The Rapture - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Rapture

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died. When we say this, we base it on the Lord’s own word: we who remain alive when the Lord comes will certainly not take precedence over those who have died.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. So encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Complete Jewish Bible)

Being caught up along with many to meet our Lord in the air will happen. Christians know it as the rapture, though that word is not found in the Bible. Scripture does declare, plain and simple, that the Lord Jesus (Yeshua) will come back, at the sound of the shofar (trumpet) to have His own meet Him in the air. We are to encourage one another with these hopeful and sound words, as the Apostle Paul states in his message to the Thessalonians. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so, as they had become fearful of being left behind. Thus we can count on it happening. But when on the prophetic timeline will it happen? That has become a big question.

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul writes to the believers at Corinth this message, that also sheds more light on this glorious event. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

"O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?"

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV)

The question remains then about the timing. For it is not IF the rapture happens, of being caught up, but WHEN will it happen? When will it come, and the Lord's glorious return?

This has been a hot topic in the Church for the last two centuries, as theologians began connecting it to the Tribulation time period, those seven years when the Lord’s wrath is to be righteously poured out upon the evil people of earth. But is it to be connected to the Tribulation? The early church fathers didn’t necessarily put the two together, though Paul says it will occur at the last trumpet. The apostle John speaks of the trumpets, once you get to Revelation Chapter 11. So, there remains some uncertainty even amongst the brethren.

I have heard the arguments for a pre-Trib, a mid-Trib, a post-Trib, and now even a partial-Trib. Whichever stance you take, it does determine now how you are living your life. To me, that is what should be our main concern - not just the timing of this coming supernatural event.

Those who are believing that there will be a “pre-Trib rapture” tend to watch current news, declare that the nations are going to hell; that they deserve any and all judgments coming upon them, so bring it on. They themselves believe that they will be taken out of here prior to these disastrous events, and thus will avoid all that. So they sit back and do nothing. Carry on with life as is.

What does that position and attitude say then about the Lord’s commandment to occupy where we live, while also taking the Gospel to our nation and the other nations? What about being actively involved in His kingdom’s business? In my spiritual world, that “pre-trib” position doesn’t line up with the Lord’s heart revealed in a vast majority of Scripture.

If another position is taken, (of when the rapture’s moment in time comes) it does affect how you view people’s lives, and whether you will take an offensive or defensive posture in your daily faith walk. I find that those who understand what the Lord’s beating heart is, to save as many as possible, do act with mission and purpose, preparing themselves and others to be “rescue boats”, rather than just putting on the life vest and waiting to jump (up, in this case.)

For me, I’d rather have my spirit, soul and body prepared for the more likely plan - of the Lord’s purpose to have a Holy Spirit empowered Body of Christ on the earth, during these current tribulations that many even now are already going through, and also being on board to serve in Holy Spirit fired love during the great Tribulation. I can wrap my brain around that one, and live my life in such a way that I am pushing forward, and not sitting around.

What you believe now will determine how you act now, and in the days to come. I would encourage you to act in faith at all times, anticipating that we will be here as the Lord’s light, shining through our hands and feet during the darkest times. We will be actively participating in  His assigned work that will be given to each of us.

And, if we are martyred along the way, which I fully expect to happen in my life, we will instantly be with Him in heaven. It’s a win, win situation.

This is our glorious hope - having His love in our lives, which has saved us for eternity with Him, and sharing that love, along with all fellow believers, on earth as it is in heaven.

RISE UP O men and women of the Almighty, Living God of Israel! He is coming back, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, for a prepared and alive Bride -  not for some cowardly, unbelieving  christians cowering in a corner, getting ready to abandon ship!

Maranatha Lord Jesus! Come on!

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

P.S. We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2106, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time we our friends. We support them in word and deed.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

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Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #199 “The Rapture” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (10.30.15) Friday at 7:10 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

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Protection for Purpose in the Last Time - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Protection for Purpose in the Last Time

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“Praised be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who, in keeping with His great mercy, has caused us, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah from the dead, to be born again to a living hope, to an inheritance that cannot decay, spoil or fade, kept safe for you in heaven. Meanwhile, through trusting, you are being protected by God’s power for a deliverance ready to be revealed at the Last Time.

Rejoice in this, even though for a little while you may have to experience grief in various trials. Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yeshua the Messiah.”

1 Peter 1:3-7 Complete Jewish Bible

You would need to have your head buried in the sand to think that troubled times aren’t here in the nations, with more of it to come. In fact, for many, they have already been living in and through heavy trials and tribulation.

The Lord God Almighty has always protected His people. He has always been the One for those who have put their trust in Him, and stood on the Rock of His eternal Word. Without fail, He has kept His promises through the ages. He can do no other, being He alone is God.

With the naked eye it may not have looked that way at times. Even when going through the refining fire, both naturally and spiritually, He has brought His people, both Jew and Gentile, through the appointed and assigned pressures and problems, to bring about His exact purposes. Though literal fire, sword, torture or ongoing persecution have been part of the process for many believers, now and in times past, His wisdom has kept them through it all - for the salvation of their spirit, soul and body. Their final destination, in heaven with the King of kings and Lord of lords, has become their eternal resting place. The promised rewards that had awaited them for their faithfulness is now part of this completion in their lives.

We too are going to face hard times. We are not going to be just raptured out of this place for the sweet bye and bye. Not just yet anyway. We are instead going to remain here longer, and by receiving the rugged grace, true grit and supernatural courage to be the Body of Christ He has intended us to be, we will accomplish His will. We will be the ones who are to bring the Good News to those who will yet be saved from this evil and wicked generation.

The Lord has always left a remnant to be His light in the nations. The Jews, through the ages, have been the undeniable proof of His ability and trustworthiness in His keeping that light. Though they as a people have been through the meat grinder, and left for dead many times, they will again, along with His redeemed ones from the Gentile nations, boldly proclaim His redemption in these last days we are living in. It will occur before our living eyes.

I believe the words of the Jewish prophets, from ages gone by, that this redemption will happen. I believe the prophetic words of those speaking forth now, that these things will happen.

By His Holy Spirit, the Ruach HaKodesh of the God of Israel, He has also compelled me to write it like it is. Troubled times are coming. We are going to be here through them. His people will be lights in the nations because His heart is for the nations, and He had already determined that this is the way it will be. The Body of Messiah functioning as the living Body of Jesus Christ on earth, doing that which we have been destined to do.

Will many of us suffer? Of course we will, even as Jesus (Yeshua) Himself did. Even as the Jewish apostles Peter, Paul, James, John, Andrew, Phillip and all the rest did. Even as the early church disciples (and yes, they were primarily all Jews) did suffer. And yes we too will suffer, even as the Jew and Gentile saints, those who believed in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, did themselves suffer.

This has been written as an example and encouragement for us: “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb 11:32-12:3 NASU)

Will some of us too be martyred? Yes. It is already happening in the Middle East and other nations, right before our eyes. I myself expect to be in that group of those who will be asked to testify of our faith, while facing the sword of death.

Protection in this last time will be ours first though, for one main purpose of being here to proclaim His Way, His Truth and His Life. With our open mouths, written words and courageous stance, we will remain here long enough to witness that last soul which is to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach. This will result in them knowing the Salvation of their souls too.

We must not be afraid, nor let the fear that will come upon the nations come upon on. With our eyes kept on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, we will experience His protection to finish the call on our lives.

It won’t be easy, but it will be all worth it in the end. Crowns of glory await us who will give our lives for Him and the nations He loves.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #182 “Protection for Purpose in the Last Time” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (10.04.15) Sunday at 8:00 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

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Confidence - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Confidence

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling.” (1 Thess. 3:3 THE MESSAGE)

The Lord is not surprised by events in the world. As an all-knowing God, He knows the end from the beginning. He is the Ruler of all, and nothing happens without His knowledge.

So where does that leave us when we see the acts of ungodly mankind rage around us, carrying out their evil desires and works? We must stand on the truth of His Word, knowing that “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 16-21 NKJV)

Our hearts and spirits do grieve as we see and hear of rejoicing over rulings in favor of same-sex marriage, and of other judgements passed by the “supreme court” of the land, which are contrary to that of God’s Eternal Word.  As we want to abide in a place where our children and grandchildren can have the presence of the Lord’s Spirit surround them, the atmosphere of the prevailing winds would seek to counter that desire, for those who do long for His kingdom to come.

Our confidence in the Lord can rest on His promise that at the proper time He will bring to an end the unrighteous and evil doings increasing in these last days. He will deliver His rewards to those who live according to His commandments, while striking down those opposed to abiding in His love.

When the darkness increases, the light of His glory will shine ever bright. His eternal plan will not be prevented from being accomplished, to establish His rule and reign in the heavens and on the earth. Continuing to walk and trust in the Lord’s solid Word will bring us through to the end, and we will see His truth come marching in.

As it is written in Psalm 97, “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad! Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory. 

Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord. For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name." (NKJV)

Our hearts need not be surprised at what is happening around us, nor should we be afraid of what may come our way. For our times are in the Lord’s hands, and He will see us through to the end, as we keep our trust in Him. Our confidence remains in the Lord.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #173 “Confidence” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (06.27.15) Saturday at 9:00 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Anything Goes. NOT! - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Anything Goes. NOT!

Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“And this know thou, that in the last days there shall come perilous times, for men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind, without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, not lovers of those who are good, traitors, heady, lofty, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of piety, and its power having denied; and from these be turning away…”

2 Tim 3:1-5 (Young’s Literal Translation YLT) 

There used to be good, well-established standards in life. It used to be where everything was “black and white”, and you could count on grounded “Do this. Don’t do that” principles to help guide you in day to day decisions each are called to make.

In the past, if a law was in place, you didn’t break it. If the item wasn’t yours, you didn’t take it. If the photograph was not good to look at, well, you just didn’t look at it.

Not so anymore. Or so it would seem in this American and other worldly cultures that are so prevalent now. Anything goes, or so we would be led to believe. Many now think that you can do what you want to do and live with whom you want to live with. You can say whatever you want to say, and never have to own up to the fact that it was just simply wrong. “Must have been the previous guy’s fault, or the way my parents raised me” is an acceptable excuse.

You would think that all is OK, that you won’t be held accountable. If you are caught, you can just say, “I made a mistake,” give a press conference, and keep the job you had. Or if you are asked to step down from a position of authority, whether in the government, both national and local, or in the sports spotlight, or Lord forbid, even in some church settings – you will still get full pay, as others around you, that you yourself have put in place, will soften the sin and lengthen the lie. They will report to the public that you have been placed “on a leave of absence until it is all worked out”, acting as if it never happened in the first place.

You can even assume that because that guy is doing it, they won’t tell on you, because most likely they are doing it too. “You do your thing. Let me do mine, and we will all get along just fine.”

Is that the way it is? Is that the way it was meant to be? Is there not a God in heaven who established a righteous way of living, and will hold us accountable for it, based on His goodness and not our own unrighteousness, or on our warped mindset that “whatever will be will be?”

There certainly is! There certainly is a righteous way of life, of living, of having moral guidelines set in place, which is to our benefit if we walk in them. There certainly is the eternal God, whom the Bible declares is absolutely true; the heavens above declaring that which is absolutely true of His glory; the history of Israel, which absolutely declares and proves His promises fulfilled – there certainly is the God of Glory and Righteousness, Who will judge and hold each responsible for his life lived on this planet!

Those who have known the commands of the Lord, which still remain in solid stone, even if the ungodly judge sitting on the court glibly says otherwise…we need to be the ones who stand up and proclaim His Name. We need to be the ones who say to our children, “This is the way, walk in it.” We need to be the ones who don’t just sit by the well and watch the world go to hell.

The Holy Spirit in me compels me to speak up. The holy commandments, given to keep us living with peace, joy and righteousness, need to be kept established in our hearts, and then lived out for the world around us to see.

I for one am not going to trust in some wrong teaching that some rapture will take me out of here and let the nations perish without the knowledge of the Living God, the Creator of All. We have been called to be the light on the hill, the proclaimer of His Good News, the ones who are the hands and feet of our Lord, to take and make a clear and sound message in all the areas of life we inhabit and have been providentially placed in.

Let us rise up, empowered by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and sound the alarm that death and destruction are not the way it has to be. We have the Truth. We have the Life. We have the Way. It is Jesus, Yeshua Himself, giving us all that pertains to eternal life. It is meant to start in this life too.

And if we get martyred in the process, as least we will have died with our boots on, and didn’t shrivel up watching some wasted TV program to pass the hours away.

We serve the Living God of Israel. We serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Through His grace, mercy, and love for all, let us be the ones we have been called to be, and let the world know it too.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

   

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People

No Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #135  - Anything Goes. NOT! by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (03.27.14) Thursday at 5:00 am in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This