Dogs are often called “man’s best friend.” Whether or not that is true, I suppose depends on the dog and the man. Generally speaking though, they are most often loyal to their owner and make for great company.

However, when the roll is switched, it can get ugly.

From Chihuahuas to Jack Russell Terriers, these small dogs are high-strung “yappers.” At least that’s what I call them. Then there are larger dogs with a deeper bark and a more threatening persona. All size dogs can attack, but with different techniques and consequences.

Tragically, I have noticed a dog behavior in some who say they are Christians. In my opinion it is justified to confront evil, but it is not justified to just plain outright attack a brother, or sister, in Christ, because you may have a different viewpoint about a particular subject.

Have you noticed that spelling the word “dog” backwards spells “god?” Is it possible that some have inched up so high on their high-horse, they consider themselves to be gods?

A recent case in point is the attacks against Jonathan Cahn, the author of The Harbinger. I have already stated my view of The Harbinger in an article I wrote called “My Two Cents On The Harbinger.”

Upon continuing to read more reviews of Mr. Cahn’s book, it is sad that some, the minority certainly, are acting like dogs, or is it gods?

I get a mental picture of Mr. Cahn walking along a quiet neighborhood street, and as he passes one house a small yappy dog runs out to chew on his pant leg. Then at the next house another little yapper runs out. Then at the next house a large dog gallops out to chew on his arm, and then another one even larger comes forth going for his neck.

I do not know Mr. Cahn, and have never met him, so I have no axe to grind in this matter. I’m just presenting this as an example.

Christians, who are supposed to be brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, should not behave in this manner. I am not shy about calling a spade a spade, but do I have the unmitigated right to publicly attack my brother or sister in Christ? I think not. Those outside the Church are watching, and what they are seeing is not pretty.

I realize that this is a delicate issue. We cannot keep quiet toward a false gospel, but at the same time, we should not attempt to destroy the person. In this case though, The Harbinger is not a false gospel. I have read it, and I have seen the accompanying DVD. It is simply a legitimate method used by God, to provide a warning to us that we need to get our lives in order. It is not only a warning to us in America, but to anyone who will listen. I highly recommend it to one and all.

At this point I confess that I don’t have the scholarly credentials that some possess, but I know in my heart what is right and wrong.

I understand that some have negatively critiqued The Harbinger, but have never read the book or seen the DVD. Their excuse? Someone they follow came out against it, so they are against it too. I thought we were supposed to follow Christ. Did I miss the memo?

I also understand that others who are well known and loaded with religious credentials have attacked the book and the DVD, but never bothered to talk to their Christian brother first, and they are in a position to do so.

I can think of several religious books and Christian authors, pastors, etc. who I would not recommend, but don’t you think I should be careful on how I address the issue, if I do at all? There are several of these misguided authors, pastors, etc. who teach things that I loathe, but when confronting these issues, I should remember that the Internet especially is a very large bully pulpit.

Those who are in the limelight of the Christian community should especially be careful about what they say concerning fellow Christians, because (1) they (the accusers) have many followers, and (2) the world is watching. Now I, and most of the rest of us, are not center stage in the Christian community, but even we should be cautious about what we say, and particularly how we say it. None of us are perfect, and I’m sure we all miss the mark on occasion, but maybe we should think, before we open our mouth or type those words.

Again, let me reiterate that there is certainly nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone. That isn’t the issue. The issue is how we handle the disagreement.

Dogs can be very lovable animals. Little gods, I mean dogs, when out of control can also be a nuisance and dangerous.

May we sheath our sword, our tongue in this case, and use the sword of God, the Bible, which says;

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20)

Look at it this way. Would we “put our wife down” in front of the whole world just because we think we’re right? If we would, we’re a cad. What about one of our children? Even if we’re right, would we purposely confront them publicly? Of course not! Would we not handle our disagreement in a more gentlemanly fashion, privately? Can we do any less for another person who we will be spending eternity with in Heaven, who is our brother or sister in Christ?

Let us disagree, but not be disagreeable. Let us warn our friends of the enemy if necessary, but be cautious. And remember …

“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself [emphasis mine].” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Grant Phillips

In “Part 1” we considered the question, “If I miss the Rapture, is there hope for me?” This was of course from the viewpoint of the non-Christian.

In “Part 2” let us ask from the Christian perspective, “What shall I do while I wait for His return?”

In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-16 we see that the Church of Thessalonica was concerned that they had missed the Rapture. Persecution had gotten so bad they felt that they must be in the Tribulation and they all missed the Rapture of the Church. This wasn’t the case, and Paul explained why.

Even today, some think we must be entering the Tribulation because everything around us is falling apart. Is there apostasy today, a rebellion against God, as Paul mentioned in verse three? Oh yes, there certainly is, but the Antichrist has not been revealed. No, Obama is not the Antichrist. He is smart, but not that smart. He is evil, but not that evil. He is only a precursor to the real thing. As devilish as he is, he is still a cream puff when it comes to the true Antichrist of the Tribulation period. Also, he is not a Roman.

So … we are still clearly waiting on Jesus to return and remove His Church from this earth just prior to the start of the Tribulation period.  This is an event we commonly call the Rapture. This promise is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. But you say, “I don’t see that word anywhere in that verse.” Do you see “caught up?” The Greek word is “harpazo” and it means; (1) to seize, carry off by force, (2) to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly, and (3) to snatch out or away. This
Greek word, “harpazo” was translated “rapere” in the Latin Vulgate, and this is where we get the term “Rapture.”

In the following verses, taken from the same chapter and book, Paul answers our question, “What shall I do while I wait for His return?”

13 As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,

17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 NLT)

Just as the Thessalonians were among the first to be chosen by God, since they were at the beginning of the Church era, we are now in the last days of the Church age, or Age of Grace. I don’t believe it will be long until we get to see our Thessalonian brothers and sisters of the first century, and all others in each century thereafter. What a reunion that will be, while millions upon millions of us, who have accepted the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ bow before our Savior King.

But in the meantime, we wait. What should we do while we wait? Paul says to “stand firm and keep a strong grip” on the teaching of God’s Word, the Bible.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Far, far too many Christians are about as knowledgeable with God’s Word as a two-year old child would be with higher math. Could this be why some Christians are ashamed to witness? If so, get in the Word and grow up. Could it be that some Christians will be ashamed before Jesus, that they did not think His Word important enough to study it? If so, then get in the Word and learn about Him.

We also need to be well grounded in God’s Word for other obvious reasons. The world is coming unraveled. If we know His Word, which includes prophecy, we will be more driven to witness. We will be secure in our hearts, while the hearts of others melt from fear. We will know the time is short. We will recognize the numerous signs swarming all around us, practically screaming that the end is near. We will not be drawn in by Satan’s enticements that he throws at us by society’s living standards. We will recognize a lie when we hear it, and we will know the Truth, which cannot fail.

What shall I do while I wait for His return? Stand firm upon the Word of God. Stand firm in the faith and keep a strong grip upon what God says, and thus avoid the pitfalls that others fall into.

What shall I do while I wait for His return? Remember this:

“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 to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke 12:37)

Grant Phillips