Hello, John and Doves,
The scarlet thread of redemption [see Joshua 2]
If you read Matthew 1, one particular verse jumps out at you and bites you on the nose like a playful cat.
It is written,
Salmon
was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of
Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.
Perhaps that is why the LORD was pleased to see the acronym that spells
Why all this talk about salvation, and next to none about prophecy?
It is written,
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a
testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Once again, it is written,
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature.
The Greek word translated as, “all,” means, “all.”
Therefore, it seems clear to me that the Church is not out of here until we do our portion of the Great Commission.
The 144,000 and those whom they see saved will do the rest. The longer we remain, the more we have as a total goal.
So
let’s forget about exact daycounts, except for the actual Second
Coming. Now, if we have to wait until ten days before Yom Kippur 5776
to be out of here, it will not be our own fault. We true Christians are
led by the Spirit [Romans 8:14], so any apparent delay signifies the love of the Father reaching out to all humanity.
It is written,
23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And
let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but
encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is
drawing near.
Again, it is written,
32Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ.j Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33Sometimes
you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you
helped others who were suffering the same things. 34You
suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you
owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were
better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36Patient
endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s
will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
37“For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38And my righteous ones will live by faith.k
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”l
39But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
~Blessings,
Mike