scoffers in the last days

2 Peter 3:3

First of all you must understand this: In the last days mockers will come and, following their own desires, will ridicule us

Interestingly, two movies have just been released this month that mock and scoff the Rapture and the return of Messiah.

Rapture-palooza – described as “silly, infantile, obsessed with sex”, blasphemes God and Jesus.

This is the End – presents false gospel of salvation by good works, those “raptured” are carried away by beams of light (UFOs?), characters portrayed as self-centered and self-serving (following their own desires…)

The growing public ridicule of the Lord’s return shows that the scoffers will be “without excuse” (cannot plead ignorant) on the day of Judgement.

This just all the more demonstrated that the real harpazo (rapture) is near at hand.

disillusioned

i’ve personally been thoroughly disillusioned with people and the money grubbing organizations that call themselves ‘christian’, and i most certainly empathize with all the other folks out there who feel the same way.

it’s true that you’ve never really been stabbed in the back until you’ve been stabbed in the back by someone who calls you ‘brother in Christ’.

i’ve seen my share of people who put on a great show.  they have a big smile, hold open doors, and seem to go out of their way to be nice to folks — at least until they get home where they drink, yell, cuss, and beat their wife and children or even kick their wife in the stomach to murder their yet to be born children.

Ghandi reportedly had said something to the effect “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

half of ‘christian’ marriages fail, 9 out of 10 self-identifying ‘christians’ don’t even know how to explain salvation, seems every time you turn around some ‘christian’ leader is sleeping around or embezzling money from their ‘ministry’.

the enemy’s greatest assets are the tares among the wheat.  they take the name of the Lord in vain, and drag His name through the mud by misrepresenting Him.

broad is the road to hell, and there are many that travel it.  narrow is the road to salvation and there are few that find it…

this means that the majority of people you meet are on the broad road to hell…

throughout history true followers of Christ have been the always been the minority.

these few have always been persecuted by the unbelieving Jews, the Romans, the Catholics, the Muslims, the Reformers (‘reformed’ Catholics), Communists, Nazis, and today we see a ‘soft’ persecution gaining momentum by our own government, and the ‘New Agers’/neo-pagans/false christians

if anyone said that being a Christian was easy, guaranteed that person was not a Christian.

Jesus never said we would have it easy, matter of fact, He flat out stated we would have it hard — guaranteed.
if they persecuted Him, how can we think ourselves greater than Him in expecting to escape?
you do well if you are disillusioned by the shenanigans of the tares. 
it means there is hope for you
what we need exists only in Jesus Himself as recorded in scripture and revealed by His Holy Spirit and not in any thing or any people here on earth.

those whom the Lord loves He disciplines

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord
   Nor faint when you are corrected by Him

for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines
   and scourges every son whom He receives

It is because of discipline
   that you remain in His son

God deals with you as with sons
   for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, 
   but sorrowful

yet to those who have been trained by it
   afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak 
   and the knees that are feeble
   and make straight paths for your feet

Hebrews 12:5-13

assurance

1 John 5:13 – These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

John 5:24 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1 Peter 3:18-22 – For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit

1 John 5:11-13 – And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 3:14 – We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.

1 John 2:3-4 – And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 – Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.

John 20:31 – But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 10:28 – And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

1 John 5:16-17 – If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

2 Thessalonians 3:6 – Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 – Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Romans 11:19-22 – Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

Romans 8:16 – The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 8:1 – [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 20:19-23 – Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

John 3:3 – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:1-5 – There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

1 John 5:5-8 – Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

1 John 3:20 – For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

2 Timothy 1:12 – For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Philippians 2:12-13 – Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

1 Corinthians 11:27-30 – Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:

Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 2:38-39 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:21 – And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 6:39 – And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 3:22-26 – After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

Luke 1:47-48 – And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Matthew 9:6-8 – But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Matthew 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

1 John 5:1 – Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 John 3:10 – In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1 John 2:3 – And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:8 – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

2 Peter 1:10 – Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

2 Timothy 3:15 – And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Ephesians 1:4 – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Romans 8:38-39 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:32 – He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 10:27-30 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 6:37 – All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 3:36 – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

1 John 5:18 – We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

1 John 4:6 – We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1 John 3:24 – And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 John 2:27 – 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.

1 John 2:15 – Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1 Peter 1:5 – Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

James 2:19 – Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Hebrews 6:18 – That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Colossians 2:2 – That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 2:5 – Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 10:9 – 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.

Romans 8:35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:15-16 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:1-39 – [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8 – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 4:25 – Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Luke 8:13 – They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Mark 16:16 – He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 7:23 – And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

understanding scripture

Midrash

Peshet – literal interpretation
Pesher – spiritual interpretation (depends on the peshet or literal interpretation)

Mashal – description of something from everyday life, from nature
Nimshal – spiritual meaning in back of the mashal
All four can be simultaneously applied and true, not exclusive to each other.
Prophecy
The hellenistic view of prophecy is prediction/fulfillment.  
Hebraic prophecy is pattern, multiple partial fulfillments of different aspects of a prophesied event pointing to the ultimate fulfillment where all details come together, even those that seem to be in conflict with each other. (For example, Rabbis argued over whether Messiah would come from Bethlehem or Egypt because there was scripture indicating both.  In fulfillment, both were true)