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Terror Stricken Parents Search for Missing Children

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Dear Reader:

One evening while lying on the couch and watching the evening news. I experienced once again that feeling that had virtually paralyzed me all day long.

It seemed to creep over me like the clouds creep in from the west towards the East on a hot summers afternoon and all of a sudden the thunder and lightening over take you before you know it.

That feeling was a very uncomfortable one, as if something or someone was trying to tell me something or warn me. So like all “Christians” do, I picked up my Bible and began to read. As I read I would pray a little but then go back to reading, in the process I was getting a little drowsy I shook it off and continued to read. Just as I was nodding again, for the umpteenth time, something on TV caught my eye. I had had the volume muted, so as not to disturb me while reading the Bible, I laid down the Bible and picked up the remote and un-muted the volume.

“Terror stricken parents search for missing children.” Came the reporters voice, while pictures of two young people in their mid 20’s frantically searched for their children. I wondered what has happened to these two children. The parents must be feeling horrible over loosing their children! Has to be more than anyone could bear, I thought.

“At precisely 1:59 CST these two children along with thousands maybe hundreds of thousands of people have completely disappeared.” I was sitting holding my tea glass after just taking a drink when I jumped to my feet in unbelief. My tea glass shattered as it hit the floor. My first initial thoughts were “This can’t be, what does this mean? The Rapture? NO. NO!! NO!!!” I yelled “This is impossible I am a Christian this can’t be the rapture.”

I immediately picked up the Bible and it fell open to the words 1 Cor 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.” It hit me like a ton of bricks, the rapture had taken place and I had been LEFT BEHIND. I made a mad dash to phone dialed but received the message, “all circuits are busy,”.

I could not call my wife she had been at her parents house. She had all the children with her. I tried to make sense of the things that were happening, but could not. I tried to comfort myself but could not. Trying the phone every few minutes was driving me crazy. I felt as if I was going to explode from the inside. Had my wife and kids been taken too? “NO, I screamed as loud as I could.”

All of a sudden I started to remember what I had been taught all my life. Hearing my father preach from behind a pulpit of wood. I started to recall statements such as “It will be a glorious day.” “It will be a day like no other.” I started to think about these statements that were running through my head. I began to think this is a day like no other for sure, but it definitely was not glorious at least not from where I was standing. The days drug by like years, I never did find anything out about my family. I finally accepted the idea that they were gone also.

The prophecy in the Bible started to unfold like a early addition newspaper. Everything fell into place there was a man that arose from the Middle East that seemed to have an answer for every problem that came up. He quickly rose to a high status in the world’s eyes. I knew then that this was the “anti-Christ” that was spoken about in the book of Revelation.

Chaos prevailed in every country of the world. Brother against brother husbands against wives. Looting, murders, rape, all forms of evil. It was as if someone or something had pulled the very presence of good from the world. Nothing was the same as before the rapture. Everything had changed. The antichrist had put in place his system to control the world’s buying and selling.

“Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” I knew better than to take this mark. I read in the word of God where it said that

“Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb”

There were times that it seemed I could not go on any longer. I thought this is unbearable. If I could only do it over I would change the things I did wrong. If only, If only. Just as I was sitting down to eat the meal, which had been rationed to me before the mark of the beast was set in order, I heard the phone ring. “Phone, I thought? Who would be calling me? Everyone I knew that would be calling me had been taken in the rapture.

I tried to get up but could not move, what had frozen me in my chair? Why could I not get the phone. It just kept ringing and ringing… Startled out of a deep sleep by the sound of a phone ringing, I screamed. Jumped to my feet looked around unbeknownst to where I was at the present time. I answered the phone. “Honey, are you coming to mom and dad’s? They want us all to go to church with them.” Came my wife’s voice. “Wha…” I answered. “Yes, I yelled, Yes, I will go with you.” “But…” “No, butts this time honey.” She said. “No, buts honey I am on the way.” “I love you, Honey.” I hung up the phone looked around still not sure what was going on but then it hit me, I had had a dream. It was all a dream I yelled, at the top of my lungs.

Needless to say I changed my ways. I went to church more and I did drop being religious but I did not drop being a Christian. After my dream that I had, I thought I wonder how many Christians are out there are living the same as I have been living thinking they are safe when in reality they are far from it. I realize there will be those who read this letter before and after the Rapture. So I fashion it to both parties.

To those who read before the Rapture: Please don’t rely on the same “old religion” Move into God Get to know Him. He would love to visit with you, He sits and awaits a personal relationship with you and you and you and you. Don’t be one of those left behind. Don’t be a statistic. GOD LOVES YOU…

To those who would read this after the Rapture: I feel sorry for you, you have been dealt a hand that is the worst one you could ever imagine. There will be things that happen that will be hard to imagine but you have to realize this the Holiness of God has been withdrawn and you are left to a world that is overrun by evil. There will surely be a person who will arise to power, at first he will appear to have it all. DO NOT TRUST THIS MAN HE IS THE ANTICHRIST prophesied about in the Bible.

Unfortunately you don’t have many options right now, but you do have this one. Before it is to late you need to get you a Bible and get as many as you possibly can. Store them up for yourself or others that might need them. Get ready for the worst possible 7 years of your life. I am not trying to scare you I am simply telling you the facts. Facts:

1. You are left behind the rapture has happened

2. There will be an Antichrist that will rise from most likely the Middle East

3. Trouble will come it will only get worse and worse

4. There will be others like yourself that believe like you do find them if you can

5. There will be a mark known as the mark of the beast that will be offered at first then forced upon people or death DO NOT TAKE THIS MARK

WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T TAKE IT.

I so sorry that I can not do more for you but please above all if you read this before it is to late get a bible and read. Remember you have chosen not to accept the free gift that God gave don’t blame Him don’t curse Him. The question “Do I have another chance?” is probably going over in your mind even now. The answer is yes, but only if you DO NOT TAKE THE MARK. I cannot stress this enough. If you’re starving you are better off dead than living with the mark. Remember God Loves you MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU!

Yours in Christ,

Randy

I Love You more than Words can Say

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Dear Husband and Family:

If you’re reading this, then I, along with our kids, have probably vanished. Trust me, I’ve vanished into thin air – literally! I didn’t run away, I haven’t been hurt or killed. What has happened is what is known as “God’s Rapture”. You may be getting some sort of political spin on how the “silly Christians” went away, or some nonsense about UFOs. CNN and the local news will have several different takes on what happened. In fact, there will probably be some heavy hitting “christians” still here (I’m guessing the Pope will not have been raptured, for starters, as well as some televangelists) insisting that this didn’t happen. Don’t believe any of it. I have put together some information here, and have left several resources in our little library, that will explain what has happened and what is yet to come to pass.

I highly recommend that you start reading a novel, part of a series, entitled “Left Behind” by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. The authors started this series in the mid-1990s and it was extremely popular. The books are fictional, but are based on intense study of the prophecies of the Bible. Reading “Left Behind” first will give you a broad understanding of the times to come, written in very simple language. Once you get a handle on that, please pick up your Bible and start reading. Start with the Gospels and go forward. Pop over to Isaiah and Daniel – there are many many prophecies foretelling all of these events.

I love you so much, I really pray that you think seriously about this event and begin searching for the truth about it. First off, let me back up my assertion that we’ve been “raptured” with the following verse: “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. 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 sol shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thes.4:16-17).

There are some things that you need to do to prepare for the events which will unfold. The very fact that you are reading this means you are looking for answers. Please, please believe me when I tell you that what has happened has been foretold for two thousand years. Please also believe me when I tell you a little of the things that will come to pass in the next seven or so years.

First of all, a very charismatic, very smooth, very revered political leader has emerged in the global political front. As I write this, he has not yet been identified. However, the Bible foretells that a very powerful man will come into power. During his reign, at least initially, there will be great peace – particularly in the middle east. In fact, things will be going along so well there that the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt (if it isn’t already) and sacrifices in the temple will resume. This guy is trouble. He is the Anti-Christ. At some point during his “reign”, he will want everyone to accept his “mark”. I don’t know whether that mark will have his name, his insignia, his crest, a series of numbers, or any other combination of things. It will, however, be necessary to buy and sell and will signify your allegiance to him. Likely, he will require that the mark (which might even be a chip) be implanted in the foreheads or forearms of everyone. Even little kids. Not taking the mark will make your life extremely difficult because it will be virtually impossible to conduct business without it. DO NOT TAKE THAT MARK!!!! If you take that mark, you will be condemned forever. God is pretty clear on this in his book and will condemn for eternity anyone who accepts the “mark of the beast”. Even if you repent later on, you cannot undo taking the mark. Please, please, if you take no other advice from this note, please heed my words not to take that mark.

This global political leader, this anti-Christ, will ensure that his power spans the globe. Eventually, all world politics will fall within one rubric rather than each nation or commonwealth governing its own affairs. Not only that, there will be an amalgamation of religions – one “world” religion, if you will. Mind, this new, “one world religion” will be very new-agey. It will be very accepting of all other creeds, very forgiving. It might even require you to pray to this new leader or to worship him. Don’t buy into it. It is a sham.

There will be a huge increase in geophysical occurrences – many severe earthquakes, famine, pestilence, floods and huge, huge lawlessness. Look back to the most outrageously bad time in history, say even to the time of Caligula, and this will be much worse than anything you could imagine.

God will send two men to preach repentance to the world. You’ll be able to see them on CNN or any other global telecast. The world will view their preaching as folly and will mock them. Just watch, though. You’ll see that no one can come near them and no one can hurt them. After about three years, they will die. At that point, the world will dance, mangling and mutilating the bodies of the two men.

What happened to the body of the American soldier during the Gulf War was nothing compared to what people will do to the bodies of these two messengers. Those men will come back to life after three days. They will be well and whole. No one here on earth will have an explanation for this.

Please, all of the things I have said will happen within the space of approximately seven years. I pray that you read the “Left Behind” series and give it serious consideration. There is a website, the “Rapture Ready” website, that will have all sorts of information, including advice on how to survive. Please find it immediately.

Find a bible and start reading. I pray that you look to God. He is your salvation. This last seven years, if you make it through the whole period, is your last chance to claim Jesus as your saviour. It will likely cost you your life here on earth but will give you eternity in exchange.

You might want to think about finding all of the money you can. By that, I mean hard cash. By the time you read this, I don’t know if a world currency will have begun circulating or not. Regardless, find gold, as much of it as you can. Do it quietly, so you don’t stand out. You may also want to relocate somewhere more remote. Stock up on canned goods, water, a generator, gasoline and oil. You’ll be needing all of these things. I thank God that we had a garden in our little backyard. You’ll need to know how to grow your own food. Find a weapon and ammunition. The lawlessness that will scourge the earth will have seen no rival. You’ll need it to survive.

You know me well enough to know that I am a true believer in Christ. That’s why I’m missing. So are my parents, my brothers and their wives. These are people you have known for several years. Look around you. Think about the lives of the other people you knew who are now missing. Chances are, you can recognize all of them as Christians, true Christians, as well.

Honey, I love you more than words can say. I pray you take this very seriously and ask Jesus into your life at your first opportunity. I look forward to dancing with you in Heaven. I love you.

Newfire.

At the Doors!

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at the doors, Noah's ark and the raptureJust a personal note.

This morning the picture that’s stuck in my mind is what it must have been like when the doors were shut to Noah’s Ark.  The chosen were invited in at the right time and saved from God’s wrath.  All the others who were left behind must have experienced  confusion, intense fear, panic, and possibly regret before they died, mostly by drowning as the waters quickly rose and violent torrents of mud and debris swept people away like the Christmas Tsunami of 2004.

In his mercy, God’s wrath will not be fully unleashed again until half way through the Tribulation Week, at the 3 1/2 year mark.  The first half of this period is marked by a false, non-lasting peace under the reign of the world’s new ruler and is an opportunity for people to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus so they can face death boldly and confidently that no matter what, Jesus is there for them, forever.

Soon, at the right time, the trumpet will sound and doors of Heaven will be open for God’s chosen to enter in, to be sheltered in safety from the coming storm like Noah and his family.  The doors will open for a fraction of a second, in the twinkling of an eye.  Then the doors will shut.

The bridegroom came, and those who were ready WENT IN with him to the wedding; and the DOOR was SHUT. Matthew 25:10

 

Always BE READY.

 

In Case You Find Me Missing

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Dear friends and family,

I am writing this note in case you find me missing and you are Left Behind.

As you know I have been a Christian for 23 years and have depended on Jesus Christ as a truly live and active God in my life. The Bible has said that Jesus would come again and claim those who believe and take them to heaven to escape the Tribulation on earth.

God the Father has allowed this coming tribulation for 7 years from the signing of the Israeli peace treaty to show mankind that only Jesus can save them not only from the horrors on earth but from their sins and eternal damnation.

All of you that know me, realize that God can provide for YOU, as He has for me and my family. I have many Bibles please take the time to read at lease the New Testament and through prayer ask the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding in the Name of Jesus.

It is only through the blood of Christ that we can obtain forgiveness and ask for ANYTHING in Jesus’ name, as He rose from the dead and intercedes with the Father on our behalf.

I have laid aside provisions as Joseph did during the Egyptian famine. If you pray over these meager supplies, I know Jesus can perform a Loaves and Fishes miracle to fill your needs and those whom you love and are in your household.

May God Bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand until we meet again during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord Of Lords.

Maranatha.

Lee

IT’S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

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Snatched away in mercy, raptured in His care One moment you will see us, the next, we won’t be there. In the twinkling of an eye, the time of half a blink Millions in Christ will disappear it’s closer than we think.

One can only guess at who will endeavor to explain And suspect will be the person who has the most to gain. For one will rise in darkness a world of peace to fix Beware and do not take his mark, the numbers, 666.

Some think that this is fiction, a story over told. In disbelief they are misled I know it sounds too bold! But think for just a moment, open up your eyes and ears Yes, these events have been foretold for many many years.

Wars and peaceful rumors, famine and pestilence. Earthquakes and hurricanes, it’s beginning to make sense. There’s still time to call on Jesus, He wants to call your name, And He will save you from your sin, He already took the blame.

So if you find that you are left behind when those many go, And nagging at your memory is something you don’t know, Remember please these humble words for it’s not easy to relay The grief and desperation that will fill that fateful day.

There’s good information for you, look on the internet. Look up this address here below to see how you can get Through this tribulation, the Lord will keep you steady http://www.raptureready.com, the web page, RAPTURE READY

Where did Everyone Go?

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Dear Left,

You are wondering what is going on. Where did everyone go? No, no one was abducted by aliens, no atomic bomb caused everyone to disappear. Think back to who it was that disappeared. Are the children gone? Are the ones who seemed to try to be really good people gone?

Those were the ones who had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They loved Him so much that they lived by His Word and tried to be the best people they could. I’m sure you remember times when they weren’t necessarily good people. They tried, and though they made plenty of mistakes and were by no means perfect, they looked to the only One who was and is perfect. Jesus.

He was the one that wiped away their sins. He was the One who still loved them after they did wrong. They made the choice to push back their carnal desires and their human frailties and stand up against the world. When the world told them they were freaks, narrow-minded, and hypocritical, they did their best to put their faith in Jesus, and they waited for their reward.

It has come, and unfortunately you missed it. But, it is not too late! You can still trust Him. It will be so much harder now, but you too can have eternity in Heaven.

Go find a Bible as quickly as you can. Read Daniel and Revelation. Begin praying and pray harder and longer than you ever have. He will give you hope and will guide you. You must put your trust and faith completely in Him. Take that little step. You will receive blessings beyond your belief.

He is with Me to the End

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To The broken hearted, the afflicted, and the distressed;

Dear LORD be near and mend the broken hearted in this world;

Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Comfort the afflicted merciful Father whose “Spirit of Comfort” brings restoration of peace, renewal of love, resurgence of joy, and revival of hope;

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalms 119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Hear O’LORD the cries of the distressed and dry their tears, forget not the humble, and deliver the righteous from their troubles; turn death to life, sorrow to joy, cries to happiness, and bring healing where there is pain;

Psalms 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Psalms 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

Psalms 107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psalms 107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Psalms 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Psalms 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalms 88:1 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

You indeed are nearer than near loving God; We trust You and we thank You for the wonderful works You have done; You are true to us and You give us, through faith, understanding of the Truth of Your Word;

Psalms 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalms 75:1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

Psalms 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Psalms 119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Who else but You “Victorious GOD” can wipe away every teardrop that falls, bottle them up in Your book of life “which contains Your Words of life written in Your lifeblood”, and change them into rivers of living waters with sparkles of joy;

Psalms 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

A long, most excellent, story made short from one of the sixty six love letters GOD has written to us (read it if you haven’t or reread it if the LORD leads you to do so) ;

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Remember that the LORD is the giver of every good and perfect gift, the greatest of which is the LORD Himself. May His loving presence and His grace alone be sufficient for us, even if it seems all else is lost. If the time to say goodbye has come or gone, or if our beloved has departed from this world without time enough to say goodbye, remember that the gain for the departed, who have a living love for GOD and His people, is not only two fold, but it is as infinite in goodness and wonder as He is. Lets have our joy in Him always, give thanks for what He’s given even if it was for a brief period of time, and pray without ceasing. He is there, He is near, and He sustains us no matter what happens to us or may befall us.

Dwell on the words from a few stanzas found in the song “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners”; And, may God bless you, be merciful to you and make His face shine on you in whatever situation you may face;

Words: John Wilbur Chapman, 1910.

Music: “Hyfrydol,” Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1830 (MIDI, score).

“A friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Luke 7:34

Je-sus! What a help in sor-row! While the bil-lows o’er me roll, E-ven when my heart is break-ing, He, my com-fort, helps my soul.

Hal-le-lu-jah! What a Sav-ior! Hal-le-lu-jah! What a friend!

Sav-ing, help-ing, keep-ing, lov-ing, He is with me to the end.

Je-sus! What a guide and keep-er! While the tem-pest still is high, Storms a-bout me, night o-er-takes me, He, my pi-lot, hears my cry.

Hal-le-lu-jah! What a Sav-ior! Hal-le-lu-jah! What a friend!

Sav-ing, help-ing, keep-ing, lov-ing, He is with me to the end.

Je-sus! I do now re-ceive Him, More than all in Him I find, He hath grant-ed me for-give-ness, I am His, and He is mine.

Hal-le-lu-jah! What a Sav-ior! Hal-le-lu-jah! What a friend!

Sav-ing, help-ing, keep-ing, lov-ing, He is with me to the end.

You My Wonder Why I’m Gone

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Dear Friend:

I’m sure you’re terrified and confused by all of the terrible events that have occurred. I’m sure you have heard the Rapture theories by now, and you may wonder why I’m gone and you’re here.

You truly are a good person. I know that, and you know that. You’ve tried to be a nice person and help out your fellow man. Maybe you give to the United Way or help out at the homeless soup kitchen.

The Bible says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and it’s so true. You’ve heard the old joke: “God, today I haven’t cursed, cheated, lied, or hurt my fellow man. I haven’t become impatient, greedy, or selfish. But I’m about to get up today, and I’m going to need your help!”

I know you as well as I know myself. I grew up in a terrible family, where I was physically and emotionally abused by people who claimed to be Christians. It took me years to understand that people can say they are anything, but the proof is in their actions. Look around you. Are the phonies still around? Of course!

I understand the doubts and reservations that have kept you from getting “saved”. I always wanted proof that God “really existed” — have you ever told God you would turn your life over to him if only he would show you “real proof” that he existed and cared for you? Well, he has, and you know that or you wouldn’t be here.

God loves you so much, he wants to take care of you, if only you’ll let him! My life has gotten so much better since I turned my life over to God. It’s been difficult at times but God always is there for me. I’ve never been hungry, or homeless, or hopeless once I put my faith in him. Please! Read the page on getting saved, and what you need to do now. Ask God to show you his love, and he will.

Your friend in Christ,

Heather

PS – Look out for the guy who wants to bring peace!

A Lot of People Vanished from the Face of the Earth

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Hey.

My name is Matt. I’m writing this near the end of August in the year 2000. I just turned twenty-four years old. You are reading this because recently a lot of people vanished from the face of the earth. Perhaps their clothes and jewelry just fell to the ground, their bodies disappearing without a trace. I’m sure you are wondering what happened, why it happened, and can it happen again. You’re reading this because you were not one of them. You are one of the people remaining on the earth. I’m writing this because I’m one of those who disappeared, and I want you to know why.

Some of this will not be easy to read, some truth never is. It may be hard to accept, some truth always seems to be. However, it is the truth, and my disappearance is a testimony to that fact. Not only that, but it may surprise you to know that what happened has been prophesied for millennia. It’s my obligation, in writing this letter, to let you know what happened, why it happened, and what’s in store. It’s my hope that you read this with an open mind, examine it for what it says, and think really hard about the ramifications.

First things first. Depending on how much time has passed since the sudden disappearance of millions, you may have heard several theories as to why. I’m sure the scientific community will try to come up with something. Perhaps some will even subscribe to an alien abduction theory. Those are simply not true.

Also, it’s my belief that from the time of the disappearances the earth as you know it only has a limited amount of time remaining. At least seven years, perhaps a few more.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, let me go ahead and tell you what happened. Have you ever heard the term “rapture”? Well that’s what has happened. Rapture means “snatched away.” The rapture is a term Christians have used to describe God’s calling up of His believers to Heaven. You may be asking yourself, “Wasn’t Jesus supposed to come back when this happened?” Well, not exactly. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent, but not for at least another seven years. The rapture, the disappearance of millions, was a prelude to that. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, the apostle Paul states that “…we (Christians) will not all sleep, but we will be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised, imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Those who were alive and genuinely believed in Jesus Christ were the ones who disappeared. They didn’t die, but they were changed. Their physical bodies are no longer here on earth. They are in Heaven. Furthermore, those who believed in Jesus since the founding of the Church nearly two thousand years ago but died were also taken. You may find that some caskets buried in cemeteries are now empty.

Before I continue, it’s important that you know more about Jesus. He is the most important part of this. I’m sure you’ve heard of Him, but maybe have no clue as to who He really is. Well, to understand the rest of this letter, it’s imperative you understand who He is. So if you have one, I recommend you pull out a Bible. I will reference it for the duration of this letter. You will find it helpful.

Quite simply, Jesus is the Son of God; God in the form of a man. About two thousand years ago, God sent Him to earth to die for everyone’s sins. He is the Messiah that many Jews are still looking for today. Unfortunately they missed Him the first time, as did you. The good news is that you all have a second chance.

There are over one hundred prophecies concerning the Messiah in the Old Testament, books of the Bible all written at least four hundred years before Jesus was born. The first chapter of the book of the Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, goes through a genealogy, a family tree as it were, of Jesus. In fact, the very first verse of Matthew calls Jesus the Messiah “the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

Genesis is the first book of the Bible, written well over a thousand years before the birth of Christ. However, in that book (Genesis 12:3, 18:18) God says that through Abraham all the families of the earth shall be blessed, a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Jesus coming from the lineage of David, the king of Israel, is foretold in Psalm 132:11, as well as in Isaiah 11:10, Jeremiah 23:5, and Jeremiah 33:15, all Old Testament references. There are also prophecies (Numbers 24:17) that the Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob. Jesus was (Matthew 1:2). All written at least hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.

Need more proof that Jesus is the Messiah? Isaiah 7:14 (Old Testament) tells us that the Messiah will be born of a virgin. Matthew 1:18-25 (New Testament) details how Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. It’s prophesied in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in the city of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1 says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Chapters 52 and 53 of Isaiah contain prophecies concerning the crucifixion of Jesus. Each of the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), also called The Gospels, contain details concerning the Jesus’ crucifixion. I suggest reading the nineteenth chapter of John. Also read about His resurrection on the third day, also prophesied in the Old Testament.

But you need to know why Jesus was crucified. If it was prophesied for centuries before it happened, why did it happen? Why did it have to happen? Before you know that, you need to realize something. Even though you were left behind, God loves you. God loves you as much as He loves those He took to Heaven. In fact, one of the most famous verses of the Bible speaks of God’s love:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God loves the world… everybody. So God loves you, but that still doesn’t really answer the question of why you were left behind. Why weren’t you raptured? Well, quite simply, God sent Jesus to die for your sins, but you didn’t believe in Him, and trust in Him as your Lord and Savior. Let me tell you why you needed to do that.

1.You’re A Sinner – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

I sinned, you sinned. Everyone has sinned, except for Jesus. He was, is, and always will be God. We aren’t God, so we fall short of Him.

2.Because You’re A Sinner, You Deserve To Die – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Because we have all sinned we all deserve to die, but God sent Jesus as a free gift. He took our place on that cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says “He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf…” I’ll discuss the second half of that first in a moment. Because Jesus was sinless, perfect, He didn’t deserve to die. However, we did. But He died for us so we don’t have to. God can’t permit sin into Heaven, so for us to be able to spend be with God in Heaven, a way needed to be provided so we might be made righteous. The second half of that verse, 2 Corinthians 5:21: “… so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Since Jesus took the place of our sin, we are made righteous; therefore we can be with God. That’s a free gift of eternal life. So why the gift?

3.God Loves You – “But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 We didn’t deserve it, but God loves us so much that even though we are sinners, even though we live 2000 years after Christ died, He still died for us. No matter who you are and no matter what you’ve done, God loves you. That’s ultimate, unconditional love.

4.Confess And Believe – “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9; “for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 You’ve got to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, that God sent Him to die in your place. You have to earnestly receive Him as your Lord and Savior, and confess it with your mouth. You can’t be ashamed of it. Part of really believing it is making it known.

5.Remember, Jesus is the only way – “…I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6 No matter what anyone else might tell you, the Word of God is clear. There is no other way to Heaven, no other way to experience eternal life with God. Jesus is the answer… the only answer.

If you want to become a Christian, I’m going to give you the chance right now. Maybe you don’t even need to read the rest. Maybe you’re already convinced that Jesus is for real. Perhaps you knew people who were Christians that are gone. Well, if you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you can do it right now. Pray this prayer with all your heart.

“Lord, I am a sinner. I confess to you that I am not worthy of the gift you’ve given me. I believe that you sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. I don’t deserve that, but I recognize that You love me and that Jesus is the only way. Thank you for that gift. I also believe that You have power over death. I believe that You can give me eternal life because I believe that You raised Jesus from the dead. I recognize that You are the one and only God. I commit my life to You. Please be my Lord and Savior. I know now that You love me. I love You, too, Lord. Thank You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

If you prayed that and meant it, you are a Christian. I congratulate you and am excited for you. I praise the Lord for your decision. The Bible says that angels rejoice when someone invites Jesus Christ into their life, so rest assured that if you did pray that prayer there’s a party going on in Heaven. If you didn’t pray that prayer, I continue to pray that you will make a decision for Christ. Rest assured, everyone will make a decision about Christ, either to accept Him or reject Him, but I pray you make the right one. The rest of this will not be easy to read, whether you are a Christian or not. However, rest assured that if you are a Christian, this thing has a happy ending.

You may be thinking, “How can a God that loves so much leave people behind?” Well, God is not only loving, but He is also just. He is the one true God, and He will not tolerate sin. He will not put up with people worshipping anything but Him. He loves you, but you have to make the choice to love Him and serve Him.

The rapture was not only meant to gather up Christians into Heaven, but it was also meant to get the world’s attention. In fact, the next seven years or so God is going to pull out all the stops in an effort to get people to recognize that He is the one true God.

The sad thing is, if you were left behind, chances are you will not survive the next seven years or so. They will be, by far, the most tumultuous years in the history of the planet. You may think, “Well it certainly sounds like God is out to get me.” That’s not the case at all. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” To repent means to turn away, in this case turn away from sin. This is your chance to do just that. The remainder of your time on the earth as we know it will not be easy. This is God’s way of getting across His message to those who didn’t believe in Him before the rapture.

Let’s review what the rapture is.

Rapture means “snatched away,” and it’s the term Christians use to describe the event Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. “…We (Christians) will not all sleep, but we will be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised, imperishable, and we will be changed.”

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

This is the rapture, the disappearance of God’s people from the earth. Just remember that you have a second chance to become one of God’s people.

In describing the last days, the apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” He’s referring to the rapture.

You may have heard stories about the last days, wondering why Jesus didn’t come back like so many people said He would. Well, that’s going to happen at the end of this seven-year period I’ve alluded to. Ever since Christ ascended into Heaven following His resurrection (Acts 1:9), Christians have been eagerly anticipating His return. The rapture was the first part of that. It was the part that had to occur like a thief in the night, out of nowhere. Jesus Himself said that no man would know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). Jesus told people to be ready for it in Matthew 24:44 because it would happen unexpectedly. You have to admit that you were taken by surprise!

So what happens next?

I’m not going to dance around the truth. To put it bluntly, you’re going to be experience seven years of hell on earth. Many extraordinary things are going to happen soon, or are perhaps already happening. Before we really get into that, lets go over some of what Jesus Himself said about the end times. Turn your Bible, if you have one, to Matthew 24.

Wars and rumors of war (verse 6): As I write this in the summer of 2000, I go to the major news web sites every day and hear about skirmishes in India and Pakistan, China’s threats of Taiwan and the United States, impending war between Israel and the Palestinians, not to mention the myriad wars that don’t even get ink in the U.S.

Nation will rise against nation, kingdom will rise against kingdom (verse 7): The Greek translation of the word nation here in “ethnos,” referring to an ethnic group or race. I find that especially interesting in today’s world climate. The situation in Bosnia and other Slavic nations is just one example of this, with all of the ethnic fighting going on.

Famines and earthquakes (verse 7): Over the last twenty years we’ve heard a lot about famines in Africa. There seems to be an earthquake of at least six on the Richter scale somewhere in the world every other week.

Christians will be hated, even killed (verse 9): Christians aren’t killed in the U.S. like they are in some other parts of the world, but liberal groups, Hollywood and the media in particular, hate them. However, I read just the other day about a religious war in Indonesia where hundreds, if not thousands, of Christians have been killed. Christians are also killed frequently in the Middle East and African nations.

Many will fall away, hate and betray one another (verse 10): There is a lot of division in the Church, even as I write this. I can only imagine how much worse it has gotten. Many have abandoned their Bible-based beliefs in the name of tolerance. Many have abandoned their Christian beliefs in the liberal belief that all truths and faiths are relative and equal. Christians are hated, looked at as dogmatic, intolerant exclusivists.

Many false prophets will arise (verse 11): This is happening with more frequency as I write this. Take David Koresh and the 1993 Waco standoff for example. Sadly, there are even some false prophets masquerading today on television as Christians. Excessive lawlessness, the love of most will grow cold (verse 12): Crime is rampant. Apathy is the norm.

Even as I write this, I feel the climate is right for the rapture, and the events after the rapture. There is no really strong government in the world anymore. For most of the century the United States was looked at as the superpower. It still is, but the sphere of influence my country’s government once had is shrinking. This is due to incapable leadership and godlessness. The political weather is right for a major government shake-up.

Perhaps this is already happening to some extent, depending on how long after the disappearances you read this, but the entire world is about to be united under one government. And you need to be on the lookout for a dynamic new leader who the world will look at as perfect, the man to solve the world’s problems. The Bible calls this man Antichrist, and many scholars believe, including I, that he will be of some sort of Roman descent. The Bible says that Antichrist will come from the people who destroyed the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman Empire.

Antichrist will rise to power quickly, so fast you may not have heard of him before it happens. He will be immensely popular. He will continue to make waves as his new one-world government signs some sort of seven-year pact with the nation of Israel. The only real specific concerning the details of this agreement is that Israel is promised peace.

The signing of this seven-year agreement will signify the beginning of this period I’ve talked about. You may have heard of it before: the tribulation. These will be the most horrific years in the history of the planet. Three-fourths of the population that did not disappear will die before the end of the tribulation. Think about that. Seventy-five percent of, three out of four, people will be gone. This period will not be easy, but since you did not receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior before the rapture, you have to go through this. You may not live through it. In fact, if you are a Christian now, the chances of you living through it are even slimmer. But before I really get into what will happen during this seven years, let me tell you what will happen at the end of it.

When the seven years is over, this will happen: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war… And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'” (Revelation 19:11, 16)

Any time you see the word “He” capitalized it’s referring to God… Jesus. This is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When the seven-year tribulation is over Jesus will return physically to earth to set up a kingdom. He will rid the world of Satan and Antichrist during that time. You may have heard references to the millennial kingdom. That’s what this is. This period of history, the greatest ever on earth, will last for one thousand years, before Satan is gone for good.

Another thing. Once Jesus has returned to set up His millennial kingdom, you will have had to make a decision about Him. That’s what these next seven years are for. Any doubt about whether or not there is a God will be removed. People who haven’t decided one way or the other about Jesus Christ will have to make a decision to follow Him or deny Him. I implore you, if you haven’t already prayed the prayer I outlined earlier to do so. You do not want to endure these seven years without Jesus!

So what happens during the tribulation? Well, I’ve already pointed out that Antichrist will rise to power and be the leader of a new world government. Revelation is the last book of the New Testament, the last book of the Bible. A man named John, who was also one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, wrote it. The book is a written account of a vision of the future given to John by the Lord Himself back in the late first century A.D.

In the first verse of chapter four, John sees a door open up in heaven, and a voice tells him to “Come up here.” I believe this is symbolic of the rapture. Others might disagree with my assessment of this verse, but since you are only reading this if I was right, and the rapture occurred before the time of tribulation, I think it’s symbolic of God removing His people, the Church, the true believers, in this case symbolized by John, from the earth before the tribulation begins.

The tribulation is divided into three separate sets of seven judgments: (1) the seal judgments, (2) the trumpet judgments, and (3) the bowl (or vial) judgments. These judgments get progressively worse over the course of the seven years.

The Seal Judgments

1.The white horse (Revelation 6:1-2) – This is the Antichrist. He comes with a bow but no arrows, and he wears a crown. I think this signifies that the Antichrist will be the “king of the world,” the leader of the one-world government. That he comes with a bow but no arrows signifies that he will not use military force to attain his position. It will be slick diplomacy. You may have already witnessed his coming to power.

2.The red horse (Revelation 6:3-4) – War. There will be peace at the beginning of the tribulation. The Antichrist will gain the support of the large majority through seemingly miraculous diplomacy. There will be worldwide peace, but it will not last. There will be an uprising against Antichrist, creating a world war. Many will die. With today’s weaponry, there is reason to believe that mass destruction and bloodshed could occur in a short time. This war may only last a matter of weeks or months.

3.The black horse (Revelation 6:5-6) – After a war like that, famine will occur and inflation will rise. The Bible says that oil and wine will not be damaged. Many scholars believe that is a prophecy saying that the rich will get richer, they will not suffer like the rest of the world, and that there will be inflation.

4.The pale/ashen horse (Revelation 6:7-8) – This horse is named Death, and Hades follows with him. I believe this horse coincides with the previous two. Authority is given to this horse to kill a fourth of the population. It’s reasonable to believe that a war such as the one predicted with the red horse, and the famine of the black horse could wipe out a billion or more people.

5.Martyrdom of Tribulation Saints (Revelation 6:9-11) – The Bible calls those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior after the rapture tribulation saints. When this seal is broken, many of them are killed. If you have received Christ after the rapture, the hard truth is that you may be killed for your belief in Jesus.

6.The Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:12-17) – God pours out His wrath over the killing of many of His people with a great earthquake. The sky will turn dark, the moon will look like blood, and the stars will disappear. Mountains and islands will be moved from where they sit. Verse 16 talks about men trying to hide from Him who sits on the throne. I think this means that many people will be convinced about the truth of who Jesus Christ is after this earthquake, if they survive. This will be the worst earthquake in history, and it will be worldwide.

By the time of the earthquake, there will be many Jews coming to believe in Jesus. Revelation 7:4 talks about 144,000 Jewish witnesses. These witnesses, new tribulation saints, will be protected supernaturally from the judgments to come. The previous verse talks about being sealed on their foreheads, probably some supernatural way of believers being able to tell one another apart. This may sound like science-fiction, but remember that these are the last days! God will be pulling out all the stops. There is some speculation that all tribulation saints, not just Jews, will receive this seal.

In Revelation 7:9, John sees in his vision a multitude that no one could number coming to receive Jesus Christ. This means perhaps a billion people will come to know Christ. Later on in Revelation John talks about an army numbering two hundred million. If he can see that number, but can’t see the number of the great multitude, how much more must that be. Over a billion perhaps?

7.Issuing in the Trumpet Judgments (Revelation 8:1-2) – The seventh seal issues in the next series of judgments. Those judgments are so severe that the Bible says “When He (Jesus) opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Heaven is normally portrayed as a place of great joy. Imagine how bad it will get that Heaven goes silent.

The Trumpet Judgments

1.Storm of Hail, Fire, and Blood (Revelation 8:7) – One-third of the earth’s trees and all of the grass will be scorched when hail, fire, and blood rain down from the sky. The ecological ramifications will be devastating. This judgment was predicted back in the Old Testament, too, in Joel 2:30.

2.The Mountain of Fire (Revelation 8:8-9) – Following the disaster from the first trumpet, there will be a “great mountain burning with fire.” This, perhaps, will be a giant meteor. It will land in the ocean and turned a third of the water to blood. A third of all the creatures of the sea will die, a third of the ships will sink.

3.Wormwood (Revelation 8:10-11) – Many men will die when another meteor-type object falls into the rivers of the earth. The water will become bitter and poisonous.

4.One-Third of the Sun Is Struck (Revelation 8:12) – God will do something only He is capable of doing when He somehow reduces the amount of energy and light the sun, moon, and stars radiate by a third. The earth will turn cold. We can also imagine from “a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night,” that an extra third of the day that is now daylight will be dark. In other words, if there are twelve hours of daylight there will only be eight.

Before the last three trumpets are blown, there is an ominous warning in the book of Revelation. “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels are about to sound!” (Revelation 8:13)

5.Apollyon the Destroyer (Revelation 9:1-11) – This passage of Scripture talks about an angel (demon) unlocking a “bottomless pit.” From the pit smoke will fill the air, along with locust-type creatures that will torment those who have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior for five months. Those who are tormented will want to die, but according to Scripture “death will flee from them.” It’s hard to imagine the kind of carnage that will result from this. People will want to die. They’ll try to kill themselves, however, they want to be able to. The Bible says these locusts had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. In Hebrew the name of that angel (or demon, as it were) is Abaddon. In Greek the name is Apollyon. The name means “destroyer”.

6.200,000,000 Horsemen (Revelation 9:13-19) – The second of the three “woes” is unleashed. There will be an army of 200 million horsemen who will kill a third of mankind, all unbelievers, those who don’t have the seal of God on their foreheads. They will be supernatural beings. Many people believe that tribulation saints will be able to see them, but unbelievers will not. They will be frightening to even look at. They will sting with their mouth and their tails.

7.Ushering In The Great Tribulation (Revelation 11:15-19) – Just as the seventh seal judgment ushered in the trumpet judgments, this seventh trumpet judgment ushers in the bowl judgments. While the seal and trumpet judgments will all talk place during the first three-and-a-half years of the tribulation, these final seven will occur during the last three-and-a-half, which is called the Great Tribulation. This judgment will not really be one that people on earth will witness, but the Bible says that heaven will rejoice because they will know that Christ’s ultimate victory, His return, is coming soon.

I’ll get into the bowl (or vial) judgments in a minute, but I think it’s important to talk about the difference between the first half (three-and-a-half years) of the tribulation and the second half, which is called the Great Tribulation. I’ll also quickly go over some events that will take place at the midpoint of the seven years. You also need to know about two men. Since you are one of those left behind after the rapture, you may have already heard of them on the news.

The Two Witnesses

“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague as often as they desire.” (Revelation 11:3-6)

These two witnesses, two men, will provide hope to those who receive Christ after the rapture. They will be a thorn in the Antichrist’s side, so to speak, because they will be invincible for the first three-and-a-half years of the tribulation. They will proclaim the name of Jesus and many will come to believe through them. People who come against them will die.

So who are these men? Many believe they are two of the following: Elijah, Enoch, and Moses. Enoch was a godly man who never died. (Genesis 5:24) Elijah was a great Hebrew prophet who also never died (2 Kings 2:11-12). Moses is the only one of the three that did die. I’m one of the people subscribing to the belief that they are Elijah and Moses, arguably the two most influential men of the Old Testament. They were also the two men who were with Jesus and three of His disciples when He was transfigured (Matthew 17). Also, Moses and Elijah are men who have already performed miracles that these two men will do.

When their three-and-a-half years of invincibility are complete, at the midpoint of the tribulation, they will be murdered by the Antichrist, and the unbelievers in the world will love it. They will not be buried, instead their bodies will be left to rot. People will be so happy they will exchange gifts. However, their celebration will turn sour three-and-a-half days later. God will raise these two men from the dead, then bring them to heaven. At that time in Jerusalem there will be an earthquake. Seven thousand people will die and a tenth of the city will fall. Many will come to believe in Jesus as a result of this.

The Murder of the Antichrist

The two witnesses will not be the only men to die at the midpoint of the tribulation. Antichrist will also be murdered (Revelation 13:3). However, Satan being a poor imitation of the one true God, Satan himself will possess the Antichrist. He will “miraculously” rise from the dead. The world will be amazed. Furthermore, the Bible says that the temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and that Satan, possessing the Antichrist, will declare himself to be god in the temple. The Bible calls this the “abomination of desolation.”

Since Satan will then possess the Antichrist, the next three-and-a-half years will be called The Great Tribulation. They will be even worse the first half.

The Great Tribulation

The Mark of the Beast

During the Great Tribulation the Antichrist will require all people to bear a special mark, either on the forehead or on the hand. It will not be forced on anyone, but you will not be able to buy or sell without it. Technology already exists as I write this to put a system like this into place. I’ve read stories about the Digital Angel, a microchip that could be placed in the forehead or hand. There are serious ramifications for taking the mark, though. It is irrevocable. Those who take it will not enter heaven. Christians will have to survive somehow without it.

The Bowl Judgments (Revelation 16)

1.Painful Sores – Those who take the mark of the beast, worshipping Antichrist, will develop painful boil-like sores. This judgment will not affect tribulation saints.

2.Seas Turn To Blood – Quite simply, the oceans and seas will turn to blood, and every living creature in them will die. Can you imagine the ramifications? The fishing industry would be destroyed, but furthermore, the dead animals would rise to the surface. The potential for disease is huge here.

3.Rivers and Springs Become Blood – The rest of the world’s water sources will be turned to blood, creating havoc. Can you imagine a world without a water supply? Well, it’s going to happen. You have to think that by this point in time, probably before, there will no doubt in anyone’s mind that there is a God. The only question is, whom do you serve? God or Antichrist?

4.Scorching Heat – The same way God took away one-third of the sun, moon, and stars in the fourth trumpet judgment, turning the earth cold, this time the sun will be scorched. Immense heat will be the result. It will be the worst heat wave in history.

5.The World Goes Dark – Revelation 16:10-11 says that the kingdom of Antichrist (the world) will be plunged into darkness, i.e. the entire world will go dark. Jesus foretold of this judgment in Mark 13:24. What will a world without light be like? I can only imagine the frustration that will envelop the people.

6.Euphrates River Dries Up – Arguably the most important river in the history of the world, the Euphrates will dry up. However, that’s not all, because Revelation 16:12 says that the drying up of the river will make way for the “kings of the east” to participate in what is widely known as the Battle of Armageddon. Who are the kings of the east? As I’m writing this most prophecy scholars I respect believe this refers to the far east (or the Orient). Because of all these calamities happening to the earth, it’s possible some sort of alliance of Oriental nations will oppose Antichrist. However, because the Antichrist will be a great deceiver, these nations will probably align with him to fight their real enemy, Jesus.

7.Babylon Destroyed – Revelation 16:17-21 describes the seventh bowl judgment. There will be an earthquake so great that the topography of the earth will be altered. Islands and mountains will be gone. “The great city” is probably a reference to Antichrist’s kingdom. It will be destroyed.

THE GLORIOUS APPEARING: THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

It’s all been leading up to this. When the seven years are complete, Jesus Christ will return to earth. Every eye will see Him. The Antichrist and his armies will try to make war with Christ. At that time all those who have failed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior will perish. The Antichrist and a False Prophet who will be at his side will be thrown into the lake of fire. Satan will be bound up for one thousand years.

The one thousand year reign of Jesus Christ will be the most glorious era in the history of this world. At the end of that time, Satan will be released for the abyss for a short time. Then he will deceive many and try one last time to overthrow God. However, Satan will then be thrown into the lake of fire, and everyone will then be judged by whether or not they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Those who have not will join Satan in the lake of fire. Those who have will be with the Lord for eternity.

Where do you stand? The rapture has already taken place. The wheels are in motion for the final stanza of history. I am no expert on Biblical prophecy, but I have studied it and these are the basics. The message is clear. I encourage you to study as well.

But most of all make a decision concerning Jesus. He loves you and He wants you to be with Him for eternity. You were left behind once. Don’t be deceived. Time is short. Make a decision today.

What is the Rapture Anyhow?

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Pre-Tribulation RaptureThe Rapture is an event where the groom comes to take his bride away, to be married to her forever.  Seriously, that’s what it is.

Only the groom is the Messiah, the Son of God, better known as Jesus or Yeshua, and the bride is not a single person, but all people who corporately believe in Jesus and trust him, male and female alike, living and dead.  The bride is better known as ‘the church’.

This supernatural event is not to be confused with the Second Coming, which happens after the Rapture, when Christ returns to defeat his enemies in Israel; namely the anti-Christ, the False Prophet, and everyone else who foolishly believes that they can fight and defeat God himself.

The Rapture is a rescue story, known as the Blessed Hope…which is the hope that all believers have, or should have, that their Savior is coming to rescue them from hell that people who remain on Earth will experience for a 7 year period of time known as The Tribulation, if they even survive it, for 2/3 of all mankind will perish, either at the hand of the anti-Christ who will tirelessly persecute and work to exterminate both Jews and new converts to Christianity, or as a result of God’s wrath that is unleashed upon earth in biblical proportions; earthquakes, tsunamis, hail storms, fire, a meteor impact,war, even nuclear war, violence, disease, famine, wild animals and more.  The Bible says if these days were not cut short all mankind would perish.

The idea of the Rapture is often ridiculed and said to be something that it is not. Some people insist that the concept of the Rapture is not biblical as the word can not be found in the Bible.  Others even get angry and defensive about which view on the timing of the Rapture is correct.

Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:4

While the word ‘Rapture’ itself is not in the Bible, it’s Greek equivalent is.  You see, the New Testament was written entirely in Greek and later translated into Latin and English.  The Greek word is ‘harpazo’ and means to be plucked out, taken up or snatched away quickly.  Harpazo translated into Latin is ‘rapio’ from where we get our English word ‘Rapture’, however, in the Bible it is usually translated as ‘caught up‘.

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)

Most all Bible translations use the phase ‘caught up’, but a few say ‘carried away’, ‘caught away together’, ‘taken in the clouds’, or ‘taken up together’.

 

1 Corinthians 15:50-55

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?

 

So there you have it, when the trumpet sounds, those who belong to Christ will be given their new immortal bodies and caught up, or taken away to the Father’s house in Heaven for a royal wedding.

Do you think such a thing is difficult for God? The Creator of the Universe…