To Mariel:  Enduring to the end is a steady theme in Paul's scriptures as he urges us to go forward into maturity. 

 

We see Jesus confirms the necessity to endure to the end in Revelations 2:26, "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.  Further, in Rev 3:5, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before angels. 

 

Seems to me those verses covers both sides of "enduring to the end".  Many deny that their name can be blotted out of the book of life, but there it is and Jesus said it.

 

Paul does a good job of discussing this subject in Hebrews.  Hebrews is one deep and powerful book of understanding, one that every Christian should seriously study.  Here are some verses reflecting the need to endure and not depart from faith in the living God.

 

Heb 3:12 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God".  Paul is speaking here to early believers in the New Testament Church, people who have confessed Jesus Christ.  He is warning them not to depart from the word.  He is urging them to maintain their faith and not fall away in unbelief.  To do so is evil.

 

4:11 "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."  Again, he is warning them to not fall away or turn from their faith (belief).  There is labor (work) involved, the same labor in working out your salvation.

 

6:4-6, "For it is impossible for those who were enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."   He didn't say it was impossible to fall away, but, if they should fall away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.  Heavy, Heavy.  It is evident through other scriptures that backsliding into sin is not what is being talked about here.  This is speaking to giving up on your belief (faith) in Jesus Christ, i.e. turning away from God and returning to unbelief.  It is here that I believe Jesus is telling you, be careful that your name be not blotted out of the book of life.  Endurance to the end is obviously a necessity.

 

6:15,  "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

 

Chapter 12: 22-39 continues on in this subject.  Note verses 26-27, 32-33, 35-36 and 38-39.  The last two verses sets up a beautiful series of examples in chapter 13 of how the Old Testament saints inherited the promise by faith.  By faith we are saved, yet you cannot separate it from belief.  We must patiently endure to the end in our faith/belief.  You will see that it was their "works" which testified to their faith/belief. 

 

James chapter 2 does a good job of explaining the role of works in a person's faith.  Faith without works is dead (vs 17, 20 & 26).  Verses 14 & 18 challenges the idea that a man could have faith and not have works, i.e. without works their is no faith, for it is works which testify to your faith.  This is seen clearly in the OT Saints in the 13th chapter of Hebrews. James 2:24 sums it up, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith (belief) alone."   Obedience to the scriptures and works are very much the same.  Obedience is a testimony to your love for Jesus Christ.  Enduring to the end in this obedience is required.

 

The parable of the sower who went out to sow his seed (Luke 8:5-18) is testimony to the above.  Only those which fell by the way side are unbelievers.  Those which fell upon the rock actually believed, but then fell away.  Those which fell among thorns and were choked (with the cares of this world) brought forth no fruit.  Matthew 7:19 tells us every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  It is only those which fell on good ground, which in an honest and good heart, hear the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.  Fruit here is primarily speaking to the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Hebrews 12:1-17 is a testimony to the trials and afflictions which every Christian can expect.  Verses 5-11 tells us much of this is related to chastening by our Father, which is done for correction and yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.  Verses 7 & 8 tells us every Christian receives this, but it is how we endure it that counts.  If we endure chastening, God deals with us as sons, but if we refuse (be without/reject) this chastisement, then we are bastards.  Endurance and Patience are again themes along with Obedience.  You can see this throughout the OT saints.  The heart of the matter is "what do you value". 

 

 I'll surely pray for Searl and Sue.  May they make it to see the day of the rapture and may they know the joy of the event.

 

I struggle with man's calendars and just how the phase of the moon may or may not be a factor.  You can see that man in 2008 has Easter (Resurrection Day) in April and Passover a month later in May.  This is impossible by God's design.  Resurrection day must follow Passover by 3 days.  I look to a period from mid May to the first week in June.  It could be a week or so earlier.  

 

Personally, I think the day of the week takes precedence over the new moon start day of the month.  God made the 7 day week first and set it preeminent.  Man has not lost track since Adam as Jesus recognized the 7th day as Sabbath.  The lunar and solar calendars do not contain even weeks by God's design. 

 

Man has long lost track of time with many calendar adjustments.  Passover Preparation day should always fall on a Wednesday, day 4 and Passover Celebration day on a Thursday, day 5.  Following this, then Second Passover midnight cry (resurrection of the dead) should fall on a Friday evening/Saturday Sabbath day.  This should be both a regular 7th day Sabbath and because it is a feast day also a High Sabbath.  Remember, to keep the Sabbath holy. 

 

There is a pattern which I will discuss in later letters which I believe indicate how the 3 events of this rapture will take place.  The 3 events are the midnight cry (resurrection/ascension of the firstborn dead in Christ), the changing of the living wise virgins into immortal and finally the ascension of the living wise bride.  It is only the changing which is in the twinkling of an eye.  I believe the events will unfold over a 13 day period from a Friday evening/Saturday Sabbath midnight cry to a Thursday evening ascension of the living wise bride.  The midnight cry occurs on the 4th Sabbath Omer of the Feast of Weeks and the ascension the same day Jesus and the OT saints ascended.  10 days later will be Pentecost Sunday and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the left behind tribulation saints.  Ecclesiasties 1:9 says what has been will be. 

 

Steve