Reading Revelations

I have been searching through the book of Revelations recently as I have been searching for evidence in my recent investigation of the rapture theory. My cousin told me that the rapture is certain it is only a matter of when, but does he have reason and evidence for his belief in this idea? I trust and love my cousin but I am not convinced of the validity of the idea of a rapture, especially after people like Harold Camping take advantage of those who believe it and propagate it to the Christian community.

It was interesting to hear the book again, as it had been years since I have read it. Most recently I have been focused on Paul's epistles, and the four gospels. It is a bit frightenening and it is a bit comforting.

Although I enjoyed reading it so much I read it again yesterday, and through all these readings the major idea I get from it is that a man will be judged by his deeds. That Jesus still walks amongst the churches, and we are to remember our sinful nature as men and repent of our sins to God. That we remember where we come from. If we overcome this sin we will partake of the fruit of the tree of life. If we are faithful unto death we shall be given the crown of life. God will give unto everyone according to their works. Jesus will testify on the behalf of those who endure to the end and clothe them in white robes. As many as he loves, he rebukes and chastens.

I am going to read 1st Thessalonians today in my pursuit of the rapture idea evidence. But it was interesting to read the prophesy of Revelations. I continue my studies today. May the Lord be with with and bless you and keep you. Amen.

"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loosen the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth , was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." ~ Revelation 5:1-5

After The Rapture

I feel it is necessary for me to mention the Rapture phenomenon that took hold in the United States recently because of a man named Harold Camping. He had predicted that the world would end at 6 pm on Saturday May 21, 2011. As you can see by the fact I am writing this on May 22nd, things didn't work out quite as much as Mr. Camping had planned. What is disgusting is that this man preyed on the fear of people to line his pockets, Camping's ministry took in millions over this "event". Billboards went up all across the country, and the fear factory was turned up to full blast to get those dollars in. It is a shame that this happens, and attacks the image of sound, and intelligent Christians across the world who know that God is the one who decides on our fates, not some guy in California.
I pray that Jesus shows mercy on our nation and the people who take advantage of good Christian people across the land, because I believe if they don't seek repentance (as must I for my sins) they will burn in a fiery torment.
God be with you.

Is America A Christian Nation?

The nation in which I live is the only one I'd ever want to live in. The religious freedom awarded to us as Americans is a freedom that is the most gracious in history.

We can pursue our beliefs how God directs us. This gives people the oppurtunity to find Christ for themselves and search for God in their own way.

But with this freedom how is America identified today?

Some people would say that America is not a Christian nation. Many people say it is.

I believe it is a Majority Christian nation, with two rising camps of religious/philosophical influence.

Militant Atheism is on the rise in the United States, as well as conversion to Islam.

Militant Atheism is becoming more and more the norm in most circles, and one could be seen as less than inteligent if he or she were to share their belief in Christ or God. This is most credited to the Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens movement in literature.

Islam is reaching out more thoroughly in prisons and college campuses.

Even with these two factors I still hold to America being a Majority Christian nation.

More Americans are Christian than any other faith. Christmas and Easter are state holidays. When polled most Americans identify as Christian. Christianity has played an important role of the morals of the men who founded this country. We have a long Christian tradition.

Although Atheism is growing and Islam is also holding it's own, American remains and most likely will remain a Majority Christian nation.

Sidenote: Sabbath

There is a great deal of passages that alude to the importance of keeping the sabbath day holy. It is set aside as a way for God to know who follows Him. To know that we are His followers. Those who believe in Christ may or may not be excluded from this requirement.
I am of the persuasion that the sabbath day is saturday, that was and still is the custom in Rabbinic Judaism.
God commanded that we not remove a jot or tittle from the law. That he came not to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them.
Something to think about.

Is God Love?

God is love is a very common phrase that I have heard. It's quoted by those people who try to justify their own personal interpretations of God as this hippie, pacifist image. It's also quoted as a hookline for those who seek converts to the faith.

As tacky as it may seem it is also true. God is love, when linking the understanding of love that he had when he sent the Messiah to die for us and that we be absolved of our sins by his sacrifice. I am of the interpretation that we humans make up our own gods to satisfy our own needs in a deity. But Christians take to the scriptures, the gospel of Jesus, the Letters of Paul, Peter, and others, as well as taking the Jewish Bible's scripture as Divine as well, and have their own linkage with the nature of God and spirituality.

This sacrfice is what can be most easily obtained from the concept of the gospels. God loved his creation so much that he sacrificed his only begotten son for it. The Holy Spirit of God still works in the hearts of those who believe in Christ. Christ gave all men a passage to heaven and the service of God.

Sacrifice is a token of the deepest form of love. Like the love of a father to his son, or of a noble Master to his servant. We must try to remember this intense gift that God has given us as his people. The atonement of sins, so that we might live and flourish with the love and blessings of the Almighty.

I become more dedicated to pursuing my journey with God.