Dear Saints,
Based on recent comments on my blogs and various emails over the years, I know that many of you are concerned about your lost loved ones left behind. When I first got saved, my greatest fear was for my children. I used to get so frightened for them that I could feel my heart cinch up, broke out in sweats, and couldn't sleep. So, I began to search the Scripture, asking the Lord to lead me to verses that had to do with family salvation and in particular descendants! So, I'm going to list those passages here. If you are worried about your lost loved ones, I encourage you to read through these out loud and tell Father God that you are holding Him to His Word... that you know He is faithful to His Word, and He is merciful and full of grace. It's not disrespectful to tell God that His Word is true and you are holding Him to it and believing what He says in His Word. He loves that!
In most all of these Verses, there is a condition you must meet first. So meet that condition and then have Faith that God will save your Loved Ones! Believe me, it may seem impossible now as you look at them in the natural, but you must know and believe that with God NOTHING is impossible, and HE will find a way.
At the moment of this post, my adult son claims to be an atheist. He believes in evolution and denies the existence of any god, let alone the True God. He has ordered me never to speak of God to him again. In the natural, I simply cannot imagine how God will ever reach him. But I know my God!! There's nothing He can't do. There's no situation He can't orchestrate. There's not a person on Earth that He can't figure out a way to reach, no matter what. He's God! We have to think outside of our own little fleshly box and realize how Big our God Is!!
I also have several other family members who are also lost... but I'm believing for them as well!
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them. Psalm 103:17-18
Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2
Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. Psalm 25:13-14
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed. Psalm 37:26-27
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
And My blessing on your offspring;
They will spring up among the grass
Like willows by the watercourses.’ Isaiah 44:3-4
For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of
those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love
Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:5-6
“As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.” Isaiah 59:21
So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. John 4:53
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7
The Scripture says ONLY NOAH was righteous in his generation. It says nothing about his wife, kids, and their wives. But God delivered Noah's entire family!
LOT: Then there's Lot. If you know anything about Lot, he was not exactly a decent man. He was selfish and chose the good land for himself when Abraham offered him a choice. He was living in Sodom, a city that was so incredibly wicked, God had to torch it. This is a man who would have handed his virgin daughters over to be gang raped! YET BECAUSE OF ABRAHAM, Because Abraham loved Lot, God sent angels to rescue him AND his wife and daughters.
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt. Genesis 19:29
Rahab: Remember Rahab. She was a prostitute in Jericho. But because she believed in God and saved the lives of the Israeli spies at the risk of her own life. Proving her faith, God not only saved her, but her entire household.
And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.Joshua 6:25
Yes, a person has free will and no one (even God) can force them to accept Him. HOWEVER, God can cause things to happen, events, tragedies, miracles, people, etc that can convince a person of His Existence, even going so far as to appear to hm or her Himself! So don't despair. Keep praying for your family members. Recite the above Scriptures. Believe that God will eventually save them, even if it has to be during the Tribulation!
While I agree God can save anyone who is willing, and I am trusting Him to save some of my family and friends who will be left behind and have to endure the Tribulation. Do you think there is a difference in the “saving” of say Noah’s family or Lot’s family- because Jesus hadn’t come to earth yet and been crucified and resurrected? I mean Lot’s family was saved from actual fire and brimstone but after Jesus we are saved from hell and will live with Him in eternity. I guess I’m asking a theological question about the salvation of the OT people. Do they have eternal life even though they didn’t “ know” Jesus like we do?( John 3:16) I think I know the answer but would like to hear your thoughts on this.
ReplyDeleteBlessings! BevH
Bev, as I understand it, most all of the OT stories are typologies for NT revelations, A perfect example is the story of Joseph, which is really the story of Jesus. The story of Jacob and Rachel and Leah is yet another example of Jesus marrying first the gentile bride and then the Jewish bride. I could go on. So many of those stories, like Noah and Lot are just revealing to us that God is a God who saves our loved ones out from destruction and His wrath.
DeleteBut regarding how the saints in the OT were saved... if they had faith in God like Abraham did,.. and Noah and many others.. they went to Hades after they died. There are 2 parts to Hades.. a place for the redeemed and a place for the unredeemed. We see that in Jesus's story of the beggar Lazarus who died and went to Abraham''s bosom while the rich man went on the other side and there was a huge gulf between them. After Jesus died and rose again, the Scripture tells us that He descended into Hades, got the keys, and took all those saints on the good side up to heaven with Him. This is why we also were told that many OT Saints came out of their graves at Jesus's resurrection and walked around the "holy city". That holy city is the one in heaven, not the one here. So, yes, these OT saints get the same eternal life that we do... they only had to wait for Jesus to come here, die and resurrect in order for them to go to heaven. It was their faith in God and in the coming Messiah that gave them this salvation even though they didn't know His exact name and timing. Hope that makes sense!
Yes, thanks so much! BevH
DeleteMaryLu, like you and so many of us I have unsaved loved ones, an adult son also. When I was first saved a prime motivation for me to walk righteously before God was for the sake of my children, Exodus 20:5-6. As I grew in the Lord my primary motivation for obedience was out of love for Him, but that came later. I watched a video last night by Brother Will, Worship and Watch, wherein he made an interesting observation regarding Brother Joshua's likening our departure to the Exodus. The night of the Passover the people were instructed to paint the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintels of the houses. The Death Angel didn't go inside the houses to do a "belief" check on all who were inside. Rather the angel looked for the Blood on the doorways; all who were inside were spared. Now, he was comparing the ones inside the houses to believers who do not believe in the Rapture or are mid-trib, post-trib, no trib, etc.--inviting them to just "come inside the house" while we pre-tribbers watch for His arrival. However, I have for years in prayer "brought my family under the umbrella of my spiritual tent" (yes, I know each person must make a decision of his/her own regarding faith--it is a paradox) to provide for them a level of spiritual protection and gospel influence. Brother Will's video and your post this morning remind us we do have hope/faith for our unsaved families. As we have arrived at these portentous days, may our hopes be fully satisfied. Maranatha, fam.
ReplyDeleteJudi
Hi Judi, I like your example of the Blood over the door posts. I pray this almost daily. I pray forgiveness for the sins of my whole house, for the light to open the eye of all to the Lord and Savior. Etc, I pray fore my whole house to come to the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ. I love what you said and will continue to pray this way over them all unless the Lord tells me different.
DeleteThere is a scripture that states an unbelieveing husband or wife "may" be saved by the believing one. But I still do think one must acknowledge Christ for themselves, thats my personal belief.
I saw a post the other day about the thief on the cross i find very interesting, not sure you'll be able to open it. I think we all have according to God's grace, up until the very last seconds to acknowledge Christ. I delivered the Gospel to a non believer while he was on his death bed. He could barely speak, but bowed his head slightly, and he uttered an Amen, and passed the next morning.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4159591734309477&set=a.1388212321447446
Joe, yes. I don't have a facebook acct. so couldn't read your link unfortunately. You are doing for your family what God looked for in Ezekiel 22:30: "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. "
DeleteSuch a powerful role for us to play on behalf of others, whether seeking their salvation or God's forgiveness of them for hurting us, and others. God WANTS us to intercede before Him, to implore Him, to stay His hand of judgment. He WANTS to extend mercy, BUT in His holiness He must bring judgment. Carry on brother, with our hands lifted up: "forgive them, Father, they know not what they do (really don't)." In so far as it depends on us, we pray, and continue to ask God to everything in His power to reach our families. Ultimately, it is on them, but we know we are praying according to His will as He wants none to perish (I know you know that, but in case others read here who are not familiar). I know the context of these verses is other believers in the church, but I routinely pray 2 Timothy 2:25-26 for my family: 25 ". .. God . . . grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. Also that they may love the truth so they can be saved. (2 Thess. 2:10 . . . "They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
Judi, Love that example of putting the blood on our doorposts and inviting all family inside! I'm going to use that too... and may add it to this post! Also, Joe, the one about the unbelieving spouse. Good ones too! Thank you both! We continue to pray for our loved ones, as we abide under the Lord's mighty wings, we draw them under ours. Prayers are so very powerful!! We have no idea.. and they last far into eternity. It is by far our most important role, other than planting seeds as we are led. Joe, that's a wonderful story about that man on his death bed!
DeleteAmen MaryLu and thank you Judi. As I've said before, I no longer attend a structural church. Not unless the Lord leads me to do so. God bless anyone here who has found a truth preaching God fearing Pastor. But I try to bring church wherever I go. We are the church. I consider the wisdom and conversations we have here, church, and I consider all of you Brother and Sisters in the body of Christ. I believe we should pray over this page and one another as often as we meet here.
DeleteChrists peace to all.
As you know, I'm in the same boat, Joe. No decent churches here. But you're absolutely right, church is wherever 2 or more believers are gathered and online is good too! There are many more who gather here who don't post comments... but we are all family! And I hope everyone who comes here feels loved and valued and welcome! I think it's a great idea to pray for everyone who visits here!
DeleteGreetings precious Daughter to our King,
ReplyDeleteI have been asked not to speak scripture, or comment about incorrect teaching going on in the church. I think when people get adamant by commanding you not to speak to them because they are fearful that you might change their mind. Fearful that they might have to leave a church, or get rid of the many books written with wrong theology. They might have to lose some friends and change their whole lifestyle. Especially those who consider themselves wise and intellectual. People dont like realizing they have made a mistake, that they may have to personally explain to friends they were wrong about something they once boasted about. They dont want to be made fools of, embarrassed. For them, and maybe for me too at one time, it's like standing on a highway with a Mack truck heading toward you, and refusing to move out of its way because of a belief it wont harm you.
Sometimes those closest to us remember the way we were, or past ways we hurt them or let them down, and they will not except anything from us. Jesus said a prophet is never excepted in his own town.
Sometimes all we can do is be silent and pray for them.
1 Thess 5: 14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
16Rejoice at all times. 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Peace in Christ
Yes, excellent points, Brother. It's all about pride and comfort. We have to be willing to be unpopular, shunned, ridiculed and to lose friends and face for the sake of the truth. And some just aren't there yet. Blessings to you and yours, Joe!
DeleteJosh is still in my prayer as well, MaryLu. I've been praying Ezekiel 36:26 over him that God will give him a new heart and put a new spirit within him, that God will take his heart of stone out and replace it with a heart of flesh. Looking forward to the day I can mark him off my prayer as "answered!" :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is Amy M. - not Anonymous
DeleteOh my goodness, Amy! You can't know how much that blesses me! I'm honored and humbled that you remember to keep Josh in your prayers. Thank you so much from this mother's heart!
DeleteHello Sister in Christ,
ReplyDeleteAmen to this! This applies to me completely and I am sure many other true Believers as well.
My family and I were taking a walk yesterday with our kids and I mentioned the dream I had about seeing Jesus appearing in the night sky as a bright light and Rapturing His saints despite me somehow not being changed, but I did not specifically mention “Jesus” or “Rapture.” It was not until I brought up the news of the recognition of the Palestinian State, which I will bring up shortly, that things ended abruptly. My spouse asked that I not bring up negative news so I stopped there.
Even though past efforts were unsuccessful, this made me realize it is highly likely there is no hope that my spouse may avoid the Tribulation, and I have been feeling uneasy at that for some time. Now that I came across this post, I praised the Lord because I believe it is a sign from Him that He knows what has been bothering me and is reassuring me through these Scriptures on your post the very next day. Could this be true?
I do remember reading the stories of Noah, Lot, and Rahab and how they are stories of true faith, but the despair I have over knowing how my situation is in real life made me forgot about their significance. For Job, didn’t he lose his whole family in the beginning (I remember even his wife was cursing God due to their sufferings and so did other locals in Job’s residence), but because Job had strong faith, God eventually rewarded him greatly with brand new crops, livestocks, and daughters that were the most beautiful out of everyone in his dwelling. He also lived to like several hundred years old I faintly recall - don’t think this is an example where a faithful man’s family was still lost despite his own firm loyalty to the Lord?
Lately, whenever I look at watch for the time, I found myself also saying “It is ‘this time’ right now in Israel,” showing that I am paying attention to when the Waxing Crescent may be seen in Israel. Since Rosh Hashanah is said to start tonight at sundown per our calendar, I believe that is by the early morning on the 23rd in Israel, but it has to be night for the sliver lining of the moon to be seen, so wouldn’t the dusk-to-dawn period over here on the 23rd be the Highest Watch time? Specifically, I saw on the Weather App that the Waxing Crescent may just be slightly visible like at 4 AM in Israel, making it like 6 PM over here in the US. Is even a very tiny glimpse of the sliver lining of the moon enough for Rosh Hashanah to be declared as officially begun? Any larger linings may mean it will be during while we in the US are sleeping in the middle of the night on the 23rd/24th?
I saw on the news feed yesterday that the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal officially recognized a Palestinian State, which is a “historical shift of events.” It is just another sign that we are ever so close to the Rapture/Tribulation, isn’t it? I can bet most people think it is just a typical diplomatic event when it is actually Biblical Prophecy, everything that has materialized. Though I do not know if there are enough nations for the Covenant to be ready for signatures, especially if the conference is tomorrow. What are your thoughts?
Whether this may or may not be the final post, much gratitude Sister for your hard work and devotion to spreading messages from the Lord! Peace and Blessings from a Brother in Christ.
Yes, Brother, I believe the Lord urged me to make this post so it would bless and encourage you and many others who are going through the same thing with our families. I know how heartbreaking it can be
DeleteYes! I forgot about Job.. but you are absolutely right! In fact, the Lord gave Job DOUBLE of everything he had before EXCEPT his kids. Why? Because they were still alive and in paradise. Such a great story!
I believe at least 2 witnesses have to see the sliver of the moon by the naked eye in order for Rosh Hashana to be official. I try not to narrow it down to a specific time. Just be ready in the next few days!
Yes, the more nations that are pushing for 2 states, the more it means that this could be the covenant mentioned in Daniel 9. I guess we will see what comes out of the meetings in the next few days. It is either the covenant or the start of it which may be signed later on by the AC. The Scripture says that he "strengthens or confirms" an existing covenant.
Peace and Blessings back to you, dear Brother
Good Morning Blessed Sister in the Lord,
ReplyDeleteI am definitely relate to this for I do not have just family, but also relatives or in-laws who also do not believe, so I have included them as part of my daily prayers. Like you said, nothing is impossible for God and He will find a way to save them even during the Tribulation. Does this mean He will work to ensure they do not pass from demonic influence or the plagues, or at least believe and accept Jesus beforehand? I am sure many Believers are also wondering the same thing since evil will be at a level that is inescapable during the Tribulation.
I have toddler and infant kids, so I am assured they will go with me in the Rapture. I am hoping that my spouse will come to believe and accept Christ so we can look after the kids in Heaven like we have done here on Earth. Would our kids be more obedient and civilized in Heaven as opposed to here on Earth where they can be rowdy and sometimes rebellious?
Speaking of Noah, have you seen the 2007 movie Evan Almighty starring Steve Carrell and Morgan Freeman? I remember the scene where the alarm clock is set to sound at 7 AM, but it is always went off at 6:14, which is a reference to Genesis 6:14 on build the ark and gather a pair of every animal. The ending is a complete deviation from Noah’s actual story, but you will have to see the movie to know.
I just read that in DC, some federal buildings are donning banners with Trump’s face, the one where with the serious, stern, smile-less expression. This reminds me of Orson Welle’s book 1984 on Big Brother - don’t you think this is really coming to being as well? I read it back in like middle or high school which was 20+ years ago and at that time, hardly anyone would have ever thought it is to predict what evil will come upon the world later, correct? Also, 1984 plus 48 is 2032 - coincidental since it is just a just a mere switch of digits of the real-life 1948 plus 84 years of Israel’s status as its own nation to 2032?
Blessings Sister and Come Quickly Lord Jesus!
God will do all He Can (which is a lot) to keep your loved ones and family from falling into deception and to protect them. Don't worry. Just put them in His Mighty, capable hands. I'm sorry about your spouse. Your children will be perfect in heaven because they will be transformed and no longer have a sin nature just like we will be transformed.
DeleteNo, I have not seen Evan Almighty but I did hear that he predicted the flood would be in September, I think? Anyway, very weird.
Yes, Trump will play a huge role in the Beast Kingdom... it's becoming more obvious by the day that he is not on our side and part of Satan's kingdom. Those are interesting numbers too! I never considered that about the book 1984. Blessings!!
Greetings Holy Messenger of God,
ReplyDeleteI just saw a video showing that the first trumpets are being blown now in Israel for Rosh Hashanah. I think this may be earlier since it is now past 11 PM in Israel. Could it be prior to the 100th/Final Trumpet, the Waxing Crescent has to be confirmed by the Two Witnesses? The sliver lining may start to be visible in the middle of the night or prior to dawn on the 24th per the Weather App with the Moon Illumination feature.
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/KXs5L5zuzOw
Also, I heard that Jordan’s King is condemning the atrocious acts that Israel is committing against Gaza. Some are speculating this could be a precursor to the Ezekiel 38-39 War since more and more of the world are turning against Israel. Could this be true?
I have also seen the news abuzz with the supposed Rapture theory and there are many, I mean many scoffers, complete opposite of all the truly sincere (hopefully) comments on the above YouTube video. God will make sure no insincere “believers” will bypass His perfect assessment of their real character and faith, right?
Come Quickly Lord Jesus and Maranatha!
I have not heard specifically that the new moon was spotted, but regardless Israel has started a new year and are celebrating Rosh Hashana. So, we wait and watch. What is going on at the UN with so many nations wanting to divide Israel is definitely going to lead to war. God will not allow His holy land to be divided. And yes, there are many scoffers. There are many within the Christian community, which is sad. We are told to watch and keep watching and look for Jesus's appearing, which is what we are doing! Whether or not these scoffers make it in the rapture is up to the Lord. Maranatha! Keep looking up!
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