Calamity of the Innocents

Psalm 71:3 “Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given complete commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.”

Anyone can visit the structure on highway 77 in Georgias Elbert County. A giant monument, financed by an obscure individual calling himself “RC Christian,” that lays out the globalist agenda. Many of the ideas will seem noble to the undiscerning, but others make no attempt to hide their blatantly evil design. One such example is the globalists plan to reduce the earths population to five hundred million. It seems too far fetched to be taken seriously, but there it is, carved in stone. (literally) The sheer cost of constructing the Georgia guidestones proves that these people are well financed and committed to their cause. More on this can be found HERE.

This thought has been on my mind as of late and was enhanced by a family gathering today. Most people; even christians who love the Lord Jesus in sincerety, are going about their lives as though everything will flow in a continuously predictable fashion. They work hard, take care of their families, paticipate in their communities, and abide by the law of the land. They desire to leave for their children, a better world than the one that they were born into and they strive to make this a reality. Yet there is a very real devil who is waging continuous war against Gods creation. As time marches on toward its conclusion, the powers of darkness are preparing to unleash unimaginable evil while the masses are consunmed by the business at hand. Those who are not born again; the enemy allows them to believe that they are “good people” in need of nothing. At the same time, he strives to sidetrack the true saints with one distraction after another. The devil is literally seeking whom he might devour at this very moment.

It should be noted that the term “innocents” doesn’t suggest that there are people who are without sin. All have sinned and all are in need of repentance. No man comes to the Father but through Jesus Christ. It’s a term used to describe those who were minding their own business when calamity struck. Here in the U.S. the current economic mess was manifesting while the majority of Americans were paying taxes, staying current on their bills, taking their kids to baseball practice, and what have you. They didn’t directly create the mess, but will be directly affected by it. The emptiers have emptied the land in every way imaginable. (Nahum 2;2) Jobs have disappeared, God has been removed from the schools, genetically altered food has been introduced into the diet, the principles of witchcraft are routinely promoted by the entertainment industry, nearly everyone is “in debt up to their eyeballs,” (to quote a commercial from a few years ago) and the church has largely adopted a fleshy gospel that lacks any power. 

If one ventures into the geo-political arena the perilosity of the hour is compounded, but for the sake of time, I’ll not go into it here. (Watch the bear)

Most people don’t see the storm that’s hovering right over head and is beginning to unleash its fury. Anyone who tries to give warning is disregarded as “just another doom and gloomer.”  Tragically, the point will arrive when denial is no longer an option and the ensuing chaos will be unfathomable.  Most of us in the west have never faced a situation of complete meltdown on a national or global scale. Yet Jesus warns us of times of such tribulation that “except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22) There are distinct groups of people who will be made manifest when the money fails and the chariots of Egypt unravel.

( 1 ) The saints who were atuned and watching. These will be astonished by the intensity of things, but will remain close to Jesus. (They will be strong and do exploits)

( 2 ) Complacent saints. These will be blindsided by the coming collapse as events in the physical realm have them overly-occupied. Some will awaken and turn to Jesus in repentance, but others will also be so overwhelmed that self-preservation will kick in and discernment abandoned.

( 3 ) The tares. The lack of a true relationship with Jesus, despite a reputation of good works, will become manifest and their actions will fall in line with the contents of their heart. This group will include many who were highly esteemed in the christian community.

Both 2 and 3 reveal the dangers of following men and not searching the scriptures for ourselves. (Acts 17:11) This is way too serious to simply trust the words of a contemporary. We must hold fast the profession of our faith in Jesus in accordance with scripture; regardless of what anyone else says or does.

( 4 ) Those who make no claim to be christians. They will be in utter chaos as everything that offered security is compromised. (This is already taking place to some degree) Yet a few of these will come to a place where they are receptive to the gospel. I almost wonder that there will be more conversions in this group than any other.

Hebrews 3:12-13 “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

One cannot adequately convey how serious this is. We are warned in scripture to keep our hearts with all diligence. Abiding in Jesus Christ, the True Vine, and not following from afar or trusting in our own ability. A person who is not abiding 100% in Jesus will follow a lie. A person who loves their life in this world will have a hard time refusing a mark that will promise a return to the days of plenty. A person who is sitting on the fence will fall off in the time of shaking. We must examine ourselves continuously and be atuned to the Holy Spirit who will always let us know when we’re beginning to stray or are about to say something that shouldn’t be said.

With such events bearing down upon us, one may wonder what we are to do. Some propose getting out of the country while others suggest stockpiling as much physical resources as possible. The advise is rampant, but in truth, each of us must get before the Lord and find out from him. Some of us may be led of the Spirit to move to another part of the country and others may be led to stay in places that make no sense to remain in. We must strive to be in the Lords perfect will, regardless of the ambience. If our affections are on things above where time is no longer, we’ll not be rattled by the trials of this temporal world. They are “only for a season.” We should strive to arrive at a place where we can honestly proclaim “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

May we all move into the Lords perfect will and work diligently to reach the lost while time remains.

“Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.

Tues. Sept 30, 2008 (1030 EDT) Please check out THIS LINK  found on Steve Quayles site. These are indeed strange times, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Checking In 9-28-08 (0119 EDT)

It’s somewhat astonishing. I’ve begun about five posts in as many days and yet seem unable to place into words what needs to be written. The following link, however, falls into line with much that has been on my heart and with time running out on this age, it becomes all the more noteworthy. It’s called:

ARE YOU LONGING FOR HIS APPEARING?

The return of Jesus Christ should be the longing for everyone who professes his name. As Revelation 22:20 reads: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” This should place a song in our heart and compel us to be about our Fathers business continuously.   

The October issue of David Meyers LAST TRUMPET NEWSLETTER has been posted a few days earlier than normal. This newsletter continuously offers up insight concerning the times that we’re living in and the events unfolding before us.

We must keep our eyes upon Jesus and know that, regardless of what transpires in the physical realm, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US. If we look to him and love not our lives in this world (sorry to keep repeating this but very few saints have a grasp of what this means, or the liberty that one enjoys when they embrace it) his grace will be sufficient. I should be on layoff next week, therefore, Lord willing, I’ll have more time to post; although to be honest, my foremost desire is to get the gospel out. If I could do things as I desire, I would spend every day, from sunrise to sunset, out on the streets proclaiming the gospel. The urgency has never been greater because this thing is rushing toward conclusion. PLEASE check out the links.

Have a blessed weekend in Jesus.

 

 

“Who Are These People?”

Jeremiah 9:2 “Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.” 

This passage has been on my mind for about a month. It’s one of those verses which never grabbed my attention before, but suddenly I’ve been thinking on. In it, the prophet Jeremiah is expressing a longing to find refuge apart from the wickedness of his generation. A lodging place is where one would abide for a time with others who are also in route from one place to another. I’ve been thinking on this in a different fashion, primarily as a picture of the saints during the tribulation. Gatherings of christians; from different towns and diferent backgrounds who have met up; primarily by divine appointment, to exhort one another as the time of shaking is at hand. They are with one accord and looking steadfastly unto Jesus. In these days, the christian like institutions of men will either be dissolved by the powers that be or will have joined the powers that be; some even posing as a places of refuge for the purpose of luring in the true saints.

This appears even more ominous in type than when it was in my head. The other night as I was pondering things, I had a thought. (I can’t really call it a vision or even a revelation, but it certainly lines up with things) I can see pseudo places of refuge. Groups of people professing faith in Christ in a setting that appears “hidden” from the powers of darkness. Yet it’s merely a show; designed to lure in the true remnant for the purpose of handing them over to authorities. I can almost see some of those engaged in this deception thinking that they are doing God service by carrying out Romans chapter 13. I’m starting to understand why I become so discomforted when I see christians beholden to a political agenda and overcharged by the affairs of this “very temporal” world. (As I have been in times past. I was very neo-conistic in my younger days, but the Lord has delivered me from it)

Betrayal at the hands of those in whom we had placed confidence. Jesus told us that such betrayal would take place at the hands of parents, brethren, kinsfolks, and friends. (Luke 21:16) The apostle Paul wrote about being in perils amonst false brethren. (II Corinthians 11:26) People that we count as being in our “inner circle” or those who secretly put on a “christian show,” will cause us to be put to death. Words fail to portray just how dangerous these days are. There will be a complete breakdown of the old social structures and institutions of sustainability where heart problems could be hidden by a religious facade. In times of uncertainty, the mechanisms of self-preservation will cause the carnal minded to resort to acts previously considered unthinkable. We woefully underestimate the dangers of loving our lives in this world.

Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” 

This is one of those verses that can be taken way out of context if one isn’t careful. It speaks of ensuring that our heart is right with the Lord Jesus. We should take this matter seriously (with fear and trembling) and not just go along with the crowd. To many, discussions about end times events are troublesome. When the thought of betrayal by family members or good friends is mentioned, it’s almost too much to fathom. I have a mental list of folks who seem to understand the perilosity of the times that we’re in, and yet I don’t know that all of them are truly ready for what’s coming. I continuously wonder if I’m ready. Yet such conversation should cause us to draw closer to Jesus and know that he will sustain us.  This is why posts such as this one are relatively commonplace here. Not to cause panic or engage in the sensational, but to exhort the reader to seek these issues out for themselves and “GET CLOSE TO JESUS!”

Matthew 10:35-36 “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a mans foes shall be they of his own household.”

Matthew 10:37-38 “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that lovethson or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

Placing family in higher esteem than the Lord is dangerous to be sure. It’s a condition of the heart that, for the most part may go unnoticed. Not only is it the esteeming of people above the Lord, in the season of great falling away and betrayal, it will cause one to make fatally flawed decisions. As much as we dearly love and fervently pray for those around us, we must ensure that Jesus is truly our Savior AND Lord. That he is first in our life and that we will remain faithful; regardless of the consequences in the physical realm. We can be certain that, should we be called to stand before kings and governors as a testimony against them, they will use everything at their disposal in an attempt to bring us to compromise. The time to stablish our hearts is now; not when the “homeland security van” pulls into the driveway at 3:00am and we are taken into the night. 

Matthew 10:39 “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

We often quote these verses, but don’t really grasp the reality that they entail. Many simply cannot fathom the idea that we will ever see such events take place in our day. Our generation is no different than any other where saints have had to endure such trials. Tragically, the life of relative ease that many of us have grown up with will be the downfall of millions who believed that they were in need of nothing.  The first passage in this post came from jeremiah chapter 9. It goes on to tell about brothers and neighbors, who know not the Lord, dealing deceitfully with each other. Saying things and presenting a picture that’s not reflective of their true agenda. In the days ahead, we can expect to see this become increasingly commonplace as the shaking makes manifest the hearts of men.

Please check out this link, entitled Unconverted Christians written by Dave Daubenmire. It draws a distiction between simply following Jesus and being truly converted. A truly converted saint will lay down their life for Jesus. Until the next time, have a blessed weekend in Jesus.

Matthew 10:18-20 “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.”

 

“The Poor Have Ye Always”

I’m about to inaccurately quote Charles Dickens, but it provides a great illustration concerning the office occupied by those who are lacking in this world. Although the story “A Christmas Carol” contains serious (dangerous) scriptural errors, It’s fascinating when “christmas present” unveils before Mr. Scrooge the two children named “ignorance” and “want.” He goes on to say “Beware of them, for on their forehead is written the word DOOM. Doom to you and everyone like you who denies their existance.” Oftentimes, people will wonder, how can a loving God allow poverty, sickness, wars and what have you?” While these are the fruits of a world in which sin has been introduced, there’s another element to those who are lacking; be it a lack of those things needful or a physical hinderance. Their presence makes manifest the hearts of those around them. When we encounter such a one, our response will reveal the contents of our heart and we “will” be judged accordingly.

Matthew 18:10-11 “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” 

If one thing is astonishing above all else concerning the church in the year 2008 AD it’s the lack of understanding that we must all give account for our actions. That we can build massive cathedrals, send money so that milionaire “evangelists” can fly around in private jets, engage in endless debatings, and heap to ourselves riches while quoting Deuteronomy 28:13. (but never I Timothy 6:5-10) All the while our shelters are overflowing with eternal souls who are at their wits end and our land is filled with unseen precursors of judgment, each of whom is precious in the eyes of God. This post has veered from what I was planning to write on, but it seems that very few have an understanding of this. “We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” This should really be thought about, because for many, it hasen’t reached beyond the arena of theology.  I fear that I’m also lacking insofar as “having this firmly planted in my heart of hearts as it should” be and so this is another “post to self” as well. 

Two passages are needful as this subject is explored further; both of which are vary familiar, and yet, for many, they seem to have become “stuck” somewhere between the mind and the heart. Both tell of those who thought they were “alright” only to stand before Jesus and learn that they were NOT alright. This should be sobering to every person who proclaims that they know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. In fact, CEI ( site here ) puts out a tract entitled “Savior, but not Lord” which would make a great post. Here’s the first passage:

Matthew 7:21-23 ” Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have case out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  

This is incredible. Folks who outwardly had such an authentic looking facade that they even deceived themselves. Astonishingly many in this crowd; if one were to approach them and ask “what must I do to be saved?” they would be able to show them in the scriptures. But inwardly, where the eyes of the Lord see, but ours don’t, they are trusting in their works, looking to be held in high esteem, or clinging to any number of things which appear right but are not. They profess that they know Jesus, but they don’t. While I often use the following statement in the context of one who questions the gospel, it can apply to professing christians also. When we enter eternity, we don’t want our first word to be “uh oh!” Here’s the other familiar passage:  

Matthew 25:41-45 “ Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an humgered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me.“

A We long to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. We ponder this moment daily, and yet too often, we don’t seriously consider the aspect of judgment. We are not save by our works, but if we are truly in Christ, our actions will reflect it. So much today is focused on self instead of the needs of others. I wonder how many of us have blown opportunities to entertain angels unawares. Again, I’m writing this to myself as much as placing it out there. So often, I feel completely trapped by circumstances in life, and yet I know that I should be doing more. Somehow, the excuse of “well I have a family to take care of and Matthew requires a lot of care” misses the point. True; we must take care of those in our household and true, Matthew is a challenge like most cannot fathom. But souls are perishing by the hour. In the time that it takes to read this post, souls will slip into eternity and any glimmer of hope lost. Our land is filled with tormented souls who are in utter despair while we sing “Everything I touch is Blessed.”

There are so many scriptures that should accompany this post. Yet I must be going for now and most of us have several bibles, commentaries, the bible on CD, concordances and what have you. If the brothers of the rich man had Moses and the prophets and were warned by them, how much more warning do we have in this generation?  May we all arrive at a place of complete obediance unto the Lord Jesus who paid for our sin with his own blood.

I’m sorry if this post has an edge on it; it was written out fast.

The World as We Knew It

A few nights ago, I had a little fun at Morgans expense; although the underlying intent was to point to the lateness of the hour. (A primary prayer request of mine is that all in my household would know Jesus Christ as Savior and time is running out.) Our house is surrounded by fields and woods which give one a sensation of being really “out there.” With no street lights and only one neighbor relatively close by, it’s incredibly dark here, during the overnight hours. Morgan often sits on the steps outside the door late in the evening talking on the phone and what have you. I went out to the truck for a minute and while I was out, we could hear the coyotes in the corn field across the road in pursuit of something. As I came back to the door and began to go inside, Morgan said “Those are coyotes, right?” My reply was “Probably.”

“Probably?” she enquired.

“Well, it could be the greys….you know….those entities that everyone thinks are extraterrestrials but are really fallen angels who abduct people, tamper with their DNA and are a part of the last days deception.”

“That’s not funny” was her response to this suggestion.

I started inside, but then stopped and looked into the stars. “WOW MORGAN; the SKY CERTAINLY IS CLEAR TONIGHT!”

“YEAH…THANKS DAD!”

Note: This isn’t the exact exchange word-for-word as it took place really fast, but it’s basically accurate.

Morgan was “ok” with coyotes because that’s a normal occurrance. “Greys” on the other hand, threaten the predictable rhythm of life.  We tend to go about our daily routines with the expectation that every day will closely resemble the day previous to it. Summer gives way to fall, baseball season gives way to football season, political seasons go through their cycle, and we move through the stages of life with the expectation that the institutions which existed in the days of our grandparents remain in place for our grandchildren. For most, any kind of radical departure from this pattern is unthinkable. This confidence in the flesh is often highlighted by such comments as “we’re not in the last days because all of the scriptures haven’t come to pass” or more commonly, “don’t be such a doom and gloomer.” Many people, even professing christians, cannot fathom the idea that scriptural fulfillment is ongoing and that we are at the end of the age. We like steadfastness in the physical, where we can see where our next meal is coming from and feel as though we have control over the atoms in our immediate vicinity. In short, we tend to “love our lives in this world.”

Yet the changes taking place around us are accelerating daily it seems. Seismic activity is on the increase, unexplainable anomalies are becoming more commonplace, (UFOs etc) economic uncertainty is on the horizon, and the nations of the world are being gradually merged together into a single entity with a single monitary system that will require allegiance to a “single global ruler” who will “appear” to be the one who saves the day. (Daniel 11:32 and Revelation 13:4) At some point, all who have managed to ignore the crescendo of events; both physical and supernatural, will no longer be able to do so and this is when we will see mens hearts failing them for fear. I would ask any saint who dismisses this; thinking “oh we’re not going to be here for any of that” to seriously take this to the Lord in prayer and search the scriptures. The real danger in the pre-tribulation rapture teaching is the tendancy to place our faith in an event happening at a certain time instead of the Lord Jesus Christ who has promised to be with us always.

For me, the turning point on this issue of rapture timing came in the spring of 2004 and I still remember the prayer that night. “Lord, if this is true, then it’s going to happen this way, even if I don’t want it to. Please prepare me for whatever comes this way and anything that must be endured.” Ever since that night, I’ve had “real peace” concerning the events taking place and those soon to manifest. Until that moment, the thought of enduring tribulation of the magnitude told of in scripture prior to Jesus return was unthinkable; even though I was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. His grace is sufficient for anything. Even if we should be ones who are appointed to lay down our lives for the testimony of Jesus, (Revelation 12:11) his grace will be sufficient for the moment. This paragraph was unexpected as I tend to steer away from discussing my thoughts on rapture timing. Nonetheless, there is a post dedicated entirely to it which can be read here.  Most of the saints in my local fellowship are of the pre-tribulation school.

  John 16:33 “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.“ 

Lately there have been some things on my heart that seem very basic but are in need of mention. One is the importance of getting as close to Jesus as we can. Most of us remember the song “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.” We’re about to find out just how unsustainable that sinking sand is. Those in Christ will receive a greater understanding of Gods ability to preserve us, regardless of the events taking place around us. This is a time of shaking, where falsehoods with supernatural manifestations are becoming increasingly commonplace. I really wonder if any of us, including myself understand just how perilous these times are. How many professing christians will hold fast the profession of their faith when scientific discoveries, disclosure of extraterrestrial activity lying wonders, and a world leader who brings about a peace but opposes the Holy One of Israel, all would appear to disprove our faith.  We will not only have to profess faith in Jesus Christ whom we don’t see, we’ll have to remain steadfast when all of the physical proof seems to be in opposition to our faith. 

This also has been on my heart for weeks. One cannot overstate the importance of LOVING NOT OUR LIVES IN THIS WORLD! This is not a legalistic set of do’s and don’ts. It’s a love for the Lord Jesus Christ that’s so complete that nothing in the ambience can shake it. When we reach a point of loving not our lives here, or the things that are here, it’s liberating beyond imagination. As we draw closer to the Lord, the trappings of life lose all of their appeal. We absolutely must examine ourselves to ensure that Jesus is first in our lives; above possessions, status, family, and our continuance in this world. These issues should cause us realize that we simply cannot stand in our own power. How imperative it is for us to abide in Jesus; the True Vine, and let go of anything that causes separation from the True Vine. 

Well, it’s time to close for now; although this post seems completely inadequate due to the seriousness of the issue being discussed. Yesterday Steve Quayles site had a posting called “Do You Remember?” It reveals the lateness of the hour and the need for every saint to be sober and watch unto prayer. I wish to all a blessed weekend in Jesus.

 I Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

 

Final Phrases

Matthew 12:36-37 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof on the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The week was one of pondering; much about what to place here when time permitted. These days are so hectic that I wonder how much longer I can continue in this venue or if it’s time to let this season go. Each of us will, at some point, utter our final sentance. (And submit our final post) Everyone that we know in this life, we will encounter for a final time. We often say to another “see you later” or “see you next week” when we simply cannot secure such an outcome. This could be the final posting here, or there could be others to follow. Therefore,everything that we say and do should be of benefit to another. In this electronic realm, everything that we place here should be such that if one stumbles across it years from now (although I seriously doubt that that amount of time remains in this age) it will encourage, instruct, and most importantly of all, point to Jesus Christ, the only name under heaven, given among men whereby we “must” be saved.

This morning, I stumbled across “this site” which features the final words of various people of notariety in this life. The final moment when they are about to make their final departure from the theater of atoms and take their place in the fabric of the eternal.  In that final moment all of the fame, fortune, trophies, and pleasantries of this world lose any relevance and the only thing that matters is their standing with the eternal God who created all that is. While these can be read by going to the link at the beginning of this paragraph, some of them stood out as “astonishing” which are as follows:

( 1 ) “See in what peace a christian can die.” This was spoken by writer Joseph Addison as he entered eternity on June 17, 1719. (My wifes birthday; except for the year) For all who are in Christ this is how we should view our inevitable departure from this realm. When a saint is called home, the sadness that we feel in that they are no longer with us, is overshadowed by the knowledge that they are with Jesus and the saints who have gone on before. That great cloud of witnesses that we shall join at our appointed time.

( 2 ) “I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the church may obtain liberty and peace.” These were the words of Thomas A Becket, archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1170. While I don’t know the circumstances surrounding his demise, he states being ready to die for Christ and his final concern seems to be the well-being of the church. I was reminded of how the apostle Paul was burdened with the state of the early church when I read this. The next one is far more contemoprary.

( 3 ) “I am going face to face with Jesus now…I love you all very much. I will see you all when you get there…I will wait for you.” Karla Faye Tucker became a christian in Texas while on death row and her testimony is an incredible one. She died of lethal injection on February 3, 1998. One of the saddest aspects of the ordeal was the circus mentality outside the site where the execution transpired, although I’ve heard that this is commonplace when a high-profile execution takes place. Even if the person being executed is the most malicious of criminals, this is inappropriate. It often seems that our culture has lost all respect for human life and reverance for God. Karla Faye Tucker was involved in a hideous crime, but she repented of her sins and accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. Most (but not all) of the following excerpts from the link seem less optimistic.

( 4 ) “How were the receipts today at madison Square Garden?” I wonder if P.T. Barnum has ever received an answer to this question. He was an entrepreneur who passed away in 1891. Without a doubt “we cannot take it with us.”

( 5 ) “Codeine…burbon.” These were the final words spoken by actress Tallulah Bankhead before she entered eternity on December 12, 1968.

( 6 ) “I should never have switched from scotch to martinis.” It’s astonishing; the things that a person can think about in their final moment as is revealed here by the final words of Humphrey Bogart who passed on January 14, 1957. It should be noted that all of these people are still very much in existance and will be throughout the eons to come.

Matthew 16:26

( 7 ) “I must go in, the fog is rising.” Poet Emily Dickensons final words seem “eerie” and must have sent chills down the back of any who heard these words firsthand in 1886. They remain poetically disturbing 122 years later. I pray that anyone who reads this and does not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord would come to him now. We never know when our final second will be upon us. We may see it coming or it may come as a surprise, such as transpired in the next example.

( 8 ) “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist….” It almost sounds scripted, but these were the final words of General John Sedgwick who, in 1864, discovered that the confederate soldiers were far better marksmen than he anticipated.

( 9 ) “Curtain! Fast music! Light! Ready for the last finale! Great! The show looks good, the show looks good!” Much could be written about “putting on a show.” Initially it was going to be the topic of this mornings post (Isaiah 29:13) however, this came up instead. Showman Florenz Ziegfeld passed away on July 22, 1932 and this was his final statement. Whatever a person holds dear will come forth in their conversation and I imagine that this truth is magnified greatly when one is knowingly engaged in their final performance.

( 10 ) “Why do you weep? Did you think I was immortal?” It seems that King Louis XVIII of France had a better grasp of his own mortality than did those in his presence. He passed away 293 years ago. We tend to live our lives, day in and day out, as though it’s going to be the same forever. We unwittingly expect each day to closely resemble the one previous to it, unless we decide to make a change.

( 12 ) “All my possessions for a moment of time.” In 1603 Englands Queen Elizabeth I understood that regardless of how much is accumulated in the physical world, it becomes the property of another and holds no weight in eternity.

( 13 ) I am a queen, but I have not the power to move my arms.” Louise, Queen of Prussia, passed away in 1820. It seems that quite a number of leaders, as their time draws near, realize what King Solomon understood in his later years. “All is vanity.” Without a doubt, only what’s done for Christ will last.

( 14 ) “I am about to…..or I am going to…..die: either expression is correct.” French grammarian Dominique Bouhours seems to have strove for grammerical perfection right up to his final moment in 1702.

The last two are almost too disturbing to copy, but they serve to remind us of the dangers of not remembering our Creator in the days of our youth. They also remind us that the devil is out to destroy priceless souls and that, unlike us, he doesn’t have “off days”

( 15 ) “D**n it…..Don’t you dare ask God to help me.” As Joan Crawfords final moment was at hand, on May 10, 1977, her housekeeper began to pray aloud. The housekeeper understood that one was about to enter eternity and that this persons salvation was in question. We cannot make them drink and this must have been heartbreaking for the housekeeper.

( 16 )  “Go on, get out-last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” In 1883, Karl Marx took his final breaths. His housekeeper had asked him to give his final thoughts so that she could write them down for future lists such as this one. Today, on September 6, 2008, he is a believer, however, the second resurrection has no power.  

Everyone has a final word. Everyone that we rub shoulders with in this world; the day will come when we have done so for the last time. Everyone will stand at the judgment seat of Christ. Every one will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. I pray that this will cause us all to examine ourselves and seek to be closer to the Lord Jesus than we have ever been before. I would encourage any who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior to call upon him today in sincere repentance. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He promised in John 6:37 that “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Note: A new site has been added to the “End Times/Prophetic Sites” page.  Raiders News Update is the web site of Tom Horn. Tom is a pastor who, for the past several years, has been studying the fields of transhumanism, (cloning) nano-technologies, UFO encounters and a host of other issues. We are seeing the ramping up of end times supernatural phenomenon that will eventually cause the whole world to wonder after a lie. Things that, in truth are not new, but are manifesting in these final moments of the age.  (Careful when typing in the web address as errors can take one to web sites for the Oakland Raiders)