I wanted to write a post this week first of all to thank 1 Corinthians 10:31 for her kind words and warm welcome. Truly I look forward to the time when we will all fellowship together and know as we are known.
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/march2020/1cor1031-329-1.htm
I also wanted to address a couple of her posts.
First of all I have been thinking about “How can it be both at the same time” also.
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/march2020/1cor1031-329-4.htm
I also thought that it would be buisness as usual right up until the rapture but now I wonder two points:
Point one- perhaps Jesus was not referring to the day of His coming vis-a-vis the rapture, but perhaps He was referring to the day that would be the trigger, the final catalyst for the events leading inevitably to the rapture, the tribulation and the Second Coming. Life sure did seem normal and then in an instant it changed and it sure does seem like that was the first domino to fall and that the line of dominoes can it be stopped now. Who knows? It would amaze me, but I know God could put things back on pause if it was His will.
Point number two, the frog in the warm pot, the sheeple of the world are rapidly adjusting to the “new normal” and they will go on with daily activities in a different way now. So in a way, it will still “seem” as “normal” when the rapture happens because they do not have eyes to see.
Next subject 1 Corinthians 10:31 “controversial” post about our “Lone Ranger”
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/march2020/1cor1031-329-6.htm
Good for you for being bold enough to write this - whether you are right or wrong, whether anyone agrees or disagrees- free thought and expression must be encouraged! That’s our biggest problem is an often vocal majority shouts down minority opinions.
Especially where Christians are concerned we should always be respectful of other opinions and consider them according to the Scripture.
One lesson I learned a long time ago that every Christian could benefit from was from reading the words of Josephus- He was commenting about a time in Jewish history when it seemed as if the words of the prophets were contradicting each other. One prophet prophesied that the last king of Judah would go to Babylon, while yet another prophet prophesied that the king would not see Babylon - so how could both be true? Josephus explains as the Bible historically records- the last king of Judah had his sons slain before him and then the king of Babylon blinded him by putting his eyes out and taking him captive to Babylon- so thus he went to Babylon but truly did not see it.
I remember reading this account from scripture and thinking, truly we must be careful about thinking that we know how God must fulfill His prophecy and interjecting our opinions as if they were dogma.
Having said that, I feel I owe it to put my 2 cents in on the subject- is “O” the Antichrist or is it the “Lone Ranger” I have no idea. I do not strongly subscribe to either, but I do not greatly discount either and would not criticize any other believer who has strong feelings about either, provided they can respect my ambiguity on either or.
I will say this regarding Trump, our Lone Ranger however. When he ran the first time he was not my guy, and I couldn’t see how God could approve of him.
Since he has been in office, he has exceeded my expectations and done a pretty good job overall and seems to be trying to keep many of his campaign promises.
However his goal of “Making America Great Again” has been targeted primarily at our economy and not directed strongly towards our decaying moral underpinnings.
Don’t get me wrong, he is still more of a friend to morality than Obama was, but do we see any roll back on the craziness that has led to an infinite number of genders? Or the promotion of homosexuality as normal? Have we really made any headway with the amount of abortions in this country used as birth control? Let’s be fair. The economy is the only thing that has really improved and God is judging us, the church, because of it. Judgement does begin at the house of the Lord - and I believe the Lord is making us, the church, a little uncomfortable now because the majority of evangelicals were content to elect someone who branded himself as a Christian to get their vote, because deep down evangelicals just wanted someone they thought could beat Hillary- and then were content to see their 401-ks grow.
This is not a judgement on Trump’s spiritual condition as I have no idea, he may be saved or not. I hope he is but have no way of truly knowing. It is simply to say the last election was based on secular man’s efforts and what man thought would work, and was not largely based on which candidate was closest to a man of faith.
Many will cite what a friend Trump has been to Israel, and in many ways he has been. But if we are being honest with ourselves, let’s compare him to Cyrus as many do.
When Cyrus issued the decree to rebuild Jerusalem were there any preconditions? Any paybacks? And second back scratch? There were none that I am aware of, it was an unconditional decree.
So let’s be harmless doves, but let’s also be wise as serpents as our Lord commands.
Now consider Trump, he has been very favorable towards Israel, but he also has a “Deal of the Century” that we know divides the land that he wants them to accept and be on board with - so let’s just be objective.
When he declared Jerusalem the capital and all the other favorable actions he has taken, it could have been an unconditional, friendly gesture- or - because he is a businessman and knows how to get deals done, it could have been an incentive or even an “arm twist” if necessary to get his deal done.
Does this make him the Antichrist or just a secular leader doing business the way the world does business? Who knows. But it is all worth considering and should be done respectfully.
I hope everyone take time to consider these things.
My hope is this could be the last letter before the rapture, but if our Heavenly Father hits the pause button yet again, Christians please consider this virus and our loss of freedoms are a significant wake up call that to “make America great again” is not just about our economy, it’s about putting JESUS first, standing for what is right, standing with Israel WITHOUT the condition of dividing GOD’S land and seeking to restore morality to our land.
Maranatha!
Hope to see you all soon- have a good Passover/Resurrection Day everyone!
Derrick Drew