Has anyone noticed that it's becoming very obvious who are the wheat and who are the tares? People used to get along better, even with those who disagreed with them. Not now. Here is my take. From what I have read, that is precisely what we should expect to happen based on the natural manifestation of the spiritual truth in the parable Jesus told. In other words, as we get closer to that actual "harvest" of the Church (aka the rapture), the distinction between the wheat (true blood-bought, Spirit regenerated, names-written-in-the-Lamb's-book-of-life believers) and the tares (the fakers, including the grace plus works crowd) will visibly show up in ways that up until that point in the harvest cycle were not visible, especially to the undiscerning eye. Now that we are so close to the harpazo/wheat harvest (Pentecost anyone?), we should totally expect to be able to see more and more clearly the tares distinctly manifesting themselves with characteristics that distinguish them from the true wheat. Sounds to me, Patricia, like that is exactly what you are observing. So true! But the Lord has final say in such matters! TR i remember probably 10 years ago having a realization that there was going to be less and less "on the fence" kind of thinking and behaving as far as following Jesus as the One true Way to right standing with the Father... i just think i was becoming more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and that He was about to be doing a lot of work on getting the Church ready to be Raptured...I think He's been doing in Believers what I think He has been doing in me ever since- refining... i think He's really been causing and allowing fiery trials to heat up more and more to burn off the hindering dross from those of us who trust Him enough to stay with Him thru it so that we would look forward to and will get to experience true joy and not shame at His soon coming... and I think that those who had only given a shallow nod to Christ, maybe an interest in some of His teachings when it feels good, but who never really accepted HIM- all of Him- God Himself-and humbly acknowledged their need of Him, began to leap from the fires...grasping and searching for anything but Him to save them from the discomfort of realization of their sin and weakness... i think, yes, it has been a sorting period of polarization and with each increasing birth pang, people either look to God and see the love in His eyes as He gently yet firmly holds onto us or they run in terror from the only true peace and security there is and instead find themselves numb and useless but won't let go of pride long enough to acknowledge the reason why and turn to their Creator our society has forgotten we were created FOR Him...He gives Himself for us, but this whole thing- this life stuff- it's actually not about us! don't be a showy weed that is replicating & spreading itself for it's own purpose and glory...be a vine attached to the Branch Who will produce HIS fruit in you - for HIS good pleasure AND for your good! be a part of the beautiful harvest to be presented by our High Priest by faith in God's grace! Great word! TR Another thing that has become more obvious to me in recent years among saved people is who wants the Rapture to happen immediately and who doesn't. I was talking to this one saved person I went to church with at one time who told me that he would rather see his kids and then grandkids grow up first. And the Pastor at the church I was going to in 2010 said from the pulpit that he wasn't expecting the Rapture to happen for another 20 - 30 years (He was just starting to have grandkids at the time) In light of everything that is going on I hope they and many other Christians have changed their tune about the Rapture. Like it or not, ready or not, it's gonna happen! I have heard every lame excuse possible for fifty years! Angry and frustrated I approached the Lord in prayer. Two words were immediately put in my spirit! Fear and un belief! The also gave me a word. Let no man steal that treasure I have put in your heart! The longing in our hearts is something to treasure! TR :calvin 1 John 2:15-18 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.“ I will not miss this place —— I have heard many believers say things like that ... all I can say beside the above verse is 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” Why would you want this world that is passing away, when you can have Gods world New Jerusalem and be in the presence of perfect peace, love and righteousness for ever? Give me Jesus! :prayer-hands: Tammie, your post makes me think of the song, "Give Me Jesus". Love Jeremy Camp's version of this song. "...You can have all this world, just give me Jesus." Through all the pain, sorrow, suffering, and anguish I have experienced in this sinful, fallen world for the almost 60 years I have been on this planet, I have finally arrived at a place where there is truly nothing in this world that I want more than to be with Jesus. That's actually a miraculous statement when I think about it. Oh the heartache it took for the Lord to bring me to this point. There is now nothing and no one that would cause me to choose this world for a little longer when given the choice of being home with Jesus. Not sure about any other crowns, but I feel pretty confident I will be receiving the one He gives to those who love His appearing. Maranatha!!! Watchman, I hear ya and agree 100% I know what scripture says about crowns and have heard from many folks why I should long for crowns, but honestly, so over this having things idea, just thankful that God loves me and because of the blood of Christ I am Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Gods perfect Love has always been a difficult concept for me, being raised as I was, so the constant struggles of life reminds me daily of the pureness of God is what is longed for. The earth and the evil is so evidently growing in hostility toward believers, we need the Father to call us home! :prayer-hands:
