Dear All -

I quit believing the government really cared about me at about the time I had my first run-in with the IRS.  They may be from the government but they are not "here to help."

We who anticipate the rapture were kinda fooled because we thought for a long time that we'd all be just bob-bob-bobbing along and suddenly one day the clouds would roll in and He would be here to take us away.  Totally painless, completely surprising.  Things perfectly normal and somewhat predictable and then, as it was in the days of Noah.  We leave and THEN "sudden destruction."

Well, this is the ramp-up and we're getting a whiff of the brimstone that many of us may not have expected.  I think this may be God's merciful wake-up call to those who have "Jesus-belief" in their heads and not in their hearts.  Because I have also pretty much concluded that a lot of so-called "Christians" and even many who believe that the pre-trib rapture is just ahead ....  WILL BE LEFT BEHIND!  In Rev. 12 we see the rapture in verse 5 but "the rest of her offspring" are still on earth in verse 17.  These offspring "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  WHAT??  They sound like good guys. 

Well, they may be professing Christians who are not "possessing" Christians.  I know a few - they talk the good Christian game, say nice things about God and Jesus, live good clean lives.  But that's it.  They don't really love the brethren and they don't trust Jesus.  In fact, the "I knew ye not" crowd in Matthew 7 talked the talk, had the good works and all the rest.

Well, Jesus sees them as spiritual adulterers.  And He gives them one more shot at it.  He describes them in Rev. 2:20 and plainly says that those IN THE CHURCH who "commit adultery" with her will go "INTO GREAT TRIBULATION" unless they repent.  The days allowed for repentance are quickly drawing to a close.  Those left behind who finally "get it" can triumph over the Beast and his system, but it will be at the cost of their lives.  These days are God's gift to them.

But also to us.  If we are trusting in our jobs, or the government, or our bank accounts, or anything else, then these days will crush us.  If we live patiently day-by-day, knowing this is God's plan and trusting Christ to bring us through each day, then He will be glorified and we will be caught up to meet Him, not many days from now.

I'm not persuaded that September 6th will be the rapture.  Hope so, but I expect closer to Sep. 23rd which is the end of summer.  But I am completely confident that God's plan is perfect.  Hope to see you soon.  Peter and Paul have given us some very relevant advice:  scoffers will come (they're here) 2 Peter 3:3, and we are to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) and make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10)

Best,

Steve