What will you do?

I had the pleasure of going to a men's retreat this last Friday. I knew only the one who invited me and we had a good time of worship. They played music and we sang and prayed and praised.

When it came time to share, I could tell that the main emphasis was that these men were celebrating the "freedom" of salvation that is given to us by Jesus Christ through GRACE. I really didn't realize that so many people may have not understood it, that Jesus has forgiven all sins past, present, and future and that we are no longer under the law. We are under the guidence of the Holy Spirit. We have surrendered our lives to Jesus because He gave us a gift that we can never earn. I guess that most of their lives they were living under some type of bondage. Maybe the past, maybe expectation of what you are suppose to do now?

They asked "did anyone have anything to share", and I never turn down a chance to talk about prophecy. So, I made the statement that we should be ready for the future in case we are expected to stand firm on our beliefs. After I finished, the leader made the statement that he believed in the prerapture and that we didn't have to worry about the future, that God will take care of all things.

I really didn't want to cause a stir in their meeting; so, I held my tougue. On the way home I thought about his comment. After all, doesn't God provide for your future? The answer is yes.

However, God prepared for Noah's future by telling him to get ready, judgement is coming. God prepared for Abraham's future by telling him to prepare to be a leader of a nation. God prepared for Moses' future by telling him every move to make. Are we really not suppose to do anything, just sit and wait for the provision of God? Did Joseph do nothing and wait for the provision of God? If he had not listen to the warnings of God and prepared for seven years, a whole country would have starved to death.

I feel the same way about prophecy. God has told us what to expect. He said that He is coming back one day and that we are suppose to anxiously await His return. My whole life, I was taught that we would be taken out before the tribulation; but, after studying it very carefully, I don't see it. Why would we need the book of Revelation if we were being taken out before any of it happens? I believe God has given us prophecy to say, "be prepared" judgement is coming. They always use, "well God took the believers out before the judgement of the flood so I believe that He will do the same with us". Ok, what about the 120 years of warnings that judgement was coming and no one listened. If they had listened to the signs, like a man building a giant boat and warning that a flood was coming to destroy the whole world, they could have repented and been saved.

We have been promised that we will not go through the "wrath of God". 1 Thessalonians 5:9, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ". The wrath of God is the seven bowls of judgement that are in the latter part of the seven years of tribulation.

We are promise that we will not go through the "hour of testing". Revelation 3:10, "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth". This hour was talked about on my 3/31 post. It is the 30 days just past the first 1260 days.

We can bury our heads in the sand, or we can prepare for a future testing that may come in our lifetime. God gave us many signs. He gave us the Holy Spirit to teach of about the future. Our job is to study, tell others, and be prepared to be a witness in tough times.

You can see one such event is about to happen this week. The "hate crimes" bill has passed the house and this week is before the Senate for approval. If it passes, and a Christian takes a stand against homosexuality or gay marriage or even mention what the Bible says on the issue, they will be arrested for one year and fined up to $250,000 for a hate crime. How is your faith now.
If asked a question about gay marriage like the runner up to Ms. America was, will you stand with the teaching of the Bible and risk going to jail or will you hide your beliefs.

Jesus took a stand, He died for you and provided you with eternal life, what are you willing to do for Him?