Does the Devil Know More than You?

If the Devil ( Satan ) is a powerfully archangel ( or Guardian Cherub ), then he would understand the Bible and God's plan for the ages better than any short lived human.
And if he is the "god" of this age, and influences what some people do and think, then he might just be getting the world ready to believe his lies.
See, Ezekiel 28:12 - 18,  I Timothy 3:6, Luke 4:5,6 , John 14:30 , Revelation 12:10 -12 and others ),
Lies about the catastrophic events that are foretold in the Bible ( especially the book of the Revelation ). That they are merely "natural" consequences of man's activities ( pollution, and global warming effects ), and not a divine judgment upon the Earth by it's Creator.

I believe many forces have been, are now, and will continue to prepare the people of the world to dis-believe the two witnesses ( prophets, see Rev. 11:1 - 13 ), and others who will be speaking out for God in the last days. This period of preaching is stated as 1260 days ( almost  3 1/2 years ) and  before the physical return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem  on the Mount of Olives ( See: Acts 1:4 -12 and Zech. 14:1 - 9 ).

Jesus of Nazareth was seen by his disciples and by groups as large as 500 persons (1 Cor. 15:6) during the 40 days between his resurrection from the dead and his ascension to the "right hand of the Majesty on High." Then instructing his disciples to wait for the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit, he departed this earth from the summit of the Mount of Olives, just East of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

"...he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.' And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men [angels] stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.' Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. (Acts 1:4-12)

 

A number of passages in the Bible describe the glorious second coming of the Messiah Jesus to save our beleaguered planet from total destruction, and to set up his kingdom on earth. Zechariah tells us that the place of Jesus' return to earth will not be Zion, Illinois, but the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Israel:

"Behold, a day of the LORD is coming, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in the midst of you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.

"On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward. And the valley of my mountains shall be stopped up, for the valley of the mountains shall touch the side of it; and you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD your God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

"On that day there shall be neither cold nor frost. And there shall be continuous day (it is known to the LORD), not day and not night, for at evening time there shall be light. On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea; it shall continue in summer as in winter. And the LORD will become king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one." (Zech. 14:1-9)

This "grooming" of the minds of the lost has been happening for a long time. With the help of modern means of communication, the false messages are being spread farther and faster than ever before.
The movies of Hollywood and most popular TV series are seen World Wide! The news is relayed from every corner of the global and presented within hours ( and sometimes LIVE ).
And now we have the Internet. It is growing in it's reach. It links us globally. It also has provided a way for an average person to reach the whole world with a message ( or idea, or product, etc ).

Who controls what you get to see? And hear? Who are you to believe?

Now, the reason for this entry is something I read in an editorial from the Cox News Service today. Tom Teepen writes about the United Nations Final Report on Climate Change ( or Global Warming ). He had many interesting things to say, but what caught my attention was his statements that the report claims "Grave Effects ... could begin showing up by 2020.... long-run damage will be catastrophic and irreversible."

So, if the Second Advent ( Return ) of Jesus Christ is to occur approximately 2,000 years after his ascension in 30 A.D. ( see other posts about Date theories, and supporting scriptures ), then the Tribulation Period ( either 3 1/2 or 7 years worth ) should occur before 2030 A.D. It seems as though "the media" and other "authorities", are getting the general public mentally and psychologically prepared to see events to unfold as "natural" results of climate changed. Of course a few things are going to fall out of the sky, but we have all seen enough "end of the world", comets, or asteroids, hitting the earth ( or almost hitting ) in the Movies to expect this to happen.

Speaking of Asteroids, I'm still going to keep an eye out for 99942 Apophis (previously known by its provisional designation 2004 MN₄) when it is scheduled to make a close approach ( inside the orbit of the Moon ) on April 13th, 2029. Concern of about an impact was very high at first, but later "experts" determined it would not hit the Earth or the Moon. Despite the "fact" that there is no longer any significant probability of an Earth impact, the Planetary Society is offering $50,000 in prize awards for a few of the best plans to put a tracking device on or near the asteroid.  For more details, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_MN4

 

In conclusion, it should be expected that Satan understands events that are foretold and he is playing his part by trying to control the world ( and the people in it ). Presently through lies, and later through the false prophet and anti-christ. As children of the King, and in the Light ( not in darkness ), we should be able to see what is coming, and not be fooled by the wiles of the devil.

Mike Huckabee for President

I have finally learned enough about each of the candidates for President to say I'd most like to see Mike Huckabee become our next president.

* 3/15/2008: Well at this late stage, it truly would be a miracle for him to become President of the United States. But nothing is impossible for God. Let's just wait and see what happens. Maybe the country will get the leader they "deserve" instead of the kind of man we "need". Many people voted to support Mike Huckabee, even though the media either tried to ridicule him for his strong Biblical faith, or ignored his campaign as much as possible. The whole "process" just makes me long for the day when, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, will rule and reign over the entire Earth ( or at least what is left of it after the Great Tribulation ).

Comments about Global Warming By John Coleman

COMMENTS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING

By John Coleman

jcoleman@kusi.com

It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming... It is a SCAM.

Some scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long-term scientific data back in the late 1990's to create an illusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental wacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the "research" to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus.

Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild "scientific" scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda.

Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmental conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15-minute documentary segment.

I do not oppose environmentalism. I do not oppose the political positions of either party.

However, Global Warming, i.e. Climate Change, is not about environmentalism or politics. It is not a religion. It is not something you "believe in." It is science, the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a nonevent, a manufactured crisis and a total scam. I say this knowing you probably won't believe me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award winning former Vice President of United States. So be it.

I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril.

I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments by the high priest of Global Warming.

In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious. As temperatures rise, polar ice cap melting, coastal flooding and super storm pattern will all fail to occur as predicted, and everyone will come to realize we have been duped.

The sky is not falling. And, natural cycles and drifts in climate are as much if not more responsible for any climate changes underway.

I strongly believe that the next twenty years are equally as likely to see a cooling trend as they are to see a warming trend.

*****

Copied and Pasted from Blog,

http://www.kusi.com/home/11131801.html

 

* About Author,

 

John Coleman has been a TV weatherman since he was a freshman in college in 1953 and TV was brand new. He still loves predicting the weather and relating to the television viewers. "I also love working at KUSI NEWS", he adds. "It is a rare thing; a locally owned and managed TV station. And, there are dozens of wonderful people who work here."

John has predicted and shoveled his share of snow. He has been a TV weatherman in Champaign, Peoria and Chicago, Illinois; Omaha, Nebraska, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and New York City. For seven years he was the weatherman on "Good Morning, America" on the ABC Network.

John also cooked up the idea of a cable channel devoted to nothing but weather and spent six years developing "The Weather Channel" on cable. "That's my baby", he says. "The bad guys took it away from me, but they can't steal the fact that it was my idea and I started it and ran it for the first year. I put everything I had into making TWC the success it is."

"As for my "retirement job" at KUSI, it's the most fun I ever had. And the people of San Diego County have been wonderful to me for well over a decade. That's very, very nice. And, that's all I have to say." With that Coleman gets down to work predicting the weather one more time.

Daniel's Seventy Weeks by John Stevenson

 

 

DANIEL'S SEVENTY WEEKS

DANIEL 9:24-27

"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.

"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.

"Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

"And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." (Daniel 9:24-27).

Daniel's prophecy is made in the context of Daniel's prayer. Daniel was in captivity along with the rest of the Hebrew people. He had been pondering over the writings of the prophet Jeremiah and the promises of a 70 year captivity. This pondering led him to prayer. In the midst of this prayer, the angel Gabriel came to him with this new prophecy.

THE SCOPE OF THE PROPHECY

"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place." (Daniel 9:24).

The prophecy has to do with the restoration of the city of Jerusalem. It is a prophecy of the holy city and the most holy place. But that is not all. The scope of this prophecy transcends the mere rebuilding of Jerusalem when it speaks of:

• Finishing the transgression.

• Making an end of sin.

• Making atonement for iniquity.

• Bringing in everlasting righteousness.

• Sealing up vision and prophecy.

From our perspective, we can see that each of these aspects were ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. By His death upon the cross, He finished transgression and made an end of sin and made atonement for iniquity. It is through that atonement that he brought in everlasting righteousness. As a result of this completed redemptive work, there is no further need for vision or for further prophecy as we have the completed Scriptures today.

 

THE SEVENTY WEEKS

All of these things are to take place within the scope of "seventy weeks" - literally, "seventy sevens." Just as Daniel had been reading of 70 years of captivity, so now he is told that 70 weeks remain.

This reckoning of time seems very foreign to us since we count time by tens, adding up either decades or centuries. The Jews, on the other hand, were Sabbath oriented. It is for this reason that they counted time by parts of seven. Every seven years they had a year-long holiday. Every 49th year all of their debts were forgiven.

Such groups of sevens is not unusual in the Scriptures. A similar wording is used in Leviticus 25:6 where seven weeks of years is said to refer to the 49 years between Jubilees. In Numbers 14:34, the Israelites were told that the 40 years they would spend in the Wilderness would correspond to the 40 days that the spies spent in the land of Canaan. Ezekiel was instructed to lie on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days. This was to be understood as a day for each year (Ezekiel 4:6).

I want to suggest that these 70 weeks are to be understood by each day of these "weeks" representing a single year. This means that we are dealing with a period of 70 weeks of year - a total of 490 years.

7 Weeks 62 Weeks + 1 Week 70 Weeks

=

49 Years 434 Years + 7 Years 490 Years

 

THE BEGINNING OF THE 70 WEEKS

"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem... (Daniel 9:25).

This period begins with a very specific event. The event is the issuing of a decree to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem. The Hebrew word translated "decree" is simply dabar, the normal Hebrew word for "saying" or "word." The problem that we have is that the Bible records several different decrees concerning rebuilding within Jerusalem.

Author	Passage	Date	Specifics of the Decree
Cyrus	Ezra 1:1-4	539 B.C.	Permitted Jews to return to the land and rebuild their Temple. This work was discontinued because of false accusations (Ezra 4:6-13).
Darius	Ezra 6:8-12	520 B.C.	Permitted Jews to complete the rebuilding of the Temple
Artaxerxes	Ezra 7:11-28	457 B.C.	Allowed Ezra authority to lead the nation in the Laws of God
Artaxerxes	Nehemiah 1	445 B.C.	Nehemiah given permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

The first two decrees are far too early to have had any bearing upon the coming of the Messiah. The last decree is too late, though it was adopted by Sir Robert Anderson who taught that this prophecy was to be reckoned in "prophetic years" of only 360 days, measured by twelve months of thirty days each. He used this complicated formula to add up an exact number of days from the final decree of Artaxerxes to the Triumphal Entry of Jesus in A.D. 33. It is evident that the theory is contrived, having been born out of a supposed necessity. The Jews knew exactly how many days ought to be in a year and even added an "intercalary month" upon occasion to correct their calendar. Furthermore, it seems that Daniel himself understood the years of Jeremiah in the usual sense.

Ezra was given his commission in the 7th year of Artaxerxes. That Persian king began his reign in 464 B.C. This would place his decree to Ezra around 457 B.C. Later, in Ezra's priestly prayer, he alludes to possibly having been given permission, not only to build up the Temple, but also to build the walls of Judah and Jerusalem.

For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. (Ezra 9:9).

Nehemiah comes along twenty years later and goes into mourning when he hears that the walls still have not been repaired. But I would suggest that the decree which had been given earlier was the one described in Daniel's prophecy.

THE CULMINATION OF THE 69 WEEKS

"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks... (Daniel 9:25).

The culmination of the first 69 weeks is the advent of "Messiah the Prince." It is universally agreed among Christians that this Anointed Prince is a reference to Jesus. In hindsight, it is a simple matter for us to trace back to the four decrees to see which one of them aligned with the coming of Jesus.

Date for the giving of the Decree			Plus 483 Years
Cyrus	Ezra 1:1-4	539 B.C.	56 B.C.
Darius	Ezra 6:8-12	520 B.C.	37 B.C.
7th Year of Artaxerxes	Ezra 7:11-28	457 B.C.	27 A.D.
20th Year of Artaxerxes	Nehemiah 1	445 B.C.	39 A.D.

It is evident from this chart that the first decree of Artaxerxes given to Ezra in 457 B.C. is the one that matches the prophecy of Daniel. The date of 27 A.D. is within the realm of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.

 

THE PRINCE WHO IS TO COME

In verse 26 there is a second person introduced. He is described as "the prince who is to come." He stands in contrast to Messiah the Prince.

"...the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." (Daniel 9:24-27).

Notice the actions of this one who is "the prince who is to come." It is he who will destroy the city and the sanctuary. It must be remembered that, at the time Daniel received this prophecy, there was no city or sanctuary. It had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. But Daniel says that it is going to happen again.

This was dramatically fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Roman General Titus marched against Jerusalem and took the city after a siege of eight months. Since that time, the site of the Temple has been the site of desolation and a complete destruction. Today archaeologists even debate as to exactly where the original Temple was located.

Comments about - Looking for the blessed hope instead of determining when it will come

* Thanks, for your comments. I really appreciate your caring enough to write.

Here is a brief reply, attempting to address your concerns, and to clarify my thoughts on the matter.

******************************************************************************

 

Why is a good question.  Why do you have to be as certain about the exact timing of the Rapture as you are about other issues in Scripture such as the deity of Christ for example.  Do all doctrines need to be held with the same amount of zeal and conviction?  Are not some worthy to die for and others merely your best understanding at this time?

***

I believe we are instructed to learn and understand as much as we can about all things God has in His Word.

And while the "exact timing" may not be knowable, I believe more attention needs to be given to the subject of Eschatology.

 

I Thess: 5:19-22 "...But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good;..."

 

II Tim. 2:14-26 "Be diligent...accurately handling the word of truth...correct those who are in opposition..."

 

I Peter 2:2 "...milk of the word..."

 

I Peter 3:15 "...ready to make a defense to everyone...for the hope that is in you..."

and

Hebrews 5:11- 6:1 Going beyond milk and the elementary teaching.

 

 

*** I need to go beyond the "milk" that I understand, and that is the basis of most preaching done in churches today.

I feel I know enough about  and understand the "why" and "how" of Salvation by Grace through Faith, and the Trinity that is our God.

And many other basic principles I could show some one in the Word, but various verses on the "end" or the "return" or the "appearing" need more study on my part.

I need solid food.

 

*** Can we know the end is near or how it will unfold? I believe there are a lot of scriptures on the matter, and it is worthy of study.

 

Hebrews 10:25, "...assemble...exhorting...AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING."

 

Matt. 25:4 - 9 "wise" virgins were ready and not surprised

 

I Thess. 5:4 we "are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief"

 

Dan. 12:10 " the wise shall understand"

 

Matt: 24:32-34 Parable of the Fig Tree

 

Luke 12:54 - 57   when you see a cloud you know it's going to rain, or when the wind blows..... "do you not analyze this present time?"

 

I John 2:27 "...His anointing teaches you about all things..."

 

 

***

  Is it not possible that two good men like Ladd and Walvoord might each have a theory but since the Bible does not specifically state the timing of the Rapture, but only hints at it, is it not most important simply to be looking for the blessed hope instead of determining when it will come?

 

***

* The answer is really in your question ... "Looking for the Blessed Hope".

* Who is looking? Who should be looking? What should we be looking for?

* What do I give as an answer to the questions,

What is the Blessed Hope? When is the Blessed Hope? When is Jesus Christ returning? How do you know?

 

* All these answers are in the Word of God, and we are children of Light. We should know and see these things.

 

***
 I fear too much energy may be spent on trying to specify more than the Bible does.

 

***

 

* The foundational truths, and the milk of the Word are of foremost importance.

I just need to move past these. My desire is to know and understand the Lord. I believe He wants us to understand more than we do.

He has given us the Word and all the pieces of the puzzle may not come together until we are "face to face", but I believe He wants us to know about Him, His love, and His plan.

It is in my heart to know His plan. So, I study His Word, and I study those who have taken the time to work on the same puzzles. Trying to build on their work. To continue putting the puzzle together.

The more I understand Who God is, what He has created, and His loving plan for "the elect", the more I love Him. The more faith I have to proclaim Him. The better ambassador I can be for Him.

 

** Also, some of the pieces of the puzzle point towards the return at the end of the "Sixth" Day ( 6,000 years ) from the Creation of the world.

With the 7th Day ( 1,000 years ) being the "Sabbath" or millenium kingdom when Jesus Christ rules and reigns on the earth. 

 

Hosea 6:2 "After two days He will bring us to life: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight."

 

Exodus 19:10,11 "...the third day the Lord will come down"

 

II Peter 3:7,8 "...with the Lord one day is like a thousand years..."

 

Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or a watch in the night."

Luke 10:35  Good Samaritan left for 2 days worth of money and then he will RETURN

 

Job 5:19 "From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you."

* Yeah, I know I may be stretching this verse too far, but many are just examples of the pattern of 6 and then 7th, or 2 then the 3rd.

 

Exodus 24:15,16 "... six days, and the seventh day..."

 

Matthew 16:28-17:2 "...six days later...He was transfigured before them..."

 

If the Rapture does not occur before the Tribulation Period, I'd like to know this. If it comes first, then it won't matter much to me, only to those left behind. Either way, I want to help get the message out to the "brethren" who may be caught off guard by the Tribulation and the appearance of the anti-Christ, or to leave information for those who must enter the Tribulation after I am gone.

***
Food for thought

***

 

* Thank you, it was delicious!!!!

It got me to put a bunch of my notes into written form. And as time permits, I hope to expand on these and add to them.

******

 

 

 

Scriptural References For Important Beliefs

THE BIBLE:

The Bible in its original documents is the inspired Word of God, the written record of His supernatural revelation of Himself to man, absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its content, and

without any errors in its statements. (II Timothy 3:16; John 10:35; Psalms 89:34; Hebrews 6:18; II Peter 3:16)

GOD:

There is one God, eternally existent, creator of the heaven and earth. He is manifested in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:9; I Timothy 3:16; I John 5:7; Genesis 1:2)

JESUS CHRIST:

The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God who took on flesh and dwelt on earth. He was sinlessly perfect and gave Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice by shedding His blood and dying on the cross. He then came

back from the dead. This was to pay for all sins (past, present, future) for all who believe. (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:9; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 10:10-14; Hebrews 9:12-28; Acts 13:38-41; I Peter 2:24; I

John 3:5)

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

Being God, the Holy Spirit was and is present in all of the plan and work of God. He restrains evil; convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; regenerates all who believe in Christ; indwells, anoints,

and seals the saved; and baptizes all the believers into the body of Christ. He controls the obedient Christians and empowers them for service, and He is the Divine Author of the Bible. (II Thessalonians 2:7;

John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; John 16:13; I John 2:20-27; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 1:8; II Peter 1:21)

MAN:

Each member of the human race is fallen, sinful and lost, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of man. The moment a person receives Christ as his Savior, immediately, the

Holy Spirit indwells the believer who is sealed until the day of redemption. (Romans 3:23; John 3:7; I Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13-14; Luke 24:49; Titus 3:5)

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND THE FREE WILL OF MAN:

God is absolutely sovereign and in His sovereignty He gave man a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided. It is God's will that all would be saved and that none should perish. God

foreknows, but does not predetermine any man to be condemned. God permits man's destiny to depend upon man's choice. (I Timothy 2:4; II Timothy 2:13; I Peter 1:2; John 6:64-65; Acts 10:34; I Corinthians

1:21; Ephesians 1:5-14; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:30-32)

REPENTANCE:

Repentance in salvation means a change of mind from any idea of religion that man may have to accept God's way of salvation. Repentance is definitely necessary for salvation and the following is a quote from

the Old Scofield Edition of the Bible, Footnote No.2, and page 174. "Repentance is the translation of a Greek word (metanoia/metanoeo) meaning, 'to have another mind', 'to change the mind', and is used in

the New Testament to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (II Corinthians 7:8-11 ), but sorrow for sin, though it may 'work' repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matthew 21:28,29 illustrates true repentance. Saving faith (Hebrews 11:39, note) includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance." (Acts 20:21; Corinthians 7:8-10; Matthew 21:32)

SALVATION:

Man is saved by undeserved mercy through faith and nothing of man enters into his salvation; it is a free gift. Man's efforts, regardless of how good or well intended, before or after salvation, have nothing to do with it. Salvation is by the finished work of Christ and nothing can be added to it. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16; Romans 11:6; Col. 2:13)

SECURITY AND CHASTENING:

Every true child of God possesses eternal life, being justified by faith, sanctified by God, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and is safe and secure for all eternity. He cannot lose his salvation. However, a Christian can,

through sin, lose his fellowship, joy, power, testimony, and reward, and incur the Father's chastisement. Relationship is eternal, being established by the new birth; fellowship, however, is dependent upon

obedience. (I Corinthians 3:11-17; Hebrews 12:5-11; I Corinthians 11:32-39)

THE TWO BIRTHS:

A true child of God has two births; one of the flesh, the other of the Spirit, giving man a flesh nature and a Spirit nature. The flesh nature is neither good nor righteous. The Spiritual Man does not commit any sin.

This results in warfare between the Spirit and the flesh, which continues until physical death, or the return of the Lord. The flesh nature of the man does not change in any way with the new birth, but can be

controlled and kept subdued by the new man. (John 3:3-7; Romans 7:15-25; Romans 8:8; Gal. 5:17; I John 3:9; I Peter 1:23; I John 5:18, I John 1:8)

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND RESPONSIBILITY:

The true Christian is an ambassador of Christ, and is commanded by Him to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. As a child of God, the believer's main responsibility in the life is to faithfully proclaim the gospel. As

we are saved by faith in Christ, through God's grace, so we live the Christian life by an obedient faith in God's Word, being disciplined by His grace. (II Corinthians 5:14-20; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; I John 15:8,16; Mark 16:15; I Thessalonians 2:4; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 9:14-31; Colossians 2:6-7; Romans 6:16; Titus 2:11-12; James 1:22; Hebrews 10:38)

THE TRUE CHURCH:

The Church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and is composed of all true believers. The Holy Spirit baptizes all of us into the one body of Christ. Water baptism is not essential for salvation

but is a testimony to the world. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Acts 2:1-4; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5; Acts 10:47)

THE LOCAL CHURCH:

The local church should be comprised of those who trust Christ as Savior. This assembly, therefore, is under the direct leadership of the Holy Spirit. The local church's purpose is for worship, praise, prayer,

fellowship, encouragement, and evangelizing the lost. The pastor/teacher is a man called of God. (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 14:21-23; Hebrews 10:22-25; II Timothy 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:7, 11-15)

SATAN:

Satan is a real being, the author of sin, and he and his angels shall be eternally punished. (Ezekiel 28:15-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelations 20:10; Matthew 25:41)

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:

I believe in the personal, post-tribulational and pre-millennial return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9-11; II Thessalonians 2:1-8; Revelation 3:10; 4:4; Luke 21:36; Titus 2:13;

Isaiah 26:17-21; 27:1)

THE RAPTURE or FIRST RESURRECTION:

The first resurrection occurs at the physical return of Jesus Christ, who will descend from heaven with a shout. All living believers will be bodily caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The believer's body will be transformed into his new resurrection body on the way up. The believer from this point on will be forever with the Lord. This occurs at the end of the seven years of tribulation ( such as the world has never experienced ). {I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Matthew 24:15-22.}

There is no indication from Scripture that this event will be "secret". In fact if you read the texts, it sounds like this will be a very dramatic, and loud event.

Junk Science - What is it, and How do you know?

I found an interesting website.

It presents a lot of interesting articles about how "science" is mis-used, and mis-interpreted.

Also, it has a lot of facts about the great "Global Warming" crisis the media loves to scare us about.

So, consider spending a few minutes reviewing, and perhaps book marking this website.

 

http://www.junkscience.com/index.html

 

Also, if you have time to read novels, and would be interested in learning more about the truth ( lies )  behind the "Global Warming Crisis", I'd recommending reading the fictional novel "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton ( He does not appear to be a Bible believing Christian, but a "critical thinker" asks questions instead of just believing whatever one else accepts as being true ). He presents many charts, graphs, and facts ( most with foot notes you can check yourself ) that point out how this whole concept has been blown out of proportion and is being used to "scare" the masses of the world. I can't help but think it is part of the globalizing of the nations required for the rule of the anti-christ.

 

I hope I've spend enough time writing about Global Warming ( as it is only one part of the larger puzzle ), and will move on to other topics...... LOL

 

Free Gift of Eternal Life - How to Receive It!

If you are reading this, then you were born into this world. And you may have noticed that everyone dies ( sooner or later ). The concept of a life beyond death is common to all of mankind. In my quest for "Truth" about life, I looked at many different "answers" to the question of life beyond death. I followed many "leads", but kept coming to a "dead" end :).
Until one day, I was drawn to a man who was sharing a message from the Bible with some children in front of a local mall. I was a "wise" 16 years old at this point in my life, and when I saw him ( his name was Robert ), I felt a desire to stop ( I was riding my bicycle past the mall at the time ) and see what this guy was trying to "brainwash" these younger children with.

Well, almost 2 hours later, I understood that the Bible teaches that Eternal Life is a Free gift from God, and that trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior was the way to receive this gift. To learn more about this simple but powerful truth,
Click > Greatest News - A Clear, Biblical explaination of the Gospel ( Good News ).
If you are not sure you have Eternal Life, you really should check this out.

I, of course, did not believe this message at first, because it came from the Bible. And being a "wise" young man, I knew about the "truth" of science and evolution. But my interest had peaked enough by the sincere and educated faith of Robert, to look into this more closely. I was after all "A Truth Seeker". I went to a few Bible Studies, and read several books about scientific creationism.
For more about the science of a young created earth,

Go To:
AIG - Answers in Genesis
A Christian ministry that seeks to share the truths of God’s Word from the
very first verse. You’ll find thousands of articles, audio and video programs
that explore God’s truth as it relates to many areas of science, current
trends and beliefs that exist in today’s world.


Also, I was shown many Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. And the historical support for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The end result was my coming to understand and believe that the Bible was God's revealed Word, and that eternal life was indeed a free gift available to anyone who would believe ( trust ) in Jesus Christ alone as their "way to heaven". Although eternal life is a lot more than just "going to heaven". There is talk of "ruling and reigning" with Jesus Christ, as a reward for serving the Lord while here on earth. So, the Bible does teach that we should "be good", just not as a condition to receive the "gift" of eternal life. It really would not be a gift if you had to earn it.
My favorite passage about this is found in Ephesians, Chapter 2, verses 8 and 9.

"For by grace ( undeserved mercy ) you have been saved through faith ( trust ), and that ( salvation ) not of yourselves, it is a gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." ( NASB translation ).

No one will be bragging about what "they" did to get to heaven. Sorry, but strapping a bomb under your jacket to kill yourself and some "infidels" around you, does NOT earn you a place in paradise with a bunch of beautiful virgins at your beck and call. Neither does walking down an aisle, saying a special prayer, asking for forgiveness ( forgiveness is received when you believe, see Acts 10:43 ), being water baptized, being a "good" person,
Or "repenting of your sins" ( for a detailed explanation I would refer you to these links ):

REPENTANCE A CHANGE OF MIND
AND
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF FALSE TEACHING ON REPENTANCE WITH THE GOSPEL OF GRACE

It can only be obtained by a simple trust in the finished sacrificial payment ( accomplished by His death on the cross ), that Yeshua ( Jesus = God Who Saves ) made on your behalf and for the whole world. Salvation is Christ plus nothing you have done, will or will not do. You can not "help". And Jesus is not your probation officer, He is a Savior. Eternal life begins when you believe and will never end ( it is everlasting after all ). Sinning after you are "saved" will not make you "unsaved" ( but the more you sin, the more miserable you'll find your present life to be ). Once you believe in Jesus, you are "born again" and become a child of God (John 1:12,13 ). He will never "kick" you out of the family ( John 6:37,40, I Peter 1:3-5) , but if you want to enjoy this life, it is best to follow your heavenly Father's advise on how to live a life filled with blessings and have the peace of God in your heart. So, please trust Him to save you from what you deserve ( eternal death.. See Romans 6:23 ) and to give you eternal life ( as he offers many times.. See John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47 )

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." I John 5:13

And if you want to SEE a VIDEO that presents the Good News about this Free Gift of Eternal Life,
Check this out>

Good News / Bad News Video Salvation Message ( about 5 minutes long )

And a short animated Video of my Testimony ( How I came to Believe back in 1976 )

Global Warming Report Audited and Found Lacking in Data

The "cloud" of "Global Warming" keeps showing up everywhere in the media.

So, I feel compelled to post anything I find that supports my theory that global warming is just another lie of Satan ( just like evolution, reincarnation, and the wizard powers of Harry Potter! ).

All meant to prepare the world for the anti-christ, and to deceive the world from realizing when the wrath of God comes upon the earth ( ie. it's not God's wrath, it's just Global Warming effects ).

 

Here is the first of nineteen pages:

Global Warming: Forecasts by Scientists versus Scientific Forecasts*

J. Scott Armstrong†, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Kesten C. Green, Business and Economic Forecasting Unit, Monash University

Paper prepared for ISF 2007 in New York

June 23, 2007

Abstract

In 2007, a panel of experts established by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme issued its updated, Fourth Assessment Report, forecasts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Working Group One Report predicts dramatic and harmful increases in average world temperatures over the next 92 years. We asked, are these forecasts a good basis for developing public policy? Our answer is "no".

Much research on forecasting has shown that experts' predictions are not useful. Rather, policies should be based on forecasts from scientific forecasting methods. We assessed the extent to which long-term forecasts of global average temperatures have been derived using evidence-based forecasting methods. We asked scientists and others involved in forecasting climate change to tell us which scientific articles presented the most credible forecasts. Most of the responses we received (30 out of 51) listed the IPCC Report as the best source. Given that the Report was commissioned at an enormous cost in order to provide policy recommendations to governments, the response should be reassuring. It is not. The forecasts in the Report were not the outcome of scientific procedures. In effect, they present the opinions of scientists transformed by mathematics and obscured by complex writing. We found no references to the primary sources of information on forecasting despite the fact these are easily available in books, articles, and websites. We conducted an audit of Chapter 8 of the IPCC's WG1 Report. We found enough information to make judgments on 89 out of the total of 140 principles. The forecasting procedures that were used violated 72 principles. Many of the violations were, by themselves, critical. We have been unable to identify any scientific forecasts to support global warming. Claims that the Earth will get warmer have no more credence than saying that it will get colder.

*Neither of the authors received funding for this paper.

† Information about J. Scott Armstrong can be found on Wikipedia.

For the complete pdf,

http://www.forecastingprinciples.com/Public_Policy/WarmAudit31.pdf

Mystery of Lawlessness

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th 2:14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many Clouds on the Horizon

There are many clouds on the horizon to suggest the end time is near. We are told we should be able to tell the end is near by the signs. When we see dark clouds in the sky, and they are coming closer, we know it is about to rain. As children of the day, we can recognize this darkness in the world. It is these "clouds" that give me cause for concern. Reference Matthew 24:32-34 ( parable of the Fig tree ), Luke 12:54-56 ( discern this time )and I Thessalonians 5:1 - 5.

There is the cloud of evolutionary indoctrination ( teaching us we are becoming like God ). It also prepares us for a superior man to come upon the world scene. Many a novel and Hollywood movie have fictional characters that have "powers" because they have "evolved".

There is the cloud of global warming ( a cover story for the global judgments that will be coming on the world ). Many disasters of the world's natural balance will occur according to the book of Revelation. The unbelievers will see all these as a result man's pollution, and not as Divine judgment. This is the social conditioning that is occurring daily in the media.

There is the cloud of Islam that is drawing so many together to unite against Israel ( and their belief in the twelfth Imam to come and rule the world at the end times, for more, see: http://www.ashbrook.org/publicat/guest/05/vonheyking/twelfthimam.html ). Islam is growing strong in many countries of the world. And the racial factions are determined to destroy the countries of the unbelievers ( those not following Islam ). If they are successful in their plans, the United States of America may not be a world power in the near future. Or at the very least, we as a nation may lose our desire to help Israel as we have up until now.

Some clouds are signs of what is about to come upon the earth. Some clouds are merely signs of Satan's working to prepare the world for the anti-christ. Many ( if not most ) of the major movies to come out of Hollywood have a subtle ( and not so subtle ) message built into them. That is a topic for another posting.

What clouds do you see?

Global Warming Problem or Propaganda ?

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Scientists Rally Around NASA Chief After Global Warming Comments

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Jun. 1 -/E-Wire/-- "NASA's top administrator, Michael Griffin, speaking on NPR radio made some refreshingly sensible comments about the present global warming scare," said Robert Ferguson, Director of the Science and Public Policy Institute. "Many rationalist scientists agree with him, clearly demonstrating there is no scientific consensus on man-made, catastrophic global warming," said Ferguson.

Griffin said he doubted global warming is "a problem we must wrestle with," and that it is arrogant to believe that today's climate is the best we could have and that "we need to take steps to make sure that it doesn't change."

While NASA scientist, James Hansen, was sharply critical of his boss, other scientists from around the world came to Griffin's support.

Said Dr. Walter Starck, an Australian marine scientist, "Griffin makes an important distinction between the scientific findings of climate change and dramatic predictions of catastrophic consequences accompanied by policy demands. The former can be evaluated by its evidence, but; the latter rest only on assertions and claims to authority. Alternate predictions of benefits from projected changes have been proposed with comparable authority and plausibility. For example, unless one chooses to define the Little Ice Age as "normal" and "optimal" the net effect of any warming has only been beneficial and any anthropogenic contribution very small indeed. Dramatic predictions of imminent disaster have a near perfect record of failure. Griffin's note of caution in the escalating concern over climate change deserves sober consideration.

Another Australian, who testified before a Senate panel last year, Professor Robert Carter, observed, "My main reaction to Michael Griffin is to congratulate him on his clear-sightedness, not to mention his courage in speaking out on such a controversial topic."

Dr. Tim Ball, a Canadian climatologist, responded: "Griffin's statement is sensible because it allows time for the testing of the man-made global warming hypothesis to continue as it should."

"I certainly support Griffin's comments," said William Kininmonth, a former head of the Australian National Climate Centre. "Not only is it speculative to claim that humans can in any way influence the course of climate but it is arrogant to suggest that today's climate is getting worse than it has been in the past. For example, who would prefer to return to pre-industrial conditions as they were during the Little Ice Age? Frost Fairs were common on many rivers of Europe and the London diarist John Evelyn records that in 1683-84 the Thames River froze from late December to early February. Conditions were terrible with men and cattle perishing and the seas locked with ice such that no vessels could stir out or come in. The fowls, fish and exotic plants and greens were universally perishing. Food and fuel were exceptionally dear and coal smoke hung so thickly that one could scarcely see across the street and one could scarcely breathe."

Kansas geologist, Lee Gerhard added, "Griffin's statement focuses on the hubris that affects much of public policy. It is great to know that someone out there besides geologists understands that humans do not dominate earth's dynamic systems.

Said Ross McKitrick, an economist at the University of Guelph, "Claims of major, impending catastrophe are speculative and go far beyond what has been credibly established by researchers to date. Hence Griffin's view is not at all controversial or out of step with available evidence, and he should be commended for having the courage to say it. The fact that it took courage, however, points to the deeper problem that questioning the catastrophic propaganda we hear so much is now considered politically incorrect."

Dr. Pat Michaels at the University of Virginia agrees: "NASA Administrator Michael Griffin's statement about whether or not it is in fact a "problem" is supported by a scientific literature that his employee, James Hansen, appears to ignore. It is well-known that much of the Eurasian arctic was between 4 and 12 degrees (F) warmer than modern temperatures for much of the 6,000 years between 3,000 and 9,000 years ago, and that such warming was caused by a massive intrusion of warm Atlantic water into the arctic. Given that the only way it can get there is to flow east of Greenland, Mr. Hansen's well-publicized fears that a massive amount of Greenland's ice will fall into the ocean in the next 100 years is mere science fiction. It is ironic that today President Bush appears to have given in to Hansen's hysteria rather than to the calm reason of NASA Administrator Griffin.

Finally, Harvard University physicist Lubos Motl praised Griffin's climate comments, calling them "sensible." On his public blog, Motl said he applauds Michael Griffin and encourages him to act as "a self-confident boss of a highly prestigious institution." "I have always believed that the people who actually work with hard sciences and technology simply shouldn't buy a cheap and soft pseudoscientific propaganda such as the 'fight against climate change,'" Motl added.

	/SOURCE:	Science and Public Policy Institute
	-0-	06-01-2007
	/CONTACT:	Robert Ferguson: 202-288-5699; Harriette Johnson: 312-377-4000

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Millennial Views -- Dispensationalism, Historic Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, Amillennialism

Although I can't agree with the amillennial views of Dr. Riddlebarger, I did find some of the research information to be useful in understanding the various views of Eschatology, and when the "Millennium" would occur ( and what it would entail ).

So, for a clear view of how different scholars have looked at this subject, and including references to those most responsible for teaching and spreading a particular view, please open and view this pdf chart. 

Millennial Views -- Chart Prepared by Mark Vander Pol

 (pdf size 42K)

Early Thoughts on Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Jesus Christ

I've always been fascinated by prophecy, and I have always "studied" it. Lately ( the past year or so ) I've been very focused and have read ( and listened and watched ) much on the subject.
I was taught one view, and I have been "testing" that view against the Scriptures, and what other people have concluded.

HISTORY of most popular Doctrines:

One of the surprising thing I found was that most of the books published in the last 200 years have shared a similar view. This view appears to be "recycled" over and over again. Each writer adding little, but updating a thing or two for his current generation. I've found the "source" to be John Nelsen Darby. I have not read his writings yet, but I have read about him. He seems to be a solid Biblical Scholar and Teacher. His Bible study group blossomed into the "Plymouth Brethren" denomination we have today. He taught in Europe and made two trips to the USA. He also published a translation of the Bible ( Darby Bible ). I haven't looked at that yet either. I have read some of his Bible commentary on "key" passages, as it is built into the e-Sword Bible program I have on the computer.

The teaching continued to spread and perhaps be "clarified" by Cyrus I. Scofield ( Scofield Reference Bible ), Lewis Chafer ( Founding President of Dallas Theological Seminary ), John Walvoord, Charles Ryrie ( Ryrie Study Bible ), Henry Allen "Harry" Ironside, Clarence Larkin, and more recently, Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye ( Left Behind books and movies ). At a later time, I hope to write about the differences and similarities of each man's writings on the subject of Eschatology. I.E. = what they said concerning the facts pertaining to "last things" including the return of Christ, the Great Tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom, the resurrection, the future judgments and the eternal state of both the just and the unjust.

Most Popular View:

1 ) We are in the "Church Age" ( term not found in the Bible )
2 ) Christ will remove ( Rapture ) all believers from Earth before a 7 year Tribulation Period begins
3 ) Anti-Christ will be a great world leader and the Beast will perform many signs and wonders to fool the world
4 ) The "wrath of God", as explained in detail in the Book of Revelation ( with references in other parts of the Bible too ), will come upon the Earth and all of Mankind.
Most will suffer and then die.
5 ) Jesus Christ returns after about 7 years ( "days" to be shortened ) and destroys his enemies, and locks up Satan for 1,000 years.
6 ) Jesus Christ and the "saints" ( resurrected believers ) who have returned with Him, will rule and reign on the Earth for 1,000 years.
7 ) At the end of the 1,000 year ( Millennium ) Kingdom, Satan is let loose. He finds many people willing to follow his lead to one last battle.
8 ) Christ easily defeats all His enemies again.
9 ) A great judgment occurs. Satan thrown into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
10 ) New Heavens and New Earth created. New "city" Jerusalem.

When ?

Several theories have developed as to when these events might take place. And there is some division on when the "Rapture" ( term not found in the Bible ) is to occur.
Each preacher and writer has presented a case for the "end" to occur in their life time. Pointing to various "signs of the times" to give credence to their view.

* Books:
One of the more interesting books I've read was written by some one in Venice, FL. Mark A. Barclay. He owns Barclay's Pharmacy on Venice Island. I found his book in the Venice Library, and then bought a copy at the Pharmacy ( so I could make notes in it ). The book takes most of the "current" and "popular" teaches and adds some "date theory". He is not dogmatic about it, but he does present information to support a view that the Rapture or the Beginning of the Tribulation period could begin in 2026 A.D. I do not agree with many things in the book, but the information, ideas, and theories are thought provoking. The book is called "The Wrath of Almighty God! 2026 A.D." and was self published ( Barclay Publishing ). I believe the book is worth reading because it does cover a lot of material about Bible chronology, using the scriptures and calendars to show a plan of God's time table for Man. It does draw a lot on previous authors ( Clarence Larkin is one of his main references ), but it is fresher and easier to read since it was written in modern times ( copyright 2000 ).

The Second book I'd like to mention is a much more scholarly work by a professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, George Eldon Ladd ( 1911-1982 ).
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eldon_Ladd
He has written several books, but the one I found at the Barclay Pharmacy ( they had several books on End Times Prophecy for sale ), was "The Blessed Hope", published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, copyright 1956.
I have found his book very enlightening. It is subtitled, "A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture". He is very thorough in this study. He explains in great detail and with abundant references the history of thought ( and writings ) about the Return of Christ, the Rapture, the Tribulation, and Millennium Kingdom to come. He is of the belief that there is no "secret rapture" of the Church before the Tribulation Period. He presents all the Biblical texts used to support a "Rapture" and explains using scripture why he believes too much is "read into" certain passages. He also presents clear scripture passages that would be in contradiction to a pretribulation "coming" of Jesus for just the Church.

His writings currently have me persuaded that his view that there is only "one" second coming of Jesus Christ, and the meeting with Him in the air will occur upon His return to Rule and Reign at the end of the Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium Kingdom.

I would recommend anyone who is seriously interested in this subject to read this book. It covers everything I've ever heard and much I had never heard. There is no argument for or against the Rapture that he does not discuss in his book.

As with just about any book these days, you can find many used copies for sale on the Internet.
See:
http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Hope-George-Ladd/dp/0802811116