Much of the world is preparing to celebrate. The question is, what’s being celebrated?

Children anticipate Santa Claus leaving gifts under a tree, while adults decorate homes with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. We give gifts to people we care about, attend office parties, send greeting cards, and generally make a big deal out of…what? Why do we do these things? Unless a person celebrates the birth of Jesus, this time of year holds no meaning and can bring on deep depression. Thoughts of suicide enter the mind, and many people actually follow through on those thoughts. Why? Loneliness? Maybe financially it’s hard to buy all the fun gifts for family and friends, so we feel inadequate. Santa gets the credit for those gifts anyway, so that’s depressing. There’s a major truth that is missing from the celebration, and that’s the true reason to celebrate. What is the true reason for celebrating Christmas?

“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” (John 3:16).

Why is it so hard to see the truth of this verse? Christians read this verse but seldom stop and think about the truth behind it. God loves each and every human being on this planet. Before He laid the foundation stone of the earth, He knew Adam would eat the forbidden fruit and that all of creation would fall. Since God is all-knowing, He had already designed the only way of salvation for all of humanity. Giving His only begotten Son to be the payment for the sins of the world was not an afterthought but shows how much He loves us. Whether you live in the darkest part of the Amazon jungle or in a very expensive neighborhood in a large city, God’s love and grace are there for you.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

The birth of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, is the true reason for the celebration of Christmas. God stepped into His creation because He loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. Believing the truth of what Jesus did for you is all it takes for you to become a part of the family of God. True faith in Christ’s sacrifice is the key that unlocks the doors of Heaven for everlasting life – eternally secure in the hands of our Savior.

God provided the way for everyone to receive everlasting life, and He made it easy for us. It’s important to remember that because He loves us, He gave us the freedom to choose to accept His free gift of salvation or to reject that gift. If we accept Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we choose life. His simple plan of salvation is available to everyone. For God, Himself, there was nothing simple about the plan. God, the Son, entered His creation as a baby, born to a virgin in a manger in Bethlehem.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

Jesus was born in a manger and grew up just like other children. God, the Father, watched as His Son was rejected but knew that Jesus had willingly agreed to this plan, including the part about being crucified in order for His pure blood to take away the sin that separated humanity from God and eternal life. The Father watched while Jesus was spit upon, slapped, mocked, ridiculed, scourged, and finally nailed to that cross to die. That would have been anything but easy for the Father to watch. Yes, Jesus died on the cross, but the grave couldn’t hold Him. He arose from the grave, conquering death for all who believe in Him. That’s the reason Jesus was born.

In order to accept the gift of eternal life, understand that you are a sinner, believe that God paid the price for your salvation, and put your faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, knowing that the blood He shed on the cross was to take your sin away. Then, receive God’s free gift of salvation – what could be easier? That faith should change your view of the hubbub surrounding Christmas. You’ll understand that Jesus is the reason for the season… not Santa. You will understand just how important you are to God.

Believing the truth of God’s love is the only way to salvation. It’s the only way to live eternally with Him.

“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).

Turn away from lies of evolution, Yoga, meditation, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism, atheism, and any other “ism” that is the latest fad. Only faith in Jesus will bring eternal life. Faith may not come easy for those who’ve been taught in school or at home that there is no God, or if you celebrate Santa instead of the birth of Jesus. I don’t understand how anybody can believe that all of the complexity of the world around us came from nothing. Evidence of the Creator is all around us, and by faith, we believe He was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20).

We have no excuse for rejecting the truth, which points to a loving God. We celebrate His birth on Christmas.

The only thing God asks of us is faith, not works.

“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 boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are no works involved. We don’t have to follow a set of rules and regulations to receive God’s free gift. Salvation is a free gift from God for anyone who believes. Yet we see that many Christian organizations want to add to the simplicity of what Jesus did for us. If you’re a part of a group that requires “works” to earn your salvation, then you haven’t placed your faith in Jesus for salvation.

In the days before Jesus’ birth, God gave His Law to Moses, but the religious leaders of Israel added over 600 laws to that Law. Many Christian-based organizations follow in the footsteps of the Pharisees, lording over the common people with works and rules for obtaining and keeping their salvation. This is not Scriptural. The free gift that God offers is just that, a free gift. Many religious groups require works in order for you to earn salvation, but that’s all hogwash. The “works” idea has been around for a long, long time, but when Jesus was asked about it, He said:

“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29).

Believe on Him, Jesus the Christ, whom God hath sent. The decision to die for His creation was made before mankind was created. Will you accept His free gift, or will you reject it? Faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior is easy; it’s just hard for those who wish to continue in their rebellion against God. There will always be those works-based Christians who insist on placing a massive yoke around the necks of those who want nothing more than a relationship with their Saviour God. Place your faith in Him now, and let His love transform you.

God loves everybody. He knows we sin, but Jesus’ birth wasn’t to condemn us.

“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 3:17-18).

God’s love is the same for each of us. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

Whether you are a king, a pope, or a common laborer, He loves you. God doesn’t want any of His creation to perish; no matter what ethnic group or social circle you belong to, God loves you.

“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).

God doesn’t want you to spend eternity in Hell. God loves us with a perfect love we can’t even come close to comprehending, but we can understand “…that whosoever believeth in him should not perish…” (John 3:16b).

Believing in Jesus as our God and Saviour is all it takes to gain everlasting life; Jesus paid the price for the free gift. All we have to do is receive the gift. It’s simple when you really think about it.

Salvation comes by faith, but people need to hear God’s truth. Instead of the generic “Happy holidays,” boldly say “Merry Christmas,” and then be ready to share the reason Christ was born.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

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

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

It’s coming. Whether you believe in the Harpazō or not, you will be affected by it. If you’ve accepted Christ for salvation, then you will be taken to Heaven to be with Jesus. However, if you’ve rejected Christ’s offer of salvation, you will face God’s wrath. Scripture is clear about the Rapture/Harpazō, but many who call themselves Christians haven’t a clue what it is. I’m sorry to say that pastors seldom teach about it, and the congregation sleeps in the pews, never opening their Bibles to read, let alone study God’s word.

The Rapture is our blessed hope. It’s a promise that those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus won’t face God’s wrath and judgment during the final seven years of history on earth. There is much written in Scripture about the Rapture, but there are various interpretations, and it can get confusing.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

It’s always best to just believe what God says and not listen to man’s ideas.

Some pastors teach that there won’t be a Rapture. These same preachers are most likely in error on other clear Biblical truths. Most likely, they believe in Replacement Theology, which is the false belief that Christians have replaced the Jewish people in God’s heart. We haven’t replaced them: we have our own special place, and they have their special place. Then there is the ridiculous idea that Christians have to go through the Great Tribulation so that we can be purified. Really? That’s what Christ did for us. No human is sinless, and only the sinless blood of God can take our sin away. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and, therefore, is fully God. He was also fully human because His mother, Mary, was human.

When the Apostle Paul was in Thessalonica, he taught them deep truth in a very short time. He was there for three weeks, and he not only taught them the truth of the Gospel but taught them about the Rapture. He also established a congregation there that was truly saved. They remembered his teaching about the Rapture, but they also saw tremendous persecution happening all around them. The Christians there forgot what had been taught to them and were concerned that they had missed the Rapture. Paul assured them they hadn’t missed it, then went on to explain the order of events. The Rapture is a fact.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

Today, there are more and more people, even pastors, who deny the truth of the Rapture or else place it out of order when teaching on the end times. Christ will come for us before the events of the final seven years and before the Antichrist is revealed.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

The Greek word “apostasia” is translated “falling away,” and there is debate over what Paul meant. Did he mean there would be many people who believe false doctrine, or did he mean there would be a departure? This could actually mean both. There are many, many false doctrines being taught, and according to Paul’s letters to Timothy, this is a sign of the times. Pastors go to seminary and learn to question God’s truth, then come up with their own interpretation of Scripture, write books, and lead thousands upon thousands of people astray.

Paul could have also meant that the man of sin cannot be revealed as long as Christians are on earth. The Holy Spirit resides in us and restrains the totally evil man from being able to come into power. As Christians become more worldly, it’s easier for Satan to work his evil, and all things are falling into place for the Rapture first, then the seven years of tribulation.

No matter what exactly Paul had in mind, there are many signs that the Rapture is drawing near. Things are getting unbelievably wicked in the world, and Christians are going along with the worldly ways that lead to destruction. Shame on us for not standing firm on God’s truth.

The Apostle John wrote that we need to test spirits. “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:3).

Brothers and sisters, study Scripture and prepare yourself to discern God’s truth from Satan’s lies. Then stand firm on the solid foundation of God’s truth.

Paul agreed with John. “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; 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” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10).

John had written that the “spirit of antichrist” was already in the world, and Paul said that the only thing that holds this evil in check is the Holy Spirit. Only God can restrain Satan. When Christians are Raptured, the man of sin will have free rein to deceive all who are left behind. The Holy Spirit will continue His work to draw the unsaved and reveal God’s truth to all who are left behind, but you’d be wise to listen to Him now. Satan is a liar and is able to deceive anyone who has rejected God’s truth.

When Jesus walked this earth, He did many miracles. He healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, fed thousands with a few fish and some bread, and many more wonderous signs. These were true miracles, but Satan has some power, too. Nothing like the power of God, but he will empower the man of sin to work “signs and lying wonders.” He will deceive the people left here. Jesus talked about this.

“But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (John 5:42-43).

If you don’t have the love of God in you, then you are open to the deceptive lies of Satan and the Antichrist.

God has done everything He can to bring everyone to salvation. He entered His creation and willingly allowed Himself to be crucified — the final sacrifice for our sin. He gave us Scripture, and there have been many Christians who share their faith. The Truth is available to anyone who seeks it. Unfortunately, many have rejected the truth. They will be left on earth to face the horrors of the Great Tribulation.

“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 2:11-12).

What’s the lie? There are many ideas about this. Some say that the lie is that UFOs are good and benevolent beings from a distant star system and that they have come to help humanity to live better. That is certainly a lie. As we draw nearer to the end of time, and Christians aren’t standing strong in their faith, we hear more about UFO sightings, and many people claim to have been abducted. These reports are too numerous to ignore and are something that Satan would do in order to bring fear and confusion.

Could the lie be that men think they are really women, and women think they are men? In his letter to the Romans, Paul goes into great detail about what happens when God is rejected as the Creator. A belief in the lie of evolution leads to sexual depravity. Jesus said that it would be incredibly wicked at the end.

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-29).

If you study what was happening during Noah’s time and Lot’s time, you will see very similar things that are happening today. You have to study Scripture. Most pastors don’t touch on this subject at all, and therefore many Christians haven’t any idea of what’s happening in the world around us.

Another delusion that will be strong is that the Antichrist is actually Jesus and worthy of worship. “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4).

This, of course, happens after the Rapture. Christians will be in Heaven with Jesus, but the Antichrist will be alive and well, deceiving those left behind and causing everyone to take his mark. When a person takes the mark of the beast, they can no longer be saved. The world is being prepared for the end times, so be very careful what you allow into your body.

God has given us all the information we need in order to avoid being deceived. We all have a choice. You need to study Scripture – really study and not just read it or believe everything the preacher says. Otherwise, you might find that you are believing things that God doesn’t say in Scripture. It’s easier to be deceived if you don’t have facts.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Don’t be deceived or fall for any of Satan’s lies. It’s easy to be deceived if you don’t know truth. Study Scripture and don’t compromise God’s truth.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

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

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