The Question...
There is a question that comes up, when situations in your surroundings begin to present an increased reality of challenges... just by reading or watching the news, it very much appears that there are some changes taking place... I'm not referring specifically to political campaign promises, although they do have an influence in how we are affected when carried out. Let's take a look at some of the issues, globally... financial markets are distressed, political alliances have emerged (Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China) which affect national and international security issues, Lybia will shortly be taking on a major position of influence within the United Nations, Nuclear technology is in the possesion of countries with agendas that promote expansion of ideals far from the principals of True Peace (Iran, Syria, N. Korea, Pakistan & India are not only opposed to each other, but are struggling with Islamic factions seeking to take control of each country), concerns of food shortages are being expressed by organizations and scientific experts... and the evidence is being seen thru-out numerous countries in the African continent, climatic changes continue to be observed... polar caps having large segments of ice separated from it's original geographic composition, concerns for pandemics have been expressed by the leading health organizations as well as prophesy scholars... swine flu not being a regional concern but now a rapidly global alert, all these things can bring up this question... Where does one stand in the scheme of things, the scriptures contain descriptions of events that were to take place, have taken place, and will take place... these are called prophecy and they serve to point to a fact for anyone who seeks to know the answer of the question, where does one stand in the plans of the Creator... are you seeking a role within His Plans. It's not about institutions per say, religious affiliations per say, they can serve the purpose with the appropriate perspective... the question is more of how is your relationship with the Creator of the Universe, do you have a relationship, do you want one, do you listen and seek to understand and incorporate yourself in His Ways? What is your communication with Him like, is it daily, occasional, sporadic... is it structured or spontaneous, maybe even both. Do you get to know Him or just information about Him? During these kinds of times many have realized that there is a greater Presence in our existence, and nature itself gives witness to the design of it... steps are needed to draw close to Him... to call out from the heart and mind. There is an invitation for all the tribes of the Earth to know Him... He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and anyone who seeks and goes thru Yeshua (in greek Jesus) receives His Mercy and Love, that comes from His Very Own Spirit to then lead and guide us, so we can know Our Father, His Son, and the everpresent Holy Spirit. These are that time to "seek and find", may God's Presence become evident within you!
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I was thinking about what you wrote. Way before I read the Left Behind series, I conceived a present day series of what would happened the days of the world\'s destruction before, during, and after. It didn\'t really focus so much on the rapture concept, being that I\'m Catholic. But I feel now compelled to revisit this idea and pursue writing again. I already was in the midst of writing also a Christian version of what Harry Potter was these last few years. Yes, ambitious, but during these times, I think we need another hero, someone based on scripture. I\'m taking notes actually, using verses as some inspiration for situations chapters and characters....
Also, you know me to have strange dreams. Again before reading Left Behind, I had two dreams that seemed foreboding. The first seemed like a scene from War of The Worlds. I saw something fall from the sky, a huge flaming meteor!!!! It was, in the context of my dream, the initiating event predicting the world\'s end. Then I had another stranger dream, more auditory lacking visuals. It was like a large sonic boom in both ears, loud enough to wake me up! I got scared, but grew tired and slept again, only to wake up with a more physical jarring as though I hit a window and again I woke up!
It seems that \"men & women\" are starting to dream dreams.....Which makes me wonder now, are these visions of warnings from God?...
If we ask God to provide us with His discernment, we will observe how people whom had no prior relationship with the Creator are disclosing similar dreams and visions, the \"entertainment\" industry is putting these concepts onscreen (though profitting from fear may be a motivation, what\'s initiating this is based on \"partially\" realistic circumstances depending on context), science is confirming to us a real threat and manifestations upon the earth (see asteriod 1/29/08, http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/asteroid-20080129.html), in addition to the geo-political global conditions mentioned in the journal entry. I believe that your writting project is an effective approach towards having people reflect upon these approaching events. Thought I\'d include some scriptures that validate what you shared above. God bless you!
Daniel 1:17
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (see also Mark 13:26 & 14:62)
Ezekiel 32:7
And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.
Joel 2:10
The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel 3:15
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Revelation 8:10
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
Revelation 8:11
And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Revelation 8:12
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Revelation 12:1
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: