Prophecy?

[other one]

[quote

I got that.  I am just very eager to learn, and I understand that He will give me the knowledge when the time comes.  He also says that those who seek wisdom will find it.  Thank you for helping me thus far.  I'm ready to learn more.

-Icd-

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, it's this way: I have several friends that have studied from 20 to 40 years on end time prophesy and none of them totally agree on things. There are several threads here that are very good and some very deep.... also with several of us that don't agree.

Best thing to do is too get yourself a good study bible and set down and read it all yourself, over and over. It is my personal preference to listen to the bible and make notes (except when driving in traffic) and sometimes I use a recorder for that.

That way you can let the spirit show you what he wants you to understand and keep you from what you don't need.

I am sure that there will be some who will disagree with this also, but that's ok too.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Look...I am just now being introduced to the supernatural realm of God.  I grew up in a Christian family in which God is revered and held above all else, but not once was I introduced to the truly supernatural powers of God much less prophecy.  I know it all to be true through scripture, but I am still young in my growth.  Can someone explain to me why knowing when the the rapture and tribulation are going to occur is so important.  Either way, are we not supposed to glorify God at all points in time.  Are we not supposed to witness and merely do as the Lord leads us.  Also, if He is revealing certain things about the future, my question to follow would be why is He revealing these things.  Doesn't the Bible say that we will not know when the hour will be.  He said that was going "to come like a thief in the night" if I'm not mistaken.  Please, clear these thing up for me with strong evidence.  I honestly want to understand.  Thank you.

Praise God for He is King!!!

-A young soldier for God-

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dear Young Soldier,

Those are excellent questions, and ones I asked myself for years. I witnessed so many believers in deep debate over what is going to happen and when and I did not see that it was serving any valuable purpose other than to just puff up one's head with a bunch of knowledge, I figured that the important thing was to follow Jesus and whatever he decided to do whenever he decided to do it was ok with me.

Nonetheless, the signs all point to a near return of our Lord, and so you are going to be seeing God speaking to people in dreams and visions and more and more people are going to be prophesying about these last days events. The purpose? To get people ready! I agree with, oh what's his name, you know who you are, that the scriptures point more to the fact that we will be here during the tribulation. If we were not going to be here, why would God go to all that trouble to let us know what is going to happen. Why read all these Left Behind Books and study about the tribulation if God is going to take us up and we'll not even be here? Seems logical to me.

What changed things for me was God - simply put. In my daily quiet time with him he began revealing to me that he is coming soon and that we need to be getting the word out to people that they need to repent of their sin and believe the Good News. He also begun showing me his judgments, because he wanted me to warn people. He does that, because he is not only a just God, but he is also a merciful God and he wants to give people the opportunity to repent of sin and turn to him.

Also, Satan is going to be going around deceiving people left and right in these last days, and even believers will be deceived by his false teachers who will teach enough of the truth to sound truthful. We need to be wise and discerning and we need to know what the scriptures teach about last days, about false teachers, about the events that are going to take place so that we are not deceived and so that we know what to do when that time comes.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Alright, so like I said I am still new to this topic.  What deception are you speaking of?

-child of God-

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Satan is a BIG FAT LIAR! But, he's not always that obvious, which is why it is called "deception." He will come as an "angel of light," and he will promote all kinds of lies in the form of "truth" so that people end up believing the lies and not even know they are believing lies. For example, watch commercials on TV. What do most of them promote? They promote that if you look a certain way or drive a certain car or even use a particular kind of toothpaste that you will have lots of friends and success and happiness. This is one of Satan's lies. He is very subtle and sneaky and he introduces untruth in the form of truth so that you begin to accept it just a little bit at a time until you don't even realize you are believing the lies.

Another example is that if you want something, just charge it, but they forget to tell you about how you will get so far in debt you won't be able to find your way out. Another one is movies and TV programs where all romantic relationships are with someone who is either divorced, cheating on a spouse, living with someone outside of marriage, and it is so prevalent these days that even Christians watch this stuff and don't even blink an eye. The more he can get us to accept his lies the more he will introduce into our lives. And, in the last days in particular, he is going to make us think that false teachers are the "good guys" and true prophets of God are the "bad guys." That is already happening.

Look at your churches. How many churches that are teaching the crucified life and repentance are having people knock down the doors to get in? How many churches that are offering a Christian version of the world to believers are having large crowds of people? The Bible says that false teachers will say what the people want to hear, they will smooth over sin, they will say "nice things" and they will give people an excuse for their sin and will lead people away from God. If anyone thinks Christians are not being led away from God, look at what occupies most of their time, money and energy. In the majority of cases, it is not God. The church is majorly being deceived and it is time for the church to sit up and take notice and find out what the truth is. This is why we need to know the truth so that we can identify the lies of Satan and combat them with the truth of God's word.

Can someone explain to me why knowing when the the rapture and tribulation are going to occur is so important.

I did not think that it was important for me, because I knew I was ready to accept which ever way God wanted to do it. The reason I think it is important now is that like Sam, I want to be ready should God choose to have us live through the tribulation period. I want to know what is going to happen then so that I know what to expect so that my faith is not shattered when Christ does not rapture out his church. I believe God wants me to get people ready for the tribulation period, and I can guarantee that most churches today are not preparing people for that. If our idea of church is great music, a great speaker, a good program for our kids and then all of a sudden one day this Tsunami of sorts hits the USA and we're homeless and without food and water and shelter, that is going to be a shocker. We weren't prepared so we don't know what to do. God wants us to be prepared so that we will know how to stand against the Antichrist and against Satan's tactics and the only way we are going to be ready is if we study his word and feed on him and we ask him to show us what is coming and what he wants us to do.

[rollinTHUNDER]

Nonetheless, the signs all point to a near return of our Lord, and so you are going to be seeing God speaking to people in dreams and visions and more and more people are going to be prophesying about these last days events. The purpose? To get people ready! I agree with, oh what's his name, you know who you are, that the scriptures point more to the fact that we will be here during the tribulation. If we were not going to be here, why would God go to all that trouble to let us know what is going to happen. Why read all these Left Behind Books and study about the tribulation if God is going to take us up and we'll not even be here? Seems logical to me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's not important to know the time of the rapture, in fact, scripture plainly states that we will not know the day or hour. But I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said we must "be ready."

This is very important. However, prophecy is not as cut and dry as many believe. If it were, any natural man would be able to figure it all out. It takes guidance from the Holy Spirit, who gives knowledge and wisdom. Many things go much deeper than what they appear on the surface. And that's why many times you'll see, "he who has ears let him hear what the Spirit is saying." Only those with the Spirit can understand, however, this shouldn't be understood that all believers will understand. Five virgins were ready, while five were not.

I see a lot of confusion between the rature, the resurrection, and the Day of the Lord. We also have to consider that the church and Israel are two very different entities.

Jews seek signs, while the Greek seek wisdom. Some of the signs are for Israel only, but many like to combine them, which sends them down the wrong road. We are not appointed to wrath, however, Israel is appointed to wrath (Jacob's trouble). Many read the signs given to Israel, and try to apply it to Christians. For instance, when it says, "When you begin to see these things happen, look up your redemption draws near." This is for the redemption of Israel, not believers, for we have already been redeemed and sealed with the Holy Spirit.

I write these things to show that it is not as simple as most people think, and many of these are believers.

[icdchillin1]

Hmmmm...well, this is all extremely interesting, and I've heard many of my own views spoken of and supported the way that I would personally support them and have done so for a long time now. I just figured...maybe there was something else. I believe God has His own will for each individual's life in which He imparts to them through the Holy Spirit. As for me, well, I know what God has for me. He has spoken to me. I need to rely more on what He wants to teach me as opposed to what I want to learn in the here and now. Hmmm...interesting...I have been through this before. Anyways, I am baptized in the Holy Spirit which may or may not raise controversy depending on who reads this, but I believe that God will show me. For some reason, I got the notion that I needed to learn everything about Christianity. This would prove to be an annoying search for wisdom and tactics because it will take me into the infinite. If I allow the Lord to speak to me on what He wishes to, I will learn exactly what He wants me to and will work in the area of Christianity in which He wishes. I am 18 years of age and am still trying to understand what area of ministry the Lord would have me in which I do hear a clear calling to be in ministry. I just do not know where. Hmmm...I should pray on this. By the way, as for the question about "deception," I thought that there may have been a specific deception that was being referred to. I understand the workings of Satan and how He works on several different levels. I have done research on just about everything from apologetics, healing, demons and angels, prophecy, to street evangelism. I just don't know where the Lord would have me, but I can't wait to find out because I am more than open to pursuing that field whatever it may be. I know one thing for sure now. It took me this whole year to realize it, and I just now got it. There are so many aspects to fighting for God, but I need only wait for God to see what He would have me do. I through a couple questions into the doctrine section for my understanding, but I already know what God says about those topics. I was merely trying to learn how to refute others arguments. This is not exactly where the Lord would use me. I don't know how He wants to use me yet, but I would like to find out, and I can't wait.

Praise God for He is our King!!! Jesus is the Way!!!

-child of God/ young warrior for God-

I love watching God move. I just lose focus sometimes. Thank you all for helping me thus far. I look forward to working with you in the future. I think you will be surprised at where I appeared to be in my walk through this worum and where I actually am. Does it matter though? We all will continue to grow and learn, and we are all still children of the Lord. At the same time, we will fight for God on many different playing fields. Jesus Christ is key, and without Him, where would any of us be. Praise God!!!

[nebula]

For some reason, I got the notion that I needed to learn everything about Christianity.

[Trinity]

Yes! i remember looking for direction, i wanted answers answered too. Well, now i am well cemented into where i stand why i stand and for what ill stand for.

Here is a book that really helped me, its called Evidence that demands a vertic By Josh McDowell, there are 3 books now.

1st book.) Evidence That Demands A Verdict, 1

2nd book.) Evidence That Demands A Verdict, 2

((New)) 3rd book.) Evidence That Demands A Verdict, To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today.

[Christ's Free Servant]

If I allow the Lord to speak to me on what He wishes to, I will learn exactly what He wants me to and will work in the area of Christianity in which He wishes. 

Praise God for He is our King!!!  Jesus is the Way!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You got it! This is the KEY! Just listen to God and follow him one day at a time, and he'll show you what he wants you to know. Just be in his word and in prayer daily and then act upon what he shows you and you will do fine.

[rancan6776]

Hmmmm...well, this is all extremely interesting, and I've heard many of my own views spoken of and supported the way that I would personally support them and have done so for a long time now.  I just figured...maybe there was something else.  I believe God has His own will for each individual's life in which He imparts to them through the Holy Spirit.  As for me, well, I know what God has for me.  He has spoken to me.  I need to rely more on what He wants to teach me as opposed to what I want to learn in the here and now.  Hmmm...interesting...I have been through this before.  Anyways, I am baptized in the Holy Spirit which may or may not raise controversy depending on who reads this, but I believe that God will show me.  For some reason, I got the notion that I needed to learn everything about Christianity.  This would prove to be an annoying search for wisdom and tactics because it will take me into the infinite.  If I allow the Lord to speak to me on what He wishes to, I will learn exactly what He wants me to and will work in the area of Christianity in which He wishes.  I am 18 years of age and am still trying to understand what area of ministry the Lord would have me in which I do hear a clear calling to be in ministry.  I just do not know where.  Hmmm...I should pray on this.  By the way, as for the question about "deception," I thought that there may have been a specific deception that was being referred to.  I understand the workings of Satan and how He works on several different levels.  I have done research on just about everything from apologetics, healing, demons and angels, prophecy, to street evangelism.  I just don't know where the Lord would have me, but I can't wait to find out because I am more than open to pursuing that field whatever it may be.  I know one thing for sure now.  It took me this whole year to realize it, and I just now got it.  There are so many aspects to fighting for God, but I need only wait for God to see what He would have me do.  I through a couple questions into the doctrine section for my understanding, but I already know what God says about those topics.  I was merely trying to learn how to refute others arguments.  This is not exactly where the Lord would use me.  I don't know how He wants to use me yet, but I would like to find out, and I can't wait.

Praise God for He is our King!!!  Jesus is the Way!!!

-child of God/ young warrior for God-

I love watching God move.  I just lose focus sometimes.  Thank you all for helping me thus far.  I look forward to working with you in the future.  I think you will be surprised at where I appeared to be in my walk through this worum and where I actually am.  Does it matter though?  We all will continue to grow and learn, and we are all still children of the Lord.  At the same time, we will fight for God on many different playing fields.  Jesus Christ is key, and without Him, where would any of us be.  Praise God!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Sir W Dakotah]

Why is prophecy important? Well most of the bible deals with Prophecy, so obviously our Father thought it very important. Prophecy is only news that is going to happen.

Jesus gave one of the most incriminating statements to the people of his time, because they knew not the day of their visitation! What will this end times church condemnation be? That we knew not the day of our visitation?

Edited March 10, 2005 by Sir W Dakotah