Are Christians Persecuted? It’s A Modern Times Reality

Posted by Robert Rite on May 14, 2012

Christians Are Currently The Most Persecuted Group in the world

Let’s Review Samples of Christians being Persecuted, and What the Bible Teaches…

The head of a California-based evangelical religious liberty group Dr. Carl Moeller stated recently that Christians are presently the most persecuted religious group on earth.  “In terms of sheer numbers, the large size of the Christian populations around the world, where they’re repressed or restricted… Whether you count martyrs, those killed, or you count those living in regimes, sizable

Christian Persecution

Christian populations live under extreme restrictions in places like China, Indonesia, and of course the Middle East,” said Moeller

He noted that “the methodology for determining this was not from Open Doors necessarily. It was through organizations like Pew Research.”  He indicated that this Christian persecution is most prevalent in Islamic societies where faiths outside of their Islamic faith are misunderstood and or misrepresented, and where these minority religions such as Christianity are considered as the religion of  ”the enemy”.

A large percentage of this Christian persecution emanates from the Middle East and North African regions.  Of course religious freedom in this area is mostly intolerant.  It is common knowledge that this intolerance towards Christians continues to wreak havoc with the lives, indeed the existence of entire Christian communities in many parts of the world.  This intolerance towards Christians is most common in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Nigeria. When talking about Nigeria, Moeller displayed pictures of bombed Christian churches and businesses in the recent past.

This persecution persists and has been all but ignored by the media and political leaders throughout the world.  Christians in rural West Africa are at risk. Just last weekend, for example, the Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group in Nigeria, slaughtered 16 Christians at the University in Kano. The Boko Haram has declared that Western education is forbidden and it has set out to create a Christian-free Nigeria. Christians can leave, convert or die.   In the rural areas, Christians are regularly harassed, threatened, murdered and enslaved by Islam.

The Christian Bible is under attack. In fact, Humanists and Atheists say that it is a vile book filled with ethical barbarisms. It’s an ancient book written by superstitious men and it wasn’t even true back in biblical times. To them, it’s a false book.

Christians are under attack in terms of the influence that they want to express in schools, education, government, public policy, Hollywood, the media and much more.  You see, the Humanists want to marginalize Christians. They want to make Christians irrelevant in the current dialogue and debate. In the process I believe there have been many denials of Christian freedoms especially at the work place.

Below are Just a Few Examples of Attacks on Christians:

• Christian freedoms are under attack everywhere. and the age of the practitioner is irrelevant.  Recently, a sixth-grade elementary school girl who gave an oral report on the Bible, and then distributed copies to whoever wanted one, was interrogated by school officials and even denied the right to call her mother.
• As part of a school project, a six year old student chose to bring a Bible to class because the Bible was the most important book to this child’s family.  he was told to take it back home because we can’t mix religion in the school system, and such an act was against the law!  This is denial of Christian freedom being practised at every age and level.
• A graduating senior (valedictorian) with a 4.0 grade average, was denied the right to give an address to her graduation class, because her speech included a sentence where she gave credit to Jesus for bringing meaning into her life. Sharing the religion of Humanism at a graduation, that’s okay, and any other false religion, that’s okay, too. But, you’ve got to keep Jesus out of the picture.
• It’s so obvious to see that Christianity is being attacked in the media. I’m sure that you’ve seen on the big screen and on the small screen how Christians are often made to look like imbeciles. Very often on news programs you will find Christians referred to as the “Religious Right.” That’s a term that implies that all of us Christians are intolerant, backwoods fanatics who don’t use our brains. Meanwhile, the Humanists are portrayed as enlightened intellectuals.
• Since May, the Aceh administration has shut down 16 Christian places of worship in Singkil, claiming they were operating without permits and causing complaints.
• The head of Nigeria’s Christians warned his government to end the attacks targeting his flock after a recent surge in sectarian violence.
• Following a February raid on a house church in Shiraz and the arrest of its Christian converts, the first of many interrogations for five detainees was finally held after they spent 80 days in Adel-Abad prison, according to Mohabat News.
• Pastor Matthias Haghnejad and eleven members of his congregation were tried in Iran during Easter for their faith in Christ and are now awaiting the verdict.
• Hindus who tried to stop the burial of a Christian convert last week in Chattisgar state beat a pastor and other Christians, including children and the elderly, according to Compass News.
• Suspected Islamic militants attacked a Christian worship service in in northern Nigeria Sunday, April 29, killing over a dozen people and injuring many others, an evangelist told Worthy News from the region.
• A court in Baku will decide next week whether Greater Grace Protestant Church which has been registered with the state for 19 years should be liquidated, according to Forum 18 News Service.
• Christians in India’s eastern West Bengal state were recovering of their injuries Thursday, April 12, after Muslim militants broke up a prayer meeting and beat up believers, including women, local police and Christians said.
• Muslim protesters in Mauritania have called on the government to investigate all Christians in the country, claiming that Christians were involved in the burning of a Quran after Islamic prayers on Friday, April 27. The protesters said other Islamic books were burned on the same day and that many copies of the gospel were distributed, insinuating that Christians had some part in what they consider one of the worst offenses possible. The protesters called on the government to investigate Christians to determine their part in the event and, if found guilty, to punish them. Desecrating a Quran is punishable by life in prison or even death in some Islamic countries.  Source: VOM Contacts in Mauritania
• About 30 Christians were killed last week when suspected Islamic extremists attacked three church services in two states. Attackers armed with guns and bombs opened fire on two church services at a Nigerian university on Sunday, April 29. Worshipers reportedly were gunned down as they fled, and at least 26 people were killed. Meanwhile, in Forno state, gunmen attacked and killed Rev. Albert Naga and three church elders during a Communion service at the Church in Christ in Nigeria, in Simari. Although no group has claimed responsibility, the attacks are similar to previous attacks by the Islamist group Boko Haram. Pray for Christians in northern Nigeria. In the last few months, attacks on churches, Christian neighborhoods and villages have been relentless. Pray for a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.  Sources: VOM Contacts, AFP, Release International
• May 10, 2012 Vietnam (MNN) ―
  On May 9, 2011, a protest of Hmong Christians for more religious freedom and land reforms was quashed by security forces in Vietnam. The clashes resulted in the death of 28 people. Scores more went missing. Later that month, unarmed Viet-Hmong protesters were the targets of helicopter attacks along the northern Vietnam border. By May 24, reports showed 63 peaceful protesters had been killed.  A year later, it seems little has changed. In March, the BBC reported that eight Hmong from the 2011 clashes had been given two-and-a-half year sentences for “disturbing social order.” Recently, Hmong believers have also been thrust from their homes.  Source: Stacy L. Harp

The Church and The Apostasy

Posted by Robert Rite on May 7, 2012

“Is the Modern Church today Already Experiencing the Apostasy“

Let’s Review The Signs That The Bible Gives us Regarding the Apostasy of the Church…

By the grace of God, the corruption of a church, government, society or a mortal soul,tends to occur gradually.  I believe it is indicative of how compassionate God is and has been, as he wants to give us all as much time as possible to repent so that he can grant us a spirit of discernment so that we can resist the apostasy, and so that we can save our soul and attain eternal life.  Let me premise this message by saying, Jesus Loves the church, and he will gather his true church (those who have not been deceived by the apostasy) at the rapture of his church.

The Church

In the Greek the word for falling away is “apostasia” or apostasy, and it actually means to refuse to accept a certain belief or faith.

Over the past decades we gradually observe the failure of our modern Christian churches to stand for the foundation of their faith - God, Jesus and the word in the bible.  The modern day church has accommodated the spirit of  this age – the apostasy spirit of the new age.

The bible teaches us that in the last days the masses will flock to these ministers of this new age “feel good” false religion and false church ministries and their feel good messages1 Timothy 4:3-4 .

First there has been the compromise of the Holy Scriptures, so that even many who call themselves “evangelicals” in the church today, hold a weakened view of the Bible and no longer affirm the truth of all that it teaches.”

How did we get here?

Paul Smith — brother of Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith — brilliantly documents the decline and fall of evangelicalism in his new book, New Evangelicalism: The New World Order.  He confirms that the church today is in a state of crisis and confusion. Terms like fundamentalism, evangelicalism, new evangelicalism, and Emergent Church, have clearly created conflict in the church’s beliefs, perceived self-identity, and approach to fulfilling Jesus Christ’s Great Commission.

While targeting disturbing radical belief trends such as Purpose-Driven to Emergent to postmodernism, Smith also points a finger at the failure of the Seminary, particularly the Fuller Seminary. In 1971, C. Peter Wagner became a professor of church growth at Fuller. The emphasis upon social sciences, not the Bible, was the focus of Wagner and others influenced by the “science” of church growth.

At Fuller Seminary, young men were being trained, to “refine” the message in a way that would seem unrecognizable and even obscure and perverted to our more conservative and upright Christian parents and grandparents.

The gradual compromise in the church of the last 100 years is setting the stage for the one-world religion that will reign in the near future. You can read how all of this is harmonizing with the new world order in these prophetic last days.

Mankind has gradually become indoctrinated into believing most of what the media puts out and what they read in the Internet.  Unfortunately this kind of “lazy mindedness”, has made the masses vulnerable to the lies of false prophets and the coming Antichrist. Let’s pray that the good Lord fills us with a spirit of discernment so that we are not deceived.

Why so many religions out there?

This is where the true faith of the bible believing Christian is tested.  Man’s mind has been corrupted by many years of rejecting God.  As a result many religions were created to cater to the specific wants, desires, lusts and needs of corrupted societies and people throughout the ages!

To a true Christian, any religion that denies Jesus Christ as the only begotten son of God, is a false religion. Of course all religions are convinced that they have the true faith, the true doctrine, thus they promote falsehoods and lead many others down the same destructive path.

But the only possible way for someone to be led astray is to neglect the study of the truth – in the infallible Word of God. The scriptures are our only link to the truth and our shield protecting us from the deceptions of the doctrines of demons.

What the Bible Says about the Corruption of the Church and The Apostasy:

Jesus warns us to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15

Jesus is stating that teachers (false prophets) who seem to be learned in the Word will be accepted by a mass number of the populous as teaching biblical truth. Although their words will appear to be sound and correct, these deceivers will actually be ravening wolves (Emissaries of Satan). Because of their convincing style, their ability to present themselves, and their message as truthful, they will lead many (multitudes) down a treacherous path which will only lead to apostasy.

Apostasy is a fact; it was prophesied as a future event. Sadly, the apostasy is now in full swing. As Jesus speaks of the apostasy that will be widespread in the last days, He addresses the apostates themselves in the following verse “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:22.

Apostasy begins as folks move away from sound doctrine and begin moving towards the teachings of false prophets. In the new wave of apostasy occurring today there is no sound doctrine. The false prophet’s instructions are all doctrines of demons. Read 1 Timothy 4:1. This verse is not merely a suggestion of what might happen, but a firm declaration of what the majority of the earth’s populous will be consumed with in the last days.

Apostasy refers to those who have forsaken or rejected the true faith by turning to false doctrines, doctrines of demons. To a true Christian, any teaching that denies the deity of Jesus Christ is a false satanic doctrine.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 & 13 Warns us that many false prophets will come upon the scene in the last days masquerading themselves as followers of Jesus and the word, but preaching a false or diluted version of the bible message.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 Reveals that many of these false prophets will masquerade themselves in the church as ministers of the word of God.  Indeed, many will be church leaders and so called Christian ministers.

Jeremiah 17:9  Warns us that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, and it will be hard for those without a discerning spirit to weed out the false messages of the deceivers in the churches.

Isaiah 29:9-14 Explains why false prophets and the transformed ministers of righteousness (demons) will be so successful, at deceiving the masses down the apostasy and false church trail.  God will feed a strong delusion upon all those who do not heed the true words of the bible, and thus fall for all of these false doctrines.

1 Timothy 4:3-4 Teaches us that many will fall for this apostasy because they desire and gain much pleasure in hearing the false watered down doctrines of the apostolic churches. Their eyes and ears are gradually totally closed to the truth. They can no longer understand the truth of God, it’s as though God’s Word has been sealed and they can’t open the seal.

1 Timothy 2:5 Assures us that there is only one God, and One way to God – Jesus!

Amos 8:11-12: Reveals that sadly there will be a famine in the land for the word of God – the Bible. This is because the message of the bible will be replaced by the counterfeit doctrines of the apostasy church.

In the last days, men will accept any lie as long as it makes them feel good!

How can We Discern Against and Shield Our Soul From the Apostasy and False Church System

As I indicated earlier, pray constantly (daily) that the good Lord fills you with a spirit of discernment so that you are not deceived.

Ephesians 6:11 Instructs us to put on the full armor of God!

Matthew 7:16-20 tells us that we shall know them by their fruits (their actions – their false message).

Don’t put your trust in the doctrines of man or government, but only in God and His Word – the Holy Bible. There is no substitute.

Let’s recognize that the world’s largest church today, is one that teaches a New Age theology that denies all the fundamental truths of the Bible. It is a convoluted theology that is straight from the pit of Hell. It will be the church that rules during the reign of Antichrist and false prophet.  The new age Movement is pantheism — the pagan belief that God is in everything and therefore everything is God. This belief stands in direct opposition to the biblical teaching that God exists separate and apart from His creation. These false doctrines believe that there are many diverse paths leading to God.  They deny the existence of a personal God, responsibility for sin, the existence of an eternal soul, nor the need for the redeeming death and resurrection of Jesus.  There is no sin; it has no consequence never having sinned, therefore there is no need for  salvation.  Homosexuality is already no longer be considered a sin (contrary to God’s words in Leviticus 18:22 – whereby God calls Homosexuality an abomination).

Folks, this new age, feel good, you are God false doctrines will form the core of the coming One World religion, and it’s chief priest will be Satan himself.  And those who prescribe to that religious system will be worshipping Satan himself and that is exactly what the bible predicts in Revelation 13:8.  Just before Jesus returns to reveal to all of us that he is the God of the Universe, Satan once again will deceive the masses into believing that when they do as Satan instructs them to do that they will be just Like God himself!!! Read Genesis 3:5

Revelation 14:2 defines the patience and the faith of the saints as “they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Let him who has an ear, hear: Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”

May God Bless You,

Robert Rite

Check out our free 22 part course on “Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“

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Why Did God Create Satan?

Posted by Robert Rite on April 29, 2012

What is the Relationship between God and Satan?

What is Satan’s role here on earth?

We know from the bible that in the very beginning before man was created angelic beings already existed in heaven.  One of them was God’s most beautiful creation, Lucifer – who was the chief guardian of Gods throne.  In

Well Lucifer through his arrogance, self adulation, lust for power, greed and pride became corrupted and his jealousy soon turned to rage and hatred.  Lucifer (Satan), and 1/3 rd of the Angels rebelled against God, and were cast out of heaven.  Lucifer thus became Satan (Satan means Adversary for good reason).  Satan’s army of fallen angels became demons.  We read about this in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19

Why Did God Create Satan?

God did not originally create a devil or Satan.  But I would suspect that since God knows all things, that God already knew this would happen and God already had a plan in store to deal with this situation, and to somehow create good out of this mutiny.  God created Lucifer who became Satan by his rejection of God.  Just like God created us in his image, but when we reject God we in essence become a sinner and follower of Satan – defacto.

What is the Relationship between God and Satan?

In God’s mysterious ways, he permitted Satan to exist despite Satan’s rebellion against God.  God perhaps chose to use Satan as a testing instrument to prove the worthiness of human beings whom God would later create, so that we would have the freedom to choose between God and Satan (Good and Evil), and allow us to cultivate within our soul the potential to persevere and become children of God.

What is Satan’s Role Here on Earth?

Satan is our nemesis on earth, and our adversary and accuser in heaven – constantly accusing us before God. I believe that the reason Satan hates us all is because he knows that we have the potential of becoming children of God and occupants of God’s kingdom in paradise, if we can persevere against Satan’s temptations and from sin!  In Genesis we learn that God made us in his own image (Genesis 1:26-27).

What Was Our Originally Intended Role on Earth?

God intended from the beginning, that man would rule the earth, and NOT Satan.  Upon creating man, the first thing God did to mankind was to bless us and to grant us dominion over the whole earth (Genesis 1:28).  Did you know that the tree of life was in the garden of Eden, and that God did not forbid Adam and Eve from eating from  the tree of life (Genesis 2:9)!  This is the same tree that will be in Heaven when we return to paradise (Revelation 22:2)!  Wow, we can surmise from this that had Adam and Eve not eaten from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of Good and evil, that they would eventually be led by God to the tree of life and therefore they would have NEVER died!   Yes, they would have lived forever!  This is confirmed in Genesis when God permanently blocked Adam and Eve from access to the tree of life (just like sin blocks us from heaven and eternal life). Read Genesis 3:22-24.

It could have been heaven on earth from the very beginning with God living and walking amongst us here on earth (read Genesis 3:8)

Unfortunately for us all, we lost our opportunity for total dominion over the earth and eternal life right here on this earth (Genesis 3:22-24) when Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden into committing original sin.  Indeed, we could have been like our creator God and become immortal had it not been for original sin.

So Satan was very cunning and he deceived them into believing that by eating from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil that we would become like God – and that they would not die if they ate from this tree.  Due to original sin mankind acquired a sin nature and thereby we all came under the curse of being subject to sin, pain, suffering, sickness, and death (Genesis 3:16-17).  Original sin allowed Satan temporary reign over the earth (until Jesus the Messiah returns).

How The Curse brought about by Satan Can Become Our Ticket to Eternal Life!

Satan’s rebellion will lead him to eternal death. What Satan wanted to be the outcome for all of mankind – that will be the sentence for Satan – he will surely die when God establishes his eternal kingdom right here on earth!

God sent Jesus Christ to earth in the form of a mortal man – and by living a sinless life, Jesus will now rule this earth and the universe upon his return!

Upon Jesus death and resurrection, we were all granted the gift of the Holy Spirit, which can strengthen us spiritually so that we can resist sin, and develop a desire to know, love, trust and serve god.  And as we cultivate this relationship, we gradually come to know what a perfect nature God possesses, and we become more and more interested in reading the bible and getting to know more about God.  All the Satan inspired lusts of the flesh are gradually replaced by love, kindness, mercy and all of the traits of our Lord and savior Jesus!

Through the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ death on the cross, mankind, a much inferior mortal being than Satan or Angelic beings, can now become children of Almighty God and enjoy the gift of eternal life.

Upon our acceptance of Christ as Lord and savior, we can secure eternal life in God’s presence forever and share in this inheritance as His adopted children.  Read (Matthew 7:7-8). That my friends, is the message behind the gospel (the good news)

Now how is that for a very happy ending!

God Bless You!

Robert Rite

Check out our free 22 part course on “Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“

Who is the Antichrist – the 666 (Final Part)

Posted by Robert Rite on April 22, 2012

The Traits of the Antichrist – Continued…

The Antichrist Will be the Exact Opposite of the True Christ

Antichrist Life— In addition to various aspects of his character, the Bible provides us with numerous details concerning the life events and career of this man of pure evil

Antichrist - 666

and deception, beginning with his meteoric rise to fame from among ten kings. “It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns. As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them.” Daniel 7:7-8 (NLT)

“Antichrists ten horns are ten kings who have not yet risen to power; they will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give their power and authority to him.” Revelation 17:12-13 (NLT) Ten kings will give their power and national sovereignty to the revived Roman Empire. From among them, the Antichrist will appear, and he will become the preeminent ruler among them.

Antichrist Subdues 3 of the 10 Kings   — “Three of the first horns were wrenched out, roots and all, to make room for it.” Daniel 7:8 (NLT) –  Perhaps, three of the ten kings will oppose the Antichrist and his brazen grab for power. In the struggle that ensues, he will defeat them, and his control over the world will become absolute.

The Antichrist will make a 7 Year Treaty with Israel  –  “He will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven” Daniel 9:27 (NLT).  The details and nature of this treaty are yet unknown, but many have speculated that in a bid for Middle Eastern peace, Israel will agree to rely on the Antichrist for its national defense.

The Antichrist Will Conquer Many — Revelation Chapter 6 describes the Antichrist as a great conqueror riding on a white horse. In his conquest, he will kill a major portion of the world’s population.

Antichrist Will Rule Politically, Religiously, and Economically:

“He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and those who belong to this world to worship the first beast, whose death-wound had been healed.” Revelation 13:12 (NLT) The Antichrist will exercise all the authority of the first beast, which is the revived Roman Empire. He will require the world to worship and give allegiance to this empire, which will be resurrected from the dustbin of history.  “And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.” Revelation 13:7 (NLT)

Not one person will escape the reach of the Antichrist and his governmental dominion. “He required everyone – great and small, rich and poor, slave and free – to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.” Revelation 13:16-17 (NLT).  The Antichrist will have unprecedented control over the world’s financial transactions. He will have so much power that he will be able to determine on a case-by-case basis which individuals will be allowed to buy or sell anything.

There will be Unprecedented Destruction  In his insatiable quest for personal glory: “He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does.” Daniel 8:24 (NLT)

Abomination of Desolation Jesus prophesied of a time of great tribulation, such as the world had never seen, nor ever will see again. He said this time period will begin with the desecration of the Jewish Temple:  “The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” Matthew 24:16 (NLT)

The Antichrist will fulfill this prophesy by standing in the Jewish Temple and proclaiming himself to be God. He will set up an image in the Holy Place and demand the world worship it.   “He will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. Then as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the end that has been decreed is poured out on this defiler.” Daniel 9:27 (NLT)

“He will exalt himself and defy every god there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship. He will position himself in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)  he will be a ruthless dictator, and sadly – the remnants of the world population in the last days will be so  possessed by Satan that they will worship HIM, instead of the true God!

Antichrist will Destroy All Religion But His Own — The Book of Revelation describes the revived Roman Empire as being dominated by a prostitute. This prostitute symbolizes an idolatrous religion, and although Satan loves idolatry, in the end time he will only tolerate worship of himself. As a result, it will become state policy of the one world government (controlled by Satan) to destroy all religion with the exception of the worship of the Antichrist.

As part of his campaign to create universal worship of himself, the Antichrist will set out to destroy those who are faithful to God and His Son, Jesus Christ (all Christians).  “And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and overcome them.” Revelation 13:7 (NLT)  — “He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception, defeating many by catching them off guard. Without warning he will destroy them. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power.” Daniel 8:24-25 (NLT)

In his rage against the Jewish people, the Antichrist will manage to kill two-thirds of the Jewish race. “Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die, says the Lord. But a third will be left in the land.” Zechariah 13:8-9 (NLT)

In his arrogance, the Antichrist will lead a rebellion against Jesus Christ and all Christians, and gather the world’s armies to wage battle against the Lord and his heavenly armies.  “He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle.” Daniel 8:25 (NLT)  “And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These miracle-working demons caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:13-14 (NLT)

Antichrist Camps at Armageddon:  While gathering the armies of the world to Jerusalem to wage battle against the Lord, the Antichrist will set up his camp and gather his armies in a place called Armageddon, the modern day city of Megiddo, Israel.  “He will halt between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents there, but while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and there will be no one to help him.” Daniel 11:45 (NLT)    “And they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew.” Revelation 16:16 (NLT)

As a result of his absolute defeat, the Antichrist will be cast into the lake of fire (Hell) where he will be tormented day and night for all of eternity. The Antichrist kingdom will meet the same fate, and will be replaced by the Lord’s Millennial Kingdom which will bring long-sought peace on earth.  “Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” Revelation 19:20 (NLT)

In the scriptures we learn that Jesus was offered the world by Satan…Jesus was tempted in the desert prior to his ministry. Here, we get a firsthand view of the deal brokered between the Antichrist and Satan:   “Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. ‘I will give it all to you,’ he said, ‘if you will only kneel down and worship me.’ ‘Get out of here, Satan,’ Jesus told him. ‘For the scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.’ Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus.” Matthew 4:8-11 (NLT)

Because He is faithful and true, Jesus turned down the Devil’s offer to rule the kingdoms of the world (since Jesus obviously knew what the devil was up to – like we should!!!). However, at some point in the future, a man (the Antichrist) will arise who will accept this same deal with the Devil. He will sell his soul for a brief and destructive career as the most powerful dictator in human history. He will hold absolute power, and he will be the personification of all evil, and many will worship him – because they will be overcome by his “charisma”, and his “Power”.  But his destruction is certain. He challenges the Prince of Peace, and Jesus wins.

Some Good News:

All of the birth pangs mentioned above are to bring forth a new birth – a new blessed life for all who choose Christ as Lord and savior and not the current prince of darkness that perverts the earth and the minds of those who have fallen for his delusion of lust, money, and the pleasures of this earth.  For those of us who endure, there will be a new Earth with Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; finally a perfect world void of political corruption, pain and suffering.  and full of Love!

We know what will become of the Antichrist.  Despite his worldly power, which God will allow Satan to have because of mankind’s rejection of God, the reign of the Antichrist will be relatively brief (thank GOD!)– no more than seven years (with the last 3 and 1/2 years being full of calamities). Ultimately, he will be held accountable for his actions, and he will face the wrath of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Antichrist’s Kingdom Will be Destroyed Forever – like a bad nightmare, that when we “wake up” we instantly know that it will be okay because we are children of the only true God! —- Despite Antichrist’s arrogant belief that he can defeat God, the ultimate fate of the Antichrist was determined long ago. He will be completely destroyed in a rout of epic proportions. “But then the court of God’s perfect justice will pass final judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed.” Daniel 7:26 (NLT).

Folks, lets treasure the fact that the Holy Spirit – the restrainer still dwells on the earth, filling us with love and hope and peace.  There will be a time soon, when the restrainer will be taken up to heaven and will restrain no more so that the Antichrist will have full reign over all the earth for 3 and 1/2 years.  The Antichrist is the exact opposite of Jesus Christ.  The Antichrist is pure hatred and evil and hates us all equally.  He will do everything in his power to make as many people as possible feel miserable and hopeless, and even those who foolishly accept his mark will also have to endure great suffering and pain and chaos during his full reign in the last days.  They may think that by swearing allegiance to the devil and accepting his mark that they may be spared from death.  But in the long run they will have been deceived and then it will be too late - having to suffer great plagues on earth and eternal damnation thereafter.  Antichrist’s primary objective is to take as many people as possible strait to hell along with himself.  God and Jesus Christ on the other hand, are pure love.  Christ came to bring peace, freedom and happiness to all of humanity, and then to grant us the gift of eternal life!

May God bless you and grant you the wisdom to choose eternal life! 

Robert Rite

Credits:
Britt Gillette – www.end-times-bible-prophecy.com
Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com

Check out our free 22 part course on “Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“

Who is the Antichrist – the 666 (Part 1)

Posted by Robert Rite on April 16, 2012

Has the Antichrist Finally Been Revealed?

What we Currently Know About the End Time One World Ruler, the Antichrist.

The Stage is being Set

The Bible tells us that in the last days one man will rule the world. He will rule over the entire human race politically, economically, and religiously, speaking

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great blasphemies against God and setting himself up in the Temple as God himself. But this man will not be God. He will be the very opposite of God. The Antichrist is called different things such as:
The Prince Who is to Come – Daniel 9:26 (NLT)
The Worthless Shepherd – Zechariah 11:17 (NLT))
The Man of Lawlessness – 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NLT)
The One Who Brings Destruction – 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NLT)
The Beast – Revelation 13:11 (NLT)

From the beginning of civilization God has made sure that good has always prevailed against evil.  But in the last days the bible reveals that the world will be so corrupted that evil will be considered good, and good will be considered evil.  Such are the seeds that will allow an Antichrist ruler to rule all mankind in the last 7 years of civilization on earth.  But do not thinks that I am talking about something that won’t happen anytime soon!!!

Most if not all nations of the world are already immersed in a quasi one world system, with a world bank (the IMF),  world ruling organizations (such as United Nations), and a web of other entities involved in establishing global laws, rules, trade, foreign aid and just about everything else.  Even America is immersed in this “global order”.  Given a very liberal media, the citizens of America and the world are being primed up to accept just about anything as long as it is endorsed by the government, the media, or a majority vote.  As long s it does not affect us or our immediate family today, we could not care less – so it seems. 

Our very government is currently enacting laws to allow it to take control of private property and the very food and water sources every citizen needs for survival – whether during a time of national emergency or not! Given that the Internet has made it so easy to track down just about anybody, including perceived “enemies of the state”, it seems that the only thing keeping back the Antichrist from establishing his one world government and his one world religious order - is the grace of God.  Once god removes the restrainer (The Holy Spirit), all hell will literally break loose in rapid sequence..

The Possible Roots of the Antichrist

The book of Daniel reveals to us a part of the Antichrist’s genealogy, saying that this “prince” (the Antichrist) will be descended from the Flavian Dynasty of Vespasian and Titus. The Flavians  were the Roman dictators who waged wars against the Jews during the close of the first century. Three bloodlines … Herodian, Seleucid and Roman … converge in the Flavian dynasty. In the second century AD and following, the descendants of these royals became the leaders of the Holy Roman Empire.  Read Daniel Chapter 11.  Daniel 9:26 also states that .  “A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.” However, being of Roman descent does not mean that the Antichrist will be Italian. It simply means he must come from among those people who were part of the Roman Empire of that time.

The Islamic Caliphate/Ottoman Empire, headquartered in Turkey, was one of the longest lasting empires in history spanning 624 years from 1299 to 1923. It ruled over much of southeast Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Its control over the Middle East was far greater than the Roman Empire. Some scholars now believe that a revised Ottoman Empire is the one prophesied by Daniel as the end-time Antichrist system. Also the Antichrist army of Ezekiel 38 is led from specific locations in Turkey–Magog, Meshech, Tubal. Yeshua Ha Mashiach is quoted in Revelation 2:13 that Pergamos is “even where Satan’s seat is…where Satan dwells.” Pergamon is in Turkey. Turkey arising–a sign of these prophetic times in which we live.

Is the Antichrist Jewish? Although there is no definitive prophecy about this, two Bible verses provide us with reason to believe that he could be. The first appears in the Book of Genesis when God prophesies the coming of Israel’s Messiah and Satan’s Antichrist. “From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NLT)

Later on, when Jacob is blessing his sons, he makes this prophecy about Dan: “Dan will govern his people like any other tribe in Israel. He will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so the rider is thrown off.” Genesis 49:16-17 (NLT)

This reference to a serpent striking a heel may indicate that the Antichrist will be a Jew from the tribe of Dan, but many reasonable people are divided on this issue.  So how do we rectify these seemingly contradictory prophecies concerning the Antichrist’s nationality? Is he Roman? Italian? Jewish? Assyrian? Greek? He doesn’t necessarily have to be exclusively one or another. He could be an Assyrian Jew born and raised in Italy, or any number of possible combinations. We don’t know for certain, but history indicates that each of these prophecies will be harmonized when the Antichrist appear.

Personality of the Antichrist 

Throughout the Bible, we are granted insight into the personality and disposition of the Antichrist. We are told how he will act, what he will do, and where he will get his power. Although far from exhaustive, the Scriptures provide us with many clues.

Arrogance of Antichrist

The Antichrist will be arrogant: “This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.” Daniel 7:8 (NLT) “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god there is, even blaspheming the God of gods.” Daniel 11:36 (NLT) –  The Antichrist will be so filled with self-love and arrogance that he will launch a rebellion against God Almighty. He will place himself above all others, and even set himself up in the Jewish Temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Antichrist’s Satanic Power

The Antichrist will be empowered by Satan: “He will become very strong, but not by his own power.” Daniel 8:24 (NLT) — “This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (NLT)

“And the dragon gave him his own power and throne and great authority.” Revelation 13:2 (NLT) The Bible clearly states that the Antichrist will derive his power from Satan. In fact, following the Devil’s permanent banishment from heaven in the last days (Revelation 12:9), he will indwell the Antichrist, making this man of lawlessness the literal embodiment of Satan.

Antichrist Beholden to Power

The Antichrist will be consumed with power, and power alone will he worship:  “He will have no regard for the god of his ancestors, or for the god beloved of women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all. Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses – a god his ancestors never knew – and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and costly gifts.” Daniel 11:37-38 (NLT) — “They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they worshiped the beast. ‘Is there anyone as great as the beast?’ they exclaimed. ‘Who is able to fight against him?’” Revelation 13:4 (NLT)

The Antichrist will only acknowledge one power, a military power he possesses. His power will be so great, the people of the world will marvel in wonder and worship it, asking the rhetorical question of who among them is able to fight against his mighty kingdom. 

In next weeks blog, we will finish with the other characteristics of the Antichrist, and his ultimate outcome.  Please stay tuned – it will be worth it.

God Bless You!

Robert Rite

Check out our free 22 part course on “Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“

The Resurrection – the Meaning of Easter and the Passover

Posted by Robert Rite on April 9, 2012

What is the significance of the Resurrection

The Resurrection is a Great Miracle and One of the Greatest Blessings from God

Before his crucifixion Jesus faced great despair at the garden of Gethsemane.  He would be burdened with taking on the sins of all mankind.   He was anticipating that moment on the cross when he would be forsaken by the Father for the first time ever.  He would soon be bearing the sins of the world as though they were his own.  After the prayer in the Garden, Jesus stayed up the rest of that

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night, without sleep, enduring insults, torture, scourging, beatings, ridicule, and great brutality. He was already greatly weakened to the point of death when he was forced to carry his cross.  But Jesus knew that the final victory would soon follow his death, and the resurrection was the finish line.  Then he would be the victor over sin and evil,  and would earn the title of Kink of Kings, and Lord of Lords forevermore.

Before his death and resurrection, Jesus would bear unimaginable pain.  Having his hands and feet nailed to the cross.  This would force Jesus Christ to push up against the weight of his own body to take a single breath.

But through his death and resurrection, we are reconciled (united) with God.  Before accepting Jesus sacrifice at the cross, we are separated from God forever.  After we accept Jesus Christ gift of the redemption of sin through his death, we are then found worthy to be presented as Holy and blameless before God (Col 1:19-22)

By his death and resurrection, Jesus gave us the gift of eternal life.   Jesus became the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  Just before his death, Jesus said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and authorized the release of his spirit (his death). He was born to die so that we might live. And when He had accomplished the purpose He had come to fulfill, He summed it up with a single word: “finished.”  That was his primary mission, to die for all of our sins, so that we would have a chance to become children of God.

Also, finished was Satan’s stronghold on humanity. Jesus came to deal a decisive blow against the devil and his demons at the cross of Calvary. Hebrews 2:14 says, “Only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” This means that you no longer have to be under the power of death and sin. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross. 

Blessings of the Resurrection:

-  Through his resurrection from the dead, Jesus became our intercessor in heaven, pleading our case against Satan – our adversary, who constantly goes before God to accuse his people whenever they slip and sin.
-  It opened heavens doors for all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and choose to follow him all the days of our lives. 
-  It allows us to become children of Jesus Christ in Heaven.
- Upon his Resurrection, Jesus was authorized to build a home for all of us in Heaven.
- We will be able to rule the nations alongside Jesus Christ. 
- Because of the resurrection, Satan lost his reign upon the earth (except for a pre-determined time – before Jesus returns), and Jesus would return to defeat Satan once and for all, and to send him to hell forevermore.  When Jesus returns before the end of our age, he will no longer be the suffering Messiah, he will be a conquering lion, and on his thigh’s he will bear the title of “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16)

Similarities between Jesus, and the Passover Lamb:

Thirty-five hundred years ago, Moses led the Jewish people out of Egyptian bondage and into freedom.  Pharaoh was dead set against this, but in the final plague against Egypt, the God of the Jewish people spared the firstborn of each family who marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so that the Death Angel would pass over their home.  These were the Jews who observed the passover supper.  For the house of Egypt there was a great slaughter as the Egyptians obviously did not observe the Passover.

As you think of the first Passover there in Egypt, one must be reminded that the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, died on Passover 2000 years ago. Interestingly, Jesus was buried on the next Jewish feast day, Unleavened Bread, He resurrected on the Jewish feast of First Fruits, and as He had promised, the Holy Spirit came upon man on Pentecost, the fourth of the Jewish feast days.  Jesus was the symbolic sacrificial lamb that the Jews sacrifice on the Passover and that the Jews and Romans sacrificed at the cross! The first 4 Jewish days were fulfilled by Jesus, leaving one to surmise that when Jesus Christ returns to gather up his flock, it may be during the time frame of the remaining 3 feast days, being the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.  I would presume such a miraculous fulfillment would finally bring the Jews to their and all Jews would finally accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah!

The book of Zechariah prophesied that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah:  ”Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).  The later was fulfilled in the gospels (see Mathew 21:1-9).

On Easter we celebrate the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over all sin, and the Resurrection of the dead, sealing his fate as the King of Heaven and earth.  Let us thank Almighty God for such a great gift to all of us sinners, so that we who accept him as Lord and Savior will not perish but have eternal life!

God Bless You,

Robert Rite

Check out our free 22 part course on “Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“

How to Serve God

Posted by Robert Rite on April 1, 2012

It is not Hard to Serve God

Let’s discuss Ways to Serve God, and What Really matters to God…

When I read the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, I realize how foolish,  futile and vane it is to live to acquire great riches and wealth in this life. early

Yet, in the later years of his blessed life King Solomon had succumb to the influences of life, and he became unfaithful to God.  Influenced by his pagan family 1 Kings 11:4, he erected images of false Gods in God’s holy land.  As a result God told Solomon that his Kingdom would be taken away from his son. 1 Kings 11:11-12.  Near the end of his life Solomon deeply regretted and lamented over his folly!  Despite all of the riches and glory God had blessed him with, his sins left him miserable and unfulfilled.  He lamented his life, claiming that it was all based on vanity.  Such an incredibly blessed, rich man ended up living out his last years on earth in shame and regret.

Oh how this very scene, has played out repeatedly in so many lives throughout the ages.  Let us stop pursuing riches and the pleasures of life.  In the long run we will come to the same conclusion as King Solomon – it is all meaningless, and chasing emptiness (chasing after wind) Ecclesiastes 2:11.  

Like King Solomon admitted we need to invest our wealth, hopes, and treasures in heaven.  When we serve God, we store our wealth in heaven.  All else is vanity and chasing after wind Ecclesiastes 1:14

When we serve God it should be an unconditional act.  It should involve sacrifice

-  Unconditional love is how God has put up with sinful man for so many 1000′s of years.
-  Unconditional love is how God sent his only begotten son to die at the cross for all of our sins.  Knowing that by ourselves we could not overcome our sinful nature, God sacrificed his son so that we could be redeemed through the blood of the perfect lamb of God that wipes away the sins of world John 1:29
-  True, unconditional love is how Moses asked God to blot him (Moses) out of the book of life in return for the forgiveness of a great sin that the Jews had committed (Exodus 32:31-32).

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Everything we have can be lost in a snap….so do not allow vanity, greed, and selfishness to take your focus away from God.  It is God that provides for us, whether we believe it or not.  Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10.  How true this is, let us not take it for granted.

There are many ways to serve God

When we pray for others we serve God
When we visit the sick we serve God
When we donate our time and money on activities that help those less fortunate than us, we serve God.
We serve God when we give to the poor.
We serve God when we donate to our church, share God’s word with others, comfort someone grieving over the death of a loved one, and when we just say “God loves you and so do I”.
When you pray for your pastor at church, you serve God
Sometimes kind loving words that you say to someone in the midst of crisis in their life can inspire them to accept Christ in their life, and seal their fate forever – and this is great service to God.

Do not take lightly, how just a small act of faith or love on your part can change someone’s life for the better; forever.   There is a perfect Christian song that says: “Whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers, that you do unto me (God)“. This is the principle that we should all live by.

These are all examples of many ways that we can serve God.  Not everyone is destined to be a pastor, we can serve God in many ways. What really matters to God is that in whichever way we serve God, that we serve God because we want to, with a grateful heart, and that we serve God unconditionally.

To serve God is an incredible privilege, and we should take it very seriously. Great Blessings await those who serve the Lord:

Isaiah 54:17 “¹⁷ no weapon forged against you will prevail,
   and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
   and this is their vindication from me,”
            declares the LORD.

If we love and serve God, God rewards us with wisdom, knowledge and happiness Ecclesiastes 2:26

Please understand that no money nor service can ever justify our salvation.  Only the free gift of life eternal that Jesus Christ afforded us through his death at the cross.  Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1:29.  When we have accepted Jesus death at the cross as our redemption for our sins, we seal our destiny forever as children of God the almighty.  That is why each and every one of us should rejoice and endeavor to serve God!  If we don’t serve God during our short span on earth, how can we be trusted to serve God for eternity?

As king Solomon, the wisest man on earth came to realize, the only thing that really matters in our life is God!  Everything else is vanity and chasing after wind.   Whether we like it or not God is in total control of our lives.  He grants us the breath of life and the heart beat.  He can heal us and our loved ones from a fatal illness.  He directs our path, and he can prevent a fatal car accident from cutting our lives short.  Evil peoples are all around us, under the spell of Satan to take away our lives and the lives of our loved ones.  It is God thru his grace whom protects us from all the evils around us.  But we have nothing to fear when we serve God and allow God to protect us.

Indeed, many of us live in fear.  We fear our bosses, the IRS, the government, the devil, evil, disease, our growing debt, the unknown, and a host of other things.  Few however fear God.  Yet the bible teaches us that the only thing that we need to respect and fear is GOD, for he grants us the breath of life, and God holds the key to eternal life or damnation!  Indeed the bible teaches us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10).

I urge all of you who may not feel fully right with Jesus and God, that you accept Christ into your life today.  Jesus is the resurrection and the life, he who believes in him, shall have eternal life John 11:25-26.  Do you believe this? Jesus is the unblemished perfect Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1:19.  From that free gift of Love, you and I have the promise of eternal life.  Let us serve God in any way we can, before he returns to collect his faithful children.

May God Bless you, and may you live forever in Christ!  Robert Rite

Please enjoy my new Resources Page at:  http://bible-blog.org/resouces

How to Wait on God with Faith and Trust

Posted by Robert Rite on March 26, 2012

For us Mere Mortals it seems at Times that to Wait with Faith in God is Really Hard

But as we will see, the Bible Reveals Many Blessings for those Who Persevere, and are willing to Wait with faith on The Lord

We human beings in general are such impatient souls.  We live in an era of great “convenience”, loaded with instant gratification.  We all want it now!  Tomorrow is too late!  We have

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been spoiled by modern times to getting results quickly.  We can get information and we can communicate instantly with many electronic gadgets and tools.  We have so many conveniences, large flat panel televisions, super fast computers.  But these are all just “gadgets and things”, earthly conveniences and possessions.  The things that really matter in life should not and do not come quickly, and this is where our faith and trust in God, or lack thereof, can lead us to great things or to a path of destruction, or lifelong regret and suffering.

But unfortunately, since we have all been programmed into getting what we want quickly, when crisis, opportunities, or situations that require great reflection are required – many hastily try to manipulate our circumstances if we have little or no faith and trust in God, or when God does not provide an immediate response to our requests.

We deplore long lines or traffic jams without quickly losing patience.  We would rather take chances and gamble our money away with aggressive day trading tactics, options, derivatives, lottery tickets and related get rich quick schemes, rather than having faith that God will provide, and trusting that God will help us in the long run due to our loyal faith in him.  We need to trust in God in times when serious decisions need to be made.  Some of us marry in haste instead of waiting on God to perhaps find us the right mate – and we see so many marriages ending in divorce today because of this lack of faith and trust in our creator.

So many needless mistakes are committed in our lives simply because we do not have the faith to trust that God will direct our paths, and even when we do, we then do not have the faith on the Lord to open paths to success for us.  It is human nature it seems, to just try to take matters into our own hands rather than having to wait for God to help resolve our problems or open doors of opportunity and blessings for us.  We fail to realize that the Lord requires our faith in all we do, and it is faith in God, that proves to God that we really trust and believe in his sovereignty over all things, us included.

Impatience almost always leads to big mistakes in life.  God stands at our door and knocks, wanting us to demonstrate our faith in him, so that he can offer us abundant blessings. It is better to wait in faith for years for God’s blessings in our life, than to make hasty decisions that can lead us to a life of misery and regret.  This sadly happens to too many people who in their old age look back with great regret due to their lack of faith and trust on the Lord, and the consequences thereof.  Unfortunately this scenario plays out for too many people, generation to generation.

There are no shortcuts in life, and the straight and wide road almost always leads us to a “dead” end.

It May Not Be Easy to Wait on God in Faith, But it is Worth the Wait.

It is true that to wait and trust in the Lord takes a lot of faith.  True faith takes:
1) Patience
2) Humility
3) Courage
4) Resistance to temptation from within and from others
5)  Resistance to the fear of failure
6) Resistance to trying to compete with others, and to overcome jealousy and covetousness
7) Resistance to the pleasures of this world rather than the sacrifice of waiting with faith on God

But when we wait with faith on the Lord, only good things will result.  When we make hasty decisions through our lack of faith and trust we get what we deserve…..tragedy and suffering in our lives.  But when we wait with faith on the Lord, we will receive the best that God has planned for us in our lives!  The bible pretty much guarantees this as it is a natural spiritual law.

Why Does God Not Respond to our Needs or Requests at Times?

What many do not realize is that when we pray to God for something, it is very unwise to expect instant results or solutions from God.  let’s respect God for who he is – Almighty God.  It is not God’s job to serve us, it is our job to serve and honor him. Our faith and trust in him and willingness to wait in him separates his people from the others.  Sometime we do not get what we pray for because it is not good for us, or the timing is not right.  Or perhaps God has other better plans for our life.   It may take God time to clear the path for us, to open the doors for us, to heal us, etc.  Perhaps we are not getting what we want because God is trying to protect us from tragedy if we get what we want or desire!

And of course God may make us wait, to test our faith and trust in him.  That is his right.  In Genesis we read how God tested Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by making them wait many years to receive their blessings!  And they were God’s chosen!  Of course God delivered, in God’s time, and they were blessed abundantly – because of their faith and trust in God!  If God made his chosen wait for their blessings in order to test their faith and trust in him, should we in vanity expect instant answers, without God testing our faith and trust in him?

God will provide the best solutions for us in his time not ours.

God rewards those who wait on him in faith with much better results than we can ever accomplish on our own.  God sees and knows our future and our potential.  It is extremely arrogant of us mere mortals to think that we know better than God almighty!  We need to let go and lot God in every major decision that we make.

When to Wait on the Lord and to Seek God’s Guidance:

Obviously we do not need to seek God’s guidance on our daily responsibilities.  We need to take care of ourselves and eat a balanced diet.  We need to avoid situations that lead to sin.  We need to take care of our families and loved ones. If we pray for God to find us a job, and we just sit back without sending out resumes or networking for opportunities, well then most likely we will end up living in the street!

But we must seek God’s guidance in all major decisions in life such as marriage, purchasing a home, rearing children, resolving family crisis, dealing with sickness and diseases, marital problems, and all major life changing situations in our life.

How to Wait on God with faith and Trust?

This one is actually very simple.  Faith comes from reading the bible and hearing the word of God.  Read Romans 10:17  The more we read the bible and seek to know the Lord, the more that we will understand God and what God expects of us.  This knowledge will gradually lead us closer to God, and eventually we will receive Gods guidance and we will be able to listen to God speaking to us in our heart and mind.   Folks this is not hard.  The more we fellowship with each other, the more we understand what we are like deep inside – and it is exactly that way with God.  The more we read and seek God’s guidance, the closer we get to our creator.

What does the Bible have to say about Faith and Trust in God?

Let me wrap up this important message with bible references as to why we should wait on God with faith and trust, and the incredible benefits & blessings of having Faith and trust in our creator God:

Genesis 17:1 Noah walked faithfully before God and only he and his family was spared from the great flood that ended all other life on earth
Genesis 17:1  Abram (Abraham) was asked by God to walk faithfully, so that he could reap all of the blessings that God would promise him and his descendants as a result of his faith, and he would be tested several times to prove his faith in God.
Numbers 12:7 God had chosen Moses to lead all his people to the promised land and one of his greatest traits was that he was very faithful
Deuteronomy 11:13:  Reveals that God is faithful, so as his potential future children – shouldn’t we be faithful?
Isaiah 64:4  Teaches us that God will respond to those who wait on him
Psalm 4:3 God will set aside for him those who are Godly (faithful)
Psalm 25:3 No one who Waits on God will regret it or be ashamed in any way
Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord
1 Chronicles 5:20 God answers the prayers of those who trust in him
1 Samuel 2:9 God will guard the feet of his faithful servants (his saints)
1 Kings 9:4  Shows us that God admired King David because of his faithfulness in God.
Daniel 6:23 Daniel was protected from lions in a lion’s den due to his trust and faith in God
Mathew 9:22 & Mark 5:34  Jesus teaches us that our faith can heal us!
Mathew 17:20 Jesus teaches us that with true and strong faith, we can literally move mountains
Luke 5:20 teaches us that our through faith, our sins are forgiven
Romans 5:1  We are justified thru faith in God
Romans 12:3 Teaches us that God will reward us in accordance to our faith.
Ephesians 3:17 Reveals that God dwells in the hearts of those who have faith.
Hebrews 11:6  Without faith it is impossible to please God
Revelation 17:14  With Jesus in heaven, will be the faithful!

Folks, let us wait upon the Lord with faith.  Let us trust God in all important areas of our lives….being reassured on how the biblical record reveals great rewards upon those who seek the lord in all of their life’s challenges!

May God bless you.

Robert Rite

Check out our free 22 part course on
“Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“

Will there be a “Rapture” or will we all be “left Behind”?

Posted by Robert Rite on March 19, 2012

What does the bible have to say about the rapture and being left behind?

Will some be Raptured before all Hell literally breaks lose? Let’s review over 10 bible versus related to the Rapture that help us tackle this mystery.

Wikipedia  defines the rapture as being “caught up” referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, when those who were saved and had died throughout the ages, and the saved who are still living at the time of

Who will be Raptured?

1 Thesalonians 4:17 clearly explains that those who are saved (those who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior in their lives) will be raptured. So according to the Bible, those who have rejected or have not acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior will not be raptured.

When will we be Raptured?

There is no doubt that there will be a rapture.  The key question is whether the rapture occurs prior to, during or after the tribulation period?  If the rapture will occur just before the tribulation period begins as many believe, then there will most likely be billions “left behind”.  Will some Christians be left behind too?  Perhaps some lukewarm Christians, or “Christians” by name only may not make it, but that is up to God to decide, and that is way beyond the scope of this message.  Let’s just keep our hearts and mind focused on the Lord, and we won’t have to speculate or worry about whether we will be raptured or left behind. 

The bible does give credence to a pre, mid and post-tribulation rapture scenario.  Christian scholars have disagreed for centuries as to whether there will be a pre, mid or post-tribulation rapture.  It seems that God has purposely planned it this way.  Perhaps God does not want us in arrogance or pride to assume that we are automatically to be kept out of the tribulation period just because we “claim” to be saved or to be a “Christian”.  God searches the heart, and is not into labels.  God also does not want our focus to be on when we will be raptured but rather on a relationship with God, through his son Jesus Christ so that we are indeed raptured on God’s appointed time!

So let’s read What the Bible Has to Say About the Rapture:

The rapture is prophesied in various places in the bible.  I am happy to say that I am not going to engage in a pre or post tribulation debate.  I leave that to others who wish to debate and argue irrelevant points, and create a separation amongst the church!  What matters is that we are ready right now; and not after it is too late!  Let’s go over several references, broken down by those which support the post tribulation and the pre-tribulation rapture scenarios:

Scriptures that Support a Post Tribulation Rapture:

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 discloses a mystery, and indicates that we will not all be asleep when we are caught up in the twinkling of an eye – in an instant.  But when we read this powerful message, we read in verse 52 that this event is to occur at the last trumpet, not before the first trumpet.  This adds much credence to the post tribulation theorists. 

Revelation 16:15 states “Behold I am coming as a thief….”.  This passage also lends credence to a post tribulation as it appears just before Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation period.

Revelation 14:15-20 also gives indication of a post-tribulation rapture as an Angel is calling for the harvest of mankind near the end of the tribulation.

2 Peter 3:3-4 -  “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?…..”  This passage may lend more to a post tribulation theory since here scoffers are ridiculing believers about the return of the Lord.

Scriptures That Support a Pre-tribulation Rapture:

In Genesis 18-19: we learn that God did not totally destroy Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot was first removed. Lot represented the only righteousness in that whole society. It was Lot ‘s faith –even as minute as it was– that kept him and the other few believers of his household from the time of God’s wrath.  Folks since God is the same past, present and future, this should reassure us that perhaps we will experience a pre-tribulation rapture.

Isaiah 26:20 calls upon his chosen bride (saved Christians) to be securely hidden away for a short moment until the wrath or rage of God is finished (The Tribulation).  This one is clearly indicating a pre-trib or mid-trib rapture scenario. 

1 Thesalonians 5:9 reveals to us that God has not appointed us to wrath but to salvation through Jesus Christ.  This supports the Pre-Tribulation rapture claim.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 – reveals to us that the restrainer (the Holy Spirit) is what is holding back Satan and the Anti-Christ from taking full control of the world.  It also reveals that the Church (Holy Spirit) must be removed before the evil one can take control of the world and the minds of most of the inhabitants left behind.  This lends much credence to the pre-tribulation rapture claim.

Revelation 3:10 promises those who persevere that they will be kept from the hour of trial (Tribulation Period) which will afflict the whole world.  Here is one for the pre-tribulation rapture theorists.

Mathew 24:42 also refers to the rapture, although here it indicates that we will not know at what our the Lord will return for us.

Isaiah 57:1 Isaiah here prophesizes that merciful men are “taken away” and no one understands that they are being taken away from evil.  This clearly evidences the rapture or harvest, but no timeline is referenced here. 

Zephaniah 2:3 Commands his people to seek the LORD, righteousness and humility.  It then states that if you do these things perhaps you will be sheltered  on the day of the LORD’s anger.  This passage makes it clear that there are no guarantees for us to be raptured or sheltered on the day of the Lord UNLESS we are right with God!

On this last passage I feel that we can close this important message.

Folks the Tribulation, if we can imagine, will be much worse than the concentration camps, and  crematoriums of Hitler.  The later was just a small taste of how horrible and terrible it will be during the day of the Lord’s anger.  I hope and believe that the Christian Church may be raptured before the tribulation period begins because the true church encompasses the Spirit-filled body and church of Christ, and should be removed in order that the final chapter of God’s timeline for humanity concludes as prophesied. That program: to establish Israel – not the Church – as head of the nations.  Now am I positive about this. Absolutely not!!!  So please let’s just be prepared and ready to meet our maker, okay?I

What we should know for sure is that there will be a Rapture!  So let us consecrate ourselves and commit our life to a relationship with our creator God in Jesus Christ, so that we may be found worthy to be raptured at God’s appointed time.

“Watch therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.   (Lk. 21:35-38).

God bless you,
Robert Rite

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Are We Getting Close to the Prophesied Middle East War?

Posted by Robert Rite on March 12, 2012

What Are the Signs the Bible Provides about this Middle East War?

Will this Middle East War be Politically, or Religiously Motivated – or both?

For certain there have been many wars in the Middle East lately, some may claim.  And that is the point of this message.  The Middle East seems to be the focal point of the end time wars that usher in the Antichrist and false prophet and bring about the death of approximately 2/3rds of all life!

Let’s face it, all of the hatred and rage in the middles east seems to be of a supernatural phenomena.  The bible clearly explains that supernatural forces such as demonic angels control nations by controlling the

As one reads the book of Esther you can see the hand of God protecting His people, the Jewish people, from total destruction. According to Bible prophecy, once again the Lord will protect the Jews from total destruction by a Persian leader. Persia, or Iran today, is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 as one of the nations that will align with other Middle East enemies of Israel and endeavor to destroy the Jewish people in the last days. At that time the Lord will again intervene to protect the Jews and destroy the Middle East and other nations that attack little Israel.

The wicked Persian leader Haman 2500 years ago was set to kill all the Jewish people alive in his day and would have done so had God not used a Jewish queen, Queen Esther, to save her people. The account of this intervention by God to protect his chosen people, the Jewish people, can be found in the Biblical book of Esther.  The Israeli Prime Minister recently has compared the present Iranian President to Biblical Haman, as this leader has continually called for the Jews to be wiped off the earth and their name be forgotten forever.

The events unfolding today in the Middle East were all foretold by the ancient Jewish prophet Daniel 2500 years ago. In Daniel 11:40-43, we read about the activities of all three Israeli neighbors: Syria, Jordan, and Egypt for the last days. Syria, referred to as the King of the North in verse 40, will make the first move against Israel. Jordan, mentioned as Ammon, Moab, and Edom in verse 41, will provide protection for the Jewish people, Isaiah 63.

Russia (which many believe is referred to as Gog and Magog in the bible) is a major player today in the Middle East and a strong ally to Iran and Syria.  Recently Russia complained about the U.S.-led plans for a NATO missile defense system in Europe, saying it’s aimed against Russian nuclear forces. “The Americans are obsessed with the idea of ensuring absolute invulnerability for themselves, which is utopian and unfeasible from both technological and geopolitical points of view,” the Russian leader stated. “An absolute invulnerability for one means an absolute vulnerability for all the others. It’s impossible to accept such a prospect.” (Vladimir Isachenkov, “Putin Warns West over Syria, Iran, Moscow,” Associated Press, 2/28/12. Thanks to Jonathan Stettin for news items.)

The United States apparent indifference over the serious situation in Syria (the mass murder of civilians) is effectively benefiting Iran, since Syria is Iran’s most important ally in the Middle East.  As with the case of Syria – and Hezbollah in Lebanon – on the issue of sanctions, the United States behavior and lack of any type of resistance has served to help rather than hinder Iran’s pursuit of its nuclear ambitions.

The US intervened in Egypt’s internal politics to empower the Muslim Brotherhood and overthrow Hosni Mubarak. The transformation of Israel’s border with Egypt from a peaceful border to a hostile one is the direct consequence of the US-supported overthrow of Mubarak and the US-supported rise of the Muslim Brotherhood. These are indisputable facts, with repercussions that are enormous and entirely negative.

The Middle East Battle of Gog and Magog is a war that is just over our horizon, but has been scheduled on God’s prophetic calendar now for over 2500 years. In this war, the Russians (Gog, Magog), Ethiopians, Iranians, Turks, Libyans, and descendants of the Cushite peoples, will all come against Israel.  Read in Ezekiel 38:1-23 (The entire chapter).

Why would these nations invade Israel in this end time middle east war?

Israel is becoming the main source of reliable energy (natural gas) to the European and Mediterranean region.  Israel also destroyed Damascus in a recent battle and temporarily disabled Iran’s Nuclear production and facilities with a hugely successful cyber attack.  The other obvious motives for an attack from its Middle East neighbors may include the persistent and malignant hatred towards Israel, Israel’s “occupation” of the Holy Land, Israel’s military and economic prowess in the middle east, and whatever other excuses their enemies may want to hash up.

Once the Holy Spirit is removed, the Middle East and all nations for that matter will not be restrained by any moral or ethical codes, and taking out Israel once and for all will seem like the most logical strategic move for them.  That is because they assume that God is just going to sit back and let that happen.

Russia, contrary to what the United States government may want us to believe is not our friend!  This is why they veto pretty much all of our proposed sanctions against the Syrians, and Iranians.  They are probably watching with much glee as the US finds itself embroiled in the same mess that they found themselves in back in the 1980’s when they also invaded Afghanistan. They continually put themselves at odds against our interests worldwide. Furthermore, Russia and China have both stated that they are completely opposed to military action by the United States against Iran and Syria, and they have even hinted that they would possibly even help defend those countries.

Below are several signs that leads many prophecy scholars to believe that we are ominously close to a Major War In The Middle East:

-  The EU has announced that all imports of crude oil from Iran will be banned starting in July.
– The U.S. embassy in Syria has been shut down and the United States has once again called for Syrian President Bashar Assad to resign.  The U.S. has also removed all diplomats from Syria.
– Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says that Iran is moving their uranium enrichment facilities into recently constructed underground bunkers and that the point of no return is rapidly approaching.
-  The Washington Post is reporting that U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes that Israel will strike Iran at some point during the months of April, May or June.
-  According to sources, thousands of U.S. troops have been heading to strategic islands within reach of Iran.
-  According to one estimate, there are currently there are more than 20,000 missiles aimed at the nation of Israel.
-  Some Israeli officials claim that Iran is trying to develop a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States.
– In Syria, the city of Homs is one giant war zone at this point. The following comes from a recent article in the Telegraph…. “We can’t count all the bodies from the streets and the collapsed buildings. Anyone who tries to go on the street might be killed – there are snipers,” said Abu Abdu al-Homsi, spokesman for the Syrian Revolutionary Council, an opposition group, in Homs. “An old woman – her son was shot and killed in the street, she went to get his body and was shot dead too.”
-  The Russians appear to be very serious about supporting the Assad regime in Syria. According to Debka, “the Russians backed their hard line against the West by putting Rapid Reaction Force (aka Spetsnaz) units in Black Sea bases on the ready to set out for Syria and defend Damascus.”
-  It is being reported that a Hezbollah official has indicated that Hezbollah will attack Israel if Syria is attacked.
-  There are even signs that Saudi Arabia is busy preparing for a coming war. The following comes from a recent Debka article….Large forces are now deployed around Saudi oil fields, pipelines and export facilities in the eastern provinces opposite the Persian Gulf, backed by anti-missile Patriot PAC-3 batteries. American, British and French fighter-bombers have been landing at Saudi air bases to safeguard the capital, Riyadh.

Folks, we are witnessing unprecedented unrest in the Middle East.  Ever expanding conflicts in the Middle East that will inevitably lead to a major war in the Middle East.  This time nobody in the Middle East seems to be backing down. They feel they have the upper hand as the U.S. has its hands full in Afghanistan and its attempt to postpone any major decisions until after the November elections.  When the next major war does erupt in the Middle East, it is going to change the world as we know it!  There may be so much chaos due to soaring gas prices, and related repercussions from the coming Middle East war that we need to pray that such a war can be delayed.

There is no doubt that the war will happen, since it is prophesied in the bible, but let us pray that God in his mercy, will delay it.

May God Bless You!

Robert Rite

Check out our free 22 part course on “Decoding the Book of Revelation, Chapter by Chapter“