Fellowship

The best fellowship of believers in Christ, is with the family of God. All who are born again of the Holy Spirit and washed clean of sins by the blood of the Lamb, are in the family of God.

The New Testament word for fellowship is the Greek word koinoneo. Fellowship means companionship, having something in common. There is no fellowship with unbelief. When people come to our Internet chats, to argue the Bible, or to cause strife, to bring doubt and confusion; this is not fellowship.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

We must stay clean of sin to stay in fellowship; we are to walk in the light of truth. We must know what is of God and what is not. Decisions made without the light of God can be harmful to God's people.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Our fellowship comes by knowing the Father and the Son. We are in Jesus and he in us, full of the Holy Spirit of truth.

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

We are new in Christ, seeking the fellowship of God through the Holy Spirit; how much we need one another as well.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

As children of light, we want to restore any broken fellowship. We do not confess our faults to a non believer or a believer walking in the dark, for our confession would be used for gossip or to accuse and intimidate. Need we say, this is very wrong. We must keep control of our words. We are to build up one another, not to tear down.

We are to meet together and have communion.

Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Remembering the Last Supper

1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1 Cor 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1 Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

We are a family of God. In a family we love one another and care for one another.

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Phil 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Being of one heart and mind, is being in the mind of Christ. It is not up for debate or being open to another way. Let us lock arms, praying in the Spirit and have a strong fellowship in unity. When the forces of evil come against us, God is our protector.

Psa 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
Psa 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Psa 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
Psa 94:21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
Psa 94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
Psa 94:23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

Unity

1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Mystery revealed

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Eph 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Fellowship of his sufferings

Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phil 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

fellowship of supper together

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Families need this supper fellowship as well. Sharing occurs when we sit at a meal together.

The marriage supper

Rev 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
Rev 19:6 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, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Divine fellowship

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Prayer

LORD God, keep us as one in you. Help us to love one another, to help one another and to prefer one another in Christ Jesus. We are the children of your family, the future bride of Christ. We shall inherit eternal life with him. Prepare our hearts and lead us as your dear children. Keep us close to you always. In Jesus name, amen

God's Love In Us

God's agapao love in a Christian is the active love that was shown in the Lord Jesus Christ. It was never selfish, for he put aside his own will and followed the will of God the Father, doing good to others and seeking to save that which was lost. In the King James version of the Bible, this love is sometimes translated as charity. Unger's Bible dictionary defines charity as:

Charity is agape love. It is affection, tender and passionate attachment, a sentiment in our nature excited by qualities in a person or thing which command our affection; a virtue of such efficacy (the power to produce an effect) that it is said to be the fulfillment of the law. It's absence invalidates all claim to the Christian name. It is the antithesis (opposite) of selfishness.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

We cannot walk in unforgiveness, envy, jealousy and strife.

Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Love in action requires that we put on Jesus, his love and walk in the Holy Spirit. There is work to do and the time is short. Expect the return of Jesus and be busy doing the acts of love that Jesus would do if he were in you.

1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. Here it is in the NLT translation:

1Cr 13:1
If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.
1Cr 13:2
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.
1Cr 13:3
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
1Cr 13:4
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
1Cr 13:5
or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
1Cr 13:6
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
1Cr 13:7
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1Cr 13:8
Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear.
1Cr 13:9
Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little!
1Cr 13:10
But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear.
1Cr 13:11
It's like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
1Cr 13:12
Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
1Cr 13:13
There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love

We love because God first loved us. He loved us when we were lost in sin, giving us a way to come to himself. This same love we give to others and if not returned, it is an evidence that they do not have the love of God in them, or they are walking in the flesh, not the spirit. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I believe that we will be rewarded by what we do with the love of God in our lives.

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Isn't the love of God wonderful? Love is more than words; how shall we show God's love in our lives?

Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

We are to behave as sons and daughters of god. Anyone can react to life in the selfish flesh, we have a higher calling.

Help us LORD to show your love as a way of life in this sin darkened world. Help us Lord to walk in your Spirit and not to behave as sinful people. In Jesus I pray, amen

The Love Of God

Jer 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

We are known by our character and our personality. We can also understand who God is by his character, his personalities and his attributes. I suppose all that God is, if we were to understand and speak of all of His attributes; we would be giving God His glory. If we speak of things that are not of his character or personality; how does this bring glory to God?

The one word that we use to describe God as he relates to us, is love. We as frail humans see our LORD as a God of love. The New Testament word for God's all giving and sacrificial love is the Greek word: agape.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

This love of God can only be received by dwelling in Him and He in us. God is a God of three persons or three distinct personalities. All three, God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit are sent to us in love to bring us back to the love of God. The Father willed that we be restored to him, for he is a just God.

Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The love of the Father for us was revealed, when he sent his only begotten son to be the way for us to be restored and reconciled to God the Father. We were originally created in the image of God, but fell because of sin; our spirit died and separated us from God. His restoration is made possible through receiving Jesus, as Lord and savior. Being a just God, he could not pardon sin; someone had to pay by death, for sin brings the penalty of death. He paid the price for our sins by his sacrificial shedding of blood and death on the cross of Calvary.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It was agape love, a sacrificial love, that brought Jesus . He displayed the perfect selfless giving love of God.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

His love and his justice were the motivating force to bring us back to him through His only begotten son who died for our sins and has risen from the grave to return to the Father.

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The agape love of God is in Christ Jesus. We receive this love by faith in Jesus our savior. We abide in him and he in us.

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

When Jesus finished his work of love, he promised that he would send another like himself; the personality of God called the Holy Spirit.

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
It is through the Holy Spirit, that our spirit is made alive and reconciled to God.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Only by the Holy Spirit are we connected to God and are become loving children of God.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

The fullness of God has come to us who are redeemed Spirit filled sons of God. We are in Him and He is in us. All three personalities of God are in us through the Holy Spirit; for God is one God, with three personalities of love, bringing us to himself.

Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Num 6:24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: (the Father)
Num 6:25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: (grace in Jesus)
Num 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (peace in the Holy Spirit)

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

The closer we walk with God, the greater is His love manifested in us.

Father, help us to be people of your agape love; to not be selfish, but to seek the best for others. We are to be your servants, showing the world the love of God. Keep us safe and lead us not into temptation, in Jesus' name, amen.

Steps to overcoming satan

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

There are three things that overcome satan

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

1. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

A New Covenant in His blood

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.By the blood of Jesus, we are made one body in Christ

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Facing death, the blood is enough for salvation

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.


Through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ we are forgiven of sins. If we are saved our life will show it by a new direction of service to God. We receive grace by faith and we show our salvation by the good works we continue to do.

2. We overcome by our testimonies.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are to be ministers of reconciliation to God, ambassadors with a pure message from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We serve our risen savior, who has overcome satan, sin and death for us.


2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

We are to bring forth good fruit

Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

We cannot claim to be saved and then not follow Jesus; we must abide in Him.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

3. Finally we are to die to the flesh and follow Jesus in the Spirit

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Can you lose your salvation? I do not think so if truly saved. Some refer to this verse when saying we can lose our salvation:

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Many fail and fall, but we also have the assurance if truly saved, that we will be forgiven.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Why take salvation lightly? Can we lose our salvation? I do not think so, we are saved by faith, not ourselves, but we are to obey our callings.

If a person lives in these three things he shall overcome the devil and be received by Jesus:

1. We receive grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus

2. We overcome by our testimony which includes witnessing and good works, always abiding in Christ.

3. We die to ourselves, loving not this life, but are following the will of God.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Father, you love us and have provided your Son Jesus for our salvation. Help us to follow him and to bear much fruit in his name. Lead us not into temptations and testing, but by your grace we will overcome our flesh and the devil and live as your sons and daughters. Help us not to lose our testimonies, bringing shame to your name. Restore us when we fall and forgive us as we forgive others. We belong to you and we will be with you for all time. Thank you Father, in Jesus' name, amen.

It Is Time

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Repentance was to humble oneself, to wear sackcloth, being sorry for sins. John required that the people be baptized in water as repentance and to be prepared for the one who would come. Jesus would preach repentance, but with another baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. He would exchange sackcloth and rags, for righteous white spiritual garments.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Jesus began his ministry where John the Baptist left off; the time is fulfilled, Jesus the Messiah had come. The message was to repent, to turn from the way of the flesh and to turn to God for the renewing of the heart, by trusting Jesus. The kingdom was at hand; the kingdom was by following the king, wherever he leads you. Jesus is the King of the kingdom who was sent by His Father in heaven to gather a people.

John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also

Prepare for the kingdom, by putting Jesus ahead of all things. Sell and invest in the lives of others, this will prepare you for the kingdom that is coming. We are not to be the church of coveting things, as the church of Laodicea; Jesus counseled this church.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Luk 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;
Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

We are to be ready for the Lord's return at anytime.
Luk 12:37 Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Luk 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants.
Luk 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman (master) of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Jesus' coming will be at any time, day or night. He comes as a thief; he comes for a particular person who is seeking him. Those of the world will be left behind.

1 Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

A child of light and truth, knowing and known by Jesus ; he will come for him or her before the wrath of God comes upon the evil of the world.

Mat 22:8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Mat 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
Mat 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

We are to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. His blood has made us free of sin and we are become children of God. We are not to trust in our own righteousness.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of our condition apart from Christ Jesus

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

We are to follow Jesus; we trust him and when he comes for us by death or the rapture, we shall always be with him; even when he returns to earth to reign as king for a thousand years during the Millennium.

Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

LORD God, Father of the redeemed in your Son Christ Jesus. We are ready for Jesus to come at any time. We trust in him and are in him. Lead us in righteous paths, investing in the lives of others. May many be chosen and fruit be offered to glorify you Father. Help us to see in the Spirit and to serve you well. In Jesus name, amen.

The False Prophet

Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Another beast, like the first beast arises. He did not come from the sea, but from the earth; having two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. He appeared to be meek as a lamb, but spoke as one sent from satan full of lies and deceit.

Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

He has the same power as the antichrist and causes those of the earth to worship the beast. This is the false prophet who has evil spiritual power from the devil to cause everyone not of God to worship the antichrist. We see this as an unholy trinity. The dragon is satan, exercising authority and giving power to the antichrist. The third member is the false prophet, doing works as an unholy spirit, coming from earth, or hell, not from heaven. He is to point people to the false christ, just as the Holy Spirit points people to the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan is a liar and a copier, but he is not good, he is only evil with lies and deception. Many follow the liar and refuse the true God and savior.

Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

He does the same act that Elijah did before the worshippers of Baal. He could do nothing without God allowing him to. The healed wound was only for a season, to bring out the fulness of satan's evil purpose and to give men who are on earth a final time to choose between good and evil.

Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

The power of satan caused the idol to speak, and to have power to kill those who did not worship the image of the antichrist. What is this false idol, this image of the beast? There is another strange beast that is also on the scene.

The Little Horn

Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Eyes in the horn, perhaps some sort of super technical vision, like a spy satellite, or some computer to know where everyone is and what they are doing? Was this the idol of the antichrist? Many worship images on television or the computer and accept the lies told by those giving the news. There are many ideas concerning the little horn beast; what I share is certainly a part of our modern age, I speak my thoughts about the little horn, there is no real agreement about who this is.

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Three Angels

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

John saw in heaven an angel who was to be sent to the earth to preach the gospel to every nation and to all people. He came from heaven; so this was not a man preaching and Jesus is never an angel. Where was the church? Had they been raptured or caught up in the air to be with Jesus? Who would tell those remaining about Jesus? The 144,000 and finally the angel messenger of God were tribulation witnesses. God is good, always wanting to give grace to those who will receive.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Fear God, he has made all that there is. Repent from the lies taught to you about evolution and other gods. Do not worship the antichrist and his false prophet; worship the true almighty God.
The 144,000 were sealed of God and were probably witnessing at this same time. This was before the people received the mark of the beast. There would be a great multitude saved out of the tribulation.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Babylon here represents mankind in organized rebellion against God. Those who seek the lusts of the flesh and rebel against God, even denying that he exists. These were in danger of following the antichrist to the lake of fire.They will see God's power and hear the gospel message.

Mark of the beast

Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

The third angel warns the earth's people to not take the mark of the beast. They will do so by force, or they willingly worship God, it is their choice. If they take the mark, it is a sin unto everlasting torment. God's wrath will be poured out upon them.

Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

The devil's counterpart forces people to be sealed with his mark; the mark of the beast, or the antichrist. Only those with the Holy Spirit could resist this mark. The mark is to be put on the right hand, the hand used for work. The mark would also be on the foreheads, controlling the mind, perhaps demon possession. This mark is so serious that it cannot be undone. The barcode used in scanners, when we buy and sell, has as it's identifying framework the numbers 666. To refuse the mark would mean no buying or selling.

Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

You may be killed, but you will not unwillingly take the mark if you are a child of God. Taking the mark means you have not God's Spirit, it means you willingly worship the antichrist, and it means you will sell your soul, like Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. There is a spiritual ownership given to satan by those who take the mark.

Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Seven is perfection and completion, a man without God shall never be perfect or complete. 666, the mark of the beast. Three numbers; an unholy trinity of fallen angels; satan and his demons controlling evil men. You must not take the mark, for it has spiritual power from the devil, to hold you in bondage. If you are saved, you will know and God will keep you, but many who have not God's spirit will receive the mark of the beast, worship the antichrist and be lost forever.

The antichrist beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire

Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

After the Millennium, the devil will join them in the lake of fire.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Then all who are not in the book of life are cast into the Lake of Fire

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.


We Shall See the Lord

Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Rev 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Luke 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

The two and the 144,000 witnesses

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Temple of God

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

This is a rebuilt temple, that will be in place when the antichrist rules. There are plans now to rebuild the temple and to once again have animal sacrifices. The sacrifices are not God's will, for Jesus was the last accepted sacrifice; His blood shed for our sins. The angel said rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. Measuring represents God's knowledge of every detail, including the hearts of those within. He is both creator, designer and judge of a perfect justice and measure.

Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The dome of the rock may actually be located on the court of the Gentiles. The outer courts will be under non Jewish rule for forty-two months, the final three and a half years of the last week of years. And then the Lord shall come, destroying the destroyers and gathering his people to himself. Other things will occur before this happens. Two witnesses of God will arrive in Jerusalem.

The Two witnesses

Following the building of the Temple two witnesses come.

Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

The angel speaks the message of Jesus about two witnesses. Who are these witnesses? Their ministry is prophetic, they are to speak the words given to them by God for 1260 days or three and a half years, the same time that Jerusalem will be inhabited by Gentiles. They will be dressed in sackcloth, which is the clothing of repentance, so their message must be of warning of judgement, the kingdom to come and repentance.

Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

These are two olive tees, Holy Spirit filled Jewish men, and two candlesticks, they will speak truth and light before God. God sent them to bring truth to all who would hear, knowing that soon truth would no longer be heard.

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

At the time of the false man of peace, there would not be much faith left; not much Bible preaching, because of the political change. We are seeing this today, that the world is trying to put God out of public life. In some lands churches are burned and the preaching of the gospel is forbidden. Children will be trained by those in power to reject the old ways and to chant to their ruler as if he were all powerful.

Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Perhaps they spoke the fiery judgment of God; the power of God's word spoken by the Spirit of God. Jesus said these words could not be resisted..

Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

The grace of God was available to anyone who repented and came to Jesus, they would receive God's protection, but those who opposed the two men sent from God, by the word of these two witnesses plagues would come on the earth as in the time of Moses. Plagues should make the people cry out to God. Perhaps these were the trumpet judgments spoken of earlier.

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

Satan would kill them, probably through the antichrist, so these were not immortal glorified beings, as the real Moses and Elijah; these were not yet glorified. Remember the witnesses had power given to them for protection and for judgment, so apparently God allowed them to be slain, as Jesus allowed himself to be slain for a purpose.

Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

On the streets of Israel, in or near Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified. The Holy City had become worldly and evil, with sexual perversion, because of the people who worshipped the antichrist. There would be open homosexuality. Already they are converging on Jerusalem. That spirit is unleashed in all nations, it is the opposite of holiness and obedience to God.

Rev 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

The unburied bodies, is a show of disrespect and a seeming victory for the evil people. They thought that Satan had overcome the people of God.

Rev 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Sending gifts and greeting cards with lewd messages, rejoicing that good had been destroyed. Even now people rejoice with crude humor, especially on late night television, mocking those of good morals and making cruel remarks about them.

Rom 1:21 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.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Isa 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
Isa 5:15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

Rev 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

As Christ was risen on the third day, the life giving spirit of God entered into them, they were revived and great fear fell upon them which saw him. It may have been seen around the world in newscasts, but they would explain it away, as they do today.

2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Pet 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

A great voice from heaven bidding them to come up. Perhaps this also was the rapture? They went up in a cloud as the church will be raptured; and their enemies left behind. Were these two ministers symbolic of the witness of the church? Perhaps, but these appear to be actual servants of God who had great power, as Jesus, they died and were resurrected. Never was the church commanded to curse the earth, as these men were given power to do. The old testament men of God were given such powers, Moses and Elijah, these were types of the old testament saints, people that those of the old covenant would recognize and obey.

Rev 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

A remnant was giving glory to God through this. God always has his remant.

God had other witnesses at this time

144,000 with the Lamb

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Here, is where the Jehovah's Witness group claim to be the 144,000. They have Jehovah God on their minds, but who is standing with this group? The Lamb of God who is the Son of God. They do not see Jesus as God the Son and the way to the Father. Why am I mentioning this group? Because they claim to be the 144, 000, or shall it be said that the 144,000 were Jehovah's Witnesses, but now the multitude that follows this teaching, cannot enter heaven. They claim only 144,000 can, and that number was reached early in the twentieth century. They look forward to the Millennial reign of Christ on the earth. After this, what then if no heaven? Jesus himself stands with the chosen. They are chosen in Christ to serve him, anointed of the Holy Spirit. These will be chosen holy servants of God, to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The King is coming, make yourselves ready. They were sent by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. They carried the name of their Father, they were witnesses of Almighty God. They were adopted sons of God.

Let us not be taken in by error. There is much confusion from those who see Revelation without God's Spirit of truth. Who will be the 144,000? Go to chapter seven.

Rev 7:2 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,
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Rev 7:4 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.

The tribes are listed, following these verses. These shall be Jewish men, chosen of God and sealed on their foreheads with the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit of truth that brings us to Jesus and his blood shed for our sins. The blood keeps on saving even unto the end. They were protected witnesses of God, for here they stand on Mt. Zion with Jesus. Did they survive the tribulation, or were they martyred and returned with Jesus? I don't know. The important thing is they were the called and faithful Jewish witnesses during the time of trouble.

Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

A voice from heaven and thunder; God the Father

Psa 93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

... I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

There was praise and worship.

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

The angels sing too.

Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

The faithful were in heavenly places, enjoying the music and praise of heaven.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

These were holy, separated men, not like the world's evil people. The first fruits of Israel, witnessing to this people.

God always will have a witness or witnesses. We are to be the light and truth in our time. The time will come when their will be few faithful left.

2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

The times will become dark as the antichrist comes to the temple in Jerusalem. The secular, worldly people, controlled by satan will rule the religion of the world. We are to speak the truth of God, by His Spirit. Stay close to God and keep going. You have been warned of what is coming, stay strong in Him.

The seventieth week and the antichrist

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Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

The Messiah, Jesus the Prince of Peace, was to be killed or cut off at the end of the 69th week of Daniel. Herod's temple and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Romans 37 years after the death of the Messiah. The church age would come at Pentecost and is continuing; delaying the start of the 70th week of Daniel.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

In the 70th week, a seven year covenant is confirmed requiring a temple for sacrificing. It is assumed that a new temple will be built in order to have sacrifices. The prince from the Roman empire will come as the final antichrist. He will make a peace treaty with the nations. At the middle of the 70th week, after three and a half years he will cause the sacrifices and oblations (offerings) to cease. He will set himself upon the throne of God as Messiah and demand to be worshipped and will defile the temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus warned of the coming abomination

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
The false prince will be received as the Messiah

The four horsemen

Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

This is the antichrist, the false messiah, the man sent by satan to fool the nations. He would be called the man of peace, but he was an evil dictator, seeking souls and death. He had a bow, not a sword. He was after the type of Nimrod, the mighty hunter who ruled over Babel (Babylon).

Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:4 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.

A man on a red horse. Red reminds us of blood and death. This was a man or a spirit loosed by God, God allowed satan to loose it. The Holy Spirit brings peace, so by this time the church may have been removed. The Holy Spirit and the church restrains death and destruction.

Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Rev 6:6 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 hurt not the oil and the wine.

A black horse, perhaps representing a burned earth, resulting from war and famine. What if a nuclear war came about? There would be many killed and much land destroyed that would have been producing food. Food would be scarce; with war comes famine.

Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: 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 the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

One-fourth of the earths people will be killed in this time of tribulation before God pours out his wrath. How would they die? Killed by the sword, by hunger and starvation, by death:

The antichrist beast in Revelation 13

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

John's vision shifts to earth, standing on the seashore. The sea represents the restless people of the world.

Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Isa 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Coming from the restless sea comes trouble. I saw a beast come out of the sea. The word here for beast is therion, representing a wild beast. A beast of prey, like the venomous beast that bit Paul's hand.

Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

He had all the fierceness of past conquerors.

The leopard is fast, representing the Greek empire and Alexander the great.

The bear represented the Medo-Persian empire. The bear was strong and was hungry for the flesh of men to conquer. The Islamic nations are of this empire.

The lion; King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, was described both as a lion and an eagle. Both represent the strongest of the species. Some say that the Eagle is the United States and the Lion Great Britain; perhaps as modern day Babylons.

The dragon; his power and authority was given to him by satan. The antichrist will embody all the ferocious power and strength of the most powerful forces of evil.

Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

The beast was as a son of satan. Jesus is the Son of God, representing his kingdom and power. The antichrist would be the opposite. He will represent the power of the darkness; as a son of belial, a son of perdition, as a son of the dragon. No power in the natural could overcome this evil spirit controlled ruler. But we know that God is greater.

Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

His lying tongue would speak against God and Jesus; his angels and his saints, for three and a half years of Daniel's final week. Power was given to him from satan? Yes, but more importantly God put a time limit on his rule. God is in control.

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

All on earth shall worship the antichrist beast. Not all, but all whose names are NOT written in the Lamb's book of life. He has made himself as a god, as satan has made himself god of this world. If we are still here, we shall not worship him, even if it means death; and for this cause, many saints shall lose their heads, as is the favorite Islamic execution. But, Goliath who mocked God's people lost his head too.

Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

There is a price to be paid to remain faithful to God. Is anything in this world more important? Are we understanding this, even now?

Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

If Jesus is not Lord of your life now, how will you survive the antichrist? Will you take the mark of the beast and be cursed? Now is the time to get our hearts with God. If we wait, we may be as the five foolish virgins who missed Jesus when he came. They had no oil, the symbol of God's presence. They were left behind when Jesus came for his bride.

Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

If we are not in the Spirit, ready for his return, we may be left behind to go through the persecution of the antichrist.

The Church Age; the age of grace

The seventieth week of Daniel was delayed until the fullness of the church be gathered.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

The gospel of Jesus Christ shall be preached throughout the world, until all the nations have heard and the chosen of God are gathered.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The church are all those who believe that Jesus is the Christ who takes away our sins and are born again of the Holy Spirit.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Salvation through professing faith in Jesus Christ.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Peter confessed by revelation

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.


Peter was one of the lively stones that were the apostles. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the Church

1 Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Pet 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1 Pet 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1 Pet 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

The head of the body of the church

Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
Luke 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.


Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 5:23 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.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The Spiritual beginning of the church. The church is a Spiritual body of people; the body of Christ.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Salvation by grace; the age of grace

John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The end of the church age; the taking up, or the rapture of the church

1 Cor 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1 Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The events before the rapture of the church

1 Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1 Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The man of sin revealed

2 Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2 Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Will the man of sin, the antichrist, be revealed before the church is taken up? If the church is taken up before the man of sin is revealed, it is the pre-tribulation view of the rapture. Those who believe that the man of sin will be revealed first, believe in the mid or post tribulation rapture. Jesus warned that we would have tribulation.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

We have to go through the tribulation caused by the antichrist. Many suffered the tribulation during world war 2. Hitler was an antichrist, but not the antichrist to come. We will not go through the wrath of God which follows the tribulation.

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

I believe the church will be taken up before the wrath of God comes on the world's evil people. The church age ends with the taking up of the church. The final week of the 70 weeks of Daniel will begin when the antichrist, the man of sin comes into power. We are to expect the rapture at any time; we are to be ready.