Note for 2024/04/26

The 1990 Vision

During a church camp for young people in 1990, a group of us were in worship in a hall. And somewhere in that time, the group became filled by the Holy Spirit. All of us fell over backwards, and laying on the ground we all had a vision. Now it is 34 years back, and how it happened I can’t quite remember all the details of it, but the vision I remember clearly. If I remember correctly, all of us had the very same vision.

In the vision, of which an image was attempted above, but lacking greatly from the Glory that I saw, everything was in a hue of golden radiance. The warmth of the light even filled the shadow spaces, and even black had a hint of a shade in gold. As far as the crowd goes, it was as if every living soul was gathered around for this event. The light was as the sun, but instead of breaking over the horizon, it was descending from heaven as if on a rope of light.

The lady with the child in hand, looked over backwards to me with a beautiful wide smile and said, “It is Jesus.”

Today, I am reminded of a confirmation of something that was given to me just after I gave my heart to the Lord on the 17th of March 1990 on my first church camp after I got saved. The Lord gives to each of us, according to our needs. Having just ran away from a confrontation with a coven of witches, I for one needed some strong assurance. What then of the other young people that were there with me, even those who did not look evil right in the eyes? They received a vision too that day, of the arrival of our Lord and Savior in the middle of the night.

That is what I have received in the Spirit of GOD ALMIGHTY, in Jesus Christ his Son.

We all experience things from what we have received from GOD, so here follows today’s reading, which brought back the memory of this vision I had so long ago. Make you approach as you are, the Lord will meet you within what you need to establish your faith forever.

‭1 Thessalonians 4:9-18 KJV‬

[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. [10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; [11] and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1th.4.9-18.KJV

Brothers and sisters in the faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Friends. I myself am still impacted by the Word from yesterday, on the first part of this Chapter. And today, the context continues from there, and this here is added to it.

Brotherly love, a study to be quiet and honest work. These are more readily understood. Yet are there many that do not give these matters much thought. Today, a good job is considered one that pays well, honesty not a major factor, because everyone is doing right? Oh, friends, consider once again the broad and narrow ways. In exchange should it not be fair? Maybe I should simplify the transaction between an employer and an employee, which is basically this: "If you help me make more money, I will pay you some of it." One has to consider what is fair trade, and who determines what is fair. If brotherly love is in it at all, in all efforts by the whole. But these are contracts that you must agree to or not, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Consider first though, is it good and honest work, what is it that you have in offer to trade?

Regarding the last section of this chapter, and I am somewhat weary to speak beyond what is given here. The text seems clear, and yet has this been a matter of division in the churches that we find. Yes, I said churches, because there is a variance in doctrine. And yet, this is one of the matters that man is hoping for and wants to know, this here is said to comfort one another.

The comfort only comes for those that are in Christ Jesus. So Paul speaks of those who sleep in Christ. And of those that may yet be alive at the coming of our Lord and Savior. Now you know, and I know, that my viewpoint on this will determine whether you read these notes again or not. No pressure, right?

What does it say here? For one moment, do not consider everything that man has put forth on this matter. Just read what the Word of GOD says. Both the Living of that day, and those that slept in Christ will be caught up to Him in the air. To them in the clouds. Yes friends, we are speaking on what man has come to call the rapture of the saints. It is written in the Word of GOD, not of the term as we have come to know it, but of the event. The dead in Christ, or those who slept in Christ are taken first, and then the Living are gathered up or caught up to them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. That is what it says here, and our comfort is in the surety of it. It will happen, to deny it, you must essentially tear this page out of the Bible. Who can do that?

For most believers today, it is not if it will happen, but rather when, that brings contention. I have no interest in dividing anyone that stands in faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For the sake of unity, can we then leave that in the Lord's hand. HIS will be done? If it is then today, then we should be ready, right? Then we will see for ourselves. If not this day, then what should we be busy with? As Christ said, "will he find faith when He returns?" If not this day, then maybe tomorrow or a day to come, that may pass the day of the expiration of my body here. When I go to join those who sleep in Christ. And then, am I not caught up first before those that are still living? Read, this is what is written here. The Word says that only The Father knows the day and hour. Can you Trust the Lord in this? What was given to us for comfort has become a source of contention among believers, and now I must ask you: do you stand in service of the Lord or of the rapture?

Friends, leave this in the hand of our Father in Heaven. If only we Trust in Him, if we obey Him and do what we ought to do and not do what we shouldn't, then we would be ready whenever it comes. Yes, we look for that day everyday, but before it comes, this bag of bones may go to rest in the grave. But while we are still alive, we should be busy with the things we ought to do. Like this, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we have gone to sleep, when our bodies lay down unto the body's final rest, then we can do nothing about our state.

Of course, I have my own opinion. But, my opinion won't change the date that The Father set for it. So, I live to be ready at every moment. I have come to know that I can trust the Word of GOD more than my own opinions, haven't you? And if we should have to endure more tribulations, then how would that change our belief? Christ went to the cross for me. Should there be conditions that we are not willing to face for Him? We should be weary that our opinions do not give rise to a false doctrine. God's will be done. Or, do we only serve the Lord under favorable conditions?

No, friends, our attention should rather be on our walk here, that it is right in the sight of GOD. We should rather consider our faith, that it is in the Lord and not an outcome. For if it is in the outcome, then we live for ourselves not Him. So then our attention is reverted back to where this chapter set out from and our study on the matter of sanctification yesterday. See, regardless of when the Day of the LORD comes, if we are not ready then, we will not be caught up as it is written here. Our focus thus should rather be on to be ready for it, than when it will happen, as if to seek an occasion to tolerate sin in the flesh.

There is still work to be done. And, with so few workers, as many of our brethren have fallen asleep early, even on church benches; the greater work to be done now rests on us. And is part of that work not to wake those who fell asleep while their bodies are still functional?

The comfort is thus this: The LORD will save us in the Appointed time. Appointed by our Father in Heaven. So, do you Trust GOD to do what He said He will? Do you believe?

Our job, friends, is to make the choices that we are here to make. To do what we were sent here to do and to get ready for this day that is promised to those that believe. As Abraham's faith was accounted to him as righteousness, so will the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD, be accounted to us by our faith in Him. Just as it is promised by our Father in Heaven, written in John 3:16.

I walk by the instructions I have received, things that I am here to do. And just as the serpent that bit Paul could not prevent him from testifying in Rome for Jesus Christ, so will I continue until I am done with my duties here. And if I get taken early, then it is by the Mercy of GOD that I was spared from what is still to come upon this world. God's will be done, for He knows all fully.

So Who do you trust in your salvation, deliverance and redemption? Because friends, that is the true state of your faith.

Shalom.

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

‭Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV‬

[5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.3.5-6.KJV

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