Beginning of Sorrows: Part 8 -- The Fifth Seal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5TixUO30KM/TnuseAZK4uI/AAAAAAAAAMU/nNbk2LI3O_A/s1600/7seals7hrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5TixUO30KM/TnuseAZK4uI/AAAAAAAAAMU/nNbk2LI3O_A/s320/7seals7hrs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">As a kid growing up in the 1960s; television for both adults and children was all basically built upon unrealistic life scenarios (the perfect families of the Cleavers, Father Knows Best and the Donna Reed Show) or they were westerns (Gun Smoke, Wagon Train, Raw Hide and Daniel Boone). There were also some detective shows like Mannix and Hawaii 5-O. One absolute about all of those shows was that Good always won out over evil. There was another underlying theme; that was that justice had to be served. Even though this was supposed to be carried out by “The Law;” there was a constant theme of getting even that was programming young minds like my own. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Television was greatly restricted and regulated by Dad. Even movies that we went to as a family; it was not uncommon for Dad to make us get up and leave the theater at the first questionable language or theme. With Dad, there was no compromise! Whatever liberal and non-Christian value that was being taught through school, classmates and the media; Dad was there holding the line on Holiness which is God’s standard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As a youth, forgiveness was taught countless times in sermons and Bible Studies. Through all of this; God has blessed me with a soft and forgiving heart. Vengeance belongs to God as His WORD says. Forgiving seventy times seven seems to suggest that there is no end to God’s forgiveness; and indeed there is no end. Looking at forgiveness and mercy seemed to make eternal punishment in hell fire seem out of character for the God of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Bigger Picture<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We were created to endure great sorrow and suffering. It truly is through our trials that we grow in God’s character. God has promised us that we would never be tried more that we can bear. God does allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear; but He gives us greater ability to bear it or He makes a way of escape. It is only through bringing us to the breaking point that we are stretched so that we can grow. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but <b><u>God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able</u></b>; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Muscle training is common knowledge. If you want greater strength, then you have to stretch the muscle just to the braking point. An every other day exercise regime is recommended; because it takes a day to recover and rebuild. The constant process; of ripping and healing muscle mass; increases strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ripping and healing our spiritual, emotional and mental fiber makes us stronger and more like Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We must remember that we were created for God’s good pleasure; and we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We belong to God and He wants to give us eternal life with Him. The less than 100 years that any of us suffer in the flesh is preparing us to live for a billion years and beyond. The value of eternal life would be very little if it were not so costly to prepare for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">My daughter spent 5 years going to college fulltime and she had to sacrifice her time and a great amount of money to achieve her diploma from Loyola University in Chicago. She went beyond; sought out the best school for her chosen field and she landed the perfect job; her dream job working for one of the world’s largest and most prestigious law firms in Chicago. She paid a high price to reach the first level of her career. If she had chosen just any college, she would not have landed the job.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is that, “God will not be mocked.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Galatians 6:7 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Justice will prevail! Not just any justice; but Godly Justice! It seems that evil wins out over good; but we haven’t seen the fires of hell yet. We haven’t seen who is going to be in hell. People can amass great wealth in this life; at the expense and suffering of others. Some day they will pay. That is what the fifth seal is all about. Justice is coming, just wait a little longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 6:9-11 ESV <i>When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar <b><u>the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne</u></b>. (10) They cried out with a loud voice<b><u>, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"</u></b> (11) Then they were each <b><u>given a white robe and told to rest a little longer</u></b>, <b><u>until</u></b> the number of their fellow servants and <b><u>their brothers should be complete,</u></b> who were to be killed as they themselves had been.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KToPUFjC4ck/TnutdeFmAlI/AAAAAAAAAMY/XftLM21uEYQ/s1600/saints+alter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KToPUFjC4ck/TnutdeFmAlI/AAAAAAAAAMY/XftLM21uEYQ/s200/saints+alter.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Those who have been martyred for the Gospel so that we could believe; those saints are the foundation of our Christian sacrifice today. They cry out from under the altar for justice; but their number is not complete. Some of us will be martyred before Jesus returns; but God promises justice; innocent blood will be avenged by God! Only God knows the full story of ever person who has ever lived. Only God knows who has accepted and who has rejected His call; but the value of the glory that will be revealed in us demands justice be paid by those workers of iniquity. Only God knows all! This is certain; no innocent, Godly person will ever go to the lake of fire!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We live in exciting times. God is holding out to each of us an invitation for an eternal gift and also a reward. We can’t earn the gift which is eternal life; that comes by grace; but we can earn an eternal reward. What we will do for all eternity will depend upon the character that we develop now in the flesh. Belief and baptism are how we accept the gift of grace; we must claim our gift. Works of faith and living, growing and being transformed in Christ will earn us a reward. Do not lose hope; overcome the world just as Jesus Christ overcame the world! Glory awaits you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-57899604337223940362011-09-20T23:30:00.001-05:002011-09-20T23:35:59.529-05:00Beginning of Sorrows: Part 7 -- Worthy is the Lamb<div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Beginning of Sorrows Part 7</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7aq9m78fUc/TnloPZ9rg1I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/SlMjKs0K1bY/s1600/4HRSMN+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7aq9m78fUc/TnloPZ9rg1I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/SlMjKs0K1bY/s320/4HRSMN+3.JPG" width="227" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We have been looking at prophetic events of the End Time; in particular; The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation chapter 6 and their correlation to Matthew chapter 24. We have called this series “Beginning of Sorrows;” a quote from Matthew 24:8. This is now part 7 in the series and we are going to back up to look at the scroll that has contained the seals that have revealed the Four Horsemen prophecies. Let’s review the overview of the writing of the book of Revelation. It was written by the Apostle John while in exile on the Island of Patmos. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Chapter 1 is an introduction that establishes that the writing is a message from Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end; and that the message is to be taken to the seven churches in Asia. John received it in a vision; in the Spirit and it was a time in the future; the End Time which is the Day of the LORD.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEsQzOD4vrM/TnllnUTNQOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/G7lUgTeGhps/s1600/REV+CHART+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEsQzOD4vrM/TnllnUTNQOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/G7lUgTeGhps/s1600/REV+CHART+1.JPG" /></a></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 1:10-11 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><u>I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day</u></i></b><i>, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (11) Saying</i></span><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">,<b><u> I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:</u></b> and, <b><u>What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia</u></b>; unto <u>Ephesus</u>, and unto <u>Smyrna</u>, and unto <u>Pergamos</u>, and unto <u>Thyatira</u>, and unto Sardis, and unto <u>Philadelphia,</u> and unto <u>Laodicea.</u></span></i><i><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus states that He holds the keys to death and Hell<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 1:18 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i><span style="color: red;">I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; <b><u>and have the keys of hell and of death</u></b></span></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Chapters 2 and 3 are the seven messages to seven churches in Asia. These churches represent 7 attitudes and possibly 7 eras of the true church. They were referred to as the seven golden candle sticks; and each has an angel referred to as a star in chapter 1. The candle stick with seven lamps was originally part of the Tabernacle of the congregation of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 1:20 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The <b><u>seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:</u></b> and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter 4 describes the throne of God and John is taken there in his vision. John is shown the four beasts that sit at the throne saying, continuously; <b><i><u>Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come</u></i></b>; and there are twenty-four elders that worship the LORD continuously, saying <b><i><u>Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 4:8-11 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (9) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It is in <b>Revelation chapter 5</b> that John sees the book; the scroll with seven seals and it is in the hand of God and that the book could only be opened by the Lamb of God who was slain. There are many things that we only partially understand now because it is not meant for us to fully understand at this time. We must become worthy just as the Lamb of God; Christ Jesus made Himself worthy. Jesus said, “to him that overcometh…even as I overcame…” Jesus is the captain of our salvation (Hebrews2:10)…He leads us on His path; He is the WAY, Truth and Life (John 14:6). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 3:21 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><i><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, </span></u></i></b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">and am set down with my Father in his throne.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our understanding will become complete when we have overcome the flesh and have completed our course; our race. Our overcoming is not complete until death or the return of Jesus Christ. Then our eyes will be fully opened and given fullness of understanding. The bread of life is Christ; the bread that came down from heaven; the hidden manna is the fullness of understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 2:17 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; <b><u>To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna</u></b>, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As the Apostle Paul said; “What we only see as reflections in a mirror, shadows of what is to come; we will see face to face in fullness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV </span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Book of Revelation contains the mortar that holds all of the Gospel and the Truth together and erects the house for us to see. Jesus came for more than healing and salvation. The greatness of our potential along with the grandeur of the mansion that awaits us; this and all of their proportions and that which our son-ship in Christ portends; is revealed in the Book of Revelation; that is if we overcome! The clarity of the consequences of rejecting our calling is also revealed along with the torment of the devil’s fate. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are the first four seals of the book that only the Lamb of God is worthy to open. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 5:1-5 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (4) And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (5) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Revelation 5:12-13 KJV</b> <i>Saying with a loud voice, <b><u>Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. </u></b> (13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, <b><u>Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Chapters 1 through 5 of Revelation are the introduction that prepares the setting and stage; of all of the fulfillment of God’s plan that begins with the End Time. This course of events commences with the opening of the first seal; the White Horse and culminates in the seventh trump of the return of Jesus Christ. The chart below is a map through these events.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3IaZlTLwVQ/TnlmR9hj3pI/AAAAAAAAAMM/UB-X0pbQb7I/s1600/Chart+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3IaZlTLwVQ/TnlmR9hj3pI/AAAAAAAAAMM/UB-X0pbQb7I/s1600/Chart+2.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">You need to fully understand the events that are unfolding on the world stage. Your future is at stake. Pray for understanding; pray that the LORD would lead you into His righteousness. Now is the time to make your calling an election sure!</span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-17809527596754215822011-09-19T06:16:00.002-05:002011-09-20T06:56:51.754-05:00Beginning of Sorrows: Part 6 -- Pestilence<div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iY17PbZIbj0/Tnh8aE9dZ5I/AAAAAAAAAL8/XcXkiob8XCc/s1600/pale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iY17PbZIbj0/Tnh8aE9dZ5I/AAAAAAAAAL8/XcXkiob8XCc/s1600/pale.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Behold a pale horse</b>: <b>and his name <br />
that sat on him was Death.</b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">In 2007, a native, Rwandan Christian minister began following this web ministry. He had established a network of small churches in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda; from his home in Kigali, Rwanda. That whole area of Africa is still a challenge for anyone who wants to take the Gospel to the people of those nations. There is a cry for knowledge and hope that only Jesus Christ can fulfill.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">They have had tribulation. In April of 1994 a tragic event initiated a 100 day period of genocide that murdered nearly 1 million people in that short period of time in the country of Rwanda. The world stood back and watched. Had Adolf Hitler killed with that kind of speed; the Holocaust would have claimed 25 to 30 million lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syFOCNnAxwk/Tnh-HHHJUoI/AAAAAAAAAMA/_3H-29YSie0/s1600/rwanda1994a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syFOCNnAxwk/Tnh-HHHJUoI/AAAAAAAAAMA/_3H-29YSie0/s320/rwanda1994a.JPG" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rwanda 1994</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The presidential guard quickly murdered the political opposition and enacted a pre-planned campaign of slaughter that spread across the country. Soldiers, government officials and business leaders organised the killings and were joined by a Hutu militia, the Interahamwe. </span></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">BBC Tuesday, 6 April, 2004 Updated Timeline <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It is incomprehensible to imagine such rapid genocide in such a short period of time. The Rwandan people are still recovering<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 6:7-8 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. (8) And I looked, and <b><u>behold a pale horse</u></b>: and <b><u>his name that sat on him was Death</u></b>, and Hell followed with him. And <b><u>power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.</u></b> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv6QAQ7b11M/Tnh-6JABTzI/AAAAAAAAAME/3cAr2_LVsLI/s1600/World+War+Ii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv6QAQ7b11M/Tnh-6JABTzI/AAAAAAAAAME/3cAr2_LVsLI/s320/World+War+Ii.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Nazi Concentration camp </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This End Time event corresponds with the statement that Jesus made in Matthew 24:7 when He predicted there would be </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">pestilences, and earthquakes, in different places;<span style="color: black;"> in the End Time. The word pestilence means destruction; utter and complete annihilation on a scale of incomprehensible proportions. We think of Hitler’s genocide of the Jewish people in World War II; yet he was just one of many in the twentieth century who committed genocide. It was a century plagued with the utter destruction of peoples merely because they breathed air! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These were madmen of tyrannical regimes; who used their power to annihilate; innocent people at their perverted whims. The chart below comes from a website that lists those individuals who should have been tried for atrocities committed during their rule. </span><a href="http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/dictat.html">http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/dictat.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The numbers add up to around 150,000,000 people who were murdered for their race, nationality or political view. This is just for the 20<sup>th</sup> Century!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: #ABCDEF; border: outset 1.5pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Mao Ze-Dong (China, 1958-61 and 1966-69, Tibet 1949-50)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">49-78,000,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Jozef Stalin (USSR, 1932-39)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">23,000,000 (the purges plus Ukraine's famine)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Adolf Hitler (Germany, 1939-1945)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">12,000,000 (concentration camps and civilians WWII)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Leopold II of Belgium (Congo, 1886-1908)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">8,000,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Hideki Tojo (Japan, 1941-44)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">5,000,000 (civilians in WWII)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Ismail Enver (Turkey, 1915-20)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">1,200,000 Armenians (1915) + 350,000 Greek Pontians and 480,000 Anatolian Greeks (1916-22) + 500,000 Assyrians (1915-20)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Pol Pot (Cambodia, 1975-79)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">1,700,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Kim Il Sung (North Korea, 1948-94)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">1.6 million (purges and concentration camps)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Menghistu (Ethiopia, 1975-78)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">1,500,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Yakubu Gowon (Biafra, 1967-1970)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">1,000,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Leonid Brezhnev (Afghanistan, 1979-1982)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">900,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Jean Kambanda (Rwanda, 1994)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">800,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Saddam Hussein (Iran 1980-1990 and Kurdistan 1987-88)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">600,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Tito (Yugoslavia, 1945-1987)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">570,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Sukarno (Communists 1965-66)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">500,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Fumimaro Konoe (Japan, 1937-39)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">500,000? (Chinese civilians)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Jonas Savimbi (Angola, 1975-2002)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">400,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Mullah Omar - Taliban (Afghanistan, 1986-2001)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">400,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Idi Amin (Uganda, 1969-1979)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">300,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Yahya Khan (Pakistan, 1970-71)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">300,000 (Bangladesh)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES">Benito Mussolini (Ethiopia, 1936; Libya, 1934-45; Yugoslavia, WWII)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">300,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Mobutu Sese Seko (Zaire, 1965-97)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">?</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Charles Taylor (Liberia, 1989-1996)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">220,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Foday Sankoh (Sierra Leone, 1991-2000)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">200,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Suharto (Aceh, East Timor, New Guinea, 1975-98)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">200,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Ho Chi Min (Vietnam, 1953-56)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">200,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Michel Micombero (Burundi, 1972)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">150,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Slobodan Milosevic (Yugoslavia, 1992-99)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">100,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Hassan Turabi (Sudan, 1989-1999)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">100,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Jean-Bedel Bokassa (Centrafrica, 1966-79)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">?</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Richard Nixon (Vietnam, 1969-1974)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">70,000 (Vietnamese and Cambodian civilians)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Efrain Rios Montt (Guatemala, 1982-83)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">70,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Papa Doc Duvalier (Haiti, 1957-71)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">60,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Rafael Trujillo (Dominican Republic, 1930-61)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">50,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Hissene Habre (Chad, 1982-1990)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">40,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Chiang Kai-shek (Taiwan, 1947)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">30,000 (popular uprising)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Vladimir Ilich Lenin (USSR, 1917-20)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">30,000 (dissidents executed)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Francisco Franco (Spain)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">30,000 (dissidents executed after the civil war)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Fidel Castro (Cuba, 1959-1999)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">30,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Lyndon Johnson (Vietnam, 1963-1968)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">30,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Hafez Al-Assad (Syria, 1980-2000)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">25,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Khomeini (Iran, 1979-89)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">20,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe, 1982-87, Ndebele minority)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">20,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Rafael Videla (Argentina, 1976-83)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">13,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Guy Mollet (France, 1956-1957)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">10,000 (war in Algeria)</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Harold McMillans (Britain, 1952-56, Kenya's Mau-Mau rebellion)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">10,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Paul Koroma (Sierra Leone, 1997)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">6,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Osama Bin Laden (worldwide, 1993-2001)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">3,500</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Augusto Pinochet (Chile, 1973)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">3,000</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">Al Zarqawi (Iraq, 2004-06)</div></td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">2,000</div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ccaa00; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">For a list of casualties in wars, see<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html">this page.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ccaa00; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html"></a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:7 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and <b><u>pestilences</u></b>, and <b><u>earthquakes</u></b>, in <b><u>divers places</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Twentieth Century was marked by the pestilence of genocide and war; together; we are talking about hundreds of millions of people. The above chart is just the statistics of murders attributed to individuals. Click on the link at the bottom of the chart for war casualties. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Twenty-first Century is starting out as the Century that will be marked by the pestilence of earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters. There is also the pestilence of disease; that follows such mass carnage of human flesh; and it adds to these staggering death tolls. There is a rumbling that is shaking our world; it is the divine hand of God that is trying to awaken us out of our sinful rebellion against the Most High! It will erupt into the destruction and annihilation of people, cities and nations that is unprecedented and beyond our comprehension.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We don’t know God’s timeframe! We don’t know where we are at or how much time God will continue to allow mankind to wallow in the filth and squalor of sin. Now is the time to get your spiritual life in order. Now is the time to make sure you are developing your relationship with Jesus Christ. Now is the time to make life style changes and to reprioritize your life. Jesus needs to be the focus of your life! If you have not been baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues; then you need to do so as soon as possible. Now is the time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-12499819918623222622011-09-18T05:48:00.004-05:002011-09-19T06:40:12.401-05:00Beginning of Sorrows: Part 5 Famine -- The Black Horse<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0o-b23Pt-v4/TnceV5VcQLI/AAAAAAAAALo/GCLDusbmaL0/s1600/blackhrs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0o-b23Pt-v4/TnceV5VcQLI/AAAAAAAAALo/GCLDusbmaL0/s1600/blackhrs2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the </i><br />
<i>third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo </i><br />
<i>a</i><b> </b>black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">In the 1970s; working my way through college at a restaurant was an eye opening experience to the abundance of America and the appalling waste of food that occurs every day across the country. This is not a statement about what is left on plates; but that which was never served! With the popularity of buffets, those amounts of the 1970s must pale in comparison, today.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">We don’t want to believe that anyone in America ever goes hungry; but sadly, some do. In third world counties and countries that are ravaged by war or natural disaster; famine and starvation are a reality. Relief organizations try to prevent starvation, but it does occur. Some countries experience famine and starvation because land that should be growing food crops is growing drugs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIXBePE_MhE/Tncf_lKN9dI/AAAAAAAAALw/TICUe1DIe38/s1600/4HRSMN+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIXBePE_MhE/Tncf_lKN9dI/AAAAAAAAALw/TICUe1DIe38/s320/4HRSMN+3.JPG" width="227" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As we continue to look at the four <b><i><u>Horsemen of the Apocalypse;</u></i></b> we come to the third seal that reveals the third horse which is a black horse with a rider that is holding a pair of balances in his hand. He is the symbol of severe famine. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 6:5-6 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a <b><u>black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. </u></b>(6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou <b><u>hurt not the oil and the wine</u></b>.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This End Time event corresponds with the statement that Jesus made in Matthew 24:7 when He predicted there would be famine in the End Time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">God had given Israel a command to obey His voice and all would be well with them. Blessings would come as a result of obedience; but that disobedience would bring a curse! The entire chapter of Leviticus 26 details the blessings that would come from obedience and the curses that would come from disobedience to God. I believe with all of my heart that the United States is part of the scattered people of Israel who were once taken captive before the birth of our LORD Jesus Christ. We claim the God of Israel and stamp in God we trust on all of our currency. We are God’s people as a modern day nation. We have enjoyed the blessings of the LORD!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">THE PROMISE OF BLESSINGS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1.<u> Rain and abundant crops<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:3-4 <i>KJV</i></span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><u>If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments,</u></b> and do them; (4) Then I will give y<b><u>ou rain in due season</u></b>, and <b><u>the land shall yield her increase</u></b>, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">2. <u>Peace in the land<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:6-8 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And <b><u>I will give peace in the land</u></b>, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">3. <u>Enemies would fall: 100 would put down 10,000 <o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">(7) <b><u>And ye shall chase your enemies</u></b>, and they shall fall before you by the sword. (8) And five of you shall chase an hundred, and <b><u>an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">4. <u>The LORD would be over America with protection/blessings<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:12 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And <b><u>I will walk among you, and will be your God,</u></b> and ye shall be my people</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">After World War II; America could no longer win a completely decisive war! Our enemies have never been completely and utterly subdued as in World War II. It was after that war that the morals of American went on a rampant and widespread decline. With “Free Love;” (sex outside of and without marriage); the American nuclear family disintegrated and today marriage is being redefined to include same sex couples. Single parent families have become the norm. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are at epidemic proportions. AIDS has become the plague of promiscuity along with Herpes. These epidemics stay in the background because America does not want to see her sin! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">THE CURSES FOR DISOBEDIENCE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1. <u>Terror, Incurable Diseases; Your enemies will eat your crops<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:15, 16 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And <b><u>if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant</u></b>: (16) I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you <b><u>terror, consumption, and the burning ague</u></b>, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and <b><u>ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">2. <u>You will even run at the very rumor of attack</u></span></i></b><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:16-17 CEV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>I will punish you terribly, and you will be ruined. You will be struck with <b><u>incurable diseases</u></b> and with fever that leads to blindness and depression. Your enemies will eat the crops you plant, (17) and I will turn from you and let you be destroyed by your attackers. You will even run at the very rumor of attack.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">3. <u>Chastise Seven Times<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:27-31 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; (28) Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will <b><u>chastise you seven times for your sins. <o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">4. <u>You shall eat the flesh of your children<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leviticus 26:29-31</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> (29) And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. (30) And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. (31) And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl9TLZ74GMQ/TncndXiB5sI/AAAAAAAAAL0/jwl-GwUDTVE/s1600/famine+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl9TLZ74GMQ/TncndXiB5sI/AAAAAAAAAL0/jwl-GwUDTVE/s320/famine+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">CANNIBALISM: THE RESULT OF GREAT FAMINE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We can’t imagine a famine so great that parents would eat their own children; but it happened in Israel and is recorded in the Bible; and it will happen again to God’s people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ezekiel 5:8-10 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations. (9) And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, <b><u>because of all thine abominations</u></b>. (10) <b><u>Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers;</u></b> and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mother’s ate their young<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">2 Kings 6:28-29 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, <b><u>Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.</u></b> (29) So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.</span></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lamentations 4:10 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>The hands of the <b><u>pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat</u></b> in the destruction of the daughter of my people.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Lamentations 4:10 CEV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Life in the city is so bad that <b><u>loving mothers have boiled and eaten their own children.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JwIBOh6TNs/Tncp3_GQ95I/AAAAAAAAAL4/xSU4Kpd0uNw/s1600/SOMALIA+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JwIBOh6TNs/Tncp3_GQ95I/AAAAAAAAAL4/xSU4Kpd0uNw/s320/SOMALIA+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunger in Somalia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">GRUESOME REALITY AHEAD FOR THE WORLD</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">These are gruesome thoughts to imagine. We would all like to believe that it can’t be true and we would like to ignore it. Unfortunately, believing something not to be true does not make it so and ignoring something does not make it go away. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">America and the world must repent and turn to Jesus Christ! A time of Great Tribulation is coming upon the whole world. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are just one more warning from God! You can have God’s favor if you turn to Jesus! <o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-32502483113100036402011-09-17T23:59:00.001-05:002011-09-18T08:33:01.138-05:00The Beginning of Sorrows Part 4: Wars and Rumors of Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pdq5gYpRHs/TnV6Y-hJbXI/AAAAAAAAALk/46Hq2Ww4bE4/s1600/rdhrse2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pdq5gYpRHs/TnV6Y-hJbXI/AAAAAAAAALk/46Hq2Ww4bE4/s1600/rdhrse2a.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Born in 1959, the world has been at war all of my life and most of those years, the United States has been actively involved in some military action. In addition; there has been urban unrest in America’s cities, not to mention the world as a whole. Overthrow of governments and the rise of dictator leadership, genocide, human trafficking, blood diamond trade, and the war on drugs; the world has become a very dangerous place. Adding terrorism to the mix of violence; the people have been killing each other in epidemic proportions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When we look at how much money the illegal sale of narcotics pumps into our economy; it is hard to believe that there is a war on drugs. It is more like a war for drugs to keep that extra money flowing into retail sales of big ticket items. In the 1980s and 1990s; subdivisions of $1.5 million dollar homes were erected for hundreds of buyers in the communities northwest of Chicago. Where is the money coming from if not from drugs? Money earned through blood!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The world has become a violent and bloody place. Has there ever been a time of wars and rumors of wars like today? Every day at least one person is murdered in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Gang violence is on the rise along with rape, assault and armed robbery. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:6-7 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i><span style="color: red;">And ye shall hear of <b><u>wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled:</u></b> for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus Christ told His disciples, whom we are, to watch and be vigilant; be prepared for the world to become a dangerous place. World conditions will get worse until human life is at the point of utter destruction. Jesus says that no flesh would be saved alive accept that those days be shortened for the elect’s sake!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:22 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i><span style="color: red;">And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: <b><u>but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The elect are the chosen; true Christians; the saints of the Most High God! Has God called you? Are you one of the chosen? Are you a real Christian? Are you living for Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Red Horse of Revelation</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There is no doubt that we are a world at war. There is no peace. Peace negotiations are common and empty; providing little to no resolve. The twentieth Century was marked by peace organizations which could not bring about peace; the League of Nations, NATO and the United Nations. Peace is talked about; but not achieved!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 6:14 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, <b><u>Peace, peace; when there is no peace</u></b></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 6:14 CEV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All they ever offer to my deeply wounded people are <b><u>empty hopes for peace.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mankind will have to be brought to her knees and bow before Jesus; with a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. War will bring the nations down to the final battle to end all battles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 6:3-4 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. (4) <b><u>And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mankind loves to do battle. The blood that will be poured out at the last battle will be so great that it will reach a horse’s bridle; and over an area of 200 square miles. That would be an area larger than all of Northern Illinois. That is not even imaginable; beyond human comprehension.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 14:20 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And the winepress was trodden without the city, <b><u>and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our only protection is in the name of Jesus Christ. He is our strong tower; the righteous run to Him and are safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 18:10 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><u>The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Are you baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? Have you received the gift of the Holy Ghost? Now is the time to Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then you will have protection and salvation; peace of mind and confidence in the hope of the future; not just for a few short years in the flesh of human life; but for all eternity! Seek the LORD while He may be found!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background: #CCCCCC; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><a href="http://anointings.blogspot.com/">Anointings</a> <b><span style="color: navy;">is a sponsored ministry of<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">Crystal Lake United Pentecostal Church<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">Lake in the Hills Illinois 60156</span></b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><a href="http://clupc.org/">CLUPC.Org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Bro. Thomas C. Blake<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.careminister.org/">CareMinister.Org</a><br />
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Copyright © 2011<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;">This page is produced and maintained by</span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #810081; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;"><a href="http://www.pathway2020.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4e7dbf;">http://www.pathway2020.com</span></a></span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-10860525101133360482011-09-16T13:41:00.009-05:002011-09-16T16:19:27.657-05:00The Beginning of Sorrows Part 3 – False Teachings: The White Horse<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOmnDcqjKYw/TnOut9kzSlI/AAAAAAAAALU/E57hEuwz6x0/s1600/white+hrs2a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOmnDcqjKYw/TnOut9kzSlI/AAAAAAAAALU/E57hEuwz6x0/s200/white+hrs2a.gif" width="144" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">We began this series on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a time that will precede The Great Tribulation. The Book of Revelation makes known the events that will happen to the world, to the Christian Church, to the Apostate Church and to those alive at the End Time; including the future into eternity for both saint and sinner! Today we are going to take a deeper look at the White Horse of False Christs or false teachings. We need to understand what lies ahead so that:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We can be prepared spiritually with all earnestness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We won’t be fearful of these events as those without hope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We don’t become deceived<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We follow Jesus’ instruction to “watch” and know the times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:42 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><u>Watch therefore</u></i></b><i>: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:36 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; margin-left: 1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The word watch means to be ready; to stay alert; stay awake; be vigilant and be prepared. This is not the time to become a backslider. As Christians, Jesus should always be our first priority of every day; that means communing with the LORD in <b>Prayer</b>; <b>Bible Study</b>; <b>Fasting</b> and <b>Mediating</b> on the <b>WORD</b> of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“The Book of Revelation is the climax of God’s Book, the last chapter of world history. The opening book of Genesis records the beginnings of the universe and the human race, and this closing book prophetically views the coming eternal new heaven and new earth.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b>Jensen’s Survey of the New Testament</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 1:1-2 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, (2) who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. (3) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Because the time of Jesus Christ’s return can not be known by man <b>(Matthew 24:36, 42 above)</b> and because no one knows the hour of their own death; it is important for Christians to be vigilant. That means to live life to its fullest; but live righteously. As a youth; growing up in a church that heavily preached the return of Jesus and the End Time; people began to foolishly set dates. These dates began to be held as absolute truth by many. The year 1975 became the year in which Jesus Christ was going to return. Revelation talks about a catching away of the Church (some call this the Rapture; a word that does not appear in the Bible). Because most everyone had begun to believe that the rapture would take place 3 ½ years before Christ’s return; 1972 became the launching date of the End Time (See Revelation 12:13-17 below). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Because people believed in a date that God’s WORD says can’t be known; people stopped living and began waiting. They also stopped taking care of their houses, cars and even their own physical bodies; believing that they would be changed in the twinkling of an eye into immortal spirit; “any day now.” Some let their teeth rot in their heads. People put off college, developing their career and making any long term plans. The year 1972 came and went and we were still here. Then 1975 came and went and we were still here. The last date that passed just recently was May 2011. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxZee0A06-4/TnO4AB7yj1I/AAAAAAAAALY/mRf9XMhm6R0/s1600/falsechrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxZee0A06-4/TnO4AB7yj1I/AAAAAAAAALY/mRf9XMhm6R0/s400/falsechrist.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SIGNS LIKE THIS ONE APPEARED ON BILLBOARDS </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ACROSS </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>THE UNITED STATES</b></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It is 2011; and since that date is past there is a new date set by prediction addiction addicts which is in 2012. People are still foolishly setting more dates as the next, “definite date of Christ’s return.” Those of us who once trusted in a false date have readjusted our thinking and are no longer plagued by what we call “PREDICTION ADDICTION.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #d9d9d9; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-width: 4.5pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: double; border-left-width: 4.5pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: double; border-right-width: 4.5pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: double; border-top-width: 4.5pt; font-size: 19px; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 4pt; padding-right: 4pt; padding-top: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Beware of prediction addiction. No man can predict the return of Christ; it is not known! It is not important to know when; but to always be prepared! Death can take anyone at any time. The grave yards are filled with people who did not know their hour was up. For them, Jesus Christ has returned. Their fate is sealed; either Eternity with Christ or damnation in hell.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:48-51 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; (49) And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; (50) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, (51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The LORD has not delayed His coming. There can’t be a delay if there is not a known schedule. Setting dates can have disastrous results. In 1972, as a freshman entering high school after a summer spent in a church camp with “prediction addiction” brain washed into my mind; nothing was important except Bible study and prayer; my relationship with Jesus. Why study my school work if it is all going to come to an end that year? It took the next three years taking double the required classes to work my way out from the lower 3% to the upper 3% of my graduating class in order to be ready for college. Prediction Addiction cost me dearly!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #d9d9d9; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-width: 4.5pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: double; border-left-width: 4.5pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: double; border-right-width: 4.5pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: double; border-top-width: 4.5pt; font-size: 19px; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 4pt; padding-right: 4pt; padding-top: 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.5pt;">The Rapture will take place at some point in the future. It could be today or it could happen after my days have long been fulfilled 30, 50 or more years from now. The key is: Live as if Christ is coming today; but also as if you will live out your life to a ripe old age. Make Flexible, Long Term Plans!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It is important to be aware of and prepare for the Rapture; but don’t stop living life! As Christians; God does not want us to just wait; He wants us to grow and develop in the fullness of life; allowing Him to bless us. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngYcHrcHDdM/TnO5iIB6k5I/AAAAAAAAALg/XkZIL3ErvjM/s1600/rapture3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngYcHrcHDdM/TnO5iIB6k5I/AAAAAAAAALg/XkZIL3ErvjM/s200/rapture3.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is hard to image what</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> the </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rapture will look like. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>just one artists idea. The </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>main </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>thing is to </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>be ready for</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> it; </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>so that we will be a part of it.</b></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 12:13-17 ESV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And <b><u>when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.</u></b> (14) But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. (15) The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. (16) But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. (17) Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Book of Revelation uses a lot of symbols and the Bible as a whole uses symbols and images to convey spiritual meaning. The woman here is a reference to the True Church. The dragon is Satan the devil and he wouldn’t be going after his own false church; so this is understood to mean the Church of God. The devil went after the Church to persecute her to the point of destruction. God rescues the church on the wings of eagles and takes her to a place of safety; the wilderness. There she is nourished for 3 ½ years (time, times and a half of time). The Bible will interpret the Bible; sometimes very specifically and sometimes clearly by context. The imagery helps engraft these concepts into our hearts and minds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible should come to life as you read and study it. Jesus Christ is the living WORD and He is infused in every word that He directly wrote through His human instruments. If you are grounded in the WORD; nothing will move you. False teachings will not be able to draw you away and rob you of your crown of life in Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-width: 4.5pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: double; border-left-width: 4.5pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: double; border-right-width: 4.5pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: double; border-top-width: 4.5pt; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 4pt; padding-right: 4pt; padding-top: 1pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><a href="http://anointings.blogspot.com/">Anointings</a> <b><span style="color: navy;">is a sponsored ministry of<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">Crystal Lake United Pentecostal Church<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">Lake in the Hills Illinois 60156</span></b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><a href="http://clupc.org/">CLUPC.Org</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #CCCCCC; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Bro. Thomas C. Blake<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.careminister.org/">CareMinister.Org</a><br />
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Copyright © 2011<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;">This page is produced and maintained by</span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #810081; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;"><a href="http://www.pathway2020.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4e7dbf;">http://www.pathway2020.com</span></a></span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-45602905836713556352011-09-15T15:32:00.000-05:002011-09-15T15:32:46.433-05:00Beginning Of Sorrows: Part 2 – From Tribulation to Exhaltation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUwMeBCVn9o/TnJdlXMxxYI/AAAAAAAAALE/uhdVZhKfNhA/s1600/end-timesR1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUwMeBCVn9o/TnJdlXMxxYI/AAAAAAAAALE/uhdVZhKfNhA/s640/end-timesR1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The world is in for one long hellish night as we move closer to the fulfillment of prophecy and the return of our LORD Jesus Christ!<span> </span>The Psalm is true about weeping through a prevailing dark night; joy comes in the morning.<span> </span>But joy will only come to the saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Psalms 30:5 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: <b><u>weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.</u></b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Great Tribulation will be the storm to end all storms.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">It will get darkest before the dawning of the new era of a Godly Order; that is the dawning or birth of the Kingdom of God; ruled by the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEa5PufKgQs/TnJgr0huV4I/AAAAAAAAALM/x-pv01CuS3A/s1600/millenial+scene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEa5PufKgQs/TnJgr0huV4I/AAAAAAAAALM/x-pv01CuS3A/s1600/millenial+scene.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is a <b><i><u>New World Coming</u></i></b> as the 1970 song says, as recorded by Nina Simone; and it is coming on the wrath of God because rebellious man refuses peace any other way.<span> </span>Nina Simone adds the words of Revelation to her recorded version of this once very popular song:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">New World Coming</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Audio File </span></span><a href="http://www.mann-weil.com/audio/songs/NewWorldComing.mp3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.mann-weil.com/audio/songs/NewWorldComing.mp3</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">There's a new day dawning<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">the one that's for you and me<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">A new world commin'<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The one we've had vision of<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">and itys commin in peace<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">commin' in love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Commin' in peace<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Commin' in joy<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">and commin in peace<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">commin' in joy<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And commin in love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And I saw another sign in Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Great and marvelous<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seven angels having the seven last plagues<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">for in them is filled up the Wrath of God<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And them that had gotten the victory over the beast<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And over his image<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">and over his mark<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">and over his name,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">stand on the sea of glass<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">with the harps of God all around them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">There's a new world commin' <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">and its just around the bend<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 15:1-2 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.<span> </span>(2)<span> </span>And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Most people who try to understand the book of Revelation say that it is beyond understanding; yet this book was to be what its title defines; a revealing and uncovering.<span> </span>Most people don’t want to think about the wrath of God; nor do they want to change or even think of giving church more thought or time than a 45 minute to an hour service once a week; and these are the “Good Christians;” “The Faithful!”<span> </span>Churches have become merely social clubs of half hearted believers.<span> </span>Most Christians attending a traditional Christian Church do just that; ATTEND!<span> </span>We live in a time of spectator religion.<span> </span>We need to actively seek Jesus Christ with daily prayer and study!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Book of Revelation will give you a new view to Eternal life with Christ; and show who will escape damnation and be saved!<span> </span>The Great Tribulation is coming upon this world and it will bring the Wrath of God; but also on the heels of tribulation will be the Kingdom of God and a 1000 year period of peace.<span> </span>The Book of Revelation will bring your spiritual life into vivid 3D reality.<span> </span>There are 15 promises to those who overcome; that are stated in Revelation.<span> </span>We have discussed them in detail in this blog in a series called:<span> </span><a href="http://anointings.blogspot.com/2011/07/messages-to-church-part-1.html">Messages To The Church Part: 1</a>.<span> </span>Click on the link to Part 1 and you can review all 8 parts.<span> </span>You may want to start with the discussion before it:<span> </span><a href="http://anointings.blogspot.com/2011/07/acts-of-apostles-outline.html">Acts of the Apostles: An Outline</a>.<span> </span>For convenience; the 15 promises of Revelation are listed below.<span> </span>This should wet your appetite to want more! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God has been, through the ages, and is now choosing His headquarters team of Saints; He is inviting you to partake of His fullness and the following 15 promises found in Revelation Chapters 2, 3, 21:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>The Tree of Life <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>Immunity from the second death<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>The hidden manna (all Knowledge)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>A white stone (an altar)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>A new name<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>Power over the nations (authority)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>White Raiment (God’s Righteousness)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>Our names permanently in the Book of Life<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>Jesus will confess our new names before the Heavenly Father and Angels<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>We will be a Pillars in the Temple of God in New Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>Jesus will write His new name upon us<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>We will Sit with Christ in His throne<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>We will be given an inheritance that includes ALL things <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Christ will be our God <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.5pt; text-indent: -19.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span>15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>We shall be His children<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">You need to study the book of Revelation because it talks about what very well may happen in your lifetime.<span> </span>These charts will help you understand the book’s overview.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eY6rIuv5uXY/TnJXCgeM10I/AAAAAAAAAK8/CCOqHGfdEOU/s1600/REV+CHART+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eY6rIuv5uXY/TnJXCgeM10I/AAAAAAAAAK8/CCOqHGfdEOU/s1600/REV+CHART+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LM0w9se0x8M/TnJXJvP1iZI/AAAAAAAAALA/fyfD5xjT84Y/s1600/REV+CHART+2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LM0w9se0x8M/TnJXJvP1iZI/AAAAAAAAALA/fyfD5xjT84Y/s1600/REV+CHART+2a.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We will discuss the Book of Revelation in more depth in upcoming blogs.<span> </span>You may want to subscribe to this blog and have it delivered to your email; just click on the subscription option in the right hand column.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrXdRhvzpxc/TnJd8SrzwWI/AAAAAAAAALI/ucSH3kJWmqA/s1600/hellr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrXdRhvzpxc/TnJd8SrzwWI/AAAAAAAAALI/ucSH3kJWmqA/s640/hellr1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Choose Jesus and prepare to be with Him; living in abundance in the Kingdom of God!<span> </span>The choice is yours; but you need to act and act today!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-44134327839230472902011-09-14T15:47:00.000-05:002011-09-14T15:47:19.472-05:00Beginning Of Sorrows: Part 1 – The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYCwrQ7Pfdg/TnESjrG0FQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/pgPiLinUH0Q/s1600/4HRSMN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYCwrQ7Pfdg/TnESjrG0FQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/pgPiLinUH0Q/s640/4HRSMN.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">On Sunday September 11, 2011 we looked at the need for America and the world to repent and to turn to God.<span> </span>On the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the failed attempt on the Whitehouse; we discussed this event in relationship to a Divine wakeup call from God and as a possible beginning of the <span> </span>signs of the events that will precede the second coming of Jesus Christ.<span> </span><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We briefly touched on Matthew chapter 24; where Jesus’ disciples asked Him about the “End Time.”<span> </span>They had actually asked Him about the “End of the world.” <span> </span>The Greek word for “world,” is actually “aeon;” which means age.<span> </span>They were asking about the end of the age, not the end of civilization, man or the end of the physical planet earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In this blog today, we are going to look at a parallel prophecy of the same events as recorded by John in the Book of Revelation.<span> </span>The prophecy is common referred to as; “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">An</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Apocalypse</span></i></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language" title="Greek language"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Greek</span></a>:</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="unicode"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ἀποκάλυψις</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">apokálypsis</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">; "lifting of the veil" or "revelation") is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calypsis" title="Calypsis"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">the veil</span></a></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">to be lifted.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Apocalypse of John</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">(Greek<span>Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου</span>) is the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation" title="Book of Revelation"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Book of Revelation</span></a>, the last book of the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament" title="New Testament"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">New Testament</span></a>. By extension,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">apocalypse</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">can refer to any</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_Time" title="End Time"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">End Time</span></a></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">scenario, or to the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risks_to_civilization,_humans_and_planet_Earth" title="Risks to civilization, humans and planet Earth"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">end of the world</span></a></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">in general.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Though this prophecy is placed six chapters into the book, it actually sets the stage for the entire book which is about the “End Time,” and the fulfillment of all things and the completion of God’s plan.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="border: double windowtext 4.5pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .25in; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-autospace: none;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Elephant; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In my opinion and please note that this is my conjecture; the completion of God’s plan will actually be a beginning of implementing the plan throughout the universe; thus beautifying all celestial bodies and being the means by which the Kingdom of God will ever expand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 6:2-8 KJV </span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And I saw, and behold a <b><u>white horse</u></b>: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.<span> </span>(3)<span> </span>And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.<span> </span>(4)<span> </span>And there went out <b><u>another horse that was red</u></b>: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.<span> </span>(5)<span> </span>And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, <b><u>and lo a black horse</u></b>; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.<span> </span>(6)<span> </span>And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.<span> </span>(7)<span> </span>And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.<span> </span>(8)<span> </span>And I looked, <b><u>and behold a pale horse</u></b>: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The correlation between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 is very clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">White Horse – FALSE CHRISTS – </span></b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Take heed that no man deceive you.<span> </span>(5)<span> </span><b><u>For many shall come in my name</u></b>, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.</span></i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Red Horse – WAR – </span></b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">(6) And ye shall hear of <b><u>wars and rumours of wars</u></b>: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.<span> </span>(7)<span> </span>For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:</span></i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black Horse – FAMINE – </span></b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">(7B) And there shall be <b><u>famines</u></b>,</span></i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pale Horse – PESTILENCE – </span></b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">and <b><u>pestilences,</u></b> and <b><u>earthquakes, in divers places</u></b>.<span> </span></span></i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">PESTILENCE – 1 : a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating;<span> </span>especially<span> </span>: BUBONIC PLAGUE 2 : something that is destructive or pernicious.<span> </span>[ Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary ].<span> </span>Some of the massive natural disasters over the past ten years; the Indian Ocean Earthquake on 12/26/2004 and resulting Tsunami in South East Asia; Hurricane Katrina 2005 (New Orleans); Earthquake in Haiti 2010 and other disasters were followed by PESTILENCE, which also can occur in war torn areas as well.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew 24:3-8 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?<span> </span>(4)<span> </span>And Jesus answered and said unto them, </i></span><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Take heed that no man deceive you.<span> </span>(5) <span> </span><b><u>For many shall come in my name</u></b>, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.<span> </span>(6)<span> </span>And ye shall hear of <b><u>wars and rumours of wars</u></b>: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.<span> </span>(7)<span> </span>For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be <b><u>famines</u></b>, and <b><u>pestilences,</u></b> and <b><u>earthquakes, in divers places</u></b>.<span> </span>(8)<span> </span>All these are the beginning of sorrows.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The time of sorrows will begin with the events symbolized by the <b><i><u>Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse</u></i></b>; and will continue into the time of the Great Tribulation which will be announced by angelic trumpet blasts that will culminate with the return of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the wicked of the world; the “End Time” will be one of great dread; in fact people will seek death and not find it!<span> </span>The wicked and unbelievers will be subjected to damnation and hell fire!<span> </span>There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 6:15-17 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>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;<span> </span>(16)<span> </span>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:<span> </span>(17)<span> </span>For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?</i></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 9:6 KJV</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the righteous in Christ, the “End Time” is welcomed!<span> </span>It will bring the rapture (the first resurrection to eternal life) and the marriage supper of the LAMB.<span> </span>You can be a part of those who will be blessed at His coming; but you must take responsibility now to prepare.<span> </span>Are you a Christian in name only; or have you been diligently about your Heavenly Father’s business?<span> </span>You were bought at baptism with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.<span> </span>How are you living? <span> </span>Do you know your Bible; the WORD of God?<span> </span>Can you prove; with the Bible that you have Eternal life in Christ?<span> </span>Have you taken all of the steps to ensure your salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Kingdom of God lives; really lives in the true followers of Jesus Christ.<span> </span>They are apostolic in their living; that means that they have answered the call to be sent forth and to share the Gospel in their world; the community around them.<span> </span>Now is the time for revival; first in your own life and then in the church as a whole!<span> </span>Examine your spiritual walk with the LORD.<span> </span></span>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-12670700523922802652011-09-13T21:59:00.002-05:002011-09-13T21:59:25.364-05:00Hype or Anointing?<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Praise and worship in the presence of the Almighty God is an awesome experience.<span> </span>Never in my life has the music been so powerful and abundant as it is today.<span> </span>As a youth, growing up in a fundamentalist and very conservative church, we didn’t have this type of expression of our faith.<span> </span>My life was born old and this never bothered me; but most all of my church friends walked away from the church.<span> </span>Long hair and rock bands were of the devil, even if they were praising and worshipping Jesus!<span> </span>That was a fatal stand for my church to take.<span> </span>That church was not grounded in Christ and ultimately went from one extreme to the other.<span> </span>They lost me as well at age thirty three.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the past twenty years; my praise and worship has taken on a new dimension in apostolic churches that live the freedom of Christ and the Gospel, yet still teach the Apostles doctrine.<span> </span>The music is powerful and driving to the disarming and scattering of the devil.<span> </span>Yet the driving music is also contrasted with equally powerful songs of repentance and brokenness; just whisper His name, Jesus!<span> </span>A typical worship service in an Apostolic Church today can lead the people into the Holy of Holies.<span> </span>The level of the music today is definitely much more advanced and professional; but is it anointed?<span> </span>We must be careful to make sure that we are not just working up human emotion and being carried away on a human level.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">As a youth, powerful traditional anthems would bring me to tears, repentance and into the presence of God; and they still do today; just as praise music can today.<span> </span>All of my life; praising God in song and worshipping Him through music; has taken me into the Holy of Holies.<span> </span>So what is the common factor between these two divergent eras and styles of music? What brings the anointing of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">At one time, it was only through driving praise music that my soul could enter God’s presence during Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday night worship services.<span> </span>Then there was a time when my ride either would get us to church late and after the praise and worship section; or would forget to pick me up.<span> </span>At first this was frustrating; these were my appointments with God.<span> </span>Then God spoke to me and reminded me that He is ever present and that access to the Holy of Holies is available 24/7.<span> </span>God reminded me that my life, my physical body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and that Jesus lives inside of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>What? know ye not that <b><u>your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost </u></b>which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The anointing of God falls upon the musicians and the congregation during a worship service when the people have stopped just going to church and truly become the church.<span> </span>The anointing of God will be ever present with a true believer who is not just talking the talk; but who is walking the walk.<span> </span>If you can only be filled at church; and if that anointing fades as you leave the building; then you were only coming into the presence of God momentarily instead of the presence of God living in you continually.<span> </span>This only happens when you invest the time daily in prayer and Bible Study.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ephesians 3:16-21 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span><b><i><u>That he would grant you</u></i></b><i>, according to the riches of his glory, <b><u>to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man</u></b>;<span> </span>(17) <span> </span>That <b><u>Christ may dwell in your hearts</u></b> by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,<span> </span>(18)<span> </span>May be able to comprehend with all saints what is <u>the breadth, and length, and depth, and height</u>;<span> </span>(19)<span> </span>And to <b><u>know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,</u></b> that ye might be <b><u>filled with all the fullness of God</u></b>.<span> </span>(20)<span> </span>Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to <b><u>the power that worketh in us</u></b>, (21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bible is the WORD of God.<span> </span>You may have noticed that it is my convention to put in all capital letters WORD and LORD.<span> </span>That is because these words refer to Jesus Christ.<span> </span>Jesus is the WORD.<span> </span>The Bible is the WORD. <span> </span>The Bible is a living book and Jesus will speak to you through it.<span> </span>Serious study of the WORD is more vital than physical nutrition.<span> </span>When we internalize the WORD; we internalize Jesus and the Holy Ghost becomes engrafted to our soul. <span> </span>Coming into the presence of the anointing of God is not nearly as exciting and fulfilling as the anointing of God living within us 24/7.<span> </span>This didn’t happen for me over night any more than a new born infant can grow to be an adult in one year.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Christian life is a process of becoming more like Christ; that is being transformed by the Holy Ghost.<span> </span>The destination will be reached if we stay on the right path.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-45435468868412838412011-09-12T12:45:00.001-05:002011-09-12T12:52:43.352-05:009/11 Meet Me In The Stairwell<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There are few chain emails that I would pass on; but this one truly has a great spiritual message that I believe my readers would be blessed by…<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'</span></b></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18pt;">PLEASE READ TO THE VERY END</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18pt;">IT IS INSPIRING AND </span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18pt;">THOUGHT PROVOKING!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dANAhWkt5-g/Tm4-khvj6RI/AAAAAAAAAKo/HIuLG1qFP00/s1600/tradetwrs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dANAhWkt5-g/Tm4-khvj6RI/AAAAAAAAAKo/HIuLG1qFP00/s640/tradetwrs.gif" width="420" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALaMhbml7MU/Tm4_aF9ACtI/AAAAAAAAAKs/6NAB8ukzby8/s1600/TRADETWRSATTCK.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALaMhbml7MU/Tm4_aF9ACtI/AAAAAAAAAKs/6NAB8ukzby8/s1600/TRADETWRSATTCK.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mltjWCyS6Jc/Tm5AUUbmQfI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ZC1JhIl22ms/s1600/TRDTWRREMNS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mltjWCyS6Jc/Tm5AUUbmQfI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ZC1JhIl22ms/s320/TRDTWRREMNS.gif" width="243" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkGFFJKP764/Tm5AN8_tmFI/AAAAAAAAAKw/6CcsUomkJr4/s1600/STAIRWELL.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkGFFJKP764/Tm5AN8_tmFI/AAAAAAAAAKw/6CcsUomkJr4/s320/STAIRWELL.gif" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFXS8z1g6_c/Tm499fyicoI/AAAAAAAAAKg/5s1oPbSfVaI/s1600/trademem.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFXS8z1g6_c/Tm499fyicoI/AAAAAAAAAKg/5s1oPbSfVaI/s640/trademem.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></u></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></u></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"><b>'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'</b></span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"> <br />
<br />
You say you will never forget where you were when <br />
you heard the news on September 11, 2001. <br />
Neither will I. <br />
<br />
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room <br />
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I <br />
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the <br />
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it <br />
is OK..I am ready to go.' <br />
<br />
I was with his wife when he called as she fed <br />
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she <br />
tried to understand his words and as she realized <br />
he wasn't coming home that night. <br />
<br />
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a <br />
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been <br />
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. <br />
'Of course I will show you the way home - only <br />
believe in Me now.' <br />
<br />
I was at the base of the building with the Priest <br />
ministering to the injured and devastated souls. <br />
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He <br />
heard my voice and answered. <br />
<br />
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, <br />
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they <br />
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the <br />
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their <br />
faith has saved them. <br />
<br />
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. <br />
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. <br />
Did you sense Me? <br />
<br />
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew <br />
every name - though not all knew Me. Some met Me <br />
for the first time on the 86th floor. <br />
<br />
Some sought Me with their last breath. <br />
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the <br />
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take <br />
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. <br />
But, I was there. <br />
<br />
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You <br />
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were <br />
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have <br />
reached for Me? <br />
<br />
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey <br />
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I <br />
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may <br />
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are <br />
'ready to go.' <br />
<br />
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. </span><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 36pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #660066; font-size: 36pt;">God</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"> <br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;">During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are <br />
doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it <br />
is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the <br />
following: <br />
<br />
Stop and think and appreciate God's power <br />
in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to <br />
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the <br />
instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be <br />
ashamed of you before My Father.' <br />
<br />
If you are not ashamed, copy and send this message...only <br />
if you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my <br />
fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and <br />
night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;">everything. Christ is my strength.' </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtlI_TFv7wc/Tm48N4Lo_iI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GvpRrwGE1UA/s1600/Eagle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtlI_TFv7wc/Tm48N4Lo_iI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GvpRrwGE1UA/s400/Eagle.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;">THIS NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE USA MANY TIMES SO</span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;">KEEP IT GOING.</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"> <u></u><u></u></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #0000a0; font-size: 24pt;">What's</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt;"> wrong with this picture?</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggqWOYCHzhA/Tm48m9b04tI/AAAAAAAAAKY/f5tIRASxKJc/s1600/soldiers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggqWOYCHzhA/Tm48m9b04tI/AAAAAAAAAKY/f5tIRASxKJc/s640/soldiers.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span style="color: #0021bf;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;">If you look closely at the picture above, you will note that all the Marines pictured </span></strong><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;">are bowing their heads. That's because they're praying.</span></strong><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;">GOD Bless Our Warriors, </span></strong><b><span style="color: #0000a0;"><br />
<strong>May God Bless America , </strong><br />
<strong>One Nation Under GOD!</strong></span></b><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;">What's wrong with the picture? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING</span></strong><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;">GOD BLESS YOU FOR</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;"> </span></strong><b><span style="color: #0000a0;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #0000a0;">PASSING IT ON!</span></strong><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: navy;"><br />
</span></strong></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: navy;"><br />
</span></strong></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: navy;"><br />
</span></strong></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: navy;">I am sorry but I am not breaking this one.....Let us pray</span></strong><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #0021bf; display: inline !important; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSsrUdBgsdE/Tm489Z32G_I/AAAAAAAAAKc/Qm8qtWZwPFM/s1600/soldiers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSsrUdBgsdE/Tm489Z32G_I/AAAAAAAAAKc/Qm8qtWZwPFM/s640/soldiers2.jpg" width="640" /></a></strong></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><strong><span style="color: #c10000; font-size: 18pt;">Prayer chain for our</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #c10000; font-size: 36pt;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #c10000; font-size: 18pt;">Military...please don't</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #c10000; font-size: 36pt;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #c10000; font-size: 18pt;">break it</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #c10000; font-size: 36pt;">.</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #660066; font-size: 18pt;">THIS NEEDS TO GO AROUND</span></b><b><span style="color: #660066; font-size: 36pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #660066; font-size: 18pt;">THE USA MANY TIMES SO KEEP IT GOING.</span></b></span></strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></strong></strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0021bf; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center;"><strong><strong><span style="color: navy; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></strong></strong></div></span>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-51562243508961446092011-09-11T17:21:00.000-05:002011-09-11T17:21:42.215-05:00If My People<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Ten years ago; America entered a new era of homeland security.<span> </span>With the Trade Towers terrorists attacks of 9/11; America suffered its first attack on continental Unites States’ soil; ever in history.<span> </span>With nearly 3,000 people killed; most of whom were innocent civilians; this was a huge wake up call.<span> </span>America could no longer sleep in complacency; but who was sending the message?<span> </span>Was it Al-Qaida or Almighty God?<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The wake up call was for America and all of the people of the world who claim Jesus Christ as LORD.<span> </span>Since 9/11; America and the world has seen unprecedented natural disasters; along with war, conflict and crime.<span> </span>The moral standard of the world has plummeted into a bottomless pit of perversion.<span> </span>How long will God send warning messages before He sends His son Jesus Christ to turn this world right side up forcibly?<span> </span>No one knows!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">This we do know; God warned ancient Israel and called them to a time of revival; a time of repentance and being humbled before God; a time of seeking the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span><b><i><u>If my people</u></i></b><i>, which are <b><u>called by my name</u></b>, shall <b><u>humble themselves</u></b>, and <b><u>pray, and seek my face</u></b>, and <b><u>turn from their wicked ways</u></b>; <b><u>then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin</u></b>, and will heal their land.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Modern day Christians are connected to the ancient people of God; Israel; through Jesus Christ.<span> </span>The baptismal waters cover us as a symbol of the blood of Jesus that covers us.<span> </span>At baptism, we go under the water; under the blood of Christ; then we rise; a new creation in the LORD.<span> </span>That very act unites us and we are born of water (born of the blood of Jesus) and we are blood relations with Christ and all Christians.<span> </span>We become spiritual Jews; Abraham’s children and heirs!.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Galatians 3:26-29 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>For <b><u>ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus</u></b>.<span> </span>(27)<span> </span>For as <b><u>many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ</u></b>.<span> </span>(28)<span> </span>There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.<span> </span>(29)<span> </span>And <b><u>if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The warning is going out to God’s people who doze spiritually; who have become lukewarm Christians and down right back slider Christians.<span> </span>It is time to wake up and seek personal revival and to seek the LORD while He may be found!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b><i><u>Seek ye the LORD while he may be found</u></i></b><i>, call ye upon him while he is near:<span> </span>(7)<span> </span><b><u>Let the wicked forsake his way</u></b>, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">IF WE (AMERICA & THE WORLD):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">HUMBLE SELF<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">PRAY <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">SEEK GOD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">TURN FROM WICKEDNESS WHICH IS REPENTANCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">THEN:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>GOD WILL HEAR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>GOD WILL HAVE MERCY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>GOD WILL FORGIVE & ABUNDANTLY PARDON<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>GOD WILL HEAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">IF NOT; THEN MATTHEW 24 WILL BE OUR SUFFERING AND WORSE!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew 24:4-8 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> And Jesus answered and said unto them, <b><u><span style="color: red;">Take heed that no man deceive you.</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><span> </span>(5)<span> </span>For <b><u>many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many</u></b>.<span> </span>(6)<span> </span>And ye shall hear of <b><u>wars </u></b>and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.<span> </span>(7)<span> </span>For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be <b><u>famines</u></b>, and <b><u>pestilences</u></b>, and <b><u>earthquakes</u></b>, in divers places.<span> </span>(8)<span> </span><b><u>All these are the beginning of sorrows.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today, September 11, 2011; marks the ten year anniversary of a Beginning of Sorrows!<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">The first ten years of the new century brought the following:</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">3,852 disasters killed more than 780,000 people over the past 10 years, affected more than 2 billion others and cost a minimum of US$960 billion.<span> </span></span></i></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">March 3, 2010 Reported CRED: <span> </span>Center for Research on Environmental Disasters. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 2010 alone the world experienced the following:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Earthquakes, floods, a heat-wave and cold-wave were among the 373 natural disasters recorded in 2010. Together, they killed over 296,800 people, affected nearly 208 million others, and cost almost US$110 billion.<span> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">January 25, 2011 Reported by CRED:<span> </span>Center for Research on Environmental Disasters.</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let these statistics sink in:<span> </span>780,000 people killed; 2 billion people effected and a dollar cost of almost 1 Trillion Dollars!<span> </span>Experts are predicting that these statistics will more than double over the next ten years!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">FUTURE EVENT: 1/3 TO BE SLAIN (More than 2 Billion of the earth’s people)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">REVELATION 9:15 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Unfortunately none of the disasters past; present or future will turn the hearts of the wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 9:20-21 KJV</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:<span> </span>(21) <b>Neither repented they</b> of their <b><u>murders</u></b>, nor of their <b><u>sorceries</u></b>, nor of their <b><u>fornication</u></b>, nor of their <b><u>thefts</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Notice two of the four categories of people who are the unrepentant wicked; <b><u>Fornicators</u></b> and <b><u>Thieves</u></b>.<span> </span>Sexual freedom and being a little dishonest is considered O.K. today.<span> </span><b><i><u>To God these are sins!</u></i></b><span> </span>We may be near the fulfillment of all things!<span> </span>Now is the time to <b><u>REPENT</u></b> and <b>BE <u>BAPTIZED</u></b> <b>IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST </b>for the forgiveness of your sins, and <b>YOU WILL <u>RECEIVE</u> THE GIFT OF <u>THE HOLY GHOST</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-76187993102063269822011-09-10T15:43:00.002-05:002011-09-10T15:43:28.023-05:00Co-Heirs in Christ<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">The owner of a restaurant, in Wisconsin Rapids, told me that his family has been living on the same land for over 800 years, back in Albania.<span> </span>To any American, that should be astounding since our country is only 235 years old.<span> </span>His wife and children live in Albania while he lives and works in America.<span> </span>In their culture; the family is everything and a close second is the land.<span> </span>Some day he will return to Albania to retire.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">A friend of our family was an elderly woman named Grandma K.<span> </span>She was old enough to be everyone’s grandmother; well practically.<span> </span>She was in her nineties in the 1970s.<span> </span>Her family was among the original settlers of Algonquin and they were dairy farmers.<span> </span>The land had an equal value to them as is does to my Albanian friend.<span> </span>It literally broke her heart when one of her grandsons sold the land (his inheritance; his portion) to get the money out of it in order to live elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The average American moves many times in their life.<span> </span>Leaving the farm life many generations before our birth; most of us will never understand the true value of, or fully appreciate the value of the land.<span> </span>We don’t hold to the land and to family as our ancestors once did. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God values the land and He instituted many guidelines for how to use and take care of the land!<span> </span>It was no small request when the LORD told Abraham to leave his land and go to where the LORD would show him; a new land; the Promised Land.<span> </span>Before the inheritance was realized by the children of Israel, the LORD divided up the land among the twelve tribes of Israel.<span> </span>The LORD established every seventh year to be a land Sabbath or rest for the land.<span> </span>Every 50<sup>th</sup> year was a year of Jubilee and all property reverted back to the rightful heirs.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">LAND SABBATH<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Leviticus 25:2-4 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, <b><u>then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD</u></b>.<span> </span>(3)<span> </span><b><u>Six years thou shalt sow</u></b> thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;<span> </span>(4)<span> </span><b><u>But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land</u></b>, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither <b><u>sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Leviticus 25:8-10 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And thou shalt <b><u>number seven sabbaths of years</u></b> unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.<span> </span>(9)<span> </span><b><u>Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement</u></b> shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.<span> </span>(10)<span> </span>And <b><u>ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile</u></b> unto you; and <b><u>ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Inheritances are very important to God.<span> </span>Everyone in Israel was given an inheritance of land in the Promised Land.<span> </span>Even if some one was thoughtless enough to sell their land, or lose it in a poke game; the property would be restored to the family in time on the 50<sup>th</sup> year of Jubilee!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">These laws; given to Israel were designed by God to preserve two main blessings:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>1.<span> </span>Family (farming together to stay together)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span>2.<span> </span>Worship (tithing and offerings)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Through the land; Israel would remain strong if they obeyed the LORD.<span> </span>God wanted them to have the kind of abundance that comes with the blessing of farming.<span> </span>Read the story of Jacob in Genesis chapter 30.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Christians; God’s New Testament or New Covenant people are also promised an inheritance.<span> </span>Through baptism, we accept Jesus Christ and become a member of the family of God.<span> </span>All Christians are blood relatives through the blood of Jesus Christ which is symbolized in the baptismal pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Galatians 3:29 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> And <b><i><u>if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The promise is for both man and women equally.<span> </span>God will reward each of us individually; without prejudice to race, nationality or sex.<span> </span>All who are baptized into Jesus Christ are all equal heir together!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 Peter 3:7 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, <b><u>giving honour unto the wife</u></b>, as unto the weaker vessel, and as <b><u>being heirs together of the grace of life</u></b>; that your prayers be not hindered.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">A young teenager’s mother had lost their home due to financial mismanagement.<span> </span>It was the home that her father gave her mother in a divorce settlement for the purpose of providing for them both a home that was paid in full and had no mortgage or lien against it.<span> </span>When the father; expressed his disappointment that his ex-wife lost the daughter’s inheritance; the land and house; the daughter said; “Its O.K. Daddy; its no big deal!”<span> </span>That is the way Israel felt about their inheritance; “It was no big deal;” but it was!<span> </span>Israel went into captivity; never to return to the land as the united people they were when God gave it to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have an inheritance in Christ and it is A BIG DEAL!<span> </span>A HUGE BLESSING!<span> </span>Let us all take; with seriousness and responsibility; our calling in Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-20454552030123324502011-09-09T18:08:00.003-05:002011-09-09T23:21:18.794-05:00Tongues & A Holy Ghost Hoedown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There is nothing like the driving beat of today’s Praise and Worship music with all of the electronic instruments. When the praise singers are truly anointed and the people are anointed as well; God shows up and magnifies the worship until it transcends the human realm. The place of meeting becomes the Holy of Holies and nothing is impossible; anything can happen and it does; sometimes instantly. At one service; a man came in crippled; barely able to walk, with a cane; at the end of the service, he walked out with the cane slung over his shoulder. When the move of God filled the room the people broke out into what some of us have begun to call, “A Holy Ghost Hoedown!” Words can not express this type of experience; you have to be there first hand! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There is a freedom that is connected to that type of worship that also has to be experienced first hand. All of the promises of God’s WORD become a reality and Faith from God rains down from Heaven in the LORD’s Shekhinah glory; the glory that once filled the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle; when the LORD filled the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">At a “Holy Ghost Hoedown,” which some of us also have referred to as a “Holy Ghost Blowout,” God literally takes over the service! This is not planned and it can not be forced to happen by man. Only God, who can inhabit the praises of His people, can cause a spontaneous move in a room of hundreds of people. It has been my privileged to experience such an out pouring of God’s Spirit, in a worship service of more than 500 in attendance; more time than I can count! When 400 of those 500 fall to their knees spontaneously, without human direction; it is an act of God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Psalms 22:3 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> But thou art holy, O thou that in habitest the praises of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">With hundreds of people praying through tears, crying; hundreds praying in tongues; others dancing, jumping and running in the Spirit; all happening while musicians continue to sing praises to God; it is a scene out of the Book of Revelation; come to life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">My love for music ministry is only rivaled by my love for teaching ministry, in the WORD of God. Sacred music has always been dear to my heart and a major part of my ministry. As quality modern praise music began to captivate a newer, younger and livelier audience of worshipers; churches have had to move away from old traditional hymns and anthems of praise. Unfortunately, there will come a generation that has no knowledge or experience of the great anthems of faith. That generation may be upon us now; you, the reader may be a part of it! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">One of the all time most powerful anthems, written in 1741, continues to inspire audiences in powerful ways spiritually. It is George Fredrick Handel’s Hallelujah chorus; from the oratorio <b><i><u>Messiah</u></i></b>. The words come directly from the Bible; the book of Revelation; taken from three separate verses and inspired to be placed in an order along with powerful and triumphant music to lead singers and audiences alike into the presence of God. The actual lyrics are below followed by their scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Hallelujah Chorus<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The kingdom of this world<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Is become the kingdom of our Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And of His Christ, and of His Christ;<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And He shall reign for ever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For ever and ever, forever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">King of kings, and Lord of lords,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">King of kings, and Lord of lords,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And Lord of lords,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And He shall reign,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And He shall reign forever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">King of kings, forever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And Lord of lords,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And He shall reign forever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">King of kings! and Lord of lords!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And He shall reign forever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">King of kings! and Lord of lords!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 19:6 KJV </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">And I 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, <b><u>Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 11:15-17 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, <b><u>The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.</u></b> (16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, (17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 19:16 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, <b><u>KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It is vital to our spiritual health and salvation; that we worship in the presence of God daily! This should not just be reserved only for church services. Praise music, traditional anthems, reading from God’s WORD or just even a thought can catapult me into the presence of the LORD and into the Holy of Holies. Praying in tongues and being moved to tears in worship precedes my daily morning’s prayer time and happens spontaneously throughout the day. God’s WORD says to be instant in prayer and to pray without ceasing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 12:12 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing <b><u>instant in prayer; <o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1<sup>st</sup> Thessalonians 5:17 KJV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><u>Pray without ceasing</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">We all need the power of God in our lives; we certainly should desire it, if we are Christians. God will only walk with us as we walk with Him. We discussed on August 26, 2011; how we can access God’s throne by praying after the pattern of the Tabernacle. If we follow the steps through the Tabernacle, we will reach the Holy of Holies with our prayers and with our worship. It is there that we build our eternal relationship with the LORD. Review the above mentioned lesson at the link below. The grey box below it is an overview of how to pray through the Tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><a href="http://anointings.blogspot.com/2011/08/model-of-prayer-lords-prayer-tabernacle_444.html">http://anointings.blogspot.com/2011/08/model-of-prayer-lords-prayer-tabernacle_444.html</a><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">Praying through the Tabernacle means to follow the steps of the High Priest as we prepare ourselves to access the Holy of Holies through our petitions to God. It pictures the entire plan of salvation in the Gospel of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. So let’s review these steps again. After entering through the gates with</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">THANKSGIVING</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">and into the courts with</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">PRAISE;</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">HIGH PRIEST</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">then<b>SACRIFICED ON THE BRAZEN ALTER</b></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">(SYMBOLIC OF THE BLOOD OF Christ that reconciles us)</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">washed in the<b>LAVER</b></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">(the water of reflection and the washing of the WORD, a type of BAPTISM); he then took burning incense from the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">ALTAR OF INCENSE</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">(the sins and prayers of the people along with the atoning blood) and entered</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">THE HOLY OF HOLIES</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt;">once a year for the people of Israel to be reconciled to God.</span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoavuCufOtk/TmqcOD7y5hI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/d6BqgHbvR-E/s1600/tabernacle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoavuCufOtk/TmqcOD7y5hI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/d6BqgHbvR-E/s640/tabernacle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-21839799453833633502011-09-08T00:01:00.001-05:002011-09-08T00:08:41.479-05:00They Will Not Depart<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Below is a story about my Dad and a man whom we both had the opportunity to work for together. There are some scriptures that seemed to be personified by the story; a few Godly points of benefit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 18:24 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">A Golden Opportunity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Victory of war in 1945 was bitter sweet. Some soldiers had to assimilate back into civilian life with new challenges from war wounds, lost of sight and loss of limb. But for the majority, who returned unscathed, it was a new lease on life and a time of revelry greater than the return from the First World War. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It was in that jubilant time that fourteen year old Ed found his first real job working as an usher at the Mont Clare Theater, in Chicago. In those days, theater owners typically contracted with a food concessions company to run the theater, although they had to directly hire a union motion picture operator to run the film. The Irving Davis Company hired Ed and he reported to a manager named Paul Wald. The motion picture industry was booming; Returning "GIs" were getting reacquainted with their sweethearts and all forms of entertainment were in high demand. With this surge of business the concept of fast food was born out of the theater concessions, and menu options grew beyond candy, popcorn and soda. Food of all types became a celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6XBL44CYYU/TmhMU2rXyMI/AAAAAAAAAJM/pzlOvQDQInQ/s1600/gus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6XBL44CYYU/TmhMU2rXyMI/AAAAAAAAAJM/pzlOvQDQInQ/s400/gus.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gus the Union Motion Picture Operator in Franklin Park, IL</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As he graduated high school, Irving Davis himself took an interest in Ed and made him a manager over all of his theaters after Paul had taken a position with a new company called Federated Vendors. Fast food was needed in factories in order to keep workers at their peak and close to the assembly lines. America was in its prime in the 1950s. Vending machines and Industrial Plant Feeding (cafeteria) grew. Soon Paul needed an assistant at Federated so he hired Ed away from Irving Davis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BI8y14VAP2I/TmhKiraD9GI/AAAAAAAAAJI/kGuwdBV2grg/s1600/RoseTheatre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BI8y14VAP2I/TmhKiraD9GI/AAAAAAAAAJI/kGuwdBV2grg/s400/RoseTheatre.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed Blake talking with an employee, Phyllis, whom he later married</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Together Ed and Paul made a great team; Paul did the purchasing and Ed managed the operations. Federated Vendors grew by leaps and bounds through the 1950s and merged in 1964 with another company and went public on the New York stock exchange to form Servomation Corporation. By 1974 they were in all 48 states with over 200 branch offices with 200 warehouses/delivery centers, and regional directors. The headquarters of the corporation was in New York City but the Purchasing and Accounting Office remained in Chicago as a subsidiary company, Servomation Supply. Paul was President of Servomation Supply and Ed was V.P. and General Manager. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">It was at this juncture that another fourteen year old kid named Tom found his first real job working for Paul Wald. Being Ed Blake's son, he had to work twice as hard as anyone else. That summer he learned everyone's job as he filled in for each person who went on vacation. Unfortunately anything that Ed couldn't get anyone else to do, Tom got stuck with it. Of course, Tom is none other than yours truly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When a new CEO took the reigns of the Corporation in 1975, he moved the entire operation to Greenwich, just out side of New York City across the Connecticut border. Paul moved with the company, Ed turned down the transfer and left Servomation. And so after twenty five years of working together, Paul Wald and Ed Blake went separate directions. Being the stoic pillar of strength, I never saw my father cry, but he must have in some private place cried buckets of tears for a man who had more influence on his life than any other man he ever met. So Dad; I cry for you and for Mr. Wald for the friendship you lost and honor your entrepreneurial spirit for what you did build!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Mr. Wald retired within five years after moving with the company to Greenwich and my father went on as VP and General Manage of another Chicago based company until he retired and then passed away at age 63.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Psalms 37:23 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Growing up in a household of faith has to be the greatest of all of my blessings. The teachings of my youth have shaped my life in the LORD and have brought me to this juncture in life. My father set an example of Christian dedication, loyalty, the old fashioned hard work value and honesty; these he did in the LORD. Toward the end of his life, he was a dual career pastor and we had the opportunity to share the same pulpit for five years as associates in pastoral ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 22:6 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When God calls multiple generations into ministry, the churches that those ministers serve receive an added blessing. There is a credibility given to the Christian way of life that is beyond words. A dear pastor friend of mine; shares his pulpit with not only his son, but with his two grandsons as well. This speaks to the glory of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">As parents, we are entrusted with God’s children for just a very short time. Make sure that you do all that is in your power to lead your children to the LORD. If they are grown; still pray for them and lead by example; always keeping the door open for God to call them through you. For parents of little children and young couples contemplating a family; realize that there is no greater investment than your children. Train them up in the LORD and when they are old, they will not depart from it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-39169484933799730092011-09-07T12:43:00.003-05:002011-09-07T12:45:38.167-05:00Victory is not lost<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Twenty five years ago a friend looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Blake, someone has convinced you that failure is an option! Failure is NOT an option!” America once strutted with pride on her victories; but our last victory was World War II. Since the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri; September 2, 1945; America has not tasted lasting victory. The Korean War and the Vietnam War both programmed the American people to accept losses. The victories of first Gulf War along with the second Gulf War; were not lasting and now Afghanistan and Iraq have become a second Viet Nam theatre that are sapping the spirit of the American people.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Today in the news, our nation is in grave financial crisis. Social Security along with many pension funds; are on the verge of bankruptcy! Unemployment is at a staggering high. Everyone knows that the statistics in this area are far from accurate and are contrived from a method that does not reflect the true picture. Divorce is at an all time high along with living together outside of marriage. Combine these two facts together; is there any wonder why the American family is irreparably broken? People don’t marry because they are defeated!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKVZPF9kKWo/TmesqCNnmZI/AAAAAAAAAJA/2BwYncA3K-o/s1600/compactsigning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKVZPF9kKWo/TmesqCNnmZI/AAAAAAAAAJA/2BwYncA3K-o/s400/compactsigning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Signing of the Mayflower Compact<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Awake America and claim the victory in Jesus Christ. This country was founded on Christian belief. Our first settlers, the Pilgrims, came over on the Mayflower. Before they were allowed to embark on passage to the New Land; they had to sign a contract called the Mayflower Compact. The compact stated that they were making their journey for the Glory of God and the Advancement of the Christian Faith! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiQLSpayanA/Tmes1tVeW-I/AAAAAAAAAJE/AKUUMaBLUtg/s1600/Mayflower+compact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kiQLSpayanA/Tmes1tVeW-I/AAAAAAAAAJE/AKUUMaBLUtg/s640/Mayflower+compact.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">‘Having undertaken, <b><u>for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith </u></b>and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia…” </span></i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Mayflower Compact</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Twenty-first Century America has deported Jesus Christ and expelled these two tenets; <b>1) For the Glory of God</b>; <b>2) For the Advancement of the Christian Faith!</b> William Bradford would be shocked and appalled; along with all of the other signers of the Mayflower Compact; to see the nation built on their colony; forsake all that they believed in and for which they risked all. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Our country once stood proudly as a Christian Nation; but now we have forsaken God and His law of righteousness. We have traded the blood of Jesus for sexual perversion, freedom and license to sin. God’s patience is wearing thin with America and all of once Christ professing nations like Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and all of Western Europe and many other nations and people around the world. God has always offered His people the same promises. His people started with Israel; but through Jesus Christ; has been extended to all who profess His name! A Jew today; that is to say the people of God today are those who have been circumcised of the heart; baptized with Spirit and Fire; with the Holy Ghost!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 2:29 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">All of the Christian denominations believe in their heritage from Christ through the Jewish people of Israel and claim Abraham as the father of their Faith. To the liberal world of Christendom, Christ the LORD has a contention with them; those who have denied his WAY and have perverted His teachings:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 7:23-24 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' (24) But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The LORD has always wanted the best for His people; but He requires obedience to His WAY, TRUTH and LIFE! He says to all backsliding Christians; those who have departed the faith once given; REPENT AND TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">2 Chronicles 7:14 <i>KJV</i></span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The LORD is ready and waiting for His people to pray and turn to Him; but He is not going to wait for ever. Your opportunity to get right with God is fast coming to a close. Now is the time to prepare and be ready. As it has been stated in this blog before; “the cemeteries are filled with young people who did not know that it was their hour!” Forget the alarmists, the modern day Nostradamus addicts who suffer from “prediction addiction.” No one will ever know the hour of the return of Jesus Christ and no one knows the hour of their death!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 25:13 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="color: red;">Watch therefore, <b><i><u>for you know neither the day nor the hour.</u></i></b></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The original Greek for the word, “WATCH,” means to be awake and to be vigilant. That means to be anxiously and eagerly prepared; keen; acute, and attentive to your <b><i>“<u>life in Christ</u>!” </i></b>You don’t want to be living apart from Christ at your death or at His second coming and no one knows which will come first for them. We all must live every day as if Christ may come any moment, but also as if we will die of old age at 105!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus wants us to succeed in our Christian walk. He wants us to be in His eternal Kingdom and to receive an eternal reward. Jesus has promised the victory; He is the mighty God and our high tower of strength, power and courage. Christ assures us an abundant life; but we must live in Him; not apart from Him! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 54:17 BBE </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">No instrument of war which is formed against you will be of any use; and every tongue which says evil against you will be judged false. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness comes from me, says the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> But thanks be to God, <b><i><u>who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ</u></i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The victory is yours if you want it! We all need to embrace a victor’s attitude! Turn away from sin and embrace Jesus Christ and His WAY of life and the victory is yours!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700900014434550384.post-89278597739179622602011-09-06T13:03:00.000-05:002011-09-06T13:03:11.246-05:00Lack Wisdom: Ask<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">A quote from author Pearl S. Buck appeared on my desktop this morning.<span> </span>Her classic novel, <b><i><u>The Good Earth</u></i></b>; was a very power story of life in turn of the century China.<span> </span>She was the daughter of missionaries to China in the late 19<sup>th</sup> through early 20<sup>th</sup> century China.<span> </span>She saw first hand the hardships and sorrow of the Chinese people.<span> </span>A child of a household of faith, she saw the many dimensions of suffering.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is an alchemy in sorrow. It can be transmuted into wisdom, which, if it does not bring joy, can yet bring happiness.<span> </span></span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pearl S. Buck<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alchemy is the process of transforming something common and ordinary into something special; a transmutation (a total change in its nature).<span> </span>From her life as a daughter of missionaries to China; the spiritual transformation of the Christian life is the basis of her statement.<span> </span>From my life’s experience; there is no greater joy than that which comes from turning sorrow into joy in the LORD.<span> </span>It is an inner happiness that no one can destroy.<span> </span>Pain and suffering develops steadfastness; not merely a waiting in patience; but a standing strong in the LORD; endurance.<span> </span>We are able, because we know that all things work for good in the LORD!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Romans 8:28 KJV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>And we know that <b><u>all things work together for good to them that love God</u></b>, to them <b><u>who are the called according to his purpose</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Faith in that promise gives us the strength to endure everything and anything that comes our way because we are called according to His purpose.<span> </span>Our suffering is not in vain nor is it more than we can bear!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God <b><u>is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability</u></b>, but with the temptation he <b><u>will also provide the way of escape</u></b>, that you may be able to endure it (bear it).<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The way of escape does not come immediately, but in my experience; more toward the breaking point.<span> </span>This is how God stretches us so that we can grow!<span> </span>Every weight trainer and body builder knows that our muscles need to be stretched to the point of tearing, but not ripping apart; if that muscle is to regenerate stronger; so is it with our spiritual character.<span> </span>Psalm 74 says don’t turn back in shame, but let the needy praise the name of the LORD!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Psalms 74:21 ESV</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="author"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">When we are stretched by God, we can see joy in it because we know that there is a great benefit to the challenge.<span> </span>If we merely suffered; for no reason and for no gain; we would be most miserable.<span> </span>Trials build our endurance which is making us more perfect and lacking nothing!<span> </span>Christ is perfecting us!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="author" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">James 1:3-4 ESV</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"> for you know that the <b><u>testing of your faith produces steadfastness</u></b>.<span> </span>(4)<span> </span>And let steadfastness have its full effect, <b><u>that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing</u></b>.<span> </span>(5) <b><u>If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously</u></b> to all without reproach, and it will be given him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="author"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our lives are unrefined gold that are being refined in the fire; in the furnace of trials.<span> </span>It is the only way to build for the future; for an eternal future.<span> </span>The only gold that you will take with you into the Kingdom of God is the gold of your character!<span> </span>We are here to grow in the <u>knowledge</u> of God; <u>understanding</u> of His WAY and <u>wisdom</u> to prepare for the everlasting Kingdom of God.<span> </span>It is a life of <u>faith</u>; living in the Spirit; in the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: #D9D9D9; border: double windowtext 4.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="author" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="author" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">KNOWLEDGE + UNDERSTANDING develops WISDOM that leads to FAITH <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-color-alt: windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-right-alt: thick-thin-small-gap; mso-border-top-alt: thin-thick-small-gap; mso-border-width-alt: 4.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">We can’t live without <b>FAITH</b> which comes from the WORD of God.<span> </span>Reading and listening to the Bible daily; internalizing it and making it engrafted on our souls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Bro. Thomas Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408392395741344268noreply@blogger.com0