Agape :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: August 19, 2023 by RR10

What is the definition of “love”? In Greek, there are various words that are translated as love, and each is used for a specific type of love. The one most commonly associated with God is agape. It’s the caring type of love that all Christians should display for the world to see, especially to each other. That word appears 116 times in Scripture, but the first place it’s used is in a negative sense.

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24 12).

Jesus used agape in describing the way life will be as we draw nearer to the Tribulation. There will be false prophets who deceive people, and persecution will be great. There will be very little agape evidenced around us. Do we see any of the “iniquity” today? The Greek word “anomia” is translated as iniquity, and it means a condition without law either because of ignorance or because of violating it. It’s also translated as “unrighteousness” and “transgression.” We are moving quickly into a very wicked time. As the final seven years of life on earth draw near, agape is growing cold.

Brothers and sisters, we need to stop allowing the wickedness of the world to negatively affect how we serve Jesus. Christians are very, very blessed in that our sins are forgiven, and we have hope in Jesus. We are the ones who need to share God’s perfect love with the people who live in this wicked and evil world that’s under the control of Satan.

“Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:7-8).

Because Christians have accepted Christ for salvation, our sins are forgiven. Even King David understood this blessing. In a psalm of praise for God’s mercy, he wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). David wasn’t a Christian, but he truly understood repentance and turning from sin. It’s a blessing that God agapes us so much, and we should humbly show our gratitude to God by living to please Him.

King David was an excellent king. He loved the Lord, and his desire was to honor God with his life. Was he perfect? Hardly, but when confronted with his sin, he was broken over it. He never committed that sin again but told God how sorry he was.

I see many so-called Christians giving lip service to Jesus but not truly repenting of their sin. They continue to hold tightly to the sin from which they claim to have repented. When we accept Christ, our sins are forgiven, but in accepting Christ’s forgiveness, we need to repent. That means to change your mind about the sin you embrace and turn from that sin. If you continue to lust after fleshly desires and give into that lust, then you haven’t truly repented.

As long as we live on this side of Heaven, we will always struggle against sin in order to honor God, or even give into the sin and lust found in the world.

Jesus forgave a woman who had been having a sexual encounter with a man she wasn’t married to. He forgave her, but He told her to stop sinning. We can’t accept His forgiveness and then mock Him by continuing to sin. The Apostle John assures us of God’s forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).

Everyone sins. Gossiping is a sin, disrespecting parents is a sin, sexual activity outside of a one-man/one-woman marriage is a sin, and there are more. The closer you draw to God, the more broken you will be over sin. Today it’s common to hear someone try to justify their own sin by saying that Jesus would have been a part of the sin. That’s so wrong. I’ve even heard people say that Jesus would be leading gay pride parades. First, pride is a sin, and second, those parades glorify sin, and Jesus would not participate. He would absolutely love the sinner, and if they repented of their sin, He would forgive, but He wouldn’t celebrate the sin.

As Christians, we need to stand firm upon God’s word. Nations may “legalize” sin, but that doesn’t make sin right in God’s eyes. How do we, as Christians, show God’s agape to a world that embraces sin and promotes ungodliness? It isn’t agape to allow another person to die in their sins because they love that sin so much. It isn’t agape to allow Jesus to be slandered and mocked by people who say He would accept sin and even promote it. We can’t expect people blinded by sin to know who Jesus was and what He did for us. On the other hand, we need to show agape to those who are lost in sin.

Paul was a very wicked man who thought he was serving God by arresting and murdering those who embraced Christ for salvation. While he was on a mission to punish Christians in Damascus, he met Jesus. Paul repented of his way of life and became a true follower of Christ. It is Paul’s example of missionary work that we should follow. It was Paul who wrote letters to Christians to encourage them and keep them grounded in the faith. Paul was bold in his witness for Christ and didn’t fear prison or being beaten, but he loved people enough to spread the Gospel. His letters are inspired by the Holy Spirit and stand today as Christian doctrine. Each letter should be used for information about Christian life.

Our first and foremost example is Christ, but Paul’s writings are full of instruction for us. His letters to the believers in Corinth give us some important information. The attitude of the Corinthians was what today would be called a “seeker-friendly” congregation who were proud of the sin they accepted. A man was in a sexual relationship with his father’s wife. Paul told them to expel him from the congregation until he repented. He eventually did, and they accepted him back. Today we see many pastors who claim to be homosexual, and congregations hosting drag queens to preach from the pulpit. Should we, who honor God, get angry? We shouldn’t accept any of this.

Paul had a lot to say about “charity,” which is also translated from the Greek word agape, often translated as love. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). We can talk and scold and make ourselves very annoying, but if our words aren’t spoken with agape, we are just making noise. We might be the most “perfect” person in our walk with Christ, displaying spiritual gifts, but without agape, we aren’t serving Him.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

Our simple human minds like to think that doing things (works) is enough. Works are good, but works don’t save anybody. If the Gospel isn’t shared with lost souls, you aren’t showing love.

Jesus is our example. He loved people, but that love didn’t mean accepting their sin. Jesus shared the Gospel, but although He was a carpenter by trade, He never built a house or planted crops for anybody He met. He healed many people, but He didn’t just throw money at them. It was up to those that were healed to then earn their living and not accept welfare. When they were unable to work, it was acceptable to beg, but once healed, welfare wasn’t acceptable.

The Apostle Paul goes on to give a picture of agape love. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind, charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

A respected Bible teacher once said to read through these verses but place your own name in place of “charity.” That is very humbling. The word “charity” is translated from agape. If you show God’s perfect agape love, then you serve Him well. Don’t boast or brag about all the wonderful things you’ve done, but give God the glory. Don’t do good works for what you will profit from them, but for what the Kingdom of God will gain.

Remember, water is wet because that’s what it is. Honey is sweet because that’s what it is. God is agape because that’s what He is. God is love. If we love Him, then we need to follow Him and live to please Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.rapture ready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

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

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Apocalypse :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: August 19, 2023 by RR10

The word “Revelation” (as in the book of Revelation) comes from the Greek word “apokalupsis.”

It means “the uncovering, the unveiling, or the disclosing.”

“Revelation” is the disclosing of Jesus Christ.

It can be taken two ways: 1) as the disclosing of the person called Jesus, or 2) as the disclosing of what He intends to do.

Since the book of Revelation begins with the words “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” and most of the book of Revelation (chapters 6-19) is about the terrible things that will take place during the coming Tribulation Period, many commentators refer to that coming seven-year period as the “Apocalypse.”

As I am writing this (on Aug. 10, 2023), wildfires are devastating Hawaii’s main island (Maui).

Early this morning (on Aug. 10), it was reported that 53 people have died, more than 1,700 buildings have been destroyed, hospitals are overwhelmed, the air people breathe is polluted with smoke, thousands of people have been removed from the island, thousands of people are unaccounted for, cell-phones are not working, people can’t call 911 for help, thousands on the island don’t have electricity, some waded into the ocean to keep from being burned to death, and the numbers will probably keep rising.

Officials, residents, and witnesses are saying things like apocalyptic, catastrophic, decimated, shocking, looks like someone dropped a big bomb, etc.

I have no problem with the use of these words.

Pres. Biden has signed a declaration of disaster, and I cannot imagine how awful it is.

But people need to know that the coming Apocalypse (Tribulation Period) will be a billion times worse.

Following the seven seal judgments (the rise of the Antichrist, wars, famine, pestilences, etc.):

Hail, fire, and blood will destroy one-third of the plants on earth (Rev. 8:7).
Something like a great burning mountain will crash into a sea and destroy one-third of the sea creatures and ships (Rev. 8:8-9).
A burning star will fall upon the earth and pollute one-third of the fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11).
The sun, moon, and stars will be struck and darkened (Rev. 8:12).
Satan will release demon-possessed locusts on earth, and they will torment the wicked (Rev. 9:1-12).
Fire, smoke, and brimstone will kill one-third of the people on earth (Rev. 9:13-21).
And there will still be seven bowls of God’s wrath to be dumped (Rev. 11:15-12:12).

Jesus said, “Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:22).

Just like it was on the island of Maui, calling 911 or wading out into the ocean will not stop the “Apocalypse,” but know that those that have truly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will not be on earth when the Apocalypse takes place.

(Note: On Aug. 13, 2023, it was reported that the death toll has risen to 93, and the search for people that did not survive is continuing. This is now the highest death toll on record for a natural disaster in Hawaii.)

(Note: On Aug. 15, 2023, it was reported that the UK’s King Charles extended his deepest possible sympathies to the families of victims, former Pres. Trump offered his sympathy and warmest regards to the victims, and Pres. Biden said, “No comment.” Biden is being criticized for showing no signs of sympathy.)

Here are some recent events that seem to indicate that the saved will soon be evacuated (Raptured) from planet Earth, and the Apocalypse (Tribulation Period) will begin.

One, concerning homosexuality and the days of Lot at the end of the age: earlier this year (May 2023, I think), the Ugandan parliament passed a bill to protect families, children, and others from people pushing homosexuality upon them.

The law does not outlaw homosexuality, but it outlaws people trying to force homosexuality upon others (Christians, children, and students).

As might be expected, the Biden administration strongly objected to protecting Christians and children from the LGBTQ+ group and threatened to cut aid to Uganda if the nation’s president signed the bill.

Pres. Museveni signed the bill anyway, and the World Bank notified Uganda that it was freezing all loans to his nation.

On Aug. 10, 2023, Museveni told Ugandans his nation will not abandon its faith, culture, principles, or sovereignty for money.

Uganda will do what is best for its citizens with or without the money.

America desperately needs leaders that will put its Judeo-Christian heritage above the gay agenda and not try to force its immorality on others.

Two, concerning deceit and a population reduction at the end of the age: on Aug. 11, 2023, it was reported that a U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) attorney representing the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in a case before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said doctors do have the authority to prescribe Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid.

Readers will recall that during the Covid crisis, the FDA discouraged the use of Ivermectin and contended that using it was medically irresponsible.

According to the report, now a “large body of accumulated studies has found it (Ivermectin) to be irrefutably highly effective for treating Covid when given early and with the correct protocol.”

According to the report, during the Covid Crisis, officials knew more about the safety and effectiveness of Ivermectin than they knew about the safety and effectiveness of the Covid vaccine, but they discouraged the use of Ivermectin and promoted use of the Covid vaccine, which is now known to be unsafe and ineffective in many cases.

Because of the deceit and the globalist desire to reduce the population of the earth, many medical workers were fired, many were blasphemed and censored, and many people died that were not allowed to receive this proven “irrefutably highly effective” treatment.

A lot of people have blood on their hands.

Why do so many people ignore the fact that Bible prophecy teaches that government officials will deceive and kill multitudes during the Apocalypse?

Three, concerning deceit and a population reduction at the end of the age: on Aug. 11, 2023, it was reported that a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report says 120,000 children in the U.S. have died suddenly following an mRNA vaccination for Covid.

One must wonder why Biden and Fauci were saying the vaccination is safe and effective for all ages when so many children were dying.

(Note: According to Klaus Schwab, head of the World Economic Forum, no one in the world will be safe if everyone is not vaccinated.)

Four, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39) in the latter days and latter years: on Aug. 12, 2023, it was reported that an intelligence document based on information gathered by Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany concluded that Iran may soon test a nuclear weapons device.

According to a senior researcher in Israel, Iran probably views U.S. and EU policy toward her as weak, passive and unintimidating, which serves as a motivation to continue her development and testing of nuclear weapons.

(Note: On Aug. 13, 2023, it was reported that Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu canceled his upcoming vacation, stayed in Jerusalem, and called an unplanned security meeting to discuss Israel’s preparedness for war since some reservists are refusing to serve. There is widespread disagreement over Israel’s readiness for war and who is responsible for the reservists refusing to serve. Understand that Israel’s safety is in God’s hands, and her enemies would be wise to back off.)

Five, concerning the spirit of antichrist and the persecution of believers at the end of the age: during the so-called Covid pandemic, several churches in Canada were fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for refusing to limit church attendance.

The churches sued, their case went all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court, and on Aug. 11, 2023, the Court refused to hear their suit.

Believers should understand that giving unbelievers the authority to determine what is a pandemic, when it begins, when it ends, and the authority to control every aspect of people’s lives during a pandemic will eventually cost believers their freedom to assemble, speak and worship.

It will impact if they can meet, how many can meet, where they meet, what their preacher can say, how disobedience will be punished, and more.

Six, concerning the coming cashless society and the Mark of the Beast at the middle of the Tribulation Period: on July 18, 2023, it was reported that Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “If I am the President, on day one we will nix Central Bank Digital Currency. Done. Dead. Not happening in this country.”

DeSantis got Florida to pass a law that refuses use of a CBDC.

He hopes to prevent the Biden administration from using an executive order to force a CBDC on U.S. citizens and to require Biden to go through Congress if he wants to establish one in the U.S.

(Note: On July 25, 2023, it was reported that Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) called upon Congress to ban and criminalize CBDCs. If that has happened, I am not aware of it.)

Seven, concerning the coming cashless society and Mark of the Beast at the middle of the Tribulation Period: on July 25, 2023, it was reported that Russian Pres. Putin approved the use of a digital ruble (Central Bank Digital Currency or CBDC) for money transfers.

The digital ruble will not replace existing forms of money, the money citizens have in the bank will not be converted to digital rubles, no one will be forced to use digital rubles, and it will take 2-3 years before the use of digital rubles is widespread.

Eight, concerning the coming cashless society and Mark of the Beast during the Tribulation Period: on Aug. 11, 2023, it was reported that four major banks in Australia have stopped allowing customers to withdraw cash from their bank accounts in preparation for a switch to a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

So, what comes next? Customers must spend their money by a certain date or lose it, accounts will be seized if customers do not espouse the government narrative, etc., etc.?

Nine, concerning wickedness (corruption) in crime-ridden Washington, D.C.: on Aug. 15, 2023, a federal appeals court ruled that Washington, D.C. was discriminating against citizens because the police arrested pro-life protestors for writing chalk messages on sidewalks, but the police never arrested Black Lives Matter (BLM) protestors for writing chalk messages on sidewalks, spray painting messages on public property, private property, etc.

(My opinion: The laws in the U.S. should be equally enforced, and the illegal activities of some groups should not be overlooked because of their race, gender, or the fact that they support corrupt politicians.)

Ten, concerning wickedness (corruption): on Aug. 14, 2023, Gov. Mike Huckabee posted the following:

The watchdog group OpenTheBooks just released about 1,500 unredacted pandemic-era records showing that the leaders of the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, including Dr. Fauci (already the highest-paid “public servant” in DC), made over $325 million in profits off of COVID-19. NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins and former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci “got 58 royalty payments for allowing companies to use their COVID-19 vaccines, which in return (were) developed with funding from U.S. taxpayers by private pharmaceutical firms.”

Eleven, concerning deceit: in Canada, a biological man that calls himself a woman and competes against women in weight-lifting competitions keeps defeating his female opponents.

Some women have stopped competing because they know they do not have a chance and the truth does not matter.

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