Having Eyes To See.......

[EyesToSee]

I certainly agree with you, and I can see the signs. It really is amazing that people are so blind to it all. It is a denial type of thing, spiritually.

[TaliaKirana]

I've always had an interest in things of the future. In fact, though I recall very little... I got saved as a little girl because my parents were watching a program discussing what might happen in the future (wasn't really a Christian program). That program scared me to death, but it worked in drawing me to God. I didn't really grow much as a believer for a long time, then the Left Behind books came out. Showed me the Bible had something to say about the future and got me back to God again. I've had some falls back into bad habits but He keeps bringing me back to start watching again.

[Charitoo]

This thread motivated me to create a Rapture Survey which I am going to email to many people, both believers and nonbelievers. I'll include a web address where the Gospel is made clear at the bottom of the survey. I hope to do 2 things: Create an interest in believers to pursue endtime study and to open any doors of opportunity to chat w/nonbelievers about salvation.

If you have any thoughts as to questions to include, feel free to suggest them. I'll be working on it this weekend.

Well, I went ahead and created a survey! I found a site online that let me create a survey for free. So, I wrote up 15 questions about faith/the Rapture/ the Bible etc and then, semi-randomly, sent it out to be completed by a variety of my conatcts; believers, unbelievers, coworkers, family, an atheist, back slidden Christians, etc.

This is the site I used: www.FreeOnlineSurveys.com Who knows what it will generate? Anger? Maybe. Interest in the Gospel? I sure hope so? Inspire a believer to right-living? Again, I hope so. PLEASE PRAY! Thanks.

[watchwoman]

Well....I've had quite a different experience with this than many of you. Please bear with me as I explain.

First, we have to keep in mind that awareness of the times and belief in the rapture are NOT salvation issues. People can be strong believers and Christians and still not see, or not want to see, the times. Obviously that's not been the choice of us here (and for myself, I'll just say that God didn't give me a choice - He just popped my eyes open!)

Last fall I felt strongly led to develop a home Bible study on End Times. I didn't do it through my church, but just "put the word out" to a few friends. It was absolutely guided by God, because we started in mid-Nov. - just before the holidays - and yet I had seven women sign up! Also, only one of the women was somebody I already knew. The rest had heard about it from "friends of friends". We all laughed and said the Holy Spirit was in this, because what woman in her right mind would start a Bible study then?

I titled it "Are We Living in the End Times: If So, Why Should I Care?" I divided it up into three sections. First, we looked through the prophecies in Isaiah 17, Ezekiel 38 & 39, Daniel and Revelation. Each week I showed them headlines from reputable news sources (and thanks, all you friends here at RR! ) and we discussed the correlations. About the forth session in, one lady's eyes got real big, and she said "This is really happening, isn't it?!"

After we thoroughly reviewed the scriptures, I next went into the Rapture, giving info. on the four views,
and showing through scripture why the pre-trib rapture is the one best supported. We had lots of discussion, and they shared lots of relief.

Lastly, (and in my mind, this is the most exciting part!! ) we discussed what we're supposed to do with the new knowledge - after all, we're not just supposed to cringe behind closed doors and be fearful. All of the ladies felt strongly led to talk to others about Christ, now seeing that the time is short. In fact, one woman was able to get her husb. to attend church regularly for the first time, another shared her info. with her husb. - he was convinced - and he ordered 100 tracts on his own to start reaching out, and another is talking to her brother, who is slowly coming around. We gathered and shared info. on evangelism, had a speaker on "Life-style Evangelism", and they decided to continue meeting once a month after the study ended to continue sharing ideas and giving support to our efforts to share Christ. One woman said "This has changed my whole outlook on life." I'm just so excited about this I can hardly stand it!!

And there's even more to the story. I have a waiting list of people who heard about the study and want me to offer it again in my home. An Elder in our church heard about the study, and has asked me to pray about doing it as a Christian Education offering at church. Praise God!

So don't stop trying to tell people about the times! To me, it's one of the best evangelism tools we have. There are more people interested in it than you may think. Keep trying to find ways to reach them, always keeping in mind that God didn't intend the information to strike fear, but to comfort us, to encourage our own walks, and to inspire urgency to reach the lost!

[carol1948]

Well....I've had quite a different experience with this than many of you. Please bear with me as I explain.

First, we have to keep in mind that awareness of the times and belief in the rapture are NOT salvation issues. People can be strong believers and Christians and still not see, or not want to see, the times. Obviously that's not been the choice of us here (and for myself, I'll just say that God didn't give me a choice - He just popped my eyes open!)

Last fall I felt strongly led to develop a home Bible study on End Times. I didn't do it through my church, but just "put the word out" to a few friends. It was absolutely guided by God, because we started in mid-Nov. - just before the holidays - and yet I had seven women sign up! Also, only one of the women was somebody I already knew. The rest had heard about it from "friends of friends". We all laughed and said the Holy Spirit was in this, because what woman in her right mind would start a Bible study then?

I titled it "Are We Living in the End Times: If So, Why Should I Care?" I divided it up into three sections. First, we looked through the prophecies in Isaiah 17, Ezekiel 38 & 39, Daniel and Revelation. Each week I showed them headlines from reputable news sources (and thanks, all you friends here at RR! ) and we discussed the correlations. About the forth session in, one lady's eyes got real big, and she said "This is really happening, isn't it?!"

After we thoroughly reviewed the scriptures, I next went into the Rapture, giving info. on the four views,
and showing through scripture why the pre-trib rapture is the one best supported. We had lots of discussion, and they shared lots of relief.

Lastly, (and in my mind, this is the most exciting part!! ) we discussed what we're supposed to do with the new knowledge - after all, we're not just supposed to cringe behind closed doors and be fearful. All of the ladies felt strongly led to talk to others about Christ, now seeing that the time is short. In fact, one woman was able to get her husb. to attend church regularly for the first time, another shared her info. with her husb. - he was convinced - and he ordered 100 tracts on his own to start reaching out, and another is talking to her brother, who is slowly coming around. We gathered and shared info. on evangelism, had a speaker on "Life-style Evangelism", and they decided to continue meeting once a month after the study ended to continue sharing ideas and giving support to our efforts to share Christ. One woman said "This has changed my whole outlook on life." I'm just so excited about this I can hardly stand it!!

And there's even more to the story. I have a waiting list of people who heard about the study and want me to offer it again in my home. An Elder in our church heard about the study, and has asked me to pray about doing it as a Christian Education offering at church. Praise God!

So don't stop trying to tell people about the times! To me, it's one of the best evangelism tools we have. There are more people interested in it than you may think. Keep trying to find ways to reach them, always keeping in mind that God didn't intend the information to strike fear, but to comfort us, to encourage our own walks, and to inspire urgency to reach the lost!

This is a wonderful, encouraging post! I will pray about doing something similar. Though my husband will likely be an obstacle, if the Lord leads me to do it, He will take care of him. I would appreciate any helps you are willing to provide with regard to specific scripture references, current event articles, etc.

[lovinghisgrace]

Watchwoman, that was a great post. Thank you. I love hearing how our ideas become reality like that and open the eyes of others. Great job!!

[Zion]

Wow- both your comments hit me like a ton of bricks.

On October 28, 1973, I was at college, and the apartment I was living in burned down (I was in bed sleeping- the fire started at 4:30 a.m.). I remember sitting on a hill later that day overlooking the dorm, it was a sunny day, I was listening to birds cheerping, and the old Sly and the Family Stone song was ringing in my head- "I just want to celebrate, another day of living." As I sat there, I became convinced, "God has a purpose for my life. I should have died last night."

SIDE NOTE: My apartment was completely destroyed. The ceiling was gone. The walls were gone. My bed was nothing but chared springs laying on the floor.

Last night, I was thinking about why I "seem to understand" what is happening in our world, when most of the people (family, friends, work) I know don't see it. October 28, 1973, poped into my mind. God has a purpose for all of us. Keep the good fight, and let people know about Jesus!

I always thought that song was by Rare Earth.."I just want to celebrate another day of living...I just want to celebrate another day of life."
Anyhoo, I think we all get excited at current events because we are looking forward in anticipation of Christ's return. We are promised a special crown for looking forward to this event (2 Timothy 4:8). Some people in my church as well as a previous church I attended seem interested in prophecy, but others are not. I think they will get rewards for service in other areas; God made us all different. It might get boring if everyone had the same interests. So God gave us different abilities and interests.

[Caver]

When you try to TELL others what you are seeing about the End Times, they just think you are crazy!!!

Maybe being on RR...and knowing that thousands and thousands of people read our posts, actually IS enough??? Or should we be DOING something more? WHAT should we be doing, exactly??? What do y'all think??

You are right....for now. That' the unknown. Are we being taught and grown and prepared for when things get reall bad and more obvious....and folk are ready to listen to answers? We don't know but we do speculate and talk about it a lot.

[Mitsy]

I used to respond to posts regularly but with things moving at the break-neck pace that they are, all I can do is just gape in jaw hanging wonder. I can hardly imagine what the tribulation will be like. At one time I couldn't understand how people could miss the signs during the trib. Today the signs of Christs return are overwhelmingly clear, yet most people, even some in the church, seem to not see. I am in shock that Bible believing, God fearing Christians don't see what is taking place. I am on sensory overload from it all, yet when I try to talk to some people in the church about it I get patronized like a child . I don't claim to be any more spiritually in tune with things than anyone else but the blindness that covers some peoples eyes is, well, it's something. Is it that they can't see? Are they in denial? I don't know. What I do know is that there are fewer that see than should be. The groundwork for a one world government, one world currency, one world religion, ect. is firmly in place and beginning to take shape before our very eyes, yet people either can't or won't see. Is this the beginning of the strong delusion spoken of in the Bible? God knows, but spirtual blindness abounds here where I live in West Virginia. Does anyone else see this in their part of the world?

God Bless

Carlos, You have expressed what I have observed and how I am felling myself these days.

I have found those of us who have been looking at the signs of Christs return (some have different rapture timings but that aside) have been very aware at the speed we are traveling towards the start of the Tribulation.

DELUSION?

I have also noted that those of us looking forward to the prophecy being fulfilled are also being tested in such a manner that our connections with this world are being stripped away. So many have had their homes, jobs, pets or certain relationships attacked or torn off them. We are going through trials of fire and I hear most people who are sharing their suffering and trials saying there is nothing left in this world for them. It is like we are being separated from worldly things at the same time as we are getting closer to the start of the Tribulation.

I keep praying that my family and friends not only come to Jesus that those who are very worldly Christians would be shaken up a bit and have their eyes opened to what is happening. I don't want any of them to not be ready, but after all my prayer for them over these last few years, I leave them in the hands of God. I'm feeling burnt out and finding it hard to pray at all these days it's all too much.

I wonder if those complacent Christians who seem to be so worldly and more concerned about everyday things than the Bible and what is happening around them are deceived or blinded. I know non-christians who are actively in rebellion to the Lord are going to be caught off guard when the Tribulation hits them.

You only need salvation to go up in the Rapture. Yet I wonder if some of the worldly Christians I know who tend to be the typical Sunday Pew warmers are actually saved? I don't know! I just hope and pray they are and not just coming to Church because it is a habit they got into or their family always went to Church but they have truly repented and received Christ.

I guess the "blind but saved" will go up in the Rapture with us and those who are "deluded and not saved" they stay behind and God have mercy on them as they go through the Tribulation.

I just can't wait to go up. A good Christian friend of mine that knew and understood about the End Times and the Rapture just passed away this week. I was told about her passing away this morning. Olga was her name and she was 80 years old. She followed the news and knew Israel was our time piece. She thought she would live to see the Rapture but she was happy to die as well, a win-win situation she always said. Praise God she no longer has to have her head spinning over the current events. My last conversation with her in February this year, she was really wound up & stressed by how fast all these Prophecy events were occurring, excited and saddened (many in her family were not believers like her hubby who had already passed away and herself). I'm sad to lose a friend but glad she no longer has to wait for the Rapture or deal with the stress of these current times.

[Charitoo]

Well, I went ahead and created a survey! I found a site online that let me create a survey for free. So, I wrote up 15 questions about faith/the Rapture/ the Bible etc and then, semi-randomly, sent it out to be completed by a variety of my conatcts; believers, unbelievers, coworkers, family, an atheist, back slidden Christians, etc.

This is the site I used: www.FreeOnlineSurveys.com Who knows what it will generate? Anger? Maybe. Interest in the Gospel? I sure hope so! Inspire a believer to right-living? Again, I hope so. PLEASE PRAY! Thanks.

Just got home from work and went to check my survey. First, I checked my email, and there was a reply from someone asking me to remove them from my contact list. I felt a little sad about that. But, it was an opportunity that the person rejected to know more about salvation. 10 out of 60 people that I sent it to have completed the survey. Two people identified themselves as unsure if they are Bible believing Christians. The Rapture questions seemed to get a few people thinking about end time issues. Overall, I am excited about it.

[heart_changed99]

Carlos, You have expressed what I have observed and how I am felling myself these days.

I have found those of us who have been looking at the signs of Christs return (some have different rapture timings but that aside) have been very aware at the speed we are traveling towards the start of the Tribulation.

DELUSION?

I have also noted that those of us looking forward to the prophecy being fulfilled are also being tested in such a manner that our connections with this world are being stripped away. So many have had their homes, jobs, pets or certain relationships attacked or torn off them. We are going through trials of fire and I hear most people who are sharing their suffering and trials saying there is nothing left in this world for them. It is like we are being separated from worldly things at the same time as we are getting closer to the start of the Tribulation.

Ditto! This is the very thing that I have been noticing. Its happening everywhere! And yet, the complacent "Christians" are all, "I just love my life...couldn't be more perfect...everything is great!" All the while, I am thinking, "I am so ready to go home...how much longer, Lord?"

[heart_changed99]

Just got home from work and went to check my survey. First, I checked my email, and there was a reply from someone asking me to remove them from my contact list. I felt a little sad about that. But, it was an opportunity that the person rejected to know more about salvation. 10 out of 60 people that I sent it to have completed the survey. Two people identified themselves as unsure if they are Bible believing Christians. The Rapture questions seemed to get a few people thinking about end time issues. Overall, I am excited about it.

Could you share the survey? I'm interested to see what's in it.

[benichole]

Well, it is nice to know that I am not the only "crazy one"

I was reading one day in Thessalonians about 2 years ago and thought wow what if we are wrong about the rapture. This sent me into a massive study for myself to know what I believe and why. Instead of just believing things just because that is what I have been taught.

I sat down and prayed to God and told him I was tired of being confused. Could he just show me the verses that I needed to help me know and believe what really will be happening. Sure enough I opened my Bible and started reading and out popped the verse that very same day.

Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

It was clear as day to me when the rapture was. I had already been talking to people about the prophecies that have been being fulfilled, but now I am just that more encouraged to be aggressively showing others.

Yes some think I am kooky! Some start to listen and say they don't want to talk any more because it scares them. They say they aren't ready. What not ready? You mean your not saved? No I just know that I am not living the way I should so I am not ready." Wow I said you better get ready because he is coming soon.
The other day one of my friends on Facebook said, "You and I used to talk at work about the rapture and endtimes. I am just curious what you think now with all these earthquakes and things with Israel.
So I got to answer her on facebook for all my friends to see.

Most people don't want to talk or acknowledge any of it.

[bystillwaters]

I can't figure out why people cannot see that the events described in Revelation are now happening. I was raised a Catholic. Personally, I cannot ever remember that endtimes were discussed in my family or Church. Generally, that isn't a subject that comes up in Catholic services. However, strangely enough I've believed in endtimes from the time that I was a young child. Maybe as young as 5 or 6 and that would have been in the late forties.... I remember having dreams then, so perhaps it was those dreams that led me to believe that our generation would be the last before Christs coming. It's truly odd to have lived my entire life with this feeling. No one else in my family seems to have recognised the same feelings. Perhaps those of us who believe in the immenence of the rapture have all been put here to encourage other Christians to listen and to be aware. I don't really know. I discuss endtimes when ever the subject can be approached. I know that a lot of people are just plain afraid. I know that in my case, while I knew we were in the period of Revelation, I didn't know anything about the rapture until about 6 or 7 years ago. The richness of scripture is overwhelming. Because I feel that the rapture is immenent, I also feel blessed to have a real interest in exploring the word. I attempted once to read the "Koran". It was impossible for me to read it. Perhaps it's because it's filled with lies. At any rate I have to say some of the posts to this thread caused me to do some thinking. Thanks.

[Waiting4Jesus]

I agree with what's been said. If I try to mention to the Rapture, I just get patronizing grin/smirks or dead silence, which is very discouraging.

I do still occasionally mention it, when I sense an opening. But, for the most part, I distribute Fellowship Tract League's No. 135 tract, titled, "The Second Coming," which briefly explains salvation AND the Rapture.

I also ride around town with a fairly large, "Jesus Is Coming Soon!" sign on my car (lol). I remove it at certain times, but ALWAYS place it in the window when I am actually rolling. It has certainly made for some interesting experiences, I must say!!! Like one time, I stopped to go in a grocery store. A man & woman pulled up right beside me with large grins on their faces. He leaned his head out the window and said, "Hey, I like your sign!!! And I LOVE your location!" (nodding to a Synagogue which was directly across the street, lolol).

Most people either look astonished...completely ignore it...OR I'll see silly, indulgent smiles (like I'm an old crazy woman, hehe). Occasionally, it really lifts my spirits to see a person spy it and their mouth just drops open -- like they've been hit by a ton of bricks!!! THEN is when I really KNOW quite a few people are really THINKING about it and considering; I can plainly see by their face that it has touched a nerve. Quite a few times, people have smiled and given me a very rewarding, "Thumbs-up" sign! I've been using this sign for over a year now.

It's actually very fulfilling to ride around with this sign. Y'all should try it!!! I don't mind a bit, suffering the "You're Crazy, Lady!" looks because I know that I am doing what I can to let people KNOW.

Another thing I've been doing is using Youtube to spread the news that Jesus is coming soon. I do not want to face the Lord soon and say I sat around and DID NOTHING to tell folks! Actually, the Lord had "called" me awhile ago to do this. Initially, it was not MY idea!! And I am lovin' it.

[Take me away!]

I talk about it whenever I get the least little opening........

I also send a lot of information in emails. Mostly I don't get a response, although yesterday one person emailed back and asked to be removed from my list.

Most people just think I'm slightly deranged.

I, too, email alot of news articles, etc. that I find on here to many people in my family. I usually don't get a response, but at least I'm trying.

It is very discouraging to see the wool pulled over people's eyes. Just the other night at work I was talking to a nurse and she said "You know, I think Israel has done a lot of instigating to cause everyone to be against them." (I was reading on RR at the time and this is what sparked the conversation) I said "Oh really? What things has Israel done?" She couldn't give me ONE example. I informed her as best as I could and encouraged her to read the bible. I told her that everything that is going on right now with the instability in the world is prophesized and to keep her eye on Israel. She didn't seem to care.

I frequent this site during downtime at work, and although I get a lot of eye rolling, I pray that some people will be curious and that I can be a witness to them. I always speak openly whenever they ask about what I'm reading.

[BelovedofChrist]

Amen! A watchman is a thankless job (literally). Remember when we were kids and getting into mischief, there was always one kid who had to look-out for the adults? It was a lonely job then and a lonely job now. The Holy Spirit led me to read Ezekiel 33, and I realized that like it or not, the people have to be warned. These people who have been warned are now accountable for what they do with this information. In a similar vein, if they feel convicted later on, then they know who to go to for information. Perhaps if they are left behind, our words of hope will be recalled and they will know to look for a Bible to find out the rest of the story. Imagine how good our God is! We are sometimes of the mindset that they will get what they deserve; but God hands out the lifeline again and again. Even in the darkest of hearts. John the Baptist is our great example of the loneliness of those who prepare the way, and declare the coming of Jesus. Some people embraced this news and others were filled with anger. He was beheaded for decrying the immorality of a leader, and liberals here want to make it a hate crime to say anything against our president. Hmm. I consider it to be a privilege to be able to "read the skies". We are handing out hard facts, and we have to learn to love the lost, however badly we are treated.
Love,
The Weird Jesus Lady who lives on the corner and walks her ferret on a
leash and who even the Jehovah Witnesses skip because she preaches
to them. When is she gonna be outta this neighborhood?

[Charitoo]

Could you share the survey? I'm interested to see what's in it.

Sure. Here is the web address.
http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/renders...ehtq4sm9731296

I'm really sad this morning. I went back and checked the property of the email I read requesting I remove their name from my contact list...and it was somebody from my church!!! I am so sad. I will ask him about it tomorrow, but I had dreams about it all night long, wondering who it was, b/c the name on the return email was not the name I sent it to. This morning my husband showed me how to check the property of an email and determine who sent it.

Sad day!

[Waiting4Jesus]

Oh, Charitoo!!

[sharpstick]

I too have the blank stares, or the when I talk about it. My brother who was big on end times and the rapture in the 80's told me a couple of weeks ago that he doesn't believe in that "stuff" anymore.

I can't say much at work. One day one of the ladies I work closely with, proudly told me her son is an atheist. She worked hard to get him to come to that conclusion. And this is a woman who grew up in the church!!
The church I've gone to for 30 plus years is a Church of God, they are amillenialist so there is zero discussion regarding end times. It frustrates me no end!

The only people I can really talk to about this subject is my late husband's parent whom I very close with.
I want to run up and down the streets screaming "People, open your eyes" but....people think I'm crazy enough as it is.