Living without Fear

Receiving Peace-

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  (John 14:27)

Just as love is the opposite of hate, peace is the opposite of fear. In the same way that we can’t love and hate someone at the same time (James 3:12), we can’t have peace and fear at the same time. Peace is the absence of fear.

This doesn’t mean that we’ll never be afraid. Unexpected situations and circumstances will always arise that can cause us to be surprised and have sudden fear, or to be temporarily afraid.

But there is a place in Christ where the mind numbing, heart gripping state of fear cannot exist. This is when we are walking in the peace of God.

The apostles were a good example of this.

Before the Holy Ghost came on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were always finding themselves in situations where they were fearful.

Whether it was a storm on the sea, the announcement of a child’s death, or the unexpected appearance of Christ walking on the water, Jesus was always reminding them to not be afraid.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”  (Matthew 14:27)

However, after the Day of Pentecost had come and the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, they began to walk in a new found state of peace that only the Holy Spirit could produce.

This peace was so powerful that fear could not exist in its presence.

The night before Peter was to be executed, instead of being filled with fear and worry, he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. The angel of the Lord had to slap him on his side to wake him up before he could miraculously remove his chains and rescue Peter from the prison cell. (Acts 12:6-7)

Paul and Silas also dwelt in this state of peace. After having been beaten and thrown into the dungeon for their testimony of Christ, they sang songs and hymns at midnight.

Their peace was so great that instead of escaping, they and all the prisoners continued to stay in their cells after God sent an earthquake to open all of the prison doors.

Upon witnessing this miracle of peace, the jailer and his whole household accepted Christ and were saved. (Acts 16:23-33)

This kind of peace was not only for the apostles, disciples, and the early church. The same Holy Spirit that indwelled them and produced this miraculous condition is the same Holy Spirit that comes and lives inside of us today.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”  (Acts 2:39)

The same river of peace that flowed inside the apostles is flowing inside of every believer today who has been born again and received the Holy Spirit. 

However, there are many who have yet to discover the keys that will unlock the gate and allow the river to not only flow inside their spirit, but also fill their hearts and minds.

In other words, that this peace would not only reside within them, but would also be manifested in their lives.

In the next few posts we will discover the keys that will unlock the floodgate to the river of God’s peace inside of every believer.

Tomorrow- Finding Peace in God’s Love

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

 

Entering the Flow of God’s Peace

The River of Peace-

“O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:”  (Isa 48:18)

True peace cannot be found through diplomacy or legislation. It has nothing to do with worldly relationships or earthly possessions. It even has nothing to do with the end of violence and turmoil that may surround us.

There are many who believe that if their situation would only improve, then they would finally have peace. However, better circumstances only bring peace for a moment, for new problems always arise to replace the old ones.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

True peace comes from within, from our heart, the place where the Holy Spirit dwells.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  (John 7:38)

“(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”  (John 7:39)

The Lord told His people through the Prophet Isaiah that if they had only hearkened to His commandments then He would have given them peace like a river.

The word “hearken” in the Hebrew literally means to “prick up your ears” or “pay attention to”.

Besides loving God and our fellow man, the greatest commandment of all is to hear or “pay attention to” the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in Him.

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”  (Matthew 17:5)

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  (John 7:38)

Once we have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and have received the Holy Spirit, then the indwelling Spirit creates within us “peace like a river”.

It’s part of His “fruit” or His “produce”.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”  (Gal. 5:22)

No longer do we seek to find peace in those things that are around us, but we seek and find peace from the Spirit within us.

That peace is like a river. It is ever flowing. However, if we never draw from it we will continue to thirst. That peace is like a fruit, but if we never eat of it, we will continue to hunger.

How do we draw from the river and eat of the fruit?

Tomorrow: Receiving Peace

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

The Peace of God that passes all Understanding

Walking in Peace-

“PEACE”.

Except for the name of Jesus, there is no other word in the English language that can calm and soothe a worried heart like that word. There is also no other word that can cause such a longing in our soul when we are without it.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  (Luke 2:14)

Ever since the angel of the Lord proclaimed that message to shepherds abiding in a field, men have sought after “peace” like men dying of thirst seek for water.

There have been wars fought to obtain it, demonstrations held to demand it, and protests to bring attention for the need of it. Governments have sought to enforce it while neighbors and families have tried to keep it, much to no avail.

Genuine and lasting “peace on earth” apart from God will never happen.

The message the angel brought when he announced the birth of Christ had nothing to do with peace between men, but it was a message of peace and good will toward men.

Even Jesus declared that He came not to bring peace between individuals, but rather division.

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:”  (Luke 12:51)

Until Jesus Christ returns to earth and establishes His earthly Kingdom, there will never be lasting peace between men or between nations.

Although this may sound like dismal news, it only seems dismal to those who don’t know what real peace is.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Philip. 4:7)

There is an abiding peace so deep and full, that it cannot be understood. There is a peace that will find and keep us instead of our trying to find and keep it. There is a peace that enables us to remain calm, full of faith and hope, even though the world and our lives may be in turmoil.

It is the peace of God, and over the next few posts we will explain how to walk in it.

Tomorrow- The River of Peace

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

The Bridegroom is Coming

“Go Ye out to Meet Him”-

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”  (Gen. 5:24)

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”  (Heb. 11:5)

The Bible says that God has chosen us. It says that before we were even conceived in our mother’s womb, He knew us and He loved us.

God has also called us. He has called us to walk with Him, to be His bride, and to follow in His steps.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”  (1Peter 2:21)

However, the Bible says:

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  (Amos 3:3)

We cannot walk with God if we are not in agreement with God. We come into agreement with God when we know His Word and we submit our lives unto it.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15)

If we are to walk with God, our attitude has to be, “If God said it, then I believe it. If it comes from Jesus, then I receive it. If God tells me or asks me, then I will do it.”

Anything less and it dishonors the Bridegroom.

In the Old Testament, when a man chose his bride he gave gifts unto her as a token of his love and commitment. The gifts were also a sign that He would return for her. We do the same thing today with the giving of an engagement ring.

Jesus also honored this tradition in the New Testament.

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”  (Eph. 4:8)

Whether they are salvation and forgiveness, His Spirit, His word, or His grace; whether they are the abilities to preach, teach, give, govern, or help; whether they are spiritual gifts or spiritual fruit; they are all given by God and they are for His honor.

We honor Him by accepting them, cherishing them, and adorning our life with them.

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”  (Rev. 21:2)

When Jesus returns as a Bridegroom for His Bride, will He find us walking in agreement with Him?

Will He find that we have accepted everything that He gave His life for?

Will He see that not only have we received every gift that He purchased with His own blood, but that we have adorned our life with them for all the world to see?

Will He find us following in His steps, doing His works, and obeying His Word?

If He does, then we will be as a “bride adorned for her husband.” We will be His bride “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” and He will catch us away to the “marriage supper of the Lamb.”

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”  (Rev. 19:7)

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”  (Rev 19:8)

“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.”  (Rev. 19:9)

Until He returns and we are called, we can be assured that He will walk with us and preserve us in these last days, so that we too will hear those wonderful words,

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.”

The choice is ours to make.

Tomorrow- Walking in Peace

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

How do We do the Works of God?

The Works that Jesus did shall We do Also-

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”  (John 14:12)

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”  (Rev. 2:26)

Not only does our walking with God in the last days involve our faith and lifestyle, but it also involves the works that He has called us to do before His return.

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”  (John 9:4)

There are those who might say, “God never called me to preach or teach. I don’t believe that He has called me to work for him.”

Perhaps you may not be someone that God has called to stand before a congregation, or in front of a classroom, or to go to a foreign country.

Nevertheless, we as believers have all been given a job and works to do.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”  (Eph. 4:1)

In our English language today, the word “vocation” means our job or livelihood. In the original Greek the word translated “vocation” means an invitation or a calling.

Before we can understand what the works are that God has called us to do, we must understand what they are not.

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  (Heb. 9:14)

Dead works are those religious works done in the name of God for the wrong reason.

“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”  (John 6:28)

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”  (John 6:29)

The night before Jesus spoke these words, He had multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the multitude, and now they had awoke hungry and came looking for Him to feed them again.

Jesus knew their hearts and told them that the only reason they sought Him was for the loaves and fishes to feed their hunger, not for the words which He had to say.

Their reply was to ask Jesus how they could do the works of God. Their meaning was that if they knew how to multiply loaves and fishes then they would not have to seek for Him to do it.

Jesus said that the work of God was to “believe on Him” whom God hath sent. The word “believe” in the Greek means to “entrust” or to “commit”. It does not mean to have a “head knowledge” of something, but it means to totally commit and entrust one’s life to what we believe in our heart.

Dead works are works done for the wrong reason. The works of God are birthed in faith and love.

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”  (James 2:18)

One group believes that by witnessing they will receive a better resurrection. Another believes that by having a large family they will obtain favor and a better place with God. Some believe that by repeating certain prayers it will earn God’s forgiveness.

Then there are those who believe that perfect church attendance, tithing, praying, helping the needy, or visiting the sick will prove their devotion to God and to others.

These are all works done for the wrong reasons. They are all works done to obtain something. Whether it be to obtain something from God or to obtain something from others, they are all dead works.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”  (1Cor. 13:3)

The only works that please God are those works done out of love and faith. We don’t do works to obtain God’s love and acceptance, but we do works out of gratitude because of God’s love and acceptance.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”  (1John 4:19)

Works done out of love and faith are the works that please God. These are the works that will remain. These are the works that will endure the last days.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (1Cor. 3:11)

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”  (1Cor. 3:12)

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”  (1Cor. 3:13)

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”  (1Cor. 3:14)

Every work that we do shall have eternal ramifications, whether it be for the good or the bad.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  (2Cor. 5:10)

Just as God desires that Jesus Christ be revealed in every aspect of the Word of God, He desires that every aspect of our life be a reflection of Christ.

Whether it’s being a parent, a guardian, or a spouse; whether it’s being a student, an employee, or a worker in a church or ministry; or whether it’s just deeds we do to help our fellow man, it all needs to be built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  (Col. 3:17)

The works done out of love, compassion, and faith are the works of gold, silver, and precious stones. When built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, they shall abide the fiery trials and endure unto eternal reward.

The works done for pride, duty, gain, or for any other carnal reason are the works of wood, hay, and stubble which shall be consumed by the fire and cause the doer to suffer loss.

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”  (Eph. 2:21)

“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”  (Eph. 2:22)

We are God’s building, the temple of the Holy Ghost, built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. If we build our building with works of faith and love that glorify God, then we will walk with Him and our building will endure the perilous times of the last days.

Tomorrow- The Bridegroom Cometh

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

Those following Peace and Holiness shall see the Lord

A Glorious Church Without Spot or Wrinkle-

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”  (Heb 12:14)

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”  (Eph. 5:27)

Another area of our life in which God has given us talents to trade with or to be occupied with is the area of our lifestyle.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”  (1Peter 2:9)

The Bible tells us that we are a chosen generation. As the prophets of old prophesied of the coming of Christ and the Church age, they longed for the time yet to come which they prophesied of.

“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:”  (1Peter 1:10)

“Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”  (1Peter 1:11)

The Holy Ghost would come upon them and fill the Old Testament prophets with the power to prophesy and do great works for God. They knew the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of Prophecy but not as the Comforter whom Jesus said the Father would send.

The Bible teaches that they were men no different than us, with similar emotions and passions.

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”  (James 5:17)

Moses was a man prone to anger, and because of it he struck the rock in the wilderness after God had told him to speak to it for water. He was denied entrance into the Promised Land because of his disobedience.

Elijah became depressed and hid in a cave.

David lusted after another man’s wife and plotted her husband’s death.

Elisha’s pride was hurt and he caused the death of taunting children.

They knew the power of God for miracles but not the power of the indwelling Spirit who changes men’s hearts and desires.

We long for their time and the glory that God received because of the power and miracles they performed. However, they longed for our time and the glory that God receives in our changed lives.

We are a chosen generation. We have been given the indwelling Spirit of God who shall never leave us nor forsake us. We have been given the power to change our lives and be a holy people different than the rest of the world.

We have been given the power to resist temptation and put away sin.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”  (Rom. 6:12)

We have been given power over addictions and habits.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”  (Gal. 5:1)

We have been given power over our carnal lusts.

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”  (Rom. 8:13)

We have been given power over our emotions.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”  (Eph. 4:26)

We are the chosen generation that knows the salvation of God and has His indwelling Spirit. He has chosen us to be kings and priests with Him. He has also called us to be a holy nation.

We know a nation’s location because of its geographical borders. The borders may be rivers, or mountain ranges, or lines marked by signposts. Whatever they may be, they separate that particular nation from all others.

The border that separates our nation from all others is the godly and holy lifestyle which the Holy Spirit empowers us to live.

When the rest of the world sees us have peace and faith in the midst of perilous times, when filthy language and cursings fill their daily conversation but they hear us refrain from sinning with our tongue and speaking evil, when they feel the need to escape by yielding to every carnal desire, yet they see us hold fast to our faith and refuse to partake of things contrary to our beliefs;

Then God is glorified among them and they have hope that there is a better way.

They see not a hypocritical Church that says one thing on Sunday but lives in the same manner as they do on Monday. They see a “glorious church” not having “spot or wrinkle”.

This is the Church that Jesus is coming back for to be His Bride.

The Bible tells us clearly what God considers to be sin. The Holy Spirit convicts us as to what is right or wrong.

It is time for us to make a decision and a commitment to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to choose the right over the wrong, and the godly over the worldly in everything we do.

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”  (1Peter 4:17)

Tomorrow- The Works that Jesus did shall We do Also

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

What must we do until Jesus comes back?

We must Occupy until He Comes-

“I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”  (Luke 18:8)

The Bible tells us that these last days which we are living in shall be “perilous times.” It says that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13)

There shall be “perplexity” and “distress of nations.” (Luke 21:25) Men’s hearts shall fail them because of fear “for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” (Luke 21:26)

There shall be a “strong delusion” upon the earth to believe a lie, that they “all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thess. 2:12)

“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.”  (Matt. 24:24)

Now, more than ever, in these last days, it is imperative that believers know and understand the written Word of God in order to not be “carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (Eph. 4:14)

There are and shall be many voices arise in these last days. No matter how pious, religious, respected, or prestigious the speaker, there is one thing believers must remember in order to not be deceived.

GOD NEVER CONTRADICTS HIMSELF.

No matter how miraculous the miracle, how vivid the vision, how powerful the preaching, or how real the dream, if it does not line up with the written Word of God then it is not from God.

It will take the faith of the Son of God to stand in these last days, not be deceived, and walk with God.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  (Gal. 2:20)

When the economy is failing, jobs are scarce, money is tight, and friends and family forsake you; when voices arise and the powers that be tell you that God has forgotten His people; it will take the faith of God to trust and not be afraid, and to wait upon the Lord.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  (Isa. 40:31)

“For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”  (Psalm 37:9)

God gives the gift of faith to every believer when they accept Christ.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”  (Eph. 2:8)

It is the fruit or produce of the Holy Spirit who comes to live inside of you upon salvation.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”  (Gal. 5:22)

In the same way that fruit begins as a seed, so it is with faith.

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”  (Matt. 17:20)

God wants your seed of faith to be nurtured and grow. It is nurtured by hearing and the Word of God.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Rom. 10:17)

It does not require intelligence, a diploma, or a degree to understand the Word of God and have the faith that it will bring.

But it does require the Holy Spirit and belief that God is faithful.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  (1Cor. 2:14)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”  (1John 2:27)

If we are faithful to read and study the written Word of God, then God will be faithful to give us the understanding and the faith that we will need to walk in these last days.

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”  (1Tim. 4:13)

Tomorrow- A Church without Spot or Wrinkle

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

When will the Antichrist be Revealed?

When “He” shall be Taken Out of the Way-

Since the Temple of God was destroyed in circa 70 A.D. by the Roman armies, it has never been rebuilt.

One of the events that must happen before “the man of sin” can remove the daily sacrifice, sit in the Holy place, declare himself to be God, and be revealed as the Antichrist is that the Temple must be rebuilt and the sacrifice be reinstituted.

Jerusalem today is a divided city between Jew and Muslim, with the Temple mount occupied by the Muslim Dome of the Rock.

What could possibly happen that would be of such cataclysmic proportions as to upset the balance of power and embolden the Jews to rebuild the Temple of God in the place of the Muslim temple?

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”  (2Thess. 2:7)

There is only one power in the earth today that is able to hold back the powers of darkness and prohibit the enemy of God from performing his will at any time.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”  (Luke 10:19)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

It is the power of the Holy Spirit that God has put in His Church, and until the Church is taken out of the way, that Wicked cannot be revealed.

The “He” that must be taken out of the way is the Holy Ghost, and “He” will only be taken out of the way when the Church (the born again believers) are removed from the earth.

Jesus said that the Comforter (the Holy Ghost) would never leave us nor forsake us, so when He goes then we go also.

There have been men in the past such as Adolf Hitler, filled with evil, who thought they could make the prophecies come to pass, destroy the chosen people of God, conquer the world, and assume the position of the antichrist.

However, as long as the Church is in the world to have faith, believe God, pray, and resist the devil, the Evil One is paralyzed and limited as to what he can do.

The Bible tells of a time when a worldwide miraculous event shall occur. In one single moment every true believer in Jesus Christ will rise up to meet the Lord in the air, and every born-again Christian will disappear from the face of the earth.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”  (1Cor. 15:52)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”  (1Thess. 4:16)

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  (1Thess. 4:17)

Trumpets were used in the Old Testament not only for battle, but to assemble the congregation, to announce the feast, and to declare the changing of the season.

This is the last trump that shall sound, the last assembling of the congregation, the last call to the feast.

This is the end of the season, the end of the Church Age, and the gathering of the believers in Christ to meet the Lord in the air.

This is the next great event in God’s plan that we the Church are to be looking for.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”  (Heb. 9:28)

Then shall the Holy Spirit who indwells the believers that make up the Church be “taken out of the way”, and the Scripture can be fulfilled:

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”  (Rev. 12:12)

What is Jesus looking for in His Church when He comes back? What is He expecting His Church to be doing?

“And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.”  (Luke 19:11)

“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.”  (Luke 19:12)

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”  (Luke 19:13)

The word “occupy” literally means in the Greek to “busy oneself with, to trade.”

We are to be busy. We are to “occupy” until He comes.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, two angels appeared and spoke to the disciples.

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  (Act 1:11)

We are not to be standing and waiting, but in these last days we are to be walking with God and doing.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  (Matt. 25:21)

How can we hear those wonderful words when we stand before Him on that day? We shall hear those words by being found faithful over a few things.

The Bible teaches that there are three areas in our life in which the Lord has given us “talents” to trade with as we “occupy” until He comes; three areas in which to be found faithful.

These are the areas of faith, lifestyle, and works.

Tomorrow- Occupy Until He Comes

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

Great Darkness is Coming upon the Earth!

The Night Comes when no Man can Work-

 “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.”  (Matt. 24:1)

“And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”  (Matt. 24:2)

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”  (Matt. 24:3)

The answer Jesus gave to the disciple’s third question, “what shall be the sign…of the end of the world?” revolves around a prophecy given in the Book of Daniel.

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.”  (Dan. 12:11)

“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:)”  (Matt. 24:15)

Jesus went on to explain that after the “abomination of desolation” would stand in the holy place, there would be a short period of time and then the end of the world would come.

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

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”  (Matt. 24:22)

“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:”  (Matt. 24:29)

“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.”  (Matt. 24:30)

This is a description of the third coming: the coming of Jesus as the Conqueror, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; the time of the end of the world.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”  (Rev. 21:1)

The single event that “triggers” this time period which separates the coming of Jesus as the Bridegroom and the coming of Jesus as the Conqueror is the “abomination that maketh desolate.”

The Apostle Paul gives greater detail of this event, and in doing so explains two things which must occur before the time of “great tribulation” and the “day of Christ”:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”  (2Thess. 2:3)

“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”  (2Thess. 2:4)

“Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”  (2Thess. 2:5)

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.”  (2Thess. 2:6)

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”  (2Thess. 2:7)

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”  (2Thess. 2:8)

The Bible teaches that in the last days there is coming a man upon the earth who will be the epitome of evil. Even as Jesus Christ is referred to as the “fullness of the Godhead bodily”, this man will be so full of Satan that he is referred to as the “Antichrist.”

He is also called the Beast, the man of sin, the son of perdition, and the abomination of desolation.

The Bible teaches that when he is revealed he will go into the Temple in Jerusalem, remove the daily sacrifice, enter into the Holy place, sit down and declare that he is God.

The Roman Empire had become so oppressive against the Church in the days of the Apostle Paul, that some in the Church believed they were living during this time of The Great Tribulation.

They believed that the saints coming out of their graves after the resurrection of Jesus (Matt. 27:52) was the Resurrection, that Caesar was the Antichrist, and that the Roman Empire was the kingdom of the Beast.

The Apostle Paul wrote to them in 2 Thessalonians explaining that this was not so. Caesar could not be the Antichrist because two things were yet to happen before the Antichrist could be revealed.

These two things are still yet to happen as of the writing of this book.

They are that “He who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way”, and the Antichrist must sit in “the temple of God shewing himself that he is God.”

What does the Bible mean when it says, “He who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way”?

Tomorrow- Until He be Taken Out of the Way

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices

The Bridegroom is coming for His Bride!

The Second Coming of Christ-

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

Our salvation, our hope, our faith is based upon the fact that we believe  the Redeemer of all mankind, the Savior of the world, our suffering Messiah Jesus Christ has already come and gave His life a ransom for all.

The belief that Jesus Christ lived, died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven is the very core of our being “born again” and without which we are eternally lost.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Rom. 10:9)

By raising Jesus from the dead, God not only confirmed that every word Jesus said about Himself is true, but that every word He spoke concerning all things is true.

If we believe that Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God came the first time, then we must believe His promise that He is coming back again.

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  (Acts 1:11)

The only question that remains is which return are we anticipating? The return of a Bridegroom or that of a Conqueror?

 “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.”  (Matt. 24:1)

“And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”  (Matt. 24:2)

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”  (Matt. 24:3)

As Jesus and His disciples passed by the temple, they pointed out to Him its grandeur, but Jesus replied by saying that all the stones of the temple would be cast down.

They responded by asking Jesus three questions.

The first question was, “when shall these things be?” referring to the destruction of the temple.

Jesus went on to prophesy of events they would see happen in their generation and that there would be “wars and rumors of wars,” but “…the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:6)

History tells us that after the Crucifixion of Jesus in circa 30 A.D., there were rebellions and wars amongst the Roman Empire until finally in circa 70 A.D. the Roman army took over Jerusalem and destroyed Herod’s Temple, even tearing apart every stone to retrieve the gold between them, thus fulfilling the prophetic answer to “when shall these things be?”

The second question was, “ what shall be the sign of thy coming?”

Jesus prophetic answer to this question was a long description of a time period filled with nations and kingdoms rising up against each other. He described famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes which He called the “beginning of sorrows.”

He told of a time of false prophets, persecutions, and betrayal. He spoke of afflictions, deceptions, and that “iniquity would abound.” He said that because of these things many believer’s love would “wax cold,” however; Jesus also said:

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”  (Matt. 24:13)

He then gave the greatest sign that answers the second question the disciples asked, “what shall be the sign of thy coming?”

“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.”  (Matt. 24:14)

This long description that depicts an age of wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes, and persecutions aptly describes the time since the destruction of the temple until now, culminating to our time in which iniquity abounds and the “love of many” has “waxed cold.”

This day and age that we are now living in has seen the rise of unlimited internet access and satellite communications. Now like never before has the gospel through these mediums reached every corner of the earth and been “preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.”

We are seeing the fulfillment of Jesus prophetic answer to this second question, “what shall be the sign of thy coming?”

We are the generation that is in anticipation of the return of the Bridegroom.

Tomorrow- The Hour Comes when no Man can Work

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices