But You, Brethren, Are Not in Darkness

I thought it would be fun to direct you to my very first blog post.  I wrote it about 2 1/2 years ago, in the fall of 2007.  It's rather long and it tells you how I came to my understanding of when Christ will come and rapture the church.  My first blog was called "But You, Brethren, Are Not in Darkness."  When I wrote that first article, I thought for sure I was going to change the world, or at least the world of those who would read the article.  I thought for sure that everyone who would read up on the prewrath position of the rapture of the church would change over to that view.  This just has not been the case.  Two and a half years later I still think the prewrath position best reflects what is taught in scripture regarding the return of Christ.  What is the prewrath position?  It simply takes Matthew 24 at face value and applies it to the church, viewing the elect in Matthew 24:31 as the church.  Brethren, we are not in darkness concerning the return of Christ and the events associated with it.

The New Jerusalem

My pastor was in Isaiah 60 yesterday.  Isaiah 60 describes events and happenings regarding "the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 60:14) during the millennium.  This is none other than Jerusalem.  I couldn't help but notice a few parallels between this chapter of Isaiah along with some verses in Revelation 21, where we find a description of "the holy city, the new Jerusalem." (Revelation 21:2) 

Here they are:

Isaiah 60:3 - "And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."

Revelation 21:24 - "And the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it." 
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Isaiah 60:11 - "And your gates will be open continually; they will not be closed day or night, so that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession."

Revelation 21:25,26 - "And in the daytime (for there shall be no night there) its gates shall never be closed; and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it." 
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Isaiah 60:19, 20 - "No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light; but you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory.  Your sun will set no more, neither will your moon wane; for you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be finished."

Revelation 21:25 - "And in the daytime (for there shall be no night there)...  21:4 - "and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain, the first things have passed away."
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For years I placed the New Jerusalem on the earth at the end of the millennium.  In Revelation 20 we see the dead raised for the Great White Throne Judgment after the thousand years were completed. Then Revelation 21 begins with John seeing the new heaven and the new earth...and then he sees the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  If Revelation 20 and 21 are meant to be taken in chronological order, we have a problem because the context of Isaiah 60 is the millennium and we are given almost identical descriptions in Isaiah 60 of "the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 60:14)  that are given in Revelation 21 regarding "the holy city, new Jerusalem."  (Rev. 21:2)

After being in Isaiah 60 yesterday, I am strongly leaning again towards the view that the New Jerusalem will come down at the beginning of the millennium.  I know The Orange Mailman holds this view.  He is the one who actually got me thinking along these lines. 

A couple more things before I end.  Revelation 21:27 says that nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying shall ever come into the new Jerusalem, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.  Isaiah 60:12 says that the nation and the kingdom which will not serve Jerusalem will perish.  I am wondering if this is in some way a parallel.  And, there seems to be one contradiction between the two chapters.  Revelation 21:22 tells us there is no temple in the new Jerusalem, however in Isaiah 60:7 we are given information that there will be sacrificing during the millennium in Jerusalem.  Isaiah 60:7 says, "the rams of Nebaioth will minister to you; they will go up with acceptance on My altar, and I shall glorify My glorious house."  The altar for sacrificing was found in the temple... 

Orange???

Latest Daniel Pics

Today was my son-in-law's, brother-in-law's birthday party.  Remember Matt and Ruhiyyih?  Well, Matt is turning 35 soon and we celebrated today.  I took a few pictures.  They seem to all be about Daniel for some reason...

To view the entire album...

click here.

Of No Consequence???

I was told recently that the doctrine of the Lord's return was of no consequence, that it was unimportant.  If you know me at all you know this is a doctrine that I love, that I cherish.  It was the whole reason I began blogging 2 1/2 years ago.  It was all I blogged about.  Those words were like a knife in my heart.  The appearing of the Lord is the blessed hope of the church.  It is what I long for!  I want to know all there is to know about it! 

Let me ask you a question...Does the Lord want us to think His teachings to us on His return are of no consequence, that what He said is unimportant?  Right before He launches into the most comprehensive instruction regarding His return (Matthew 24) He says these words..."See to it that no one misleads you."

We better listen up.  We better pay attention.  We better think what He is about to say is important.  We better study it.  We better heed it.  We better obey it.  What He has to say about His return is very important and will have great consequence if we take a careless attitude towards it.

"Absolutely nothing...

...comes into our lives that doesn't first pass through the loving hands of our Heavenly Father."

Mary Amesbury

Psalm 100

"SHOUT joyfully to the LORD, all the earth,
     Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
     Know that the LORD Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, 
     and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
     And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
     For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting,
     And His faithfulness to all generations."

I'm thankful for the Father's love,
   for the love of my Savior, husband,
   family, friends.

I'm thankful for God's great example of how to love.
May we be faithful to show that same love of will and sacrifice to Him and others that He so graciously and continually shows to us.

A Heavenly Perspective

So, did you watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics last night?  I was saddened to learn of the athlete who was killed during his practice luge run.  The special affects were amazing.  Whales and salmon seemingly swimming in the middle of the stadium - that was really cool.  I had already gone to bed so I missed the malfunction that took place during the lighting of the cauldron, only heard about it.  But what captured my attention the most, what really stood out to me - this mass of worldwide humanity, celebrating itself and the earth...no mention of the Creator, the LORD of the universe. 

But here is heaven's perspective...

Isaiah 6:3 - "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."