Where did Jesus go when He died? Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti ! Christ is Risen!

   Putting scripture together and pondering on the Lord’s last moment’s, this is what I imagine happened during those last moments on the cross to His resurrection :

           A great heavenly host of angels, the prophets, the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Archangel Gabriel surrounded the cross at that moment. They watched as the Son of God was tried and beaten throughout the night. They watched as Jesus carried the cross to Calvary. When He was nailed to the cross, all the heavens stood silent. A great silence and stillness covered the heavens as tears slipped down their faces, their fury held back as they watched the Savior suffer in torment. Abraham watching his children spit and strike the Lord, the angels wanting desperately to rescue Him, and the prophets of old bowing their heads with broken hearts as they all watched the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Lion of tribe of Judah ,the King of kings , the descendant from the line of King David nailed to a cross. The savior of the world hung on the cross in deep abandonment, sorrow, pain and rejection. On the cross for 6 hours and after 3 hours of complete darkess, they heard the Lord cry out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” and then another cry “It is finished!”

He bowed his head and released his spirit. It was done. He died and the earth quaked. The bodies of the saints who slept arose and came out of their graves ( scripture says the came out of their graves after His resurrection and they went into the city and appeared to many) The thick veil in the temple tore in two and the proclamation of Isaiah 52-53 (Zech 12:10) echoed out:

Who has believed our message?
To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?
 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot,like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the LORD laid on him
the sins of us all.
 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
 Unjustly condemned,he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
 He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels

“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.  And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told;  they will understand what they had not heard about. And because of his experience, my righteous servant has made it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he has borne all their sins.  I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. He has  opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. He has made the people holy by the blood He shed, He has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world.  With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever  so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. He mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. “

    As He released His spirit, He was taken up into the arms of the heavenly host who quickly gathered around Him. Each wanted to comfort the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Messiah, the Holy One. They surrounded Him and held Him with great love, as He was comforted and strengthened. He, the Son of God, was given all authority in Heaven and Earth from God the Father. All Power was given to Him. As He regained His strength, He was given the keys to Hades. He went into the dark abyss with a mighty angelic force behind Him. Entering into the gates of Hell, He proclaimed freedom every captive “ You have been set free! I have come to save You! Your Father in Heaven has sent for you!”  His voice like thunder, echoing throughout for every man and woman to hear. His thundering words went out teaching and preaching the Good News. He walked through the gates of the depths and throughout the abyss. He made sure He spoke to everyone who had ever been created, gathering as many captives as He could. The demons who surrounded Him were silenced and frozen in fear, as the Mighty and Powerful Son of God passed by. Powerless before the Son of God, the demons were unable to speak as they trembled in His presence. He gave one last chance to all those Spirits who had died thousands of years ago and in the flood. The Lord never once forgot them, His thoughts of them were as numerous as the sands on the seashore.The Savior, full of power and authority continued showing the captives His hands and feet, showing everyone what our Savior had done so they could be set free.  Many called out to Him, grabbing on to Him, following and believing, but yet others – in anger, like the Pharisees, mocked Him and treated Him as the people of the world treated Him.  Just as the Pharisees knew He was God and choose to reject Him for their own pride, status and evil hearts, so some of the people in Hell also treated Him.

  The Lord Jesus took His captives to freedom as they ascended into the Heavens, setting the captives free from the pit of torment and dread that was supposed to be eternal for each one of them.  This happened on the third day after He appeared to Mary, for He said “I haven’t yet ascended to the Father.”   He then  ascended to God the Father with the captives He had freed. As they reached the Great Throne room before the Lord God Almighty, the Father’s heart leaped for joy as He saw His children. He gave each one a Great Embrace as if they were the only child of the Father- telling them- “ My Child, I have always loved you with an everlasting love. Since the days of Noah, I have never forgotten you. You have never left my mind. I am filled with Joy that you are here with me. I have a place prepared for you.” Jesus came back to earth to see and talk to His friends giving them instructions ” Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… and lo, I am with you always” . He showed them His hands and feet, proving that He is the Son of the Living God. After this, He was taken up into the Heavens where He sits today at the right hand of God the Father. “During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.”

The heavens, the freed captives, and the angelic host filled the heavens with great Praises to the King of Kings and they have never stopped – even unto this day.

            I heard the praises ringing out to the King of Kings one night. I’ll never forget it. I’ve never heard anything so beautiful. Today, I can still hear them sing praises to the new born king, Peace on earth, goodwill toward men, Christ was born in Bethlehem -the praises to Him ring forth forever and ever.
Amen and Glory Hallelujah! Our King is Risen.

 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Mark 21:25

My disclaimer: I know there is A LOT of debate on whether Jesus did or did not go to hell, hades, abyss, spirits in prison (that’s another argument in itself) I have merely given you the verses to think about for yourself and my wonderings today.

 “I don’t consider myself with things to great for me to grasp, but instead I have calmed and quieted myself” Ps 131 🙂

Christ Has Risen, Indeed He Has !

Here are verses that make me consider this:

1-Jesus said this on the 3^rd day: Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.  John 20:17 Immediately after that verse we are told he ascended up to heaven, and later that evening he met up with his disciples, then after that he tells Thomas John 20”17     Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” John 20:27

2-  When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there. Psalm 68:18

3- However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people. Eph 4:7-8

4- For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit 1 Peter 4:6

5-  By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 1 Peter 3:18 -20

6-Or, Who shall descend into the deep(go down to the abyss)?   Roman 10

7-  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenanceActs 2: 23-40

^8- For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40

Job 38: 17¹⁷ Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

Zechariah *:11- Because of the covenant I made with you,
    sealed with blood,
I will free your prisoners
    from death in a waterless dungeon.
¹² Come back to the place of safety,
    all you prisoners who still have hope!
I promise this very day
    that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.
¹³ Judah is my bow,
    and Israel is my arrow.
Jerusalem^[i] is my sword,
    and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the GreeksChristos Anesti, Alithos Anesti! which is Greek for “Christ is Risen” and we all respond “Indeed He has” Amen and Amen!

Related sources: Click here: Prophecy of the Messiah “He shall be called Immanuel”

Review of BSF Bible Study Fellowship – children’s bible study / ministry

I’ve heard about Bible Study Fellowship (bsf) for years.  People have TRIED to tell me how great it is, but I thought NO WAY.  (you can’t fool me) . I’ve read reviews and heard people talk about it as if it’s some sort of strict military regime. NO way, not for me. First of all, I don’t like rules. Okay, God’s rules – yes, but I generally get annoyed with too many rules. I know this may be a shocker, but it takes everything in me not to press a button that says “do not press”, “do not touch” or “very hot”.  I’m still a work in progress.

For  years, I’ve heard how great bsf bible study is. While researching online and asking friends, here are some of the rules I heard: “ Don’t share! Don’t look at my answers! Top Secret! Don’t or you’ll get kicked out! No reading commentaries! No skipping class”.  I repeatedly said: “No way, no way, no way, not for me, don’t even talk about it to me.  I am not sitting under someone’s ridiculous rules”. However, as life will have it, I suddenly found myself at a BSF study this past August. I thought – for sure! I’ll be out of here in a few weeks when I find something wrong.

Now, coming to the end of BSF this year, I can tell you I have enjoyed it and I will be back again. I did not intend to end up here,   I was looking for a good weekday bible club for my children. I couldn’t find anything that had something for all ages – all on one night. Awana was nice, but some are good and some are slacking. The good are somehow supernaturally full within 24 hours of signup, wait…. make that 1 hour of sign up. I think it’s hierarchy – you know how that goes. The other good local Awana only had elementary level available. When I found out BSF had a bible study class for grades K-12 –woohoo,  but wait…I had to go too, so there I was.

BSF has it’s good and well, it’s annoying things. Sure! Just like anything else. Just like church- I still haven’t found one that is perfect . Same with other bible studies I’ve been in. I love the Beth Moore studies, but I don’t agree with a few of her teachings, but that doesn’t stop me from studying her books. I don’t 100% agree with other teachers either, but I still listen and study. Sometimes they’ve convinced me, and other times not. I always end up learning something. It all depends on my attitude and my decision to fully seek the Lord in the study through the scriptures. If I blocked out everyone that didn’t agree 100% with me, I’d be stuck in a corner by myself all my life.

Here’s the 411 if your interested:

The basics:

We meet once a week all year (August- May). My group has about 150-300 women and we break up into small groups of 12-15. Each week we begin our 2.5 hour study with everyone from all groups meeting together to sing praises and hear of upcoming events. From there,  the large crowd breaks up into their small groups. Each group has a facilitator / group leader who leads us through the 6 day homework assignment that we were given for the week. People share what they’ve learned and answer the questions. Reading some reviews, I’ve found that some leaders are very serious and strict, but others are normal and welcoming. I guess each experience depends on the people around you. Thank God! I was put in a normal group with nice people.

Initially my leader scared me! She was super serious about the name tags and getting our homework done. I never had my name tag and I was called out until I got my act together. I’m not serious about stuff like that, but I know they have their reasons and so forth….. .Anyways, despite my first impressions, my group was wonderful. My leader is caring, loving and is always there for anyone. The group of women I was with was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed my time with them. I had a good group of friendly women. They all knew scripture well but no one was “the know it all”, the “I’m so much better than you” or “so sorry you aren’t as intelligent as I am” people – you know what I’m saying? I’ve had a few of those in past bible studies and Phew! Those were some memorable moments. That kind of attitude can really take away from the study and why we are there – to glorify God , to seek Him – not to put ourselves on a pedestal. “All hail to me, you paupers” anywhoo……

After about 35-45 minutes of small group, all the groups meet once again together to sing – again – and hear a lecture – or talk – or whatever you call it. Then go home!

 The Good:

The study keeps you in the scriptures daily. Homework takes me 3-5 hours a week, but I go overboard. Maybe 15-20 minutes a day in homework would be all you really need. It’s all scripture based. You read the bible, you answer the questions. My favorite thing about bsf is that my children have an amazing new knowledge of scripture. All my children now know the book of Matthew and other scriptures very well. They’ve studied end times, Jesus’s last days and all the parables in great depth. My youngest can now reason with me and discuss scripture. Being in public school all day, it is difficult to really teach scripture to our children. Sunday school is good, but I wanted my children to learn more. I really believe God gave my children understanding as they read. I would preread some things and thought – Oh no- how can I explain this to them?,  but they got it. God blessed this year as we studied. My children got an amazing blessing of learning the Word. I am so happy about this. Studying the miracles has increased their faith. They now have a new desire to continue learning and seeking. Could I ask for anything more? I am blessed. Getting to homework wasn’t easy with their schedules and work from school. I would read the scriptures each night and at the end of the week we would answer our questions.

It’s a great study for anyone – even if you’ve never read the bible.  I think this is wonderful.  No one is felt left out or felt like they know more or less than the other person. All are welcome- that’s just the way God is too.  If you have read the bible many times, it’s still a good intense study – it is what you make it to be.  I believe each scripture verse holds a key to deeper and deeper mysteries. The more we study, the more understanding the Lord gives us.

It’s a very controlled environment, so the over-talker can’t take over the entire class . I’ve seen happen many times in other studies. In bsf small group, everyone gets an equal chance to talk and discuss.

 The real:

    Let’s be real. If you think my kids were super happy and my life is a field of daisy’s as I went to bsf all year, think again. Our bsf nights were on school nights- cranky, tired, crazy, chaotic, complaining, whining, fighting – ugh, I’m getting sick just thinking about it. This also made it very difficult with homework. Not only homework, but we do other things after school as well : piano, guitar, soccer, dance, youth group, volunteer hours, drama practice. Yes, life is busy! Somehow, miraculously, we were able to finish the year. We only missed a few scattered days. BSF is not a youth group nor is it similar to awana, it’s a lot more of intense learning. Yes, my kids would complain, whine and roll around the floor telling me they refused to go, but that doesn’t bother me. They go anyway and guaranteed – every night when we all pile in the car to drive back home, everyone is happy they went. In fact, the one that throws the biggest tantrum is the one who says “You know what mom, I know it’s not easy to get here, but I’m glad I went”. Always! Every ride home I always hear how happy each one was to be there.

Secondly –it can be exhausting at the end of a long day. I have to prepare dinner, do homework, look somewhat presentable and I drag myself there. I thought maybe this is good- going tired, because this keeps me quiet. I’m not overly talkative in my small group because I’m about to pass out from not only my day, but the tantrums and the chaos from the car ride there. I think I was almost on the verge of tears yesterday. One daughter threw a major tantrum because she had a lot of homework. I didn’t have the energy to jump to the back of the car and strangle her so I just kept saying  “Jesus!” for my entire 25 minute ride there. Surely he answered my cry. Hey! God commands us:

 So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,²¹ so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. Duet 11

  No one promised us that this would be easy, but the Lord is always there to help us through. Remember the enemy is out to destroy your children. How will they know right from wrong if we continue to let society, media, and the world shape, manipulate and brainwash our children? It is our responsibility to teach our children God’s word.

 The annoying:

I hate to say this, but I know people want the truth. The truth is, you can find annoying anywhere. These are some things that bother me. # 1 rules. I know you need rules, but in my group, I only ‘heard of rules’ no one actually sat me down with rules at bsf so depending on where you are and who leads – who knows. I only heard of bsf rules through the rumor mill, but no one every told me anything except “Where’s your name tag?”. My rule was to have a name tag, so after a while I finally gave in. I  think they are pretty strict about attendance. I heard if you miss a certain amount of days you need an approval to get back in- otherwise they fill your spot with another person and you are OUT. I think this rule would aggravate most people to running away, but keep calm and carry on….. ( Don’t run away yet)

Occasionally the notes annoy me because I’ve found things that are questionable. That doesn’t happen often, maybe 0-5% of the time. Otherwise the notes are great and full of great information, historical facts and biblical insight. Just throwing that in there – remember God’s word is the ultimate truth. Have a Berean attitude with everything else – that means to search the scriptures tot make sure that what you have been taught is truth.  Ask for wisdom and discernment as you study.  You must seek out the truth yourself as a Christ follower and be careful of every word spoken by teacher and preachers today.

This has been the best bible study my children have ever had. I was able to walk them through the scripture and homework throughout the week. If a question frustrated them for more than 30 seconds, it was time to move on to the next one. Bible study is not supposed to be frustrating, but enjoyable and fun. Like searching for ancient treasures!

**  I heard you can’t do research or read commentaries when answering questions. I think they say this so everyone doesnt come in with the same answer that someone else studied for them. It’s good to read reviews and sermons if you don’t understand- search for your answers if you need to and answer from you heart. I’ve also heard people say we can’t discuss notes outside of class . I never heard that in my study either,  the leader would always tell us to go out and share our faith and what we learned in the scripture with others around us.

Y Ya – as my mom in law says  (or that’s it! in spanish)

And that’s it!  I’ll be back again next year and I’m looking forward to next year’s study. My children have already expressed how excited they are about next years study as well and want to continue. That is a miracle in itself.  If you are contemplating joining bsf , try it out before you judge. I think it really depends on the leaders and the people in your group. It’s been a blessing for me and my children. Truly amazing.

  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

 

For more information: https://www.bsfinternational.org/

Find a class near you : bsf locate a class

Related articles:

• meepawamiba.wordpress.com bible study fellowship
• wordbreath.wordpress.com Ending the Study of Isaiah – bsf
• Happyhouseof5.com BSF bible study fellowship
• Thedrewpeterson.com Impact of bible study fellowship (men’s group)
• Atozmomm.com BSF – great blog to follow along with as you are in BSF – don’t copy her answers, but if you are lost as you search for answers, you will find answers and help here

And another pastor falls………………………….

A popular church has made national headlines. A pastor has fallen to ‘moral failure’. Opinions and gossip are everywhere, but to me – his punishment strikes fear in me for what lies ahead on judgment day for all of us. How horrible it is to be judged, found in sin and humiliated in front of millions. Imagine what judgment day will be like for all the world. No sin will be hidden. Jesus said “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Mt 12:36).  This should be a wake up call for all of us to stop making excuses for our sins- no matter how “small” we may excuse them to be.  Your secret sins are not secret before Almighty God. Our cries of “don’t throw the first stone”, “doesn’t God forgive?” or “he was a good man”  will not matter on that day of judgment. A day is coming when there won’t be a second chance. Many will fall to eternal punishment even though our human reasoning cries; “No! but he was good, forgive him”. God’s judgment is final. God’s judgment is eternal.

 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Is 64:6

Fear strikes through me as I consider the scriptures:

• We will not receive mercy from God if we don’t show mercy to others. Luke 10, James 2:13 “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment”
• We will not be forgiven if we don’t forgive others Mt 6:15
• Few people find the narrow path to life, for wide and easy is the way to destruction Mt 7:13-14
• Faith without words is dead. James 2:14-26
• The righteous barely make it into to heaven 1 Peter 4:17-19 “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
• Many will expect to get in but the Lord will say He doesn’t know them. Mt 7:21-22
• If you break one sin, you break them all James 2:8-13
• Surely our sins will find us out Numbers 32:23
• We will be accountable for every idle word we speak Mt 12:36

We are told that the righteous are scarcely saved and judgment begins with us first. We are to commit our souls to HIM in doing good: 

 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now“If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:17-19

We are told to cease from ALL sin.

“ Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,  that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” 1 Peter 4:1-2

Confess your sins to one another – who is the first to stand up to that?

 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:15-16

Cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, lament for your ways and humble yourself before God:

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-9

Love your neighbor as yourself, but if you show partiality, you commit a sin. If you show no mercy to others, no mercy will be given to you.

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;  but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.  For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment James 2:8-13

If you can’t control your tongue and you say you are religious, you are fooling yourself.

 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-27

   Instead of passing judgment, I am silenced. I fear what lies ahead for so many- and even myself, for I am certainly not without sin. I can almost imagine that judgment day ahead. It should make each one of us get serious about eliminating sin out of our lives. Gossip? Hatred? Unforgiveness? Anger? Drunkenness? This should be our prayer:

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 139:23-24. Psalm 19:14

Perhaps this great fall just saved a man from eternal punishment? As painful and embarrassing as it may be for him and others who have publicly fallen, how much worse will it be on that last day? Better to fall now and be saved eternally, then hide in sin while on earth and pay eternally.

I began to pour out my heart and talk to the Lord:

I told the Lord what was on my heart and I heard
“My people have deserted me”

I asked the Lord about myself and what lies ahead and he answered:

“It’s is not about you, it is about my people. Call them back, call them back. I grieve bitterly for them. Come back my people, but do you hear my call?”

I asked about the recent situation and I heard,

“He was good man who took a wrong turn
Grieve bitterly with weeping tears, fall down before your God, weep bitterly.
All of you people , all of you have sin
A disgrace in my sight
Wickedness is everywhere
Even my shepherds’ fall
Who will lead my sheep?
Who can stand to fight?
Who can withstand what the enemy puts before you?
Everyone takes all their pleasure
Making excuses with the Word
Twisting them but I am angry
They go their own way with their own excuses
No one stops to ask me, no one fears the Lord
Fall down and weep O people for the Lord is about to take vengeance on the land”

O Lord, I said, give me good words to say, I feel like I only have warnings to tell, so many others speak words of blessing and good tidings, and over flow of blessings, and I heard

“Stop asking for good words to hear because you will not. Warn the people. Warn the people. I am about to come back in great anguish and wrath. I am Mighty and My Mighty army follows behind me. Be still, be silenced for I come quickly”

O Lord, I long to be with you , where are you, where can you be found?

In the highest mountain is where I reside
Watching all the earth

Lord, do you see Israel and what is going on?
My eye is on them
Lord, what do I do?
Pray for their peace
But Lord, doesn’t revelation say there will be no peace?
Just pray for them
No one knows when the Son of Man will arrive
O Lord, I am captured by your love

 SUBMIT TO GOD, DRAW NEAR TO HIM AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.

 ^“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:“God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up  James 4:4-10

LAY ASIDE THE SIN THAT TRIES TO TRAP US AND LOOK TO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

 Judgment day- a day of works in the fire, a day of accountability

Riches won’t help on the day of judgment,  but right living can save you from death.Proverbs 11:4 (nlt)
2 Peter 2:9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment

2 Peter 2:4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.
James 5:3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.
1 Corinthians 3:13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
Romans 2:5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed
John 12:48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken
Zephaniah 1:7 Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. The Lord has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners.
Zephaniah 2:2 Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.
Malachi 3:1 [ The Coming Day of Judgment ] “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Malachi 3:17 “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.
Malachi 4:1 [ The Coming Day of Judgment ] The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.
Matthew 7:22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
Matthew 10:15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
Matthew 11:22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
Matthew 11:24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
Matthew 12:36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

Matthew 12:41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.
Luke 11:31 “The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.
Luke 11:32 The people of Nineveh will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse

I heard someone say this the other day regarding the recent news;  “ If you don’t want to end up in the river, don’t put your foot in the water”

Related sources:

unsealedprophecy.wordpress.com

” Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and roll in ashes, you principal ones of the flock. For the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully come, and you shall fall and be dashed into pieces like a choice vessel.  And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal ones of the flock any means of escape. A voice! The cry of the shepherds and the wailing of the principal ones of the flock! For the Lord is laying waste and destroying their pasture.” Jeremiah 25:34-36