Maybe it is just me, but it seems like the end times written about in the Books of Daniel and Revelation are quickly approaching, if not already here. Brother Barry Scarbrough along with others make some compelling arguments as to why the rapture could occur in the next few days or weeks. Melinda and I are both ready especially after the news we received this week from the oncologist.
In Matthew 24:36-51, Jesus tells us no one but GOD knows when all of these events will occur. All I can say for sure is we are closer today than we were yesterday. It is hard for me not to believe based on all the events that are happening around the globe that the birthing pains have begun. The problem, as I see it is there are too many viewpoints around the rapture and Book of Revelation. Points of view range from there is no rapture to a Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib rapture. I have researched them and I can see the point of view in each argument; however, for me, I believe Jesus will take his bride to be with him before GOD pours out his judgment onto the world.
As I was researching rapture, I ran across Monte Judah, a Messianic Jew, with Lion and Lamb Ministries. As I watched some of his videos he explained how the number seven is significant throughout the Bible. In Genesis, we learn that GOD created everything in 6 days, and rested on the 7th. Before I get to what Monte said that was a revelation for me, I have to sidetrack for just a second. In my post What Matters, I talked about young-earth creationism, which basically means I believe the earth is around 6000 years old, and for those that say we could not have 7 billion people on the planet if the earth was only around 6000 years old please read, “Billions of People in Thousands of Years?” Now back to my revelation from Monte’s videos. If the earth is around 6000 years old and given the significates of seven then we should be approaching the 1000 year millennium reign. If you break the bible into years the first 2000 years were all about GOD and the Fathers (Abram, Isaac, Jacob, etc), the next 2000 years were all about Jesus, and the last 2000 years have all been about the Holy Ghost. I think the time is almost here to begin the 1000 year reign. When it is all said and done it will be 7000 years then eternity, just like 7 days to create the earth and rest. I wonder is there anything to there being 7 billion people on the planet, today?
We often ask ourselves, is it time? Is it time to start, is it time to go, is it time to sell, is it time to move, is it time to look for a new job, is it time??? This week it was time for Melinda and me to meet with her oncologist. We made the trip to Austin, which was strange as the last time we went to Austin was March. I asked her before we went in, “Do you want to tell him what is wrong”? She said, Yes. When we got into the room Melinda tried to tell him what was wrong, but she struggled to put together the right words. I can not imagine how frustrating it must be for her to not be able to put together the words when she knows them but can not speak them. His only comment was it appears that her speech has gotten worse since our last virtual appointment.
I told him we have learned that it is best to phrase questions in such a way that she can respond Yes or No. So he did that and she got most of them correct. Just a bit of a rant here but why do they always assume you know what day of the week it is? I forget what day it is half the time and I’m working with a calendar. Anyway, I told him she really wants to tell you herself how she is feeling but she is struggling with her words. I then told him that her right side is not working almost as if she has had a stroke. She can not even lift up her right arm anymore.
He pulled up her MRI and showed us that the cancer was growing and the areas all around it were inflamed. He said the growth and inflammation would account for her not being able to use the right side of her body and struggling to speak. He then asked has she been rather lethargic lately because the area also affects one’s ability to get up and get going. I just said well she can not get up and get going with her right side not working. He recommended that Melinda restart chemo as soon as possible. He really wants to use Temodar, but knows her body can not handle it, so he is restarting the Avastin she stopped in June. I asked Melinda, “Do you want to start chemo again”? She said, YES.
He is going to start with the highest dose of Avastin as possible as well as increase her steroid to help with the inflammation. I asked him about radiation and unfortunately, he said that radiation was not really an option at this time. So it is time…
It is time to Pray.
It is time to thank, GOD.
It is time to love your Family.
It is time to give someone a Hug.
It is time to tell someone about Jesus.
It is time to come to Jesus if you do not know him as your Savior.
To me, things in this world seem to be getting worse and worse, but the worst thing that could happen is for anyone’s body to give out before they come to know Jesus. For us that live in Christ, this life is only temporary, so no matter what takes the body, (Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, an accident, a RIOT, fires, etc.), we know that a new body awaits us; a perfect body as GOD intended it to be, and we will get to use that body to spend eternity with our LORD.
If you are not saved, if you don’t know Jesus, what are you waiting for? Get saved now by…
- Recognizing that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:10, 23) “There is no one righteous, not even one… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
- Recognizing that we all die because of sin. (Romans 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Recognizing that Jesus died on the cross for you. (1 Peter 3:18) “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.”
- Recognizing that the only way to GOD is through Jesus. (John 14:6) “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
- Repenting of your sins. (Acts 3:19) “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”
- Receiving Jesus as your Savior. (Romans 10:9-10) “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
- Although definitely not a requirement of salvation, once you make the decision to follow Christ, I would highly recommend getting involved with a local group of believers and getting baptized to show the world that Jesus is your LORD and Savior.
Dear Jesus,
I do not have the words to express the grace that you gave us all by shedding your blood on the cross for our sins. A simple THANK YOU will never be enough, but it is a start for us that believe. It amazes me that I actually was thankful the other day for Melinda’s cancer. Although it was not the way either of us would have liked things to play out, I can see areas of our lives where you have used it for your glory. I continue to ask you, Heavenly Father to care for her and that your will be done in our lives until you call us home. On that note, selfishly, I ask that you bring us all home soon, so Melinda will not have to suffer through more chemo treatments. Until that day, I ask that you provide us opportunities to tell others about you. Praises to you, for all that you have done for us.
In your name, Jesus,
Amen
