There’s Hope For All Who Follow The Instructions

There’s Hope For All Who Follow The Instructions 

**Fellow believers, please let's not divide on this issue. Prayerfully study God's Word and love one another whether you agree or disagree.**

Tomorrow I am also going to repost my husband's excellent writing that gives some excellent advice as well, not just for the sake of being overly redundant, but to help you all understand what the Bible tells us about the end of days. I pray for all to be safe.

Here is the excerpt from chapter 15 in my (unpublished) novel, "The Visionary" that I mentioned I would post.  It was previously posted with more from this same chapter https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/questions-and-answers-about-rapture.html , but here is the conversation about how we can best prepare for the tribulation. 

Chapter #15

“I dreamt about concentration camps for Christians,” Jubilee stated in a near-whisper, “I know you have too. Does that mean that those of us that refuse the Mark of the Beast are all doomed to suffer?”

Her eyes were so round and expression so fearful, Peter instinctively wanted to comfort her. “Don’t worry, J.B., there’s hope for all who follow the instructions. Right after Jesus tells His disciples that hearts will fail from fear, He goes on to say in Luke 21:27-28, ‘Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.’ If you then read Revelation 12, verse 6 mentions a woman who flees to the wilderness, ‘where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.’ The woman represents the True church and the Christians who are being persecuted by the Anti-Christ, the one referred to as the dragon in this chapter. Although Revelation is full of symbolism, we can take verse six literally. If we flee to remote locations and make certain to stockpile enough food for a minimum of 1,260 days, or roughly three and a half years, we stand a good chance of surviving to see the Lord’s return where we will be transformed and meet Him in the air. Turn now to Revelation 12 and read verses 13-17.”

She read, “’Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’” She silently reread the verses again before saying, “I see the symbolism again of the Antichrist and the woman’s child representing believers. I’m guessing that the ‘time and times and half a time’ also refers to three and a half years of safety in the wilderness areas.”

“Honestly, I’ve heard many theories about the meaning behind ‘time and times and half a time,’ but when you compare it with the above 1,260 days as you just did, logic states this also means three and a half years,” he agreed.

“What you are saying makes so much sense. You’ve cleared up a lot for me, but I still feel like I have a million more questions,” she said with a sigh.

“I know there’s a lot to discuss, but we don’t have to talk about it all in one night,” Peter reminded.

“You say seven years of the tribulation just as Revelation suggests, but why are only the last three and half years the most dangerous?” Jubilee wondered.

“The entire seven years will be fraught with danger, including the time before the official start of the tribulation. In Mark 13:8 Jesus says, ‘For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.’ So even before the beginning of the end, this world will be in great peril,” Peter answered, “I don’t know exactly when during the actual tribulation period that we’ll move, only that the last half is when the Bible mentions fleeing for safety’s sake. All I know is that God has promised to make it clear to let me know when the time is right. If I had to guess, the move will happen one and a half to three years into the tribulation so that we have time to prepare the area for the people we will help feed and protect,” Peter went on to explain, “I also believe the reason why the last half of the tribulation will be the worst part for believers is because of what those verses in Revelation 12 tell us, that the dragon will be warring his worst against us, and it will be crucial to flee before the Mark of the Beast is mandatory.”

Please Do Not Let Fear Influence What You Believe

Please Do Not Let Fear Influence What You Believe

Please do not let fear of what will take place during the Tribulation influence what you believe what he Bible actually says concerning pre- or post-tribulation rapture.   I truly believe that many people want to believe in a pre-trib rapture not because they are too lazy to read the Bible on their own and just want to rely on what someone else has convinced them it says, but because they are afraid to face the atrocities written about in the Old Testament and Revelation. 

Please be assured that you have no need to fear; God will be with you when you obey Him.  Yes, it will be a very scary time (Luke 21:26 - Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.), but if you follow the instructions from the Bible, God will keep you safe during the tribulation.

Luke 17 is a strong reminder that God keeps His faithful safe.  These verses point out Noah and Lot because God did not rapture them from off the planet, He provided a way of safety for them.  Noah had to be proactive by building the ark and Lot had to trust the angels to lead him to safety.  If we also follow God's words, we too can be safe when the time comes.

(Luke 17:26-30) And as it was in the days of [Noah], so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

It does not say they were taken away but were present on the earth when the punishments were dealt out.  They survived because they heeded God's warnings.

Let me give you a few scriptures to show you what I am referring to, then I will give you the same links from a recent writing, "Discerning the Signs of the Times."  Then tomorrow I will post another excerpt from "The Visionary" that will give a little more information.

This first portion of scripture tells us we will be safe if we go into hiding (enter our chambers), while the tribulation takes place (indignation, other versions say wrath, which is another word to describe the end of days).  Also note the end of that section that says only after this will Jesus' return. (You can read all of chapters 26-27 for the full context.)

(Isaiah 26:20-21 & 27:13) Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land... and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

The woman represents the True church going into hiding during the tribulation, where she will be protected by Giod for roughly 3.5 years.  This correlates with Daniel 12:8-13.  You can read all of chapter 12 in both Revelation and Daniel for full context.

(Revelation 12:6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Links to other writings on the subject of the timing of Jesus' return:

Discerning the Signs of the Times https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/09/discerning-signs-of-times.html

Mark 13:3-8, 13-14, 21-27, & 32-37: "When shall these things be?" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/01/mark-133-8-13-14-21-27-32-37-when-shall.html

 Zephaniah 2:3The Great Day of the Lord, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/zephaniah-23-great-day-of-lord-written.html

Luke 17 & 22: Where the Eagles Gather https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/02/luke-17-22-where-eagles-gather.html

Questions and Answers About the Rapture https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/questions-and-answers-about-rapture.html

The Truth About the Second Coming of Christ, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-truth-about-second-coming-of-christ.html

Dream of the Return of Christ and Preparation for his Coming, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2017/04/dream-of-return-of-christ-by-mel.html

Revelation 3:1-22: The Seven Churches: Part Two, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/05/revelation-31-22-seven-churches-part.html

The Slow Backslide

The Slow Backslide

Last night, after watching a Gaither Homecoming playlist, one of my favorite songs sung by Russ Taff kept coming back to my mind.  The song was "More Than Ever," written by Bill & Gloria Gaither and Woody Wright. I have always loved that song as it seems like it was written about me (lyrics posted at the end of this writing and you can watch that song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79KwExkr76s&list=RD79KwExkr76s&start_radio=1 

As a child, I had such a close walk with Jesus and wanted so much to please my Lord.  I thought about how I was so conscientious as a young girl to obey the Bible and I would feel true guilt when I sinned.  I also began to wonder when all that had changed.  

I was never a rebellious child, I never drank, did drugs, or slept around (even though the majority of my friends did).  My worst offense as a teenager was breaking curfew a few times during my senior year when I was 17.  In spite of the fact that I wanted to fit in with my peers and was not a perfect kid by any means, I ultimately still wanted to honor my Christian beliefs by not straying away from the morals I grew up with.

Even as an adult, I still abstained from drugs, alcohol, and premarital sex, but somewhere along the way, grieving God was not oh so important. Although I cannot pinpoint an exact time frame, as I look back now, I can see that I had been slowly backsliding away from my close walk with Jesus.   

There are so many things I can blame on my slowly callusing heart.  The deep pains of circumstances or working massive hours combined with socially demanding friends that kept me away from Bible study and prayer.  But those are excuses to try to justify my actions, and true repentance does not blame anyone or any circumstance for their choice to sin.  We are all responsible for the choices we make and actions we take.

My choices became less and less about making sure I pleased God and more about pleasing my flesh - in my case I am referring to my entertainment choices.  I chose the rockiest music to match my anger issues, and I was drawn to Fantasy movies/books and police/crime dramas full of the occult and violence respectively.  Did my soul cry out a warning as the Holy Spirit convicted me?  You bet!  I felt a deep sense of conviction as I watched witches and wizards perform spells, read sex scenes in novels, and sang along with the Satanic beats in the music.  But did I heed those warnings?  Nope!  I continued to watch, read, and listen to the ungodly things God hates.  And I continued to feel oppressed, angry, bitter, and distant from God.

It wasn't until I was let go from a job that was downsizing the company in December 2011 (17 days before Christmas) that I began to finally get back into daily Bible study.  I was inactive enough with my free time of unemployment that I could actually pay attention to the Lord calling me back to Him. I don't know how long it had been since I had read my Bible outside of church, but I began a daily commitment to Bible study and prayer.  For perhaps the first time in my life I began really reading the words, not just rereading what I had heard or read for 39 years.  The Holy Spirit opened up the Bible as never before to me, and I was able to see what the Bible truly said versus what other people had been saying.  My heart was softening, and my soul was being renewed. 

Then I met Mel in March 2012!  I had given up on ever getting married, but I knew pretty quickly that he was the Godly man I had been waiting so many years for.  97 Days later, we were married!  Together we delved deeper into God's word, were set free from all false religious beliefs from our pasts and learned to be Biblical Christians truly wanting to please God and not man.  We eventually gave up all tv/movies and purged our home of a wide variety of books and music.  We have embraced true salvation without legalism or greasy grace, but through Bible study and prayer, have learned to walk in the light, love, and True freedom in Jesus Christ!  I can truly say "Now more than ever, I cherish the cross" and crave "sitting at His feet."

My point in this tale is that backsliding away from your walk with Jesus may not be something blatantly obvious like an affair, committing a crime, etc., but can happen a little bit at a time as you allow yourself to believe that the so-called harmless sins are no big deal. The more you harden your heart, the easier it becomes to turn a blind eye to nudity in a movie, dance to the beat of the "Christian" music that mock's the holiness of Christ rather than reveres Him, or shrugs off the witches casting real spells in your books and movies.  

So please, listen to the Holy Spirit telling you to walk away from the things God hates.  Do not ignore the sick feelings you get in your spirit when listening, reading, watching, or participating in ungodly activities.  If you find yourself in a slow backslide, quickly reverse gears and come back to God today! 

(Hebrews 4:7) Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

I know I have posted these links before, but here they are again on further writings on backsliding: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/09/what-bribes-have-we-taken-to-crucify.html , https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/hosea-141-9-hope-for-backslider.html , &  https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/ezekiel-1823-33-when-righteous-turn.html

More Than Ever

Written By Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Woody Wright

When I started my journey in fresh child-like trust

I believe that the Lord's way was best
I would read in His word how He mothered the bird
And grieved when it felt off its nest

How I felt His delight when I chose to do right
And I prayed I would not make Him sad
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day
What a pure sweet communion we had

Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross
More than ever, I sit at His feet
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true
And He is so precious to me

The road I have travelled has sometimes been steep
Through wild jagged places of life
Sometimes I've stumbled and fallen so hard
That the stones cut my soul like a knife
But the staff of my shepherd would reach out for me
And lift me to cool pastures green
With oil of the Spirit, anointing my wounds
Then I rest by the clear healing stream

Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross
More than ever, I sit at His feet
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true
And He is so precious to me

Is love's old sweet story too good to be true?
Do you find all this hard to believe?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart
That the hurt child inside you can't grieve?
I can't say I blame, I've been where you are
But all I can say is, it's true
You're wanted, you're precious, you're the love of His heart
And the old rugged cross was for you!

Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross
More than ever, I sit at His feet
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true
And He is so precious to me

Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross
More than ever, I sit at His feet
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true
And He is so precious to me

Oh, He is so precious to me

Yes, He is so precious to me 

When you Pass Through the Waters

Because I just finished posting my series on Biblical angels, I wanted to also repost this blog from in March 2020.  It is a fictional writing I did based on 2 true stories of angelic protection.

It is very rare for me to allow anyone to read even one page of a novel I am working on before the entire store is done and been through several edits (except for my hubby).  Yet, I feel like I would like to share the prologue from the novel I was working on in 2014 titled "And the Two Shall Become One" (not finished yet, but I have finished writing 3 other novels since then).  Keep in mind that the details are not exact.  Such as, I don't remember the exact name of the lake where my story occurred.  And I have been told two different versions of the same story, but this is my memory.  This novel is going to be fictional accounts mixed with factual ones.  What is very true is that Mel (Paul) & I (Elizabeth) were both...  Well, you'll see.

Prologue :When you Pass Through the Waters

 
(Isaiah 43:2)When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  

 

The summer of 1970 was his best year so far.  At just five years old, Paul knew this would always be one of his favorite vacation memories.  His family had left Kansas City, MO in their Coachmen motorhome a week ago to see the countryside.  The ultimate goal was to see Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park.

Mt. Rushmore had been such a mesmerizing site he knew would never forget it.  He may have already forgotten which president was which, but the view of four large faces carved into the side of a mountain would always be a cherished image. Tomorrow they would see Yellowstone!  He was so excited he bounded out the doors of the motorhome as they stopped for lunch.

Paul asked his parents if he could play on the swings while the adults prepared the meal.  His father looked around, saw all was safe, and told his young son not to be too long as lunch would be ready soon.

The little brown-haired, blue-eyed boy with a big, dimpled grin thanked his dad and trotted off toward the swings.  He carried his red fire engine in his little hands.  He loved the yellow ladder on the back that moved up and down.  He often wished the truck was bigger or he was smaller so he could climb the ladder.

If the weeds growing behind the swings had not been so high, Paul’s father would have seen the swift-moving canal and never would have allowed the precious son of his old age to play near such a death trap.

Paul spotted a cement culvert and decided this was much more interesting than your every-day swing set.  He climbed aboard a pipe but was off-balance as he still clutched his fire truck.  Trying to catch his balance, the plastic engine slipped from his tiny hands. Without hesitation, Paul leaned down from atop the pipe to grab for his favorite toy.  He landed headfirst into the rapidly moving water of the canal.  He was in over his head and could not yet swim.  The current was pulling him under toward the pipe.

It was strange, he realized, that he could breathe.  It was as if an invisible pocket of air had been placed around his nose and mouth and gave him aid.

Let yourself go into the pipe, and you will be able to get out.

Paul was not sure where the voice had come from, but it had an unholy echo to it, and something inside him hesitated to trust the advice.  Yet, he knew he had to act soon.  

Just as soon as he moved closer to the opening in the underwater pipe, a different Voice spoke. This one sounded like silky honey.

Paul, look up!  I am going to save you!

There was something more familiar in the second Voice.  Something safe.

Just as Paul felt himself being sucked into the pipe, he looked up and two strong hands grabbed his wrists.  They pulled until Paul was safely back on dry ground.  He looked around.  Who had saved him?  There was no one to be seen in any direction.  The only sight before his eyes was his family’s motorhome.

There was no mistaking what had just occurred.  He excitedly ran back to the large vehicle.

“What happened?” his mother cried as she saw her beloved son standing before her drenched from head to toe.

Paul’s face beamed and his eyes glowed as he declared, “Jesus saved me!”

“What do you mean?”

“Jesus pulled me out of the water.”

There was no question in his parents’ eyes as they embraced their boy.  Young Paul had a calling on his life and Jesus had indeed saved their son from death.

  *********************************************************************

            To look at the small girl with platinum blonde hair and big blue eyes, one would assume she was three or possibly four.  They never would have guessed Elizabeth was just two months away from celebrating her sixth birthday.  Yet, her petite stature never hindered Elizabeth from trying to keep up with the bigger kids.  She was adventurous and hated being under-estimated.

            This particular hot July day in 1978 was no exception.  The tiny five-year-old raced behind her cousins and older sister as the group went splashing into Seneca Lake in New York.  It was the perfect day for a swim at their annual family reunion.  All the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents were there.

            Elizabeth giggled as her older cousin Jennifer tossed her a bright rainbow-colored beach ball.  The ball slipped through her small fingers, and she decided to chase after it. 

            The sun stung her sensitive eyes, bouncing off the shiny water and making it difficult for her to see.  She blinked as her vision blurred and she knew something was not right.  She no longer felt sand beneath her bare feet.  She kicked at the nothingness and felt herself sinking.  

            Elizabeth’s swimming skills were barely passable, and she was not strong enough to fight the water pulling her down.  As her head went under, she saw her mother and father on the beach.  They were talking.  Everyone was talking.  No one was watching.  They all assumed the older kids would look after the younger ones.

            Something terrible was happening and Elizabeth knew she should fight, but her immature mind could not quite grasp the seriousness of the situation.

It happened so fast!  She sank below into the clear blueness.  She bobbed back up for a quick gasp of air.  No time to scream.  Yet, she felt no need to scream.  She felt peace.  She felt calm.  She felt two strong arms grab a hold of her and carry her high into the air.  The man was so large she felt as if a tree was carrying her.

There was no tightness in her lungs.  No panic.  No fear.  There were none of the usual symptoms associated with a typical near-drowning experience.  Elizabeth felt safe in the stranger’s arms as he gently laid her on a plastic beach lounge chair.  She looked up into his face.  He had shoulder-length blonde hair, no, make that gold hair and kind eyes.  She squinted as the sun shining from his face blinded her just as the sun reflecting off the water had done moments ago.

Suddenly family surrounded Elizabeth as they now realized what had occurred and that they had almost lost the little girl.

Elizabeth turned to the stranger, but he was gone.

“Who was the man that saved my daughter?”  Elizabeth’s mother cried, “I want to thank him.”

Yet, no one could answer.  It was as if the tall man had come from nowhere just to rescue Elizabeth and just as mysteriously disappeared.

As Elizabeth’s mother wrapped the child in a towel, the tiny girl could see the concern mixed with confusion in the adults’ eyes staring at her.

“I’m okay,” Elizabeth reassured them, “The angel saved me.”  

And then she fell into a peaceful sleep.

Exploring the Angels of the Bible, Part 9

Exploring the Angels of the Bible, Part 9 

This is the conclusion of this series.  

While so many people are focusing on the demonic things of Halloween, I thought I would post my series on angels from the Bible. 

The word "angel" is listed in Revelation 72 times (KJV), so, as with the rest of the series, I will not be mentioning all accounts.  

The Book of Revelation was written by one of Jesus' original 12 apostles, John who also wrote John & 1, 2, 3 John.  He was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was eventually released and continued to preach until he died of old age in Ephesus.  He was the only one of the apostles not martyred (not counting Judas Iscariot who committed suicide). 

While I always say that for the majority of the Bible " you can pretty much take it as face value without trying to interpret it from a different language or try to find secret codes in between the words," the exceptions to that rule are the prophetic books in the Old Testament as well as Revelation.  They are difficult to understand due to being full of symbolism.  That is not to say that, as I have recently heard a prominent singer declare, that these books are merely allegories.  Make no mistake, they are real prophesies (many in the OT have already come to pass), and these things are indeed coming, and coming quickly.  For example, there may not be an actual beast with 7 heads and 10 horns as this is symbolic, but there will be at least one antichrist with immense power.  But I digress as this is not a writing about the prophecies in Revelation, as that would have to be a whole different multi-part series.

Therefore, because it would also take several more parts to this series to go into all the angelic mentions in Revelation, I will only mention a few passages. Let's just dig into the first chapter and go from there.

(Revelation 1:1-2) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Most of the time throughout the book an angel is John's guide, but He also has an amazing encounter with Jesus.

(Revelation 1:10-20) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book..." And I turned to see the voice that spake with me... And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man... His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter... The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

Now we know the seven churches each have an angel assigned to them.  My husband wrote an excellent 2-part series on the seven churches that you can read here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/05/revelation-21-29-seven-churches-part.html & Julie's Bible Journey: Revelation 3:1-22: The Seven Churches: Part Two, Written by my Husband

Along with the elders and beasts (etc.), angels are twice viewed in John's vision as worshipping God around the throne (although I am sure they are always there not just when specifically mentioned by John) and singing beautiful songs, many of which have been turned into songs we love to sing.  I have heard someone once claim that technically the angels are not mentioned as singing but speaking. This may or may not be accurate, but for someone like me who practically breathes music more than spoken words, I cannot imagine simply speaking to the King of Kings but praising Him with music (maybe even with my trumpet) as loudly and reverently as I can! How much more profound will it be to sing all the actual songs John heard with the angels before the Holy of Holies!  I cannot even fully grasp how amazing that will be.

As you read these two portions, consider signing them, or speaking if that seems more technical to you, but do so in an act of worship and really let the heavenly words sink into your soul.   

(Revelation 5:11-13) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. "

(Revelation 7:11-12) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

As I conclude this series, I will say again what I did at the start, we are not to worship angels, but only the Holy trinity.

(Revelation 19:10) And I fell at his feet to worship him (the angel). And he said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

(Revelation 22:8-9) And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."

And I will end with these words of Jesus:

(Revelation 22:11-21) "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let him that heareth say, "Come." And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely... He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Exploring the Angels of the Bible, Part 8

 Exploring the Angels of the Bible, Part 8 

While so many people are focusing on the demonic things of Halloween, I thought I would repost my series on angels from the Bible. 

There are several times in the New Testament where it reports that the disciples of the risen Jesus were imprisoned for speaking for Christ.  We don't know all the accounts of all His followers of course, so we cannot know how many were set free and how many stayed in jail.  What we know for certain are the true stories mentioned in the book of Acts in chapters 5 (multiple people - see below) and 12 (Peter alone - I am not including those verses, you can read it on your own.)

Beginning in Acts 5, with the exception of Peter, it mentions "the apostles" but not which ones.   

(Acts 5:17-29) Then the high priest rose up... and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught... 

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, Saying, "The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within..."

Then came one and told them, saying, "Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people...

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, "Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine..."

hen Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men."

Amen!  I pray I always have such boldness as Peter and the others and remember that it is my goal as a Christian to obey God!

Another beautiful story in the book of Acts is of Phillip. In Acts 8, He is called by an angel to witness to an Ethiopian man.  I love this story!

(Acts 8:26-39) And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert."

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?"

And he said, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this (from Isaiah 53), "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth..."

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

And Philip said, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."

And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

While an angel is only mentioned at the beginning of this story, it shows how angel sometimes called Jesus' disciples to witness for His name.  While we may never physically see an angel, I pray we may all be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and witness where and when God calls us.  We may not have such a positive and dramatic result as Philip, but we can plant the seeds of God's Truths.

Another man that is called by an angel is Cornelius.  Because this is a long portion of scripture, I will sum it up. This is from Acts chapters 10 and 11, please never take my word for it, but read it on your own.

Cornelius, "a centurion of the band called the Italian band," is sent by an angel to speak with Peter. At that time, it was " an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation," but because God has just given Peter a vision Peter realizes that "God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean."  Therefore, the purpose of an angel sending Cornelius to Peter was to confirm Peter's vision that Peter should not be prejudice against non-Jews and should be willing to share the gospel of Jesus and the message of the Holy Spirit with all races.  This encounter also convinces some of the other Jews to accept the same message.  May we also never refuse to witness to anyone based on race, religion, or economic status.  Jesus wants everyone to know His gospel message so all may be saved! (Mark 16:15 - And [Jesus] said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." & 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.) 

I will conclude this series with part 9 in the book of Revelation.