PRETERISM

The GJiGT book was published in 1995. Nothing really needs to be changed. When God gives us something, over time, it does not change. The 5000 copies that we were given to publish are now in the hands of saints scattered abroad. Alleluia ! The GJiGT book is on-line for you to read. Just click up the various chapter headings from the index next to the book cover on the GJiGT home page.

Some of the things said in the GJiGT book would have been much easier left unsaid in 1995. Yet, the truth was to be told. In some areas we did go pretty far out on a limb. In 1995 the mocking, scoffing and scorning of the things in the book was the rule rather than the exception. That has changed. Who would have thought Clinton would get a 2nd term, as the book had said? Who would have thought that Russia and China would be a real threat to bring nuclear destruction to America? Who would have thought that the blood would still be flowing in the streets of Israel with the 7 year Oslo Peace and Safety land for peace deal going so well? Who would have thought that Prince Charles was the Antichrist in 1995?

ONE THING THAT SEEMED UNIMAGINABLE IN 1995 IS THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE EMBRACING THE PRETERIST VIEW OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION. THE GJiGT BOOK SAID THAT SUCH A PRETERIST VIEW WAS NONSENSE. IT STILL IS NONSENSE. YET PEOPLE ARE GOING AFTER SUCH NONSENSE. WHY?

Friends, if you want it straight, pre-trib in all its various forms, (partial rapture, secret, mid, pre-wrath (unless you mean before the great white throne judgment)), is a form of rebellion against the word of God. PRETERISM is also a form of rebellion against the Word of God. Blessings follow obedience to the Word of God and there will be a price to pay for rebellion. We need the blessings of the God of Jacob, in the time of Jacob's Trouble, that is now upon us all.

We must stop praying that God bless our plans. We must NOW pray that God bless us by letting us see how we may enter into His PLAN. We must stop preying upon one another and pray for one another. We must come together in the unity of the Spirit of Truth about the Word of God. We don't just have unity for the sake of unity. The unity must be by the Word of God quickened by His Holy Spirit of Truth.

Everyone wants to stop the advance of the antichrist war on the saints and turn things back to the way they were. If this is the TIME God told us to watch for, and TAKE HEED, and it most certainly appears that it is, then we better start paying attention to what the Word of God says, and NOT what someone says about the word of God. It is time to read the KJV Holy Bible for ourselves and listen to hear His Holy Spirit of Truth. We must hear and discern His Voice from all the counterfeit voices we are hearing. If we can enter His plan and go through this with Him, IN His power, FOR His glory, it will be joyful. They who will endure to the END, the same shall be saved. Jesus can and will save us from the wrath of the second death.

So what is wrong with the PRETERIST view? Same basic thing as pre-trib, they want their own plan and don't want God messing up their plans. Here is a small part of the introduction of the Chapter on Revelation from the GJiGT Book. After that small section you will see some specific things wrong with the preterist view that it has already ALL been fulfilled.

The REVELATION - is the New Testament prophetic revelation of Jesus Christ which was given to John for the Church to be able to know of the certain victory which we have in Jesus. The church is instructed regarding those things which will shortly (true meaning = suddenly) take place.

YOU WILL BE BLESSED IF YOU READ, HEAR, AND KEEP THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Of the 4 possible methods of interpretation the futurist interpretation is the most logical and best approach. The REVELATION is the New Testament book of Prophesy and Revelation of Jesus Christ. The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ as King of Kings is still FUTURE. The Revelation of His Glory is still FUTURE, not past. To say it has all happened (preterist = past) is nonsense. To say that nothing in the book of REVELATION is real (idealist) is just about as illogical. To say that REVELATION is a continuous history (historical) makes the book very symbolic and difficult to understand. The historical interpretation method brings about many cockeyed identifications of present personalities with those of the REVELATION. In the middle of such persecution as Luther and Wycliffe were in, it is understandable how they could lean toward such a method of interpretation. However, these 3 methods fail to fit the facts. The (futurist) interpretation is the only logical interpretation which is in line with the instruction given in the Scriptures themselves. Starting with chapter 4, and on through chapter 19, are likely still future and deal with the period just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Great Power and Glory. Every generation of the Church and ESPECIALLY OUR GENERATION must seek to gain such an understanding of chapters 4 - 19 so as to be able to KNOW WITH CERTAINTY that we are the generation to witness these things. Only such an interpretation will motivate us to do what is necessary to be an overcomer and not capitulate or be caught in the web of Antichrist.

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

This clearly tells us that there will be some past information but it also tells us quite clearly that it is not all past information. Most of the information is for the present and the future. If we want to rightly divide the word of truth in the book of Revelation seek an understanding which places us as a witness of the things described in chapters 4 - 19 and pray for the Lord to show us how we are to live and prepare to live during such conditions. This is just what Luther and Wycliffe did. They were thus motivated to be the best they could be for the Glory of God. How much more reason do we have to believe that we are the witnesses of the unfolding of Revelation 4 - 19. We don't want to hear this but we must test by the Spirit and the Word for ourselves to see if the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine is not sound doctrine. We must not play like an ostrich and stick our head in the sand. We can understand these things. It is unwise to totally avoid them or not even try to properly understand them.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Learn to let the scriptures interpret themselves. Look at Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. How is that for letting the scriptures interpret themselves? We can easily loose sight of the fact that the Bible is its own best source of insight regarding difficult passages. Check out the margin references of a good old KJV. Check them out, but be aware of possible human error in the margin references of good reference bibles like Ryrie, Thompson, and Dake. Tools like Strong's concordance are most helpful. Pray and discuss it with others who have a peaceable and NOT a contentious spirit. The essential doctrines of Christ and the faith which He delivered by the apostles and prophets must not be compromised.

To understand the book of Revelation just ask God. We can be absolutely sure on the integrity of His word in James 1:5 that He will give us the wisdom we seek. It is good to seek confirmation and share what we have received with other believers. What is the quality to look for when seeking to find someone to help in understanding Revelation? In a word it is MEEKNESS according to James 3:13.

So how do we help the PRETERIST brethren from their new strong delusion? Simply do like Jesus did and ask them some simple questions, like - When did Jesus split the Mount of Olives in two? You see, IF has all happened, they should be able to tell you when Jesus touched down and split the Mount of Olives in two at His return. I am sure you will be able to think of many such simple questions.

How they explain away the world's current situation, and it's detailed unfolding in Scripture, is beyond us. It can only indicate that they do not really read the Word for themselves, and/or they do not discern His voice of the Spirit of Truth from the counterfeit voices everyone hears within them. Oyveh!

...the Rebirth of Israel - 1948 (first KEY sign the End Times has begun)

  Jeremiah 30:3,10,11 ... Jeremiah 31:8-10 ... Isaiah 43:5,6 ...

Ezekiel 11:17   Ezekiel 28:25 ... Isaiah 11:11 ... Ezekiel 37

...the Rise of the European Union / Revived Roman Empire ...

Daniel 2:41-44...Daniel 7:8...Daniel 7:24&25...Revelation

...the Wars & Rumors of Wars ...

  Matthew 24:6-7...Mark 13:7-8...Luke 21:10

...Russia & Allies taking shape - eventually to come against Israel

Ezekiel 38 & 39

...Signs in the Heavens & in the Earth

  Matthew 24:7 ...Mark 13:8 ... Luke 21:11

...the Great Apostasy from within the professing church

  2Thessalonians 2:3 ... 1 Timothy 4:1-2 ... 2 Timothy 4:3-4

...the rise of False Prophets, False Christs, Lying Signs & Wonders

  Matthew 7:15 ... Matthew 24:11 ... Matthew 24:23-25 ... Mark 13:22

2Corinthians 11:13-15 ... 2 Peter 2:1-3 ... 2Thessalonians 2:9-11... I

John 4:1

We could go on & on ... But you get the point!

Just to name a few of the Questions that would arise - for one who claims that prophecy has been all or mostly fulfilled:

-When did the battle of Gog & Magog occur? Ezekiel 38 & 39

-When was Damascus taken away from being a city and turned into a ruinous heap? ...Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49:23-27

-The demise of some of Israel's neighbors? ... Psalm 83, Zech 9, Zep 2,

-When was the third Jewish Temple Built?... Daniel 11:31 ... 2 Thes 2:4

-At what time in history were a third of the trees burned up?... Rev 8:7

-When were the 100 LB hailstones falling from the sky? Rev 16:21

-When did the sea turn to blood? ...Rev 8:7-8, 16:21

-When was the mark of the beast enforced? ...Rev 13:17

-And when was the Antichrist here? (causing ALL to worship him!) ...Rev 13:12

-When did a third of the population die?... Rev 9:18

-When was Babylon destroyed? Rev 19

-When did the Antichrist and his armies gather

together to make war with Jesus? ...Rev 19:19-20

There are too many things that would not work with this Historical or "Preterist" view. They have to throw out an EXTREMELY LARGE portion of Scripture and Allegorize the rest. They must assume most of the Bible is not to be taken seriously. Scary!

Yet, such teaching sells. Sad. Sad. Just like Jesus and Paul said, they will not endure sound doctrine and heap to themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. It is such a STRONG DELUSION. At any rate, I cannot but tell the truth. God has certainly never told me to publish anything, that I knew from His written word, to be false or delusional.

James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Remember this, the one quality you must have and seek when you discuss bible prophecy is MEEKNESS - the ability to endure insult without retaliation.

2 Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2 Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Let me say it again so you don't miss this.

1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Does it offend you when someone tries to tell you to get prepared for tribulation?

Corrie ten Boom said, "There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world."

There should be an overwhelming compulsion for teachers, preachers, and pastors to tell people to prepare for tribulation. You loose nothing by being prepared. Praise God if you are raptured first; but, don't fail to be prepared. How do you prepare for tribulation? The answer is faith, and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We need to make the study of the word of God high priority.

What follows is the most detailed account of the last days before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt 24:11 - Matt 25:13. All of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, given in the order that He gave them. Nothing added or removed. Also included are the few short comments which were given to my children regarding these words of the Lord Jesus Christ. After that is the important instructions that The Lord Jesus Christ gave to His very elect regarding how they should live in these times Matt 25:31 - Matt 25:46.

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

There are indeed more false prophets today than at any other time in history. How do you tell a false prophet? The false prophet will contradict the word of God, or glorify himself rather than God. Many false prophets will display supernatural power; however, if Jesus is not clearly glorified by any apparent miracle have no part of it.

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Do we see iniquity abounding? How could it get so bad so fast? Do we see the love of many growing cold? Is much of the love in the church feigned affection? Love and truth go together. Would you be acting in love to know that the church will go through the great tribulation and not say anything about it because you knew people did not want to think about such a possibility? Is your popularity more important than the truth?

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

What does it mean to endure to the end? Does this mean to endure the rapture? Will you consider that the end, the Lord's return, and the rapture are simultaneous events which occur at the end of great tribulation? If you will consider this you will then see it the same way that the apostles understood it to be. The earliest date of pre-tribulation rapture teaching is the mid 19th century. Paul and all of the apostles believed the rapture would occur at the end of great tribulation simultaneous with the Lord's return in great power and glory. The Lord's return will not be a secret. Every eye shall see Him.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Do you know that satellite communication technology has made this a reality in our generation?

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

The abomination of desolation is something which we need to try to understand. Daniel speaks of it in chapters 9 and 12. The abomination of desolation will likely be when Antichrist goes to Jerusalem and proclaims himself to be god and demands worship as god from everyone in the world including Jews, Christians and Moslems.

Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

When we do see Antichrist proclaiming himself to be god and demanding worship, then if we are in the cities we should flee to the low population areas. The wilderness is the place to be when Antichrist demands that the world worship him as god.

Matthew 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Matthew 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Matthew 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

Get out of the cities quickly and don't take time to pack anything. At this time you will have to live by faith totally trusting God to meet your every need. Why should this frighten us? Why could we not view this with excitement and joy knowing that God will provide for our needs supernaturally and that He will soon be returning in great power and glory? When is the last time that you heard anyone in any church prayer meeting praying that our flight not be in the winter or on the SABBATH? Why would Jesus say such a thing if we were to be raptured before the tribulation? One might say this all pertains to the Jews when Rome sent Titus to destroy the Jerusalem in 70AD. That is true, but like so much of prophecy, there are former and latter fulfillments. Jesus was speaking to the Church as it was then and as it is now. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. This will become more clear as we look at subsequent scriptures here and in Daniel.

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

This is great tribulation. It applied in 70AD; however, it is more applicable to us when we see Antichrist proclaiming himself to be god and demanding to be worshipped as god.

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

This verse strongly indicates strategic nuclear warfare.

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.

Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.

Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Antichrist will have power to wage war on the saints. Christians will be deceived and misled by people who claim to know that Christ has returned. THE LORD'S RETURN WILL NOT BE IN SECRET. THE LORD'S RETURN WILL BE IN GREAT POWER AND GLORY. Do not follow anyone doing miracles who does not do them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Remember the questions which Jesus was answering. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass? when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

1) After the tribulation of those days the sun and moon will be darkened and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

2) Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven causing everyone but those who know Messiah Jesus Christ to mourn as everyone sees the Lord returning with power and great glory.

3) He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather the Christians to join in His glorious parade to put an end to the armies of Antichrist who have been waging war on His saints. RAPTURE TIME! There are quite a number of events which are to happen before we get to this RAPTURE TIME.

Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:

Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.

Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

We find fig tree parables in Judges 9:10-11 and Proverbs 27:18. There is general agreement that the fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel. Israel once again became a nation in 1948. End time prophecy revolves around the nation of Israel. This does not mean that the Church or the Holy Spirit will not be present during the great tribulation. Paul and the other apostles were Jews but they were also part of the Church. When any Jew comes to know Messiah Yeshua as Lord and Savior that Jew becomes part of the Church. When Israel blossoms as a nation; however, has tremendous end time prophetic significance. The generation to witness this event is the generation to witness the fulfillment of all end time prophecy. How many years are represented by a bible generation? The year of Jubilee was every 50 years and other scriptures would indicate a bible generation to be 40 years. If one were to assign 1948 as the blossoming of the fig tree, Israel, adding 40 gives significance to 1988 or adding 50 gives significance to 1998. Fixing dates is not what we are to do. However, the Lord has told us to take heed, to watch, to know that His return is near. Without fixing any specific dates, we still have every reason to believe that we are the generation to witness the fulfillment of all end time prophecy and witness the Lord's return in great power and glory. Heaven and earth shall pass away but the word of God shall not pass away. No generation in history has ever had as much incentive to search the scriptures and study His word as our generation.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Here is why we are not to fix specific dates. However, since almost 20% of the New testament is devoted to this subject we must know that it is extremely important. Jesus wanted His Church, the saints, to know various signs during the great tribulation which would encourage them to endure to the end while Antichrist was waging war on them. These various signs would let His Church know that they had less then 42 months in which to endure this war of Antichrist. If you hear anyone fixing a specific day or hour steer clear of such a person. The tribulation will begin so gradually that no one will know when it started. However, we have many signs which will let us know we are well into the great tribulation. It is quite possible that the great tribulation has already started.

Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

How were things in the days of Noah?

1) There were demonic unions of fallen angels and humans. (Gen. 6:2-4)

The core of the New Age Movement is demonic. Most of the people who are sucked into the connections with their "Ascended Master", "Spirit Guide" or whatever else they want to call it do not realize they are demons.

2) Great wickedness to the point that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen. 6:5) It would seem that we are rapidly approaching this way of evil again.

3) They were marrying and giving in marriage. The marriage rate equaled the divorce rate. Musical partners without commitment. Except for Noah and his family no one was aware of God's imminent judgment.

This is how it will be at the Lord's return. Noah was a preacher of righteousness and was ridiculed and persecuted by all as he prepared the ark. Noah endured 100 years of persecution and ridicule and tribulation while completing the ark. So will the Christians and Jews be ridiculed and persecuted as they prepare for the Lord's return during the great tribulation. Did Noah escape the flood or did God tell him how to prepare to be protected through it? The REAL Christians and Jews will be the only people who will not go along with the demonic evil of the New World Order under Antichrist.

Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Matthew 24:41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

The Lord is returning in great power and glory. Conditions in the world are as it was in the days of Noah. Unrestrained evil, with Antichrist waging total war on the saints. The saints should be watching and doing what the Lord tells them. Noah was a great example for us. Noah worked building the ark for 100 years suffering tremendous ridicule and persecution. Jesus is giving important instruction to His Church as it was then and is now. Tribulation has been great, however it had started so gradually no one knew for sure when it had actually started. Now it is time for His return. In speaking to His Church, He tells us that one will be taken and the other left. Why? There is a sad truth that there are people in the Church who have not been saved. How can this be? There are hypocrites and pretenders in the church. There are people in the church who are there because that is what good people do. There are those in the church who think if they do enough good works they will be acceptable to God. Why are you acceptable to God? Do you know absolutely that you are going to be one of those who goes up to be part of the Lord's parade returning in great power and glory? He is returning to destroy the armies of Antichrist and confine the Antichrist and the False Prophet to the Lake of Fire. Are you going to be one of those who are taken up to meet Him and be in His powerful glorious parade? What is it that makes you certain of your place in the parade? Have you been born again? Will you endure to the end? If you are not absolutely certain, what will you do? Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 24:46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Matthew 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Matthew 24:49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The great tribulation will test the faith of believers. The believers will have to live by faith and their love for one another will be tested as well as their faith. We are called to endure to the end. Will the saints hoard or share? Will brother betray brother? Those who are living in faith and love as they should be will be very happy when the Lord returns. Those who smite and hurt and betray their brothers during the war on the saints will not be happy when the Lord returns. God hates hypocrisy. If you are a hypocrite you would be better off getting out of the church.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.

Matthew 25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Matthew 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

An oil lamp is useless without oil. A Christian without the Holy Spirit is useless. An oil lamp with or without the oil looks good until it is time to give light in the darkness. Churches are full of people who may appear to be holy. In the darkness of the great tribulation the people in the church who do not have the Holy Spirit will be useless. How do we get filled with the Holy Spirit? Get the filled with the word of God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Holiness and the Spirit of Truth. We are called to holiness and truth. The bible is our best source of truth and the ways of holiness. God knows the true conditions of our heart. What motivates us to do whatever we do? Our motives are more important than our actions or appearance. If our motives are right our actions and appearance will be right. Are you motivated to do what you do for the Glory of God or for your own vain glory? We need to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and we all leak a lot. Holiness is a personal thing. We can not give or share holiness. Each must pursue holiness himself. We can encourage others to pursue holiness but it is a matter of the heart. Only God knows the heart of anyone.

What is the condition of my heart? I don't like to look because Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Yet a true mark of holiness is recognizing this deceitful and desperately wicked condition of the heart. The pursuit of holiness is personal and internal. It is what keeps us hunting the beam in our own eyes rather than trying to help our brother to take the speck out of his eye. However, the more we submit to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and agree with God regarding the sinful state of our heart motives the more freedom the Holy Spirit has to work His mighty powerful works through us. This is the way of the overcomer when Antichrist wages total war on the saints during the great tribulation. One will put a thousand to flight and two will put ten thousand to flight. The victory is sure.

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:

Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Maranatha! The Lord Jesus Christ is coming to judge the living and the dead. Our Blessed Hope is His return. The war that Antichrist wages on the saints is won by the saints because Our King Jesus wins it for us single handed. Blessed is he that endures to the end. The following verses instruct us in how to endure to the end. We must be careful to pay attention to what our King wants us to do.

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and yegave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?

Matthew 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?

Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

Many church people will have their love grow cold during the great tribulation. Many church people will have been so deluded expecting to be raptured without any suffering that they will have taken the mark of the beast and actually joined the world ecumenical religion of the Antichrist in the war on those narrow-minded fundamentalists who refuse to go along with all the good programs of the New World Order. The true church of Jesus in the great tribulation will have nothing but their faith in Jesus. They will have been stripped of all their possessions. Many will have been imprisoned. Since they will not be able to buy and sell they will have need of food, clothing, and shelter. The wise Christians who have been preparing for the tribulation must also be prepared to share. How companionate are you? We are to be known by the love we have for one another. If you are preparing for tribulation, the most important part of your preparation is the preparation of a tender compassionate heart for those in need. Anything that you do for someone less fortunate, you do for King Jesus.

Matthew 25:41 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:

Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Matthew 25:43 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.

Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Matthew 25:45 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 to me.

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

If we are preparing to take care of ourself in the great tribulation we are making the wrong preparations. If our faith grows, our love will grow. Practice giving. Practice caring. We must be preparing to take care of others. Study the bible every day. We are to be the Church, the body of Christ. The body of Christ should have the eyes and heart of Christ to see those in need and minister to them. Who is hungry? Who is thirsty? Who is in need of a place to stay? There will be many such people in the great tribulation. Our hearts must be prepared to share with those in need. Many souls will be won for the Lord Jesus Christ when the Church shares with the many who will be in need of the basic necessities of life during the great tribulation. Anything we do for anyone less fortunate than ourself we do for King Jesus. Anything we fail to share with someone in need we refuse to share with King Jesus.