January 2009, Update:

For the first time in recorded history we see 3 of the world's major religions looking for the appearance of their savior, messiah or enlightened one.

Christians are looking toward the Second Coming which is the return of their savior, Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Jews are looking for their messiah to come for the first time.

Muslims are looking for the return of the Mahdi, or enlightend one.

The meaning of Islam is 'peace'. Peace in the Middle East between the Arab nations and Israel is the ultimate but elusive objective of all governments which are involved in the so-called peace process.

While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1 Thess 5:3

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14

Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.
Revelation 6:4

Christians also believe in the appearance of a global leader who rises from obscurity. A man who speaks of peace but who also is hell bent on destruction. His title is the Antichrist and his number is 666. I personally do not believe that it will be possible to identify who this person is until a 7 year peace treaty is signed between Israel and presumably the Arab Nations. The word 'Anti' is Greek and not only means 'in opposition to' but also means 'in place of'. So by his very nature he will be against God, but will see himself as a god or savior of humanity.

I found myself wondering about the Bible passage describing people saying "Peace, peace" ... wondering if that might be translated as "Islam, Islam" since the meaning of 'Islam' is 'peace'.

The Koran mandates the muslims "fight against those who believe not in Allah" who refuse to accept what Allah or Mohammed taught, even if they are the People of the Book, who are essentially the Christians and the Jews, until they pay a tax in acknowledgment of the superiority of Islam and until they are in a state of subjection.

From the Koran 009.030 :

"The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!"

There can never be true amity between the world's 3 major religions. Judaism and Christianity will eventually be reconciled when the Jews look upon the One who they pierced and weep in acknowledgment of their error. What will happen to the third religion, Islam? While it is true that Islam is currenlty the fastest growing religion in the world, it's destiny can only be to cease to be, to not even be a memory in His story.

 

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
2 Peter 3:10-13

Up to a point, God's judgement is His mercy, but many people don't see it that way. What I mean is that God is long suffering or very patient with people. Many times God has used judgement in the form of death, famine, natural disasters, or attacks from the enemy to get the attention of His people and motivate them to acknowledge His existence and cry out to Him. In His righteous anger God could very easily wipe out all mankind, but His love for His creation overides the requirements of the Law, ... this is mercy. However, for every mortal there comes a point in time or in their life where they run out of second chances to repent or turn to God and live their lives according to His ways.

I believe God gave me a scriptural revelation one night while driving on the freeway, here it is:

The body of Jesus Christ was risen as a new, incorruptible, glorified body early on the 3rd Day. So it will be with the Body of Christ today, which is the Church. On the 3rd day the body, that is the church of true believers, will be given new incorruptible bodies and will rise to meet Christ in the air. The Rapture is nearer than ever, but do not give any attention to anyone who says they know the day or the hour, because God's Word says no one, not even the angels, know what the day or the hour is....but its near.

I believe that the 3rd day has already begun.

Hosea 6:1-2
Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

2 Peter 3:8
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2000 years = 2 days to the Lord
2000 years since Christ is right about now.
Check out this math for fun, click here.

What should we do while we wait for the Lord's return?

• Keep God's Word, don't just read it
• Walk in the Light, separate yourself from the world.
• Please God by the way you live.
• Witness to others, like Enoch who was raptured, tell people "the Lord is coming"
• Persevere, look forward, don't turn back to the life you've left.
• Be Humble
• Be Holy
• Be Blameless, make every effort to stay blameless and pure.
• Be Watchful for the return of the Lord.
• Pray always

"Dear God in Heaven, please help me to live my life in such a way that it is pleasing to you. Please consider me worthy to escape the time that is coming to test this world. In the name of Jesus, my Lord, I pray. Amen."