Our hope and future bible study

           

            I am led to do a study that will show that what is going on now with people and other events, and bible prophecy as it unfolds and it will also show what all this will mean for us in the coming future, as the birth pangs that I believe we are in now become closer and closer together and more intense, as any of them do in women, when she is ready to give birth to a child. I am using the verses in Titus 2 as a start of the study, which is indicative of the coming rapture of believers:

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

 

(Titus 2:12) training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

 

(Titus 2:13) waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

(Titus 2:14) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

 

(Titus 2:15)  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

 

Here are a couple of passages about the way people are today firstly in proverbs 30

(Proverbs 30:11)  There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

 

(Proverbs 30:12)  There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

 

(Proverbs 30:13)  There are those--how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!

 

(Proverbs 30:14)  There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind.

 

And also Paul gives this message in 2 Timothy:

(2 Timothy 3:1)  But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

 

(2 Timothy 3:2)  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

 

(2 Timothy 3:3)  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

 

(2 Timothy 3:4)  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

 

(2 Timothy 3:5)  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

 

(2 Timothy 3:6)  For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

 

(2 Timothy 3:7)  always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

 

(2 Timothy 3:8)  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

 

(2 Timothy 3:9)  But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

 

Even so the word of God is something to hang on to in these times for it will correct, grow and mature us.

(2 Timothy 3:16)  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

 

(2 Timothy 3:17) that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

 

Here also are these verses in 2 Timothy 2 encouraging and exhorting us to be faithful and not to deny Christ or get into fairy tales:

(2 Timothy 2:11)  The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

 

(2 Timothy 2:12)  if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

 

(2 Timothy 2:13)  if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself.

 

(2 Timothy 2:14)  Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

 

(2 Timothy 2:15)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

 

(2 Timothy 2:16)  But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

 

(2 Timothy 2:17)  and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

 

(2 Timothy 2:18)  who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

 

(2 Timothy 2:19)  But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

 

His firm foundation holds. These days are here for I really believe the following is indeed happening today with many people:

(2 Timothy 4:3)  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

 

(2 Timothy 4:4)  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

 

Here is some more scripture on the turning of people to the false truths, and to avoid the love of money which often is the root of all evil

(1 Timothy 6:3)  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

 

(1 Timothy 6:4)  he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

 

(1 Timothy 6:5)  and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

 

(1 Timothy 6:6)  Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,

 

(1 Timothy 6:7)  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

 

(1 Timothy 6:8)  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

 

(1 Timothy 6:9)  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

 

(1 Timothy 6:10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

 

(1 Timothy 6:11)  But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

 

(1 Timothy 6:12)  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

These verses speak of a false peace and security coming in the end times but we need not be fearful of anything since we are not appointed to wrath:

(1 Thessalonians 5:1)  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:2)  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:3)  While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:4)  But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:5)  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:6)  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:7)  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:8)  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:9)  For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:10)  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

 

The chapter of 2 Thessalonians 2 also prophesies a falling away and a strong delusion sent most likely after the rapture of believers, to snare people but this word also encourages too:

(2 Thessalonians 2:1)  Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:2)  not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:3)  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:4)  who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:5)  Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:6)  And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:7)  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:8)  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:9)  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:10)  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:11)  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:12)  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:13)  But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:14)  To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:15)  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:16)  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:17)  comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

 

I believe based on scripture we are to hang on for the promise as stated in scriptures above and also here in these verses in 1 Timothy:

(1 Timothy 2:1)  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

 

(1 Timothy 2:2)  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

 

(1 Timothy 2:3)  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

 

(1 Timothy 2:4)  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

 

(1 Timothy 2:6)  who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

 

Also chapter 3 of 2 Peter stresses the patience of God, the need for us to hang on, but also the judgments coming for those who are ungodly:

(2 Peter 3:1)  This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

 

(2 Peter 3:2)  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

 

(2 Peter 3:3)  knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

 

(2 Peter 3:4)  They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

 

(2 Peter 3:5)  For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,

 

(2 Peter 3:6)  and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.

 

(2 Peter 3:7)  But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

 

(2 Peter 3:8)  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 

(2 Peter 3:10)  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

 

(2 Peter 3:11)  Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,

 

(2 Peter 3:12)  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

 

(2 Peter 3:13)  But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 

(2 Peter 3:14)  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

 

(2 Peter 3:15)  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

 

(2 Peter 3:16)  as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

 

(2 Peter 3:17)  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

 

(2 Peter 3:18)  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

 

I encourage all to read other world prophecies in the bible such as Psalm 83, Isaiah 17, and Ezekiel 38 and 39 and end times chapters in the gospels such as Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 12, 17, and 21, and Jesus end times and rapture parables. These give good ideas of what can happen before or after the rapture here on earth but I am not led to include them to keep the study down in length.

Next I am going to focus on Jesus’ promise in John 14:

(John 14:1)  "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

 

(John 14:2)  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

 

(John 14:3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

 

(John 14:4)  And you know the way to where I am going."

 

(John 14:5)  Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"

 

(John 14:6)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

Jesus is the way. Soon, very soon, in God’s timing, however, and not man’s, so we must be ready at all times, Jesus indeed will come for His bride and rapture them away(see the bottom few pages for a presentation on the rapture), and it will be as similar and sudden as what happened to John in Revelation 4:

(Revelation 4:1)  After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

 

(Revelation 4:2)  At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

 

It will be nearly that quick for us. Then, as said in 2 Corinthians we will then end up at the judgment seat of Christ:

(2 Corinthians 5:9)  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

 

(2 Corinthians 5:10)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

(2 Corinthians 5:11)  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

 

We will then need to appear for this judgment seat of Christ so all of our works can be tested and tried to see what sort they all are, so we can receive for all that has been done in our lives prior to being raptured:

(1 Corinthians 3:10)  According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.

 

(1 Corinthians 3:11)  For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 3:12)  Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--

 

(1 Corinthians 3:13)  each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

 

(1 Corinthians 3:14)  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.

 

(1 Corinthians 3:15)  If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

 

It will be different for everyone, some will receive rewards, many will have regrets over what they have done, but rest assured, God will most certainly wipe away all tears of regret that we may have.

This may be my feeling, but I honestly believe the raptured will be there for the following scene in Revelation 5,and it will probably come after the judgment seat of Christ as well, though I am by NO MEANS certain of the order of things, so I am in no way prophesying the order of things post rapture for those who were raptured:

(Revelation 5:5)  And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

 

(Revelation 5:6)  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

 

(Revelation 5:7)  And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.

 

(Revelation 5:8)  And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

 

(Revelation 5:9)  And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

 

(Revelation 5:10)  and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

 

(Revelation 5:11)  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

 

(Revelation 5:12)  saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

 

(Revelation 5:13)  And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

 

(Revelation 5:14)  And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.

 

Then I suggest reading chapters 6 through 18 of he book of revelation to see what all happens during the earth during this time space, with the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments which all come during the seven year tribulation period. Also these three verses in Daniel speak of that seven year period:

(Daniel 9:25)  Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.

 

(Daniel 9:26)  And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

 

(Daniel 9:27)  And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

 

Revelation chapter 19 speaks of the marriage supper of the lamb, and the return of the saints led by Jesus to witness and participate in the battle of Armageddon

(Revelation 19:1)  After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

 

(Revelation 19:2)  for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants."

 

(Revelation 19:3)  Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever."

 

(Revelation 19:4)  And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!"

 

(Revelation 19:5)  And from the throne came a voice saying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great."

 

(Revelation 19:6)  Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

 

(Revelation 19:7)  Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

 

(Revelation 19:8)  it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

 

(Revelation 19:9)  And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."

 

(Revelation 19:10)  Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 

(Revelation 19:11)  Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

 

(Revelation 19:12)  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

 

(Revelation 19:13)  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

 

(Revelation 19:14)  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

 

(Revelation 19:15)  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

 

(Revelation 19:16)  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

(Revelation 19:17)  Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God,

 

(Revelation 19:18)  to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great."

 

(Revelation 19:19)  And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.

 

(Revelation 19:20)  And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

 

(Revelation 19:21)  And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

 

Then, after this, the millennial kingdom is next, as Satan is bound in a bottomless pit for 1,000 years and the saints can enjoy that time, but Satan is released for one last time after the 1000 years are up to deceive the people and gather those whom He deceived to lead an attack against the people of God, which will utterly fail:

(Revelation 20:1)  Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.

 

(Revelation 20:2)  And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

 

(Revelation 20:3)  and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

 

(Revelation 20:4)  Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

 

(Revelation 20:5)  The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

 

(Revelation 20:6)  Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

 

(Revelation 20:7)  And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison

 

(Revelation 20:8)  and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

 

(Revelation 20:9)  And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,

 

(Revelation 20:10)  and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

 

(Revelation 20:11)  Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

 

(Revelation 20:12)  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

 

(Revelation 20:13)  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

 

(Revelation 20:14)  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

 

(Revelation 20:15)  And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

 

The above refers to the white throne judgment, which is for the unsaved, which will show them convincingly they are indeed without excuse for not accepting Christ, though they may offer many excuses, none of which will work. Then any not found in the book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. The final two chapters of the bible then tell of the coming of the city of New Jerusalem, tell about it and tell our blessed hope in it, for this is where the saints will spend their eternities:

(Revelation 21:1)  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

 

(Revelation 21:2)  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 

(Revelation 21:3)  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

 

(Revelation 21:4)  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

 

(Revelation 21:5)  And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

 

(Revelation 21:6)  And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

 

(Revelation 21:7)  The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

 

(Revelation 21:8)  But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

 

(Revelation 21:9)  Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."

 

(Revelation 21:10)  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,

 

(Revelation 21:11)  having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

 

(Revelation 21:12)  It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed--

 

(Revelation 21:13)  on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.

 

(Revelation 21:14)  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 

(Revelation 21:15)  And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.

 

(Revelation 21:16)  The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.

 

(Revelation 21:17)  He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement.

 

(Revelation 21:18)  The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass.

 

(Revelation 21:19)  The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

 

(Revelation 21:20)  the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

 

(Revelation 21:21)  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

 

(Revelation 21:22)  And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

 

(Revelation 21:23)  And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

 

(Revelation 21:24)  By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

 

(Revelation 21:25)  and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there.

 

(Revelation 21:26)  They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

 

(Revelation 21:27)  But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

(Revelation 22:1)  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

 

(Revelation 22:2)  through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 

(Revelation 22:3)  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

 

(Revelation 22:4)  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

 

(Revelation 22:5)  And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

 

(Revelation 22:6)  And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."

 

(Revelation 22:7)  "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

 

(Revelation 22:8)  I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,

 

(Revelation 22:9)  but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

 

(Revelation 22:10)  And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

 

(Revelation 22:11)  Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy."

 

(Revelation 22:12)  "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.

 

(Revelation 22:13)  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

 

(Revelation 22:14)  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

 

(Revelation 22:15)  Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

 

(Revelation 22:16)  "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

 

(Revelation 22:17)  The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

 

(Revelation 22:18)  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

 

(Revelation 22:19)  and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

 

(Revelation 22:20)  He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

 

(Revelation 22:21)  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

 

Come, Lord Jesus, Come, the calls of Revelation chapter 22 are the calls of many people today. They are tired of the world and just want to be in their eternal home with the  ever loving Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I am concluding this study with just how we are to get home, specifically the rapture which is talked about below:

Rapture

I will conclude and wrap this study up by saying that the way people are now(not unlike the way they were at Noah’s time and also Sodom, things which Jesus prophesied about in scriptures in Matthew, Mark and Luke)and all the many other end times signs which are occurring currently(animals dying, food prices rising, wars, rumors of wars, crazy weather and so on) are birth pangs of the coming tribulation period and  sure signs the rapture is not far way, indeed, I still believe that the rapture could be any day at any time, of which the Heavenly Father only knows). So cheer up, your redemption is drawing closer and closer every day that passes. Also please remember that  Jesus loves you more than You know, and also by posting this about the rapture, too, which does duplicate some of the scriptures, but that is for emphasis for the rapture is too important and you absolutely DO NOT want to miss it:

 

                                  THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT!!! ARE YOU READY????

 

            I am very strongly led to believe the rapture is very imminent, and could happen any day at anytime at all. Nobody knows the exact time for the rapture but the Father God Himself. I cannot strongly enough advise all of you to get your hearts right with Jesus by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if there is any Sin /iniquity/ uncleanness in your heart, mind etc and repenting of any and all items brought to your mind right away, asking the Holy Spirit to cleanse you and your garments so that they are spotless, being washed by the blood of Jesus. I am a man, needing the blood of Jesus for cleansing as much as everyone else, and believe me I am doing the same thing. This repenting is a continuous process, not just a one time thing; I have found that I myself have been repenting several times throughout the day. I know that it will be God's grace and mercy ONLY that I make the rapture, not anything I do, I am well aware of the fact that grace alone being what saves, and not works lest any should boast, but also faith without works is dead so I am sharing this with everyone, in the hopes that a few, even just one person, would wake up in time, and repent, for the remaining time here is very short.

            I post and share this document for I deeply care for people and DO NOT want anyone to miss the rapture and find themselves left behind to face the 7 year tribulations which will follow the rapture which will be pure a horrific time on earth, the most horrific ever, in fact, where you will have to hide in caves or in mountains, away from all the evil and very selfish people, be an absolute survival expert, which many are not and absolutely refuse at all costs to take the mark of the beast(666).As a result of your refusal to take this mark, you won’t be able to buy or sell anything, work, eat, live in a normal way, and so on, and most likely you’ll be killed for it, but that is far better than taking the mark and ending up in the lake of fire for eternity, as each and every man and woman  who take the mark of the beast will end up in the lake of fire, where there will be absolutely no rest from their torment night or day(Revelation 14).  Even doing all the precautions, hiding by getting away from all population centers and into the mountains, and so on may not be enough because many if not most people, in fact will not survive the judgments that God will pour out on the world in this time period, in the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments as well as the judgment and destruction of the daughter of Babylon. All these events are described in good detail in the book of Revelation in chapters 6 through 18, which I strongly advise all to read. Here is a link an excellent animated video of the entire book of revelation for you to watch

 

 

 The tribulation period of seven years absolutely will make today's evil world seem like life in paradise by comparison. I very strongly suggest reading the book of Revelation chapters 6 through 18 which tell you specifically what sort of events and judgments the world will see during this tribulation period.

Here are some rapture related scriptures:

 (1 Corinthians 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

(1 Corinthians 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.

 

(1Thessolonians 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:

 

(1Thessolonians 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.

 

God wants to keep us from this tribulation by His love and mercy Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."  The implication of this verse is obvious:  If the end-time Christian does NOT stay close to the Lord and endure to the end, HE WILL NOT BE KEPT FROM THE TRIBULATION HOUR Revelation 3 verse 10, so it is IMPERATIVE to stay close to the Lord in these last days. 

Now I have a very special warning message to all those who are lukewarm Christians to repent of this condition and to be on fire for Jesus or Jesus will surely spit you out of the rapture(see verse 16, below) and you will go through the seven year tribulation as it says in Revelation 3 14-22. There are FAR TOO MANY are in this condition the Holy Spirit warned me this AM. There are FAR TOO MANY LAODICEANS today. Please REPENT NOW of your lukewarmness and be on fire for the Lord before it is too late and you miss the rapture as a result of your being lukewarm!! Here are the verses in Revelation chapter 3 concerning the Laodicean church:

(Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

 

(Revelation 3:15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

 

(Revelation 3:16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

(Revelation 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:

 

(Revelation 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.

 

(Revelation 3:19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

(Revelation 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.

 

(Revelation 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.

 

(Revelation 3:22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Summarizing, you MUST all be ready for this coming rapture, AND be on FIRE for Jesus, and not be at all lukewarm but loving Jesus with ALL Your heart, mind and soul as commanded in the bible, in several places in both the old and new testaments. If in case you need to receive the Lord please pray the following prayer (backsliders can also use this prayer to repent of their sin and lukewarmness and recommit their lives, and return to their first love, Jesus. Please do so NOW before it is too late)

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

Here are 10 steps that can be of help to be ready for the soon to come rapture:

1. Make sure that you have received Jesus Christ into your life as your PERSONAL Lord and Savior(see the salvation prayer above and use it if need be).

 

2. Examine your own heart for any signs of backsliding, worldliness, unwatchfulness, compromising, and lukewarmness.

 

3. REPENT (Turn COMPLETELY away from sin and turn COMPLETELY around towards Jesus).  Sin separates you from God, even as a Christian.

 

4. Study end-time Biblical prophecy(Daniel 7-12, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, 21, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, other places but the  book of Revelation in particular)  until you become completely convinced that His Coming is, indeed, AT THE DOOR.  This will help keep you from temptation and sin.  JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON!!! Lord help me be absolutely convinced YOU ARE at the door!!!!!

 

5. Do something for the Lord.  (Passing out tracts would be a good start.)

 

6. Examine your priorities, lest the CARES OF THIS LIFE cause YOU to MISS THE RAPTURE, as we are so adamantly WARNED about in Luke 21, and so many other Scriptures.

 

7. Draw closer to God by praying, reading His Word, attending a fundamental church as often as possible, and surround yourself with a Christian atmosphere (Christian friends, books, music, radio, TV, etc.)

 

8. PRAY DILIGENTLY.  ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO YOU ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT EVEN MIGHT KEEP YOU FROM THE RAPTURE.  PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD GIVE YOU A PEACE, IF YOU ARE READY, AND AN UNREST AND UNEASINESS IN YOUR HEART, IF YOU ARE NOT READY.

 

9. Listen for His voice and then STAY OPEN TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

10. Act upon that which the Lord is calling you to do. DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

 

Please also pray and ask the Lord Jesus to see if you are indeed ready and to give you peace if you and If the Lord has planted even the least bit of doubt or uneasiness in your heart, will you swallow your pride and pray this prayer with me:

"Dear Lord, Thank you for preparing a WAY OF ESCAPE from the horrible Tribulation to come.  It is my sincere desire to be ready for your Soon Return, so that I can participate in the Rapture. Give me a COMPLETE PEACE IN MY HEART FROM YOU if I am, indeed, ready. Let there be no false sense of security in my heart concerning my readiness for Your Return.  Begin to reveal to me things in my life and in my heart that might keep me from the Rapture.  Show me what I need to do to BE READY and then give me the power to act upon that which you show me to do.  Draw me away from the world and closer to you every day.  Use me in whatever way you can to help others

who may not be ready for your Return.  Fill me with your peace when I am ready and fill me with YOUR POWER, for victory over sin and temptation, and for effective service for your kingdom.  In Jesus' mighty name, Amen

If, by an unfortunate chance, you are finding yourself reading this testimony after the rapture has happened, and you find that you have missed it, everything is not lost by any means, just please pray immediately to accept the Lord Jesus as savior and /or recommit your life to Him, repenting of anything  and everything that you have done that has caused you to miss the rapture, especially such things as being lukewarm and whatever else you may do during that time absolutely DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST OR YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE!!!!!(taking the mark of the beast means you are essentially married to Satan, the antichrist, the beast and false prophet,  ALL OF WHOM ARE DESTINED FOR THE LAKE OF FIRE, AS ARE ALL WHO TAKE THEIR MARK ON THEIR FOREHEAD OR HAND). IT IS NOT AT ALL FORGIVABLE TO TAKE THIS MARK- so again you must avoid taking this mark AT ALL COSTS you won’t be able to buy, sell, work, and so on, you will have to hide, living in the forest and away from civilization, face jail, torture, and be executed for refusing the mark. If you do die for refusing to take the mark of the beast, if you are Jesus’ you will go to heaven immediately as a tribulation saint and martyr spoken of in the book of revelation. I cannot strongly stress the point enough to NEVER, EVER accept the mark of the beast, no matter what!!!! It will be well worth it to lose everything and everyone in this world, including your life so as  to not have to spend all eternity in hell and the lake of fire, where again there will be never any rest on your torment day or night.

 

Here is a video link for after the rapture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbvC-9Ei83E&feature=youtu.be

 

And a link to another facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jay.dougherty.50?ref=tn_tnmn#!/notes/jay-dougherty/good-book-on-tribulations-and-end-times-please-share-aslo-video-link/10200133756520233

 

God bless you and yours