CHRISTIAN IMMIGRANTS!

[The End Times Passover is pleased to welcome a new "guest" commentator to our blog, Keith Giles. I'm certain you will find that Keith (as our other guest commentators) has a similar understanding of God's words and their meaning, with an obviously unique and compelling style]

CHRISTIAN IMMIGRANTS
By Keith Giles

     These days it seems that Americans are becoming more and more polarized over the issue of illegal aliens and their impact on our economy. What I find most sad is how many followers of Jesus are siding with their political party on this issue rather than taking God's Word into consideration.

    In Exodus 22:21 God says, "Do not mistreat the alien or oppress him, for you were once aliens in Egypt". Doesn't that mean that God expects His people to show compassion and love to those who live as strangers among us? Even those who are – in the same way that the Jews were in Egypt – oppressed, mistreated, abused, and treated as slaves should receive special treatment from the people of God.

     In any debate, we should find ourselves always on the side of the weak, and the oppressed, not on the side of the rich and the strong and the powerful. Jesus set us an example. He was a friend of sinners. He was found hanging with drunks and prostitutes and lepers. We should be found where Jesus was found most often – among the oppressed and the forgotten.

     Someone once suggested to me that it would be appropriate for Churches to issue Green Cards to new converts immediately after baptism in order to remind them that they are resident aliens in this World.

     Jesus agreed with this idea of Christians as immigrants when he said, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it." (John 17: 15-16)

     Followers of Jesus need to align themselves more closely to the outcast, the poor, the sick, the illegal alien, and the elderly. We should befriend those who are dying of cancer. We should comfort those who are suffering from aids. We should have more in common with the weak in our society than with the strong. We are not of the world, any more than Jesus was of it. So, why do we continue to support the power structures of this world?

     Obviously, these words from Jesus suggest that we need to examine our own materialism, our pursuit of fame, our desire for money and our love of self. But I also believe that this verse says something about our basic sense of identity.

     As we argue over the dinner tables – or the blogosphere – about these issues of immigration reform and the laws being passed in Arizona against illegal aliens, I am disturbed to hear no Christian voices speaking out about our need to see ourselves in the faces of those who are oppressed.

     The truth is that we are more like these resident aliens than we realize. These people are – like us – strangers and aliens in this place. So, why are we not out there marching alongside them, asking for them to be treated fairly and seen as worthy human beings who deserve the same chances we've been given?

     I will admit, this is an especially difficult issue for people of faith. On the one hand we have laws of the land that should be enforced, but at the same time we have people who are working harder than we are, doing things most of us would not do, for less money than we would ever consider working for, and paying taxes and social security that others will enjoy and they will never collect. Where is the greater injustice being done? Does anyone defend this injustice with the same passion as they defend the rights of the middle class or corporations?

     As followers of Jesus, this is not a political issue for us. I know for many others that this is purely a political issue. But, for us it cannot simply be a Republican or a Democrat debate. We have to look to our Lord and our Master. We must consider the code of the Kingdom of God which is our true home, not the party line or the American way. We are the descendants of a Body that has always been counter cultural and Kingdom-minded. Our vision must be focused clearly upon Jesus our King and our feet must walk where He walks.

     Again, this isn't about your political opinions or attitudes as much as it is about how you - as a follower of Jesus - actually put your faith into practice.

     The Church today is more American than Christian. We are largely unable to divorce our faith from our nationalism. This, to me, is very troubling because it means that we are unable to understand Jesus and His teachings apart from our own cultural context.

     To help American Christians understand how this Americanized Christianity can blind us I have often tried to ask followers of Jesus to realize that the vast majority of our brothers and sisters on the Earth are not living in America. This means that many of them are following Jesus in nations like Korea, Africa, Russia, China, and other countries with radically different political ideas. So, if someone comes to Christ in China, for example, does that mean that they also – upon receiving Jesus – suddenly become a Capitalist? Of course not. The decision to surrender your life to Jesus and follow His teachings and example does not make you an American. We have to try to conceptualize - and practice - our faith apart from our patriotism.

     We have to begin to admit the possibility that one can be a Christian without pledging allegiance to the flag, or the nation for which it stands. In fact, I believe that we must strive to see Jesus as clearly as possible - apart from our cultural, political and nationalistic filters. I also believe that our posture towards the poor and the outcast should be modeled after our Lord Jesus, not out of some political worldview.

     Our hope – as followers of Jesus – is in the power of the Gospel to change hearts. It is not in the power of politics to legislate morality and create a Theocracy.
     Jesus told us, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" (John 15:19).
     This verse is especially troubling to me. It makes me ask myself, "Does the World hate me?" or even worse, "Do I hate the World?" Now, I don't mean "hate" in the sense that I should hate other people, but do I hate the system, the consumerism, the focus on the flesh rather than the spiritual? Do I hate it when I see the stranger and the alien in our land being oppressed and mistreated? Does it cause me to remember that I am also not of this world?

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

     The Governments of this planet are of this world, they are not of God. Our allegiance is to Jesus alone. His Kingdom is our only true homeland.

     We, as followers of Jesus, should be comfortable among the ranks of the misunderstood, the hated, the outcasts and the despised. We should go out of our way to embrace those who are, like us, on the margins of this world. That means the poor, the prostitutes, the unpopular, the prisoners, and yes, even the undocumented immigrant.

     Even if we cannot bring ourselves to skip work and carry a sign of protest in the streets to show our support, perhaps we could at the very least offer up a word of prayer to ask God to bless these aliens in our midst? Perhaps, eventually, we might even come to see these people as fellow outcasts and unwanted immigrants who are more like us than we might think.

      Are you a follower of Jesus? Can I see your Green Card?


"Como estas, mi Amigo?
Yo tengo el pan de vida!"
("Are you hungry my friend?
( have the Bread of Life!"

~

Keith Giles is an author, blogger and freelance copywriter in Orange County, California. You can access his network by clicking here Keith Giles

For more information about this blog and the authors two books (The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation), please click here Joe Ortiz

Scholars Weigh MacPherson's Research

Guest Contributor
Dave MacPherson

        (MacPherson Gets “Thumbs Up” From Many Bible Scholars)

     It’s an honor (again) to have distinguished author and writer, Dave MacPherson, choosing our blog site to share some Good News! (Joe Ortiz)

"Scholars Weigh My Research"    
by Dave MacPherson

     I love to visit my dear friend Joe Ortiz’ blog, and thank him for the opportunity to contribute important information I have on my mind. I’m not a blogger but I am writing about the distortions being put forth by many who don’t have the real facts about the origin of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven theories that abound amid our Christian community. We all have various ministries and I’m grateful for Joe Ortiz’ work with this blog, and for writing two great books that strongly affirm my contention that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture to heaven doctrine has no biblical legs to stand on.
     First of all, I trust God and thank Him and the Holy Spirit for providing me comfort and guidance throughout the years of my research and commentaries concerning the Rapture, and for the gift and ability to write the various books I have presented thus far. In my heart and soul, I feel there is no need to defend myself about the information I have presented in the past. I stand on the factual merits of my research. But, yet, many folks (especially my critics) attack my work and sometimes we need to provide testimony from those who have read and studied them to get their opinion. For this reason (and only this reason) do I provide the following information.
     For more than 30 years my pretrib critics have falsely claimed that leading scholars condemn my research. Since those critics are in effect slamming poor, helpless, long-departed Margaret Macdonald, I hereby come to her defense with a few of the many reactions from scholars who generally haven't had a huge axe to grind either for or against the pretrib rapture view. These comments are not boasting on my behalf (although I am extremely grateful to the authors for their comments); but, I merely want to go on record about the caliber of those who have read my material and who are publically willing to attest to its veracity. My usual practice, by the way, has been to obtain permission when quoting personal letters:

Loraine Boettner (theologian, author): "I think that you have done a magnificent job in showing the real origin of the Pre-trib rapture theory."

F. F. Bruce (theologian, encyclopedia contributor): "It is strange that Darby should acknowledge his indebtedness to a young lady in Limerick and say nothing about the young lady in Port Glasgow [that is, not acknowledge her pre-Antichrist rapture of part of the church]....If this work of yours can do anything to counter the influence of Hal Lindsey..., you will have rendered a signal service."

Superficial----and even devious----scholarship loves to repeat Bruce's 1975 surmise that pretrib was "in the air in the 1820s and 1830s." Hired critic Thomas Ice knows that this wasn't a scientific conclusion (does reliable data rest literally "in the air"?), and Ice moreover has ignored Bruce's later statements complimenting my evidence! Dr. Bruce even wrote a nice foreword to one of my books.

Gary DeMar (theologian, author): "THE RAPTURE PLOT is the never-before-told, true story of the plot----how plagiarism and subtle document changes created the 'mother of all revisionisms.' A fascinating piece of detective work."

Robert H. Gundry (theologian, author): "As usual, Dave MacPherson overwhelms his critics with a superior knowledge of the primary sources. His is a rare combination of historical research and investigative reporting. Those who would refute him have failed to outhustle him, especially in the tracking down of information uncatalogued in academic libraries."

Superficial scholarship is aware that the first----1973----printing of Gundry's THE CHURCH AND THE TRIBULATION stated on pp. 185, 187: "The likelihood is that Edward Irving was the first to suggest the pretribulational rapture....the outpouring on Margaret Macdonald did not include revelation of a pretribulational rapture...." But careful scholarship has long known that after Gundry saw my Macdonald findings, he deleted his Irving statement and substituted only favorable comments about the Scottish lassie----changes appearing in his classic work since the 1980's!

John H. Kromminga (Calvin Sem. president emeritus): "The material appears to be well researched, and this impression is confirmed by the excellent comments you cite from well-established evangelical commentators."

Francis Nigel Lee (theologian with eleven earned doctorates!): "Dave MacPherson, in his various books, has made a major contribution toward vindicating Historic Christian Eschatology. The 1830 innovations of the disturbed Margaret Macdonald documented by MacPherson - in part or in whole - immediately spread to Edward Irving and his followers, then to J. N. Darby and Plymouth Brethrenism, and were later popularized by the dispensationalistic Scofield Reference Bible, by Classic Pentecostalism, and by latter-day pretribulationists like J. F. Walvoord and Hal Lindsey."

Harold Lindsell (church historian, author): "...must reading for anyone who is interested in the [pretrib] origins...."

C. S. Lovett (pastor, author): "You have to be, in my opinion, the world's authority on Margaret."

Peter Marshall (pastor, author): "I am in emphatic agreement with you on your thesis."

Walter Martin (researcher, author): "[MacPherson has produced] a fascinating historical detective story...with surprising and not easily refutable conclusions."

J. Gordon Melton (editor): "According to the best scholarship available, the pretribulation, premillennial eschatology originated among members of the Catholic Apostolic Church as a result of a vision and revelation to Margaret MacDonald. See Dave MacPherson, THE UNBELIEVABLE PRE-TRIB ORIGIN." (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN RELIGIONS, 1978)

Gary North (author, church historian): "...Dave MacPherson has inflicted a deep wound on the pre-trib camp by showing that a teenage Scottish girl named Margaret Macdonald...came up with this doctrine...." (Dispensationalism in Transition, Nov., 1988)

Harold J. Ockenga (theologian, author): "You have done your research well."

J. I. Packer (author, church historian): "From my own explorations of the origins of Darbyism I judge that you are presenting facts fairly, and I am glad you are, for I also regard dispensationalism as an unhappy aberration."

J. Barton Payne (theologian, author): "MacPherson has once and for all overthrown Ernest Sandeen's assertions that the Irvingites never 'advocated any doctrine resembling the secret rapture' and that to connect J. N. Darby and early dispensationalism with Irving's church is 'a groundless and pernicious charge'....For serious students of the history of dispensationalism the study of MacPherson's discoveries has become a must." (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Winter, 1974)

The Prairie Overcomer (Canada): "...MacPherson's case seems to be watertight." (July, 1974)

Reformed Review: "MacPherson has done excellent historical research." (Spring, 1985)

Ian S. Rennie (author, church historian): "...it is likely that [Margaret's revelation] was grist for Darby's mill." (DREAMS, VISIONS AND ORACLES, 1977)

R. J. Rushdoony (theologian, author): "Dave MacPherson has been responsible for major change in the eschatology of evangelical churches by his devastating studies of some of the central aspects thereof. In THE RAPTURE PLOT MacPherson tells us of the strange tale of 'rapture' writings, revisions, cover-ups, altercations, and confusions. No one has equalled MacPherson in his research on the 'pre-trib rapture.' Attempts to discredit his research have failed...."

The Seminary Review: "[MacPherson] shows conclusively that Margaret Macdonald was the originator of the concept." (June, 1984)

Oswald J. Smith (pastor, author): "You have some excellent thoughts here that will be difficult to answer."

Merrill C. Tenney (theologian, author): "...the connection between Margaret Macdonald and Irvingites and Brethren is reasonably well established. You have done a valuable piece of research."

The Witness (oldest & largest Darbyist Brethren magazine in England): "What [MacPherson] succeeds in establishing is that the [pretrib] view outlined was first stated by a certain Margaret Macdonald...early in 1830." (April, 1974)
                                                    ~~~
     I am truly humbled by these glowing comments from so many of our most cherished Christian authors and scholars. The critics who have tried to cover up the above scholarship are basically the ones who've tried to muddy the waters by "discovering" hints of pretrib before 1830. For more on this, see my internet article entitled "Deceiving, And Being Deceived," by Dave MacPherson
     Oh! By the way; I recently sent out another review to many of my dear friends and eschatology associates about Joe Ortiz’ two recently published books, which I recently finished reading again. Here it is:

"If Christians are tired of a contradictory and splintered end-time view that was never a part of any official Christian theology book before 1830, then they are undoubtedly ready for a sensible, down-to-earth, and thoroughly Scriptural presentation that can be found in two books on Bible prophecy authored by long-time media personality Joe Ortiz. I refer to The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer 'Great Tribulation (Author House Publishing). They are truly unique books that I obtained some time ago - books that you and your friends will treasure forever!" (Dave MacPherson, June 2, 2010)

For more information about this blog and the author's two recently published books, please click here  Joe Ortiz web sites and blogs

Sermons We Never Hear Preached

     There is nothing like a good old fashion sermon to get those spiritual juices flowing, especially if we can walk away and say, “Thank you, Jesus, for your word.” After attending numerous church services over the last 35 years, I have been moved by the great knowledge and wisdom that has been imparted, advice to motivate a person to get out there and share the Gospel with all those with whom I come in contact with.

     Interestingly though, I have noticed a pattern in the majority of the church services I have attended, which is that usually I can almost predict that within a good month or so, the sermons will always touch on the grace of God, how much God loves His children, that we all need to confess and repent of our sins, and the pastor's most popular (and often heard) one of all, investing in our financial future by giving liberally to the church. Yes! I would have to say the “money pitch” is probably the most preached sermon in the world. Oh! There are sermons that address marriages, family life, how to succeed in all of your endeavors; but even those are filtered through some kind of “money pitch.” I don’t have any problem with donations, tithes and giving funds towards missions, nor even the various church building projects. I personally recognize that the more you give the more blessings we receive. There is no doubting that whatsoever.

     However, my biggest concern with the church services and those standard sermons is the ones we hardly ever hear. Those kind of sermons that make you not only think about what it truly means to be a good and effective Christian, but those that rock you off that comfortable perch that most Christians find themselves nestled on. I’ve spoken to many pastors throughout my years of being a Christian, and have asked them how come we never hear about this or that subject matter. Believe me, many of those pastors have told me that they don’t really want to disturb that sleeping bear because it would open up a big can of worms and cause some major problems. Sad! So sad!

     One of my all-time favorite Christian writers is A.W. Tozer, primarily because almost everything he has written, seems to go for the spiritual jugular vein; and Tozer has often said, “If I don’t get at least one or two church members in attendance mad at me, I really haven’t done my job.” In that spirit, I won’t provide you with any specific sermon in today’s blog, but I will share with you about a dozen group of scripture you rarely hear in any sermons nowadays. Hopefully they will make you think about the fact that being a soldier for Christ is not all about love, grace, mercy and loving kindness. We praise God for that aspect of His redemption plan. But, we want to share some extrememly important messages that maybe you didn't even know existed:

(1) Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law, (Luke 12:51-53)

(2) A man's enemies will be the members of his own household, (Matthew 10:36)."

(3) The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men, (Isaiah 29:13)."

(4) Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?" (Luke 9:23-25)

(5) Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

(6) Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

(7) “And if they (Jews) do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Parenthesis by the author, (Romans 11:23)

(8) I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

(9) A certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.'" He replied, "I have kept all these since my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Luke 18:18-22

(10) When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55 "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith, (Matthew 13:53-57)

(11) Pointing to his disciples, [Jesus] said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother,"(Matthew 12:49-50)

(12) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap, (Galatians 6:7)

See you in church!


For more information about this blog and the author’s two recently published books, The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation, please click here Joe Ortiz

To view video click here Are You Prepared For Great Tribulation?

Is God Powerful Enough To Protect His Children In All Circumstances?

     The saddest thing I see in today's Christian Community is the undeniable lack of faith it manifests on a daily basis. Oh! Yes! Its members can quote scripture all over the Internet (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) and beat their chest how knowledgeable they are of God's word, therefore everyone else is a heathen destined for Hell. Yet, when push comes to shove, instead of trusting God to provide them with the wisdom to solve their respective problems, they turn to their political gods and the state, and scream out the most vile and hateful things ever to come out of any person's mouth! 

     I speak primarily about the self-annointed saviors of the world, such as the Tea Bag Party and the so-called saviors from the great immigrant hoard that is supposedly invading this nation. I speak about groups like ALIPAC (Americans for Legal Immigration) and amazed (but not surprised) to see so many self-proclaimed Christians actually leading these various gangs of civic guardians who claim they have God on their side.

     You can hear the patriotic epithets at rallies, talk shows and barroom discussions: "If they can't respect our flag, our God-ordained country and its English language, and our way of life, they need to go back where they came from."

     The main hue and cry, especially on Internet and other blog radio shows, is "Let's kick these criminals out of our country." And their (stated) rationale is that immigrants are eating up their tax dollars, taking jobs away from American citizens, abusing medical facilities and (as one politician recently said), "these terrorists cross the border and are building weapons against our country by having 'anchor babies'." All of this mean-spirited rhetoric in the name of Jesus, too?

     Christianity has lost its way. Not because of Gay rights, abortions, nor any liberal agenda conspiracy; but, because it has lay down its faith and can no longer distinguish between the Gospel and patriotism, and only one of these can solve the biggest problem the world has. It's not economics, taxes nor even the poor, which Jesus said we would always have with us. It's issues of the heart! Instead of looking inwardly, they point fingers outwardly, laying the blame for all their ills on other people. And by God (despite God) they are going to set things right!

     They abandon all of God's principles and instead bow before the idol state gods and seek out and lick the boots of charismatic politicians to solve their problems. This includes not just your 'right-wing' radicals but your 'left wing liberals, too, neither group having any faith in God and His power to heal the land.

     Our so-called Christian leaders, for the most part, are shining the wing-tip shoes of government officals as well, by claiming they are great patriots and are merely taking back the country for Jesus, by helping to select and elect Christian candidates in support of Pro-Life legislation and who are against Gay marriages, as if those actions will keep this American culture from disintegrating any further. This culture (which is not true Christianity in the first place) is a political one that seeks solutions for its woes through the very same system that caused the problems to begin with. This is not the reason Christ called us to follow Him. Jesus did not bless us with the Holy Spirit to exercise its power against the state, but rather to reveal truth and to convict the world of sin!
     Did the Apostle Peter lobby Pontius Pilate to enact legislation to rid Roman society of gay people? Did Peter plead him to erect high fences around the seven hills of Rome to keep out those who werent citizens? Did the apostle Paul beg King Agrippa to provide free legal aid for the Christians who were being accused of treason? Did he even ask that the poor be provided food and free medical service? No! As a matter of fact, Paul knew that was the role of the church.

     Actually, Paul got into King Agrippa's face and boldly told him what he was doing, preaching to the world so that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  
    "That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and are trying to kill me." But Paul wasn't really worried about that; he told Agrippa that he has had God's help to this very day, and so he stood there and testified to small and great alike.
     "I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen, that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."     
      At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 

     "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

     Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
      Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

    After Paul spoke, the king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment."
    And then Agrippa said something to Festus that each and every Bible-thumping Christian in America should remember when it comes to bowing before the political thrones of this world;
     "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

     "Well folks, are you free from the control of Caesar's world? Do you have the faith to move mountains? Do you believe God has enough power to rescue you from great tribulation? Well, great tribulation has already begun and is increasing daily, it's coming down the pipeline (not just through the broken and oily gushing ones), but in all sorts of manner.

     But, hey, don't worry Christians, God is going to Rapture us to heaven any day now to escape any further persecution. We know this to be true because Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, John Hagee, Mike Evans, Bennie Hinn and hundreds more of God's ersatz apostles have assured us that we will not experience great tribulation, along with other soothing lies!

     "But," you say, "God would never leave His children here on earth to suffer, especially when He pours out His wrath on unbelievers. He will Rapture us to heaven before that time!"
        No! There wont be any Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven. But God has enough power to protect His children under any circumstances, right here on earth, without having to take you anywhere. God is powerful enough to protect you right where you are!
     But, do you have the faith that He can, or will you continue trusting politicians, the state and the money-changers of the world instead of God?

      O Ye of little faith!

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
(Psalms 91:1-16)

 
For more information about this blog and the author's two recently published books, The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation (Author House Publishing), please click here Joe Ortiz