(10) THE HOLY SPIRIT - POWER OF GOD

Jesus received power at His water Baptism. After His symbolic resurrection, the Holy Spirit came down on Him in the form of a dove and remained -(John 1:33). Now, Jesus had the power to do miraculus things. Jesus was 'Full of the Spirit'.-(Micah 3:8) (Luke 4:1)- Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan./ Jesus' baptism with water was symbolic of cleansing for us. The real cleansing for us was when He died on the cross. (Luke 12:50)-Jesus said, "I have a baptism to undergo and I am distressed until it be accomplished. Being 'filled with the Holy Spirit' and being 'baptized with the Holy Spirit' aren't the same thing. John the Baptist was filled (Enabled) by the Holy Spirit from birth. -(Luke 1:15). When, as christians, we are available to teach, preach, or witness, the Lord enables us also. But to be saved, we are baptized with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. That is our Seal until our physical redemption (The Rapture) (1 Cor. 12:13) (Eph. 1:13) (Eph. 4:30). Jesus' resurrection from water was symbolic of His resurrection from the dead. Our water baptism symbolizes death, burial and resurrection with Jesus -(Rom.6:4-8). If we be dead with Christ, we believe that we also shall live with Him. (Titus 3:5)-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost./ Baptism doesn't save anyone, but it's the answer of a good concience toward God -(1 Pet.3:21), and we are raised to walk in newness of life -(ROM. 6:4-5). FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT:- This is an enabling by God. We submit to the Father and then He can work through us. God get's the credit, we will be rewarded at the Judgement Seat Of Christ in Heaven. On Pentecost when the Church was established, Tongues of Fire sat on the heads of the disciples. This indicated the presence of God (Moses & Burning Bush). The sound of rushing wind filled the house (House of God-Temple area). The sound of wind filled the house, but the Holy Spirit 'Filled' the disciples. NOTE:-This is not when Jesus baptized them with the Holy Spirit. The Disciples were enabled to speak in languages that they had never learned. Peter preached and said,"Repent and be Baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" -(Acts 2:38) They who received His Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls. -(Acts 3:41) They were now obedient believers and were added to the Church. Jesus, the Word Of God, Sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), divided the soul from the spirit, indwelled their spirit with the Holy Spirit (Baptism, purification, real cleansing, forgiveness, Sealed) and this was the beginning of their eternal life. Now, isn't this legalism, is Jesus so legalistic? No, Jesus will save any penitent believer, regardless of how ignorant of scripture, or handicapped physically. The thief on the cross didn't get baptized and John's Baptism was also for the forgiveness of sins. If God was legalistic, what about our many sins of omission that we didn't pray about? -(1 John 1:9) (Rom. 4:8)- Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin./ Abraham believed and it was imputed to him as righteousness. When a person believes and puts his faith into action (James 2:17 - Faith without works is dead) the Lord will not reject him. CONCLUSION: Whoever comes to the Lord wholeheartedly will be led by the Holy Spirit and he is saved. We don't need to skip scriptures because we might sound legalistic. (2 Tim. 2:15)- Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. Con

(9) TRIBULATION RAPTURE ?

I have never heard anyone teach that there would be a 'Tribulation Rapture', but I believe that this is taught in the book of Revelations. To begin with, I will attempt to explain 'Two Witnesses'. Commentaries suggest they will probably be Moses & Elijah. We know that Elijah was translated so that he didn't experience death. What about Moses? He appeared with Elijah at the Transfiguration. Both had their eternal bodies. I can only expect to get my eternal body at the Rapture of the Saints, when I will be changed or resurrected with an incorruptible body. The spirits of the dead in Christ are now in Paradise. (1 Thess. 4:14)- Jesus will bring them along to their ressurection. Back to Moses. Because of sin Moses couldn't enter the Promised Land. After turning the leadership over to Joshua, Moses was led up on Mt. Nebo -(Deut. 34:1-8). After seeing the Promised Land, Moses died (Dict. Ceased existing) & God buried him (Dict. Hidden from view).The Israelites couldn't find the body or grave of Moses. Some say, "He died and was resurrected". Impossible, because Jesus was the firstfruits of the resurrection. God is not going to take away the eternal bodies of Moses and Elijah to make them die in a physical, earthly body as martyred witnesses. The two ' Witnesses' in (Rev., Ch. 17) were two olive trees and also two lampstands. (Rev. 1:20) Lampstands/Candlesticks represent churches. The Jews were represented by an 'Olive Tree' (Rom. 11:23-25) and the Gentiles also, a wild olive branch that was grafted in when the Jews were cut off. The Two Witnesses will be Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles. NOTE:- Rev. does not follow a chronological order. (Rev. ch. 7)- This concerns the sealing of the 144,000 christians from the 12 tribes (omitting Dan) of Israel. In 722 BC the northern 10 tribes of Israel were defeated and dispersed by Assyria. At this time in history only those of the tribe of Judah were called Jews. Over a 100 yrs. later the southern two tribes were of Judea and were all called Jews, at the time of the Babylon Captivity. The general reference to Jews since then applied to only them (Judah,Simeon and a small part of Benjamin, near Jerusalem), and since anyone not a Jew is a Gentile, the 144,000 were 10 tribes of Gentiles And 2 tribes of Jews. The 'Two Witnesses' of Rev. were the the 144,000 in Chap.7 of Rev. NOTE:- (REV. 7:3-4)-These christians were sealed with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit just as Born-Again christians are today -(EPH. 4:30). (Rev. 6:9-11)- The souls (spirits) under the altar were the 1st martyrs (After the 'Abomination of Desolation') from among the Witnesses. They were in Paradise without a body. God gave them white robes (Righteousness) and told to wait until their fellowservants (other Witnesses) and brethern (converts) are killed. (Rev. 11:7-9)- The Antichrist wouldn't allow the bodies of these christians to be buried. The Witnesses were martyred during the second half of the 7 yrs. Tribulation. (Rev. 11:11-12)- At the end of the second 3 1/2 yrs. The Holy Spirit entered into their bodies and they all stood on their feet. A great voice from heaven said to them,"Come up here" and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud. This is the TRIBULATION RAPTURE. Con ANSWER TO COMMENT BY AlexS (Click on COMMENTS below to read.) 3/20/08 Thanks for a chance to explain. Ques.- Doesn't this interpretation stray somewhat from a literal reading of the book of Revelation? (for example, the Bible does say two witnesses.) There is no indication that the Two Witnesses must be individuals. The two witnesses are Two Olive Trees (Rev. 11:4) In Zech. Chapters 3&4 two Olive Trees represent 2 individuals. They are Zerubbabel (Leader of tribe of Judah) & Joshua (A Priest), but there is no connection to the Two Witnesses of Rev.11. The Jews and Gentiles were represented by an olive tree. When the Jews in general rejected the Gospel, they were cut off and Paul turned to the Gentiles, who were a wild olive branch grafted in where the natural branch was cut off. (Acts 13:46) (Rom. 11:17-24), and so both Jews & Gentiles were represented by olive trees. They are also two candlesticks/lampstands (KJV). (Rev. 1:20)- Seven lampstands are seven churches. I hope this clarifies my stand. I will welcome other questions you say you have. If I'm wrong, I want to know it and make changes. Who is right isn't important, what is right is important. Con PS- Check out the Weblog of AMSMITH. Click on Comments, Then Click on AMSMITH

(8) THE DAY OF THE LORD

The 'Day of the Lord' is a time when God reveals His sovereignty over human powers and human existence: JUDGEMENT DAY. This isn't particularly referring to the Judgement Seat of Christ, where christians' works are judged and rewarded; nor the Great White Throne Judgement where the ungodly kneel before Jesus to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire. No, it's referring to a time, recorded in Revelations, when Satan is unseated as God of this world. Jesus is reclaiming what has always belonged to Him. The powers that be are judged. The final world conflict (Armaggedon) takes place. Tribulation Saints are taken out at the end of the Tribulation after their resurrection; not to be confused with the Rapture we are waiting for. At the end of the conflict, Jesus will return to earth (2nd Coming) with all of the Saints to set up His Millenial Kingdom. We will help Jesus reign over the 'remnant' saved out of the Tribulation Period as they, in their bodies of flesh, will multiply, repopulating the world. (ZECH.14:1-11)- Jesus will touch down on the Mt. of Olives, from where He also ascended. The mountain will divide to the north & south leaving a valley from east to west. Through this valley the remnant of Jews, who didn't receive the 'Mark of the Beast' will escape from the armies of the Antichrist. (Zech.14:12-16)- there will be others, who didn't receive the Mark of the beast also saved out of Armageddon. Those who came against Jerusalem will suffer the Lord's plague; their flesh will consume as they stand on their feet and their tongues will consume in their mouth. During the battle of Armageddon they will be using H-Bombs that cause this type of radiation. Jerusalem is now surrounded by enemies. It won't be long until the revived Roman Empire (The European Union) will be ready for the Antichrist. But, we will be raptured out before this happens. As soon as we are raptured, Antichrist, received by the world as a great man of peace, will covenant with the Jews so that the Jews can rebuild their Temple. For years the Jews have been planning on rebuilding the Temple. They would need a red heifer for ceremonial purposes. There have been no red heifers for centuries. They were extinct. In October, 1996 a red heifer was born to a black & white mother and a black father. This is God's arrangement for the time is near. (1Thess 5:2-3)- Following the Rapture there will be 3 1/2 years of peace under the Antichrist. Then, the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. When they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction. The Antichrist will enter the Temple and demand to be worshiped as God. This is the 'Abomination of Desolation'. They begin killing all christians and burial isn't allowed. NOTE:- The book of Daniel should be studied before studying Revelations. The prophecies of the two books are related. (Rom. 2:5)- God's judgement is called the 'Day of Wrath'. (1 Thess. 5:9)- God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. By this we know that we will be raptured out before the Tribulation period. Con

(7) BORN OF THE SPIRIT

1 Cor. 12:13)- For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Body is a reference to the 'Kingdom of God', the 'Kingdom of Heaven' or the 'Church' that Jesus purchased with His blood. Some commentaries say the word 'by' could have been translated as 'with', or 'in'. (Matt.3:11-12)- I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in His hand and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner (granery) ; but He will burn up the chaff (worthless matter) with unquenchable fire. -(Mark 9:43-48)-Fire in Hell won't be quenched. This shows that Jesus will do the baptizing 'with' the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:13) should read 'with' one Spirit instead of 'by' one Spirit. That would show consistancy of the scriptures. The Holy Spirit is the cleansing, converting power that makes our spirit a new 'creation' - Born-Again, brought into existence. (John 3:6)- That which is born of the Holy Spirit is our spirit. Back to (Matt.3:11-12)- Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John is talking to many people. Some will get saved and most won't; few there be that find the 'narrow way'. Those baptized with the Holy Spirit have eternal life. Those who don't get saved will pay for their own sins in the 'Lake of Fire' (Rev.20:12-14) Jesus separates the wheat from the chaff. He gathers the wheat into the barn and the chaff is burned. What exactly happens when we are 'born of the Spirit'? (Heb.4:12)- For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We are body, soul and spirit -(1 Thess. 5:23). The Gospel teaches that we should believe. (Mark 3:16)- He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. The first part of the verse tells us how to be saved and the second part of the verse tells us how to be damned. After believing and confessing Christ as the son of God, we need to be baptized by water. (Rom.6:5)- If we have been planted in a likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. Water baptism is symbolic cleansing. In and of itself, it will save no one, but it's the answer of a good concience before God. -(1 Pet. 3:21)- Baptism doth also now save us, not the washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good concience before God. When a sinner submits to symbolic cleansing, Jesus then does the real cleansing. He, as the Word of God, sharper than a two edged sword, divides our soul from our spirit and baptizes, cleanses, purifies our spirit with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)- Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the fogiveness of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the beginning of our eternal life. Our spirit and soul is our entire spiritual nature, the mind. The Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit. Our soul is referred to as the flesh, and tends to satisfy the needs, the desires and cravings that make up our sinful nature. Our soul and spirit will war against the other until death releases our spirit for the angels to take to Paradise in the presence of God, to always to be with the Lord Jesus. At this time, we will have no body, no eyes and no conciousness of time. To the person who dies, he closes his eyes in death and immediately opens his eyes to see Jesus, and all of us who are saved, at the resurrection. Con ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MY ANSWER TO- TYSON OLHEISER (click on comment below) 1)- Do I believe that someone must trust in Christ and trust in baptism? Answer)- Trust in Christ, yes. Trust in baptism, no. To be saved we must come to Christ wholeheartedly obeying Him to the best of our knowledge and ability. With all the different teachings, how is an unschooled believer to know what is right or wrong? Jesus is not legalistic. He saved the thief on the cross and all he said was "Remember me". Jesus is the judge. He looks on the heart. Baptism doesn't save anyone, it is the answer of a good concience before God. But, (Acts 2:38) does say that we are baptized for fogiveness of sins. Paul was baptized for fogiveness of sins. -(Acts 22:16) A new believer doesn't understand scripture like we who have been saved for years, but jesus doesn't reject anyone that comes to Him. (Phil. 2:12)- Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This means after we are saved we continue to learn and grow as a christian. 2)- Do I believe that you are a christian? Yes, of course. I became a christian at 11 yrs old, but wasn't baptized until I was 25 yrs old. My excuse is I was ignorant of scripture and my mentors misled me. Con ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Answer to 2nd 'Comment' of Tyson Olheiser (Click on Comments below and then read this answer) Thank you for your persistance for truth. I like that and it gives me something to go on for further in-depth search. I have long mulled over the very issue you bring up. Now, lets work on it. (Rom. 4:8)- Blessed is the man to whom God will not impute sin./ (Eze. 18:27-28)- When the wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turns away from his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die./ Ezekiel is OT, of course, but this isn't Law, it is God's nature which never changes. Considering these scriptures, (also considering that God knows the future and whether the seed was planted in stony ground, among the thorns or in good ground). It teaches me that when an obedient believer turns to the Lord with all his heart, he is saved, but the process of obedience goes on. He hasn't yet done what the Bible teaches to do for the fogiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:4-7, Tit. 3:5), be baptized, but his sins are now under the blood. Sin is no longer imputed to him. To take it further, (1John 1:9)- If we, as christians confess our sins, we are forgiven. How do we know that we confessed all our sins. What about the sins of omission? (James 4:17)- To him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin. / Did you ever pass someone by that needed help? (Did you ask God to forgive you?) Were you ever selfish with your resources? (Did you get forgiveness?) (Were you concerned about a need enough to Fast and Pray?) Do we deny ourself to follow Christ? (Forgiven?) Are we available to the point where God can fill us with the Holy Spirit and use us, or are we afraid? To be ashamed of Christ is a sin. We have sinned much without forgiveness. It's a good thing that God doesn't impute sin to us, neither past, present or future sins. If we are truly Born-Again, we have eternal security. (Gal. 6:7)- Anyone that mocks God by trying to outsmart Him is foolish and unsaved. God wants our worship, our allegience, our adoration and our realization that we are nothing and He is everything. As a little child depends on his father, we should depend on our Heavenly Father. 1)- You said, "If we are saved through Faith? It is important to note that we are saved 'through' faith', not by faith. We are saved through faith, through confessing Christ (not confessing sins), through baptism, by Jesus that accepts our good concience and then baptizes (purifies-cleanses) our spirit with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Now, we have been born of water and born of the Spirit (our spirit is now brought into existence as an eternal entity). -(John3:6) WHADDA YA THINK? CON PS- Thanks Tyson for demanding satisfaction. Check my other Blogs. You ask questions that someone else might like to know, but don't know how to phrase it. PPS- Check out Tyson's Weblog, tysonolheiser.blogspot.com His Blog Title is 'Bored Physicist'. PPPS- ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WELCOME

(6) BORN OF THE WATER

(JOHN 3:2-7)- Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him".- Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again". "How can anyone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of the water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying. You must be born again". Being born of the Spirit is commonly taught, but being born of the water is usually not mentioned. WHY? The most common explanation is, 'born of the water' happens when a person is born the first time, but why did Jesus say, you must be born again of the water and the Spirit. Being born again was Future Tense for Nicodemas and for us too, in order to be saved. The Dictionary defines the word Born as 'brought into existence or life', 'brought out from' and 'brought forth by, or as if by birth'. This means that 'water baptism' is part of the 'Plan of Salvation', but it is sometimes belittled with a "You don't need to be Baptized to be Saved". John The Baptist's baptism was a 'baptism of repentance for the fogiveness of sins'. -(Mark. 1:4) (Acts 2:38)- Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 22:16)- Paul (Saul) was blind for 3 days as he fasted and prayed, after talking to Jesus. Ananias, sent by Jesus, told Saul "Why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord". There are 8 accounts of conversion in the NT and each was followed immediately by water baptism. Not one said a prayer to get saved. (The Sinners Prayer was in the OT Temple, by a Godly man.) At this point someone will think Legalism! Legalism! Jesus is not legalistic. The thief on the cross could not come down and get baptized, but he was saved. Jesus wants your heart, your love, your devotion, your reverence, your worship and your obedience, to the extent of your ability. If a person is ignorant, misled, or disabled, but comes to Jesus with an eternal commitment, that person will never be rejected by our Lord. The Holy Spirit will lead that person. If we willingly reject scriptural teaching in favor of man's teaching, we are in error. Jesus is the judge. In Christ, Con

(5) SPIRITS IN HELL

(1 Pet. 3:18-21)- For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous , to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. In that state He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits, to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The TNIV (Todays NIV) Study Bible is just out and on the shelves. It is good, but the print is small. It gives three interpretations for these verses. I agree with #1, but it is incomplete. Numbers 2&3 are far-out and 'off the wall'. Interpretation #1- Some hold that in His preincarnate state Christ went and preached through Noah to the wicked generation of that time. (2 Pet. 2:4)- If God spared not the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement. NOTE:- (1 Cor. 6:3)(2 Pet. 2:4)- Know you not that we shall judge angels. These fallen angels are prisoners in Hell now. Also, all the spirits of the departed unbelievers are prisoners in Hell. Saints in Paradise are now in Heaven, but before Jesus rescued them, they were prisoners in Hell (in Paradise). The Hebrew Bible (Our Old Test.) used 'Sheol' 65 times. (Sheol means 'Place of the Dead') It was translated 31 times as Hell, 31 times as Grave and 3 times as Pit. (Hell, Grave and Pit are all in the earth and are the same place.) There will be fire in Hell when Hell is cast into the Lake of Fire. (Luke 16:26)- Speaks of a division in the earth with a gulf between Abraham's bosom and the place of torment. The reference to separation is right, but 'Lazarus & the Rich Man' is a parable. (A simplified story expressing a truth.) When Jesus died on the cross, His Spirit did not go straight to heaven. (Eph. 4:8)- He who ascended first descended into the lower parts of the earth. He took captivity captive, He led captives on high. This is when Jesus removed Paradise to heaven. Now, absent from the body, we will be present with the Lord. Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Today you'll be with me in Paradise". Jesus and the thief went directly to the lower parts of the earth and into Paradise. (1 Pet. 3:18)- Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit. When we die, we aren't made alive like this. Our spirits will be at rest, not aware of time or anything else until we get our eternal bodies. When Jesus' Spirit went to Hell, some think Jesus went to the flames to finish paying for our sins. Not so, Jesus purchased the Church with His blood. He said "It is finished". All the spirits in prison were those of fallen angels, the ungodly lost and the Saints in Paradise. They were unaware of the Lord's presence. Jesus didn't preach to any of them in a way that they could understand. (2 Pet. 2:5)- Noah was a preacher of righteousness. Jesus (Jehovah in the OT) inspired Noah through the Holy Spirit. During 120 yrs, as he built the ark, Noah preached verbally and through his actions. They all rejected the truth until Noah, Shem, Ham, japheth and their wives were in the ark. God shut the door and man couldn't open it. After the door was shut and it started raining with the water rising, I'm sure they became believers --- Too late. (Many believe it had never before rained. There were 4 rivers in the garden of Eden. Without rain there couldn't be water flowing continually from high ground to lower ground. God created the laws of nature. A mist rose and watered the ground. That's what we call rain. God witheld creation of the rainbow until after the Flood and it was the sign of a covenant that God would never again destroy the earth by water. Next time will be by fire.) (Heb. 11:7)- By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of righteousness which is by faith. (1 Pet. 3:20)- When Jesus descended to Hell and was in the presence of, not only the spirits of those who were disobedient while the ark was being prepared, but to all of the spirits in prison. The 'presence' of Jesus was a proclamation of His victory over the grave and also the fullfillment of his prophetic preaching through Noah. (1 Pet, 3:20-21)- Eight souls were saved by water, the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good concience toward God. Water separated Noah from the lost. Baptism by water is part of the obedience that separates the saved from the unsaved now. Noah was saved Through water. We are saved, not by baptism, but through baptism. We are saved by Grace, through faith, through repentance, through confessing Christ (not confessing sins) through baptism, and then Jesus baptizes us with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We are then sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. After we are Born-Again of the water and of the Spirit, God will never take away the Spirit from us. This is the beginning of our eternal life. -(Eph. 1:13, 4:30) NOTE:- The thief on the cross wasn't baptized by John's baptism, for the forgiveness of sins, but he was saved. If a believer, who because of ignorance or physical handicap, is not baptized by water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), or is sprinkled instead of being buried with Him in a likeness of His death -(Rom. 6:4), but comes to Jesus with all of his heart, he is not rejected by our Lord. The Holy Spirit will take charge, leading that person into all righteousness. NOTE:- Click on 'Comments' below if you want to ask questions, add to, correct me, or suggest further discussion. Con

(4) RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS

(1 Thess. 4:13-18)- We, as Christians look forward with anticipation to the time when Jesus comes back for the remainder of His Church that is still on the Earth. The spirits of departed Saints are in Paradise, which is now in Heaven. They have no intermediate body. They are not aware of anything. ( Rev. 6:9 ) Speaks of 'souls under the Altar'; This makes me think that this is the location of Paradise in Heaven. Since there is no time in death, the time between death & resurrection for a person is like the blink of an eye. At a time known only by the Father, Jesus will come for us, when the last person on earth is saved. The time is really getting close. The EU is the Roman Empire being revived. (2 Thess. 2:3)- First there must be a falling away. That is happening now. Some Churches are compromising God's Truth to make it more acceptable to worldly people. I believe many Churches will have enough members left to continue meeting after the Rapture. I don't believe the Unsaved will see or hear anything. People will just disappear. As Jesus just left His clothing in the Tomb, we will just leave a heap of clothing. This is open for more speculation. Israel is surrounded by enemies as prophecied. (Zech. 14:2) The EU will be ready for the Antichrist when it becomes a Military, as well as a Political & Economic Community of Nations. Then, I believe one more event is necessary. Israel will become an International City. In (Dan. 9:27) the Antichrist, at the beginning of the 'Tribulation' will covenant with the Jews that they can rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. When Israel is an International city, the Antichrist will have the political power to do this. The Revived Roman Empire, the seventh head of the beast, led by the Little Horn of Daniel (Dan. 7:8) that rises to become the Antichrist won't be revealed until until after the Rapture of the Saints. The 'Time' has come. (1 Thess 4:14) Jesus will bring with Him all of the spirits in Paradise. The Archangel ( Michael ?) will shout, the Trumpet will sound. The bodies of the 'Dead in Christ', sown in corruption and now raised incorruptible , along with the living Saints changed in the twinkling of an eye, will rise to meet the Lord in the air. So, we'll ever be with the Lord. This is not to be confused with the 2nd Coming. At the 2nd coming, we will come back with Him to Reign on earth for 1,000 yrs. NOTE:- There will be another Rapture of the Saints at the end of the Tribulation. This will be covered in another Article. WHADDA YA THINK?, BLOG ME

(3)- The Spirit Of Man Never Dies

(GEN. 1:26) God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. - God said "us" (Father, Son & Holy Ghost). God was & is Spirit, but now the Son has an eternal physical body similar to our future eternal body. (1 John 3:2) We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.- Since at the time God had no physical image, the reference could only be to the spirit. God made animals with only a body & a soul, but God gave man a spirit also. This gave man a higher intellect & a God conciousness. (Dan. 4:33)- God punished King Nebuchadnezzar by taking away his spirit for 7 years leaving him with only a body & soul- the King was now like an animal. A man's spirit is the part of him that is eternal. In the OT when a saint (A saved sinner) died his spirit went to Paradise. Paradise was a part of Sheol located in the earth. They couldn't go to heaven until Jesus died on the cross, purchasing the Church with His blood.-(Acts. 20:28) Think of Lazzaras & the rich man in different sections of Sheol. (Place of the dead) On the cross, Jesus told the thief " Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise". Paradise was still in the earth. (Eph. 4:8-10) He who ascended first descended into the lower parts of the earth, not into flames as some teach, but into Paradise, along with the Thief. He took Captivity captive & led them on high (To Heaven), but first He resurrected and talked to Mary Magdalene at the Tomb. Jesus said, " Don't touch me for I have not yet ascended to the Father. (John 20:17) Go & tell my disciples I go to My God & your God & My Father & your Father. Jesus immediately took Paradise to Heaven. If He meant his ascension 40 days later, He could have told them Himself that very evening inside the locked room. With Paradise in Heaven, at death we are absent from the body & present with the Lord. (1 Thess. 5:23)- We are body, soul & spirit. Before becoming a Born-Again Christian our soul-spirit was one entity. Often soul & spirit were used interchangeably. (Heb. 4:12)- The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword even to the dividing of soul & spirit and joints & marrow. The dividing of soul & spirit takes place when Jesus saves us. He divides our soul & spirit, then indwells our spirit with the Holy Spirit. This is then the beginning of our eternal life. In Christ, Con NOTE:- Dissagree? correct me. Agree- Encourage me.

(2) DISCONTINUED GIFTS OF SPIRIT

(GAL.1:11-12)- Paul had the gift of 'Knowledge'. God revealed Truth to him and it became scripture. The Apostles were given the Gift to heal.

(1 Thess 4:17)- Paul Prophecied that Jesus was coming for the Saints.

(Acts 2:3) On Pentecost the Apostles and others (120 in all) were gathered in the

house (Temple Court of the Gentiles, House of God) The Apostles were Filled with the Holy Spirit and miraculously spoke in languages they did'nt

know, (Tongues). The Apostles could lay hands on a convert and that

person was 'Filled' with the Spirit. This Laying on of Hands, Knowledge, Healing, Prophecy and Tongues are 5 gifts of the Spirit that were no longer given to men after the NT scriptures were completed.

NOTE:- Filling with the Spirit should not be confused with Jesus giving the

indwelling presence to a Convert after the Church began. When a Christian

or OT Saint is or was 'Filled' with the Spirit, it means God enabled this person to do what God called him to do.

Back to Discontinued Gifts: God still does miraculus things, but God no longer gives man this ability. (James 5:14-15) Today if any are sick, let him call the Elders of the Church to anoint with oil and pray over him. The prayer of faith will save the sick. Speaking in Tongues today isn't scriptural. If God is speaking to and through someone and only God understands doesn't this mean God is talking to Himself?

(1 Cor. 13:8-10)- Prophecies will fail, Tongues will cease; When that which is 'perfect' is come, that which is in part will be done away. Some say that 'Perfect' is a reference to Jesus return. The reference is to (James 1:23-25). The 'Word of God' is referred to as the 'Perfect' Law of Liberty. When people received the Bible, then, faith was required, not men doing miracles.

Opinions or additions welcome.

Con

(1) INTRODUCTION

This is Feb. 12, 2008 and the beginning of my WHADDA YA THINK ? Weblog. This Weblog can be accessed at (feralpups.blogspot.com). GREETINGS, I am Con Yates living in Swansboro, NC. My wife Edith and I are Christians. My E-Mail address is CYATES1@ec.rr.com . If anyone is interested in exchanging 'FORWARDS' let me know and I'll add them to my ADDRESSES. I screen and scan all FORWARDS before they go out. I am opinionated and say what I believe. A difference of opinion and discussion are always welcome. TRUTH and OBEDIENCE to it is what will secure our Eternal Life. Rightly dividing the Word Of Truth (2Tim. 2:15) should be our goal and should take precedence over denominational Doctrine. No two thinking persons will agree on everything. It's OK to dissagree. Jesus will be the judge. (Phil. 2:12)-" Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." This scripture is for 'Born-Again Christians'. Enough for now. Check me out now & then and BLOG me. Con