God’s words, not mine. Depends on who you are. It is a threat against you, if you are like the Assyrian King Sennacherib, ranting against Yahweh (701 BC) in the Levant, besieging Jerusalem. “I know where you live and everything you do and how you rage against Me” (Isaiah 37:28 NET). Biblical and secular histories differ, where the siege against King Hezekiah at Jerusalem ended with an angel killing “185,000 troops in the Assyrian camp” (37:26), Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, and was slain by his own sons (37:38; 681 BC). Assyrian annals left out the part where the Lord’s angel killed 185,000 troops, instead they recorded: “Hezekiah was overwhelmed by fear of [Sennacherib’s] ‘Lordly brilliance’ and submitted to paying a large tribute of soldiers, hostages, gold and silver, weapons, and other valuables to be delivered to Nineveh.” Revisionist history or fake news, since 2Kings 19 gives an authentic account of the supernatural annihilation and humiliation received by Sennacherib. May the LORD’s words, “I know where you live,” be received as encouragement for the godly that He knows how to deal with the ungodly, and even inspire the afflicted, as later for the New Covenant Church of Pergamum. “I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to My name and you have not denied your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives” (Revelation 2:13). LORD, come quickly and deliver Your people. Amen.
Support Your Local Church
Rapture: The Blessed Hope
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV). Sure, I’d like to go, if there’s a Rapture, but how do you know it’s so? Harpazō is the NT Greek for catching up or rapture. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Here, harpazō is understandably connected with the “coming of the Lord” (4:15). We will be “caught up” (4:17) to the Lord in the air to reunite with our predeceased brothers and sisters before we all return with Christ. Harpazō also occurs in Revelation 12:5, where the “woman” (12:1), representing Israel, brings forth the Messiah, who is “caught up” (12:5) to the throne of God. Likewise, the Church as the Body of Christ will be raptured to Heaven, after which Israel will be forced to flee “into the wilderness” (12:6). May the Spirit of Christ “comfort” you (1Thessalonians 4:18) with these words, but let us not be impatient or contentious with one another, least of all, about the Rapture. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).
Support Your Local Church (Part 2)
Contributing to your local church not only pays the rent, keeps the lights on, provides a place to teach your kids, provides a place to interact with fellow disciples, gives a way to hear the preaching of God’s Word, but it is a place where Jesus said He would be especially present. Sure, He is everywhere because He is God, but He was especially present in the OT Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple, just as He is now abiding in His NT disciples. But, He is, again, especially present in the assemblies of the local church, where the Holy Spirit can specially minister to us and through us, like in Matthew 18:20. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20 KJV). Keep this special assembly alive with your tithes and offerings.
Support Your Local Church (Part 1)
Thank you for supporting your local church! They don’t collect taxes or sell a product, but like Old Covenant Israel, God has chosen the New Testament Church to represent Himself to the world. God is looking for a people who love Him, and are willing to do His will, not to avoid punishment or gain a reward. A people so willing to do His will, they become an extension of Him. That’s why the most important thing we can give Him is our heart. “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” (Proverbs 23:26 NIV). Supporting your local church is a princely deed! “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves — praise the Lord” (Judges 5:2 NIV). Think of how God can multiply His influence across the world with people who want no more than His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!
We Need A Miracle 