The Encourager Newsletter - Vol.4 Issue 5 - March 12, 2010 - ....Global Warming is Coming! - My Shepherd

The Bible Says Global Warming IS Coming! Part II

If want a computer copy, go to encourager@biblewalking.com. In the subject line type subscribe. Please include your name.

Is God's Day of Global warming "just preaching?" Back in the 1940's a pastor was really pouring it on, expounding a Bible story when suddenly, without missing a beat he said: "Ladies, I must warn you that somebody back there in the vestibule is going through your coats and purses." He told them one time and kept on preaching. Nobody moved or looked around. After the benediction as the congregation was filing out through the back doors, suddenly one of the ladies exclaimed: "Pastor, our coats and purses are gone!" He said, "Ladies, I told you plain as day that somebody was going through your coats and purses." To which one of them replied, "Yes, I know you did. But we thought you were just preaching."

One of our biggest challenges is sorting through all of today's information to find the things that matter (Proverbs 14:12). So far, at every funeral we've attended the corpse was somebody else. Conclusion: dying is for other people. The world knows about Noah's flood and the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah but that was all those people back there in the distant past. We do not want to deal with God's coming judgment upon the earth. Lucy in Peanuts said: "I don't want any downs. I just want ups!" Let's face it my friends…judgment on the earth is coming.

Sometimes when I read a verse of scripture to somebody, they say: "Well…that's your opinion but I've got my own ideas on that." Straight out of the Bible and he thinks it's my opinion! When a generation of people has been taught—bone deep—that the earth came out of a big bang and everything of order came out of the chaos on its own, we have lost our compass and North Star. We are in more danger than the Titanic the night it sank in 1912. It's hard to think things through when our corrupt self is the greatest authority we know.

It's a stretch to believe that God would actually judge the world (Psalm 75:8) and send a global burning (Rev.14:9-11) and boils(Rev. 16:28)and earthquakes (Rev. 16:18) and armies gathering for Armageddon (Rev.14:17-20) and other catastrophes (Rev.6:8) that will kill over half the world's population in 42 months. It would help to slowly read Revelation chapters 8-18 and take it all in. Mark your Bible.

We are moving rapidly toward a one-world government—a revival of the old Roman Empire, which never really died (see the European Union). It will eventually be made up of ten effective political regions (there are currently 27). Out of the ten will arise a leader who will mold them into a powerful world government. It does not appear that the United States will be a part of the ten nations but we may assume that the United States will remain the sole support of Israel which will be there and enter into a treaty with these nations. We are going to see more American power and might shift to the European Union. We have lost our will to be "American." We have quit making things and are willingly shipping those jobs overseas.

During the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period, the powerful leader who rises out of the ten nations of the revived Roman Empire will be a deal maker and assume his exalted place as the wonderful ruler of the world. Hitler was cheered and accepted in his early days. When we speak of a world government, we do not mean that every village on earth will be included. But the main arteries of political power that really count will be part of that structure. If you look at the map of the old Roman Empire, you will see that it covered the territory around the Mediterranean Sea but not the whole world. Yet, it is conceded that the Roman Empire ruled the world.

In the coming seven years of tribulation, everything will be geared toward a world of peace and prosperity—without God. I repeat: It will be a revived Roman Empire which never really died but became dormant. For good background I recommend the two DVD's Rome: Power and Glory. Three TV Documentary episodes on each disc. (See Netflix)

The best picture of what is coming is to study Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the huge image in Daniel 2:19-45. The Bible only speaks of four great world kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the Roman Empire. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar's big image stands upon two iron legs, which are the Roman Empire—a thousand years of strong, ruthless power. Its power controlled the nations around the Mediterranean Sea. The feet of the image in Daniel 2 are a mixture of iron and clay. The great power of Rome (iron) is mixed with the fickle will of the masses and it is therefore weak in its feet.

It is at this point that a great stone is hurled onto the feet of the image and smashes the feet and the whole image into fine powder and the powder is blown away by the wind. Then the stone that smote the image on the feet of iron and clay will become a great mountain that will fill the whole earth. That stone is Christ. He will destroy and replace the last great world kingdom and impose a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth for one thousand years. That's the summary.

Young Daniel says to Nebuchadnezzar: …there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days (Daniel 2:28). The Book of Revelation picks up the threads of Daniel and expands them. If we want to understand the future for our day, we will have to study Daniel and Revelation together, plus other prophetic writings, but Daniel and Revelation are the two main books. The Bible does not stop with a bare-bones summary in Daniel. We go to the Book of Revelation and the summary in Daniel is blown up like a mini-map that fills the page. From Revelation we learn that during the last 3 ½ years the political deals will sour and the judgments of God will be so severe that the anti-Christ's hold on political power will fail. Some believe that the greatest number of conversions to Christ the world has ever seen will occur during this time but it will take place among those who have never been convicted of sin and defiantly rejected the gospel of Christ. We have this stern warning:

…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. (2Thessalonians 2:10-12)

During that seven-year period will be the fulfillment of the prophecies of Daniel, Job, Isaiah, Haggai, Joel, Jesus, Paul, Peter, Enoch, Jude, Revelation and others. Revelation speaks of an enormous global "warming" coming in the end time, but it will be God-made and not man-made. Ω

My Shepherd—Barbara Carr

In his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller begins by saying, "The Lord! But who is the Lord? What is His character? Does He have adequate credentials to be my Shepherd—my manager—my owner? And if He does—how do I come under His control? In what way do I become the object of His concern and diligent care?" Jesus said, as if to answer his question:

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:14-18)

Jesus tell us He is the Good Shepherd and that He knows His people. "The word 'know' here is used in the sense of affectionate regard or love. It implies such a knowledge of their wants, their dangers, and their characters, as to result in a deep interest in their welfare." (Barnes)

We really are like sheep. Sheep are naughty, disobedient and show little intelligence. Does that describe you? It surely does describe me. Knowing this He still loves us. He is interested in us—in our wellbeing. As a shepherd He is there to protect and help us.

We sheep often wander off in disobedience. Sometimes we become entangled in the world, but the shepherd does not give up on us.

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)

For years I struggled with guilt over past sins. Sins I knew God had forgiven, but I had a hard time forgiving myself. I would lose confidence in my witness for the Lord. With much counseling by Dan, prayer and Bible study I am beating this problem. Like Paul I haven't arrived, but I'm reaching for the goal. He is my Shepherd.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psa 37:24)

Am known of mine (John 10:14). Just like the sheep depend on the shepherd, we must accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and love Him. We must know His voice and follow His leading. We must be friends with Him. You know, when we accept Jesus as our Savior, He comes along side us. We can talk to Him. Our grandson was once asked why he wasn't singing. He answered, "I'm singing in my head." We can talk inside or we can talk aloud, but we do need to talk to Him. It doesn't have to be a big problem. It can be something that the two of us can laugh about. We need to know Jesus intimately.

Sheep love the shepherd enough to follow His set of guidelines. Sheep obey their loving shepherd and He leads them. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:1-6). Ω

The Encourager Newsletter - Vol.4 Issue 4 - March 5, 2010 - The Bible Says Global Warming IS Coming - The Real Thing

The Bible Says Global Warming IS Coming! Part I

(Because of the amount of scriptures used there was not room to print all the verses. The references are hyperlinked so computers and blogspot can access the verse texts. If you are reading a paper copy and you want a computer copy, go to www.encourager@biblewalking.com. In the subject line type subscribe. Please include your name.

We are hearing a lot about global warming. Truth is, the earth is always warming or cooling. The real mean (average) temperature of the earth has never been compiled. The current warming is in the northern hemisphere so it is not global. After studying this for three years I have concluded that if we will send our wallets and our freedoms to the politicians of the world they will "fix" a problem that does not exist. Over 17,000 scientists now disagree with the claims. See http://www.petitionproject.org/ But there is an awesome global warming coming.

The encouragement in this article is for you to be ready to leave this world in the twinkling of an eye and to encourage you to miss what is coming here on this earth. We are living in the very end of the end-time period leading up to the seven years of God's judgment of the earth called The Great Tribulation. The church of true believers making up the body of Christ will soon be called out of the world (1Corinthians 15:51-52; 1Thessalonians 4:14-18). Then the bad news. To get this message today, you will need to sit down with your Bible and work some. Look up the passages in your Bible.

In Revelation 16:8-12 as the fourth, fifth and sixth angels pour out their vials (bowls) there will come forth an enormous amount of heat. It will be a global warming that has never been on the earth before. The destruction from that heat will be awesome! But even this burning is not the ultimate heat that will one day envelope the earth. This short article can only present a highlight of that time with some background and references for those who want to study further. Jesus predicted signs in the sun (Luke 21:25).

Three vials/bowls have already been poured out (Rev.16:2-4): The first one brings about a noisome and grievous sore upon those who had willingly taken the mark of the Beast. It parallels the scene of God's judgments upon Egypt through Moses (Exodus 9:8-12) (Ex.10:21-22) See also: (Deuteronomy 28:15) (Deut. 28:27)(Deut. 28:35). All these things were not carried out against Israel at one time. The northern ten tribes were invaded and carried off by the Assyrians. After many years the remaining two tribes of Judah were carried off by Babylon. The final scattering was carried out by the Romans in A.D. 70 and the effect remains to this day. To imagine that the God of Heaven is a figment of the imagination is a big mistake. The 2^nd and 3^rd vials/bowls transform the earth's oceans and then the rivers into blood. Over half of the world's population will die during the seven-year tribulation period (Rev. 6:8) (Rev. 9:18).

God is going to judge the world (Acts 17:30-31). Late night TV comedians will have no standing to stay God's hand. No political party will be able to delay His destructive power. The churches that have made peace with the devil and denied the Bible will be the first to taste God's displeasure (1Peter 4:17). Isaiah warned about this day in referring to it briefly: (Isaiah 24:4-6). He talked about the sun shining sevenfold (Isaiah 30:26).

God has been warning the human race about this for many centuries. God is love and more than love. He is a God of truth and love and mercy and justice. Eventually His mercy was exhausted and then came Noah's flood (Gen.6:13), the confusion of languages and scattering of the human race (Gen.11:1-9), the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19:24-25), and the destruction of Jerusalem after Jesus' final warning that they were left desolate (Luke 13:34-35). God gave them another 40 years of grace after Jesus' crucifixion. Titus the Roman general came and leveled the city during Jewish Passover resulting in the slaughter of a million Jews trapped in the city. The Arch of Titus in Rome commemorates this event.

God promised not to destroy the earth again with water (Gen.9:13-17). The next world-wide destruction will be by fire (2Peter 3:10). There is a primary and secondary fulfillment of that promise. This is the case with many prophecies. The first is (Revelation 16:8-12). The final is (2Peter 3:10-13).

Peter warned of the day of ultimate destruction of the earth by fire. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. (7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men (2Peter 3:6-7).

Malachi warned of a future day of fire. For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch (Malachi 4:1).

Henry Morris writes this comment in his study Bible concerning Rev. 16:8-12: "The heat will aggravate their sores even more. The temperatures will likely melt the polar ice caps, causing a rapid rise in sea level which will inundate and destroy most of the great and wicked cities of the world, situated as they are almost at sea level.

The MacArthur, Jr. Study Bible comments on Rev. 16:8-12): With no fresh water to drink, earth's inhabitants will face extreme heat. The scorching heat will melt the polar ice caps,… inundating many of the world's major cities and producing further catatrophic loss of life. The resulting disruption of ocean transportation will make it difficult to distribute the dwindling resources of food and water. Amos 9:5-6 uses wording that may relate to this. Ω

The Real Thing—Barbara Carr

In 1969 Coca Cola changed its advertising slogan to: "It's the Real Thing." The upbeat musical ads saturated TV and radio audiences at a cost of millions of dollars. The public loved it! Underneath, people love the idea of real things.

Last summer I attended a Women's Conference in Chattanooga with a group of women from our church. Their theme was "Be Still—Get Real Makeover." Since then I have thought more about what "get real" means. One dictionary says: Genuine and original not artificial or synthetic.

Does "get real" include your dreams and imaginations? For reasons known only to God, He made us with a capacity to dream and imagine. In other words, a "not--real" world. It turns out to be a wonderful place to incubate and create ideas—powerful ideas. But it's a world removed from reality and can be used for good or for evil. God-given imagination gave us the electric light bulb and most of the inventions we use every day. But it has also given us war and tragedy.

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. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Genesis 6:5-6)

Do you have a problem separating your dream/imagination world from your world of reality? We may dream or imagine just how we want something to be and when it doesn't turn out that way we are disappointed. God has a plan for each of our lives; a plan that the majority of us do not follow. We pray about our dream/plan, but do we wait for God's answer? If God doesn't show us a sign, we may decide our plan must be God's plan and do our own thing.

Georgia, my sister, has a new job as Post Master at Stevenson, AL. She now has to cross the Tennessee River and drive up and down the mountain regardless of the weather. Already this year a sudden snow storm covered the side of the mountain and she had to hitch a ride home with the Highway Patrol and leave her car crossways on the icy mountain road. She didn't think I wanted her to get the job. Never mind that I drove up and down that same mountain for twenty-two years. I told her I would pray for the Lord's will to be done. I couldn't help but smile when I heard she had the job. I guess I just kept thinking that my will would be God's will. He answers prayer according to His plan. I had to get real.

At the Women's Conference I mentioned, the word "Real" was used as an acronym:

R - Resist the temptation to be something you are not. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) Submit means to yield, to accept someone else's authority. We are not going to be able to resist the devil in our own strength. There are evil influences all around us tempting us on every hand. God supplies His grace in our time of need and His strength is our mainstay.

E – Expect the process to be a difficult one. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2)

This promise was given to Israel when God delivered them in the past, but it is also a great spiritual promise to all of God's children in all times. Have you ever thought you were in way over your head? That you couldn't touch bottom? In this verse we have the assurance that God will go through any experience with us. He is always with us.

A – Allow God to use your present situation to mold you into the person He wants you to be. "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." (James 3:17)

L – Lay and leave your burden/problem at His feet. "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

If we are willing to be humble before the Lord; if we are willing to come as a sinner and trust Him, the Lord will be near us. Sometimes we ladies feel like we need a new makeover—we have a bad hair day, etc. I think the Lord wants us to do the best with everything He has given us and that includes our physical appearance. BUT, the makeover we are in need of is God's molding us into the person He desires. "Get Real!" Let's not make ourselves believe, as we struggle along in life, that changes are not needed. As the song says, "He's still working on me."

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10). He tells us to be calm. We are living in a wicked world with many changes taking place. God is still in control and He is our rock in time of trouble. Ω