Show more sympathy for these people who: travel miles in the heat, risk their lives crossing a border, don't get paid enough wages, do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do, live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language, rarely see their families, and face adversity all day ~ every day. I'm not talking about illegals ~ I'm talking about our troops!

**************************************

Spring of 2015, March madness, of the exciting and peaceful variety (with Michigan State reaching the Final Four of the NCAA) & now into April, with Resurrection Day approaching (most of you call it Easter)...more thoughts to consider.

These numbered entries are not quotes from me …they are merely ones I took from a site I visited.

1. Let us pray that we can allow the Spirit to continue to create in us a common call to follow Christ while respecting each other’s convictions.
2. Love your neighbor.
3. God does not support your separatist attitude …it is you who are guilty of sin, if you judge others.
4. If you cannot enter a church with the right spirit of love and inclusiveness, your participation is not necessary.  We all go to a church we believe is best for us, so don’t condemn those who are doing the best for themselves.
5. You call something true, which is actually faith …which by definition can never be proven as true.
6. Change is in the air …and continuing revelations are alive and flourishing.
7. Glory to God for the changes that have come about.  We are all here on earth to experience joy and understanding.
8. Copernicus proved the earth is not the center of our solar system.  The laws of the Bible have also been changed by men countless times over the years …and the center should not be old teaching, but revolve around new knowledge that is revealed to us each day.
9. There are a thousand sins listed in the Bible, and people pick and choose which ones they think are important or not deserving of mercy.  Some of the biggest slaughters of people have been done by Christians over the centuries.
10. The Bible was not a guide for how to live, but how to treat others.  If we don’t use compassion, how are we any different than religious terrorists in other parts of the world?
11. The world will change while you are stuck in space.  This is realism …and it’s happening everywhere with the non-fanatic religions.
12. Maybe we are moving on to where we don’t need religion …one less dividing factor, and one step closer to uniting as a species for the greater good.
13. How can you enjoy wealth, while the masses starve …and you focus instead on condemning the joy of others?

• That last page contains comments by those who applaud the latest changes voted into the wording of a more inclusive definition of marriage …particularly, the latest majority ruling by the Presbyterian Church.  How can you enjoy wealth, while the masses starve …and you focus instead on condemning the joy of others?

Apparently, as I am not up on these issues, it has been documented that for many years many churches have been ordaining LGBT clergy (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender).  Well, it seems most churches have a distinct differentiation between clergy and lay people, but not who they lay with.  So, as not to only list the Presbyterians …listed also were the United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church …and, with the added condition of having had no ‘deep-seated’ desires or actions for several years, the Catholic Church.

The roles of clergy can vary, but the list usually includes: deacons, bishops, ministers, preachers, pastors, and priests.  And ‘ordination’ is considered the process by which individuals are ‘consecrated’, or set apart as sacred …to sanctify, and that is the opposite of  'to desecrate'.

In Exodus 28, it mentions that when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, he had to wear clothes that God specified, or he’d die.  As only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, a very practical solution would be to tie a rope around his ankle in the event that he did die …as no one would be permitted to get him out.  It is disputed over whether this was a solution they utilized, though it does seem practical.

Yet, if something is clear, it should be clearly done …as we read in 2^nd Samuel 6:7, that a man was struck dead for his irreverence of touching the ark.

Yes, I know this is Old Testament, before our High Priest and Savior came to earth …Jesus.  Yet, all things that were before Jesus came did not change.  But, what did change was significant …our access to the Father through the Son, and sin not changing, only how it is dealt with.  

Roman 13:14 tells us how to clothe ourselves, as we are always in the presence of our Holiest Savior.   “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Some people think that when Jesus speaks of marriage, that his omission of certain facts cannot be logically assumed.  That appears to be a bit too illogical for me.  That is like saying that Jesus could have been riding into Jerusalem on a three-legged donkey, because it didn’t specify four-legged. It would have been rather distracting, and would have caused a stir …with people claiming animal abuse.  Well, I think it is a gross distraction and error to take what Jesus said about marriage, and about a man and a woman …and assume that it may mean something that it clearly does not.

We can not facilitate a progression of stepping stone logic and transitional thoughts in our attempts to provide understanding of the true character of God.  We cannot use human logic in our search for truth …when validity dwells within inference and demonstration, as well as within accepted reasoning.  As one of the quotes made reference to Copernicus …it is actually more logical to say the sun revolves around the earth.  As furthering evidence is an ongoing process, it constantly bombards logic.

************************************

Those of you who don’t believe what the Bible has to say, your reading will perhaps end here.

Unless, of course, you are not afraid of the thoughts of others …or not too arrogant to think that knowledge on the subject is closed. 

I believe that subjects can be closed if they are not worthy or proper to discuss …and I guess, that is how some people feel about God. 

Yet, we would be perhaps judging ourselves more worthy than God, in dismissing an opportunity to talk about Him.  And if this makes you angry, perhaps you cannot discuss this properly either.  In that case, the subject should never be closed …just postponed.  

When I first read the Book of Revelations, I did not understand it much.  That may lead you to believe, in an anxious or eager sort of way, that you have the grand opportunity to lead me to believe the way you believe, and perhaps fill the gaps of my understanding.

First of all, let’s get your perception of me clear.  You may consider me stubborn, cautious, slow, or ignorant …or a combination of those things, but forgive me for my bluntness if I say I’m going to look first to the Word of God (Bible) to fill in the gaps of my lack of understanding. 

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely want to hear what you say too, but you’ll probably eventually give me a chance to talk also.  My wife may say it will be the other way around, but either way, a good conversation may eventually take place.

Since I don’t know if you are there, let me say, I do know you are there somewhere, but I can’t see you …nor hear you.

I may also be doing something else when you perchance come across this attempt at discourse …so, hear me out and see if it makes sense.

When I first read the Book of Revelation, I did not understand it much, and the exhaustive details of it, I still don’t.  Yet, I feel it may not be meant for me.

What I mean …is that, though I firmly believe it is meant for all of us, and it gives us an assurance to all who believe in our God of the Bible, perhaps there are certain important parts I was meant to understand while other parts I was not.

Again, I believe the Bible is God’s Word to us …and that God chose people to give us His truth, therefore I don’t believe the apostle John had gone mad, nor had a senile episode.  And I do understand that senility is not considered limited to a moment …yet, I do not believe this to be the case with John.  Nor do I believe that this writing was included solely for the purpose of not wanting to hurt John’s feelings.

Most of us are familiar with the account when Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him …three times, followed by “feed my lambs”, “feed my sheep”, “feed my sheep”.  And Peter was also addressed in such a matter as to give him an idea of what he’d have to go through …in his ministry of feeding the flock.

Peter saw John following, and his mind of curiosity likely led him to ask what would become of John, as if to ask if John would suffer as he would be expected to do.

Jesus is recorded to have said, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you?” 

The statement was not that John would …it was more of the ‘if’ aspect of it, it appears.  It also would seem that Jesus had another purpose for John …and I don’t believe that purpose would be that he become senile, and have no significant function other than that people would laugh or pity him in his old age.

How do I make these assumptions??

Well, the way I see it …is that God has made a definite point of revealing His character.  It’s not that we so readily understand Him, or why He reacts in the way He does in every circumstance …but, we have a maturing of the faith which depends greatly upon our trust of His character.

If you look at the Old Testament, we see in Genesis, that He is our Creator (Elohim).

We read of Hagar, who did what she was asked to do, and was despised for it by the one who had asked her to do it.  She was so distressed, she fled to the wilderness …but, God saw her grief.  She realized that her God sees (El Roi).

An unprecedented request was asked of Abraham, to not offer up the standard sacrifice, but a thoroughly horrific unheard of expectation …to give up his son.  God would later give the life of His own Son to offer salvation to mankind and womankind, but at this time it would only be a picture of what He had never intended for Abraham to do …and He provided a lamb in the thicket to spare Isaac. (Jehovah Jireh)

After an unbelievable win in battle, they believed even more in Jehovah Nissi …the Lord our Banner.

Part of the importance of the Sabbath is in reminding ourselves that He is the Lord who sanctifies …Jehovah Mekoddishkem, also in preserving the memories of the exodus out of the slavery of false worshipers.

Psalm 23, beginning with, “The Lord is my Shepherd …” (Jehovah Raah)

Jeremiah tells of a coming King, a Righteous Branch …Jehovah Tsidkenu.

And Ezekiel talks of the Gates of the City …of our comings and goings, but the Lord is always there (Jehovah Shammah).

There are many other references …and I’ve only listed a few.  The point is that God reveals to us not only that He is omniscient and omnipotent …but we see many other comforting characteristics describing who He is, what He has done, and what He will do for us.

It also helps us understand through the direction of the Holy Spirit …that God (the Father), Jesus, and His Spirit are One.

And that brings me back to what I was saying I believe God set John apart for. (More on that later ...if I get back around to it.)

*****************************************************

Sunday evening, 6 o'clock, and as a single Christian man ….yes, I am parked outside in the church parking lot, prepared to go in for the evening service.  But, I linger with my ears to the radio …as they are making a drive, which could prove to be the winning drive.

Yes, I’m talking about the 4 o’clock game …which is winding down, and the drama seems to captivate me just enough where I feel it won’t be too terrible if I go in just a few minutes late …after all, they just begin with praise songs.

To be honest with you, not that many people attend the evening service as it is …and I don’t judge them for it.  After all, our salvation is not determined by how often our participation is in church activity.  I don’t judge them, and no one will judge me.  Yes, “touchdown ….what a play!!”

Tuesday, 3 o'clock …only half an hour more and I’ll be out of work.  Is there any day of the week I enjoy more than Tuesdays!!  I can spend the evening reading …after I pick up the new arrivals from the comic book shop on the way home. Purchasing mostly Spider-man and Superman …yes, who wouldn't like the good moral characters, who fight for what is right, not just blind justice?  The writers have good storylines …and the colorful glossy artwork really makes for a great publication.

I’ve been picking up comic books for a while now …and probably have a couple thousand dollars invested in them.  I probably could get much more for them, but I don’t want to part with them …my collection includes some real classics, and in fairly good condition.  I notice a teenage boy quietly browsing through the section that I’ve never been interested in …and yes, I recognize him, he’s from my church.

There are some rather disturbing advertisements in the comic books, but I just carefully cut the page out …until, they don’t do double-sided ads any more.  If I remove the advertisement, I’d be removing part of the story on the reverse side.

Yes, there have been some Bible studies I’ve attended.  And what I’ve been taught, I agree with …that salvation is not through any performance-based standard of what we can achieve, it’s possible because God sent His own Son.  Yes, it is because Jesus was willing to die …to provide a way for us, if we accept it.

I also attended another Bible study which mentioned that though it does not affect our salvation, the way we live may have a degree of influence upon another person’s life. And our degree of growth and maturity does affect those around us.  My parents said people often act as cows …sort of like a herd instinct.  And I guess, whether it’s cows or sheep, we shouldn’t let the wool be pulled over our eyes …or be party to doing it to others.

Much of growth and maturity seems to involve doing things we don’t want to do, or perhaps giving up things we like to do.  Sometimes people don’t like to hear the word that goes along with what I just described …it’s called sacrifice.  And yes, that’s what Jesus did for us.

Jesus doesn’t ask us to live like He lived while He was on earth …He wants us to be us.  We aren’t supposed to live like He did, we are to live like He asked us to.  And most of the sacrifices we think we have to make …should give us lasting gratification.  It’s just that we have to get the priorities right.

Our strivings …well, it’s sort of like the Bible study said, where every day of our life is like a pie.  It’s a twenty-four hour pie …and each of us get the same amount of pie, it’s just that each of us consume it differently.

It’s not like when someone says, “I want a piece of the pie.”  They are usually talking about excitement, or more often money.  I am merely talking about how we spend our time.

There are studies that tell us how much sleep we should get …and how it affects our health.  And we all know certain people who it seems to affect more than others. We sometimes react to them by saying, “You must not have gotten much sleep last night.” It’s kind of a polite way of saying they are being grumpy.

And if we are earning a living, if we want to continue to bring home a paycheck, we have to put a certain amount of time in at work.  Some of us put less time in, and perhaps it could be argued that some put in too much time.

Okay, so if you add eating and a few other necessities …what is left is usually called free time, or our leisure time.

And leisure time means we can decide what to do with our time, like previously unscheduled or uncommitted.  And it could be said that it's not what we need to do, but what we want to do.

I guess we could call it our priorities beyond our responsibilities ...though some people do put what they want to do, ahead of what they should responsibly do.

What do we put on the top of the list of priorities??  And what do we look most forward to ...what we most like to do??

I guess if we do something other than what we'd like to do, that is often called sacrifice.

I was listening to a conversation once about how we should not put church first ...that family should come first.  Now, considering that God created the family unit ...I would say God had it high on His list.  But, I wanted to clarify something, so I said, "Let's not equate God with church.  But, we should put God first, because in putting God first, we are actually elevating the status of family, not putting it as second rate."

My comments were not received well. I was told something rather bluntly, which could be considered insulting or provocative, then it was toned down a bit, "What do you know anyway, you don't even have your own family!"

Yes, I was single then ...but, I'm married now. We have five children.  And I still have not changed my viewpoint on what I'd said.

My point is, it is my opinion that we should put God first ...and not put anyone or anything above Him.

This would be logically impossible if we didn't know Him, or what He wants for us.  I believe that He does care how we act, and how we interact ...with others and with Him.  

Dad had told me a story of a family that had a content and peaceful son ...who was very obedient, so there could be seen no fault in that. What had to be constantly considered though, was that he was severely mentally impaired. They asked him to chop wood, and he chopped all the wood ...because he wasn't told when to stop, even when it got dark.  Apparently they thought he was content, and that brought contentment to the rest of the family too.  Yet, contentment also brought about forgetfulness ...apparently content with his lack of presence. So, when he was done chopping all the wood, he sat down on the woodpile ...because he had not been told what to do when he finished.  It began raining, and he just sat there in the rain, until someone remembered him.

I believe God always remembers us.  And He cares. 

I believe God also wants us to know He cares, and it is clear to me that He clearly has communicated all this to us ...through what we call the Word of God, the Bible.

Back to the point that we are not to put anyone or anything above God.  In the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 14, verses 13&14, we read: "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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High."  This is what we read as said by Lucifer, or who we refer to as Satan.  Lucifer aspired in his heart to put himself above God.

God later commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ...it is said in the Book of Genesis.  And it is immediately said afterwards that God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone ...", and God had decided He was going to create Eve.  It doesn't say that God told Eve about the tree, but it would be logical to expect that Adam told Eve what God had said.

Satan, as a deceptive serpent, tempted Eve the same way he had tempted himself, telling Eve, "you shall be like gods ...".  And she put that desire above what she knew God had said, what Adam had surely told her.

Adam then put his companionship with Eve ...above what he knew God had commanded.

The result of that was that she was told she would experience pain in bringing forth children; and her desires would be to her husband, and he would rule over her.

Adam was told directly that since he had listened to his wife, instead of God, he would have to painstakingly work ...that the ground wouldn't work wholly with him.

Again, we can view this as our just reward, or as a consequence. We can rise to the challenge, or we can go about life in a disgruntled fashion. Much of life is about perspective.

If things run amuck, we usually ask why. But, it has been shown over and over again, that this is the eventual demise of minimizing God in a culture. The evidences of this creates a product looking much different than that aspired to ...often near the opposite of what it should be. And that seems to be much of what we have today.

Let's look at the woman first. She was to have pain bringing forth children ...but, a blessing would come out of it.  And her desire would be towards her husband. Hopefully this works towards minimizing the bad, and avoiding the worse ...marital affairs.  And it may also increase the good ...having more children.  

And her husband would rule over her.  Some people look at this as not a good thing.  So, if it is unusually bad, there are proper measures that can be taken ...through proper channels.  Aside from that, there is often good ...and there should be.  There are many difficult decisions in life that are gladly deferred, making it a preferred situation ...not to rule.  And that can be very good, knowing someone else is going to take care of it ...and taking proper care of you, making life a bit easier.

And a woman always has her options if she feels a bit slighted ...and the 'ruler' may find himself too much as a straightedge, allowing for parallel lines to be drawn, keeping a consistent distance.  That often helps the 'ruler' to reconsider.

Let's not get the wrong impression, as most women are not like the ones I'm about to describe ...though there has been a trending towards it.  If you find a woman who thinks her value is not by the jewelry she wears, but instead by her knowing her worth by knowing the pearl of great price ...then she has much to offer.  Other women may design to have an abortion, to not bring forth children ...so as not have any inconveniences, to her or to the baby's daddy. Any desired pain comes at the health club, to the envy of any prospective men. And she would somehow master it so she would rule men by making them feel inadequate if they can't compete in the world of providing. Somehow I don't even know if Solomon could have kept up with those standards.

Two parents thought that it was time to educate their two sons on the subject of the 'birds and the bees'.  They had considered their sons to be still a bit too young, but the neighbor convinced them that kids now-a-days learn very early on ...and if the parents don't tell them, then the kids will hear about it in a much less desirable way from their peers. The parents had felt they'd given their children a good spiritual background by reading them Bible stories, along with other stories at a very young age ...since they were infants.  So, they were probably mature enough now, to move on from Big Bird to a much bigger 'birds and the bees'.  

Here is the following conversation of the two sons, Bill and Phil:

Phil: "Solomon had 700 wives ...I wonder how that worked out?"

Bill: "Yeh, Dad says he has a hard enough time working out his work schedule ...I wonder how Solomon managed his?"

Phil: "I guess Dad had to learn from his own dad ...and seems like I remember hearing that Grandpa used to have a combine."

Bill: "What's a combine?"

Phil: "I don't know too much about it, but Solomon had 300 of them."

Bill: "I'm glad Dad doesn't have any ...but what would Grandpa do with one?"

Phil: "Well, I think a combine did lots of things a wife didn't. That's why she's called a combine.  I think Grandpa called his 'Betsy', yes, I think that was her name."

Bill: "What did Betsy do?"

Phil: "I think Grandpa said she did three things."

Bill: "Who needs one ...Mom does more things than that! What did Betsy do that was so great?"

Phil: "Grandpa said she reaped."

Bill: "I don't know what that is, but Dad says you reap what you sow.  What else did she do that was so special?"

Phil: "Well, she did something called threshing."

Bill: "Thrashing?"

Phil: "No, that's a temper tantrum.  I said 'threshing'. It's sort of like 'loosening' and 'separating'."

Bill: "Solomon would have had to have done alot of 'separating'.  Grandpa might have only one, but Grandma is better than a whole bunch of combines ...so who needs 'em. And I think I recall Grandpa saying that the youth today should make sure not to get a 'loose' one, so I don't think I'd even want to take a chance."

Phil: "Me neither.  I think the other thing Betsy did ...was winnowing, yes, that was it."

Bill: "What's winnowing?"

Phil: "I'm not sure ...but, I think it involves two things.  I think I remember something about blowing alot of air."

Bill: "Is that like when she talks too much?"

Phil: "Probably ...but, I think it also has to do with getting rid of pests."

Bill: "I guess there's always a few of them ...especially if there's 300 of them, I'm sure Solomon had his share."

                                                        **********************

The Gospel According to Mark, quotes Jesus as saying, "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."

This is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis when Eve was first created.  And the very direct statement of two, and being male and female seems to be a great departure from what Solomon practiced, though he got the female part right, he fell short (or long) on the singular aspect of it.

Man was also told he would have to work and sweat ...not readily take government handouts. Though our government is not doing well on the subject of 'strengthening the hand of the poor' ...which is inclusive of the population of those willing to work.

All this considered, if you desire to remain single ...so be it. 

But, anybody who has babies, or for that matter ...even if they just have pets, like cats or dogs, well, there seems to be that built-in condition that you can't continue to always put yourself first.  That, of course, assumes we are considering a level of maturity and decency. And it is good and healthy to adjust to life where the focus is not always on us, and even healthier when it is seldom us at the center.

The family is the most important institution of learning that God has created for us.  Terrorist nations often teach their youth at a very early age to hate.  An American, Saeed Abedini, from Idaho ...was running an orphanage in Iran, until it was found out that he was sharing his Christian faith with the youth.  He is now in a very brutal prison in Iran, charged with so totally corrupting the youth in the orphanage ...that however hard they try to indoctrinate the youth back to the hate, the horrific crime is that they will forever cling to the Christian faith. The kids seem forever lost from any hope the government could ever return them to their old way of thinking.

How do we approach teaching our youth??

We may be attempting to shelter our family from indoctrination while living within a dictatorship.  We may try to survive the onslaught of terrorists, creating hate and bitterness ...if we are not outright killed.  But, we must succeed at all cost ...with keeping the family unit intact.

We may live in a nation where we feel we are relatively safe, but more than anything ...the major threat to our present existence may be that we don't realize the family is at risk.

It seems we are going through something I think of as spiritual anorexia.  I've worked with a couple different cases of anorexia ...one at the beginning phases, and the other a rather severe case.  And I've had hope with the significant measure of success that could be seen.  The point I'm making, is that we are not blind ...we can see, but what do we see??  We see a healthy person, when in reality, we are wasting away our principles and morals...and our spiritual health is disintegrating.

And that being said, we have groups in our country which so boldly call anyone a 'hater' who voices belief in the Bible. And yes, of course, we know there are those who perhaps are filled with intolerance and prejudice ...and who continually promote their attitudes without compassion, yet that argument can be made on more than one side of the issue.

I ask, why are Christian views being attacked when in many cases other religious views (even though sometimes slightly misrepresented) are not questioned and sometimes catered to?? Is it that we are so compelled to embrace diversity that we extend our boundaries beyond absurdity??

And it isn't even the majority peaceful members of the religions that are being catered to ...it's the terrorist factions, and government extremists, often disguised in terminology such as 'brotherhood'.

Again, it is Veritaphobic ...a fear of the truth, along with fear of offending those who will go beyond dialogue, to threatening language. And we all should know that talk often leads to threatening behavior and killing ...whether it's the person talking, or someone trying to impress another by what they hear being said.

The way some cultures, societies, and nations structure their family unit ...present a view very distant from what God created it to be.  Yet, instead of being outraged, we often mildly look at it as a forever changing progression...and think it is not only natural, but even a good thing.

Some people view life like in the Garden of Eden, yet they feel if they don't believe in God, then they can do what they want.  Or they voice the same argument as the serpent did ...thinking that their eyes will be opened, as if the rest of our eyes are closed, along with our intolerant hearts.  They deride those who would dare suggest what they should do, as 'haters', and they dance around their own knowledge, deciding for themselves what is good and what is evil ...and they don't 'just do it', they do it big!! They don't just take a bite, they collect a bushel or two ...and make pies.

I've also heard many people impress upon whoever they can find as an audience ...that they are somehow more sinless.  They have said, "I wish I'd had the chance ...I wouldn't have eaten the fruit!"  I guess that is possible, but we have much bigger lessons to learn ...and those are the ones handed down to us after Adam and Eve's fruitful endeavor, which proved to be fruitless.

The Book of First Samuel, Chapter 15, verse 22, Samuel poses the question God was having him communicate: "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

It is clear how it is that God wants it to be. And we are not just to hearken, nor to rationalize away ...but to obey.

For those who think when it says a man is to rule over the woman ...that it reads as a man-centered standard, it is not.  It is centered on God.

And it does not look a bit like Sharia.  

I look to the example of Mary and Joseph. Mary had conceived as no person had ever conceived ...by only the miracle of God having it so, no other contribution was involved. Yet, it was not understood, and was only looked at as her unfaithful act that brought her to conceive.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Yet, the truth of the people's hearts ...and their laws, could have justified Mary's death.

Yet, Joseph was a decent and caring man ...and he was not just going to push the issue.  He was going to quietly just choose to overlook it.

But, when the truth was presented to Joseph by an angel in a dream ...Joseph had faith that it was so.

Soon the people were told that there would be a census, and everyone would have to travel to their place of birth, which for Joseph, was a great distance.

At this point, Mary was very close to delivering her baby ...and it would be a very rough journey, yet she said she would go with her husband. (Depicted quite well in a movie entitled, The Nativity.)

When Jesus was an adult, He found a woman that was in a similar position to what his own mom had been in ...except this woman was not`innocent. Yet, both situations could have presented the same outcome, if God had not intervened in the hearts of those involved.  And, of course, once again God was going to intervene ...as Jesus stood there and told those who were without sin to cast the first stone.

Jesus forgave her, yet He did not say everything was okay ...He told her to sin no more.  We all sin ...yet, it seems the encouragement was to sin no more in the area that could jeopardize both her and her child.  Yes, it was clear that even though things were not always done the proper or just way ...there should be a serious attempt at making it right.

**********************************************

Okay, finally ...back to what John was set apart for?? Many things can be said, though do I remember what I was going to say??

I know what I wasn't going to say. I wasn't going to go into the conversation about the Tribulation, what is considered 'Great',and how long it will be. You can read for yourself how long, or how not short each phase with seals, trumpets, and vials will be.  So, so much about what I wasn't going to say, what was I going to say??

Oh, yes, I guess I was saying that it has much to do how we view God's character ...and how we view our relationship with Him. 

When Jesus said, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you?” ...Jesus was talking about John with the reference to 'he'.


And Jesus did come to John, in a different way, in the Book of Revelations.  

John was given a vision of the horrible, yet blessed 'end game' (which to Jesus is no game, but an end to the evil games).

And though much is not understood, there are some facts that are sequentially clear.  But, of course, I don't make things that easy.  I will first present my guesswork that is not clear, albeit interesting ...at least to me.

Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins put their thoughts together years ago ...compiled into a story, and published as a book, entitled, Left Behind.  Later, Kirk Cameron starred in a movie based on the book ...and just last year, Nicolas Cage starred in a movie by the same name, depicting a scenario about the 'rapture'.

In the movie, when the rapture takes place, vehicles crash as a result of people's sudden departure from behind the wheel ...and mass confusion is broadcast over the news, with panic setting in as people don't know quite what is going on ...though some have an inkling.

When I read the Book of Revelation, there does not impress upon me the same kind of activity as presented on film.

Some people believe a Third World War, and they feel nuclear disasters help facilitate the events.  

I somehow don't read that into it either. But, there was one mention of an event that had left me with a different sort of thought. I heard of a report that said that ...if a bomb of that size exploded in the upper atmosphere, it would create an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) disturbing or destroying susceptible electronic equipment. Nuclear (NEMP) and high altitude nuclear (HEMP) would cause much more damage (and this'hemp' is not a reference to Cannabis).

We are so dependent upon computers, our vehicles would not run, our phones, our televisions and radios ...most all our ways of communicating with each other would be of no use.  So, instead of it being much like in that movie ...where people are hearing of reports from around the world, it would be no less troubling, though not as dramatic. 

I don't see an effect from an EMP, but instead, see the upper atmosphere disturbance being caused by Jesus coming.

*****************************************************

I see an elderly couple sitting at a table.  Suddenly, the power goes out.  

This has happened before ...and they just get their flashlight, or light a candle.  They'd grown up with the boy scout mentality ...and they are prepared, at least for this kind of emergency.

The thing is, that suddenly the old man feels uncomfortable ...is it his heart, did he have a small stroke, or did he just black out for a moment? It must have been more than a moment. This is his assessment, as his wife was just sitting across from him at the table, and she's not there anymore.

He calls out to his wife.  

There is no answer. 

He calls out again ...still no answer.

He gets up, with the flashlight in his hand ...and walks through the house, calling out her name.

She does not answer, and is nowhere to be found.

He is desperate with his cries.  He goes outside, and calls out.  He hollers so loud, his voice almost gives out.  He is in a panic.  The car is there, so she couldn't have gone far ...where did she go?

He goes back inside, calling for her ...in tears.  He feels faint.

He doesn't know it, but he didn't black out at all. His wife was a believer, and he is not.  She was raptured.

As I see it, the rapture effects a reduction in the influential size of the earth.  But, one sad fact is not just how the elderly will respond.  It's also how so many have responded before this. 

Not that there have not been horrific wars, and terrible events that shake the confidence of those who look for peace. 

Once again, not to overlook the unbelievable commitment of missionaries who travel to wherever they feel God calls them ...encouraging others to have peace within. Peace always seems to be a concept subject to change ...unless a person allows God to change them within.

Yet, aside from those who travel the world, those who live in our own little world ...I feel it goes back to two things that are closely tied together. It's how we view God, and how the family unit is to maintain its commitment towards God ...passing on values and beliefs.

2nd Thessalonians 2:2-3, " ...be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first ..."

Yes, individuals can turn towards God with great commitment ...yet, families also have a huge role, creating the environment that God has intended, living their lives with strong values and love for each other.  It is possible for love to birth out of many circumstances and environments ...but, a person without a loving family and without a faith in God has many more evidences of destruction. 

Yet, we also know that loving homes of believers can also have many problems. And it should be clear that salvation through Jesus is not taken away if the family, or individuals in the family are less than they should be.  It's just hard to imagine how this next verse comes about, except that there is a great falling away first ...away from God.

The Gospel of Luke 12:53 says, " ...the father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; and the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." 

When the family is divided ...communication is limited, nonexistent, or often present with much hate. And where conversation should be able to take place, there are many excuses not to discuss things. Ending statements or conversation killers are like: "They are just a bunch of haters."

And part of the strong delusion (2nd Thessalonians 2: 10-11) to include focusing hate upon individuals who are part of a much larger group ...who should not be defined by a few in the group, yet they are all set apart as the 'hated'. And those who cry foul, and 'hater' ...are the main ones who are doing the hating.

And back to the main point I made, I depicted the old man and woman who communicated about many things, though the conversation about God seldom was brought up ...so when she was taken up, there was much confusion. 

With a depiction of nullifying technology ...there would be little communication possible.  A person could walk to the neighbors ...but not to borrow a cup of sugar. Yet, what else could be shared, as the neighbor would know no more than anyone else. And certainly not about the scope of world events about to come.
  
As I read Chapter 6, the first seal has a man on a white horse conquering.  The second seal has a man with a sword on a red horse. The third seal has a man with a pair of balances in his hand while sitting on a black horse. The fourth seal has Death sitting on a pale horse ...and the combined killing of sword, hunger, and any sort of sickness leading to the death of 25% of the earth.

Now, many may view that as 25% of our present population. It all depends on how you view the events and the time frame of them. If you feel the seals were opened over a much broader period of time ...then you could say that the famines and pestilences could have been those such as were during the middle of the 1300s with the plague or Death. It is estimated that the world population was less than half a billion, that approximately one quarter of the people died, and it took a couple hundred years for the population to recover after that. 

The Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 24 could be describing this ...as the beginning of sorrows, and the wars and rumors of wars seem to be ever present.  And the Holocaust was certainly a horrific example of those who were delivered up ...as also the means by which they were killed, and the magnitude of the evil leaves the soul to but shudder to the very core.

There are others who feel that those events of the seals being opened up have not happened yet. Their guess is that the rapture happens first. This would be somewhat of a reduction in the world population, though, while it would appear to many as death, it would not be. So, that view of the Book of Revelation's fourth seal and a fourth of the earth to die ...would have to come after the rapture, if that becomes the opinion.

Now, I feel that since we all agree that the word, 'rapture' is not the word used in the Bible, but is a word that stands for what is described ...some have even said there are more than one rapture, just like there are more than one resurrection. Chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation talks of the first resurrection, as the blessed resurrection. With a 'voice', a 'trump' ...the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then 'we' who remain and are alive ...shall be caught up. This is speaking of just before the thousand year reign, as many view a fact of a post-tribulation event.

Some people think that the seals and the trumpets coincide ...but this is not how I read it.  The fifth and sixth seals, you can actually read for yourself ...actually, you can read it all for yourself, but I am just trying to help, and writing it down helps clarify things for me too. But, if you read the 24th Chapter of Matthew, verse 29, it seems to coincide with the 6th Chapter of Revelation's mention of the sixth seal. Matthew does mention that we will see the 'abomination of desolation' ...an event that is specifically listed, then onto verse 40, we read that which definitely sounds like the rapture.

But, yes, I did mention that you are quite capable of reading it for yourself ...the remainder of the seals.

But, did I mention that at the seventh seal ...that the angels are given seven trumpets?

At the first trumpet, one third of all the trees, and all the green grass burn.  The deserts of the Middle East would not be affected by this to the extent of others, it would seem.  And it also seems we are centering in somewhat, to a more limited area and population of people.

The second trumpet, one third of the sea turns to blood ...and at the third trumpet, one third of the rivers become bitter and many die.

The forth trumpet also announces three Woes to go with the last three trumpets.  The fifth trumpet confused me for a bit, but then I felt a bit dumb, wondering why the huge locusts were told not to hurt the green grass if all the green grass was burnt.  There is always the ever present lingering doubts and questions, but I have seen enough forest fires to know that the green grass quickly returns.  And there would likely be a least that amount of time between events ...which wouldn't have to be long for grass.

I believe that Israel has the seal of God, kind of a hint with the 144,000 listed very specifically with 12,000 from each of the tribes.  Do you remember when I said you can read the fifth and sixth seals for yourself?  This is where that was listed. Chapter seven of the Book of Revelations explicitly says, "And after these things ..." and verse nine, "After this ..." shows the sequential events. But, back to, or again forward to the fifth trumpet, it says that those locusts are not to hurt the grass or trees ...but only the men who do not have the seal of God.

Yes, it appears that the believers are raptured first, then those who remain have much to contend with ...yet, it appears here that it is directed not at the ones that are considered God's children.

That trumpet says specifically 5 months ...now, comes the sixth trumpet with another reduction of one third of the men killed.  And it says this will be for nearly 400 days.

The Book of Revelations, Chapter 10, verse 7: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound ..." and Chapter 11, has the two witnesses witness for three and a half years.  I believe we've seen the population of the earth much reduced ...and we are focusing on Israel and the immediate surrounding area, a chance for the past enemies of Israel to also accept the truth of what the witnesses say.  Yet, when the beast kills the witnesses after those three and a half years of ministry ...those now converted from their mixed religious beliefs, who were once enemies of Israel, now are in the midst of seeing the two witness resurrected. Verse 11, says, "And the seventh angel sounded ..."

I see it as those enemies of Israel, who had been converted by the words of the two witnesses, now stand to hold to those beliefs and be killed, or to worship the image of the beast.

So, many new converts are killed ...and the ones who follow the beast have much to solidify those evil tenets.  Chapter 13, verses 4-5, "...and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? ...and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." (that being three and a half years). And another beast comes to which is described in verses 13-14, "And he does great wonders ..." in addition to the effect it has, " ...And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do so ..."

And Chapter 14 shows angels announcing, as if countering the deception with a last chance warning of the wrath to come for those who accept the deception and worship the beast and receive his mark. The vials of the wrath of God are yet to come, yet the angles call out to every remaining nation, kindred, tongue, and people ...preaching the everlasting gospel to all those who dwell on the earth, verses 6-10.

After the torment and tragedy of the vials ...the miracle working spirits of devils gather the kings of earth to prepare for battle (Chapter 16, verses 13-16).  They gather in a place called Armageddon.

The next Chapters give details ...then bring us again to that moment of Chapter 19, verse 19, of where the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war.

Of course, the evil armies lose.

So, who are left?  Think about it ...who has the freedom to live as they wish?  We the people, of the United States of America have.

Shouldn't the people who live under cruel dictators be able to experience what it is like to live according to the guidance of Jesus?  There are many who never directly serve, nor fight for the evil causes.  Shouldn't they be shown truth?  After all, missionaries often are not able to penetrate those countries which depress its people.

The beast and false prophet are cast into a lake of fire. Satan is bound in a bottomless pit with a seal upon him for a thousand years.  This begins the thousand year reign of Jesus on earth.

Chapter 20 says, that the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, for the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast ...are those of the first resurrection, who will reign with Jesus for the thousand years.  And that the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years are finished.  We know it is speaking of a much bigger scale of inclusiveness during these events, because we know of Lazarus being resurrected by Jesus, and Jesus was resurrected and as Matthew 27:52-53, speaks of many who came out of their graves after His resurrection to go into the holy city to appear unto many...also the two witnesses are resurrected, which will happen in the future, but not included in this mention of the 'first' resurrection.

Let not us be confused about the difference, and there is a definite one, between resurrection and rapture.  As people view Enoch and Elijah ...they were not resurrected, as they did not die. 

Anyway, when the thousand years expire, Satan will be let loose.

Let us look at that. We have had generations of influence of the Word of God, and some believe ...while many do not.  Those who belong to cultures, nations, peoples, and kindreds who are kindred to a way of thinking that give much in the way of free thinking and thought.  There is not much choice, it could be argued, as they have not seen, nor experienced it as we have had the opportunity to.  But during the thousand year reign, they would have experienced it ...even more directly with Jesus.  So, that would appear to give them a fair and decent chance ...and much more clear choice. Though that fairness usually is our own perspective and our own struggle ...with what we think is fair. Yet, we see that the Book of Romans, reads: "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man ..."

Then after the thousand years Satan is let loose, and he goes about one last time to deceive ...once more, seemingly nothing new, but sadly it repeatedly works. 

How it works ...certainly is a mystery. How could anyone live within a cruel dictatorship and prefer that to the reign of Jesus?

Yet, isn't that what happened when Jesus walked among the people nearly 2,000 years ago?  They would rather chant to free Barabbas, and let Jesus be crucified. How quickly people can change from wanting a Savior ...to attempting to design their own, or save themselves! 

And how often we respect and align ourselves with the protesting crowd ...than letting our hearts be open to a more honest, yet less popular path.

However it can be reasoned, those who listen to Satan gather around the camp of the saints, and the beloved city ...and God devours them.

It then says that Satan is cast into the lake of fire with the beast and the false prophet.

Then the last verse of Chapter 20, says of the judgment, that whosoever is not found in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire.

Yes, I believe much of this was not meant for me to know.  The apostle John was set apart to let us know of the end, to give us confidence, and give us hope.  And I personally don't believe the people in this country have much of a role in what I read about ...so it may seem not so much to concern us.  

But, the day of Judgment should concern us ...whether it is those who are dead now, or who will be alive then. Not all people look at it this way, but that does not change the truth.  

The truth is, we are eternal beings.  Yes, human beings ...but, also eternal.

And whose names are listed in the Book of Life?

Sometimes it is called the Lamb's Book of Life, noting the Lamb of God ...Jesus.  And if we don't hold that truth in our hearts, nor believe in what Jesus called us to be ...then our name is probably not there.

But, do we want it to be ...is the first question, and should lead to the correct choice.

And I hope everyone understands that we are eternal ...and will experience either eternal life, or eternal death.

Try not to just carry it as a colorful banner, or as a catchy slogan ...but, do as the bumper sticker says, and Choose Life.