Ignoring The Higher Plane of Hope :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR10 Category:Daymond Duck, General Articles

A reader recently sent me an email that said:

  • I know that all of us have heard that depression and suicide are becoming rampant with our children and our elderly. I believe the reason is because they have no hope. Many go to church, but they have a propensity for depression and an attitude that there is nothing more to live for. I feel that the church needs to step up and become more aware of the End-Time news that needs to be taught that will help lift these poor people’s emotions to a higher plane of hope and renewed faith that the Bible is not a pile of fantasy tales that haven’t come true.

I know:

  • That at least one-fourth to one-third of the Bible is prophecy, depending upon who we are listening to.
  • That Jesus told us many times to watch for His return.
  • That when Jesus gave the Great Commission, He told us to teach all nations to observe all (all, not just some of) the things He said (Matt. 28:19-20).
  • That the world situation will worsen at the end of the age (II Tim. 3:1-13).
  • That the glorious return of Jesus is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).
  • That under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Paul gave us the word of the Lord (something Jesus said about the Rapture) and told us to comfort one another with what Jesus said (I Thess. 4:13-18).
  • That I often receive emails from church members who say their pastor never mentions Bible prophecy; they have asked their pastor to mention it occasionally, and he will not do it, and they cannot find a church near them that has a pastor who occasionally preaches on Bible prophecy.

I ask is it possible:

  • That the prophesied worsening world situation (Covid-19 deaths and side effects, inflation, talk of a digital currency, etc.) is causing an increase in depression and suicide, and most church members attend churches that have pastors who will not tell them that there is a higher plane of hope?
  • That there is no need for the unchurched to ask many church members what they think about the current world situation because nothing is ever said about it in the pulpit, in the Sunday School literature, in the Sunday School class, and the church members have never studied it on their own?
  • That lost church members and others are attending churches and listening to pastors who will never tell them that they could be running out of time to get saved?
  • That the answers that some depressed and suicidal people are seeking are in the Bible, but there is no chance that they will ever hear those hope-filled comforting words from a pastor or a church member in their neighborhood?
  • That the prophesied worsening world situation is partly due to a lukewarm attitude and spiritual failure in the church that is leading to the coming Judgment of God, church members that will not make it to heaven, the rise of the Antichrist, the coming Mark of the Beast, and the fulfillment of other terrible events?

Here are some current events that appear to indicate that the days of pastors and church members ignoring that higher plane of hope are about over.

One, concerning the failure to talk about that higher plane of hope in view of the prophesied worsening world situation: on Sept. 18, 2023, The Christian Post reported that well-known Christian researcher George Barna has released a new book in which he claims that millions of uncommitted Christians are causing “a catastrophic decline in biblical worldview in America.”

Here is part of what Barna’s research shows:

  • Many Christians feel ill-equipped, so they outsource their responsibilities as parents to others (teachers, coaches, experts, etc.) “who may not share their worldview and values.”
  • “Our worldview is the decision-making filter that informs every decision we make — intellectual, moral, emotional, and spiritual.”
  • “Most of them (parents) were also found incapable of passing on a biblical worldview to their children because most don’t have one.”
  • “They (parents) can’t give what they don’t have — and this creates a gaping spiritual vacuum as today’s parents are raising their children.”

I do not question the accuracy of Barna’s research, but I found it troubling because the Bible teaches that there will be a falling away, a departing from the faith, a lukewarm spirit in the Church at the end of the age, and many will not make it to heaven.

Every parent should be sure that they and their children are putting their faith in Jesus.

Here is a link to The Christian Post article:

https://www.christianpost.com/news/uncommitted-christians-a-threat-to-biblical-worldview-barna.html

Two, concerning peace in the Middle East: on Sept. 14, 2023, it was reported that Saudi Arabia, the Arab League, the EU, Egypt, and Jordan would meet on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly meeting on Sept. 18, 2023, to discuss ways to change and restart the Middle East peace process.

The Biden administration and congressional lawmakers from both parties are expressing optimism that a transformational agreement of peace and security is on the way, but it could be a few months for that to become a reality.

(Update: On Sept. 17, 2023, it was reported that Saudi Arabia has informed the Biden administration that it is suspending all discussions about a normalization agreement with Israel.)

(Update: In a speech before the UN General Assembly on Sept. 19, 2023, Pres. Biden said, “The US plans to seek both the normalization of the Jewish state with its Arab neighbors and a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” He is practically begging for the Judgment of God to fall on the U.S.)

Three, concerning deceit and corruption in the White House: Pres. Biden has constantly denied involvement and knowledge of Hunter’s business dealings.

  • Biden is on video boasting that he got a Ukrainian prosecutor fired who was investigating Hunter’s dealings with a company called Burisma by threatening to deny U.S. money to Ukraine.
  • There are bank records that show that Biden family members got at least $20 million from foreign entities.
  • There is proof that money flowed through more than 20 shell companies, and Pres. Biden was using aliases.
  • There is evidence on Hunter’s Laptop from Hell, and now, after many denials (lies), it has been proven that the laptop is Hunter’s.
  • One of Hunter’s business partners has said Hunter would call his dad on speakerphone during business meetings so Hunter’s foreign business partners could hear his dad’s voice and what his dad said.
  • Whistleblowers in the IRS have testified that the Bidens have been involved in questionable business dealings, and the IRS leadership has covered it up.
  • There is more (testimonies, emails, etc.), and an investigation is ongoing.

Pres. Biden’s claims that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing appear to be false.

Four, concerning accusations of deceit and corruption in the White House, Biden’s denial that there is any evidence to support them, and the decline of America: on Sept. 12, 2023, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that a Republican committee will open a formal impeachment inquiry into Biden’s activities.

An impeachment inquiry will allow Republicans to get information that they have been asking Biden to produce, and he has not, or will not, do it.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said Nancy Pelosi set a precedent when she targeted Pres. Trump; now our House committees will expose the crimes of the Biden family.

Democrats have targeted Pres. Trump and many of his associates; now Republicans are targeting the Bidens, and some Democrats think that is wrong.

Pandora’s box has been opened, and there is no telling when all of this will end, what will be uncovered, or how much damage is being done to the U.S.

Five, concerning natural disasters: on Sept. 15, 2023, it was reported that the death toll from the cyclone that struck Libya five days earlier and collapsed dams has topped 11,300, and more than 10,000 are still missing.

Six, concerning a cashless society and tracking all buying and selling: on Sept. 15, 2023, The European Union Times reported:

  • At the recent G20 Summit, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “praised the EU’s strides toward a bloc-wide digital identity app capable of storing a citizen’s personal information, including credit cards, driver’s license, and passport data.”

The title of the EU Times article is “EU Chief Says Public Who Refuse WEF Digital IDs Will Be Excluded from Society.”

(Note: A digital society and tracking all buying and selling is not the Mark of the Beast—not the same as taking the name, number, or Mark of the Antichrist—but it is that system beginning to come to pass.)

(My opinion: The Pre-Trib Rapture is the right view. This means Christians will be Raptured at least three and one-half years before the digital society and tracking all buying and selling develops into the Mark of the Beast.)

Here is a link to the article: https://www.eutimes.net/2023/09/eu-chief-says-public-who-refuse-wef-digital-ids-will-be-excluded-from-society/

Seven, in a different article concerning a cashless society and tracking all buying and selling (the Mark of the Beast): on Sept. 17, 2023, The European Union Times reported:

  • That “Leaders of the G20 signed a treaty last week to roll out the WEF’s ‘digital IDs’ and ‘cashless societies,’ which will be mandatory for all people who wish to participate in society.”
  • That “The G20 leaders have agreed to impose these WEF policies on their populations without giving the public a chance to vote.”
  • That EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “advocated for global cooperation to usher in digital IDs.”
  • That “The European Union is currently trying to introduce a bloc-wide’ digital identity’ app that would consolidate various personal information, including passports, driver’s licenses, and medical history.”

Citizens need to realize that the U.S. is a member of the G20, so this article is saying the U.S. has already signed a treaty to make the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) digital IDs and cashless society mandatory for everyone who wants to buy, sell, travel, etc.

According to the EU Times article recently, “Most Democrats and Republicans reported concern that the government could control what people spend their money on and potentially turn off access to their bank accounts.”

Here is a link to the EU Times article: https://www.eutimes.net/2023/09/g20-sign-treaty-to-roll-out-wef-digital-passports-worldwide/

Eight, concerning pestilence and the possibility that globalists are trying to reduce the population of planet Earth: on Sept. 19, 2023, it was reported that Florida’s Surgeon Gen. is advising against taking the new mRNA Covid-19 vaccine.

He does not think it has been properly tested for safety and effectiveness, and without proper testing, there could be dangerous adverse reactions, including cardiac injuries.

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis agrees with his Surgeon General’s advice.

(More: On Sept. 19, 2023, it was reported that well-known cardiologist, epidemiologist, author, and more, Dr. Peter McCullough, told Members of the European Union Parliament (MEPs) the Covid-19 vaccines are not safe, and no one should take them.)

(More: On Sept. 19, 2023, it was reported that Univ. of So. Carolina Professor Dr. Phillip Buckhaults told the So. Carolina Senate that Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is contaminated with billions of plasmid DNA bits that could cause rare but serious side effects, including the possibility of cancer.)

(My opinion: Some of the people who say it is safe and effective are paid by the pharmaceutical industry or receive campaign contributions from them, so their statements should be considered suspect.)

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

     

     

     

    Choosing Christ :: By Nathele Graham

    Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles, Nathele Graham

    Christians live a double life, but we aren’t to be double-minded. Physically, we are in a world filled with sin, temptation, and evil. Old friends tempt us to return to old ways, but since coming to faith in Christ, the old ways must be put away, and we need to concentrate on our true Home.

    “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

    Temptations will happen as long as we live on this side of Heaven. It’s important that we willingly stay away from the things that tempt us to sin.

    “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded” (James 4:7-8).

    Every Christian has a past, and temptation can easily pull us back into worldly ways. Satan doesn’t want you to draw close to God. If you do, you may influence your friends to do the same. Old friends and unbelievers around us don’t know, nor do they really care, that we’re trying to please God instead of people. They may mock us and think we’re acting strange when we reject old sinful lifestyles, but we must please God and be an example to the people around us.

    We are also an example to fellow Christians. If a babe in Christ sees you embracing sin, getting angry, and generally dishonoring God, then that person may think it’s just fine to sin as long as you profess to be a Christian. God will forgive, but true repentance will change your mind about sinning so that temptations will lose their power over you.

    We have to live in this world until God decides to take us Home, but living in the world is different than living like the world.

    “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

    Christians need to live for Christ, not for the world. If we allow ourselves to be influenced by the old lifestyles we should have left behind, we can get very frustrated. It’s a choice we make daily. Actually, it’s a minute-by-minute choice.

    “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

    When you surround yourself with true Christian friends, it’s much easier to stay on the strait path that pleases God. Old friends may tempt you to return to old habits of behavior, but that’s not the way to find true joy in life. When you go to work each day, the same co-workers you knew before you met Jesus are there and expect you to be the same as you always were. Do you join in on the office gossip, or do you choose to pray for the people that the gossip is hurting? Which choice would Jesus want you to make?

    When you go home at night, do you choose to sit and watch television to “unwind,” or do you spend time with your family? You are the example for your children to follow. They’ve been under the influence of secular teachings all day, and you need to lead them to follow Jesus. Instead of television, why not have a family Bible study? This will strengthen your own faith and that of your family.

    Christians are ambassadors of Christ to this fallen world. An ambassador represents his nation in a foreign land.

    “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

    That’s a great responsibility, but Jesus will help us if we allow it. The Holy Spirit is sealed within us from the very moment we truly believe, and if we listen to Him, we will be better fit to resist temptation. The Holy Spirit will never lead you away from God’s truth. If you “feel” as if you should do something for Christ, like witness to a friend about what Jesus has done for you, then that prompting is from the Holy Spirit. Don’t let fear stifle the voice of God working in you.

    “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

    On the other hand, if you “feel” you need to angrily chastise someone or get even with them for a wrong they may have done to you, that isn’t the voice of God. We are supposed to pray for our enemies and show God’s grace and mercy in our actions. Is that easy to do? Not at first, but with God’s help, it gets easier. A good way to learn to forgive wrongs done to you is to think of what Christ sacrificed for your redemption. Think of the wrongs He suffered. We all sin and need to humbly ask forgiveness. If we want God to forgive our sins, then we must forgive others.

    “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4).

    If you study your Bible rather than sit in front of the television, you’ll clearly see that God says we are to forgive others.

    We need to model our actions after Jesus and remember what He did for us on the cross. Sin comes very easily for most of us. A little “white lie” doesn’t seem so bad, but God sees sin in a much different way than people do. God says that even our thoughts are sinful.

    “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

    The Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation in Corinth to encourage them to turn from the sin that was being brought into their midst. He knew that actions begin as thoughts, so we need to control our thoughts.

    “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds:) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

    Unless you give your thoughts to God, sin will take control of your thoughts. Be sure to keep an active prayer life and talk to God about your sin. Ask Him to help you control your thoughts and actions. Humbly ask Him to forgive you when you sin. He will always forgive, but you need to earnestly repent and turn from sin.

    Many people get mad at God and say, “Why should I trust God ?What has He ever done for me?” That’s a question that comes from pure ignorance. Instead of believing God’s truth, many people seem to go out of their way to believe some pretty ridiculous ideas. For instance, some think we die and then come back over and over again until we get it right. Maybe we come back as a bug or a mouse. I wonder what standard of perfection is required and who determines it. There are some who think that we were planted here by aliens from a distant planet. People will come up with many fables in order to avoid truth. God created everything.

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).

    Why is that truth so hard to accept? Our sin separates us from God, but that’s not what God wants. He wants us to be with Him for eternity. We cannot work for eternal life, but we must have faith in Jesus. Faith in who He was and what He did.

    “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

    Remember that God took on human form and gave His life, so by faith, we can live eternally with Him.

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

    Don’t misplace your faith. Believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    If you’re one who wants to know what God has done for you, you need to also ask, “What has the World done for me lately?” In the world, you have death, disputes with people, trouble, illness, and no hope. Faith in Jesus doesn’t take the troubles away, but through Christ, there is hope beyond this life.

    “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

    Jesus entered His creation because of His perfect love for us. Jesus chose to step down from the glory of the Heavenly Realm and live in this fallen world because He loves us. He was fully God. He had to be God in order for His blood to be untainted by sin that began with Adam. We are redeemed by His blood. He was also fully human.

    His mother was a mere human, just like any other woman. Her blessing came because she was obedient to God in spite of what it would cost her, but still, she was just a human. That meant Jesus was human and a kinsman to all humanity, no matter the color of your skin or the size of your bank account. His pure blood was shed to take away the sin that has condemned everyone since Adam chose to sin. John the Baptist described Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. If you reject Jesus, then you condemn yourself to Hell.

    Time is quickly slipping away. Each day that passes is one step closer to eternity. The soul lives forever in either Heaven or Hell. Either you will die and pass from this mortal life, or the Rapture will happen and you will either be taken to be with Jesus, or you will be left to face Hell on earth. The signs are showing us that the Rapture could happen at any moment. Make your choice to choose Christ today. God doesn’t want anybody to spend eternity in Hell, and He provided the only way for eternal life. Choosing Christ today is a must.

    God bless you all,

    Nathele Graham
    twotug@embarqmail.com

    Recommended prophecy sites:

    www.raptureready.com
    www.prophecyupdate.com
    www.raptureforums.com

    All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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