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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

No doubt you have heard, as I have, many sermons preached on this text.

Most take the same view that those that enter in by the strait gate get saved and those who enter by the wide gate get lost.

But is it really that simple?

As I was washing up the dishes after breakfast this morning, God spoke to me on this very text. I want to share now that which I believe God gave me.

The vast majority of people in the world today DO NOT ENTER BY ANY GATE AT ALL.

They are simply not interested. Some do not believe in God and others, though believing in God have no desire to do anything about it.

They do not attempt to enter in, period!

In the verses quoted above, Jesus is not talking about this group of people. He is only referring to people who actually enter through one of the two gates mentioned. He is talking about people who have a desire for a religion that leads to eternal life and speaks of some finding it but most, although believing they have found it, actually end up lost!

In Revelation Chapter 3 15-16, Jesus gives a message to John, intended primarily for the Church at Laodicea and also prophetically to the Church of the last days before the Rapture.

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”

He speaks of three types of people, those who are HOT, those who are COLD and those who are LUKEWARM.

Those who are HOT are easily recognized as those who enter in by the strait gate. Those who are COLD can be seen as those who have no desire to enter any gate at all. But it is those who are LUKEWARM that appear as detestable to God. It is those who desire to enter the gate but go through the wrong gate, the wide gate. They are content with a form of religion that does not lead to life.

Notice that Jesus does not appear to have a problem with those who are COLD. He would rather someone be COLD than LUKEWARM!

Because the cold person, although as yet not having any desire for any religion, Christian or otherwise, they can still be reached with the truth.

But the lukewarm, those trying to enter in but by the wrong gate, are usually so stubbornly sure that they are right, that they become unreachable with the truth. They settle for error. They settle for a wrong gospel and another Jesus! (See 2 Cor. 11:4) They have the ‘form of Godliness but deny it’s power’ 2 Tim. 3:3

Going back again to our original text from Matthew 7, I want you to notice that Jesus said there will only be a few that find the true way that leads to life.

Does this surprise you?

This is a very different view from that which we hear from most preachers these days. We constantly hear revival being preached. We are constantly being told of mighty moves of the Holy Spirit that are sweeping millions into the Kingdom of God But if we are totally honest, we see that Jesus told a very different story.

Matthew 7 13-14 speaks of great deception.

It speaks of people trying to find the real truth, but ending up accepting a way that is far from the truth that leads to life. The word ’strait’ as used in KJV means ‘narrow, from obstacles standing close about’. It’s not that God has deliberately placed obstacles in the way to prevent people entering in, but that people have made obstacles of the truth.

Jesus said, “No man comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Many make this an obstacle. They would rather ignore what Jesus said and ‘climb up some other way’ John 10:1

They would rather seek God’s approval by good works, by going to Church or by their giving or a host of other ways. In the end, all these things become obstacles to them entering in and finding life. Jesus said, “I am the door, if anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” Jesus is the only Way, He is the only Truth and He is the only LIFE!

So many in the Church today are not entering in by Jesus. Many are following the big name preachers of this day. They hang on to every word that Mr. False Teacher says.

But because Mr. False Teacher is approved by so many, is so well known and respected by the majority, they take his words as truth, without testing them, and follow him.

They are deceived. They are lukewarm. They are detestable to God!

I believe that what we are seeing in the Church today is that which was prophesied for the end times in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. “…That day will not come unless the falling away comes first.”

The falling away means apostasy in Greek. The vast majorities in the Church today are in an apostate condition. They have settled for less than the truth.

“…All unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2:10

I challenge you who are reading this, do not settle for that which is being served up as truth by most preachers and ministers in Churches today.

“Test all things; hold fast to what is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21.

Test all that you hear by the infallible Word of God.

Not all that sounds ‘Christian’ is actually truth.

Be among the few who enter in by the strait gate and find LIFE!

Remember that Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock.” Luke 12:32 He called the true Church a little flock, not a massive big one! Are you one of the ‘Little flock’ Are you one of the ‘few there be that find it’

Pastor Keith Brown runs http://www.hiscomingministries.com and provides free downloads and cassettes of his teaching. Why not tune into one of the internet’s only Prophecy Radio Stations at http://www.hiscomingministriesradio.com Great Music, Great Teaching 24/7

Soul Services: Saying Kaddish

There is an abundance of mystical significance to the Kaddish prayer, which this article will touch upon; but first, some basics…

The most immediately noteworthy thing about Kaddish is that even though it is chanted by mourners, it is not a prayer for the dead. Exactly the opposite. As you can glean from just a superficial reading, it consists solely of lofty praises for the Creator and heartfelt imploring for the perfection of Creation.

There are four variations of Kaddish: ‘Whole,’ ‘Half,’ ‘Rabbis’,’ and ‘Orphans’.’ The first two are said only by the prayer leader, the latter two by the mourners in unison, even though anyone who participates in the study of the Oral Torah is entitled to say the Rabbi’s Kaddish.

The obligation of reciting Kaddish is part of the mourning observances for a parent, sibling, offspring or spouse for one month, starting immediately upon burial. For parents, the mourning continues through the rest of the year because of the obligation of ‘honor’ in addition to the mourning. When possible, it is preferable for a son of the deceased to be the Kaddish-sayer, rather than any other relative.

” … Rabbi Akiva’s mystical encounter with an lifelong sinner who had died…”

So if Kaddish makes no mention of the dead, and if it is so special, why do mourners say it? For one thing, it is an honor for the soul of the deceased that its ‘representative’ is saying the Kaddish. Primarily, it is a great merit and help for the soul during its year of judgment after death. This is especially true when it is said by the son(s) of the deceased, and especially when those sons lead observant Jewish lives.

One way we know of the extraordinary redemptive power of Kaddish is from a dramatic story that begins with Rabbi Akiva’s mystical encounter with an lifelong sinner who had died and was suffering grievous, unrelenting punishment. The sinner informed the rabbi that only if his sole surviving child would recite the Borchu and Kaddish could he be redeemed. With great effort, Rabbi Akiva located the lad and taught him these prayers. When the youngster finally recited Kaddish in the synagogue, he earned his father’s release. [1]

Saying Kaddish can also be very helpful for the mourners themselves. Just thinking about the ideas expressed as you say them (or before, or after) helps bring acceptance of the tragic loss, even when it is seemingly unreasonable and still painful. It is important to remember that G-d has a master plan.

Having to chant Kaddish in public (a minyan is required) and, often, simultaneously with others, also helps to move the mourner beyond personal woes and to start thinking more communally. Kaddish-saying stops at eleven months, because “the judgment of the righteous concludes after 11 months, the wicked after 12,” so to continue into the twelfth month would be to cast aspersion on the departed.

” The four letters of the word Mishna(h) can be re-arranged to spell Neshama(h), meaning ’soul’…”

In some communities, the mourner teaches out loud a bit of Mishna and adds another Rabbis’ Kaddish at the end of each of the three daily services. The recommended texts, included in many versions of the siddur, are very special, each citing various cases where the conclusion is ‘Pure.’[2]

Mishna is the preferred vehicle of study in this situation.

Kaddish is not said in Hebrew. Rather, it is recited in Aramaic, the main spoken language of the Jewish people from the period of the destruction of the first Temple (around 2400 years ago) past the completion of the Talmud (around 1400 years ago). If the reason is, as is traditionally understood, that the majority of the people were not fluent in the Holy Tongue, we can see how important it is for the mourner to understand the prayer he is saying.

” Deep mysteries are embedded in the letters, words, and phrases of the Aramaic…”

According to the Zohar, however, we employ a secular language because subjugating the “External Forces” (or the chitzonim) and utilizing them as a vehicle for holiness enables us to accomplish a profound goal expressed in Kaddish: “Let His Great Name be magnified and sanctified on earth.”

Another reason for reciting Kaddish in its original language, Aramaic, is that deep mysteries are embedded in the letters, words, and phrases of the Aramaic. Most of them we cannot fathom easily, but some are relatively accessible.

The Kaddish begins with the four words Yitgadal v’yitkadash shmei rabbah (meaning “Exalted and sanctified be His great Name”). These four words parallel the four letters of G-d’s holiest name. This is one reason we already respond “Amen” after only four words.

The main part of the response to the Kaddish is the line: Amen. Yihai shmai rabbah m’vorach, l’olam u’olmai umayah (meaning “May his great name be blessed forever, eternally”). This phrase contains seven words and 28 letters. The very first verse of the Torah, Bereishit bara Elokim et hashamayim v’et ha’aretz (”In the beginning G-d created the heaven and the earth”), also contains seven words and 28 letters. In addition, the introductory line to the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1), Vayadabair Elokim et kol hadevarim ha’elah, laimor (”And G-d spoke all these words, saying”), also contains seven words and 28 letters.

” This all-important seven-word sentence is followed by seven expressions of praise…”

Thus, saying Kaddish includes the privilege of linking to these two monumental events. The seven-word response also affirms our belief that G-d is the creator of all, and also intimately involved with his creation. This all-important seven-word sentence is followed by seven expressions of praise, beginning with yisbareich (be blessed). There should be no pause between saying almaya and continuing yisbareich, etc., for the wish that His Name be blessed generates immediately the demand that He be forever extolled.[3]

The Talmud and Zohar agree that responding, “Amen. May His great Name be blessed forever and ever,” with vigor can nullify an adverse decree of seventy or even one hundred years.” Because of this, nearly everyone calls out this response with extra intensity. Remember, it must also be said with total concentration for a decree to be annulled.

When the children lead good Jewish lives, full of mitzvah observance and Torah study, this is even more meritorious for the soul of the parents than saying Kaddish. In fact, the earliest extant records of Kaddish seem to indicate that Orphan’s Kaddish was expected to be said by pre-bar mitzvah boys. From adult offspring, more is to be expected. It is even more beneficial, both for the souls above and those still alive in this world, when as a result of the death, offspring, other family members and all those close to the deceased examine their deeds and resolve to improve accordingly. As it is written, “the living should place it upon their hearts.”

And when we do, that helps to “bring forth his redemption and hasten the coming of Mashiach.” Amen!

About the Author

Yerachmiel Tilles is the Co-founder of Ascent-of-Safed and its educational director for 18 years. He is the creator of www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org (authentic kabbalah for the masses), and currently the director of both sites. He is also a columnist for numerous chasidic publications and a staff rabbi on AskMoses.com

Many ounces of silver and gold have been found
Some in gurgling rivers and beneath the ground
God placed all that silver and gold there
I just found a silver dime under my chair

It is amazing where silver and gold can turn up
Gold has been fashioned into many a pretty cup
Tons of gold and silver have been lost in the sea
Treasure hunters will dive for it for a hefty fee

Man does not really own the silver and gold
Through the ages much has been bought and sold
Without gold or silver man came from the womb
And he can’t take any with him to his tomb

He dies and leaves his gold and silver for others to use
Much of it is spent on gambling, sport and booze
Not a single silver or gold coin is of use in death
It is all left behind when man draws his last breath

Greed has been the downfall of many a nation and man
Some lost their life over that gold nugget in that little pan
Life on earth is very uncertain and is very short
Where are all those people who built the Knox Fort

I know that God is the owner of all the silver and gold
He even has gold paved streets in heaven it is told
So remember that the gold and silver is not your own
It was given to you from God as a temporary loan

Treasures laid up in heaven are safe and secure
Turn your eyes upon Jesus and from gold’s alure
He’ll give you peace of mind that thieves cannot steal
And life eternal in heaven that is O so real

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier, author of My Walk with the Lord

About the Author

Author of My Walk with the Lord, www.selahbooks.com, various other poems and articles (google or yahoo search my name), preacher, retired US Army

Once a month I take my children to a food pantry to do volunteer work. On this particular Sunday we were stocking shelves with a group of Episcopalian Youth. I knew this because each of them was wearing an Episcopal shield lapel pin. Seeing these kids really lifted my spirits. Usually it’s adults who work in the food pantry and that can become pretty boring for my kids. Now they had the opportunity to work with students their own age.

While separating out cans from boxed goods, my son Drew entered into a very interesting conversation with a young man, Henry, who appeared to be about 16 years old. Drew and Henry became fast friends and worked together throughout the morning. When we were finished with our work, we got in the car and on the ride home, he started to share bits and pieces of his morning conversation with Henry.

“You know, Henry is not so sure if he believes in God,” my son informed me. This information kind of caught me off balance. “Isn’t Henry a member of the Episcopal Youth Group that came to volunteer at the food pantry?” I asked confused. “Yup, he said, “but that really has nothing to do with his volunteering. He does it because he thinks its the right way to do things, he says he does it because he feels it’s the right thing to do.

Now, I believe that part of being a good Episcopalian is being a good person, no question. But that’s not the whole ball of wax!

There are Christians who claim to be ethical people but who would not necessarily consider themselves to be “religious.” So my question is, what is their source for “goodness?” What does an ethical Episcopalian use as the litmus test for good, if not the scriptures? If goodness is defined by the individual, then it follows that morality can also be defined by the individual and that’s dangerous. That can lead us down that slippery slope where what “I” think becomes sacred.

Henrys’ discussion with my son ended up being a real opportunity for our family. It allowed us to explore our own concerns and perceptions on the importance of an ethical framework that’s God- based. Imagine how much infinitely deeper Henry’s acts of kindness would be if he were sensitized to not only the physical results of his being a good Samaritan, but the spiritual ramifications as well.

Copyright 2005. Sharon Serot, CEO, Terra Sancta Guild. Find a wide selection of Christian and Inspirational gifts for any occasion. www.terrasanctaguild.com.

Admit it. When you hear that a young movie star or musician is a devout Catholic, you pause for a second; not because it is an extreme religion, but for exactly the opposite reason. Maybe it’s because we hear so much about actors and actresses changing religions more often than the seasons change, or perhaps it is because we expect them to be Scientologists or Kabbalahists or worship at the altar of “Cats Who Know How to Use the Remote Control.” For whatever reason, Catholicism just doesn’t seem like the religion of choice for the younger generation, but of course, statistics prove that wrong. After all, according to the 2004 editions of the Official Catholic Directory, the number of Catholics in the United States at the beginning of that year numbered over 67 million– a full 23% of the population and the largest religious following in the country. In fact, the Catholic Church isn’t only the largest religious body in the US, it is the largest in the world! With that many followers, they can’t all be the little old ladies that reluctant church goers follow for cues during Christmas and Easter masses.

Please forgive me if my tone sounds irreverent because that certainly isn’t my intention. I’ve crossed the age barrier to be a 30-something Catholic. I am too old for my religion to be based on my parents taking me to church weekly (twice weekly when I attended Catholic school) and too young to be Catholic simply because I always have been. When I went to the hospital recently for minor surgery, I didn’t hesitate to respond “Catholic” when asked my religion. In fact, I built an entire business based mainly on selling Rosary bracelets and pocket Rosaries. Cynics may chalk that up to capitalism, but the fact is that I’m not branching out into red string bracelets, Buddhist Malas, or Islamic prayer strands, even if it would bring more sales. What drives me is my faith.

Of course, there have been times when I couldn’t help but wonder if I actually fit into the Catholic mold, so to speak. After all, I have been divorced and remarried, and my husband now is the son of a Chinese Buddhist. We aren’t exactly your typical Catholic family. Then again, maybe we are exactly what typifies today’s Catholic. The United States has always been known as a melting pot and a place for religious freedom so it makes sense that Catholics are marrying outside of their religion. According to an article titled Interfaith Weddings: An Introduction by Reverend Deborah Stern Ross and Rabbi Roger Ross, more than 60 percent of Catholics under the age of 38 are married to non-Catholics. A 2004 study by the Barna Research Group sites the number of divorced Catholics as 25% while other sources show numbers as high as the national average- anywhere from 35-50% depending upon which statistics you believe. Maybe I “fit” more than it would seem on first glance.

So what is today’s modern Catholic like? We are young and old. We are church goers and mass avoiders. We are lawyers and housekeepers. We are married, divorced, widowed, separated, and remarried. We are families in houses with white picket fences and 2.5 children, and we are single mothers trying to make ends meet. We struggle daily with teaching our children right from wrong, and we struggle daily with making the right choices ourselves. In short, we are like most people you come in contact with on a daily basis with one significant difference- we have a family of 67 million other flawed, stressed, faithful individuals who know what we believe.

Michelle Yau is the owner of Trinity London, a jewelry business specializing in Rosary bracelets, pocket Rosaries, and other handcrafted beaded jewelry.

This next event will be a major one! The Bible says that in the latter days, Russia and what appears to be Iran, Libya, Turkey and possibly Sudan will descend upon Israel and try to destroy her.

Israel will have no chance to win against this large army that will attempt to come against her. However, as you will see in the Scripture verse listed below, God the Father will come to her rescue and will literally wipe this army off the face of the earth. Here are the basic facts and Scripture verses that will tell you exactly what is going to happen with this awesome event.

1. The word “Gog” as will be mentioned in the Scripture verse below has been determined by many Bible historians to be referring to what is now the country of Russia.

The other strange names that you will see listed below have been determined to be Iran, Libya, Turkey and possibly Poland and Sudan. All of these countries will be joining forces with Russia to try and destroy Israel. You already know that most of the Arab nations hate Israel and would love nothing better than to have a chance to wipe her out.

2. When reading the Scripture verses listed below, you will notice that it appears to be God the Father who is the One who will be pulling Russia and her allies out to come against His chosen people. The Bible says:

“I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws and lead you out.”

3. The Bible says that Israel will be dwelling safely in her land when this event happens - so this cannot be occurring at the midpoint of the Tribulation. It has to occur sometime before the midpoint. The Jews will not be living in peace and safety during the midpoint of the Tribulation because the Antichrist will be starting to massacre them once he sits himself in their temple proclaiming himself to be God.

The Bible says that after God destroys this army that will come against Israel, that it will take seven months to bury the dead and 7 years to burn all of their weapons left on the battlefield. If it is going to take 7 years to burn their weapons, this event will probably occur at least 7 years if not longer before the midpoint of the Tribulation to give the Jewish people that amount of time to be able to complete this kind of task. Remember, in the first half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will make establish some kind of peace treaty with Israel -which may help explain how Israel could be in any kind of peace as described in the Scripture verse below.

4. How does God destroy this army coming against His people? He will do it in 6 ways. This will be the wrath of God coming into full manifestation against this invading army! God will be releasing the following judgments against this army:

• A great earthquake
• Pestilence, disease and bloodshed
• A torrent of flooding rain
• Great hailstones
• Will pour down fire and brimstone
• This army will then be so decimated by all of the above judgments, that they will then start fighting and killing on another - probably in an effort to get away from all of this which they will not be able to do.
  

The Bible says that God will have “FURY IN HIS FACE” and that He will render all of the above judgments because of the JEALOUSY FOR HIS OWN PEOPLE. His fury and jealousy in seeing this army try to come against His chosen people will cause Him to release His Wrath against them in full force.

The release of His wrath will be so powerful when He releases these specific judgments against this invading army - that the Bible says that all the creatures and all of the people on this earth will be shaking at His presence.

I believe God is making a powerful statement to the rest of the world with this event. The Scripture verse listed below says that God will magnify Himself and that all of the nations of the world will know that He is the Lord after all of these events unfold!

I believe that this one event alone will cause a lot of people to get saved. It will be so supernatural in its outcome, that people will be looking for answers - and if the Church has not been raptured at this point, Christians will be able to provide answers to the rest of the world as to what just happened and how it all was prophesied to occur back in the Old Testament.

The Scripture Verse

1. Here is the main verse that very clearly and very graphically describes this incredible event. This verse is out of Ezekiel in the Old Testament.

“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meschech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,” and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God; “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meschech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them with shield and helmet … After many days you will be visited.

In the LATTER YEARS you will come back into the land of those brought back from sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”

Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: you will say, ‘I will go against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land …’

Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land.

It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed on you O Gog, before their eyes …”

“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord God,
“That My fury will show in My face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence.

The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’

“I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountain,” says the Lord God, “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.
And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone.

Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:1-23)

2. Now here is the verse that says that it will take 7 months to bury the dead after God personally destroys this invading army and 7 years to burn all of their weapons that are still left on the battlefield.

“Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelin and spears, and they will make fires with them for seven years … It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel … for seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. Indeed all the people of the land will be burying them, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified,” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 39:9-13)

Conclusion

Just imagine all of the above events captured on our TV sets. The whole world is going to see the aftermath of God’s wrath on this invading army. If the Church is not raptured before this incredible event occurs, a lot of people will be looking to Christians for some of the answers to this event. By the time this event does occur, many Christians will have knowledge on all of these end time events. We will then be able to show others who are not saved how this entire event was already foretold to happen in the Old Testament.

This one event alone will help prove to others the existence of our God, that He is real and that the Bible is the one and only true Word of God. God will be making a very powerful statement to the rest of the world through this one main event in an effort to try and get as many people saved as He possibly can before things really start to heat up with all of the events that will be occurring in the Great Tribulation.

Russia and all the Arab nations surrounding Israel need to be watched very closely in the coming years. Do you even wonder why so much time and attention is being focused on Israel and all of their “battles” with their Arab neighbors? That is because God is purposely focusing the world’s attention on Israel due to the prominent position she will be playing in all of these end time events.

We have a lot to look forward to in the coming years as world events slowly start to take the shape and form as prophesied out of the Bible.

About the Author

Article written by Michael Bradley of Bible Knowledge Ministries. Their website is a resource of Bible commentary and teaching.
If you do not want to wait for the next article,
you can go to our end times section.
Copyright © 2005 by Michael Bradley. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila Trans. & Ed. by
E. Allison Peers NY:Doubleday, 1989

Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun living in the 1500s who
wrote the “Interior Castle” (known as “The Mansions” in her
native Spain) at the request of her confessor. A mystic who
communed intimately with God, she had experienced a vision of “a
most beautiful crystal globe, made in the shape of a castle, and
containing seven mansions, in the seventh and innermost of which
was the King of Glory, in the greatest splendour, illuming and
beautifying them all. . . outside the palace limits everything
was foul, dark, and infested with toads, vipers and other
venomous creatures.” This castle became Teresa’s metaphor for
the soul. “Interior Castle” explores each of the seven mansions
in great detail. Her intended audience were the sisters who made
up her cloistered religious community, however her insights
offer much to the world at large.

Teresa wrote reluctantly and felt that she had little to offer
that had not already been said. She believed that “Our Lord will
be granting me a great favour if a single one of these nuns
should find that my words help her to praise Him a little
better.” She focuses on the beauty of the soul and laments that
we spend so much attention on our physical body and so little on
the divine spark that is within.

Teresa focuses on gaining self-knowledge, but not in the way we
in the 21st century interpret that term. For her, self-knowledge
means coming to know the soul within. It means understanding our
dependence on God and gaining humility by acknowledging that we
are nothing without Him. The route to self-knowledge and entry
into the interior castle comes through prayer and meditation. As
one progresses through the mansions, one comes to know and long
for God more and more and to reject the world and its
attractions. Teresa encourages the beginner in prayer “to labour
and be resolute and prepare himself with all possible diligence
to bring his will into conforming with the will of God.” She
also offers encouragement: “If, then, you sometimes fall, do not
lose heart or cease striving to make progress, for even out of
your fall God will bring good.”

As one makes her way ever deeper into the heart of the castle,
increased spiritual consolations and trials become par for the
course. Many (perhaps even most) do not reach the most inner
mansions in this lifetime. Teresa is quick to point out,
however, that “the Lord gives when He wills and as He wills and
to whom He wills, and as the gifts are His own, this is doing no
injustice to anyone.” Indeed she cautions her readers to never
believe that they deserve any gift that the Lord bestows upon
them, nor should we set out to obtain any consolations or
mystical experiences because “the most essential thing is that
we should love God without any motive of self-interest.”

Teresa was truly granted amazing gifts of insight and experience
from God. While we may not share in her experience, “Interior
Castle” offers a unique perspective into the divine within each
of us. It offers a portrait of our souls and invites us into a
deeper relationship with God.

Are You Too Late For The Rapture?

Jack Van Impe begins his book, the Great Escape (Word Publishing, Nashville) with the statement that the next event on God’s prophetic clock is the Rapture. (Rapture is from a Latin term meaning to seize or snatch away).

Van Impe believes in the pre-Tribulation Rapture. Translated, this means that the church is snatched away to be with the Lord before a 7-year horrendous tribulation period. There are at least two additional rapture views, one called Mid-Tribulation Rapture and a third called Post-Tribulation Rapture. Mid-trib Rapturists believe the rapture occurs after three and a half years of the great tribulation, hence in the middle. Post-trib Rapturists believe the rapture occurs after the seven years tribulation.

While the latter two views are not the focus of this writing, much we say here will apply to those views also.

Fundamental Flaws of Rapture Mania

The first problem with rapturists is a matter of time. They misplace the great tribulation. Believing it to be future, they misalign the rapture as a future event.

The second problem is that of ignoring the role ancient Israel plays in the unfolding of the last days events. All the biblical record speaks about the last days, applies primarily to ancient Israel. See Genesis 49:1-10; Numbers 24:14-17.

The third problem is that of reading ideas into texts which mention nothing about a future rapture.

The Great Tribulation in Prophecy

The great tribulation, prophesied in the Old Covenant, belongs to a period in the first century. In fact, as far as fulfillment goes, nothing in the prophetic time clock extends beyond the first century. The biblical record aligns all prophetic writings of the Old Covenant with the historical event known as the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. See Luke 21:20-22).

Prophetic occurrences of the great tribulation are found under the designation, “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” (Jeremiah 30:7) and the “time of trouble” such as never was since there was a nation,” (Daniel 12:1) Daniel’s writing makes clear this is an end-time event, aligning it with deliverance and resurrection in the last days.

The Prophet’s Inquiry - When?

Daniel’s curiosity gets the best of him so he asks the angel revealing the message of the tribulation, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” (12:6) The answer is couched in somewhat figurative terms though it is not difficult to understand.

Three elements are suggested for when the great tribulation and end-time events happen. First, it is a time, times and a half time. Secondly, it is when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered. Third, it is the time of the end. (12:7

The Word of Christ and the Great Tribulation

The Olivet discourse (Matthew 24) takes up the subject of the great tribulation and links it to the writings of Daniel. Keep in mind that this was a first century audience.

The great tribulation occurred with the command to flee from the city of Jerusalem just prior to its siege by the Romans, which siege led to its utter destruction. Knowing that ancient Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70, rapturists must reconstruct the temple to provide the proper context for the fulfillment of their prophetic scheme.

Jesus spoke the Olivet discourse in a time when people mostly traveled by foot or beasts of burden. The elements, winter especially would prove a serious impediment to travel.
The command to pray that flight would not take place on the Sabbath identifies the time as before the destruction of the Jewish temple when the gates to the city were locked. Escape would therefore be impossible.

In connection with flight from the ancient city, is the warning, “For then shall be great tribulation.” This is the great tribulation spoken of by Daniel that exceeds a parallel in all Israel’s history.

Immediately after the tribulation, Christ’s coming occurs, complete with the sounding of the trumpet and gathering of the elect, (an event many cite as the rapture) all within that same generation living at that time. (Matthew 24:30-31, 34) With only one generation for the event to occur it is difficult to find rapture in our future. Likewise,there is no time for a literal 1000 years reign on earth after the tribulation if the return of the Lord happens immediately after this event.

The Tribulation in the Writings of the Apostles

Paul warned the early church that to enter the kingdom; they must do so by enduring great tribulation. (Acts 14:22) Later, he would write to the Thessalonians encouraging them to endure the persecutions and tribulations with a view to obtaining the kingdom of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:4, 5)

John, who lived and died in the first century, affirms his experience in the great tribulation. (Revelation 1:9). So, these first century disciples entered and experienced the great affliction prophesied in Daniel.

The Time Was Near

Van Impe sees a present day at hand message for the rapture. How can this be in the light of the at hand message preached by New Testament writers. For Paul, the day was already at hand. In direct allusion to Daniel’s prophecy, he writes, “And do this, knowing the time [literally, the hour] that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand…” All new testament writers who spoke of the end time were emphatic that it would soon occur.

Van Impe and other rapturists cite John 14:1-3 as a rapture text. However, this text likewise has an at hand message that limits its fulfillment to the first century. It is spoken of in a context that shows a much abbreviated time for fulfillment. Jesus called it “a little while.” (John 16:16-19). Compare Hebrews 10:37; 1 Peter 1:6. These statements were all spoken of from a first century expectation of nearness and fulfillment.

Wrapping Up The Rapture

The text held most strongly by rapturists is the strongest deterrent against it. We admit that 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 mentions that disciples would be caught up in the clouds. We however acknowledge that Paul and his readers lived in the first century generation. To them Paul wrote, “we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.” He repeated this twice, saying it was according to the words of Christ.

Christ taught that his return would come within the lifetime of those living in his day. (Matthew 10:23; 16:28; 24:34). John, the apostle, contrary to Peter, would be blessed to remain alive until Jesus’ return. (John 21:21-23) Paul merely repeats Jesus words saying that some of them would yet be alive when Christ returns. Elsewhere he wrote, “We shall not all sleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:51). These are emphatic declarations of the nearness of the end and its promise of fulfillment in the lifetime of first century disciples.

Is there rapture in our future? Not according to the language of the New Testament. We have shown that the great tribulation occurred in the past. A pre-tribulation view demands the fulfillment of the rapture before that tribulation. Van Impe’s position would logically lead to a first century fulfillment. The same would be true of a mid and post tribulation view if the time statements of the biblical record were honored.

William Bell is a public speaker, author and writer on Covenant Eschatology. For more information visit http://www.allthingsfulfilled.com. Comments or questions welcomed at info@allthingsfulfilled.com.

With tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, wars and calamities of
all sorts occurring with ever greater frequency throughout the
earth many people fear the end of the world may be near. Are
they right? The answer may surprise you.

Wars, natural disasters, droughts, famines and all sorts of
general calamities are predicted just before the second coming
of Christ. All of these portents are merely a prelude to the
second coming of Christ but they are not signals of the end of
the world, they are only signals of the second coming. When
Christ returns the world does not end, what does end is the
world as we know it.

Although not comprehensive here are two lists, one is what will
end at the second coming of Christ the other is a list of what
will begin. One thing that will become blatantly apparent as you
read the lists is that the world does not end.

What will end at the second coming of Christ?

* Satan’s rule of the earth and his deceiving the nations.
Revelation 20:2

* Democracies, monarchies, dictatorships and all other forms of
rule by men. Revelation 11:15

* Sorrows, warfare, sickness, hunger, misrule, crime, hospitals,
prisons, police forces, fires, accidents, disasters, and
barriers of all kinds between nations. Revelation 7:17

* Cities as we know them today. Revelation 16:19

* Islands and mountains as we know them today. Revelation 16:20

What will begin at the second coming of Christ?

* Judgment of the earth and its inhabitants. (Not the final
judgment) Revelation 20:2

* The physical and bodily resurrection of all the believers
throughout time. Revelation 20:6

* Beginning of not only Christ’s rule but the co-rule of his
redeemed men and women for a period of exactly one thousand
years. Revelation 20:4

* Nature at rest and in perfect harmony for the first time in
history. Isaiah 11:6-8, 65:12

* Permanent rewards given to believers in accordance with their
faithfulness. Isaiah 57:13

* The full knowledge of God throughout the entire globe. Isaiah
11:9

This list does not cover the great judgments of God just before
Christ’s return or things like the great battle of Armageddon.
It is meant only to show that at His returning, Christ will do
anything but end the world. I have never tried to scare anyone
into belief in God and I don’t intend to start now. What I would
do is urge anyone to make a decision to prepare for these events
and look on the good side of it. A world that comes out like it
does when Christ returns is a place any sensible person would
want to see and live in. That’s the bottom line, so why not be
there?

Faith in Christ is the vehicle that gets you to that world and
to that day. I can’t make a single person believe this but I
have committed my life to making the second coming of Christ as
clear as I can to anyone who is willing to listen. The rest is
up to them.

There’s another “move of God” that’s sweeping the nations. Have you noticed? Very few of those I’ve spoken with actually have. There are others who don’t necessarily view it as being a literal “movement” because it’s not quite as defined as they like. Not to mention those who don’t particularly approve of God “moving” in this direction. But as one British minister said to me several years ago, addressing all the controversies revolving around every new thing God has done since Genesis, “There’s never been a tidy move of God.”

Never.

Just as the Egyptian magicians were able to mimic Moses when his rod was turned into a snake, Satan is STILL duplicating and infiltrating whenever possible, muddying up the purity of the flowing river of God, deceiving “even the elect” of Christ’s Kingdom. And successfully dissuading many a curious onlooker from diving in as a result of the disjointedness of The Body of Christ.

What is this move of God? It’s the incredible mass exodus, the numbers of people who are leaving organized Christianity at an alarming rate, and the ministers who are either leaving the faith, or are ceasing to believe in the inerrancy of God’s Word (in a moment well see if these are really men of God at all). Fact is, what most theologians and church people see as a horrific trend, may well be a mighty move of God’s Spirit. And when the wind of the Spirit begins to blow, Wisdom cries out for us to adjust our sails. Let me explain.

Very simply, Jesus wants His Church back. It’s His Bride. Sadly, this lovely young woman has been made a prostitute with Religion as its Master. She was never intended to be structured, organized, or institutionalized. She’s an organism, not an organization. A living, breathing entity, not a cyborg to be programmed by a pious, human chain-of-command. Just as Christianity was once seen as a radical move among Judaism, I see this “Churchless Christianity” phenomenon as a move of God within the Church itself.

THE FACTS

People are leaving organized churches in Biblical proportions; at a rate of 53,000 a week in Europe and North America combined (the U.S. lost 57,500 in the entire Vietnam War, to put that number in perspective). As a whole, Christians lose 7,600 a day to other religions or irreligion. I hear from these people all the time by eMail.

Incidentally, several years ago a leading Bible seminary sent 12,000 letters to pastors of various denominations and asked one question: “Do you believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God?” The results of the survey were startling: 85% of the Presbyterian USA pastors said NO; 85% of the Methodist pastors said NO; 85% of the Episcopal pastors said NO; 55% of the Baptist pastors said NO; 45% of the Catholic priests said NO. (Source: Warner A. Bonner, Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net)

These are our “leaders,” folks.

Be concerned. Be very concerned.

Christian Researcher, George Barna says of the American Church, “…new research supports our contention that the structure of the American church is already undergoing radical change. If you add up the proportion of people who will call the cyberchurch their ‘church home’, those who will align with an independent house church and individuals who will be steadfastly unchurched, within the next 15 years a majority of Americans will be completely isolated from the traditional church format.” (There are many church organizations well able to support existing ministries of each genre rather than attempt to launch their own from scratch. Hint. Hint.)

According to a study released 12/23/01 by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, while Americans flocked to their synogogues and churches after 9/11/01, one out of four adult American Internet users, roughly 28 million, have sought out religious or spiritual information online since that infamous day. I can attest to this.

More than 3 million U.S. adults find religious information online EVERY DAY, up from 2 million last year. That’s more than use the Internet for gambling, banking or trading stocks! Sixty-nine per cent of those engaged in religious activities online search for educationalor reference material, 50% research other faiths, and 35% seek spiritual advice through eMail. Forty-one percent said they sent or received eMail prayer requests. Seven percent made contributions online (unfortunately, I cannot attest to this stat).

As a man with an eMinistry, I don’t see this “Church Exodus” as being a bad thingat all, for I’ve witnessed the fruit of CyberChurch and it’s quite bountiful! No, I’m not advocating that we stop face to face fellowship. Perish the thought! We need each other. We are a Body fitly joined. But for those who need specialized attention - and the statistics reveal there are MANY, including the shut-in, the handicapped, the shift worker, the spiritually shipwrecked - I liken CyberChurch to Christ reaching the masses from town to town, in fields and on beaches, in the market, or wherever people gathered who would listen. Even if they must gather electronically.

The Lord could have erected a church building after the Sermon on the Mount but He chose to minister while making disciples in preparation for the harvest to come (no farmer harvests his crop without a barn or a silo in which to put the harvest - otherwise, it rots on the ground). The Western Church must learn to use today’s information technologies in conjunction with our postmodern orientation, to serve the greatest number of unchurched people possible in the most nontraditional and non-threatening ways. In other words, like Moses with his staff, God used what Moses had on hand at the moment, coupled with Mo’s willing spirit. In the third world Church, they use things such as wind currents to send Scripture-laden balloons across borders. They use flowing rivers to send the Gospel downstream in bottles. They get creative with what’s available. Little is much in the hands of God. What do WE have available?

The lowly computer is just one option.

It’s simply naive to expect our local professional ministers to do the job or to expect the unchurched to “come to church.” After all, shepherds don’t produce sheep; sheep produce sheep. It’s pure fantasy to believe the world could be won by Christian TV, radio, or music either. The Christian entertainment world is a ghetto into which the mainstream rarely strays. I didn’t, before I was saved. Did you? What arrogance to think that THEY should come seeking US!

IS THERE ANY HOPE?

Americans say they want revival! A poll conducted by Public Agenda, a secular think tank, showed that most Americans feel society would improve if people were more devout. 69% of the 1,507 U.S. adults polled in Nov. ‘00 agreed that “religion is the best way to strengthen moral behavior and family values.” 74% agreed that “it is a bad idea for families to raise children without any religion.” (Source: Tribune News Service, 01/10/01)

Brennan Manning, author of “Ragamuffin Gospel,” says, “Too many people are living in a house of fear and not in a house of love. In the past, churches have been wounders of the healers, not healers of the wounded.” He explains, “Our huffing and puffing to impress God and our thrashing about to fix ourselves while hiding in our pettiness and wallowing in guilt are nauseating to God and are a flat denial of the Gospel of grace.”
It’s been said that Christianity is the #1 cause of atheism. We, ourselves, are to blame for this churchless faith phenomenon, resulting from years of misdirected church teachings and traditions. In its current state, we just don’t stand up to the scrutiny of our critics. Only God Himself can get us out of the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into.
But that ALONE should inspire great hope within us all!

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?

Many years ago, a man visted my hometown of Arlington, Texas and was going about sharing what he referred to as “a revelation on the Church.” Though he was way ahead of his time, the vision he shared for “how to have Church” was actually nothing more than what 80% of the Church was already practicing throughout the third world … the ONLY places where Christianity is currently flourishing, and amidst persecution at that! Though all listened politely, behind his back he was mocked and belittled. And I held their coats, just as Saul did when they stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr. By the way, this man was James Rutz, author of the hot, new book, MegaShift. Read it and you’ll see why it’s so hot! we laughed at him back then.

In his book, Rutz chronicled more than a week in the life of his Church for the rest of us to enjoy. Fascinating and fun! Regrettably, though I’ve never journaled Church activities, his description reminded me so much of what I’ve experienced many times in the years since.

He writes: What does the Church of Jesus Christ, our current part of the Kingdom of God, REALLY need to look like in order to delight her Bridegroom? Let’s imagine a “helicopter’s view” ofdaily life together as TRUE brothers and sisters in Christ. What would the Holy Spirit and a family of believers living in obedience to His Word look like today? What does the Church today, walking in God’s presence and full of grace, look like? How can we recognize the Life of Christ, alive again today in His Body, the Church?

It looks amazingly similar to the Life of Jesus in His physical body 2000 years ago!”
Here are 21st century nurses, restaurant workers, contractors, engineers, teachers, business owners and managers, carpetcleaners and secretaries - clothed in the garb of the teaching and Life of Jesus; a Church that was formed from His victorious death (Gen 2:21-22; Rev 5:9; Eph 2:11-22; 5:22-32).

This is typical, natural Life in the Spirit of Christ. This is a touch of the Life God’s Family is MEANT to have - where Truth touches individuals specifically in its gatherings. Meetings are filled with openness, faith-filled confession of sin, teaching, training, and praise in response to all that is currently happening. Disciples bring songs they’ve written, praise they’re brimming with, chapters from books that have elevated or challenged them, video-teaching tapes that have been a catalyst for growth in them, and ten thousand other possibilities. God’s Family is gathered, circled in barns, parks, hotels conference rooms, living room, apartment clubhouses, gymnasiums, or stadiums. Every barrier between God’s Children is destroyed…

This is The Church, the ekklesia (the “called out ones”), as expressed from Acts 2 to Acts 2002. There’s real Life here. Accountability. Horizontal as well as vertical relationship. Face to face, and by any OTHER means available. Anopportunity to truly become “brothers and sisters”; the family of God. And an opportunity to expand the servant-base, empowering people so that even MORE disciples would be trained and equipped for making MORE disciples. THAT is the Great Commission, after all.

There’s power here, too, as the family walks in agreement. Power in prayer. Power to heal and deliver those who are oppressed. Power in miracles. And it draws people unto itself as “many will come and see and put their trust in the Lord.”

BELIEVERS ONLY

Quite a few who receive the eMail broadcasts of “Your Town For Jesus” from t.e.a.m. ministries are of the “Believers Only” crowd, not belonging to any organized Church body for any number of reasons. Some actually refer to me as their “Pastor.” Some even call me “Father.” (Please, just call me “Michael.” God does.) I’ve even been “accused” of being a “prophet.” If you’re one of these - or want to be - please listen: though you may not attend organized services held in a building with stained glass windows, you DO require SOME sort of Christian fellowship. Iron sharpens iron. “Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together” still applies, even if your only form of regular gathering is here, on your computer. Bottom line: all God really requires is your heart-felt availiability in order to open the door for miracles in someone else’s life… in person or not.

Your worship of God is not to be limited to the Sunday sing-along. Nor is it about being entertained or “being fed” (Jesus said His food was in DOING the will of the Father). Worship is a lifestyle. To what do you give the majority of your time, energy, money? Careful, for this may have inadvertently become your God. Though church
attendance as we know it in the West is not biblically required (for the Church was never intended to be a building or an orgaization); Church existence is mandatory.

In other words, BE the Church, don’t merely GO to church. The real SERVICE of the Church occurs AFTER the Church service.

Need pastoral counseling and prayer? Write or IM me at team1min@aol.com

Every blessing!

Michael
A servant of God
t.e.a.m. ministries
A Message of Discipleship & Encouragement to the Body of Christ
P.O. Box 633
Stephenville, Texas 76401
www.planetaryministry.org
BLOG: http://journals.aol.com/team1min/YourTownforJesus/

Pastor Michael has been broadcasting his eMail messages of Discipleship and encouragement to Christians of all denominations
since 1999. These messages are literally reaching millions each week and the messages are being re-posted on other Christian sites,used as Bible studies for groups, and are being used by those in ministry as a preaching guide.

Pastor Michael has been broadcasting a message of Discipleship & Encouragement to the Body of Christ across the globe since 1999. Scores of subscribers have written him, explaining how their lives have been forever changed by his messages. It seems that, no matter what their denomination, Chrsitians everywhere are catching his vision of FORWARDING THE MESSAGE!