God’s visits and awesome presence a study

 

            This is a study of the various times that God visited the earth after the creation and the fall. He was on the earth pretty much all the time until man fell by succumbing to temptation, to eat the fruit which God told them that they were not allowed to eat (the only tree of many) placed before him by the serpent, who was most likely Satan in disguise. He did speak to Noah, and all just before the flood.

My first example visit is the situation with the confusing of the languages, with the tower of Babel in Genesis:

(Genesis 11:1)  Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.

 

(Genesis 11:2)  And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

 

(Genesis 11:3)  And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.

 

(Genesis 11:4)  Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth."

 

(Genesis 11:5)  And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.

 

(Genesis 11:6)  And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

 

(Genesis 11:7)  Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."

 

(Genesis 11:8)  So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.

 

(Genesis 11:9)  Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

 

Next is God’s visit to Abraham in Genesis 18 to speak to Sarah and also to let Abraham know about Sodom. Abraham would then intercede for Sodom:

(Genesis 18:1)  And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.

 

(Genesis 18:2)  He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth

 

(Genesis 18:3)  and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

 

(Genesis 18:4)  Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,

 

(Genesis 18:5)  while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said."

 

(Genesis 18:6)  And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."

 

(Genesis 18:7)  And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.

 

(Genesis 18:8)  Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

 

(Genesis 18:9)  They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent."

 

(Genesis 18:10)  The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

 

(Genesis 18:11)  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.

 

(Genesis 18:12)  So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?"

 

(Genesis 18:13)  The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'

 

(Genesis 18:14)  Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."

 

(Genesis 18:15)  But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."

 

(Genesis 18:16)  Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way.

 

(Genesis 18:17)  The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

 

(Genesis 18:18)  seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

 

(Genesis 18:19)  For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."

 

(Genesis 18:20)  Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave,

 

(Genesis 18:21)  I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."

 

(Genesis 18:22)  So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.

 

(Genesis 18:23)  Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

 

(Genesis 18:24)  Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?

 

(Genesis 18:25)  Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"

 

(Genesis 18:26)  And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake."

 

(Genesis 18:27)  Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

 

(Genesis 18:28)  Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."

 

(Genesis 18:29)  Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it."

 

(Genesis 18:30)  Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there."

 

(Genesis 18:31)  He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it."

 

(Genesis 18:32)  Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."

 

(Genesis 18:33)  And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

 

Sadly for Sodom there were not even ten righteous people found there when the angels came to visit Lot to see what was up. They removed Lot and his family and the place was destroyed by fire and brimstone. It is a sad commentary on how far a society’s morals can fall.

The next visit is when a man- it is thought that it was Jesus taking human form- came and wrestled with Jacob in this passage:

(Genesis 32:24)  And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

 

(Genesis 32:25)  When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.

 

(Genesis 32:26)  Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

 

(Genesis 32:27)  And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."

 

(Genesis 32:28)  Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

 

(Genesis 32:29)  Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him.

 

(Genesis 32:30)  So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."

 

(Genesis 32:31)  The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

 

(Genesis 32:32)  Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.

 

Next notable visit is when God visited Moses in Exodus 3, by way of the burning bush:

(Exodus 3:1)  Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

 

(Exodus 3:2)  And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.

 

(Exodus 3:3)  And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."

 

(Exodus 3:4)  When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

 

(Exodus 3:5)  Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

 

(Exodus 3:6)  And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

 

(Exodus 3:7)  Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,

 

(Exodus 3:8)  and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

 

(Exodus 3:9)  And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

 

(Exodus 3:10)  Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

 

(Exodus 3:11)  But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

 

(Exodus 3:12)  He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

 

(Exodus 3:13)  Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?"

 

(Exodus 3:14)  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

 

(Exodus 3:15)  God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

 

(Exodus 3:16)  Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,

 

(Exodus 3:17)  and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."'

 

(Exodus 3:18)  And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'

 

(Exodus 3:19)  But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.

 

(Exo 3:20)  So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.

 

(Exodus 3:21)  And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty,

 

(Exodus 3:22)  but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians."

 

Here, after the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, and just prior to Moses receiving the commandments and instructions, God made a powerful visit to Mount Sinai which is described in  Exodus 19:

(Exodus 19:9)  And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD,

 

(Exodus 19:10)  the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments

 

(Exodus 19:11)  and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

 

(Exodus 19:12)  And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.

 

(Exodus 19:13)  No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall
not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain."

 

(Exodus 19:14)  So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments.

 

(Exodus 19:15)  And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."

 

(Exodus 19:16)  On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

 

(Exodus 19:17)  Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

 

(Exodus 19:18)  Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.

 

(Exodus 19:19)  And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.

 

(Exodus 19:20)  The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

 

(Exodus 19:21)  And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to look and many of them perish.

 

(Exodus 19:22)  Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them."

 

(Exodus 19:23)  And Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, 'Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.'"

 

(Exodus 19:24)  And the LORD said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them."

 

(Exodus 19:25)  So Moses went down to the people and told them.

 

Next there is a dialog in Exodus 33 and 34 where Moses would ask God to show Moses His glory and in chapter 34 He did do just that:

(Exodus 33:11)  Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

 

(Exodus 33:12)  Moses said to the LORD, "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.'

 

(Exodus 33:13)  Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people."

 

(Exodus 33:14)  And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

 

(Exodus 33:15)  And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.

 

(Exodus 33:16)  For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?"

 

(Exodus 33:17)  And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."

 

(Exodus 33:18)  Moses said, "Please show me your glory."

 

(Exodus 33:19)  And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

 

(Exodus 33:20)  But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live."

 

(Exodus 33:21)  And the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock,

 

(Exodus 33:22)  and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

 

(Exodus 33:23)  Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen."

 

(Exodus 34:1)  The LORD said to Moses, "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.

 

(Exodus 34:2)  Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.

 

(Exodus 34:3)  No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain."

 

(Exodus 34:4)  So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.

 

(Exodus 34:5)  The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.

 

(Exodus 34:6)  The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

 

(Exodus 34:7)  keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."

 

(Exodus 34:8)  And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

 

As well Moses might have worshipped Him, having seen God’s full glory. It was a very special thing that Moses encountered God in such a way. In the end of the book of Job, which probably happened earlier than Moses, God appeared to Job then asked Job many rhetorical questions in chapters 38 to 41. I am including chapter 38 to give the idea:

(Job 38:1)  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

 

(Job 38:2)  "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

 

(Job 38:3)  Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

 

(Job 38:4)  "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

 

(Job 38:5)  Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

 

(Job 38:6)  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,

 

(Job 38:7)  when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

 

(Job 38:8)  "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb,

 

(Job 38:9)  when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,

 

(Job 38:10)  and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,

 

(Job 38:11)  and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'?

 

(Job 38:12)  "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,

 

(Job 38:13)  that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?

 

(Job 38:14)  It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.

 

(Job 38:15)  From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.

 

(Job 38:16)  "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?

 

(Job 38:17)  Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

 

(Job 38:18)  Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.

 

(Job 38:19)  "Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,

 

(Job 38:20)  that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?

 

(Job 38:21)  You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

 

(Job 38:22)  "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,

 

(Job 38:23)  which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?

 

(Job 38:24)  What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?

 

(Job 38:25)  "Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt,

 

(Job 38:26)  to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,

 

(Job 38:27)  to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?

 

(Job 38:28)  "Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew?

 

(Job 38:29)  From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?

 

(Job 38:30)  The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

 

(Job 38:31)  "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?

 

(Job 38:32)  Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?

 

(Job 38:33)  Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?

 

(Job 38:34)  "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you?

 

(Job 38:35)  Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'?

 

(Job 38:36)  Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?

 

(Job 38:37)  Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,

 

(Job 38:38)  when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?

 

(Job 38:39)  "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

 

(Job 38:40)  when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket?

 

(Job 38:41)  Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

 

This goes on for the next three chapters, Job says very little. The first six verses in chapter 42 confirm the visitation:

(Job 42:1)  Then Job answered the LORD and said:

 

(Job 42:2)  "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

 

(Job 42:3)  'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

 

(Job 42:4)  'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.'

 

(Job 42:5)  I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

 

(Job 42:6)  therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

 

Job when he realized how powerful and wonderful God really is, did a very wise thing- repent, knowing then that he was nothing. Next God made a special appearance to save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the burning fiery furnace into which they were thrown for their refusal to worship the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

(Daniel 3:1)  King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

 

(Daniel 3:2)  Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

 

(Daniel 3:3)  Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

 

(Daniel 3:4)  And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,

 

(Daniel 3:5)  that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

 

(Daniel 3:6)  And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace."

 

(Daniel 3:7)  Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

 

(Daniel 3:8)  Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.

 

(Daniel 3:9)  They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!

 

(Daniel 3:10)  You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.

 

(Daniel 3:11)  And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace.

 

(Daniel 3:12)  There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

 

(Daniel 3:13)  Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.

 

(Daniel 3:14)  Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

 

(Daniel 3:15)  Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"

 

(Daniel 3:16)  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

 

(Daniel 3:17)  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

 

(Daniel 3:18)  But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

 

(Daniel 3:19)  Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.

 

(Daniel 3:20)  And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

 

(Daniel 3:21)  Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.

 

(Daniel 3:22)  Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 

(Daniel 3:23)  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

 

(Daniel 3:24)  Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."

 

(Daniel 3:25)  He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."

 

(Daniel 3:26)  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

 

(Daniel 3:27)  And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.

 

(Daniel 3:28)  Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

 

(Daniel 3:29)  Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way."

 

(Daniel 3:30)  Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

 

The most important visit of all would occur hundreds of years after the life of Daniel, when God took the form of a man, and the Name Jesus. This  is spoken of well in the first 17 verses in the gospel of John, chapter 1:

(John 1:1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 

(John 1:2)  He was in the beginning with God.

 

(John 1:3)  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

(John 1:4)  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

 

(John 1:5)  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

 

(John 1:6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

 

(John 1:7)  He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

 

(John 1:8)  He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

 

(John 1:9)  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

 

(John 1:10)  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

 

(John 1:11)  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

 

(John 1:12)  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

 

(John 1:13)  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

(John 1:14)  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

(John 1:15)  (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")

 

(John 1:16)  And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

 

(John 1:17)  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

 

There are other verses I back this up with in John 8 look at what Jesus says:

(John 8:54)  Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'

 

(John 8:55)  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.

 

(John 8:56)  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."

 

(John 8:57)  So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"

 

(John 8:58)  Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

 

Yes that indeed prove Jesus’ deity, for being around so long, also look at what Jesus says in John 10:

(John 10:25)  Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

 

(John 10:26)  but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.

 

(John 10:27)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

 

(John 10:28)  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

 

(John 10:29)  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

 

(John 10:30)  I and the Father are one."

 

These passages give proof that man was indeed visited by God in the flesh whose purpose was to die for our sins, which He did indeed do so on the cross then He went up to. My final visitation in this will be so Jesus can fulfill the promise given in these verses from John 14(the last visit has yet to happen)

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

 

(Joh 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?

 

(Joh 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.

 

This of course is the Rapture of the church, and for me please read the following:

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