Watching, Waiting, and Weary :: By Nathele Graham

The Rapture is coming. When? Scripture gives us hints but not a date. This means we have two choices: believe God or make up “facts.” Sadly, too many people make up “facts.”

One “fact” that Christians continue to believe is that we will go through the wrath of God. We won’t.

I once heard a man say that it will be up to us to “purify the church” during the Tribulation. Really? If that’s true, then what did Jesus do?

In Revelation, we read seven letters dictated to John by Jesus that were to be sent to seven churches. These seven letters describe ages of the church; the final letter comes right before John was shown a door open in Heaven, and he was called to enter. That’s a “picture” of the Rapture.

Then John was shown marvelous things in Heaven, including 24 elders. These elders represent the church. When prophets of old saw visions of the throne room of God, the elders weren’t there because the church hadn’t been raptured, or even come into being.

After that, John is shown the troubles on Earth. Those troubles were prophesied by Daniel and also spoken of by Jesus. Revelation chapter 6 begins with the Lamb opening seals of a book, and each seal brings its own judgment, each one worse than the one before. When the sixth seal is opened, there’s a great earthquake, sun is turned black, and the moon becomes red as blood. Things just keep getting worse, and kings, great men, rich men, and others try to hide.

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17). 

Jesus redeemed us with His blood, and it’s an insult to His love and sacrifice to think Christians will see His wrath. When the believers in Thessalonica were deceived by a letter telling them they had missed the Rapture, Paul was quite upset. He reminded them that they had turned from idol worshippers to serve the living God

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). 

Have you turned from the ways of the world to faith in Christ? Study Scripture and take hope in what you learn. Watch, wait, and don’t grow weary.

We see so much of prophecy coming to pass. The biggest sign is the fact that, against all odds, Israel is once again in their God-given land. Never has there been a nation that was dispersed and scattered that has come back into existence with their original language and traditions and laws. Only God could have done that.

There’s another false “fact” too many people believe. Some think that Christians have replaced Israel in God’s eyes. That’s a lie that can only be believed by people who don’t believe God. He went to all the trouble to call Abraham from a life entrenched in paganism, and established the nation of Israel. God doesn’t go back on His promises, and He promised many things to Israel. Israel has blessed the world in so many ways, but the birth of the Messiah is the greatest blessing. Still, they have many tough times ahead. The entire world will turn against them, and we see that happening now.

God said they would face many wars, and the one that is raging now is one of the major ones. It’s very prophetic. Right now, the United States of America is supporting Israel. We must pay attention to what God told Abraham.

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3).

God is never wrong. I am concerned for the United States. President Trump has been a big supporter of Israel, but recently is backing off. Sin is strong in America, and many, many people choose to support the gay lifestyle, abortion, and much more. Public schools brainwash children in believing in evolution and accepting the deviant lifestyles. Add to that antisemitism, and it’s a wonder God hasn’t judged America harshly.

One Congresswoman even said that anyone who supports Israel should be put in detention camps. With President Trump seemingly turning away from Israel, America will soon be just another nation that once was but fades into history. Christians have dropped the ball by not understanding Scripture and firmly standing upon God’s word. The Bible is God’s word. The Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Study it and write God’s truth upon your heart.

It doesn’t take much looking to see that we’re living in very uncertain times. It’s easy to be frightened if you aren’t grounded in God’s word. God told us what will happen long before it happens so that we won’t be taken by surprise. There are many signs that Daniel’s prophecy regarding the end times is unfolding. We’re living in a unique period of time… the age of grace. Grace through faith in the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus. That age is quickly coming to an end. When it’s over, all Hell will break loose on Earth. The wrath of the Lamb will be poured out on the earth.

Christians will be called Home prior to the final week of Daniel’s prophecy. If you’ve studied Scripture, you’ll know that many things are falling into place. The Jewish Temple must be rebuilt. We know this because Daniel was told, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).

Without the temple, the “sacrifice and oblation” cannot be done properly. This verse might be clearer if you read it in a more modern translation, such as the New King James. Jesus referred to this when He was asked by His disciples about the end of the age.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand:)Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16).

These words from Jesus reveal that Daniel was, in fact, a prophet and that the Jewish temple will be built; this isn’t talking about the church, but rather it’s talking about the Jewish people in Israel. Today, there’s no temple in Jerusalem, but the Temple Institute has everything needed to rebuild the temple, including the red heifer which is necessary for purification. The rebuilding of the temple is very exciting, and it may or may not be rebuilt before the Rapture. It will be there for the Antichrist to defile during the Tribulation.

Aside from the Temple, signs of the end include wars (oh my, we do see wars raging), but Jesus also told us it would be a time like the days of Noah. We are there. Many preachers have taught erroneously that those days were just wicked, and Cain’s sons married Seth’s daughters. What a lie that is.

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:1-2).

The “sons of God” are angels. In this case, they are the fallen angels who rebelled against God. They mated with the “daughters of men,” who were simply human women. There was genetic manipulation going on, and all of creation was corrupted.

What do we see happening today? Genetic manipulation and all of creation being corrupted. Our food is tampered with so that it isn’t what God intended for us to eat.

Jesus also said it would be as in the days of Lot. Remember, God had to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sexual perversion there. Today, confused males think they are females, and females think they are males. Quack doctors mutilate these people and fill them with hormones, and this is accepted by many people today, even some Christians.

Vaccines are forced upon us, which contain many ingredients that humans should not put in their bodies. We now have Google (yes, Google) about to release millions of mosquitoes in California and Florida, which somehow are supposed to neutralize existing mosquitoes so the diseases they carry will be eliminated. What could go wrong? Everything could, and will, go wrong.

We’re living in the last days, and everything is crazy. AI is the tool the Antichrist will use to implement the Mark of the Beast. Right now, almost everything you have in your home is tracking you. This information will be stored in data centers. Yes, Big Brother is watching. Do you really think that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are just for better cellphone service? Watch, wait, and don’t grow weary.

The Apostle Paul warned of trouble during the last days. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). 

We are in perilous times, and there are many of us who are watching and waiting for the Rapture. Some Christians think that God won’t honor the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son and will allow all who believe in Him to go through the Great Tribulation. The Rapture is our blessed hope.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

If you’re watching and waiting, you should be excited, not weary. God will honor His promises.

Why is God waiting? With so much wickedness in the world, doesn’t it seem logical that God would call us Home quickly? Remember, our reckoning of time is different than how God reckons time. What if God had called us home a year ago? How many people who would have been left behind then have come to faith now? If you’re one of them, aren’t you thankful that He waited? There are people that I’m praying for to come to salvation. Maybe one of them will be the one that triggers the Rapture!

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; but blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25).

Yes, Israel is blind to the fact that Jesus is their Messiah, but there will be one last Gentile who accepts Christ for salvation, and finally, the Rapture will take all believers Home. That will lift the blinders from Jewish eyes.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). 

With each day that passes, I get a little more excited that this could be the day. The Rapture is a promise, and I believe God.

When we get weary, we tend to let our guard down. Deception is a tool Satan will use to deceive many. Keep watching. Be alert. Study Scripture to avoid deception.

Recently, there’s been a bit of a flap about the government releasing documents about UFOs. So what? If you’ve seen one, you don’t need the government to confirm it. If you haven’t seen one, then you may be shocked by what’s coming to light. Remember, there’s only one God, and He doesn’t need a UFO to reveal Himself to you. Scripture is our shield against deception. It tells us that the Antichrist will be a deceiver.

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Keep watching and waiting. Don’t grow weary. Don’t be deceived by lies.

Are you weary of watching and waiting? “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” (2 Peter 3:9).

If you’re watching, waiting, and weary, then the only way to hurry up the Rapture is to get out there and witness to others. One day it will be too late, so get busy now.

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.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

 

Can God Forgive Me? :: By Nathele Graham

Have you ever done anything that you think is unforgivable? Most of us have. When we truly understand the perfection of God and the standard He expects from us, we can be overwhelmed by how guilty and unforgivable we are.

Jesus spoke a lot about how we should behave. Matthew records Him speaking about God’s love and how we are to live life. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Be sure to read the previous verses to see the full meaning. The first time we read of God requiring perfection is when God chose to make a covenant with Abram, promising he would have a son, and establish the Jewish nation.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect (Genesis 17:1).

God changed his name to Abraham and gave him the land we now call Israel. God’s promises always come to pass, and the nation of Israel was established in the land God gave to Abraham. Was Abraham always perfect? No. Has the Nation of Israel always been perfect? No. Yet we see God’s love and forgiveness when we study the history of Israel. God gave the Law to teach about God’s perfect standard and for the protection of His chosen people.

The Law of Moses was the standard. If a person was raised in a Jewish household, it was habit to eat in a kosher manner and live daily life in a way that pleased God. Were they able to live perfectly? No more than we can live perfectly today. The Jewish Law was a “works” related way of life. In other words, they had to do things in order to be right in God’s eyes. When they failed, they had to make an animal sacrifice to atone for their sin.

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).

God doesn’t want anybody to die in sin, and always has provided a way to be forgiven. The Old Covenant (before the cross) required animal sacrifices; the New Covenant (after the cross) requires forgiveness only through the blood of Jesus. No matter what sin I commit, if I repent…truly repent…His blood takes my sin away. Then, it’s important that I don’t continue in that sin. Jesus healed a paralyzed man and told him to not sin anymore.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14).

What sin had this man committed? Whatever it was, the truth of Jesus’ words is for all of us. “…sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14b).

We must turn from our sin; whether or not we can see sin’s effect on us, it comes between us and God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Jesus is always willing to forgive us when we truly repent.

We must remember that when Jesus walked this earth, He came first to the Jewish people to offer the Gospel to them. Therefore, the lessons we read in the Gospels have a very Jewish message, but the truth is for all.

Jesus told a parable about forgiveness that is very special and speaks to all of us. A man who seems to be wealthy has two sons. “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living” (Luke 15:12).

This request affected both sons. Inheritance was usually done after death, but the younger son wanted his share immediately. That meant the older son would also get his share. Did this mean that now the older son had all the responsibility of ownership of herds and paying servants? All of this while baby brother went off and had fun. I can understand why the older brother wasn’t happy when his brother returned, but I’m jumping ahead.

The young brother soon left and went off to a far country. I’m sure the country he journeyed to had a very small Jewish population, and therefore he was living a life that didn’t honor God’s Law. Too often, this happens in a Christian family. One or more of the children may rebel and run off to find a better life, living in a sinful manner. Sin never brings a satisfactory life.

The young son found out that a life of sin isn’t as great as he thought. He wasted all of his money. Then a famine came along and he was in need of food. He had no friends to help him, so he found employment from a man who sent him to feed the swine. Since the audience hearing this parable was Jewish, they must have been astonished. Swine are very unclean animals and something to be avoided.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him” (Luke 15:16).

That just added to the horror. Eating food meant for swine was unthinkable.

How long did it take until the young man realized what a wonderful father he had and how even his servants were blessed by him?

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Luke 15:17).

The young man had made his own trouble and was reaping the evils of the sin he had sown, but he finally realized things hadn’t been so bad living under his father’s rules. The young son decided to humbly return to his father, admit his wrong, and ask to be forgiven and hired as a servant. Yes, he repented and turned from his sin. So, off he went.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

This father was overjoyed to have his son back. The son had changed his mind about his sin, but now it was time for him to confess to his father.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Luke 15:21).

Instead of condemning him, the father called for the best robe to be put on his son, a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet, as well as for a calf to be slaughtered. It was to be a joyous party!

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:24).

Sin had separated father and son, but the son was still his father’s son. The father in the parable is a picture of God; the younger son is a picture of every sinner saved by grace. What about the older son? Was he happy to have his brother back? Not hardly.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant” (Luke 15:25-26).

He was told of his brother’s return and the party that was going on. The older son became very angry and refused to join in the celebration. So, the father went out to talk to him.

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and ye thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf” (Luke 15:29-30).

Oh my, big brother was in a snit. It’s interesting that he seemed to know what his younger brother had been doing, yet he didn’t try to bring him home. Had he sent spies to watch him? Was the older brother jealous of the younger brother for having chosen to sin rather than honor his father? It makes me think of how Christians treat each other. We live in our pious self-righteousness, and when a member of our Christian family chooses to sin, we look down on them. When that sinner repents and turns from the sin, do we condemn that person, or are we joyous?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

That is a comfort. We have the assurance of forgiveness, but first, we, like the prodigal son, must recognize we have sinned, confess that sin, and ask to be forgiven.

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:31-32). 

I’m so thankful that God forgives my sin. He will forgive yours too. The older son had missed his own blessings while focusing on his brother’s sin.

Don’t be fearful of the reaction of fellow Christians and their condemning attitudes. Sadly, this happens too often among believers. We forget our own sinful acts, but look down on a humble, broken sinner who comes humbly to God.

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).

All sin can be forgiven. Even the sin of condemning those whom you feel don’t live up to your own righteousness.

If you’re asking if God can forgive you, the answer is yes. There is no sin bigger than God’s love.  Repent, turn from sin, and turn to God. He loves you. He’s watching for you to come back to Him.

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.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6