Follow Up: Exodus Plagues and Revelation Parallels

A follow up to my post yesterday referencing seeing the plagues as an OT picture of the Tribulation. Pastor J.D. Farag touched on this 12 years ago. I am looking for the sermon video, but here are the notes for anyone interested in reading.

Exodus Plagues and Revelation Parallels

Endure

 2020.

Every year 2019 and before, when someone mentioned 2020, it was in in regards to vision.

• Someone has 2020 vision (present tense)
• Hindsight is 202 (looking back).

But it has always been about bringing clarity. Well, almost 8 months done of 12 in 2020 and clarity is the last thing any of us have. 

• Fires - Australia and California
• COVID-19 - GLOBAL PANDEMIC
• Riots and Looting - Global again, mainly in the USA though
• BLM, ANTIFA - terrorist organizations on American soil
• Election 2020 - Biden vs. Trump
• Mask mandates
• Q, Anon, - Conspiracy theorist or truth?
• Hurricanes - Marco and Laura in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time. Laura was a category 4 hurricane, and got close to being a 5.

If 2020 has taught any of us anything, is that we have absolutely zero control over anything. As a Christian, I know this. But I am human, I have flesh, and this flesh has control issues. So this year has been stressful for me.

But, looking back (see what I did there), the last few years have been rough. Specifically the last three years have been hard, on a personal level. Job changes, hardships in my marriage, a miscarriage, fincial uncertainties. 

In my last post, I shared how we were bracing for Hurricane Laura. By the grace of God, we didn't even get a drop of rain. Louisiana on the other hand, devastated completely. The timing of it all, another God thing. Three years ago we braced for and dealt with Hurricane Harvey.  Seeing the memories on Facebook - it felt like the rain would never end, and it gave me a new and greater appreciation for Noah and his family on the ark. Speaking of timing...a pastor I listen to and study is J.D. Farag out of Hawaii. His mid week sermon yesterday was titled: In His Time (Sermon LINK) It's a great one! I highly encourage you to take an hour and listen, process, and take to heart what Pastor Farag has to say.

It was a great reminder that EVERYTHING is in God's time. To be honest, I am over "it". It being the chaos, the riots, the lectures, the shut downs, the mask mandates, the trying to explain to my children everything that is going. Thankfully, I have my faith. And by reading scriptures, listening to sermons, studying God's word - I am at peace that I do not understand everything. What I do know is this.

Matthew 24:13 (KJV)

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Jesus calls believers to endure to the end. To not give up. And what is the end? Death of the physical body, or rapture. And friends, I strongly believe that I will be raptured before this physical body of mine dies. Scripture tells us that we do not know the day or hour in which the trumpet shall sound (Scripture Link). But He did say there would be signs of the coming of the age (Luke 21:25-26). 

Thinking on everything that has occurred in the last three years, I ponder on all that the Church has gone through. The falling aways, the natural disasters, the financial and economic upheavals, the pure evil witnessed on a global level (beheading, child kidnappings, sexual slavery). And I am reminded about the plagues on Egypt from Exodus 7-12. I don't remember when I "found" this out, but I know I did not always know the following:

• 10 plagues
• The first 3, not only impacted the Egyptians, but also the Israelite's.
• The remaining 7 were on the Egyptians alone.

The first three plagues, were as Anne Graham Lotz said in series on Joel, were nuisance plagues. They made life uncomfortable. I just realized, it was 2015 when I started listening to Anne Graham Lotz when I learned this. And she is right. They got the Israelite's attention. The remaining plagues devastated every part of life for the Egyptians. 

Friends, I see the 10 plagues as an Old Testament picture of the Tribulation. Now, hear me out. 

Yes, the Tribulation is 7 years. And I believe each of the plagues that came upon Egypt represents the 7 years of sorrow on the nations that brings Israel back to their God. What about the first 3 plagues/ 3 years? Well, if 2020 is the year that the church is Raptured (I am not date setting - just thinking things out), then the last three years have been getting the attention of the Church. Pastor Farag here recently said he thinks that God is making everything so uncomfortable here on earth that we LOONG for His return in a way like we have never before. Friends, this is me. I love my family, my husband, my children, the life we have. But the world? The chaos? Uncertainty? The riots? Destruction? I am over it and want FAR AWAY from it. So much, that with each new story coming out, I look to Heaven and ask "when Lord?" 

What if the trumpet does not sound in 2020?

Hold tight friends. That means that things are going to get worse here on earth. That is why Jesus told us to endure to the end. He knew it would be hard, but for those of who do endure? Oh sweet reward! To hear:

Matthew 25:22-24 (NASB)

22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

There is no great reward for a believer in Christ than to hear our Lord and Savior say those words to us. So lets endure. Let's cling tight to our faith, study the Word, share the Gospel, and give what we are able to the brethen.

I want to end my post with sharing how to be saved if by chance anyone reading this post does not know Jesus.

This is from Pastor J.D. Farag's church website, but it explains saving salvation so well. ABC_Salvation

If you are unsure of your salvation, reach out to a Bible Believing and Teaching church, message me, find someone you know who saved. Do not delay. Remember, we do not know the day or hour, but the rapture will occur in the twinkling of an eye.

Prepare: The Storm is Coming

A storm is coming.

Literally, we are preparing for soon Hurricane Laura. Within the next 24 hours we will have possible category 3 or 4 strength winds, and a storm surge. Thankfully Marco did not become an event for us late last week. But let me tell you, 2 storm systems hitting area at one times screams "birth pains" to me - and many other fellow believers.

We have prepped as well as we can. We have supplies, we have brought the plants and toys into the garage. We have boards on the ready to put on the windows if we need to. And we have a plan on where to go if we lose power. 

Thanks to technology we knew the storm could be an issue as far back as August 16th - 9 days ago. That is amazing - we saw it form off the coast of Africa and have been able to keep an eye on it, take steps to be ready, and now here we are. 

In light of current world events and all that is going on I want to draw a parallel to another storm.One that will last 7 years. Friends, the Time of Jacob's trouble is soon. And all people, who have rejected Jesus, or not accepted Him fully will face a time unlike any other. I want us to consider Habakkuk 1:5 (NASB):

“Look among the nations! Observe!

Be astonished! Wonder!

Because I am doing something in your days—

You would not believe if you were told.

I have been blessed to study the Bible via the Precept Upon Precept style for a good 5 years now. Started off in the Book of Revelation, then moved onto the Kings and Prophet Series. That has included 1 & 2 Kings/Chronicles, and many of the minor prophets books. The past few weeks we have study the 3 chapter book of Habakkuk, 56 verses. And wow, what a book. I have enjoyed studying prophecy because many times there was a near application and a future application. Habakkuk is such a book. Habakkuk was disgusted with the wickedness in Judea, and called out to the Lord. These 56 verses are the conversation the prophet had with the LORD, the LORD's response and the warning for us all. What God told Habakkuk was to happen was so astonishing, that even being told, he, Habakkuk would not believe it. God used a pagan nation to bring about judgement on His people, to turn their hearts back to Him. And what a pagan nation it was. The Chaldeans, which were Babylonians. They were their own idol, boasted in their own strength, seemed to have supernatural abilities, 100% deplorable, cannibalism, and pure wickedness towards those who they overtook. 

So back to the storms....Because of modern technology we are not being caught unaware by Hurricane Laura. 120 years ago, the storm of 1900 hit Galveston, TX. 100 people died. It has been described as the worst storm in American History. Back then people didn't know they were in a hurricane until after it hit and destroyed their lives.

Whether you like weathermen or not, they do play an important role in our lives. One that I watch made an observation the other day that was enlightening. 

"For everyone complaining about changes in the forecast for Marco, keep in mind today’s 5-Day forecast is as accurate as a 1-Day forecast in 1980. Let that sink in. We’ve come a long way."

As time has gone on, our warnings have become more accurate, and more timely. We have more time to prepare.

Friends, God's word has done the same. The Bible is filled with the warnings of what will happen on and to the earth before the Tribulation. Jesus gave us a warning in Matthew 24.

Matthew 24

The Beginning of the Birth Pangs

Jesus left the Temple and went away. As he did so, his disciples came and pointed out the Temple buildings to him. 2 ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and you see all these things? I’m telling you the truth: not one stone will be left standing upon another. All of them will be thrown down.’

3 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately.

‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are going to appear as king, and that the end of the age is upon us?’

4 ‘Watch out,’ replied Jesus. ‘Don’t let anyone deceive you. 5 You see, there will be several who will come along, using my name, telling you “I’m the Messiah!” They will fool lots of people. 6 You’re going to hear about wars, actual wars and rumoured ones; make sure you don’t get alarmed. This has got to happen, but it doesn’t mean the end is coming yet. 7 Nations will rise against one another, and kingdoms against each other. There will be famines and earthquakes here and there. 8 All this is just the start of the birthpangs.

9 ‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 Then several will find the going too hard, and they will betray each other and hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will arise, and they will deceive plenty of people. 12 And because lawlessness will be on the increase, many will find their love growing cold. 13 But the one who lasts out to the end will be delivered. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom must be announced to the whole world, as a witness to all the nations. Then the end will come.’

The Desolating Sacrilege

15 ‘So when you see “the sacrilege that desolates”, as Daniel the prophet put it, “standing in the holy place” (the reader should understand), 16 then those who are in Judaea should take to their heels and run to the mountains. 17 If you’re up on your roof, don’t go down into the house to get things out. 18 If you’re in the fields, don’t go back to pick up your cloak. 19 It’s going to be terrible for pregnant and nursing women during those days. 20 Pray that it won’t be winter when you have to run away, or for that matter a sabbath. 21 Yes: there’s going to be such great suffering then as has never been since the start of the world until now – no, and won’t ever be again. 22 And if those days had not been shortened, nobody at all would have been rescued. But for the sake of God’s chosen ones those days will be shortened.

23 ‘Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”, don’t believe them. 24 False messiahs will arise, you see, and false prophets too. They will provide great signs and portents, so as to deceive even God’s chosen ones, if that were possible. 25 Remember, I’m telling you this beforehand!

26 ‘So if someone says to you, “Look! He’s out in the wilderness”, don’t go out. If they say, “Look, he’s in the inner room”, don’t believe them. 27 You see, the royal appearing of the son of man will be like the lightning that comes from the East and flashes across to the West. 28 Where the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.’

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 ‘Straight away,’ Jesus continued, ‘after the suffering that those days will bring,

The sun will turn to darkness,

and the moon won’t give its light;

the stars will fall from heaven,

and the powers of heaven will shake.

30 ‘And then the sign of the son of man will appear in heaven; then all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see “the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. 31 He will send off his messengers with a great trumpet-blast, and they will collect his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 ‘Learn the hidden meaning from the fig tree. When its branch begins to sprout, and to push out its leaves, then you know that summer is nearly there. 33 So with you: when you see all these things, you will know that it is near, at the very gates. 34 I’m telling you the truth: this generation won’t be gone before all these things happen. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never, ever disappear.’

The Unexpected Coming

36 ‘Nobody knows what day or time this will happen,’ Jesus went on. ‘The angels in heaven don’t know it, and nor does the son; only the father knows. 37 You see, the royal appearing of the son of man will be like the days of Noah.

38 ‘What does that mean? Well, in those days, before the flood, they were eating and drinking, they were getting married and giving children in marriage, right up to the day when Noah went into the ark. 39 They didn’t know about it until the flood came and swept them all away. That’s what it’ll be like at the royal appearing of the son of man.

40 ‘On that day there will be two people working in the field. One will be taken, the other will be left. 41 There will be two women grinding corn in the mill. One will be taken, the other will be left.

42 ‘So keep alert! You don’t know what day your master will come. 43 But bear this in mind: if the householder had known what time of night the burglar was going to come, he would have stayed awake and wouldn’t have let his house get broken into. 44 So you too must be ready! The son of man is coming at a time you don’t expect.’

The Wise and Wicked Slaves

45 ‘So,’ Jesus went on, ‘who then is the trustworthy and sensible slave, the one the master will set over his household, so that he will give them their meals at the right time? 46 Blessings on the servant whom the master, when he comes, finds doing just that. 47 I’m telling you the truth: he’ll promote him to be over all his belongings. 48 But if the wicked slave says in his heart, “My master’s taking his time”, 49 and starts to beat the other slaves, and to feast and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day he doesn’t expect, and at a time he doesn’t know. 51 He will cut him in two, and put him along with the hypocrites, where people will weep and grind their teeth.’

I will finish by saying, we are running out of time to prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. What are you doing to ensure that as many can will be caught up from the wrath to come? Let the urgency you have prepared your home be mimicked in your kingdom work. As you reached out to the elderly you know to see if they needed supplies, or boards put on their windows - seek them out and ask them if they have a personal relationship with Jesus.

We know, roughly, when the storm will hit us tomorrow. None of know when Jesus will return. We have signs, and we need to be ready. Stay safe friends. Be secure in Jesus.

God and Government Authority

I heard an amazing sermon last week on God and Government Authority.

Pastor Nathan Cothen is the Pastor for Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont, TX - just a short one hour drive from where I live. I listen to him most afternoons on my way home, local station 100.7 FM. He preaches God's word, and in unapologetic about it.  He is one of my favorite pastors to listen to these days.

Their Day in Court - Sermon Audio

If you are able, please listen to the sermon. Below are my notes that I took when I had a chance to re-listen. 

Their Day in Court

Acts 4:13-22

Trouble: Government says "No" and we say "Yes" to GOD

What are believers to do when the laws of the state are in conflict with the laws of God?

Acts 4:13-22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 

15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 

16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 

17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 

18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 

20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 

21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 

22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Guilty - Peter and John

• healing a cripple (a miracle)
• speaking truth

Charges not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

Jesus to Pilate, night before crucifixion - "You would have no authority over me if it were not given to you from above."

Natural Revelation - everyone deep in their heart knows there is a God (Romans 1).

Nobody who thinks he is a god wants to hear about sin.

Verdict - The Sanhedrin wanted to kill Peter and John but too many were watching. So for the time, told them to shut up.

PROBLEM - Sanhedrin told them to stop preaching about Jesus, and Jesus told them to preach Jesus no matter what!

Romans 13:1-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Be Subject to Government

13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 

2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 

5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 

6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 

7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

How do we deal with when God says one thing and man says another?

• Does God put in place irreligious governments? Yes. He uses even those who do not bow to Him, as agents of restraint and unregenerate men to keep some semblance of order in the world.

God & Government Authority

What ranks what place? Is the state above authority? No. GOD is!

3 Categories:

1.Agreement
        When everyone agrees.

        Even in non-Christian societies, have some general guidelines (Hindu, Communist, etc) they all say on "paper" - 

            - murder is wrong

            - rape is bad

            - lying is an offense (sworn in at court)

Remember - all truth is God's truth.

John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."

On the BIG stuff, there is generally agreement, no problem, all on the same page.

2. Aggravation

        Not Morally or Biblically wrong, just irritate you.

            - IRS - take your money and do not ask you waht should be done with it.

                     - we may disagree with them and their policies - it is not immoral or Biblically wrong - so                         we all pay our taxes

            - Motor Cycle vs. Car

                    - in a motor cycle

                        no helmet

                        no doors

                        no seat belt

                    Perfectly Legal

                    - in a car - roughly 6,000 pounds can get a ticket for not wearing a seat-belt

3. Abomination

• God says one thing and government says another. 
• 2 sub types
• Gov. says "yes" & we (Christians) say "No"
• i.e. 1973 ROE v. Wade
• Prior to this God and Gov. said no to abortion.
• If there is any good news, when evil people are allowed to do evil things, and we says no, they cannot flog us, put us in jail, or kill us.

Where we run into trouble is when...

• Gov says "no" and we say "yes to God.
• God said to do it, not only did He say to do it, but we are under compulsion to do it.

What then?

3 answers

1. Obey God - Don't even need to pray it. When the two are in conflict, we are going to obey God.
2. Accept what comes (man up!) (don't organize an army)
1. Peter was in jail twice.
1. 1 time freed
2. 2nd time crucified

Why was it God's will to miraculously free him one time, an angel escorting him out of the city and next time he goes in, its God's will for him to be crucified?

What do both of these have in common?

Glorifying God

• Enhance the reputation of Jesus Christ
• and we as believers in Jesus Christ signed on the dotted line that we no longer live but die to ourselves and live for Jesus Christ.

Pastor Cothen -

"I don't mind dying for Christ, its the flogging. Dying for Christ is relatively easy, being in prison for heat speech, which is three (3) things away from happening in this country. Me being in prison, for hate crimes ir right around the corner. Hate speech . If you have any grit, you too."

Do what the original disciples did - we suffer.

    3. Watch

            Do you know what did Saul in? Holy Spirit was bringing a number of things against him. But, at the end of Chapter 7 of Acts, "stoning Stephen, to death, in total innocence, they laid their clothing at the feet of the man named Saul, who had told them to do it.

You know what breaks people inside? Watching innocent people suffer, unless you are a total mental case, it will break you watching innocent people suffer, because of your corruption. It is what turned the Roman Empires into the Christian world order. He'll do it again, but He has to have people ready to man up, and do what He says, which is obey Him and accept whatever comes and watch because what God chooses to do with it - that is His business.

Romans 8:28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

When we follow "obey, accept, watch & know" we may be delivered on this side or in heaven. His will, will be accomplished and we will hear....

Matthew 25:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

And that is what it means to be a Christian.

Sermons To Watch Concerning Pentacost

Dear friends,

I hope you will take the time to watch these 3 videos. Brother Chad reveals some connections in scripture that I find very enlightening.

And in light of what the world is going through currently, I found tremendous peace as his outlined the scritpures. Please read his disclaimer before watching.

J.S.

Disclaimer: I am not saying the rapture of the Church will occur this year in 2020 ( it very well could), and I am not saying the rapture of the Church must occur on the Feast of Pentecost. This is simply a study. However out of all 7 feasts of the Lord...I believe Pentecost without a doubt paints one of the most beautiful pictures of the pre tribulation rapture of the Church. This year on the Gregorian Calendar Pentecost falls on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Other calendars have it in late May- early June time frame.

The way you should live your life is in constant expectation as if today could be the day Jesus comes for His Church...but at the same time occupying if it's years from now ( I believe Jesus is at the door ). Keep watching with me. Keep looking up! Jesus is coming soon!

Video #1

Video #2

Video #3

Questions....

I have questions. Many, many, many questions.

Not about my faith, that is rock solid in Jesus, and this time has drawn me closer to Him, and yearning even more for the trumpet to call.

But this present world. This world where I am raising a family. I have so many questions about decisions that have been made, about what is to come, and is there something more going on.


Why can you go to Walmart but not Penny's?
Why the Dollar store and not a mom and pop shop?
Why can’t you have an elective surgery, but you can have an abortion, which is elective?
Why should you stay inside but yet heat and sunlight kill the virus?
What makes a person essential and another not?
Why have most other death rates dropped during the virus?
Why did world leaders meet in china in October 2019?
Why are the common people being controlled by the governments and no one is controlling the government?
Why are hospitals paid more for Covid 19 deaths?
Why does Sweden have some of the lowest cases but yet never locked down?
Why did Obama give the Wuhan lab $334 million dollars?
What does a computer geek have to do with a pandemic?
Why do they blame Trump for a world problem?
Why isn't there ever anything on the news but Trump or the virus?
Why did the CDC have a job posting for pandemic relief workers in November 2019?
Why did Dr. Fauci say in 2017 that the Trump administration would be faced with a " SURPRISE PANDEMIC " and now runs the pandemic team?
Why are they infringing on Christians religious freedoms, but yet Minneapolis MN is allowing muslims to install speakers in neighborhoods to do the call to prayer?
I don't care if you’re Republican or Democrat.
If you’re not asking these questions, you should.

Why are videos of doctors speaking out against Dr. Fauci being removed from all platforms? Why are pharmacist not filling prescriptions unless a doctor tells them the diagnosis (this is not normal)?

I have read too much scripture, overlaid it with world events, to not see more going on. These days we are in, are exactly like the days of Noah.

Matthew 24:37-39 (KJV)

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

I see the technology being pushed for the mark of the beast. I do believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. But right now it is being proposed that people get a vaccine (once available), or carry proof of anti-bodies to go back to work/school/society. There is push back. Those Christians who have read scripture are warning that this will condition society to accept what will happen in the Tribulation. And so many have complied so easily with government overreach, I see how easily the mark of the beast will be implemented.

Friends, I have said for several years that conditions on earth are going to get worse. And honestly, on a personal level, we have been pretty comfortable for the last 2 months. We have had to food to eat, even if we what we normally buy has not been available. We have not missed a meal. As a family of 5, I keep toilet paper on hand, so we never went without that. I buy my cleaning/hygiene products online, and that company has done an amazing job of monitoring supplies so everyone can still buy the essentials.

The upheaval to our life has been financial, schedule based, and routine of life. Our gym has been closed for over 2 months.  My husband has found handy-man work, and done wood working. But the loss of revenue to our business more than likely will not be overcome.  My children never went back to school or daycare after Spring Break. We are finishing up their school work this week, at home. We have not been to an in person church service since Spring Break. I have worked half days, a few days a week.

We show signs of the stress here and there. Bickering, short tempers, etc.

It has not all been bad on our personal level. Plenty of family time, time outside, movie nights, easier day-to-day schedules, projects long put off finally done. We have grown closer, leaned more about each other, and tried new things.

Even with the changes, we have had a peace about all the going ons. And a healthy skepticism about the actions of those in authority.

But then I look at what is going on around the world. Drones are being used to monitor people. Protest in front of government buildings. Tornados destroying towns. Locust destroying crops. Government leaders pushing to help themselves and not those who elect them. Abuses of authority, disregard for the common man.

And all of these, the questions, the actions, the inactions....leave me with one more question:

When?

When will the LORD return? When will the Church hear the trumpt call to glory?

I believe soon. Very soon. Any second.
I wake up every day with the expectation that today will be the day. And I go to bed each night, thankful for the day I had, because the LORD tarrying means more hearts are being won for the kingdom of God. More people are not going to hell each day we the Church remain on earth. But time is short.

I believe God is using this virus as an altar call before the trumpet call. While church buildings have been closed, families have had a time to build each other up. Satan has first and foremost always attacked the family unit. And many families have probably fallen apart in this time. But other families are going to shine coming out of this. If you are still at home more than normal, use this time to build up your family. Make sure your foundation is solid, is in Christ. The days are only going to get longer and harder.

A Taste of What is to Come...

Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

God is good. God is merciful. God is just.

And to believers, He is our refuge during times of uncertainty and hardship. In the past weeks I have had many conversations with friends, fellow believers, about how people are dealing/coping with the current situation (COVID-19). We as believers are at peace, slightly irritated with the government overreaches, missing in-person fellowship, and thankful for technology allowing us to communicate with each other. Now, its not all cherry pie in the sky. Jobs have been lost, families are facing uncertainties about the future, but we realize everyone is. Our boat situation might be different, but we are all in this storm together.

We no longer trust what the media says due to conflicting stories and updated week in and week out, and do not get me started on the president's updates and how his words are twisted every single time.

As believers, we know we have hope, and we know this world is not our home. But we are concerned with those we know who are not saved. Those who do not know the LORD personally. That ways heavily on our hearts.

But, we are trusting God. His word is true. And roughly 26.8% of the Bible is prophecy. Think about that! A quarter of the book that is to guide is us while we are here on earth is about future events. Many, most of which, have come true.

There is one book, Revelation, that is yet to come to pass. But, friends, we are getting a glimpse of the seals, trumpets, and bowls right now in the year 2020.

I want to walk you through the days of Noah and how the days at the beginning of the Bible are completed in the last book of the Bible, and how right now we are getting a small taste of both.

Luke 17:25-27  (NASB)

25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Matthew 24:36-38  (NASB)

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For [a]the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

Noah, the world had never seen rain, but he told them it would, and so much so that the world would flood. He might as well have been speaking a foreign language to them. He was the only one of his generation to have a relationship with God. And God told Noah to build an ark, bring on animals, his family and be ready to hunker down. The world was completely different after Noah and his family came off of the ark. That much time together, (it was more than 40 days by the way, that is how long it rained - then they had to wait for the waters to go down), him and his family were different. Not only that, they got to see a different world. They got to explore a different world when they came off the ark.

The world they left behind was ugly, was horrible. There was perversion, murder, corruption, godlessness, idol worship, people loved themselves and money. Folks, we are right back to where the world was when Noah put foot on the ark.

Jesus Himself told us that He will come back when the world is like it was when Noah was on earth. Friends, have your hearts ready. Now is not the time to do anything you will be ashamed to explain to Jesus. Honestly, you should live that way always.

2020 has been an interesting year. Fires in Australia, swarms of locusts across Africa, and the coronavirus (COVID-19).

People united over Australia (aide, prayer, resources).
Locusts, really has not gotten as much as attention even though it has destroyed so much.
COVID-19.

Countries have shutdown, gone into lock-down, for a virus that is highly contagious, but the death rate is extremely low. People have lost jobs/businesses, schools are shut down for the remainder of the school year, states are talking about not opening school until January 2021 (its April 2020).

When they shut our businesses down, we did it in unity, because we wanted to flatten the curve. When they told us to keep our kids home, school at home, not go to parks, we agreed. Keep our kids safe and healthy, yes, we will do it.

People still went crazy. Toilet paper shortage, egg/milk/bread shortages.

Then the stores started to limit not only how many of certain items you could buy, they limited how many people of your family could go shopping, then how many people could be in the store. They put markers on the floor to ensure 6 foot social distancing. Installed hand sanitizer dispensers. You cannot pick your own cart, they push it into the sore for you and tell you when you can go in.

And now, in my county, tomorrow morning a mandate goes into effect saying we have to wear a face mask when in public, anyone age 10 or older.

At the store today I saw the sign saying for entry, one must wear a mask to be in compliance with the new mandate.

God is giving us a glimpse of what will happen after the Church hears the trumpet call. Through this entire experience I have seen God's hand working moving. The very first establishment God created was the family. And through this God has given the family a chance to reset, recharge, and draw close to Him. Church buildings are closed, but families are spending more time together. Mother's are showing daughter's how to cook and sew. Dad's are doing wood-work, sons are watching. Kids are playing outside, using their imagination, families are sitting together watching church worship services.

Once the church is called home, in time God's wrath will be poured out on humanity with fire, disease, pestilence, and so many horror's people will make 1 of 2 decisions. Believe and accept God as their LORD, or mock Him, and turn their hearts to stone. And right now, here in 2020 we are getting a small taste of what is to come. I believe in a Pre-Trib Rapture, so I do not believe that the Christians will experience the wrath of God. But, just as Moses and the Israelite's experienced the first few plagues along with the Egyptians, Christians right now are getting a small taste of what will happen to humanity once they are no longer on earth. For Christians, this is a wake up call, share the GOSPEL! Tell people about Jesus. HE is coming soon, time is short.

While wearing a face mask is not a mark to buy or sell, governments already have the idea, and by the number of masks I saw people wearing in the store today, people will take the mark. People want life easy, and following Jesus is hard.

But it is worth it. Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" He is good. He is giving us another chance before it is too late.