Dear Watchman 35. I have pondered your original request for scripturally based thoughts on how bad will things get before we are raptured. I think Todd Hampson's article posted by Geri 7 was awesome and really captivates where we are right now on the prophetic timetable. Do you mind if, instead of adding to these great posts, I address your inner turmoil as a Christian in still struggling and suffering here in this fallen, fractured and sin soaked world with biblically based thoughts. These thoughts, struggles and fears that you are having are common to all believers throughout the ages, old testament saints and the bride of Christ alike. I have Christian family members who are saying the same things in that they have just simple had enough and wish that the Lord would take them. I don't think for one second that they were contemplating suicide but were in the same place as Elijah in this passage of scripture :- 1 Kings 19 New King James Version (NKJV)Elijah Escapes from Jezebel 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a [a]broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on [c]coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the [d]angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. It seems that one moment Elijah was strong and with the Holy Spirit anointing was able to confront and defeat the enemy and the next moment he was cowering in the wilderness pleading for the Lord to take him home. I think that this spiritual wavering back and forth is normal. It certainly is with me. One minute I am an Israel the next a Jacob, one minute I am a Cephas the next a Simon ! So my dear Brother here is the takeaway : John 16 New King James Version (NKJV) 19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Maranatha David Yep ... I carry 2 helpful reference books for additional clarification because they seem to be very clear and concise ... the “Old’s” Bible Dictionary and the “Weak’s” Concordance . :good: They are both in-sync that heaven will only be a peaceful place with no violence whatsoever. They both cross referenced this example as being “a-trout-cious” behavior and not fitting in the Kingdom ... “there will be no battering of the fish!” :whistle: Neither will there be “flounder-ing” seen in the shallow off shore waters. I found the “so-fish-ticated” Old’s and Weak’s reference sources to be so concise, it leaves you no time to “mullet - over” anything. Hey, I’m always on the look out for that 3rd reference book to complete the collection ... if you have one, pulease let “minnow”. B-) Great encouragement, David. :good: Then when Elijah’s ministry was complete he was taken up to heaven in a chariot and his cloak was left behind for Elisha. The church will be doing the same ... leaving our earthly things behind and passing the baton back to Elijah and perhaps Moses(?) ... soon very soon! :yahoo: —————- I thought my witnessing days were over ... since the virus outbreak everyone is standoffish let alone won’t take any paper Bible Tract. But this morning ... I was able to witness to the plow guy since we got MORE snow late last night. As I was shoveling late last night saying why Lord ... why more snow? Then I got to thinking tomorrow morning would be a great opportunity to finally share the Gospel with the plow guy. I’ve had a burden for him for over a year. He is related to my former next door neighbor and my parents witnessed to his brother and sister-in-law years ago. Well I made sure to be out side bright and early and it was just him and me while he shoveled my front sidewalk. I started off by saying these are crazy times, eh? He laughed and agreed. Then I said while everyone is fearing dying we need not fear, if we have Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. Then I shared the Gospel message. He listened and kept yes, yes-ing me and took the Bible Tract. I would appreciate you prayer warriors if you can remember him in your prayers today ... his name is Paul ... and my former neighbors are Diane and John. :thankyou SARS 1 was not a global pandemic, never reached this stage. We'll pass the torch at the Rapture, with a high five! TR
19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
