| Vol. IV Number 50 | December 31, 2000 |
This past year has had some predictions about it that just never happened.
Revelation 13:1,18
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
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 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Needless to say these and other dire predictions did not happen. Now we are facing another year and the normal dire predictions are out there concerning the new year, like some are predicting a economic down turn with a possibility of an economic collapse. There are people being laid off from their jobs and the near future does not look very bright. Some have gone as far as to predict a depression worse than the 1930's.
About these and other predictions that some are predicting,
we will have to take a wait and see attitude. Just like
yesterday's snow there were some saying that this was like the blizzard
of 1996. The amount of snow that fell in the Philadelphia area
was nothing compared to the snow fall of 1996 as depicted in Rita's
picture.
There will continuously be prophets of doom including the weather people on the major networks. The Bible does predict a period of trouble (Daniel 12:1) before the antichrist and the rapture happens. When these happen are only known by the Father in heaven for no man knows the day nor the hour when these things will come to fruition. (Matthew 24:36)
Daniel 12:1
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Matthew 24:36
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
The main emphasis is that the Christian is to be ready whenever the the Lord calls his church home. The Christian is not to be slack concerning the Lord's promises.(2 Peter 3:9) For the Lord could return tonight or whenever the time is right.
2 Peter 3:9
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.
As we close out the year 2000 and bring in the new year let's remember that the Lord has promised to bring his church home with the rapture of the church and that the antichrist will appear on the scene. When these events will happen no one knows, but we are to be ready whenever they happen. If the Lord calls the church home tonight, will you be one of the ones to rise and meet the Lord in the air? Have you made your calling and election sure? The day that the Lord has determined to call his church home can happen any day now. Are you ready to meet the Lord and savior Jesus Christ tonight?
3014 E Street Philadelphia, PA 19134 Church Office Phone: (215) 634-3637 Published by: Rev. LeRoy D. Cressy (215) 535-4037
Services:
Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:30 AM
Sunday Morning Worship . . . . . . . . . . 12 NOON
Sunday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 PM
Wednesday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 PM
Copyright © 2000 LeRoy D. Cressy
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