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The origin of Energy?
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How soon will I be leaving?
As I move closer to my last day on earth, I realize that there are two possibilities for my removal: normal death or by the sudden return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Question: Could it be this year?
You ask, do you have some information concerning either departure time? Yes, my body is growing old and more fragile. Also, the coming of the Lord is much closer today than it was about six years ago when my personal study of God’s Word provided some surprising insights pointing to the last days.[ 1 ]
I spent an entire month studying the Seven Feasts (Appointments) [ 2] of the Lord as outlined in the Old Testament.
My conclusions:
► The three Spring Fetivals (Passover, Unlevened Bread, FirstFruits) were symbols of the suffering, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [ 3]
► The middle Fetival of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) was fulfilled by the Holy Spirit’s manifestation and the establishment of the “Church of Jesus Christ.” [ 4] (Note: His “church” is not a denomination, sect or some structured system.)
► The three Fall Festivals are symbols[ 5] of God’s future workings, beginning with the sounding of Trumpets.
The Three Fall Festivals
Trumpets: As I studied the Festival of Trumpets, I could not help but look at the New Testament passage: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of
God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Each year as this Festival of Trumpets gets closer, I ask, “Is this the time of Jesus Christ’s return to take away His followers?”
The Trumpet Festivals come, year after year. Yet, this year could be the year of my demise or of Christ’s Return? The next Trumpet Festival will close out the end of year 5778 and will be the beginning of the year 5779 (September 21, 22, 2017); or could the LORD choose a different day and year. I do not know, but we do know that Jesus Christ will return. I am excited to realize that it could be very soon!!!
World conditions seem to indicate something. We recently finished a rare 2 year cycle of four blood moons, hyphenated by a solar eclipse; then a rare “strawberry moon.” Whatever these may mean, it is interesting!!! (In the year 2017, there will be an amazing alignment of heavenly bodies.)
Also, as humanity devises new and better ways to kill and to even self destruct, I have wondered if many of the “plagues” listed in the Book of Revelation could be man-made. It certainly seems possible. I ask, “How long will God allow His perfect creation to be messed up by humanity. I remember God’s creation capstone comment, “And God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good.”
What is its condition now. Humanity has gone wild, the planet has been/is being contaminated by the effects of human greed; religions and rulers kill thousands for more control. The whole world is in turmoil and is growing nervous as government leaders come and go!!! A recent U.S. President signed an edict allowing for centralized martial law in the case of some national calamity. Other nations have the same option.
Question: What will I do if Jesus Christ returns in my lifetime? I will be caught up with Him in the clouds – “and so will I ever be with the Lord.”
Question: What about my friends, neighbors, relatives? Are they ready. Being ready is simple: Jesus stated: “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, except by Me.” : Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Question: Why did Jesus come to this earth? He stated: “I am come to seek and to save that which is lost.”
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “There is none righteous, no not one.”
John said: “Repent (turn from sin) for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Also: “Behold the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world.”
Jesus also stated that
Any person that comes to Me, I will not cast out.”
“Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy [burdened] with
sin and I will give you rest.”
Here is the human dilemma: "God made all things beautiful." Then something happened but God has given us commandments.
If humanity would have followed them, all could be "very good."
"What do you think it takes to have a relationship with God
and live with him forever in heaven?"
● God is Holy and cannot tolerate our sin.
● God is Just and cannot overlook our sin.
● God is Loving and has reached out to us.
● God is Gracious and offers salvation as a gift.**
For clarification, follow this link to an app for the implication of these four characteristics of God.
▲ Note again, God clearly stated the indictment:
"As it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one.
(Romans 3:10-18) KJV
Also, "The wages of sin is death."
(Romans 6:23a)
The guilt is there. We have no way to remove our own guilt.
We can only receive God's "Exchange" because each person has broken God's law and
God's Justice cannot overlook our sin.
Key question:
If you went through the "Exchange" app, what can happen to the indictment?
"Are you 100% sure that all of your sins are forgiven and that you're going to heaven?"
Consder this, if you are not 100% sure, the penalty of the inditment may still remain for you,
please go through the "Exchange" app a second time.
God's Question: "What right do you have to enter My heaven with the sins you have done"?
Question: Have you received the EXCHANGE?
If so, God has actually completed the EXCHANGE for you.
We realize that there is no way we can remove any sin - no one can go back and undo even one sin. Our only hope is
to have our sins EXCHANGED for Jesus Christ's righteousness.
Note: Your name is written in The Book of Life.
Realize that you now need to find out what God has said for His children and to His children. If one is a “child of God,” he/she will want to live as His obedient child. God’s revelation for us is in the Bible.
The Gospel of John is an excellent Book to begin. John recorded many of Jesus’ words and teachings. The last chapters record Jesus’ being rejected, His trials, suffering, death, resurrection and commission. These accounts, and His words are insightful, penetrating and thrilling.
Also, many of the Psalms are insightful and comforting. Psalm 119 speaks of the value of God’s Words and of His Word.
The Bible also says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; […]”
(2 Corinthians 5:17-19).
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No one knows his/her time of death or WHEN the rapture will occur but each person can “BE READY.”
I am praying for each one who reads my special
Rosh
Hashanah (Trumpet Festival) letter,
understands that this could be my final communication.
Let me hear from you – soon.
John Mark Holland
(Feel free to share my departure letter – in its entirety.)
End Notes: ______________
Notes:
1 My curiosity sparked while in Puerto Rico in 2008. We were able to attend 3 or 4 sessions presented by a Jewish Rabi who made some interesting links between the Old and New Testaments.
2 The Hebrew word for feast means festival, an appointment. My initial focus centered on the Jewish Passover as it had been given by G_d. (Jewish scholars consider the name, G_d, so holy that in respect they do not write the entire word.)
3 Three Spring Festivals
As I began to study the three Spring Festivals, I became convinced that each was symbolic of Jesus Christ’s First Coming. These were Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. They were all observed within a four or five day time period. I thought that to be strange. (Seven festivals with the first three observed within a short period.) So, my curiosity was sparked and I saw and verified the obvious link of these three closly sequenced festivals to Jesus’ “Passion Week.”
Passover, celebrated the 14th day (full moon) of the Jewish first month. It was during this 24 hour period that Jesus observed the last supper, was betrayed in the garden (full moon), was taken prisoner, faced three trials and was sentenced to death by the Roman Judge, Pilate who stated that Jesus had “No Fault.” Thus, Jesus died on the afternoon of Passover, at the same time (See Exodus 12:1-14) the priest was killing the Passover lambs at the Temple. (See Mark 15:33-39)
Unleavened Bread: After the Passover Lamb was killed, it was roasted and became the basis for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (See Exodus 12:15-20)
First Fruits: This festival was to celebrate the “first harvest” of the year. (See Leviticus 23:9-10) This festival began on the “First Day of the Week,” after the Sabbath following Passover. Thus, Jesus rose from the dead on First Fruits, the first day of the week, (Sunday) three days after His Passover death. (See Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-16; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1-10 & following)
4 The fourth festival was Pentecost which was 50 days following First Fruits. It was also called the Feast of Harvest. (See Leviticus 23:15-21; Acts 2:1-4)
5 Three Fall Festivals
As I began to study these, I became convinced that each of the Fall Festivals is symbolic of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.
Festival of Trumpets: This festival begins the first day (New Moon) of the seventh month of the Old Testament calendar. (Note: The Feast of Trumpets now marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar’s New Year!!!) The reference is short (Leviticus 23:23-24) but the trumpets were to sound. As I studied the references to the sounding of trumpets, they were primarily a signal for gathering together. (Note: Jewish tradition has added several other factors but gathering seems to have been the original focus.)
Festival of Atonement: This festival involved numerous offerings to signify forgiveness of sin; however, the High Priest was to be the chief focus during the festival. (Leviticus 23:26-32; Leviticus 16:1-34)
Festival of Tabernacles: This festival involved the entire nation gathering and living in booths throughout the seven day festival.
(Leviticus 23:33-44) This festival, as does the Festival of Atonement relates to God’s future appointment with Israel.
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