💥 Jesus says: Take no thought for tomorrow: Instead pray over your concerns.

 

Matthew 6:  Jesus says

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

(We cannot focus on money and God.)

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall HE not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

💥  33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(HIS righteousness is that which HE has led you to do, or has told you to do.)

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

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Pray over "tomorrow".

Philippians 4:6-7   

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (The Word).

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Concerning money:

On January 12, 2023, God gave me a dream which I think shown money to be a part of the troubles of the great tribulation.

In this dream, there was a deficit.  God showed me some were failing to pay what they owe.  When they did pay what they owed, the money balanced with the spending.  But when the deficit grew worse, they took from the people one way or another.  They could tax or there could be a significant rise in prices which took from the people.

I never think of money.  But I awoke thinking of money and what to do.

You can't provide for yourself by natural means as the world does.  You will fail that way.

You cannot be godly and focus on money.  You will not be able to stay with God and do that.  

Matthew 6:24  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.   

So we pray, asking God to help us and to show us what we must do and we ask HIM what HE wants us to do when a problem or change arises.

When they wanted to tax Jesus:  

Matthew 17

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26 Peter saith unto HIM, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Jesus showed what they were doing was wrong.  Yet Jesus dealt with the problem in a peaceful, easy way.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto ME , all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

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Turn to God for wisdom in what you should do in each problem:

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

Matthew 6:33   But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I Timothy 6  (Concerning money)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

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Abraham's profession concerning wealth:

I was so affected over what Abraham declared in the following statement:

Genesis 14

21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

I do not want the provision of man.  I want all that I have to be given to me by God.

I do not want to win a lottery of man or states or governments.  I want my provision to be from God.

As a new Christian in 1975, I swore this before God:  "I want my provision to be from YOU, not from man."  I never wavered or changed from this.  And God worked everything out for me.

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Romans 13:8  Owe no man anything ... I felt strongly, as a new Christian, that God wanted me to get out of debt and stay out of debt.  "How can I do this?"  I asked God.

At that time I owned a small business, American Indian Arts.  When I went out to buy merchandise, I always prayed asking God to show me what to buy.

God often led me by interest.  I would see an item and just not be able to walk away.

On the buying trip after I asked God to help me to get out of debt, I saw an old Navajo rug.  

We did not sell rugs at my shop but I couldn't walk away.  This rug was $500 and I bought it.  

I don't know anything at all about rugs.  So I took it to an appraiser of Navajo rugs.  She said,  "Joan ... you really lucked out on this rug.  Most of these old rugs are not worth anything but this is a very good rug.  It is currently worth $1500.  But you should not sell it, because it will go up in value, so price it so it will not sell when you return to your shop."

When I got back to Dallas, a man was coming to look at jewelry.  I had the rug rolled up and sitting next to the wall.  He saw it and asked, " What is that?"  I replied:  "It's just an old Navajo rug."  He said:  "Let me see it."  I replied, "I don't think you'd like that."  But he kept insisting, so I rolled it out on the floor.

He circled the rug and then asked, "How much?"

 I replied, "Five-thousand, dollars."

He said, "I'll take it."  And he began writing out a check for the rug.

I was horrified!  I never overpriced anything.  

When he was determined to buy the rug, I said to him, "I'm not going to cash your check for a week so if you decide, for any reason, you do not want this rug, bring it back to me and I will give you your check."

I never saw this man again.  So I deposited his check and I wrote out a check for $6,000 and paid all my debts.

I was never in debt again for anything.  I didn't buy anything unless I had the money to pay for it and that includes a house and cars.  

God always provided for me.  I didn't use man's plan to get things.

And I lived in great peace from then until now as a result of this as-well-as praying over all concerns that came before my mind, for thing do pop up to trouble us along the way.  I learned to pray immediately over all troubles.

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (The Word).

I Peter 5:6-9

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith

(Holding onto the Word given you after you pray.

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Sometime in the 1980's, God gave me a dream that gold was $900 per ounce.

At the time of this dream, gold was $200 per ounce.

I felt God wanted me to begin to collect gold coins.  So through the years I would take excess money and buy coins.  When the gold reached $900 per ounce, I sold the coins, as I felt God showed me to do.  I used that money, along with other money I had from the sale of property in Clovis, NM,  to pay for the house I was building in Lubbock, Texas. There was no mortgage on that house.  It was totally paid for in cash so I continued in the word I had received in 1975, Romans 13:8  Owe no man any thing.

Jesus says:  

John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on HIM, If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The last time I saw the price of gold it was approximately $1800 per ounce.  

I heard $900 per ounce so I sold it.  

I've never regretted selling it for it got to the price God showed me in that dream so that was enough.

The time will come that gold and silver will be worthless.

Ezekiel 7:19  They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

(I followed what God showed me in the dream at the time it was given to me and I sold when it reached $900 per ounce as the dream said to me and I used the money for the house I built in Lubbock, Texas, in the early 2002 period.  I lived in that house until I was shown by a Word from God to sell that house in 2019.)

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God said this to me several years ago.  "One step at a time.  One step at a time.  It is enough."

I Timothy 6:17-19  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

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The time will come when you will not be able to maintain separate households but you will need to combine households.

This happened to me in 2019.  I could no longer live alone.  I couldn't walk after an accident but God had shown me before the accident that I couldn't live alone.  God put this into my heart before it happened so I had no desire to live alone and was delighted when God put me to live in the home of another member of the body of Christ.  This was far better than any time of life I had before!

I have learned by experience with God that what HE plans for me is better than that which I could plan.

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto HIM that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

The power that worketh in us is the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things, reminds us of all Jesus has said, guides us into all truth, and shows us things to come.  

Jesus says:

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY name, HE shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13  Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear (from God), that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

We hear from God by HIM bringing thoughts and plans to our mind and we follow HIM.

We know it is God speaking for we recognize the thoughts that God sends to us.

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

Matthew 11:30  HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light.

So I know if the plan is complex and very difficult to do, it is not God's plan.

I know if the plan is overly expensive and would put me in debt, I do not have God's plan for me.

I pray, asking God for HIS wisdom and evaluate that plan which God would bring to my mind by HIS Holy Spirit.

God puts HIS desire for us into our hearts!

Psalm 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

I believe this means God will put HIS desires into our heart so they feel like our desires when we delight ourselves in HIS way.

The end time will be very difficult.  Make no mistake.

Jesus says:

Matthew 24

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many (for the Word of God) shall wax cold.

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

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.

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.

Connect to God continually by praying over all cares and troubles as soon as they come to your mind, immediately, daily.

Luke 21   Jesus says:

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (over indulgence), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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Podcast: The question?

 

 

 

Recently a woman's son, who is in his 50's, said to his mother:  "Why are things like this happening so fast today and what is all this leading up to?"

What we are seeing in the world today is leading up to the return of Jesus where the world and the apostasy in churches is judged and the righteous of God are raised to go to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

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Paul explains the end time as follows:

2 Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection (homosexual/lesbians: Romans 1), trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(Some who do these evil things will even attend churches but they deny the power of the Holy Scriptures and will not do these Words of God.)

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (God has taught us HIS truths, The Word.)

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 (The Word).

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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Jesus says:  

Luke 17

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

(Genesis 6:5-8  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that HE had made man on the earth, and it grieved HIM at HIS heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth ME that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.)

 

Luke 17  (Jesus says)

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

God sent 2 angels to destroy Sodom because the wickedness of man was so great in Sodom and Sodom was to be an example for us who later lived on this earth:  2 Peter 2:6-9  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Sodom was filled with homosexuals (Sodomites) in every quarter of the city.  God sent 2 angels to destroy Sodom and to save Lot (Abraham's nephew) and get him out of Sodom.

Genesis 19  (The story of Sodom)

1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

(Angels do not have wings.  Angels look like natural men.)

2 And he (Lot) said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.  3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. ("know them": have sex with them)

6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

(Lot knew homosexual acts were wicked in the sight of God.)

8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

10 But the men (the 2 angels) put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

(Angels have great power from God.)

12 And the men (the angels) said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.  

Genesis 13

12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

What the New Testament Bible says about homosexuals and lesbians:

Romans 1:26-28  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

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Peter says:

2 Peter 3

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

As the evil of the end time increases, surround your mind even more with the Word of God.  Walk in the Word, doing the scriptures.  Live in the Word.  Dress yourself in doing the Word.  Pray.

I Peter 5

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon HIM; for HE careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

Turn to God with every concern and talk with God, making your requests known unto God.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (The Word).

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The devil will be very fierce in the last days:

Revelation 12:12 ...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.

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💥 Prayer: The way of living in peace in today's world.

Matthew 6  (Jesus says)

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be THY name.  (The Word of God.)

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.  (both spiritual and physical food)

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

(I often pray, "Deliver me from evil today."  For there is much evil in the end times.)

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Luke 21  (Jesus said:)

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (over indulgence), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Prayer connects us to God and makes us "worthy to escape" for we turned to God for HIS help.

Prayer is a instrument of peace, for by prayer we receive peace from God concerning the various troubles and concerns of the day.

Therefore the apostle Paul says:

Philippians 4

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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Prayer humbles us, showing that we do not trust in ourselves.  Each time we pray, we deliberately put our trust in God in the matter at hand.

I Peter 5

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon HIM; for HE careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

After we pray, God often brings us a scripture to mind or an instruction.  By doing that scripture we "resist the devil".

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of HIS might.

(strong in the Lord: The Word which God gives you)

John 8:31-32  

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on HIM, If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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Podcast: For those who take pride in their own flesh, Paul says:

 

 

 

I Corinthians 4:7  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

If God created us with fleshly beauty or talents, how can we take pride in this for we did not create ourselves?

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God chose Paul in spite of all the drawbacks, for Paul persecuted the followers of Jesus and put some in prison and others were killed, and Paul consented to their being killed, yet Jesus called Paul from heaven and made him into an apostle because it was the will of God.

Acts 26  Paul says:  I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with ME.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And HE said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.

How could Paul succeed in the ministry with this reputation?

God does as HE wills.

At first, God sent Ananias to Paul even though Ananias didn't want to go to Paul.

Acts 9:10-13  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to THY saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on THY name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto ME, to bear MY name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for MY name's sake.

So Ananias did as the Lord said and went to Paul.

Acts 9:20-23  And straightway he (Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?  22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

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Acts 9:26-29  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he (Paul) had seen the Lord in the way, and that HE (Jesus) had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

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God gave the apostle Paul many revelations to share with the church.  

Yet Paul described his speech as weak and contemptible.

2 Corinthians 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

2 Corinthians 11:6  But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

Some in Paul's lifetime didn't even consider that Paul could be an apostle.

I Corinthians 9:1-2  Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 11:5  For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

Paul did not come to the church with clever worldly sayings.

Paul explains:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and HIM crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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Paul had an infirmity in his flesh to make him less desirable.  He prayed 3 times that this be removed but God explained it to Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:6-9  Paul says: For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And HE said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for MY strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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A person might want to be an English teacher and he might go to college and major in a subject and teach.   

But that is not the way it is with spiritual things.  We are called by God and ordained by God and set into the body of Christ as God wills and given the Holy Spirit by God.

Many today have tried to put themselves into the body of Christ and into the ministry without having the Holy Spirit of God.  

Jude vv. 17-19 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers (copiers) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

These ministers who put themselves into the ministry by the will of men are antichrist, the apostate church.  They and their followers will be destroyed by Jesus when Jesus comes to judge the world.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12  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: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The real ministers of Jesus are those who are called by Jesus from heaven and set into the New Testament Church as HIS ministers to the body of Christ.  They are called by Jesus, ordained by Jesus, and taught by Jesus from heaven by the Holy Spirit of God.

Ephesians 4:8; 11-15  Wherefore HE saith, When HE (Jesus) ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men ... 11 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into HIM in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

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God calls whom HE wills and sets those persons into the body of Christ and ordains some to the ministry of Jesus.

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💥 Philippians 1:28-29

 

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on HIM, but also to suffer for HIS sake;

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When fear comes, if we learn to take that fear to God in prayer and settle it with God and to allow God to settle us in the matter, we can overcome and live in peace.

Let us keep our faith in God because we have settled the matter with God and believe what HE has shown us about the situation.

Often after God has told me to do something, someone will say, "You can't do that."

But I think we can tell when God speaks to us for we know HIS voice.

John 10:27  Jesus says:  My sheep hear MY voice, and I know them, and they follow ME:

And Jesus says in John 10, HIS sheep will not follow the voice of strangers.  

4 And when HE putteth forth HIS own sheep, HE goeth before them, and the sheep follow HIM: for they know HIS voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

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James 3:17

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

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Podcast: For a born again Christian to look on the past, he could put himself in danger

 

 

 

Hebrews 11

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.

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Recently I made a mistake in telling another Christian about a new TV series that I found to be interesting.

When she viewed the episode and responded, she talked about how she was reminded of her years before she was born again, when she was a nurse and she went on to dredge up negative memories of parents who had violent children and how sorry she felt for those parents.  

I asked God how I could handle this and I felt led to apologize to her for causing her to have memories of the time before she was born again, since she is now a new creature, born again, with a new life in Christ and the old life is dead.

The apostle Paul said:

Philippians 3

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:

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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.

As a born again Christian, we go forward as a new creature, focused on the life we have been given by God.

If we allow ourselves to think on memories of our old life, we might live in "death" of this world for that is what the old life was to us, a type of death.

I have many bad memories of my previous life but I try to make my mind focus on the life I have been given by God and go forward thinking of edifying the church in that new life and scriptures showing that life.

Instead of death we have been resurrected to walk in that new life of the way of Jesus, The Word.

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And even as we view physical death of individuals, we now have another way of looking through the scriptures.

Paul tells us he would not have us sorrow over death as this world does, who have no hope.

I Thessalonians 4

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with HIM.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (go before) them which are asleep.

16 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:

17 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.

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In physical death, the spirit leaves the human body.  (James 2:26)

Paul tells us the spirit of the person sleeps in Jesus.  (I Thess. 4:14)

I know the spirit of the dead person is not under the ground in a dark grave!  The spirit that was the person we knew in this life is asleep in Jesus when he belongs to Jesus.  

And even if you don't know if the person was born again, even at his last breath on this earth, God could have caused him to be born again.  So you can have hope even when you don't know.

Focus on the resurrection if you are a Christian, not on graves.

I have never visited the graves of either of my parents or my favorite aunt, because I just don't see them in that grave.  Their body is in a grave but their spirit left their bodies when they died and their spirit is asleep in Jesus, not in a grave.

When my cousin told me she was visiting the grave of her dead husband and taking him flowers, I said to her:  "Why?  Who are you trying to impress?  Thurman is asleep and cannot see you there.  So who are you trying to impress?"

She became very quiet and thought on what I said.  Then she said, "Then it really doesn't matter where we are buried."

I replied, "Right!"

I believe my cousin was born again when she acknowledge this truth from God which I spoke to her.

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When we are born again, God raises us from the dead of this world and gives us a new heart and a new Spirit that we can follow HIM.

Ezekiel 36  (God speaks of the New Covenant)

23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes, and ye shall keep MY judgments, and do them.

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Colossians 3

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, WHO is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with HIM in glory.

We have been raised by God from the dead of this world when we have been born again by God's Spirit.

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💥 Paul says: Stand fast in one spirit.

 

Philippians 1:27

Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

How can there be divisions and strivings except that humans have brought in doctrines of man and their own thinking.

So we pray for God to bring us HIS doctrines by HIS Spirit and we stand fast in one spirit, that Holy Spirit of God.

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I live in the home of a woman who is truly born of the Spirit of God.  We live as one Spirit in God and rarely do we disagree.  

If we do disagree, I pray for God to correct me if needed.

Psalm 51:10   Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

(I often pray this over myself!  And God always makes proper heart and spirit in me.)

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Podcast: Paul, one of the first of the New Testament apostles

 

 

 

Acts 26   (Paul speaking to king Agrippa)

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? 

And HE said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

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💥 After I was born again, God showed me in a dream the Holy Spirit casting 3 evil spirits out of me.

 

In this dream, a "double minded" spirit was skipping around in my chest cavity and ran into the Holy Spirit.  He darted back, trying to hide.  But the Holy Spirit said, "I see you.  You must go out of her."  That spirit tried to resist going.  But the Holy Spirit kept pushing:  "You must go.  You must go.  You must go."  

I then felt that spirit leaving my throat area and I began to choke as he left.

Also in dreams, I saw the Holy Spirit cast out of me a lying spirit and one other spirit which was not identified by name to me.

This happened in 1975, shortly after I was born again.

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I know evil spirits in people try to hide from those persons who are godly.  They don't want to be cast out!

Evil spirits can cause a person to be violent, crazy, insane.

Matthew 8

28 And when HE (Jesus) was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they (devils in the men) cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought HIM, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go.  

And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Devils can cause people to do crazy things which end up destroying themselves.

I'm sure we will see a lot of this in individuals at the end time, for the devil knows his time on earth is short and he will be even more frantic toward the end.

Revelation 12:12  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.

I'm sure the devil is no match for the Word of God and as the Word grows stronger, the devil will flee from the godly.

James 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Turn to God in temptations.  Resist the devil with any word given you by God.

Faith says:  God will not fail me nor forsake me.  (Josh. 1:5 & Heb. 13:5)

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The apostle Paul tells us what it will be like in the last days:

2 Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(They often attend church but do not live by the Holy Scriptures nor believe the Word of God.)

13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

(When people do insane things, devils are often present.)

John 10:10  Jesus says:  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus, The Word) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

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Recently a woman's son, who is in his 50's, said to his mother:  "Why are things like this happening so fast today and what is all this leading up to?"

What we are seeing in the world today is leading up to the return of Jesus where the world and the apostasy in churches is judged and the righteous of God are raised to go to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Peter says:

2 Peter 3

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.

As the evil of the end time increases, surround your mind even more with the Word of God.  Walk in the Word, doing the scriptures.  Live in the Word.  Dress yourself in doing the Word.  Pray.

I Peter 5

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon HIM; for HE careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

Turn to God with every concern and talk with God, making your requests known unto God.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (The Word).

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Podcast: At the time of John and Paul the apostasy is rising also in the churches and they speak of this

 

 

 

Antichrist and the apostasy spoken of by the apostle John:

1 John 2:18-19  (the apostle John says)  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

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The apostle Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus:

Acts 20:29-30  

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

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So the apostasy, antichrist, was already working along side the New Testament Church in the days of John and Paul.

And so the apostasy grew each decade with men setting up churches by their own names and their own wisdom and putting hierarchy of ministers by their own will and imaginations.  And they built enormous buildings unto themselves.  And they did as they willed, setting up rules by their own thinking.

But always there was a ribbon of people who were of God, having the Spirit of God and following that Spirit given to the church.

The apostasy grew and grew as an enormous glutton feeding on itself and in the eyes of the people of this world.

But they could never get rid of that small group that had the Spirit of God and that group, though often hidden in the caves and dens, existed even unto this present day.

Hebrews 11

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

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At the return of Jesus the churches of the apostasy, of the spirit of antichrist, will be destroyed by Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 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:

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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.

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