The old man and the sea

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision.

The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me."

"You see....I was that father, and your pastor was my son's friend."

MAYBE

Maybe God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

Maybe the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Maybe it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart; but if it does not, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real.

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying

Strength and Courage

The difference between STRENGTH and COURAGE

It takes strength to be firm.

It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to stand guard.

It takes courage to let down your guard.

It takes strength to conquer

It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain.

It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in.

It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.

It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide feelings.

It takes courage to show them.

It takes strength to endure abuse.

It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone.

It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love.

It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive.

It takes courage to live.

"....as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage...." (Joshua 1:5b-6a)

-Author Unknown

Change of theme!!

Well felt bad for leaving this blog not using it. Decided to change the theme also the theme of contents and make this blog a spiritual info for all. Let me see how it works out. Hoping for the best.

The Western Wall

Are you interested in looking at the Western Wall and the Temple? Take a virtual tour at http://english.thekotel.org/VirtualTour.asp. Hope you enjoy it

The Restrainer

Well some one was asking what exactly is " The Restrainer". If you guys are not aware just go through the following. This is little big but I suggest you to read to the end. Its worth reading . This is not my own but the text from http://www.lastdaysmystery.info/restrainer.htm

Paul goes on to tell us that the Antichrist will be revealed at the appointed time.

And now you know what is holding him back, so that he [Antichrist] may be revealed at the proper time (2 Thessalonians 2:6).

Connecting the prophecies of Daniel with Paul’s prophecies we see that the Antichrist will be revealed at the abomination that causes desolation. We also know from Daniel and Jesus that the abomination that causes desolation occurs immediately before the Great Tribulation. Now, we are about to dig into one of the most fascinating and perhaps challenging eschatological mysteries of our study. Paul tells us that someone is now restraining “the secret power of lawlessness.” He goes on to say that when he is no longer restraining “the secret power of lawlessness” the Antichrist will be revealed. Who is now holding back the secret power of lawlessness? Let’s look carefully at what Paul is telling us.

And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)

For centuries students and scholars alike have attempted to guess who the restrainer is “the one who now holds it back.” However, few seem to have consulted the Scriptures for the answer. One premise of our study is that, if God desires that we know and understand a prophecy before it happens, He will provide the answer in Scripture. That is why we have repeatedly sought to have Scripture interpret Scripture, for our understanding. The answer, if available, will be revealed by studying all Scripture related to the question. However, before we search for the identity of the restrainer, “the one who now holds it back,” we will first search for the identity of who is being held back. Paul indicates that there are three players in this last days scenario, and one we already know is the Antichrist.

1. He who is being held back - ?
2. He who is doing the holding - ?
3. He who will be revealed - Antichrist

So, according to Scripture, who has or is the “secret power of lawlessness” which is being held back?

Who has the secret power of lawlessness?

What do we know about the one who has “the secret power of lawlessness” other than that he is being held back? Paul says that “the secret power of lawlessness” is already at work and the one who has it is currently being held back. Therefore, we know that, in 51 AD, when Paul wrote this letter, “the secret power of lawlessness” was already at work and that he who has it was still being held back at that time. We also know that he will be held back until the time of the abomination that causes desolation, which is when the Antichrist will be revealed. Paul says,

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God… And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 6).

The apostle John provides evidence to the identity of the one who has “the secret power of lawlessness” when he defines lawlessness. He then connects lawlessness to Satan. Notice that like Paul, John also indicates that Satan has been at work from the beginning and is still at work even to this day.

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning (1 John 3:8).

In these verses John defines “sin” as lawlessness and says that Satan is the power behind sin. While it seems clear that John is saying that Satan is the one who has the power of lawlessness, we should search further to determine if there is other Scripture to support this position. Let’s look in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation during the time of the Antichrist and the abomination that causes desolation. The reason for looking at these prophecies is because Paul is telling us that the Antichrist will be revealed when Satan is no longer restrained. Are there any connections between Satan and the Antichrist? Let’s look at some verses, bold added for emphasis.

He [Antichrist] will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior (Daniel 8:24, 25).

Daniel says that the Antichrist will become very powerful but that someone else will provide the power he needs. A characteristic of this power, which is evident in both Paul’s and Daniel’s writing, is deception; the Antichrist uses deception to mislead the world. “He will cause deceit to prosper” (Daniel 8:25) as he “deceives those who are perishing” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Also, in Revelation, we see that Satan will give his power and authority to the Antichrist.

The dragon [Satan] gave the beast [Antichrist] his power and his throne and great authority (Revelation 13:2).

Revelation provides the evidence to confirm that Satan is the one who has the secret power of lawlessness. Satan gives the Antichrist his power to deceive the world during the Great Tribulation. Paul also ties the work of Satan and the Antichrist together, just as we have seen in Revelation. Paul says,

The coming of the lawless one [Antichrist] will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10).

Therefore, we now know the identity of two of the three players in Paul’s last days scenario:

1. He who is being held back - Satan
2. He who is doing the holding - ?
3. He who will be revealed - Antichrist

Who is holding back Satan?

So, now, the big question is, who is holding back Satan “the secret power of lawlessness,” until the appointed time? In order to determine conclusively the identity of Satan’s restrainer we will examine various prophecies that describe what takes place at the time of the abomination that causes desolation. First, let’s see what Paul says about this event.

Paul’s version of the abomination

Paul describes the abomination that causes desolation as when the Antichrist is revealed.

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God… And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, (2 Thessalonians 2:4-8)

According to Paul, “he” who now restrains Satan will continue to do so until, the appointed time, when “he” is taken out of the way. When “he” is taken out of the way the Antichrist will be revealed. Therefore, the Antichrist will be revealed when Satan is no longer restrained. Let’s see what Paul is saying, as plotted on the timeline.

Paul's Version

Since, Daniel wrote extensively about the rise to power of the Antichrist and was the first to prophesy about the abomination that causes desolation, let’s examine his prophecies next.

Daniel’s version of the abomination

In this key prophecy of Daniel we see outlined the period called the Great Tribulation.

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress [tribulation] such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake (Daniel 12:1, 2).

Daniel tells us, that Michael, the protector of God’s people, will arise to take his stand. Michael’s call to action comes before the Great Tribulation, which is the time the Antichrist is revealed. Since we already know that the Antichrist will be revealed when Satan is unrestrained, we need to determine if something takes place between Michael and Satan at that time. Let’s look at the timeline according to Daniel.

Daniel’s Version

Because the book of Revelation is the single most comprehensive description of the last days we might expect to find the answer to this mystery there.

John’s version of the abomination

In chapter 12 of Revelation, John relates to us a vision he saw in heaven which will take place at the same time the abomination that causes desolation will occur on earth. Let’s read how he describes the scene.

And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he [Satan] was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him (Revelation 12:7-9).

So, at the appointed time, Michael will arise and fight against Satan and Satan will lose his place in heaven. Apparently, when Satan and his angels are hurled down to the earth, Michael will no longer be restraining him and Satan is able to go after the people of God without restraint.

When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman [Israel] who had given birth to the male child [Jesus]. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time [3 ½ years], out of the serpent's reach…. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman [Israel] and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring [the Church]--those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 12:13-17).

When Michael throws Satan down to earth, Satan will become furious and pursue the destruction of Israel and the Church during the Great Tribulation. We know this is the time of the Great Tribulation because of what is happening and because John tells us how long this period of distress lasts. He says that this will be for “a time, times and half a time” which is the same expression that Daniel used when he wrote of the Great Tribulation period in Daniel 7:25 and 12:7. Therefore, we know that Michael will cast Satan down to earth at the same time of the abomination that causes desolation, when the Antichrist is revealed. In Revelation 13, John tells us even more about what happens during this last three-and-a-half years of the Great Tribulation when Satan is unrestrained. Let’s read it.

Men worshiped the dragon [Satan] because he had given authority to the beast [Antichrist], and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months [3 ½ years]. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He, who has an ear, let him hear (Revelation 13:4-9).

Lets see how John's version appears in chart form.

John's Version

We have now seen the prophecies of Paul, Daniel and John regarding what happens at the time of the abomination that causes desolation. This is the sequence of events as they have written: 1. Michael arises and throws Satan out of heaven to earth. 2. Satan gives his power to the Antichrist. 3. Antichrist is revealed at the abomination that causes desolation. 4. The Great Tribulation begins immediately and lasts 3 1/2 years. 5. Christ returns on the Day of the Lord and gathers His elect. Putting all this together, we have concluded that Michael is the one who is holding back Satan (the power of lawlessness) until the appointed time. Michael will then defeat Satan in battle and throw him and his angels down to earth. Satan’s power of lawlessness will then be unrestrained and he will turn his fury on the people of God. So now we know the mystery of all three players in Paul’s last days scenario, as it is written.

1. He who is being held back - Satan

2. He who is doing the holding - Michael is the restrainer !

3. He who will be revealed - Antichrist

Once again we see that the Bible is the best source for interpreting the Bible. The mystery regarding the identity of the one who restrains the secret power of lawlessness is clearly revealed.

New blog Inspired by Feni

I have been visiting blogs but never thought of starting one. Today finally I created one. And its really good that I got the name of my choice for the blog. Let me see how often I can post. But then don't think I will leave this alone. So keep visiting.

Forgot writing about "Inspired by Feni" in the title. Yes I visited her blog and read what her mom wrote. So I thot even if I can't write my own I can post some one's ;) So guys get ready to see some repetations. So dedicating this first Blog to her. Hope you enjoy this Feni.

Bye