“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is” (Jeremiah 17:7).

Why do so many people complicate salvation? Salvation isn’t hard, but too many religious groups misrepresent Scripture and confuse many people.

Things like infant baptism aren’t Scriptural. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

I’ve never met an infant who can understand what sin is, believe he is a sinner, repent, and ask for forgiveness. An infant only knows to cry when hungry or when he is in need of a diaper change. The infant can only understand asking to feel better, and not what it means to tell a lie or steal. The choice to believe in Jesus has to be a decision each person makes for themselves; parents cannot make the decision for their child, only guide them. Unfortunately, it’s more important for many parents to be sure their children believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny than to believe in Jesus.

Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ, so no matter where you attend services, if you haven’t personally accepted Jesus Christ and repented of sin, then you need to do that now.

God didn’t complicate salvation but actually simplified it. Scripture makes it clear as to what God considers sin, and the Jewish Law was a bit complicated. God made a covenant with Abraham, which was evidenced by circumcision. Then came the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai. It took work in order to perfectly keep the law, and nobody was able to keep it perfectly. The sacrifices would cover sin but couldn’t take sin away. Why? The blood was not human blood, and God never requires spilling human blood for a sacrifice. Besides, human blood is tainted by sin, and sin cannot remove sin. Sin could not be removed by the blood of animals, only cover it.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4).

To take sin away, the sacrifice would have to be a human without sin-tainted blood. That sacrifice was Jesus, who was fully human and fully God. Mary was just a normal human, so Jesus was human because of her. If she were anything other than human, Jesus could not be our Kinsman. On the other hand, God was His Father, which means that Jesus did not inherit the sin-tainted blood that fathers pass on to their sons. Jesus’ blood was pure. Because of that, He qualified as our Redeemer. According to the Law, a kinsman-redeemer had to be willing, and Jesus willingly shed His blood to redeem humanity.

If you reject this free gift, you’ve chosen your eternal fate. If you have made the all-important decision to accept the free gift of salvation offered by Jesus, then you are forever sealed with the Holy Spirit, and your eternity is very bright.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). 

That’s so reassuring.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and just like a flock of sheep know the voice of their shepherd, Christians need to know the voice of our Shepherd. We learn to hear His voice and follow Him by studying Scripture.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

Sometimes Christians begin to doubt their own salvation. This verse should put aside all doubts. If you were sincere when you accepted Jesus for salvation, your salvation is secure.

Sin is a part of our human failings, but that isn’t an excuse to keep sinning. We need to confess our sins, not to a priest or any other human, but confess to God.

“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).

Only Jesus can forgive sin. No amount of saying “Hail Mary” or doing penance will forgive your sin. Only Jesus can and will forgive. Once you ask forgiveness, then it’s time to turn from the sin.

“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” (Romans 12:1).

Living sacrifice? That means you need to represent our Lord in a way that pleases Him. He desires more than lip service from us.

“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).

That word “peculiar” comes from the Greek word “periousios,” which means a people selected by God for his own possession. It might be easier to understand by reading a modern translation.

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14 NKJV).

Good works won’t bring salvation, but they should be a result of our faith.

Can your friends see a change in you since you accepted Christ? Other people watch Christians, mostly to mock us when we fail, but if you live your life as a living sacrifice to God, you just might influence someone to accept the Lord before it’s too late. It’s important to study Scripture because there’s a good chance a friend will ask questions about why you don’t join in the party scene like you used to.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). 

You probably have questions of your own that can only be answered through Bible study.

Why do I talk so much about salvation? I feel an urgency to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others. Time passes quickly, and we will either die like so many before us, or the Rapture will happen.

I’m watching signs of the times and can see prophecy is being fulfilled quickly. If you’re waiting until tomorrow to share the Gospel with a friend, don’t wait; tomorrow may be too late. Even young people die unexpectedly.

Biblical prophecy can be trusted to be true. It may not be crystal clear how it will all play out, but you can be sure that it will all happen just like Scripture says. For instance, prophecy made it clear that Israel would be back in the land that God gave to them. Men who thought they knew more than God came up with the false teaching that the church has replaced Israel. God will never completely turn against Israel, and He promised that they will be back in their land. In 1947, it happened, just as Scripture says.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:11-12).

There are many other prophecies that are being fulfilled, and it’s very clear that we are living in the very last of days. Pray for Israel. Other prophecies tell us that there is coming a time when Satan will rule and Great Tribulation will grip the entire world, worse than anything the world has seen. Technology is being put in place that will allow the mark of the beast to be a reality. Anyone taking that mark will not be able to be saved from damnation.

The good news is that none of the final judgments will happen until Christians are Raptured. We will be taken to Heaven prior to the onset of the final seven years of life. Demons will be released, and God’s wrath will be poured out on the entire world. Now is the time to talk to your friends and family about Jesus. Now, before it’s too late. Today, the Holy Spirit is living in Christians and restraining the evil. Now is when salvation can be obtained by sincerely asking for it.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14).

How indeed? You need to speak up and not be ashamed of your faith in Jesus Christ.

Time is short. Share the Gospel before it’s too late.

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).

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

Here’s a fact that seems to be ignored by many preachers. Time is coming to an end. The same people who claim to believe in God don’t believe Scripture. Well, maybe we believe the good things like God is love and our sins are forgiven. When was the last time your pastor preached about sin and how it separates us from God? When did he preach about the blood Jesus shed for your salvation?

Maybe there are too many people sitting in the pews who embrace their sin and don’t want their conscience pricked. Sadly, maybe the pastor is happy in his own sin.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the men whom he placed as pastors to stay true to Scripture and not turn to false teachings to draw crowds. In fact, Paul wrote to one young pastor about a future time when God’s word wouldn’t be tolerated.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

That doesn’t sound very seeker-friendly, but it does sound like sound doctrine. If pastors don’t “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” the congregation, then woe unto them for condoning sin and tickling ears.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

That time has come. Christians have become complacent about the fables that are taught in public schools and have allowed the “politically correct” attitude to prevail. Shame on us. God has warned us about false teachers and false prophets, but too many Christians have found it too easy to allow the man (or, unfortunately, the woman) in the pulpit to tell them what to think rather than studying Scripture and understanding it. Deception can only happen if we allow it.

Famine is a very dire problem. When crops fail, people and animals don’t get fed. We are in the grips of a famine today. Not a famine of food, but a famine of God’s word.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12).

God’s prophets of old still speak to us today, if we will only listen. Christians must be the leaders in understanding God’s truth and living according to His words instead of what the world dictates.

Many prophets of God spoke about the times in which we live, most notably Daniel. He was given a prophecy regarding the end of time, but for centuries it was impossible to understand. Israel was not a nation, and the temple had been destroyed. In Daniel’s time, the Temple had been destroyed, but in his prophecy of the end times, he talks of the Temple service ceasing, which means the temple will once again be rebuilt.

“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” (Danuel 9:27).

This prophecy is regarding the final 7 years of time on earth. Halfway through those 7 years, activity in the temple will cease, so we can be sure the temple will be rebuilt. Daniel was not a false prophet. The Jewish people are ready with everything they need to rebuild the temple, and this one will be the one the “Anti-Christ” takes as his own. This will happen soon.

Jesus was asked by his disciples about the end. “…Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3b).

The word translated as “world” is “aion” and is better translated as “age.” Jesus began His answer by warning against deception. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).

This advice needs to be heeded. After all, Jesus said this, and there is no greater authority than Jesus. How do you keep from being deceived? Study Scripture.

In recent years, there have been deluded people stating they are the Messiah. Not long ago, there was a man in Israel who was thought to be the Messiah. The Jewish people were very excited, but it came as no surprise to those of us who know that Jesus was/is the Messiah, that the man was not who they thought he was.

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). 

False prophets are all around. Keep in mind that Scripture is God’s word. It was written by men who received it directly from the Holy Spirit.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

Therefore, if someone makes a claim that contradicts Scripture, that person is a false prophet or a false teacher.

Christians must be very cautious these days. As we draw near to the Rapture and then Daniel’s final week, the deception will be great. Satan’s time will be short, and he will attempt to deceive as many people as possible.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

False teachers and false prophets have always plagued God’s people, but Peter tells us these lies will get worse. There are many “damnable heresies” being taught today, and Christians who don’t know Scripture can easily be deceived.

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

For some reason, deceivers never come saying, “I’m Buddha” or some other false god. They always try to turn people away from truth and claim to be Jesus. Remember, truth is in Jesus Christ as stated in Scripture.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Don’t be deceived by any man.

If you think that the warnings against false prophets are for a generation yet in the future, then you need to be more informed. There have been many people in modern times who have deceived people. How many who are reading this remember Jim Jones? He led many people to their deaths. What about David Koresh and the Branch Davidians? He was a false prophet indeed. Many people died because of his false teachings. He was supposed to be the Messiah and the world was to end decades ago.

Do you remember Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles? They founded Heaven’s Gate and believed they were the two witnesses of Revelation. They also believed they would be taken in a spaceship after death and resurrected. In 1997, they convinced their followers to commit suicide in conjunction with the Hale-Bopp comet passing Earth. Yes, people believed this nonsense. There are many others who have led the gullible astray by claiming to be the Messiah. It’s so very, very important to study Scripture and test all things by Biblical teachings.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

If you think there are no more false prophets, think again. The latest guy claims to be the Mahdi and tries to blend Islam and Christianity, and he is deceiving many people with his heresies. People are selling everything they own and giving him the money. It’s amazing to me that these false teachers require their followers to have nothing while the false prophet lives in luxury. When the true Messiah walked this earth, he didn’t live in luxury.

“And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:58).

If anyone claims to be a religious leader but has much wealth, you might want to think twice before you follow them. Jesus Christ is the only Messiah, and there is no other way to salvation except through Him. If you study up on the Mahdi, he is described very much like the Anti-Christ.

We are drawing very near to the Rapture, and sometime after Christians have been taken safely Home, the Anti-Christ will be revealed. All people left on Earth after the Rapture will face horrendous terrors. Believe in the one true Christ and beware of false Christs and false prophets.

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).