Are you a believer, then there are two thing which the Bible say we should be doing in the last days. Do you know what they are? Preparing as a bride and Watching as a steward. If you are a believer then you should be expecting Jesus Christ to return, are you? Recently I was at a church and I heard the chorus "What more can Jesus do? as I was the speaker for the night It was appropiate that I answer the question. It became an introduction for my sermon. So you want to know "What more can Jesus do? Let's see what he did so we will know if He did all or there is still something for Him to do. Well the words of the chorus say" He broke the bars, set the captive free" It look like the writer of the chorus could not find much to write about.I will help him here Jesus gave up all His Glory in heaven, He came to earth and was born in the same way as we are. He came to fulfill all the old testament prophesies that were written thousands of years ago.Here is what the prophet Isaiah said of Him ch53v1 Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed? All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who [among them] considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke [was due]? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors All of this to purchase our salvation. But that is not all.He broke the curse that was place on Adam, He tore down the wall of partition in the temple, so that Israel and gentiles can have equal access to the Father. He inherited the blessings of Abraham and pass them on to us.. He said I will never leave you nor forsake you but will be with you unto the end of the age. Is there anything else to answer the question. He came to redeem mankind and after fulfilling all the prophesies of his first coming and he ascended into heaven. Yet I have not yet answered the question[ what more can Jesus do]. When was the last time that you heard someone preaching about the return of Jesus to put down satan rule over mankind and established the KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH.. Unless Jesus return all that he did in fulfilling prophesy and even His return to heaven would be to no avail. Even for us who has believed in Him and are born again, if Jesus do not return , the words of the Apostle Paul ,we are of all men most miserable. Yes there is an answer to the question and it is found in many passages of the bible both Old and new Testament. the first scripture to look at is in Acts 1v 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. There you have it. that is the answer to the question. It is also leading up to the second question and I am going to ask you the question. " ARE YOU WATCHING AND PREPARING FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS". Well you may well ask me, "why should I’ I am born again and when ever Jesus return I am ready. So why then did Jesus go to all the trouble to command us to WATCH. If being born was enough. Before I get into the topic . I want you to see some scriptures first that Jesus is coming again. We will start in the last book of the bible. Revelation1v 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, [even] the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John; 2 who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, [even] of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come;ch 22v 12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.v 20 He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus. there you have it . the first and the last chapter of revelation. Now I can go back and begin to look at what we as believer are command to do.In Mark 13 v 35 Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning; 36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.These are the words of Jesus and we will see in other scriptures that He has commanded us to "watch". Luke 12v 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find [them] so blessed are those [servants]. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh. 41 And Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.Here we see Jesus giving of the master and the servants. the context is the uncertainy of his return. Yes he is coming back but the servants do not when. So what do the master instruct the servants to do. Verse 37, 40. 42 Peter ask the question in verse 41. if this applied to the servants or to all. Notice Jesus answer. The faithful and wise steward is set over the Lord’s household . for what purpose? To give to them their portion in due season.. The pastor is the steward here and the household are the believers.Both are to be watching. Mat 24 is a parallel to Luke 12 [42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. 44 Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 1 Peter5v 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Matt 25v 13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. 2 Peter3v 8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief ; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in [all] holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God , by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing [these things] beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness. Here Peter reinforce the point made by Jesus about the thief coming . Then he go on to tell us what state of mind we should have, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming day of the God. Talk to believers and see if this is what you are hearing from them. Are they looking for the return of Jesus?A survey has been done by Barna polling christians if they believe Jesus will return by 2050 42 % said yes. Catholics only22% . Let us transfer the 42% to the church world wide them you can see that we are nearing the state of the parable of the to virgins... We will look at the parable later. One more scripture is found in the Old Testament. Zephaniah3v 8 Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. Yes you are reading correctly, this is the God of love that we dont know, the God we dont hear about. This is why He has raised me up to sound the alarm. Now having read all these scriptures I wiil now ask the question again. Are you watching and preparing for the return of Jesus???.Now how do one watch. Do you search the scripture like the Bereans to prove what you have been taught. why!!.Look at what Jesus said in Matt24 and other related passages.v 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. 11 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray 1 Peter2v But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.mark13v22 22 for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect. 1John4v 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. The BiBle which is the word of God can’t lie. You may say you have seen any. then you are not watching. How about this scripture in Matt 7v 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. This is how they come in sheep clothing. That is why you may say you haven’t seen or heard any. You did not know how to discern them. There have been right here in this country but you only got to know when the scandal broke. You were taken up with the miracles and the prosperity they were preaching, so you weren’t watching. Another aspect of your watch is your personal relationship with Jesus. Have you been keeping Him away only to call on Him when you are in trouble. If you have not been having fellowship with Him then you are not watching. I wiil take you to the message to the last of the seven churches in Rev3v 14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: To analyse this church or era first you have to understand that Jesus is speaking to the church that claim to be His.. the first hing He say here---I know thy works. whaw!!! you can hide from God He is making it clear that He is watching you. And look at what he see. a luke warm church.. If this church was watching its spiritual condition it would have seen what Jesus saw. Notice the words of Jesus carefully, "because thou sayest you are rich and have gotten riches. How. there were basking in the prosperity gosple. Naming it and claiming it.,sowing seed, they knew all the scriptures on prosperity. they could say that they have need of nothing. The last 40 or 50 years this has been the condition the church has been in. One must be careful as a believer how he live God expect a balance life. Notice what He said in3John 2 Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. That is a balance position prosperity of the soul and the body.These Laodiceans were only thinking of physical prosperity. Now here is Jesus’s indictment to them.You are wretched, miserable,poor, blind and naked. To analyse all of these conditions is a long study in itself. All of these refer to the spiritual condition the church found it self in’ . If Jesus return tomorrow He will find the church in this same condition. why. When last did you hear your pastor preach about the return of Jesus??? I listen to my radio and I do not hear any one .When last have you heard sermons on the Book of Revelation.??? To most of them this is a mysterious Book and cannot be understood. Look what Jesus said v 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.There is a Blessing for those who read, hear and keep the thing written therein. So the believers has been missing out on this blessing and that make them wretched, miserable poor ,blind and naked. So I am sounding the wakeup call to warn the body oy Christ to the understanding of this book. Notice Jesus advice to the Church. . He says"v18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.And this include the leaders .There are those who say that these letters are not for the church today. Well all you have to do is study the history of the church to see if the prosperity gospel has ever dominate any era, before the reformation or since.Just study the period since the reformation to find the preachers whose focus was prosperity. You will be able to prove them that the last 40-50 years constituted the Laodecian era.The church had lost its focus on the return of Jesus and had become blind and naked..What has cause this blindness and nakedness. The theology that is inconsistant with the scriptures on the--RAPTURE is another doctrine that has put the church to sleep.This is the final warning for the church to repent and get ready for the return of Jesus. When the rapture will take place has been the topic for the last twe centuries Three different sides has emerge. premillenium, amillenium and post millenium. then there is the pretribulation , and post tribulation. Before we look at the varoius concepts I want to goback and look at the Beginning of Revelation ch 1v3 blessed is he who reads and he who hears the words of this prophesy and keep the things that are written in them. ch3v10 Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell upon the earth. In the first instance a blessing is pronounce upon the "readers and the hearers", So why are so many church leaders shying away from this book, when there is a blessing to receive?? The next is the promise to those of Phildelphia to keep them from the hour of trial that is to come upon the whole earth. This is interesting because those who hold to the belief that the letters dont apply today are wrong. This trial is coming on the whole world not some isolated area. There are scriptures which uses the terms tribulation , and great tribulation. Matt24v 9 Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name`s sake. 10 And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.v 21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened.. These are the two verse which I use to differentiate in the context of the events in revelation.Let’s look to see how we can know that this is so.F rom Rev13v 4' and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him? 5 and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, [even] them that dwell in the heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, [every one] whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. 9 If any man hath an ear, let him hear. 10 If any man [is] for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. The whole of the verses are dealing with the beast and the false prophet. It state how long this period will last, and who is it making war with. THE SAINTS.VERSE 7 AND 10. Go back to Matt 24v9 Then they[the anti-christ followers] shall deliver up you[the saints]up to tribulation, and shall kill you[the saints.]v10 And many will fall away ,and shall deliver up one another,and shall hate one another. There is another scripture in Matt10v 34 Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: 36 and a man`s foes [shall be] they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. During the reign of theantichrist we will see much of this being fulfilled Why??In a household there are true believers and there are unbelievers all belonging to the same family. the unbelivers will accept the mark of the beast and betray his own family. This is called the tribulation . Now we look at the great tribulation. 21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened..You have to go to Revelation and look at what is say about this time 1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, [which are] the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God. The wrath of God is God’s judgement on those who had the beast mark And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. Look at what will happen when the bowls are poured out . 1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth. 2 And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image .3 And the second poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living soul died, [even] the things that were in the sea. 4 And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters; and it became blood .5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, who art and who wast, thou Holy One, because thou didst thus judge: 6 for they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and blood hast thou given them to drink: they are worthy. 7 And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. 8 And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched men with great heat: and they blasphemed the name of God who hath the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory .10 And the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works. 12 And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the [river] Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might by made ready for the kings that [come] from the sunrising. 13 And I saw [coming] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: 14 for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. 15 (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walked naked, and they see his shame.) 16 And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-magedon. wrath. 17 And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done: 18 and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his away, 20 And every island fled and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail, [every stone] about the weight of a talent, cometh down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof is exceeding great.. Now compare the two, tribulation, and great tribulation . So now we can see whenthe rapture will take place.Romans1v 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; 19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.. Rom2v 5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who will render to every man according to his works: 7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: 8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [shall be] wrath and indignation, 9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; Paul do not use the word [great] here but he add another word[anguish]ch5v 5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up and for thyself wrath in the day of wrath revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Rom5v 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath [of God] through him.ch 12v 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.1 Thess1v and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come. ch 5v 9 For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,, Rev6v 16 and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?ch 14v 10 he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:All the above scriptures deal with God ‘s judgement on mankind the two scriptures in 1Thess are as clear as anything, "we are appoined unto wrath, who delivereth us from the wrath to come,.Armed with all these scriptures we can now see clarer when the rapture must take place. It would be at the end of the forty-two months and before the wrath of God begin.Notice this 1cor 15v 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. Where will the saints be when the wrath of God is unleashed on the earth.1Thess4v 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. 16 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; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Where ever the Lord go from them on we shall be with him. There is a time period between the last trumpet and the pouring out of the wrath of God. Remember too that God promise to ‘cut short those days for the elect sake.’ Now look at Matt24v 22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened. Only God can determine how and when to shorten those days.
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 Welcome to our site www.watching and preparing.I hope that you find this inspiring.We are almost halfway through the storm season. But a greater storm is coming on the world.
I hope that you have the time to ask questions about the earthquakes that the world is experiencing. We are fast moving towards some of the worst times in the history of mankind. HOW DO I KNOW THIS because the Bible has all the answers. It tell us the signs of the time.Matt24v
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