Maranatha!

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.'Maranatha' is a Greek word which means 'the Lord is coming.' This is something that I absolutely believe. As an amateur student of prophecy, I firmly believe that our generation will be the one that sees that glorious day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns for His church and to put an end to mankind's fighting and warring. We live in a time that is both terrible and exciting at the same time. Terrible because of all the things men do to each other, and the way they have turned away from God. Exciting because almost every day you can pick up the paper and see fulfillment of prophecy throughout the world, and you can see God's hand moving the world into position for the final showdown.

In times like these, it's easy to feel like this compass. Everywhere we turn, someone else is telling us that they have the answer. They have what we need. Between psychic phone lines, horoscopes, false religions and people claiming to be 'the Christ,' it's hard not to get confused unless you have a solid foundation. In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus says, Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. The only foundation that we can rely on to get us through these perilous times is Christ. He is the only Rock that can keep us safe from the storms of controversy surrounding us, the flood of apostasy that threatens to engulf us, both in the secular world, and even in some of our churches, and the winds of false doctrines that try to blow us in every direction EXCEPT the one we should go: --->toward Christ. I do not claim the gift of prophecy, but a few weeks ago I told a friend that I felt like the time is coming much faster than anyone expects when Christians will have to make a decision, either for the world, or for Christ. The interesting thing is, he told me his pastor had said the very same thing in his sermon the night before. Now that may be just coincidence, but a few nights later, I was watching a local preacher on T.V. and he was saying the exact same thing! I believe God is trying to tell us that it's time to get ready!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. In today's world, we as Christians must try harder than ever to serve as a witness and example to our friends and loved ones who may not yet have come to Christ. And not just to them, but to everyone we meet. I believe that we are fast approaching times when it will be difficult, and maybe even dangerous, to be a Christian. I believe that Christ will come for His church before the Tribulation, but I think we will still go through severe trials. Yes, as you may have guessed, I believe in a pre-trib Rapture. However, I am only human, and as a human, I may be wrong. I also believe, though, that the timing of the Rapture (or even if there isn't a Rapture) should not matter to us. It should not affect our faith in Jesus Christ. Regardless when (or if) the Rapture occurs, we don't have to fear, because no matter what happens, we know that Christ is with us at all times, giving us strength and comfort.

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