Archive for the ‘End Times’ Category
Monday, May 6th, 2013
Peace, May 6
Flee… youthful lusts… pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, www.solascriptura.com
Father, some of us are far too old to still be pursuing youthful lusts. Will Satan ever stop tempting us? We know the answer. Not only will he persist and we also know that You permit the temptations to come. But, at the same time You promise to get us through the temptations of life, if we will but turn to You and trust You (Go to I Corinthians 10:13 and memorize it!).
There will come a day when Satan is restrained and Your joy will reign in the hearts of men (The Millennium) and there will be an even better day when Satan and his allies are destroyed forever. Then, in heaven, we will find out what is like to enjoy Your peace, happiness and joy eternal.
We seek Your Holiness here, today, knowing that if we are unholy, we will never stand in Your presence. Lord, bestow upon us Your gifts today that we may be like You, now and forever. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin, TN 37064
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Tags: Holiness, II Timothy 2:22, Lord, peace, Satan, temptation
Posted in Christianity, Courage, End Times, Perseverance, Religion, peace | 12 Comments »
Sunday, March 17th, 2013
Perseverance, March 17
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
Hebrews 6:4-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we confess our dependence on You. You have taught us that to know You and then abandon You is a grave error. Those who do so are like the thorns and briars that will be destroyed in the end. But we who love You and all the works we do in Your name will not be forgotten. We know that our works, in and of themselves, merit us nothing. Our works only count if they are truly a labor of love to You and to those created in Your image.
Help us to “finish well”, to show the same diligence towards You, every day until the end. Help us O’God to be as the cultivated herb, bearing fruit worthy of our calling. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: crucify, diligence, enlightened, gift, God, heavenly, Holy Spirit, partakers, powers, renew, repentance, saints, shame, Son of God, tasted
Posted in Christianity, End Times, Fidelity, Forgiven, Heaven, Law of God, Perseverance, faith | 15 Comments »
Monday, February 18th, 2013
Peace, February 18
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
”Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
”They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
”for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:13-17, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we know that the great tribulation will be a time of extreme testing. There are those who will endure the temptations wherein we are asked to serve someone beside You; but here these saints, whose sins were washed away by the blood of Your perfect Lamb, Jesus, are depicted as an example of what You have in store for the faithful.
We also see that those who are saved will serve You. Father, sometimes we think of our future with You as moments of esteem, where we are honored for our faith. Yes, we will be honored for our faith but our eternal future will be one of being led by You to the living water and the tears we shed here will be remembered no more. We will abide in perfection; no hunger, no thirst, no excess heat, but just joy in serving You, not seeking to be honored but to be led and shepherded by You.
Remove from us our earthly bonds that we might be with You but until then, help us joyfully and faithfully serve others and to love and obey You. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: blood, day, elders, hunger, Lamb, peace, Revelation 7:13-17, robes, tears, Temple, thirst, throne, washed, waters, white
Posted in Christianity, Courage, End Times, Forgiven, God's Children, God's Gift, Heaven, Perseverance | 104 Comments »
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
The Narrow Gate, January 22
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
”Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
”Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
”You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
”Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
”A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
”Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
”Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Matthew 7:13-20, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, Matthew repeats the same admonition that Luke stated. The gate to heaven is indeed narrow. In this instance, where You remind us that few will enter the Kingdom of heaven, You tell us that the kind of fruit our lives bear is critical.
We know we are not to judge each other. Jesus, You have told us that judgment is Your province and we know that You tell us not to try and help with that task. Your word tells us that event will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Judgment day will come upon us when we least expect it. We will either run to You or turn away in fear.
But here You say we will know a person by their fruits. The identity of those who love You and who do not love You, with all their hearts, mind and soul is made evident; we disclose it all day long.
You tell us elsewhere that a brackish well does not yield fresh water and that an olive tree does not bear figs. Help us, today, to yield the kind of fruit that identifies us as Your disciples. That is what we want to be, Jesus; a follower of You who seeks to be to others as You have been to us. Strengthen us, we pray, in Your Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: destruction, fruit, gate, Narrow, prophets, sheep, tree, wolves
Posted in Christianity, End Times, Law of God, Perseverance, salvation | 105 Comments »
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012
December 11
From: Family Bible Study, www.solascriptura.com
Three and one half years into the Tribulation Period, after the temple in Jerusalem has been rebuilt and after treaties have been executed with the opponents of Judaism, the anti-Christ will announce that all sacrifices at the temple will cease and the temple will be destroyed. To more fully understand this prophecy please read, The Unmistakable Events which Chronicle the Tribulation (Chapter 9 of the www.israelchosenortheenemy.com website).
When the temple is destroyed, the prince (the anti-Christ) assumes world leadership and insists on subservience from all people. He achieves that through immense persuasive power and logical exhortation (not as a lunatic dressed in a devil’s costume). To make sure that all people comply with his leadership, he ordains that every person must receive the “mark of the beast”. Again, he won’t call it that and he will not appear to be crazy but without the mark, persons cannot “buy and sell”. In other words, the mark would function as a scannable imprint, or a chip imbedded under the skin. We have that technology now as implants in animals. Listen to Merriam-Webster’s definition and the idea will be made clear: Scannable: to pass an electron beam over and convert (an image) into variations of electrical properties (as voltage) that convey information electronically. When you go to the market that is how the “scanner” works.
Now listen to how the Bible describes the scenario: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” Revelation 13:16-18 NKJV
Then, the Bible makes it clear that accepting the mark is a huge mistake: …”If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11 NKJV
It will not be a simple matter to say “no” to the mark. Listen to the fate of those who refused and then understand what God has in store for His faithful servants: “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” Revelation 20:3-4, 22:4 NKJV
Since this is an “end times” situation, you may never face the choice of accepting the “mark”. But, do you feel you have the imprint of Christ on your heart now? Have you decided not to follow those who are disobedient? Can people “see” the mark of Jesus on your life? How courageous must your love of God and your neighbors be? Can you withstand temptation, of all kinds, on your own?
Core Christian Value: Choosing to be obedient and faithful to God is a right choice, for eternity. If, in the end, you accept the mark of the beast, in order to buy and sell, you lose. It is God’s mark you want!
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: 666, Angels, beast, brimstone, forehead, Lamb, mark, sell, wisdom
Posted in Christianity, Courage, End Times, Fidelity, God's Children, Law of God, Perseverance, salvation | 51 Comments »
Thursday, December 6th, 2012
Courage, December 6
I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law.
Psalm 119:131-136, www.solascriptura.com
Father, will we ever open our mouth and pant, as one trying to sustain life while in pursuit of Your commandments? Here the Psalmist does so, begging You to fulfill his need for Your instruction, presence and compassion.
If in a moment of gasping for Your air, Your mercy lies ahead of us, would it not be when the end seems near, when fear has taken hold of us? Do we need to wait Father for dire circumstances before we seek the refreshment of Your Holy Spirit? No, Father, it is frequently in times of despair that we turn our eyes to You. If we only look to You when we are in trouble, what pitiful Christians we would be. Help us today to make you the center of all our experiences, not just when things are not going well. We look to You because there is no other perfect Friend.
The Psalmists laments, with tears, because men do not keep Your law. Give us a heart for the lost, Father, and help us, this day, to show Your love to others. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Courage, dominion, iniquity, law, merciful, precepts, redeem, servant, statutes
Posted in Christianity, Courage, End Times, God's Children, Hope, Perseverance, faith | 53 Comments »
Sunday, October 28th, 2012
Revenge, October 28
He rules by His power forever; his eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves…
O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud.
LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?
They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
Psalm 66:7; 94:1-23, Psalm 74:10-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, the enemy does blaspheme Your Holy name. Help us never speak Your name and the name of Jesus except reverently. Your hand is not shortened that it can not both heal and destroy. We seek the healing of our hearts and minds this day that we might say, do and think that which is acceptable in Your sight.
Father, pride and boasting represent a mistake for us. You tell us they are insolent, sinful mistakes yet we persist in this error. Forgive us and let us not be the enemy upon whom You will exercise judgment. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: blaspheme, God, iniquity, judge, nations, power, Psalms 66:7; 94:1-23, Psalms 74:10-11, Revenge, wicked
Posted in Christianity, End Times, Law of God, Revenge | 115 Comments »
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012
Heaven, Part 2, October 17
…The heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:7-10, www.solascriptura.com
Father, these words describe a reality that is catastrophic, the final event that precedes New Jerusalem, a permanent place of security and joy. You have told us that nothing, not one thing, that we now see will survive. As wonderful as Your creation and Your creatures are, this imperfect and sinful world and everything in it will be destroyed. When You speak to us with such certainty, can we do anything but acknowledge You as the One who is in control?
Thank You Father for telling us that it is Your will that none perish. You want to transport us from here to there, safely. We know that Jesus has made it possible for us to take that journey. We are unable to know the day of judgment but we are able to choose to be prepared.
Help us not to be “kind of” ready or saying things like I hope I am doing Your will. Give us certainty, this day, of our eternal destination and help us to help others to seek You while there is still time. In Jesus’ Holy name we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: day, earth, Heaven, judgment, Lord, promise, thief, word
Posted in Christianity, End Times, Heaven, Perseverance, Religion | 60 Comments »
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
Salvation, October 9
“… as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
“They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
“but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
“Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.
“Remember Lot’s wife.
“Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
“I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
“Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
“Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”
And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
Luke 17:26-37, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, You teach us that it will be business as usual on the day that You take your saints to Your side. You also teach us that wherever we are in our relationship with You, on that day, that will be the basis upon which we are judged. If we choose to disobey You, as Lot’s wife did, Your judgment will be rendered and it will all happen in the twinkling of an eye.
Jesus, it is also clear, from this teaching, that some will look back, trying to hold on to that which they have accumulated here. You tell us that trying to hold on to earthly treasures, earthly relationships, is a mistake. Our eyes, at that moment, must turn to You. You teach us that we must immediately recognize what is happening and that we must look only to You and cling to You, not our earthly circumstances.
Jesus, we will be very frightened when the moment of Your arrival signals our departure from all that we have known and experienced. Our faith will be severely tested, due to our lack of understanding, our inability to grasp what is happening. Help us in that moment to know that You have called us to Your side and that our eternity with You is at hand.
Jesus, we still have time to sort all of this out by turning from sin, studying Your word and praying for discernment. We know we will never succeed in grasping the entire scope of this without the power and clarity of the Holy Spirit in us. That is what we pray for today, Jesus, is more of You in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: ark, ate, drank, eagles, flood, left, Lot's wife, married, Noah, Sodom, Son of Man, taken
Posted in Christianity, End Times, Heaven, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, salvation | 4 Comments »
Thursday, September 20th, 2012
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
Matthew 24:34-36, Matthew 25:31, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, You teach us that everything we see around us will pass away; all things will become new. You and Your angels will come and those who love You and whose lives have been encircled by Your righteousness will enter into eternal peace with You, forever.
How, Father, can we speak with such certainty? It is because we believe that Your word is true. Heaven and earth may pass away but Your words will by no means pass away. If that is a fact Father, then the only thing that we have now that will endure is Your word.
Help us today to experience Your presence afresh, to abide in Your word and to learn of Your ways. Father, Your word is indeed a light unto our path. Let us not walk in darkness when the light is at hand. The treasure of eternal life is not buried and You have not kept it from us. Help us to draw near to you today, we pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Angels, earth, eternal, Father, generation, Heaven, Jesus, Matthew 24:34-36, Matthew 25:31, peace, Son of Man
Posted in Angels, Christianity, End Times, Heaven, Hope, Providence of God, salvation | 145 Comments »