I did say in Part Two that I would talk more about why our mindset matters in the times ahead. We will look at issues such as the tribulation, the rapture, and preparedness, and why these events must take place.
I will touch on you and me, in terms of how we will live during times like the tribulation, and what our attitude must be when this all arises. Why it is important not to allow fear and anxiety to take control of our minds?
I also left you with a summary of last month’s teaching and some takeaways. I am repeating these because of their significance:
- It’s normal to feel some fear, doubt, or discouragement after reading these scriptures.
- Scholars have all kinds of interpretations of these, but the Bible is both absolutely true and sometimes mysterious, leaving us with questions.
- At its core, the Bible teaches us how to live, warns us about the consequences of ignoring God, and shows us God’s love, compassion, and encouragement.
- We’re all searching for truth and hope for the future. But real understanding and peace come only from God, the author.
Looking at the world today, I see things happening that line up with what the Bible said would come. I have no idea about the timing, but I notice how quickly life seems to be changing. For millennia, people have said, “We’re in the last days,” and maybe they were wrong about timing, but here’s what I want you to remember: We should always live our lives prepared for the last days. There’s incredible hope for all of us, no matter how you interpret scripture.
Here are the main takeaways:
- The Bible doesn’t give us scientific details about the tribulation or the rapture. We don’t know exactly how it will all play out in the long run.
- We have no clue about the timing of end-time events. Even Jesus said, “It is not for you to know…”[1]
- If we live by everything Jesus taught, we will be ready for whatever comes—even if it means facing pain, suffering, or loss.
If you and I could read and memorize the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we could form an idea of what God’s plan is all about.
Before I discuss God’s plan, let me explain something vital:
“These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds. But don’t have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.”[2]
This and several other scriptures indicate that we are not to engage in argumentative discussions about who is right and who is wrong in interpreting God’s word.
What you read in the teachings I write on this site is the way I interpret God’s words. It’s your duty to go to God and check with what God says to you about these teachings.
Beginning in the Garden of Eden, God issued some instructions to Adam and Eve. God’s instructions were for the best life they could live on earth. They did not obey God’s word, and they ended up getting the worst out of life.
God issued instructions to Moses in the form of the Ten Commandments. Some of the Israelites obeyed what God said; others did not. Those who were obedient would have fared well, but those who were disobedient would suffer the consequences.
Then the people demanded a king, and they were given a king. Of all the kings of Israel, this was the result: “5 Good Kings and 33 Bad Kings in 208 years.”[3]
It was not God’s desire for the Israelites to have kings, as God wanted to rule them.
One of the five righteous kings, Solomon, was told to build a temple exactly according to God’s specifications. We read that God set out rules for the temple practice. The most important aspect of these rules was that those who had disobeyed God could now have a chance to repent by offering a sacrifice at the temple once each year. Those who could afford it brought two lambs, and those who did not have the means brought two pigeons.
In 70 AD, this temple was destroyed. Many Jews were killed, and others were sold as slaves to owners in different countries around the world.
Now I am not in a position to say how the Jewish people managed to deal with not having a temple in which to have their disobedience to God’s word forgiven, and how God deals with that situation.
The Arrival of Jesus
God’s final plan is the gift of Jesus, who would be the last sacrifice for humanity’s sins. This means that all who believe in God’s gift of redemption for their sins through the resurrection of Jesus need no temple because those who believe have the temple within them. All that is required for the forgiveness of sins is their repentance and turning to obedience.
We shall continue with Part Four next month.
Love and Blessings
Peter-James