January - February 2003

Word of Prophecy

NEWSLETTER

THE FIRE IS IN YOUR HANDS

By Bro. Ray Pringle, Jr.

Fire is a symbol of God's Divine presence and power. Our logo is the Bible with the fire coming out of it, and the scripture Jeremiah 23:29, "Is not my Word like as a fire? saith the Lord." Handling the Word of God deceitfully will quench that fire. Please read II Corinthians 4:1-2. We are God's offering, as Paul said in II Corinthians 4:11: "For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." That fire that you hold in your hands will burn out the worldly lusts and will make you a giant among Christians; you will be head and shoulders taller than those that keep their light under a bushel.

The fire is in your hands, as it was with Abraham in Genesis 22:6 "And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; AND HE TOOK THE FIRE IN HIS HAND, and a knife; and they went both of them together." It will take a lot of sacrifice and work to keep that fire in your hands bright and burning, and your family will think you are crazy, but Jesus said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37. Obeying God and being a living example of what you have been taught by a true man of God is worth everything. When I feel I am not qualified for the job and think there is no use doing what God has given me to do, I just start thinking of the song, "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be," and I keep on fanning the flame!

Down through the ages one generation passes away and a new generation takes over where the last generation left off. Hopefully, the generation that has passed the torch has left a legacy of faith and has taught the younger generation to trust God and the Word of God, and not their own intellect. Dad has passed the flame down to you and has taught you by his example of faith and trust in God.

The Bible has given us many examples of the new generation forgetting the "old paths" and blazing off in a new and uncertain direction, by bad council from carnal minds, young egotists and, may I add, a few older fools that have caused shipwreck and ruin. They enflame themselves with their idols and have discovered themselves to some one other than God. Please read Isaiah 57:3-8. Our generation is filled with preachers and Christians that have conveniently forgotten the law of the Lord and have forsaken the old paths wherein is the good way and have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, as found in II Peter 2:15-22. It took a dumb ass speaking with man's voice to stop the madness of Balaam and I think a lot of preachers today are like Balaam's old donkey: they are in the pulpits in our nation today, dumb, and speaking with man's voice.

The fire is in your hands now, so what are you going to do about it? The torch has been passed from a true prophet of God that has taught you the good and the right way and it is left up to YOU to decide your legacy.

I had a very wonderful talk with a brother recently, whom I had not seen since Dad passed away, when he came out to lunch which we have every Wednesday at noon in the Fellowship Hall at the church. He began to relate to me how much he missed Dad and how close he felt to him, and the admiration he had for Dad because he stood up for serving God and did not mind upbraiding some one for not living right. This brother smiled and said, "He sure did set me straight on several occasions, and that made me a better man." As we continued to talk,

tears came into his eyes and he told me that he was going to support this ministry and do what he could financially. He wanted to leave a good legacy behind in showing God that he cared for others.

Speak out for Truth and hold the bloodstained banner high. David said in Psalms 39:3 "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue." God seems to move at a snail's pace many times and we get realy anxious and want to plow ahead and show God just how much zeal we have, but God requires us to wait for him. Do not get ahead of God; the devil might put your fire out for you. Take heed to this scripture, dearly beloved. Isaiah 64:4: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." Look at verses 8 and 9: "But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Be not very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people."

Some would ask why they would want to carry the "Flame" if it is going to cause them trouble, trials and tribulation; I will reply in this manner right out of your Holy Bible. Proverbs 13:2,15,21: "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of the transgressors is hard. Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed." The Lord said in Isaiah 66:16: "For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many." John wrote in Revelation 21:3-4: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Beloved, heaven will surely be worth your effort, and when you get there you will look back on your light afflictions and think, "It was a piece of cake."

The goal, by whatever measure it takes, is to make heaven your home. Jesus said in Revelation 3:11, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." The fire is in your hands; will you let it go out?

This article was inspired by a letter written by Brother Ernesto Villanueva.

THUNDER BEFORE DAWN

By Bro. Ray Pringle, Sr.

Re-Printed from April - June 84 Radio-gram

The Prophet Isaiah declared: "He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night." Isa.21:11-12. The thundering of God's judgments can be heard in the near distance, and they are ushering in the mighty Gathering Storm _ a 7-year period of God's judgments and wrath poured out upon a Lukewarm Church and Rebellious Society. Before the dawning of that glad and glorious day of Christ's return, there will be a spiritual night filled with the deafening thunder and fury of the swiftly descending Gathering Storm! Where will God's true saints be?

Hearken to this prophet's Revelation!

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." Isa.60:1-2.

A SEVEN-YEAR STORM!

There is a seven-year "week of prophecy" yet to be fulfilled upon this generation of the end-time _ and we are nearing the junction of the beginning of that momentous prophetic fulfillment. This period of climactic, divine activity of Restoration and Reconciliation of all things back to harmony with God, is divided into two time periods of 3 1/2 years! The first 3 1/2 years of this commonly designated Tribulation Period is a time of God's judgments being manifested. The second 3 1/2 years is a time of God's wrath manifested openly upon those who have received

the Mark of the Beast, and those who have worshipped his image. Cf. Rev. 15 & 16. The 7-year week of "the time of the end" is revealed in Dan. 9:24-27, especially verse 27. No other scripture alludes to a 7-year Tribulation!

The "Storm" is revealed by the scriptures thusly: (1) "And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time." Dan. 12:1. (2) Jesus also declared, "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; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Luke 21:25-26. (3) Jesus further revealed, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Matt. 24:21.

JUDGMENTS UPON THE CHURCH!

The New Testament was written to the Church of Jesus Christ _ not to Israel! In the church (in Christ) there is neither Jew nor Greek _ we are one and the same! Rom. 10:12; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28. The church is built upon the word of the prophets and apostles (The Old and New Testaments) _ Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. Eph. 2:20. Jesus declared prophetically: My end-time church will be lukewarm _ Laodicean, and spewed out of my mouth _ and it is! Rev. 3:14-19. Also, the church of today is worldly, backslidden, and rebellious _ and deserves God's severe chastening and judgment. And, ladies and gentlemen, that is what God has prepared for the church, to purge, make holy, and to restore it to its first love, real faith, true holiness, divine unity, and genuine Holy Ghost power!

The church of Jesus Christ definitely will go through 3 1/2 years of Tribulation before Jesus will come. There is no chance of translation or rapture until Restoration has been fully effected. Christ's message and warning to today's lukewarm church is: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3:19. God's severe judgments are the only remedy for today's church and their preachers, steeped in extreme paganism and idolatry.

WRITE THE VISION!

God's prophet saw what the Holy Ghost is unveiling in this message: "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end [or end-time] it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Hab. 2:2-3. This scripture of prophetic revelation relates to the days of Christ's return as the Apostle Paul reveals in Heb. 10:36-38.

The Church and Israel (a holy remnant), are God's true Elect, and the objects of His mighty acts of judgment and Holy Ghost outpourings for 3 1/2 years _ amid great persecution of God's saints, and deprivations resulting from the divine judgments (natural disasters) that will fill the earth!

CHRIST'S CHURCH IN THE TRIBULATION PERIOD!

BIBLE EVIDENCE: There is an abundance of scriptural proofs to fully substantiate this prophetic declaration _ the whole Truth that Christ's Church and God's saints will go through at least 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation.

The First Question is: But who are "saints" in the prophetic scriptures? Answer: They are the true blood-washed members of Christ's true church _ real Christians! The Old Testament people of God also were called saints. However, all saints who are living now and until Christ returns are members of His Church!

To wit: When Jesus arose from the dead, "many bodies of the saints which slept arose." Matt. 27:52.

Paul's letters were addressed to the saints of the churches: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." I Cor. 1:2. Also: "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi." Also Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; II Cor. 13:13; I Tim. 5:10, etc.

"Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." Jude 14. These are both true Christians and Old Testament saints!

"And he [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints …" Eph. 4:11-12. The Church is God's saints, so are God's elect members of His church.

The Second Question: Does the Bible, in the prophetic scriptures, tell when Jesus will come for His Church? Answer: Yes! After 3 1/2 years of tribulation — judgments and persecutions _ but also after 3 1/2 years of the world's greatest revival!

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands … And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. 7:9-14.

Theologians claim that no one will be saved in the Tribulation Period. They're dead wrong _ the church, sinners, backsliders, and a holy remnant of Israel will be "saved" by and during the Great Tribulation!

DURING THE TRIBULATION, MILLIONS WILL BE TURNED TO GOD AND JESUS CHRIST THROUGH PERSECUTION UNTO TRUE REPENTANCE, TO WIT: "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held … And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Rev. 6:9-11. Purified saints and sinners that are converted in the Tribulation are both represented here.

DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION, THE DEVIL IS CAST OUT OF HEAVEN _ GOD'S SAINTS ARE PRESSED TO OVERCOME HIM, TO WIT: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels [demons] were cast out with him … the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev. 12:9-11.

ANTICHRIST WILL PERSECUTE GOD'S SAINTS _ THE CHURCH! "And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months [3 1/2 years] … And it was given unto him [the antichrist] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." Rev. 13:5, 7. No logic will transform these persecuted saints into Jews, Israel, or any other except the church!

DANIEL'S PROPHECY: "I beheld, and the same horn [antichrist] made war with the saints, and prevailed against them … And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they [saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of times [for 3 1/2 years]." Dan. 7:21, 25.

Remember: Persecuted saints will come from all nations, all languages, and ethnic groups (Rev. 7:9). The antichrist kingdom and his power will be worldwide also.

The Great Tribulation will try the Patience and Faith of God's Saints _ the True Church of Jesus Christ!

"Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Rev. 13:10. "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God …Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:9-12. Here in tribulation is revealed the trial of the faith and patience of Christ's disciples!

The Third Question: Can we know the date of Christ's Coming? Answer: NO!

Jesus declared: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father … Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even [sundown], or at midnight [halfway], or at the cockcrowing [just before dawn], or in the morning [after the Storm and Spiritual Night have passed]." Mark 13:32, 35.

Then again Jesus declared of His return this prophetic light: "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom [Jesus] cometh; go ye out to meet him." Matt. 25:6. Midnight is halfway or 3 1/2 years! This is quite a revelation!

The Fourth Question: Will we know the Date of the Beginning of the seven years of Great Tribulation? Answer: NO! But there are Prophetic Indicators, to wit: The antichrist will have power to rule as a god-emperor for most of the 7-year Tribulation Period.

"And it [little horn or antichrist] cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed [6 years, 3 months, and 3 weeks]… But he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision." Dan. 8:12-17.

The length of the antichrist's rule: 6 years, 3 months, and 3 weeks! In the other 8 months of the 7-year period of Great Tribulation, the world will witness a dramatic rise of the antichrist and false prophet. Cf. Rev. 13:1-10 for the rise of the antichrist; Rev. 13:11-18 for the rise of the false prophet. These are called the beast and false prophet in Rev. 19:20.

THE PROPHETIC INDICATORS

The Great Tribulation Period of seven years will begin as God's two great prophets rise to world prominence and respect, but not popularity nor acceptance by the masses. God will give power to his two witnesses and prophets for the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period. Cf. Rev. 11:1-13.

The Antichrist and False Prophet will rise simultaneously with God's two true prophets. The False Prophet will represent the World Church or Harlot Church of Rev. 18 _ to counter the true Holy Ghost ministry, miracles, and a message of Restoration to Christ's true church. Every person in the world who rejects the message and ministry of God's True Prophets will believe the "Big Lie" of the antichrist and false prophet, to wit:

"Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved … God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." II Thess. 2:10-11.

Also: "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the antichrist], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8. The entry of this mighty drama is a mighty prophetic indicator!

GOD'S SAINTS WILL KNOW!

"Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:10.

God's true saints will recognize the antichrist when he arises _ however, the world, many Christians, and Israel will accept him as Christ for the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period, until he is unveiled as "the Man of Sin", the incarnate of Satan.

ANTICHRIST MANIFESTED

The unveiling or manifestation of the antichrist's identity will occur in the middle of the week of end-time prophecy _ that is, in the middle of the 7-year Tribulation Period.

"And then shall that Wicked [wicked one or antichrist] be revealed [be unveiled or identified as Satan's masterpiece, and not Christ]." II Thess. 2:8.

REVEALED WHEN AND HOW?

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [Christ's coming] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." II Thess. 2:3-4.

Notice: (1) The antichrist will not use the Bible _ he will "cast down the truth to the ground." Dan. 8:12. (2) The antichrist and false prophet will be the head of the world church, which will persecute God's true saints. Rev. 17:5-6. The false prophet will perform miracles and demand worship of the antichrist's image. Rev. 13:11-15. (3) The Mark of the Beast will be offered and accepted by all earth's masses whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Rev. 13:8, 16-18. (4) All the world except God's true saints will worship the antichrist during the Tribulation (Rev. 17:8), and they will worship the devil also. Rev. 13:3-4.

Did Jesus declare that the saints would go into the Great Tribulation period? Answer: Yes!

The Olivet message of Christ's prophecies of His return declares thusly: "All these [wars, pestilence, famines, earthquakes] are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matt. 24:8-11.

The key to this prophetic forecast: "Then" and "And then" in verses 9-10. These "then's" declare that these signs shall all be fulfilled in our end-time generation upon the church or Christians _ not Israel! Those were future church leaders that Jesus taught these prophecies to. They were not Jews at this time, but Christians, and, by the way, the New Testament was written to the church and Christians. A Jew or Gentile after conversion to Christ is no longer a Jew or Gentile, but a Christian or "Church of God". I Cor. 10:32.

ONE COVENANT OF SALVATION

Jews and Gentiles are both included in God's covenant of Grace _ so whatever tribulation is coming to purge God's people back to Holiness and to God's Righteousness will come upon both Israel and the Church of Jesus Christ.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28.

TRIBULATION VICTORY!

There are 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, who will be saved during the first 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. How will they be saved? Answer: By the blood of Jesus, by Grace, through Faith _ just like any other Jew or Gentile who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour!

Beloved, don't listen to these old mossy-backed theologians and preachers who declare blindly and ignorantly, "Jesus will come before the Great Tribulation, and not another person will be saved, or at least no Gentile." Your son, or daughter, or husband, or wife, or mother, or father could be among the great array of "redeemed ones" who come out of the great tribulation clothed in white robes, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. There will be multiplied thousands saved during the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period amid God's terrible judgments of famine, pestilence, terrorism, and natural disasters.

PRAYERS ANSWERED IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION!

In the midst of the Great Tribulation (the first 3 1/2 years), God will answer the prayers of His saints, living and dead, in the midst of Great Judgments: "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake." Rev. 8:3-5.

"When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isa. 26:9. Also: "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? … for thy judgments are made manifest." Rev. 15:4.

God's Elect will learn to Fear God!

SAINTS ARE THE CHURCH!

Many Christians and preachers cry, "Look out, Jesus could come anytime _ He could come tonight or He could have come last night." Answer: If Jesus could have come last night, He would have come last night. This is a very foolish statement. Restoration Must Come First.

The Apostle Peter declared: "And he [God the Father] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution [Restoration] of all things …" Acts 3:20-21.

ALSO: Jesus declared prophetically of His return, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye [the church] think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24:44.

The lukewarm, Laodicean, world-conforming, idolatrous church of Jesus Christ must be restored back to its first love, Holy Ghost power, holiness, the fear of God, and divine unity before Jesus Christ returns. This Restoration back to Divine Favor will be effective and perfected only by the coming 3 1/2 years of Divine Judgments and Divine Chastening to purify, to purge, and to make white. Eph. 5:24-27; Rev. 3:14-22.

THE REVELATION

The prophetic revelation of the great tribulation is contained in the Book of Revelation, chapters 6-19. God's saints are clearly declared to be in the great tribulation through Chapter 15.

Now Note This Carefully: Only chapters 1-3 even mention church or churches (one exception), and this part of the Book of Revelation does not unveil nor pertain to the great tribulation. That one exception in this great prophetic Book, the one other scripture mentioning the church, is as follows: "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Rev. 22:16.

Why this warning to the churches? Answer: Jesus threatened the idolaters, the adulterers, and the world conformists in the churches: "Behold, I will cast her [Jezebel] into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds." Rev. 2:22. This adultery was the spiritual adultery committed with the Jezebels (verses 20-21) in the early churches, and the church of today is full of Jezebels and spiritual adulterers and idolaters!

WHY DO THESE THEORIES EXIST AND PREVAIL?

Theory instead of Bible Evidence prevails among church people today because most preachers are idolaters and spiritual adulterers, and they want to circumvent the thundering judgments of God by proclaiming an "easy rapture" _ an escapism! And Christians who are idolatrous and world conforming love these theories, and will ever reject the true light of the prophetic scriptures. These are: "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." II Tim. 3:7. But ladies and gentlemen, if you and I live a few brief years longer, we will experience Thunder Before Dawn! We will go through at least 3 1/2 years of Great Tribulation.

WHERE WILL THE BRIDE BE?

The sanctified, Spirit-filled holy Bride of Christ will be right here on earth through at least 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. After all, they are the part of the church that will make it victorious! The Bride of Christ, God's faithful and sanctified saints, will be here with the lukewarm and idolatrous Christians to be Guideposts, Beacons, Landmarks, Lighthouses, and Evangels to Save and Restore Christ's lukewarm Church back to Divine Favor and Virtue! The greatest prophets of history will lead the way to Reconciliation and Restoration. Here's the reason: "But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison

houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth: for a spoil, and none saith, Restore." Isa. 42:22. Glorious Restoration is on the way!

7 YEARS _ A QUICK WORK OF GOD!

In a brief 7-year period, God will consummate His magnanimous work of Restoration in our end-time generation! A Holy church shall be perfected, and a holy remnant of Israel shall be saved: "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Rom. 9:28.

Another type of the Great Tribulation: Israel delivered from Egyptian bondage! God poured out judgments upon the Egyptians and Israelites alike _ the first three of the ten, and Israel lived through all ten of God's judgments and plagues. (1) Israel's water was turned into blood for seven days just as the Egyptians' water was. Ex. 7:19. (2) Israel endured the plague of frogs. Ex. 8:6. (3) Israel also endured the plague of lice that came upon Egypt. Ex. 8:17. (4) A plague of flies came next upon Egypt, but God told Moses, "I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there." Ex. 8:22-23.

GOD'S JUDGMENTS ON HIS FIRST CHURCH!

Today's church will experience "Thunder Before Dawn", before their Day of Deliverance. God through His prophet historically declared of His first church: "In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them [Israel], to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt." Ezek. 20:6-8. And God did, to purge a remnant!

A HOLY REMNANT!

Care to be a part of God's Holy Remnant from a myriad of professors? It has a high cost!

Now hear this: "Then said one unto him [Jesus], Lord, are there few that be saved? [And this is a direct question and an answer about the time of His return] And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait [narrow] gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye [lukewarm and rebellious, professing Christians] begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are…" Luke 13:23-25.

No wonder Jesus cried out this warning: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say [all that I say]?" Luke 6:46.

THE CHURCH MUST REPENT OR BE REJECTED!

Today's church in general has "believed", but they have not Truly Repented! "Repent" means to give up all sin and idolatry _ to quit sinning and do righteousness. Today's church is a spotted church, and the Lord is going to purge these spotted Christians, and He will have a "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or... blemish." Eph. 5:27.

REPENTANCE BRINGS DIVINE FAVOR

God has decreed: "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain [and He will very soon], or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people [and he will]; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn [Repent] from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chron. 7:13-14.

Look about you, everywhere and in the churches; there is little evidence of Righteousness, and little or no contending for the Truth of God's Word, the Whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. Everywhere in evidence are signs of Rebellion: Counterfeit Bibles, False Prophets, and Phony Christians. The only remedy: For God to send true, Holy Ghost filled and Holy Ghost anointed Prophets who will rebuke and reprove with impunity _ preachers, deacons, church-goers, and members _ and, call sin by name _ and warn that those who sin are going to Hell!

THEY HAVEN'T REPENTED _ BUT THEY WILL!

In a peaceful and affluent society, people of today's church are the same as they were in the Prophet Jeremiah's lifetime: "I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle … but my people know not the judgment of the Lord." Jer. 8:6-7.

Here is the epitomization: First, the people of God would not Repent but foolishly cried out, "What have I done that I need to repent for?" Secondly, God's people did not even know God's judgments for their sins. Alas! Today's church, from the preacher to the least member are just as blind as were these to their sins and God's threatened judgments.

THE STORM IS NEAR!

The Thunder of the great approaching Spiritual Night is heard in the near distance. Every Christian, every church member, every sinner, every backslider, and every rebel are going into the Great Tribulation that draws ever nearer. No explanation, no theological blunder, no anticipation, no false hope will deliver any hyped-up Christian, real or professing, from the Thunder of the Gathering Storm that will pass over us before the Dawn! What should a true saint of God do? Work for the Lord and stay ready for Jesus to return!

The End.

Word of Prophecy Newsletter

Published by: Word of Prophecy Fellowship

P O Box 10200, Jacksonville, FL 32247

Editor Bro. Ray Pringle, Jr.,

an ordained minister of the

Calvary Chapel Church of God, Inc.

Associate Editor ... June Carpenter

Copyrighted - All rights reserved