--- When the Fires Fall? ---
When the fires of destruction fall from the sky, (2 Pet 3:10; Luke 17:29-30) or as they continue to fall, what does it mean for you? Why would I ask such a thing?
Written: September, 2023
Knowing all we can reliably know about our future is important! And, God told us a lot about what is going to happen using the Bible's many prophecies. As some have said, "prophecies by God are just history written in advance"... I have 3 daughters and 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Additionally, I have 2 stepsons and all my father and mothers's households. I love them all, along with all their husbands and wives and those precious to them. It leaves me concerned with how can I help; pondering what I can do for them that will "really" prove beneficial? Isn't that the way with most of us; we want our lives to count for something and to be valuable. My solution, then, above all else, is this: I hope my family and friends have heard and understood from knowing me, the largely unappreciated but simple Bible truth revealed in this letter. Please consider: While what I am saying may at first sound like what you have been hearing all your life from the churches, if you take just a few minutes, you will realize it is very different! And, it is a matter of life and, well, you know... My hope is those who know me even a little bit, know me well enough to have heard my scriptural reasoning so as to be able to answer in their own heart and mind:
What will it mean for them (for you) when the fires of the destruction of this old world system start to fall...? I don't want anyone to be terrified or left without hope. Rather, I want everyone to know the destruction we see happening is as it should be, because Jesus Christ promised it was coming. (Mat 24:21-22) The destruction of this old world system is "the final solution" necessary to bring the end of wickedness and suffering humankind has caused and continues to cause. (Rev 19:19-21) Maybe more important than recognizing what is real, I want those I care about to have a strong faith that will protect them alive (Psa 91) through this revelation of what is real and true; the revelation of forever's reality. As I write this, thinking about how I can help all the people I love, really and truly help them, I realized: It's not my family and friends only, but everyone alive who should have this same hope. But wait... And here is the point of this letter, my hope and faith, which both reveals and is revealed by the Sacred Secret of God, (the secret contained in or made of the words of Jesus Christ - Mark 4:11-12) actually is for everyone; for every single person who will listen and take Christ's words to heart! (John 17:3) So, then, what about you? Even as I ask my own children, I ask you also: Do you believe in the Bible? Think now: Do you "really" believe what it says? Do you believe in Lot and the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, and that it rained fire and brimstone from heaven to destroy those wicked cities? What about the Bible's record of the days of Noah? Do you believe Rahab was a real person, and the account of her life factual? (Josh 2:1-6:25) Do you believe in Jesus Christ and in what he said; in "all" he said? If you answered yes, you must surely believe in Rahab, since the Bible specifically mentions her as an ancestress of the Christ or Messiah (those Greek and Hebrew words both meaning "The Anointed One"). (Mat 1:1-6) If you really do believe in Jesus and what he taught, then you know our day is going to be like the days of Lot and Noah, all over again, one last time! (Luke 17:26-30)
Let me introduce "The Name" of ...
יהוה is God's Hebrew Name as He wrote it on the stone tablets He gave Moses. (Exo 31:18) (The Divine Name might also look like , which is a different font.) God's Divine Name is just 4 Hebrew characters written right to left. It sounds like
.
That's "Yea" go team, followed by "Vah," like the first two letters of Vault.
If you answered yes to the questions above about belief in the Bible, please seriously consider the words of Christ recorded below, and understand why I repeat my original question: What will it mean for you when or as the fires of destruction start and/or continue to fall from heaven?
You have surely heard, Jesus promised a world wide destruction of everything that is wicked? (Mat 24:36-39; 2 Thes 1:6-9; 2 Pet 3:7) And, he carefully explained what defines a person to be wicked: The list is not long... Everyone who refuses to submit to the Kingdom of Christ is judged wicked by that willful choice! (John 3:16-21; John 17:3) Why would do that? It is because his judgment is not a bad thing! We were all born dying because of the sin of Adam and Eve. In a wondrous gift, God has offered us the eternal life our first parents threw away for us, if we are willing to just learn not to harm others. We can only learn to stop doing harm by putting faith in the words of Christ! If we make the choice to refuse God's gift through Christ, that choice defines us wicked. (Heb 10:28-31) Doesn't that just make sense? Jesus explained his Kingdom (and the deliverance it brings) would be ushered in by bringing the end of this tribulation; that end being brought by God's war of Armageddon. While no one knows the exact day or hour of Armageddon, (Mark 13:32-33) Jesus did give very specific indicators we should look for, to let us know it was time, so we could and would recognize the tribulation? (2 Pet 3-10; 1 Thes 5:2-5 of 1-9) If you haven't already, please ponder these following words of Jesus Christ; as you take stock of what is happening in the world around us. Really ponder what the fulfillment of Jesus's promises mean for you:
(Luke 17:26-30 MWT) . . .Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man: 27 they were eating, they were drinking, men were marrying, women were being given in marriage, until that day when Noah entered into the ark, and the flood arrived and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it occurred in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. 29 But on the day that Lot came out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 The same way it will be on that day when the Son of man is to be revealed.•
As the fires bringing the destruction of this wicked old world system continue (or start) to reign down, just as Jesus warned they would, (Luke 17:29-30) remember and have faith so as to take advantage of this attached promise (and the many other Bible promises) of deliverance by God's hand:
(Malachi 4:1-3 MWT) . . . “For, look! the day is coming that is burning like a furnace, and all the presumptuous ones and all those doing wickedness must become as stubble. And the day that is coming will certainly devour them,” of armies has said, “so that it will not leave to them either root or bough. 2 And to YOU who are in fear of my name, the sun of righteousness will certainly shine forth with healing in its wings; and YOU will actually go forth and paw the ground like fattened calves. 3 And YOU people will certainly tread down the wicked ones, for they will become as powder under the soles of YOUR feet in the day on which I am acting,” of armies has said.•
Did you note the wicked will become as powder (or dust or ashes) under the feet of the righteous. Have you seen the recent fire storms that some in the news have said look like the fires of hell, and which produce blast furnace conditions on the surface of the earth turning human remains to dust and ash? Is there a way you can protect yourself? What if the fires from heaven take the form of a nuclear war? What can protect you from that? Can ? More importantly for you, will He? Call on God's Name and "believe" in Psalm 91... Know for sure, can protect you!
Please hear this: You should not live in fear, or be hesitant to talk about the terrible things happening to this world. According to Jesus's own words, the tribulation is a good thing for all righteous people! All the bad we see should cause us to hold our heads high, becasue Jesus specifically said when we see the tribulation we now behold, we should be happy and expect our deliverance, not be afraid. (Matthew 24:3-14 MWT) . . .While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” 4 And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many (false prophets) will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ' or 'I represent Jesus,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. 9 “Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill (some of) YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. 13 But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.• (The Good News of the Kingdom is what you are hearing by reading this. You will also need to read, of course, the words of Jesus Christ to prove what I say is true... Acts 17:11; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
Have you personally recognized the tribulation Jesus promised? Do you see it revealed in the earth today, knowing things are so bad if God doesn't step in to help us soon, everyone will die. And, do you realize your deliverance is near? (Matthew 24:21, 22 MWT) . . .for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the ones being chosen, those days will be cut short.•
(Luke 21:22 MWT) . . .because these are days for meting out justice, that all the things written may be fulfilled.•
(Luke 21:25-28 MWT) . . .“Also, there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation, 26 while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift YOUR heads up, because YOUR deliverance is getting near.”•
Someone I was talking with the other day said faith in Christ sounds like having a life insurance policy... Amen! That is precisely what it is. Faith in Christ is a perfect insurance policy; granting everlasting life to those in possession of faith. Do you have it?
This is all so very simple! In some sense, don't you question why everyone doesn't understand? Why aren't all the churches who profess faith in the Bible sharing this same simple and clear message; made plain in these words by Christ we have just read (along with many other Scriptures)?
God has communicated with mankind in many ways since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden some 6000 years ago. In these last days (during the last 2000 years), however, has spoken to us by means of a son. (Heb 1:1-3) God's one and only later day command is that we listen to his son. (Mat 17:5) Listening to and learning from Jesus is working the works of God. (John 6:28-29) Telling others about Jesus is singing the Lamb's song. (Rev 15:3-4) If we do listen to Jesus, that must include taking to heart his warnings about false prophets; those calling on his name while teaching lies of human doctrines. (Mat 7:15 ; Mat 15:8-9) Jesus also warned some of those false prophets would be sincere, but terribly deceived. (Luke 13:24-27) How does it happen that some people, even people who imagine they are following Christ, have actually allowed themselves to be deceived?
The simple reason everyone doesn't understand is because they are not actually and sincerely listening to Christ. Jesus said many are seeking their own glory (John 7:16-18) by following one of the many religious sects of men: They seek religious people to lead them who will pat them on the back and extol their virtues and righteousness, while actually softening and distorting the message of Christ; by telling them lies about what Jesus taught. (Mark 7:6-9) If you are right now thinking you know that is true of many other churches, but not yours; ugh-oh... Religionists "all" want you to give them your money and labors in support of "their" prescribed works: Supporting their sect. If you are a true follower of Jesus, and are directing people only to him, Religionists are usually those individuals who will belittle you and/or scoff at the truth you speak. (John 15:20) Most people who are not religiously self righteous actually "like" to hear the words of Christ. Don't be overly concerned about the hatred manifest by some, or their lack of interest in truth. You must remember, and this is very important, faith is not a possession of all people. (2 Thes 3:1-2) Even Jesus himself couldn't help people who were not first drawn to him by his Father. (John 6:44; 2 Chron 16:9; John 6:41-45) Religious people seek, and then choose to follow, the lies of people who tell them what they want to hear; often using Christ's name as they speak lies... (2 Tim 4:3-4) Some of them just want to remain part of a crowd; having trouble abandoning the sect they imagined (in their ignorance of youth) was telling them the truth about Jesus. A woman who was very close to me in youth said she does understand my point of view. I here quote her: "I know in today’s world there are churches that no longer preach or follow the Bible, they are more like social clubs, night clubs and how sad that is. I think of the verses that talk about those who will say to the Lord, but we cast out demons and we did such and such and God will say “Depart from me, I never knew you” so I know there are people who maybe profess the name of Christ but whose lives are never changed…we won’t give an account for them, only ourselves." Did you note she ended stating: "we won't give an account for them, only for ourselves"? But is that true? If we join and express faith in some group of people, isn't that making ourselves responsible for what its individual members do in our name? That's the danger you need to realize, we do make ourselves responsible for the "works" of anyone we announce we are in fellowship with! That's one reason Judaism, even with them having the perfect law of God, couldn't work. (2 Cor 3:4-18) When one did bad, they were all responsible! (Josh 7:12-26) Groups don't, and never can, worship God. "Individuals" worship
!
If any person or group refuses to respond to this simple truth, brought you herein using the words of Christ, they are judging themselves! By seeking out and following false prophets, instead of simply listening to Christ, they judge themselves wicked. (John 3:19 of 16-21) Some of them may actually be sincere and mean well... But even so, they are inexcusable; because Jesus warned us all! (Mat 24:23-28) Have you heard his warning? Do you comprehend?
So then... Are you a survivor? Have you used God's Word to gain his Spirit (John 6:63) so as to open your eyes? (2 Cor 3:15-17) Do you now see what is real? (2 Kings 6:15-17) With eyes wide open, have you chosen to accept God's insurance (John 3:16) to survive the promised destruction of this wicked old world system? (2 Pet 3:8-13) The only way you can know you are safe is by carefully heeding God's command to listen to his son. (Mark 9:7-8 of 1-8) Following that, in view of Christ's warnings, (Mat 7:15; Luke 13:24-27) the only way you can safely know you are actually listening to Jesus is by reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Spend time every day sitting at the feet of Jesus Christ by reading from one of those Gospels. (Mark 3:31-35) [A good personal goal would be to read one of the Gospels through daily. Trust me, you will not get bored!] These few scriptures provide you an overview of the Sacred Secret of God! 's Sacred Secret is the sum total of the knowledge wrapped up in, and brought us by, Jesus Christ...
As for you, do you understand Jesus is looking through the earth to provide deliverance to his followers. Are you, like Rahab, (Josh 2:1-6:25) safe in your secret interior rooms, (Isa 26:19-21) awaiting your deliverance? (2 Chron 20:17) If you have any idea your protection is in your association with any sect of men, you have been deceived...
As I'm sure you can probably appreciate, there is nothing I would rather do than seat each of my little great-grandchildren on my knee and give them hope by starting early in their life to share these scriptures with them. Some of my children and grandchildren, however, have their own chosen religion. Some of of those religions don't really want to consider these Scriptures; preferring to try and continue with a more "normal" way of life; more traditional religious thinking. Some of the zealots among Religionists consider me an apostate, and my speaking these words of Christ an attack on their sect. Truth is, if their group isn't following Christ, they may be right to consider me an enemy of their sect. (Mat 10:32-39) That's their choice, really! (Rom 12:17-21) As for you, when you wake up to realize normal is a long way gone from this wicked old world system, remember and put faith in these scriptures. So, then, rather than personally teaching these scriptures to my great-grandchildren, I am largely relegated to writing this letter; in the hope it will be read to each and every one of them; and, of course, to anyone else who has interest. This letter is for Amanda and Rachael and Emily. It is for Corrinne, Julia, Carson; Whitney, William, Gabriella, Jackson; Olivia, Isabel, Remington, Sophia, Caroline, Hudson; Beau, Zeke, Kilo and Jane. It is for Manual and Hans and all my family and friends, and, it is for YOU... My hope is you are all survivors. Your survival would be my prayer, but that is really not mine to give (to pray for you to survive). Your choice for life is, and must be, yours and yours alone! Jesus was very specific about that. (John 17:9 of 6-10) I do pray for God to do all He can to help you; necessarily being based on your heart being complete toward him. (2 Chron 16:9) In these last days, you surely must see, it is a completely level playing field! (Acts 10:34-43) Knowing me(or any other imperfect human) or having my prayers, or my blessing, has no merit for eternal life. The simple question you should be asking is, and the only valid issue is, do you personally know Jesus Christ and his Father? (Pro 30:4) For life, you must have and express personal faith in Jesus's words! (John 6:63; Rom 10:10) That surely must include first learning what he said...
I have known the woman quoted above for most of 60 years. Like many among us, she expressed faith all those years and appears to have more fully realized the importance and seriousness of her faith in Christ as we have gotten older. She knows a lot about the Bible and certainly seems sincere in her faith. As quoted above, she did say she knew how bad some churches are, but is still pleased with hers. She went on to explain: 'There are no perfect “churches” as they are made up of imperfect people, but if you believe the Bible and that ALL of it is true…we can’t just pick and choose what we want to believe you know, we are told not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together…especially as we see the day approaching”. I’ve often wondered how you and many others get around that instruction we are given as believers. I hate to think what my life would be like without, not just the people who encourage, help and pray for me, but the wonderful privilege of hearing God’s word preached, taught, worshipping in singing and just being a part of a “family” who like me, are just sinners saved by grace. I know people who no longer go to church because they had their feelings hurt and it makes me wonder why they were going if that’s all it took to cause them to quit.' [Bolded text is by me!]
God bless her for trying to help me! And, I agree with her that we can't pick and choose which scriptures we believe. The Scripture she uses (about meeting together with other Christians) is the same one (Heb 10:24-25) most every single religious person [or sect] I talk about the Bible with chants to support their need to be a member. It seems they do not want to hear Christ's words about the danger from false prophets; possibly active in the assembly of "their" own chosen sect. First, as to her "wonderful privilege" of hearing God's Word preached; how can she know her "preacher" isn't one of those false Christians she admitted she is well aware of? Does she believe she can read his heart? Solution... If everyone would just read the words of Christ, from the Gospels, they will hear God's word preached directly from the horse's mouth from our one and only Savior's mouth. (1 Tim 2:5; Mat 17:5) The words of Christ are our only protection against the "false prophets" Jesus himself warned us about, and whom my friend admitted she knows she is in danger from. (Mat 7:15-16; Luke 13:25-27) You are surely asking about now: How am I different from the the Religionists I warn about by writing this...? The very great and obvious difference is this, I only direct you to read the words of Christ, not to follow me or to join some sect I am part of. I do disagree with her that "there are no perfect churches." There is one true faith or church, but you can't become part of it by joining any of the religious sects of men. That perfect church, while it is still made up of imperfect people, is comprised of all the "individuals" who are actually following Jesus. They don't identify as anything besides "Christian" or Bible students, and each realizes their only membership roll is kept in heaven... (Acts 11:26; Luke 10:20) While I hope she is sincere and understands what she is asking, this is not the first time she has asked me how I can ignore Paul's counsel not to forsake gathering with other Christians. (Heb 10:24-25) And so, this is not the first time I have answered. Why does she not hear...? Is her question more a judgment of my faith than something she really wants to know; and does she not really want an answer? The answer is simple: Jesus said when two or more are gathered in his name, he is in their midst. (Mat 18:20) So, when we gather with others to share the words of Christ, like I do in writing this letter, or when I have a discussion with you about Jesus's words, that is us "not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together." And, as long as we can see every point we share is supported by scripture, we don't have to worry about responsibility for the false prophets in our midst; like we do if we accept their group name (Acts 11:26) and join ourselves to their sect and/or support their large gatherings... (Jos 22:20) The issue of how we can join with others of like faith, while also heeding Jesus's warnings to avoid false prophets, is addressed more fully at: JustBibleTruth.com → Select: Being Misled? Following your time spent speaking with others, or your reading this letter, you must read the words of Christ to confirm these thoughts mirror his teachings... Don't just trust me!
Some attack this knowledge and say I am wrong about "fires of destruction" falling from heaven. They point out Jesus likened our day to the days of both Lot; "and" Noah. They believe the fires of destruction simply represent total destruction, since an earth wide destruction by flood waters is no longer an option. (Gen 9:11) They might be right. What is the difference, really? The world is destroying itself all around you. (Psa 91) The words of Jesus are your one and only hope! If it could all be summarized in a few words (which it really can't), it might be this statement by Christ: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God , and the one you sent forth, Jesus Christ!" (John 17:3) Are you taking in God's knowledge by listening to Christ? (John 18:37; Mat 17:5) The fires of the destruction of this old world system may consist of all the things already destroying it; right now: War, pestilent disease, drugs, starvation, floods, earthquakes, sectarian gang violence, and an overall lack of love... (Did you note the recent flood in Lebanon that killed possibly 20,000 people or more?) Does it really matter how God accomplishes the destruction of this wicked world? And, will some individuals shipwreck their faith arguing about the method of death for the wicked? (Psa 37:10-11) We are living in the destruction of the old wicked world system, with God's spirit intervening to protect the righteous alive (2 Pet 3:10 of 8-10; Psa 37:27-29) and to usher in paradise! (Isa 11:1-12)
As for you, don't you be misled to worry about foolish ideas that have no merit: Know for sure you are taking in God's spirit, by reading the words of His Christ for yourself, (John 6:63) safely found in the Gospels recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. It is, in my opinion, the most wondrous time to be alive in all of human history... (Luke 21:29-32; Psa 37:1-29) Praise you people!
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