A word of encouragement for those who are doubting and fragile during this difficult time of waiting. And I speak to myself also as these days have been the greatest trial of my life...
Jesus confirmed John the Baptist as the greatest prophet that had ever lived. Luke 7:28. Jesus also said John was the Elijah who was to come. Matt 11:14.
Just as Jesus' birth was, John's birth also was announced by angels. His miraculous birth and circumstances surrounding his elderly parents and priest father were part of an extra-ordinary legacy. He was set apart and was groomed to be a prophet of the Lord from birth, as the angel had told his parents...
John's mission was to prepare the way for the Lord, and reveal to Israel who their Messiah was. John was bold and bravehearted, standing in the midst of the crowds and before the religious leaders proclaiming Jesus as the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world. When necessary, he would harshly rebuke the self-righteous pharisees (Luke 3:7-9), and he also would give counsel and answer questions the people would bring to him (Luke 3:10-14).
John knew who he was and what his exact calling and mission was. He clearly stated he was not the Christ, but a water baptizer, preparing the way of repentance. The True Messiah was coming, and HE would be the one to Baptize in the Holy Spirit.
John also knew he was a prophet, and stated so. When asked who he was, he answered clearly, quoting from Isaiah the prophet...
John was one of the greatest men of God who ever lived, a true prophet (the best), and strong in his call and obedience to Jesus Christ. Yet there is one very important detail about John that we must all remember at this time.
Towards the end of his life and ministry, John the Baptist doubted everything he had ever stood for! YES, its true! He doubted himself, his own calling as a prophet, and even the validity of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.
John found himself in prison, locked up and left feeling like a failure. He had not yet been able to see any of his declarations come to pass. Jesus had not yet been received by Israel as the Messiah, and now as the ministry of Christ extended out, He was becoming less and less popular... and there were even plots to kill him.
When Jesus started His ministry, John knew his role, to decrease so Christ could increase, and he gladly stepped aside. Jesus was amazingly popular from the getgo. He was a great teacher, an amazing doctor and healer, and he worked all kinds of miracles. Multitudes followed him everywhere. He fed the people and gave hope to the poor and lonely. He forgave the repentant sinners, something that would never happen under the religious system.
But this was not the Messiah Israel was hoping for. Jesus was not a politician. He was not bringing the political freedom and independence from Rome they were expecting. And when Jesus finally stated who He really was, it was His death sentence.
Now what had become of JOHN AND HIS PROPHECIES?! How could what John had preached possibly be true now? JESUS WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT HE SAID... instead of a Savior He was an outcast!
And it was here that John's faith was tested to the end. If Jesus was not who he said He was, then everything John had lived and worked for was not only meaningless, it was a lie. Can you begin to see the extent of the trial this would have been for John the Baptist, locked up in prison to boot?
It was here that John, from prison, sent a few of his disciples to get an answer from Jesus...
Now, toward the end of his life, John is left questioning everything.
Could it be that I have missed it?
Could it be that I was wrong about everything?
Could it be that I was a false prophet, leading people away from the truth?
If Jesus is not the Messiah, then what have I done?
This is the trial we face today, those who have been assuring the public that Jesus is coming now, and also that Barack Obama is the Antichrist that was to come. Days turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. And the weight of our prophecies gets heavier by the day.
My message is... RAPTURE WITH THE REVEALED SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN, COMET ISON.
Renee Moses' message is... THE RAPTURE PUZZLE SOLVED BY THE FEASTS.
Many others are also proclaiming rapture at this time, through many dreams and visions, through other scriptural proofs, and through many other signs that show the time is now. Thousands of voices, all hearing and declaring that the time is now. Could we all be wrong?
Are we all false prophets, led astray by false voices not from Jehova? This is what John asked himself... the greatest prophet who ever lived. It is not a sin to struggle in doubt, but we must take our doubts to the Lord, as John did when he sent his friends to get an answer. What was Jesus' answer to those John sent?
From Matthew 11, we read... 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
In other words, Jesus said to John, "what do the Signs tell you?" Could another do all that I do? Could another heal the sick and raise the dead as I do?
Then what was Jesus saying when He said, "blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” He was saying, "blessed are those who can see who I am, in spite of the fact that I did not come as people expected. I am not a politician... but yes I AM the Savior of the world."
Then, reassuring John that he had heard right in spite of the fact that he was persecuted and imprisoned, Jesus spoke these comforting and encouraging words...
Jesus confirmed John the Baptist as the greatest prophet that had ever lived. Luke 7:28. Jesus also said John was the Elijah who was to come. Matt 11:14.
Just as Jesus' birth was, John's birth also was announced by angels. His miraculous birth and circumstances surrounding his elderly parents and priest father were part of an extra-ordinary legacy. He was set apart and was groomed to be a prophet of the Lord from birth, as the angel had told his parents...
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:13-17
John knew who he was and what his exact calling and mission was. He clearly stated he was not the Christ, but a water baptizer, preparing the way of repentance. The True Messiah was coming, and HE would be the one to Baptize in the Holy Spirit.
John also knew he was a prophet, and stated so. When asked who he was, he answered clearly, quoting from Isaiah the prophet...
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said: “I am
‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Make straight the way of the Lord,”’
“Make straight the way of the Lord,”’
as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:22-23
Towards the end of his life and ministry, John the Baptist doubted everything he had ever stood for! YES, its true! He doubted himself, his own calling as a prophet, and even the validity of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.
John found himself in prison, locked up and left feeling like a failure. He had not yet been able to see any of his declarations come to pass. Jesus had not yet been received by Israel as the Messiah, and now as the ministry of Christ extended out, He was becoming less and less popular... and there were even plots to kill him.
When Jesus started His ministry, John knew his role, to decrease so Christ could increase, and he gladly stepped aside. Jesus was amazingly popular from the getgo. He was a great teacher, an amazing doctor and healer, and he worked all kinds of miracles. Multitudes followed him everywhere. He fed the people and gave hope to the poor and lonely. He forgave the repentant sinners, something that would never happen under the religious system.
But this was not the Messiah Israel was hoping for. Jesus was not a politician. He was not bringing the political freedom and independence from Rome they were expecting. And when Jesus finally stated who He really was, it was His death sentence.
I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE. John 10:30It was after this that the religious leaders began plotting to kill Him.
Now what had become of JOHN AND HIS PROPHECIES?! How could what John had preached possibly be true now? JESUS WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT HE SAID... instead of a Savior He was an outcast!
And it was here that John's faith was tested to the end. If Jesus was not who he said He was, then everything John had lived and worked for was not only meaningless, it was a lie. Can you begin to see the extent of the trial this would have been for John the Baptist, locked up in prison to boot?
It was here that John, from prison, sent a few of his disciples to get an answer from Jesus...
“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matt 11:3.
Now, toward the end of his life, John is left questioning everything.
Could it be that I have missed it?
Could it be that I was wrong about everything?
Could it be that I was a false prophet, leading people away from the truth?
If Jesus is not the Messiah, then what have I done?
This is the trial we face today, those who have been assuring the public that Jesus is coming now, and also that Barack Obama is the Antichrist that was to come. Days turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. And the weight of our prophecies gets heavier by the day.
My message is... RAPTURE WITH THE REVEALED SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN, COMET ISON.
Renee Moses' message is... THE RAPTURE PUZZLE SOLVED BY THE FEASTS.
Many others are also proclaiming rapture at this time, through many dreams and visions, through other scriptural proofs, and through many other signs that show the time is now. Thousands of voices, all hearing and declaring that the time is now. Could we all be wrong?
Are we all false prophets, led astray by false voices not from Jehova? This is what John asked himself... the greatest prophet who ever lived. It is not a sin to struggle in doubt, but we must take our doubts to the Lord, as John did when he sent his friends to get an answer. What was Jesus' answer to those John sent?
From Matthew 11, we read... 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
In other words, Jesus said to John, "what do the Signs tell you?" Could another do all that I do? Could another heal the sick and raise the dead as I do?
Then what was Jesus saying when He said, "blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” He was saying, "blessed are those who can see who I am, in spite of the fact that I did not come as people expected. I am not a politician... but yes I AM the Savior of the world."
Then, reassuring John that he had heard right in spite of the fact that he was persecuted and imprisoned, Jesus spoke these comforting and encouraging words...
7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
John was the greatest prophet who ever lived. And it was right here, in this exact moment of doubt and insecurity, that Jesus spoke these words about John. His momentary struggle did not cause him to lose his standing with the Lord, or to be cast out now as unusable. NO. Jesus confirmed John, at the most difficult time in His life!
Jesus wants to confirm you too. If you are sure that the Lord has shown you His coming, and you too have seen that the Rapture is tied to the Revelation of the anti-messiah, then yes you are speaking and sharing on God's behalf.
You see, the work of John was to reveal the Messiah. For us, it is only through the Revelation of the anti-messiah that we can truly know that the time for Christ to Return has arrived. Just as Jesus said...
WHEN YOU SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION...
THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION.
MATT 24:15, 21.
There are many preaching rapture today who do not accept nor endorse the Revelation of Barack Obama as the anti-messiah. These are not true messengers and they are not sharing biblically sound messages.
THE RAPTURE CANNOT HAPPEN UNTIL THE ANTICHRIST HAS BEEN REVEALED. Paul confirms this in 2 Thess 2:1-4. Those who preach rapture now yet say the Antichrist has not yet been revealed are ultimately misleading the people.
Just as in John's day, John's purpose was to declare to Israel that their Messiah had come. The true prophets today are those who have seen who the antichrist is, and based on this knowledge can see why and how the Great Tribulation is about to begin. The true messengers today are not only calling people to prepare for rapture, but warning about the antichrist, already revealed, Barack Obama.
I want this to be an encouraging message for those who are preaching the truth on these matters. For those who have seen correctly, yet doubt themselves or are disheartened, be encouraged. We are very close, and any day now the rapture will occur. Remember, in Matthew 25, the 10 virgins shows that they were all ready and waiting, and the Bridegroom had been delayed. It was during this delay that many were disheartened and allowed their lamps to run dry.
I cannot stress enough that now is a time when we must make sure we remain full of the Holy Spirit. John doubted, and so will we. But if we take our concerns and doubts to the Lord He Himself will reassure us. God bless you.
Steve Fletcher
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If you haven't already, make sure you read my final declaration on
Comet ISON as the Sign of the Son of Man
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