THE DAYS IN WHICH WE LIVE

IN THESE DAYS OF TROUBLED TIMES WITH TURMOIL IN PLAIN VIEW

SAINTS OF GOD FROM PAGES PAST SPEAK TO US ANEW.

THIS WORLD’S AGE IS PASSING FAST…RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES

THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING SOON, WE SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISED.

STAND FAST AND FIRM IN CHRIST ALONE, LIKE SAINTS IN DAYS GONE BY

OUR PROMISE SURE…JESUS IS KING…HIS TRUTH WILL NEVER DIE.

CHILD OF GOD LOOK EVER UP, TOWARD THE EASTERN SKY

PROPHETS’ WORDS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED, HIS RETURN DRAWS NIGH.

HOLD FAST…PROCLAIM HIS TRUTH TO ALL WHO CHOOSE TO HEAR

THE DAY WILL DAWN, THIS AGE WILL END, IT’S DRAWING EVER NEAR.

THE BANNER OF OUR LORD HOLD HIGH, THROUGH SUFFERING AND PAIN

OUR HOPE IS NEAR, JUST AT THE DOOR…KING JESUS WILL FOREVER REIGN!

SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17/ 1 Corinthians 15:50-56; 2 Thessalonians

2:3-11

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NAS).

Just Adjust

Truth and wisdom from one of my favorite author friends, Julie Cosgrove!

Where Did You Find God Today?

When my mother first became widowed, this was a card she received. She tore off this message on the front and framed it. When she passed on, I took it home. Even now, widowed for twelve years, I still keep it on my desk. My daily reminder.

It is a message for all of us humans who have a tendency to want to be in control.

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust our sails.

I have never sailed in my life, so my knowledge is poor at best, but I have read books and watched movies about sailors and the seas. About steering into the wind so it billows the sails or away from it to change direction. Sailors are at the mercy of nature and the Creator of the winds. They know it is better to adjust than to try to fight against it. Which is…

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ANOTHER WRINKLE IN GRIEF…LONELINESS

The second Christmas alone. I’ve been told the second year after losing a loved one is more difficult than the first because reality sets in. And I can confirm that diagnosis. I’ll be honest, when the sun sets the most difficult part of my day begins and lasts until I turn out the lights and close my eyes in sleep. I hear many of you saying “Amen.” Then there’s Thanksgiving and Christmas. Oh why can’t we just mark these two months off the calendar and slide right into January?

This past Friday was a gruesome day. Two family tragedies colored my day wretched and by nightfall I was a befuddled mess of tears and crying out to God for help. Have any of y’all ever been there? It’s not a pleasant place to be…a very ugly cry day.

But we serve an Almighty, Magnificent God who can take words written over fifty or more years ago and place them in my current devotional book, “Streams In The Desert,” on the exact day I need to hear them. For me that happened last night…December 20th…I was shocked, but comforted. Teary-eyed but finally closed my eyes full of His peace.

I’d like to share with you what the devotion said that changed my life and hope it will change yours.

“I am not alone, for my Father is with me.“ (John 16:32)

“It is certainly unnecessary to say that turning conviction into action requires great sacrifice. It may mean renouncing or separating ourselves from specific people or things, leaving us with a strange sense of deprivation and loneliness. Therefore the person who will ultimately soar like an eagle to the heights of the cloudless day and live in the sunshine of God must be content to live a relatively lonely life.

There are no birds that live in as much solitude as eagles, for they never fly in flocks. Rarely can even two eagles be seen together. And a life that is dedicated to God knows divine fellowship, no matter how many human friendships have had to be forfeited along the way.

God seeks “eagle people,” for no one ever comes into the full realization of the best things of God in his spiritual life without learning to walk along with Him. We see Abraham alone “in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities…near Sodom.” (Genesis 13:12).

Moses, although educated in all the wisdom of Egypt, had to spend forty years alone with God in the desert. And Paul, who was filled with all the knowledge of the Greeks and who sat “at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3 KJV), was required, after meeting Jesus, to go “immediately into Arabia” (Galatians 1:17) to learn of the desert life with God.

May we allow God to isolate us, but I do not mean the isolation of a monastery. It is in the experience of isolation that the Lord develops an independence of life and of faith so that the soul no longer depends on the continual help, prayers, faith and care of others. The assistance and inspiration from others are necessary, and they have a place in a Christian’s development, but at times they can actually become a hindrance to a person’s faith and welfare.

God knows how to change our circumstances in order to isolate us. And once we yield to Him and He takes us through an experience of isolation, we are no longer dependent upon those around us, although we still love them as much as before. Then we realize that He has done a new work within us and that the wings of our soul have learned to soar in loftier air.

We must dare to be alone, in the way that Jacob had to be alone for the Angel of God to whisper in his ear, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel” (Genesis 32:28), in the way that Daniel had to be left alone to see heavenly visions; and in the way that John had to be banished to the Isle of Patmos to receive and record “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him” (Revelation 1:1).

“He has trodden the winepress alone…” (Isaiah 63:3) for us. Therefore, are we prepared for a time of “glorious isolation” rather than to fail Him?”

I hope these words help you realize that loneliness is our clue to cry out to God, then sit quietly before Him and pour our hearts out to Him. In this difficult time God is transforming us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus…fast as He can, but slow as He must.

My attitude about loneliness has taken an abrupt about-face today…and I hope forever. Because the loneliness will be replaced by the fullness and confidence of God’s love in each of our hearts.

Let me hear from you…DiAne

THE DAYS IN WHICH WE LIVE

IN THESE DAYS OF TROUBLED TIMES WITH TURMOIL IN PLAIN VIEW SAINTS OF GOD FROM PAGES PAST SPEAK TO US ANEW. THIS WORLD’S AGE IS PASSING FAST…RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING SOON, WE SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISED. STAND FAST AND FIRM IN CHRIST ALONE, LIKE SAINTS IN DAYS GONE BY…

by dianegates December 4, 2022December 5, 2022

Just Adjust

Truth and wisdom from one of my favorite author friends, Julie Cosgrove!

by dianegates May 27, 2022

GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE…WILL WE ANSWER HIS CALL?

God called us to be a peculiar people—a people of His own choosing. That means we are to stand out in the crowd. We are to shine the light of His truth to everyone…not to just a chosen few church members on Sunday morning. Many of you have read my account of the Sunday morning…

by dianegates October 31, 2020November 2, 2020

GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE…WILL WE ANSWER HIS CALL?

God called us to be a peculiar people—a people of His own choosing. That means we are to stand out in the crowd. We are to shine the light of His truth to everyone…not to just a chosen few church members on Sunday morning.

Many of you have read my account of the Sunday morning I took a long look at my forty-seven-year-old self and despised what I saw!

Two days later I raced to the foot of the Cross, finally understanding my name on a church role meant nothing if my name wasn’t written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!

Last night I read the account of God’s chosen people in Exodus 32. Those ancient Israelites were camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai, wondering where their leader Moses was—forty days before…a month and a week…he had climbed up the mountain and disappeared into the Shekinah cloud of God’s glory. Forty long days and no word. Was he dead or alive? How long did a meeting with God last?

So, they played God and decided they couldn’t wait any longer to find out. Times were about to change!

But high on the mountain God was laying out plans for the future of His covenant people—in great detail—to His servant Moses. Have we ever considered in our tiny minds God is doing the same thing for us? Have you ever considered you…me…we don’t have all the answers…but God tells us:

“Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NAS).

Could that instruction mean we are to study what happened on Mt. Sinai and learn from it? I think so…

God stopped their meeting and told Moses to go down—these people he (Moses) had rescued from slavery were corrupting themselves…worshiping an idol that led to a drunken, dancing, who-knows-what-else-kinda party.

Now, before you cluck your tongue, like I’ve done in the past—think for a bit about times in your life when you’ve grown tired of waiting for God to act? Waiting is the name of our bumpy road to FAITH.

These obstinate people, as God called them, had squandered God’s gold that was to be used for His holy Tabernacle and used it for an idol—an object made with human hands—for something to worship when they couldn’t see Him. Yet they had seen Him and the sight of His presence coming down over the mountain. They had heard the lightning and thunder and the sound of His voice scared the begebers out of them. They begged Moses to listen and then tell them what God had to say…and yet they bowed down to worship a home-made idol made by Aaron’s hands when they had personally seen the power and might of the Almighty God coming down over Mt. Sinai?

Have you ever squandered God’s provisions? Have you ever traded your awe and worship of the Lord God Almighty for something you could touch and hold in your hand or that brought some kind of fake comfort? Things you’ve done that were it not for God’s grace you wouldn’t be reading this post right now?

I stopped at the end of Chapter 32 and outlined in my mind my own delusional Mt. Sinai moments. Moments I must have provoked God just like those ancient Israelites did—and I both shudder and am grateful for His amazing grace.

And as a nation—a nation of God’s people in the beginning—we too have blended with the crowd ‘cause we didn’t want to look, act, or appear to be different, and have bowed at the idol of self-preservation—trying to look, act, and be like everyone else. As I look around today, I shudder in the realization of what America and Americans have become and am downright afraid as I watch the evening news and see what our children are becoming.

Ancient Israel never got the message they were not to be like everyone else—they were and are chosen by God. The nation of Israel has paid a horrible price for their obstinance; and I’m afraid, if we don’t fall on our faces before Him, we are also about to find out what the price of obstinance toward God looks like.

Perhaps God will grant us a small window of escape to get up off our sanctimonious fannies and go vote to keep this nation from the current and planned siege of Communism, bowing before the left’s molten calf.

Before the sun went down on Mt. Sinai, that day so long ago, Moses gave the order to the Levites and about 3,000 of those ancient Israelites lay dead on the wilderness floor because they had sinned by leading the way in making a god of gold and enticed others to join them. Disobedience to God has consequences—and God never changes.

Moses burned the golden image and then ground it up and dumped it in the people’s drinking water. We aren’t drinking the dregs of our golden calf—yet. But we are sure living in the midst of dangerous chaos, before God’s judgment falls.

Then Moses returned to the presence of the Lord on Mt. Sinai to pleaded for His mercy and to entreat Him not to destroy the Israelites because of His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

God hasn’t promised to protect America. But He has promised to remove His children (those who’ve been washed in the blood of The Lamb and are walking in His truth) from this earth before the awful pouring out of God’s judgment comes. After 70 million babies have been slaughtered under the title of “choice” and God’s instruction for the marriage covenant violated and set aside by this same political party that kicked God out of their midst last year, do we think God is asleep at the wheel? Or perhaps as some claim…do you think these bogus leaders could possibly worship the same God we do? That’s blasphemy!

Do we have advocates like those Levites who silenced the troublemakers among them? Well, we did; but now these same bogus leaders are also winning in the race to destroy the laws of this nation as well as to de-legitimize and de-fund our policemen and women. And their plan has infiltrated the hearts and minds of our children while we fiddled as our families burned.

Is there any hope? Yes! God is our hope…our only hope. But He requires obedience from His people. If every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ would vote according to God’s Word…notice I did not say according to the personality of the candidate…perhaps God might have mercy on America one more time…like He did with Ancient Israel—but oh what a cost that generation paid for their disbelief. They believed the lies of the troublemakers and they were not allowed to go into the Promised Land…they perished in the desert.

God always allows us to make the choice…but the nation of Israel, to this point in time, is a living example of what consequences look like when they chose to reject living by God’s law.

But one day! One day, perhaps soon, there will be Gentile and Jew in one body in Christ in that nation where King Jesus will rule and reign with a rod of iron. Why a rod of iron? Did you think the Millennial Kingdom would be perfect? You’ll have to read next week’s post.

Pray for our nation’s healing. Pray for God’s people to stand for God’s truth rather than sitting on their thumbs trying to blend into the woodwork. It’s long past time to speak the truth of God’s Word to your children, friends and neighbors…but you can’t speak or teach what you don’t know!

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before God. But let the righteous be glad, let them exult before God…Sing to God, sing praises to His name!” (Psalm 68:1-4(a).

                                                            IF YOU HAVEN’T… GO VOTE!

PART TWO – THE TRUMPET AND THE ARCHANGEL

“These words are faithful and true; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to his bond servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book’” (Revelation 22:6-7 NAS).

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 NAS).

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF APOSTACY?

Scripture tells us there will be three signs before those last seven years begin. God said a great falling away or departure or apostacy from truths the Church has followed and believed since the resurrection of Jesus—truths handed down from the beginning according to the words of Christ Jesus.

Today we see a falling away of enormous magnitude; a twisting of words like Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke of—a time when people call good evil, and evil good. Jude warned about “those who’ve crept in unnoticed among us…” And factions within the leadership of our own Southern Baptist Convention have joined other denominations casting out and distorting the truth of scripture.

The evening news leaves us aghast at the march of evil stampeding across America, but according to The Word it is going to become much worse. Why? Lawlessness. When? When the restrainer is taken away.

WHO OR WHAT RESTRAINS EVIL?

In conjunction, the second thing to understand is whatever or whoever restrains this man of lawlessness will be removed in order for Satan to earn his full reward.
But is the restrainer still at work today? Yes, even now some of the churches in America, in China, and other parts of the world, are standing firm in the Word.

THINK WITH ME—WHAT HAPPENED AT PENTECOST?

“And gathering them together, He commanded them “not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4-6 NAS).

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself’” (Acts 2:38-39 NAS).

We see when the Holy Spirit was given. To whom was He given? To those who believed in and trusted what Jesus did at Calvary to save them. The Holy Spirit was given to those believers…to the Church. Given to the heart and mind of each believer. He is God’s down payment or His promise of our future salvation. There is only One! The Holy Spirit of God has been and is the restrainer of the evil one!

Now, do you believe for one-second God would rip His promise, His Spirit, His down-payment out of the hearts of His children, leaving us to face Anti-Christ, the Beast, and the False Prophet alone? Absolutely not…when the Holy Spirit departs, He will take the true Church (all believers) with Him! Scripture has verified this fact.

Again, remember what Jesus said about adding to or taking away from His Word. There are consequences—like the inability to discern truth when you choose to reject His Truth.

As a brief side-note, is there historical biblical proof of people being caught up to be with God before they physically died? Absolutely…four of them mentioned in the Word. Can you name them?

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (those who are still here on earth). For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NAS).

As you look back through Old Testament history, when did the trumpet sound for God’s people?

1. Warning God’s people to break camp and move
2. Calling God’s people to the tent of meeting to worship
3. A call to battle
4. Warning them of coming danger

Scripture says this will be the last time this trumpet will sound. We will never have to break camp again. We will be in the presence of God the Father and His Son, our King, Jesus Christ. There is only one battle left. No fear. We will be with our Commander and Chief—”King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”

THE BEST COMMENTARY OF SCRIPTURE IS SCRIPTURE:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him (Jesus) those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with our Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NAS).

The Greek word “caught up” or “snatched up” means to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force) that word is harpazo. This Greek word translates to the Latin Vulgate as “rapturo” from which we get the English word “rapture.”

At the sound of this last trumpet and the archangel shouts, Jesus comes for His bride and we will meet Him in the clouds. He doesn’t return to earth…YET!

THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS REVEALED:

Then this man of lawlessness himself will be revealed, marking the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week. God’s escalating wrath will be poured out on a world gone rogue for the seven final years of this age. No doubt he will bring short-lived peace and a temporary brightness…you know why…what you want to believe, because the truth is too horrifying to deal with. But through escalating throngs of demonic evil—you can see—you can feel. But most of those left behind will be unable to see truth because of the deluding spirit God will send upon those who’ve rejected Him.

Can people accept Jesus and be saved during this terrifying period of Tribulation? Absolutely, but they must refuse to take the Mark of the Beast, which refusal will lead to their beheading.

But remember, if a person takes the Mark of the Beast in his forehead or on his hand, there will instantly be eternal separation from Christ—No do-overs!

As God pours out the fullness of His wrath on mankind, through Seals, Trumpet and Bowl judgments, men and women will curse Him. Is it any wonder God is angry? His Son went to the cross to pay for the sins of ALL mankind; but these men and women will thumb their noses at His Son and our Savior—they will reject God’s mercy and curse His name. It’s all written in the Book of Revelation.

THE HERE AND NOW:

For years we’ve watched men, women, and young people thumb their noses at law and order, commit heinous crimes, curse God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. And Satan has boldly upped the ante. This week Bible burning has been added by this enemy of God. We’ve watched members of Congress lie and pitch their support with the perpetrators of evil as they attempt to overthrow our Republic and shred our Constitution. Could it be Daniel’s 70th week is about to begin?

Are you listening for that last trumpet blast and the shout of God’s archangel? If it’s in accord with Jewish wedding customs, perhaps the angel will shout “BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!”

Are you longing to be part of that great transformation in the skies? Are you living to be clothed in wedding garments furnished by your King according to your works; as we all gather for that long-awaited marriage supper of the Lamb of God to His bride?

“And the Lord utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it? Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil’ ” (Joel 2:11-12 NAS).

Then and only then can the Church return with King Jesus when the skies split and roll back like a scroll—members of His royal Court—dressed in fine linen—following Him as the sword from His mouth renders appropriate judgment to all who’ve rejected His Word, His Name, and His great gift of love and salvation.

Or will you be among those who have chosen to remain for the worse-than-horrid seven years…alone…on your own? Now is the time to reconsider, before the trumpet and the angel break the silence of that night’s sleep—when dawn will reveal the tragic, warned-about-reality of God’s truth to those left behind.

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Revelation 22:12-13, 16-17 NAS).

Next week in this series:
WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL? WHERE ARE THEY DURING THESE SEVEN YEARS?
AND WHAT DID GOD SHOW YOU IN REVELATION 5? ANSWER TO THE FOUR MEN CAUGHT UP: ENOCH, ELIJAH, JESUS, AND PAUL!

DiANE N. GATES
http://www.amazon.com/DiAne-Gates/e/B01MXYR4AS

THE TRUMPET AND THE ARCHANGEL

“These words are faithful and true; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book'”(Revelation 22:6-7 NAS).

ABOUT END TIMES PROPHECY:

Though I’ve studied prophecy for years, writing about it is something I’ve only done once—in an article for Crosswalk Online Magazine. However, when someone posed a question on FB about heaven last week, I responded from the Word about the signs of the times, events happening, and events that are sure to come.

A blistering response exploded on my screen—there is no such thing as a rapture. I know you got that out of Thessalonians. That’s a lie. There is no rapture. I only allow truth to be spoken on my page. No rapture!

I sat stunned, asking God for guidance. Then gasped as my eye caught the woman’s profile at the top of her page—she advertises being a Christian counselor. Oh Father, escaped my lips as words of our pastor Sunday a week ago replayed in my mind.

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19 NAS).

And the Old Testament admonishment:

“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2 NAS).

THE WORDS FALSE PROPHET WHISPERED IN MY HEART:

Oh Lord, do I confront her? Do I try to reason with her? And there was another lady who asked this question, “I don’t see why there’s a second coming any way, our dead loved ones are already with Jesus? What’s the point?”

LET ME BE CLEAR:

This woman knew enough scripture that if she’d been of a mind to search for Truth, God would have corrected her wrong thinking…I pray He will. But what about the lady who didn’t know the Word? Undoubtedly repeating fragments she’d heard…not the Word. And the Spirit stirred my heart write a blog post about this situation. And I wondered…

How many church members don’t know truth about the signs of the end of this age?
How many haven’t read Father, that You said we were not made for Your wrath?
How many don’t realize the Old and New Testaments talk about the end of the age?
How many haven’t a clue nor care about anything other than their here and now?

“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (Thessalonians 2:1-2 NAS).

False prophets told these persecuted believers of Paul’s days, Jesus had already come and they’d been left behind. Left to suffer the wrath of God…much like some today…saying there is no rapture…repeating to others they’ll be left on earth ‘til after God pours out His wrath during the final seven years of the Tribulation. Then what? How would that line up with the rest of God’s Word? Satan’s lies do not line up or blend with God’s Truth.

WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY:

“Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7 NAS).

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NAS).

BUT HE NEVER SAID WE WOULD NOT BE TESTED:

Does God leave us any clue as to what signs to look for? Does He tell us what’s to come? Oh, my yes! Three major events are on God’s calendar, in 2 Thessalonians and in 1 Corinthians. He gives us a countdown and tells us to watch and be ready.

THE GREAT APOSTASY COMES FIRST:

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 NAS).

Paul never participated in one of my edit groups…’cause I always ask…who or what is “it?” Remember these Christians thought they’d been left behind. “It” refers the Second Coming of Christ. So, let’s jump out of sequence and take a quick peek at the second coming of our Lord Jesus to put us in context. When studying the Word, remember two things:

1. Begin with what you know. What Scripture clearly states.
2. God’s Word is the best commentary on His Word.

So, let’s begin with the event that is set out in great detail as to the who, what, when, and where questions.

THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD:

“And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16 NAS).

THIS IS THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS—TO THIS EARTH—
TO BRING JUDGMENT:

He first came to the manger in Bethlehem. The second time He will come to rule and reign right here on earth. But who are those armies clothed in fine linen, following Him on white horses? How did they get there? Where did they come from? They are not angels.

As I studied in preparation to write this post, I found an interesting and eye-opening account tucked in the 5th Chapter of Revelation. Please read verses 1-5, then 6-7, then 8-10, drawing a mental picture of what John sees. You might even want to take pencil and paper and sketch what he describes in each of these scenes. I prefer the New King James Version.

Now, ask God to give you understanding as you read verses 11-14. Watch the word “then” in the NKJV. In the NAS or KJV the word is “and.” This is a time phrase. It might be helpful to mark every use of “then” or “and” in these four verses and record what God shows you in this passage that you’ve never seen before. Watch descriptions and tenses in the “four” separate scenes God showed John and is now showing you. Rehearse and think about the scriptures so far and make your own list of who and what they are, and what they’ve told you so you don’t need someone to remind you what they think scripture says.

We’ll pick up right here this coming Wednesday morning with Part Two of THE TRUMPET AND THE ARCHANGEL.

THE JOURNEY HOME

There was bad blood between the brothers—even in the womb. But after forty years he was going home.

Life and God had changed him, but Jacob knew there was still one wrong he had to repair. It might cost his life—but the issues had to be settled.

Ever been there?

That night before the giant step forward? That night where you like Jacob wrestled with God? That night when God changed your life forever—just like Jacob?

I’ve had three of those nights. Nights of tossing and turning. Crying out to God in fear and despair. Nights that seemed endless, screaming I would not survive. Bone breaking, spirit jarring, honest reality nights that leave you… wrung out. Yes, or maybe convinced your life isn’t over and God truly hears your cries.

The first date I can’t define more clearly than the mid ‘80’s. Dick’s first heart attack. The doctor was scheduled to do a procedure the next morning and I was beyond terrified—frightened beyond my ability to give one hopeful thought to the future. We had young teens and finances were tight with both of us working. The thought of being a widow was horrifying. I cried out to God and finally drifted into what could have been a fitful sleep…but angels comforted my heart and mind. Beautiful, powerful angels, singing melodies of comfort and praise as they swirled around me. I awoke with a covering of peace and assurance.

The procedure went well and Dick’s health was restored—but I’ve never forgotten the presence of those mighty angels ministering to me through that night…so real I can still close my eyes and see them.

The second date is forever etched in my mind—the second Sunday in January of l989. Our marriage was in trouble and I was ready to throw my hands up and quit. Our lives were full of rebellion to God. I threw off the covers and in my most “holier-than-thou” voice snarled, “Well you can lay there if you want, I’m going to church!” I cringe even remembering my words and the tone of them. It’s a wonder God didn’t strike me dead that instant.

“Well, if you’ll wait, I’ll go with you.” Dick’s quiet voice, as I think about it now, maybe sounded relieved.

We arrived at the church in Spring, Texas, to find they were beginning a revival. No Sunday School that morning, everyone gathered in the sanctuary to hear the visiting pastor who addressed the wives in the opening paragraphs of his message…again words etched in my mind these thirty-five-ish years later… “Wives, do you leave scripture verses taped to your husband’s side of the bathroom mirror?” Had my humor been better, I might have poked Dick in the ribs…but it was too close to the truth. “Rather than playing the sanctimonious wife who does more damage than good (ouch)…you need to be quiet and duck, so God can hit your husband with the bullets.”
Then he talked about how God instructed wives to behave…and he quoted a verse I’d never heard.

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior” (1 Peter 2:1-2 NAS).

I’d been in church all my life, but this verse smacked me square in my heart, my mind, and my behavior. I was guilty as charged. God’s Spirit warred with the me I’d become. The me who picked and chose which words from the Word I tried to use to slay the demons in my husband’s life. But this morning I heard my husband wasn’t my problem—I was the problem.

That Sunday night was the longest night of my life as God’s Spirit drilled through the layers of church-e-ness to the truth—God’s truth—and I wrestled with the deliberate sins in my life. I had walked the aisle and been baptized as a 12-year-old, memorized tons of scripture, and had grown into a woman who attempted to walk in both worlds…God’s world and the world of my own choosing. The voice in my spirit was rage, not grace. I was lost as a goose.

Monday evening both Dick and I were anxious to be on time for the revival service. During the message, as a confirmation, I had what could only be described as a vision—I saw Jesus standing on the shore with some of his disciples. They were far away but I knew it was Jesus. He turned and stretched out His arms to me and when the invitation was given, I raced to the altar and chose to give everything in me to Jesus…the good, the bad, and the very ugly. And true to God’s promise, when we surrender to His will, Jesus’ blood washes away every sin we ever have or will commit

Again, true to His promise, God completely transformed my life, Dick’s life, our home, and our eternity.

The third night of wrestling came August 22, 2019, after my husband died suddenly that day…after forty-three years of marriage. I didn’t know what to do. I thought my life was over. I didn’t know which way to turn. All I could do was cry out to Jesus and cling to His Word. And almost a year later, I’m still crying out to my Lord every day. And every day He carries me through the problem’s widowhood creates.

Three nights—years apart—of wrestling with God. All three leaving me seriously exhausted, but also permanently and forever changed.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren, and whom He predestined, these He also called, and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:28-31 NAS).

I am learning that in order to return home, to abide in God’s forever peace, that wrenching away of guilt, heartaches, and habits must be dealt a debilitating blow. And that wrestling takes a life altering, priority amending, directionally changing moment for each one of us…and likely many more than one.

Just like Jacob’s first meeting with Esau after that family blow-up forty years prior, the thing that ripped their dysfunctional family apart had to be dealt with. And God guided the process with Jacob, just like He has and will guide and guard the process with you and me.

Wrestling with sin and shame and forgiveness is a life-long, necessary process that brings repentance and ultimate surrender to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And this is an enormous problem in the church today. God’s people—many of them—refuse to wrestle with their own sin. Or to even acknowledge they still sin. That’s why our nation is in the mess we’re in. Christians refusing to entertain the reality that our salvation is a three-staged process:

We have been saved – washed in the blood of Jesus
We are being saved – sanctified and purified by the truth of The Word
We will be saved – eternally with Him in the Kingdom

Not one step in this process can be by-passed…else we find ourselves living a lie. Every Word in the Word is truth. But we have a generation of church members who are illiterate concerning the Word of God. I’m concerned the church is about to pay an enormous price for it’s ignorance and ignoring of the complete Truths of God’s Word. We don’t get to pick and choose…regardless what some false prophets in every denomination are saying each Sunday.

Jacob left that night of wrestling with God with a permanently damaged hip joint that left him walking with a limp. Perhaps, like me, your damage lies in a broken, bruised, and humbled spirit—a spirit drained of pride and arrogance that must be eradicated else it will destroy our lives and our witness. I don’t know, but God does.

One thing I’m learning, whatever God uses to bring change into my life and yours will ultimately be for our good and His glory…regardless of the pain and disability we incur. After wrestling and pressing God always blesses—when we obey Him.
So, don’t be afraid or negligent about those nights of wrestling on the journey home. Like Jacob—repent, relinquish, and return to the Father. His arms are out-stretched and waiting to heal you, welcome and bless you—now and forever!

We never know what affect our words will have in the lives of others—have you had any of these wrestling matches with your Father in Heaven? What have you learned about Him in the process? And what have you learned about yourself?

https://amazon.com/DiAne-Gates/e/B01MXYR4AS

RELEASE DAY IS HERE!!!!

After years in the process…years of learning to write…Book Two of this five book series releases. And you can go to http://www.amazon.com, click on books, then type in DiAne Gates, “The Master’s Plan Revealed Through God’s Word.” Or the ASIN: B08C7HS8SR.

If you are parents who think you don’t know enough about the Bible to teach it to your kiddos, this is the book for you. A series of colorful pictures that help convey the message “Jesus Loves You.”

It’s difficult to teach what you don’t know, but teaching time with kiddos is short. And it’s apparent by the current news events we have failed at least one and maybe two generations of our children by not teaching them the relevance of God’s Word today!

This series is written in language your child and you can understand. There are questions after each days lesson, but don’t fear…I’ve written a section at the end of the book to include all the answers.

I hope you’ll go to the Amazon site and either order a book for your family or if you’re grandparents, they make wonderful gifts. And BTW, I’d love to hear what you think of these two. Book Three should be out in about six months. It’s a WIP (work in progress for those of you who aren’t writers.) And the illustrations are captured from my own children and grandchildren as well as others we’ve known through the years!

I’ve scattered a few drawings here to entice you! Have a blessed and marvelous 4th of July…celebrate AMERICA!!!!

A MEETING OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS!

This morning when leaving our church service where we had the privilege to have Vice President Pence and Dr. Ben Carson as our guest speakers, a line of police officers were standing in front of one of our large glass windows that had been vandalized, apparently during the service, with some sort of object that had been shot into it. Whatever it was lodged in the glass as it sent cracks up, side-ways, and down to the floor.

Outside the building I glanced ahead to see everyone leaving halted by a line of police officers. Then I heard the loud-speakers of rage. Yes, a group had gathered to protest…which in itself is within the law…but…we waited, allowing their speaker to finish. Then they were supposed to disburse, but they didn’t.

So, we all had the in-opportunity to walk through a mob of teens and wanna-be adults maybe in their early twentys. A blend of white and black kids…all with filthy, vulgar mouths shouting and screaming words their mama’s shoulda scrubbed their toes by way of their mouths with vinegar or yucky soap. Their parents shoulda switched their fannies and snatched ‘em home by their ears to make ‘em get a real job. . .not a $25 per hour seasonal job with anarchists’ organizations that use them up, wad them in knots, then throw them away. Used up and ruined in what should be the best time of their lives…but these undisciplined, indoctrinated young people are hearing the wrong voices.

Coming out of the sanctuary the stark reality of light scraping shoulders with darkness was startling. Jarring! I’ve never been more proud or grateful for the Dallas Police. Standing in God’s strength they stood shoulder to shoulder on both sides as our part of the congregation passed through this angry mob untouched. Oh, these mongrel kids tried their best to engage us. Some walking ahead and behind me smiled at them. Some offered kind words, only to have shrieks of rage volleyed back.

As we left the parking garage in our cars, we followed the same procedure. The police stood in soldier lines on both sides as we drove bumper to bumper through the police protective wall leaving the church campus. And let me remind you, if these Democrat mayors and governors succeed in neutering our police forces, you and I will be left to pass through these kids of Satan’s choosing without any protection. Light and darkness will be forced to meet head on and lives will be lost.

When you go to the polls next week and in November be very, very, sure before you punch the button or mark the ballot. The life you save may be your own and those of your family. Think and pray! Pray and think.

Verses from Deuteronomy 21:18-21 may seem harsh to many of you, but if you read these verses think about how seriously God takes the notion of a rebellious son (or daughter). It wouldn’t take but one or two of these demon-juiced kids to pay the price for their criminal foolishness to get the attention of their mob friends…and God knew that from the garden. “…AND ALL ISRAEL WILL HEAR OF IT AND FEAR.” It’s a good thing to put fear in the heart and mind of your child…yours and God’s authority! He commands it!

Parents, it’s far past time to parent rather than being your child’s friend. Satan is rounding up and herding this nation’s youth down a huge freeway to destruction because many of you have refused to parent. And Satan has stepped in as step-dad.

But God is not willing any should perish…that’s why Jesus died and rose and has taken His seat in heaven…He loves you regardless of who you are or what you’ve done. His arms are open, waiting for you to come to Him. But the window of time is drawing to a close. Won’t you choose to trust what Jesus did to save you right now? Today? Tomorrow might never come.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost”(Revelation 22:16-17 NAS).

WRONG ROAD…RIGHT DESTINATION?…IMPOSSIBLE!

The determination to continue traveling a road you know is not taking you toward your hoped-for destination will cause you to travel to places you didn’t want to be—meeting challenges and problems you hoped you’d never incur—dealing with consequences you aren’t prepared to endure. The only explanation for continuing such a journey is your refusal to admit you’re going in the wrong direction.

A number of years ago, on a very dark night in the swamps of the Florida Everglades, I found myself in that position. And my stubborn refusal to admit I was wrong could have cost my life as well as the life of a good friend traveling with me.

I shudder remembering the events of that Alligator Alley evening.

We were on our way to an art show in Marco Island the next day with a scheduled stop-over at Darlene’s brother’s house in Naples, Florida for the night. Due to a gas shortage, the lines were long as we made our way through South Florida. I made the decision not to sit in a long line and wait and hoped we’d make it to Naples—what a foolish choice. And somehow in the process, I missed a turn and wound up on a dead-end road which fed us onto Alligator Alley.

Rather than admitting my mistake, turning around and back-tracking, I turned west onto Alligator Alley knowing that road would eventually lead us to Naples. But determination and foolishness flooded my soul when, after driving a few miles on this two-lane highway through the swamp in the utter blackness of night, the engine of my car sputtered and died. We were out of gas—alone and defenseless—on this notorious killer highway that ran through the Glades!

In a nano-second I had a crash course in the fact that attempting to reach a planned destination is never successful when you choose to travel the wrong road. But it was too late. We were stranded. Frightened out of our wits. And my stubborn stupidity had placed us in extreme danger.

Yet all these years later, I listen as the non-stop news blaring the same situation playing out in towns and cities all over America—stubborn, rebellious people, insisting on having their way—in spite of the fact the road they are traveling is dangerous, even lethal, to them and all those they are dragging along this treacherous trip.

Souls full of rebellion are being played the fools by covert enemies determined to destroy them and our nation. Enemies who don’t give a rip about those they’ve convinced their highway to lawlessness is the right road. These enemies of America are emboldened to create chaos and upheaval, by continually stirring the pot of lawless hatred, driving their targeted victims into a huge frenzy of hatred while these foolish victims fail to understand in their refusal to forgive who they perceive to be enemies, they have become the captors of the real, bona-fide transgressors.

And unless God intervenes, all Americans will eventually realize this road to destruction will never intersect with the only road that leads to a righteous destination. America is dooming itself to perish.

Anger, hatred, and lack of forgiveness cripples’ individuals, families, and nations. God warns us throughout His Word that anger and a lack of forgiveness turns into a wretched root of bitterness that soils and spoils everything it touches.

“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled…” (Hebrews 12:15 NAS).

The defiled quagmire of anger, unforgiveness, hatred, and bitterness, will color your life’s lens and blind your ability to find the true and only road to a righteous destination in the Lord Jesus Christ. But God allows you to choose—His truth or Satan’s lies. God’s peace or Satan’s chaos. God’s love and mercy or Satan’s hatred and destruction. A fulfilled life with Him or an eternity of pain and torture in hell with the father you’ve chosen…the devil.

The days of choice, however, are racing to an end. Never in the history of our nation has there been so clear a daily definition, splayed across the screens, between righteousness and unrighteousness. Many of you have already scoffed and turned away or shrugged and made light of this pivotal moment in history. Storm clouds of darkness deepen and gather to attempt an overthrow of this Republic, like the black swamp of Alligator Alley threatened to consume Darlene and me that awful night so many years ago.

I stared into the heavens that night and cried out to God against whom I’d rebelled. I confessed every sin I’d committed and pleaded for God to please help us.

In the distance headlights of a car approached, then slowed to a stop. A man and woman in the car rolled down the window and asked if we needed help. Darlene threw open her door, raced around the front of our car shouting, “Yes! Yes! We need help! DiAne, get out of the car so they can see we’re helpless girls.”

The man got out, checked, and surmised we’d run out of gas. He said he was a contractor, handed me his business card and said he had gas at his building site and suggested we ride with them to get the gas because it wasn’t safe for two women alone in this swamp. Darlene was already in the car, so I climbed in beside her and prayed we weren’t jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

He asked if we wanted to call our husbands while he filled a gas can. After calling our guys, he and his friend drove us back to the car, filled the tank, and wouldn’t take a dime for their trouble, but followed us back to Naples.

We were beyond thankful, but the impact of this rescue didn’t register until we returned home, and the following day when my husband called to check the phone number on the card and the street address he’d written down. “I called to thank them.” He paused then whispered, “There was no such business. No such phone number.”

“But I was there, honey. I saw it with my own eyes.” My mind raced.

“See what you can find out. I’ve got to work.” He hung up and I grabbed the card and phoned the Better Business Bureau in Naples.

“Not only do we not have a business by that name, but we’ve never had such a business at that address. It’s a vacant warehouse. Been vacant for years.” The lady gave me another number to check and see if there was even such a business by that name in the State of Florida—there was not.

My heart pounded. Were they angels? I had no other explanation. I knew God had answered my prayers for rescue. But since that night I’ve been very careful to travel roads where there’s an easy access to fuel and help should there be an emergency; and I travel life roads where I have access to spiritual food, where brothers and sisters in Christ serve as sounding boards to help me make wiser decisions, and encouragers to help me keep on keeping on.

If America is to survive every citizen must make those same choices. This battle is not about skin color or racism, that’s just an ensnaring ploy. It’s about dividing and conquering. This is about Jesus or Satan—righteousness or unrighteousness—God’s kingdom or the lake of fire… and you must choose…or perhaps you already have.

“Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:12-23 NAS).

The Word of God gives us information about a time when a man whom God identifies as “the man of lawlessness” will appear and seem to be the answer to the world’s problems. He will come on the scene shortly after the church suddenly vanishes. Then after seven years of rapid and increasing chaos and havoc—judgments foretold in Revelation—the likes of which have never been, this age will end with the physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride…The Raptured Church.

King Jesus will appear with His armies to kill them by the sword coming out of His mouth. The false prophet and the beast will be cast into the lake of fire. The carnage of the battle will leave soldiers’ blood up to the bridles of the horses and running two hundred miles like a river in the valley of decision. Satan will be bound in chains and thrown into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years.
But the choice is yours. Just consider me the gal holding the warning sign that reads… STOP! DANGER AHEAD!

The road you’re currently traveling, unless God intervenes like He did with me that night on Alligator Alley, is a good indicator where you’ll be in that day. If you don’t know or aren’t sure, let me share with you the ABC’s of settling that question.

Admit you are a sinner. Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23
Believe in your heart Jesus is Lord and He died for your sins. Romans 6:23
Call upon the name of Jesus to receive His gift of salvation. Romans 10:13

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:20-21 NAS).

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NAS).

You can find DiAne’s complete story about “that” night at Amazon.com in Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk’s book Heavenly Company…Entertaining Angels Unaware