Prayer is talking to God. Sometimes a person, especially a new Christian, is unsure of how to pray. How does a person approach God? He’s the Almighty, and it can be intimidating to talk to Him as a friend, yet with humility and respect. This fellowship with God is only possible through Jesus Christ.

“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:11-12).

Don’t be drawn into the error of praying to “saints” or to Mary. Only pray through the blessed name of Jesus.

Sometimes, prayer is presented as a list of things that you want God to do for you. Remember, God can see the future and knows if what you want from Him is best. If His answer to your prayer is “No,” you can be sure that He has something better in store for you.

Jesus knew that people would have difficulty in going directly to God with prayer, so He included an example of how a prayer should be presented to God. The Sermon on the Mount contains much wisdom from Jesus, and prayer is part of that wisdom.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8).

It’s comforting to know that God knows what I need even when I don’t. He will always provide for our needs, but He does like to hear from us in prayer. It’s good that Jesus gave us a structure for prayer, and we should all study it. We call it The Lord’s Prayer, but it’s really an example of prayer.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9).

Notice that prayer is addressed to “Our Father,” not to Mary or to any man-made saint. Jesus told us we can talk to God as a father. Sometimes our human father isn’t a good example to follow, or many people don’t really know their father. God is the perfect Father. He will always listen and cares about your desires. A good human father will listen to what you want but will guide you to what is best. If you ask God for something that’s sinful, He will say “No,” but He will listen to you as you talk with Him. Talk with Him many times every day, and listen.

What is your desire? Do you only want selfish things, like a better job or more money in the bank? God wants the best for us, but our desire should align with God’s desire. He wants to reign on earth, and one day He will. We need to pray for that day to come.

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

We need to be a part of the answer to that prayer. Do you live a worldly life, partaking in the lusts of the flesh? That doesn’t show a desire for God’s rule in your life. In Heaven, there’s no desire to sin, and that will be a relief from this sin-saturated life on Earth. God’s kingdom will be established on Earth, but it will come after much tribulation and judgment from God. Christians will not go through the Great Tribulation but will be Raptured before it starts. You may have trouble believing there will be a Rapture, but as long as you believe in Jesus, you’ll be taken with all Christians. That’s our Blessed Hope. We can do our part by praying for it. Also by sharing the Gospel and living in a way that honors God. Do His will on Earth, and other people will see Him living in you.

One of the basic needs in life is food; we need it every day. The Israelites had to learn to trust God. Their lack of faith caused them to wander 40 years before entering the Promised Land. The trip from Egypt should have taken around two weeks, but they feared that God wouldn’t help them conquer their land. God had done miracles to save them, but they didn’t think He would save them from the Nephilim. When they didn’t have enough food to feed everybody, they complained to God that the slavery in Egypt was better than freedom.

“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily” (Exodus 16:4-5).

This was manna, the daily bread provided daily by God. It wasn’t welfare, because they had to do their part and gather it. God always provides, and we shouldn’t pray for a pantry filled with food, but ask Him to fill our needs for the day.

“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).

Bread is important to all people. Especially the Bread of Life. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Please, Lord, give me my Daily Bread.

Sometimes it’s hard to forgive others. We are very aware of our own feelings and know when someone has offended us. Forgiveness is part of God’s kingdom on Earth.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). 

Jesus paid our sin-debt and purchased our redemption, so we need to forgive others as He’s forgiven us. We like forgiveness, but don’t like to forgive. That’s a human failure that needs to be changed. Christians should understand forgiveness because we have been forgiven so much. Sin separates us from God, but Jesus shed His blood to take our sins away. He is our example of how to live. He even forgave the people at the foot of the cross who had driven the nails into Him.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).

That tells us a lot about forgiveness. Those men didn’t ask to be forgiven, but Jesus asked for their forgiveness, even though they didn’t care. That needs to be our view of forgiving others.

Temptation comes to us all. Whether it’s a temptation to swipe a candy bar or the temptation for carnal sin, we are all tempted. Satan is at the bottom of all evil, is a liar, and places temptation in our way.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).

This is more properly translated “deliver us from the evil one.”

Temptation has been around since Genesis. When God forbids something, it’s for our own good. Satan can make the vilest thing look tempting, simply to get us to sin. God forbade Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, so that’s the thing that the serpent used to tempt Eve. There was plenty of food to eat in the Garden of Eden, but the serpent made the forbidden fruit look like the most desirable food. Eve should have never spoken to the serpent, but she did. God said not to eat the fruit, but Eve tried to be even more “holy.”

“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:2-3).

When she added to God’s word, Satan knew he could befuddle her. He made it look as if God was trying to ruin their fun. When God forbids something, it’s always for our benefit. Eve ate the fruit, then Adam ate, and they did die (they lost their immortality). If you’re tempted to do something God has forbidden, it’s the evil one who’s tempting you. In this fallen world, we are all dead in our sins, but the Good News is that Jesus Christ stepped into His creation to shed His blood as the final sacrifice to take our sin away. True faith in Him will bring eternal life.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). 

Stay close to God, and pray without ceasing.

The Lord’s Prayer is one of the first prayers we learn as children. It’s a model for prayer throughout our life. Sometimes there isn’t time for a long, formal prayer. That’s when we pray a “bullet” prayer – quick and to the point. If you’re in traffic and a car is heading toward you, you don’t have time to follow this example of prayer. People tend to turn to God as a last resort, but He should be our first line of defense.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The Greek word “merimnao” is translated “be careful,” but the definition is “anxious, troubled with cares.” If you don’t talk with God about your finances or job situation, you’ll be very anxious. If you do talk to Him about everything, you’ll have His perfect peace.

What is prayer to you? Is it a list of things you require from God? Certainly, we can go boldly before God and petition Him for things we think we need, but we must always remember that He is sovereign and knows whether or not what we ask is what is best for us. God knows that if you pray for a certain thing, that thing may turn out to be all wrong. It’s not always easy to accept God’s perfect knowledge of what’s best, but it’s always important to be humble in our petitions.

Jesus knew how to pray, and we would be wise to study His prayers. When He prayed in Gethsemane, He knew He was about to be arrested and beaten. Worse than that, He knew that it would be the first time in eternity He was going to feel the full weight of sin – our sin. That sin would separate Him from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, which was something He had never faced before. Alone in the garden, He prayed.

“…and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 25:39b).

We all face things that overwhelm us with fear and worry. If we can remember to go to God in prayer when life is in turmoil, then submit to His will, He will help us through the turmoil.

The book of Hebrews is an interesting study. It was written to help Jewish people who had come to Christ understand that Jesus is superior to the Law and to angels and to humans. We can all learn from this book. Jesus is described as our High Priest. The Aaronic priesthood was ordained by God, and the Jewish people understood the role of the High Priest. He could enter into the Holy of holies once a year and put the blood of the sacrificed animal on the altar to atone for sin. When Jesus died, He put His own blood on the altar in Heaven, and human priests are no longer necessary for intercession between humans and God.

“For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:13-14).

Jesus sprinkled His own blood on the altar in Heaven, and we no longer need priests to intercede for us. Christians are blessed to be able to take our prayers and petitions directly to God.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

We don’t have to be fearful of God, just humble and respectful. We can speak to Him without the need for a priest. We can speak boldly but not arrogantly. Never forget that when we pray, we are talking directly to God, and we need to be humble. We confess our sins directly to Him and ask forgiveness directly from Him. Jesus made this possible.

Brothers and sisters, we are heading for very troubled times. Christians will be taken in the Rapture, but until then, Satan will be trying harder to bring fear into our lives.

In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul talks about the importance of marriage, and how a husband should behave, how a wife should behave, and how children should behave. This structure of family and values is under satanic attack. Men have walked away from being husbands and fathers, while wives want full authority. Too often, there isn’t even a marriage. All of this is encouraged by the evil one and his lies. Paul goes on to talk about spiritual warfare and who we should fight against.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

This is a spiritual battle, and we need God fighting for us. Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God, then names the individual parts of that armor. Prayer is part of that armor.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

If you’re a Christian, you’re a saint and need prayer. Satan hates you, but God loves you. We need to pray for each other. When you use the model that Jesus gave, you can’t go wrong. Worship God for His holiness, and Satan will flee.

The Lord’s Prayer is a model, and as you become more comfortable with talking with God, you’ll learn to pray with your own words. Pray continually.

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).

 

The Rapture is our blessed hope. The world will soon face the most horrendous judgments that have ever plagued the world, but Christians will be safe with Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote “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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

I don’t understand exactly how God will do this, but I have no doubt He will. It’s the same faith with which I view all of Scripture. I may not understand how God created everything, but I have no doubt that He did.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:1-3).

By faith, I believe that God spoke, and the universe was created. I also believe that prophecy is being fulfilled quickly, and I believe the Rapture will happen soon.

What will happen after the Rapture? First, let’s look at what will happen on Earth. There will be chaos. People who do important jobs will suddenly be missing. Waitresses, policemen, doctors, pilots, truck drivers, children, and maybe even some politicians will suddenly be gone. People from all walks of life will just disappear in the twinkling of an eye. Nonbelievers and those people who only give lip service to Christ will be left.

True faith in Jesus Christ will decide where you exist after the Rapture. You don’t have to believe in the Rapture to be taken, but you do have to believe in Jesus’ sacrifice for your redemption. There will be many “Christians” who will think, “I should have meant it when I mouthed repentance and asked for forgiveness.”

It’s important to allow God to change you.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

None of us is perfect, and we all have sin in our life. When we truly become a Christian, our sins are forgiven, but our feeling toward our sin should change; we should hate it. Take a hard look at your lifestyle and ask yourself if you are grasping tightly to a favorite sin. If so, you haven’t truly repented.

Up until the Rapture, evil times will come slowly, but after the Rapture, it will no longer be slow. Judgments will begin quickly and be severe. John was given a revelation concerning the end, and beginning with Revelation chapter 6, we are shown pure evil on Earth. Take note that the word “ekklesia” translated “church” occurs 118 times in the New Testament but never in Revelation during the wrath poured out on earth. This indicates that Christians won’t face the Great Tribulation. Praise God!

The seal judgments begin with a rider on a white horse, who might be thought of as a good guy at first. “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2).

This crown is a “stephanos,” which isn’t a king’s crown but a wreath. This man is a poor imitation of Christ… the Anti-Christ. Throughout history, many rulers have appeared who could have been this evil man, but none of the conditions have been in place until now for him to take over the world. Israel is back in their land, and all nations are turning against them. According to Daniel and the seventy weeks prophecy, an evil man will come upon the scene. He will look like a good guy at first, but he will be pure evil.

“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).

This man will seem to bring peace, but instead, he will make a covenant to allow himself to be the world ruler. Pure evil. More seals will be opened, and each unleashes more evils of war, famine, death, martyrs, and terror. These things are in the world today, but after the Rapture, it will be worse.

Why will it be worse? The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. Right now, while Christians are living in the world, He is restraining the evil.

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

This verse is clearer in a modern translation. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, NKJ).

The Holy Spirit is restraining the evil that will permeate the world. The Holy Spirit will still be working on earth, but He won’t be sealed inside those who come to faith. Christians cannot be on earth during the Great Tribulation because when we first truly believe in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We cannot break that seal, and He will not leave us. The only way for the Restrainer to be taken out of the way is for Christians to be taken Home.

Many will come to faith during the final seven years, but most will be martyred for their faith. Don’t put off your salvation thinking that you’ll have a second chance during the Tribulation.

More and more judgments will be poured out upon the earth. Demons will be unleashed, Satan will have free rein over the earth, and it will be unlike anything ever seen before. Jesus told His disciples about the events leading up to the Great Tribulation, and it looks a lot like life today. There will be wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes, love will wax cold, and more.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8).

A careful reading of this chapter will make it clear that Jesus wasn’t talking about what Christians would have to endure. The final seven years will be what causes the Jewish people to finally call upon Jesus as their Messiah for help, and He will.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:11-13). 

This is Christ. He is crowned with many crowns, and this time the rider is crowned with “diadema,” which is a king’s crown. “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16).

Yes, the war is won by the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Still judgment is coming. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20). 

Then comes the thousand years when Christ will reign on the earth.

After the millennium, the final judgment will happen. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:11-12).

That’s not how you want to be judged. Works cannot save you. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Your good works will not save you from the lake of fire. Thank God for His grace. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

Everybody who chooses to reject Christ will face this eternity. This is what non-believers will face, but what will happen to Christians after the Rapture?

Too many Christians are intimidated by the Book of Revelation, but that’s because they don’t take the time to study. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: or the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3).

It is a prophecy from God, and therefore can be trusted to be accurate, as long as we don’t confuse God’s words with human thoughts. Jesus begins by giving a prophecy within the prophecy. This concerns the church and the various stages it will go through. This comes in the form of seven letters, which John is to give to seven churches. When read in order, it can be seen that these letters tell the future of the ekklesia; from the letter to Ephesus, the new believers who were on fire for the Lord, to the letter to Laodicea, where Jesus is outside knocking, the history is clear. We are living during the last letter, the one to Laodicea, where Christ isn’t welcome inside.

Doctrines of demons are altering God’s word to the point where sin is accepted and truth is rejected. “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter” (Revelation 4:1).

The words “after this” and “hereafter” come from the Greek “meta tauta.” This is a sequential phrase. For example, I went to first grade, meta tauta second grade, meta tauta third grade, etc. We see that after the seven letters, there’s a door opened in heaven, and John (representing Christians) is called to enter. Yep, it’s the Rapture! He’s shown things that will happen meta tauta.

The first thing he saw was a throne. “And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald” (Revelation 4:3).

John could only use words to describe the indescribable. I try to imagine what he saw, but I’m limited by my human understanding. Heaven must be amazing.

Then he saw twenty-four elders sitting around the throne. They were clothed in white and had crowns (stephanos) of gold. Isaiah also had a vision of the throne of God (Isaiah chapter 6). He saw seraphim calling Holy, holy, holy but didn’t see the twenty-four elders. There is some debate as to their identity, but since John saw them and Isaiah didn’t, I believe they represent the church.

John saw beasts with wings, full of eyes, saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. I long to hear their voices raised in praise of God Almighty. The elders fell down before the throne “…and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:10b-11). 

It’s important to understand that Jesus created all things. Then John saw Jesus, the Lamb. “And they sung a new song, saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).

Again, this is evidence that the elders are Christians. We are the ones who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Christians will have our works judged, but not for salvation. Our salvation was sealed the moment we truly believed in Christ, and no amount of works will save us. Our works will earn crowns, and I do want a crown to throw before the throne of God in praise and worship. The Apostle Paul warned about building our life on a foundation that is other than Jesus.

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Build your life with gold, silver, and precious stones on the foundation of Christ.

It’s easy to understand from studying Scripture that we are very near to the Rapture. You decide what happens to you after the Rapture. Reject Jesus Christ and face seven years of judgment then eternity in the lake of fire, or surrender your life to Christ and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. I suggest that you put your faith in Jesus today.

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).