Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Calm Before the Storm


There is a storm on its way to western Michigan today.

They say it's a big one and it feels like it's coming, but until it arrives, we don't really know how bad it will be. I am looking forward to watching this storm come across the lake, however, in light of the potential damage, I am cautious to say that I am looking forward to a storm of this magnitude.

Jesus knew exactly what is going to happen before He returns, and He soberly and carefully laid out what to look for in His teaching on the Mount of Olives. Unlike the wind storm that is coming our way today, Jesus' words from Matthew 24 tell us exactly how bad it is going to be:

"Many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another..."

"Most people's love will grow cold..."

"But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved..."

"When you see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place..."

"For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now..."

"Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved..."

"False Christs will arise and show great wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, the elect..."

"Behold, I have told you in advance..."

Jesus' warning is not like the meteorologist's warning. He knew for sure what would happen and He warned us "in advance."

Last night, as Dave and I watched the weather report, we both felt uneasy and Dave got out of bed, took all the deck furniture off our deck and put it into the garage. Now, nothing may happen today, but there was a recommendation to remove anything that could become a projectile from your lawn. The warning was enough to get my husband out of bed, even though the outcome is unsure.

The outcome of the last days is not unsure. We are barreling headfirst into a time of great persecution and tribulation, and Jesus Himself warned us about it.

So, what are we going to do in response? Should we sit on this warning and not tell anyone? Should we keep it to ourselves? Or is this warning somehow connected to the great hope of the church?

There is a great storm on the horizon and after it passes through, life here on earth will never be the same.

Are you ready for the storm?

8 comments:

  1. I am looking forward to the Millenium after the storm. And then eternity beyond! See you there!

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  2. Three years ago I had never even heard of the prewrath rapture. I had been taught the pretrib view from childhood and even after sitting under a pastor's class taking two years to go through the book of Revelation verse by verse...I was still totally confused because even he admitted the pretrib view had flaws, but it was the best one out there. That always bugged me. I knew in my heart that there had to be a very clear understanding of the end of the age. It was 3 years ago this month that I sat in Kathy's living room and she MADE me watch your dad's video on the Biblical Defense for the Prewrath Rapture. Now that I know and understand this truth Scripture has literally come alive for me! I'm in the process of watching the DVDs again and see you look a lot like your father...and what an awesome dad!

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  3. Thank you for sharing that testimony, Karin! Yes, dad was pretty awesome...it was eleven years ago tomorrow that the Lord took him to glory...I often wonder what he thinks from that perspective now...and yes, I do look like him, except that you haven't seen my mom and we have a lot of similarities, too!

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  4. Yes, I MADE her and yes, you do look like both your mom and your dad!

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  5. ...your dad is one of my heroes and when I find him in heaven he is going to get the biggest hug for all his hard work!

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  6. I just finished watching all three parts and got goosebumps hearing your dad preach about Christ's return...and to think he's with Jesus right now! When I first watched it 3 years ago I was scared, but I'm certainly not now because I understand and clearly see the truth of Scripture. Kristen, are you in part three? There was a very young and pretty woman that sure looked like you!

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  7. Yep, it was her, and Dave! Never noticed that before! Kristen, what church was this at?

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  8. I have no idea which videos you are referring to...I would think they were taped at Grace church of West Ottawa, which is now Harvest Bible Chapel West Olive.

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