Frequently Asked Questions

I've visited a number of FAQ web pages and most seem to be comprised of questions that the author wished people would have asked instead of the ones they actually did ask. The following are the actual frequently asked questions I've received.

Why don't you add a frequently asked questions page?
That's a great idea, I think I'll do that.

How did you get started studying Bible prophecy?
I started studying prophecy 16 years ago when I was 15-years-old. I didn't see a burning bush or any angels from heaven. I popped open my Bible and said, "Well, looky here."

Is the Pope the Antichrist?
I don't think the Pope can be the Antichrist, because the Antichrist will be accepted by the Jews as their Messiah. In order to qualify as the Messiah, you must be of Jewish origin. Because the Pope heads an organization of one billion followers, it is very logical to conclude the Pontiff will someday fulfill a major the role in the Antichrist’s false church.

Are you serious about this stuff?
Very. I do like to add a few silly remarks to keep the unbelievers guessing if this stuff is for real. They'll also be more likely to read further into the web page. If someone's not sure your spoofing, they'll be less likely to make negative remarks. And this will allow for more of my main points to sink in.

You don't seem to like the liberal media?
I wouldn't desire to work in any office right below one of the media news headquarters, because if they were ever sent straight back to the place from which they slivered out of, they'd have to come crashing through the ceiling to get there.

Where do you find the time to update the index?
Let's see here: I don't watch soaps, I don't go to bars, I'm not into sports, I don't go to the gym, I don't have pets, I don't smoke, I don't pamper my car and my lawn, I don't watch much prime time TV, and I don't have a part-time job. I have no idea where I find the time.

What does that have to do with Bible prophecy?
Most events that occur do not have a direct correlation with prophecy, but many events play a supportive role in the fulfillment of prophecy. The fact that Adolph Hitler was a uninspiring artist helped bring about the greatest fulfillment of prophecy of our day. Because Hitler was a not very gifted as an artist, he was rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts, this led to him being embittered against the state, which in turn led to him joining an extremist political group, this led his rise to power, which led to World War II, which led to the Holocaust, and which finally led to the formation of the nation of Israel. It's the tiny seemingly insignificant events that are what guides the major ones. I have always been fascinated at how occurrences are able interact with each other to bring about major events.

Will my children be raptured?
Many prophetic writers make blanket statements saying that all children will be raptured. I do not foresee an all inclusive rapture of every child. However, I do look for the children of Christians to be raptured because of a blessing from their parents faith. I recall two situations in the Bible where God blessed people just through association.
One example is how the Egyptian's house was blessed because Joseph was his servant. (Gen 39:5)
The other example is how the house of Obededom was blessed because the Ark of the Lord remained on his property three months.(2 Sam 6:11)
The reverse of this is also true. When king David sinned, his whole house was cursed. David's infant son died and his son Absalom rebelled against him. God himself said that he would visit judgment to the third and four generation for those who turned against him. (Exo 20:5)
Ungodly parents only bring judgment to their children, so can you imagine how unsaved parents will react when during the tribulation, they witness the rapture of Christian parents and their children while they and their children remain behind.

The two greatest Biblical examples of God's wrath being poured out on man both involved the saving of the righteous and their children. When Noah got into the ark, this children accompanied him. when Lot left Sodom, his two daughters went with him. It should be noted that in both cases, all the remaining children perished.

Just as you work to financially support your children, your faith in God workers to support your children who are under the age of accountability.

Are most of the categories in your Rapture Index based upon US figures?
Most of the categories in the index are indeed based on US figures. The issue of having an international representation has come up in the past, but I've found the need for such unnecessary. With the integration of world economies and cultures, it's becoming harder to tell where one nation ends and another begins. I follow world financial markets, and I don't see any difference between. When ever the US stock market is at or near record highs, the majority of all other stock markets are also at or near records highs. When it comes to moral decay, other countries may lead the US, but pretty much, we all seem to be declining at the same rate.

What's your view on the Jesus only issue?
Some people believe that God doesn't manifest himself in the form of God the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost. They believe these are only roles he's plays throughout history. I've had experience with the United Pentacost Church, the main proponent of the Jesus only doctrine, and I know they view everyone else as praying to a three God system. By the process of elimination, The UPC also believes they are the one true way. I don't know of any church that teaches the trinity is comprised of three separate Gods. The truth to the matter is, scripture is full examples of the multiple manifestantions of God: Matthew 3:16-17, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Genesis 1:26, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." 1 Peter 3:22, "Who (speaking of Jesus) is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him."

Can someone who's heard the gospel get saved After the rapture?
Anyone who tells people after the rapture, no one who's previously heard the gospel will be save are basically saying nearly all the folks who get left behind lack the ability to receive Christ. There're not very many people out there who haven't heard the gospel message. I believe people who heard the gospel before the rapture will indeed have an opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior during the tribulation. When God pours out the plagues of the tribulation, the Bible say they repented not - indicating they could repent.
(Rev 16:9-11 KJV) And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not, to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Can the Mark of the Beast be accepted by mistake?
The Bible say anyone that receives the Mark of the Beast will be condemned to hell fire forever. Because of the strong wording of the language and the resulting lost state, I don't believe the mark can not be forced on someone. People receiving the mark will have to choose of their own freewill to take it.

When will the Russian (Gog) invasion of Israel take place?
I believe it will take place shortly after the rapture. If it occurred before the rapture, we Christians would know the Lord is coming soon. The Bible predicts the rapture will be a surprise events. Ezekiel's claim that Israel will be burning the weapons of war for 7 years is the main reason why I believe the Gog War will take place at or near the beginning of the tribulation.
(Ezek 39:9 KJV) And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years."

What is wrong with homosexuality?
A whole lot of things, but mostly it's an abomination to God. And He said it not once, not twice, but several times...and it wasn't all in one breath, but spread out over 1500 years. In the beginning, God created man, and then He created a woman to be man's helpmate. I imagine that if God had thought homosexuality was OK, then he would have created another man...or just two women. But He didn't, so that's the beginning. When God gave the Law to Mose's, He was very clear about the fact that if two (of the same sex) lie together, or "know" each other as man knows a woman, then those two were to be put to death, because "it is an abomination to God". God also destroyed the cities of the plains (Sodom & Gomorrah and a couple of others) because of their penchance for homosexual behavior. The men of Sodom even tried to seduce the angels that were sent! (sounds like San Francisco). About 1500 years later, God spoke throught he Apostle Paul to re-affirm that those who practice homosexuality "shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven". "Yeah, but even that was almost 2000 years ago, and we've modernized, haven't we." Yes, we've gotten modern. But since God is the rock, and is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He hasn't changed His mind. It's still an abomination to Him.

Now this does NOT mean that God doesn't love the homosexual...He does, and He wan't them to REPENT (turn away) from that which is NOT pleasing in His sight. Can a homosexual be saved? Yes, emphatically yes....IF they will repent (turn away) from that which is wrong. It isn't the sinner that is hated, it is what they do (the sin). Is there such a thing as a Christian Homosexual? No. You can either be a Christian, or you can be a homosexual. To be both is oxymoronic.

How do I know I'm saved?
Because God said so. IF you have confessed with your mouth (made public statement) the Lord Jesus Christ, and you believe (know and are willing to ACT on it) that God raised Jesus from the dead, then you are saved. "Yeah, but what if I don't feel like it"? What are you supposed to feel like? The Word of God doesn't say we're supposed to get heartburn, or turn cartwheels, or turn blue, or anything like that. We're just supposed to believe. Jesus said "blessed are you (talking to the disciples) who have seen, but MORE BLESSED are those who have not seen, AND YET BELIEVE". "Yeah, ok, but what if I don't act like I'm saved"? Well, then you might have a serious problem, and need to take a long hard look at whether or not you REALLY believe. While we are saved by grace (an undeserved gift), and that through faith (life changing belief), and NOT of works, there is still one thing that is true, true, true....if you really believe, then you will be willing to do whatever the Lord asks of you....and that means you will work, for His Glory, for His Kingdom, and for the salvation of every one you can find.

While salvation is a life-changing experience, it is not tied to an emotional experience, although it can be quite emotional. When I first realized, fully, what God had done for me through Jesus, I couldn't stop crying. Crying with joy at the thought of forgiveness and eternal life...sobbing with pain over the time that I had wasted in ignoring Him, grinning from ear to ear over the weight that I no longer carried on my back. But now, many years down the road, while I still cry sometimes when I look at my failures, and smile at His successes, I have peace, knowing that because He said I was saved, I am saved....and for no other reason. 'Sides, that, He can't lie!

How does a Christian handle temptation?
Well, there are several ways to do it. First, how receptive are you to discipline? If you don't like it, then the best way is to consider the consequences on both the spiritual and physical planes. God doesn't want you to fall into sin through temptation, so He will always "urge" you to resist. If you don't, then the "urgings" and conviction of having done something wrong will increase. Then, there is the physical consequence, which would depend entirely on what it is that you did wrong. Either way, there are consequences to be dealt with. As to how best to resist, scripture tells us "resist the devil and he will flee from you". To help with this, God has given us His Holy Spirit, to remind us of what is right and wrong, to strengthen us to resist, and an unction to be able to look beyond the immediate results (but it looks, tastes, feels GOOOOOD), and know that in the long run it isn't good for us. There is also the "armor" of God, as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:13, which is so that we might "...be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand".

Q: What would stop me from being raptured?

A: Not being born-again. You must be born-again. Jesus told us in the Bible the only way to the Father is through the son. You must believe that Jesus is the son of God. That he died for you on the cross, and that he was resurrected on the third day. You must except him as your personal savior, and ask him to come into your heart. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

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