Daily Devotionals--NEW

[la.lady]

Mary loved the devotion for today and you know what???, God is devoted to us... He cares about everything that we do and what comes into our lives...It just is so amazing the blessings he sends our way... God is Good...

[Pcola Girl]

Patty only if everyone knew of Gods devotion and compassion for Hs people as we do. What a better world this would be to live in. God does care about everything we do and He blesses us in ways we can only imagine. I know God has blessed me with more than I would have ever asked Him for. He just knows what my needs and even my wants are before I know them. I just don't see how people can live without God in their life.
Hope everyone is doing well today and having a Blessed day in the Lord.

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"GODS COMAPSSION FOR HIS PEOPLE"

God is moved by His compassion, and His compassion is drawn to humility. Like a river of love, God's compassion flows to the lowest situation in your life, your greatest need, your greatest weakness, and your greatest failures. Whatever you lay low before the Lord He will be drawn to that area of your life. God gives grace to the humble,
and His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

God says to you "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." Jesus says, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

GOD IS FULL
OF COMPASSION
AND MERCY

(Exodus 33:18-19 NIV) Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." {19} And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

(Exodus 34:5-7 NIV) Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. {6} And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, {7} maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

(Deuteronomy 32:36 NIV) The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.

(Nehemiah 9:26-28 NIV) "But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. {27} So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. {28} "But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.

(Psalms 34:18-19 NIV) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. {19} A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

(Psalms 51:17 NIV) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

(Psalms 86:15-16 NIV) But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. {16} Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.

(Psalms 100:5 NIV) For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

(Psalms 103:2-6 NIV) Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- {3} who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, {4} who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, {5} who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. {6} The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

(Psalms 103:8 NIV) The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

(Psalms 103:11-14 NIV) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; {12} as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. {13} As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; {14} for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

[Pcola Girl]

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"Why are there times when God seems silent / absent in a believer's life?"

Answer: In answering this question, one is reminded of Elijah and his flight from Jezebel. Elijah was a man of God whom God used to do some mighty things. However, when word reached him that Jezebel had threatened his life, he ran (1 Kings chapter 19). Elijah prayed to the LORD and in effect complained about how he was being treated: "And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:10). The LORD'S answer to Elijah is thrilling: "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-12).

We see in this passage of Scripture that what Elijah thought was not true. Elijah thought God was silent and that he was the only one left. God was not only "not silent," but He had an army waiting in the wings so that Elijah was not alone: "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18).

In our walk as born-again believers, it may seem that God is silent, but God is never silent. What looks like silence and inactivity to us is God allowing us the opportunity to listen to "the still small voice" and to see the provisions that He has made for us by faith. God is involved in every area of a believer's life--the very hairs on our heads are numbered (Mark 10:30; Luke 12:7). However, there are times when we have to walk in obedience to the light that God has given us before He sheds more light on our path, because in this age of grace God speaks to us through His Word.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:8-11).

Therefore, when God seems silent to us as born-again believers, it may mean that we have stopped listening to His voice, we have allowed the cares of this world to plug our spiritual ears, or we have neglected His Word. God does not speak to us today in signs, wonders, fire or wind, His Spirit speaks to us through the Word, and in that Word we have the "words of life."

[la.lady]

Mary thanks for the devotion for today... This reminds me of the poem Foot Prints In The Sand... When the person thoughtthat God was not with him, God was carrying him.
Isn't that wonderful that God cares and takes care of us, even when we don't know that he is doing it...

[Pcola Girl]

Patty I thought this was a interesting subject. Let me know what you think on it.


"When Heaven Was Silent" What is the answer to this mystery?

For two thousand years the heavens have been silent and this is strange when we compare it with Old Testament times. God was then dealing with the Hebrew nation and they saw marvelous displays of His person and power. He brought them out of slavery, making a path through the sea, and for forty years He fed them and led them and brought them into the land of promise with mighty victories over all their foes. Isaiah saw the Lord; Daniel fell at His feet; angels walked to and fro in the land; God fought for His people; heaven was not silent.

When Israel is enjoying the favor of God the heavens are open, but when Israel is in disfavor with God the heavens are silent. Between the two testaments, when Israel was being judged for their sins, there was a period of time which is often referred to as "the four hundred silent years." God spoke His last word through Malachi and then 400 years of silence. This silence was finally broken by the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Zacharias announcing the birth of John the Baptist. Then Gabriel spoke to Mary, telling her of that Holy One which should be born of her, even the Son of God. Later the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, announcing the birth of the Christ-child, and from the opened heavens they heard the heavenly host praising God.

Heaven was not silent during the earthly ministry of Christ, when He was presenting Himself to Israel as their Messiah, nor was heaven silent after His resurrection...when Israel was given opportunity to repent. There were miracles, wonders, signs, angelic visitations, jail deliverances, sudden judgments, etc....However....Israel no longer stands as a nation before God. They are set aside for a reason and a season. The reason was their rejection of Christ both in His incarnation and in His resurrection. The season is this present dispensation of the Mystery....

We find a great man of God sitting in the Roman prison, but no angel comes to liberate him. An age of silence has begun. A silent God. A silent heaven. This silence has already lasted two millenniums. The nations rage and we see war, sin, suffering and sorrow on every hand. The people of God oft suffer at the hands of their enemies, and we see the ever-increasing and God-defying masses sinning and sinning and sinning. And yet in the midst of it all, God remains silent.

When God turned away from Israel, that nation through which His earthly purposes are to be realized, He then and there withdrew from this earthly scene. C. H. Mackintosh wrote "So long as there was any ground of hope in connection with Israel, the heavenly mystery was held back; but when earth had been abandoned and Israel set aside, the apostle of the Gentiles...writes to the Church, and opens out all the glorious privileges connected with its place in the heavens." God has for a season abandoned earth but we are here as His ambassadors in enemy land and we are asked to walk by faith and not by sight. God is allowing man's day to run its course and is permitting the full development of the mystery of lawlessness. The mystery of iniquity is working. Soon the whole will be leavened. Man's day will be replaced by the Lord's Day. Then....

THE SILENCE TO BE BROKEN!
This is promised everywhere in Scripture. The psalmist declared: "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence!" Just as the silence of the 400 years was broken by His first coming, so the present silence will be broken by His second coming. But before He manifests Himself to the world, He will manifest Himself to His own. This is the bright and blessed hope of the Church, the rapture, and it will be the opening rift in the silent heavens. After the Body of Christ has been removed from the scene God will begin to deal again with Israel and the nations. The silence will be broken and God will speak again, not then in grace, but in wrath. The heavens will be opened, not to pour out blessing, but disaster. The judgments of the Apocalypse will be visited upon the world, when the seals will be broken, the judgment trumpets sounded, and the vials of God's wrath poured out.

Finally, the heavens will be fully opened and the blessed Lord Jesus Christ will return. The Apostle John saw Him as the rider on a white horse, followed by the heavenly armies, and He wrote: "He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." The silence will be broken. The King will return and have His rightful place upon the throne, with all beneath His feet. Every eye shall see Him and the earth will be filled with His glory. And never again will there be silence, for the lines of communication will always be open between heaven and earth, both as to the millennial earth and on into the new earth.

[la.lady]

Mary This is very good reading and I will have to study on this...

[Pcola Girl]

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Star I thought the subject (When Heaven Was silent) was a interesting topic to. I also want to do furture study on it. I have heard of it before but just never really gave it much thought until now. So info you can find on it let me know ok.

I also though todays devotional was interesting. Its about do we really kinow who Jesus is!. Jesus is the image of the Invisible God. Read and enjoy.
God Bless.
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Who Is This Christ?
BY-Dr. Charles Stanley
Colossians 1:15-20

People often find it hard to understand who Jesus is and why He came. Scripture provides the explanation, which really isn't that difficult to grasp.

Jesus did something that had never been done before: He enabled man to see God in a new way. Colossians 1:15 says that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God." No one has ever looked upon the face of the Almighty. While some people were confronted with God, they were never able to look fully upon His glory.

For example, even Moses, who is described as God's friend (Ex. 33:11), could not look directly at the Lord. At best, Moses had the opportunity to look upon "God's back" as He passed by, but never His face. (Ex. 33:18-23).

In Colossians, however, we learn that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" (1:15). He came to bridge the gap between the Father's pure, holy glory and mankind's sinful nature. The key here is the word "image"--the Greek "eikon" gives us the familiar term "icon." Just as an icon on your computer screen directs you to the main program, so Jesus points believers to the fullness of God's glory.

As the "icon," Jesus is the exact reflection of God. Therefore, the Lord could say, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." And He could further proclaim, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:6, 9).

Jesus enables us to look upon the very face of God in all of His glory. What an amazing honor! Praise God today for His Son, who has brought us into the presence of the Holy One.

[la.lady]

Mary I enjoyed this tremendously... Through Jesus we see our Father. What a wonderful thing this is !!!!

[Pcola Girl]

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Hope you are having a great day today. We just came in from outside and the weather was so beautiful. God really did a outstanding job when He created our world so beautiful. I was watching the birds in the bird bath and the butter flies flying all around the flowers, I just had such a awe feeling coming over me as I watched Gods little creatures and all He has created for us as people to enjoy. It was just so beautiful it almost took my breath away.
I have always enjoyed the outdoors anyway but today just seemed special. I can only imagine what Heaven will look and be like, because today to me was the way I envision Heaven to look like. Just so relaxing and calming and bright and sunny and so peaceful.

Hope you will enjoy todays devotional. I know I post alot of them and you may have problems keeping up with them but just take your time and study thm. You don't have to study all of them in one day if you don't want to or can't. Just read them when you have some relaxing time to yourself.
God Bless.

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"The Unpardonable Sin"

Matthew 12:31,32 states: "Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world [age], neither in the world to come."

These words of warning came from the lips of the Son of God while He walked among men in His earthly ministry. They were addressed to the religious leaders of the nation Israel. Their blasphemy against Him even when He hung on the Cross was forgiven by the Father in answer to the prayer, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

But when at Pentecost, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, announced the return of Messiah on the condition of Israel's national repentance, these leaders instigated a persecution that reached its climax in the stoning of Stephen, a godly man, "full of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 7:54-60). It was here that the "unpardonable sin" was committed by Israel's leaders. The Third Person of the Trinity had been blasphemed and His pleadings through the Apostles ignored. This sin will never be forgiven.

In this age it is blessedly true that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). Though all sin is unpardoned till it is forgiven, it is not unpardonable. Christ died for all sin. The penalty has been paid and God now offers eternal life as a gift to be received by faith. ? Do you know the joy of sins forgiven? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31 cf. I Cor. 15:1-4).

[la.lady]

Mary I had often wondered what the unpardonable sin was exactly... Now I have heard also that if a person gives credit of God's work to Satan, that is also an unpardonable sin... What do you think of that... also I have been told not to worry, if you have committed that sin, that instantly you would know. When I was a little girl growing up, I was so afraid that I would commit that sin, that I stayed scared for many years, and one time when I rededicated my life to God, that Satan spoke in my ear that, why are you studying the Bible you are going to heaven, because you blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. Well I knew better and just erased that thought out of my mind and pressed on...

[la.lady]

That was supposed to be that you aren't going to heaven...

[Pcola Girl]

http://
October 15, 2008
Daily Devotional
By: Billy Graham

“He that walketh righteously . . . shall dwell on high.”
-Isaiah 33:15,16
Being pure in conduct also includes honesty and integrity in dealing with our fellowmen. A Christian should be known in his neighborhood or place of business as an honest person, a person who can be trusted. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Do you want to be happy? All right, apply this Beatitude to your heart. Take it to yourself.

The pure in heart are the only ones who can know what it means to be supremely happy. Their hearts are pure toward God and, as a result are pure toward their fellowmen. They are happy because, in possessing Him who is All and in All, they envy no man’s worldly goods. They are happy because they envy not another man’s praise. Because they are the enemy of no man, they regard no man as their enemy. The result is peace with God and the world.

Prayer for the day Forgive me, Lord Jesus, my heart is far from pure. I confess to You all my innermost thoughts.

[Pcola Girl]

http://

I had always thought that the unpardonable sin was denying God as being God.
That not believing in Him as God.

[Pcola Girl]

There is no devotional today just something that was on my mind and I wanted to share it with you. Its about how God intervenes in our lives.

I was just thinking of all the things that God has done for me in my life and without them I may have not become the person I am today.
I want to tell you a little story about me...
When I was in my teens I was so in love with this guy I had dated and we dated until after our high school graduation and I and everyone else expected that we would marry one day but that did not happen.
I met my husband who just happpen to be in Florida on vacation with his family and we wrote and talked for two years and we did marry and have been married for 41 years this Oct. 28. Now if I had married that other guy I dated in high school I would have never had my two children and the life I have now with the most loving husband in the world. I know God had to have His hand in this event, I dare to think of the mistake I could have made in my life in God did not intervene.

God does intervene in our lives so much and sometimes we do not even relize it when He does. It could be with your job or where you live or just small things around the home and with your family. He intervenes in so many ways thats it would amaze us if we knew of all of them. We just take on our lives as our own and never credit God with the way we live it. But He is taking care of you and He does intervenes when He knows you will be making a big mistake or something that may harm you in some way. God has your life planned out for you, He even knows whom you will marry. At least I have always believed that!
So when something does not go your way, maybe its God intervening.

What are some ways God has intervened in your life?

I have another way God has intervened in my life but its a long story so I will have to write it in a seperate post.

God Bless.

[Staretta]

Mary,

Thank you for inviting me to this site. What wonderful readings and devotions !

Looking forward to sharing with you all.

Blessings,

Jeanne

[Star123]

Hi Ladies, this devotional was impressed on my heart this afternoon and I've posted it again this evening. I felt that some of you should be warned and be aware of what's happening in the world today from a bible point of view. God bless you.

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A little Devotional: False Christs, Prophets, End Time Events; Read Matthew 24; Mark 13; 2 Thessalonians NIV.

Jesus himself warned us of false Christs, teachers and prophets [Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:5] , who would appear in the last days, [which I believe we are living in today until Christ returns in His glory at the last trumpet], because they will deceive many people. He also warns of false Christs, who call themselves "Christ" or "Messiah". We christians and followers of Christ ARE NOT TO GO WHERE THEY ARE, EVEN IF THEY ARE IN THE DESSERT. [Matt.24:26] Because they could DECIEVE YOU, if it were possible to deceive the ELECT; Us Saints. [Matt. 24:23; Mark 13:21-23], AND EVEN KILL YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. THEY REALLY HATE YOU! But, remember what Jesus said, that you would be hated because of Him. [Matt. 24:9; Mark 13:13] Jesus also mentioned that the ANTI-CHRIST was amongst Him and His Disciples, and is now present in this age. [1 John 4:1-3; 2:18; 2 John 7] The ANTI-Christ; The LAWLESS ONE is anyone who is against Christ and His teachings. [2 Th. 2:7-12]

As you know we are seeing signs and wonders, [Acts 2:19], and have hear reports of disastrous events which are happening around our world today, through media, world news and the Internet. I believe that a world revival is upon us and God is pouring out His Holy Spirit on all flesh, [Acts 2:17-18; ], which is another prophecy that is being fulfilled at this present time in History. Past bible prophecies and future ones have been and are being fulfilled even now, and are about to happen in the near future to come. Why is this happening you ask? Because the time of Christ's return is upon us and He is coming sooner then we think. Why do I know this? because the signs are there. Look around. You can't design what is happening around us. God said that He would come after the GOSPEL IS PREACHED ALL OVER THE WORLD, [Matt. 24:14], and He is using television, satellites, the media, and Internet to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The bible says that Jesus Himself doesn't know the time of the end, nor the Holy Angels, but only the Heavenly Father knows this. [Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32] We as children of the King are to be watchful of these events, [Matt. 24:42; Mark 13:33-36], but are not to be fearful of what is happening upon the earth. Because God will take care of us!!! Isn't that wonderful!!!

Even now God is working with the body of Christ and raising up prophets, teachers, preachers, and those practicing in the gifts, [Romans 11:29; 1 Cor. 12:27-30; 1 Cor. 14:1], of the Holy Spirit, [an army of saints], because the HARVEST IS RIPE and ready for the picking. There is a great need for workers to bring in the Harvest.

So dear fellow christians and saints of Christ, lets get ready before He comes to take the bride, [the body of Christ; Us His saints], with Him in the clouds of glory, to be with His forever, and ever, amen.

I would like feedback on this subject. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks.

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Salvation Prayer: If you don't know Christ personally as your Savior and Lord, or if you would like to rededicate your life to Christ, please say this prayer with me in faith.

"Dear Jesus, I know that I have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. You died on the cross of Calvary and pay my sin debt, nailing my sin to the cross. I confess my sin(s) now before you, believing that you have forgiven me completely. I ask you to personally come into my heart and take over my life, in your name Jesus. Thank You for giving me this "free" gift of salvation, that I truly don't deserve, but you have given to me in love, because you love me unconditionally, amen." [Note: You are now God's child and you're going to Heaven. Find a church or fellowship that teaches the gospel of Christ, [Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; Holy Bible Teachings; Paster who rightly divides the word of Truth; Trinity and the Holy Spirit Teachings; the Return of Christ; Jesus the Messiah.] Reference verses: Romans 10:10; Romans 10:12-13; James 1:17; John 3:16; John 1:12; Acts 2:21; Acts 16:31; Romans 8:1; Romans 6:14; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 12:2.
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Have a great night!!!

[Staretta]

God's judgment is, indeed, coming on a world in rebellion. He cannot deny His nature.
His attributes of perfect holiness and justice demand judgment for sin, of which we are
all guilty.
Praise God for His way of escape ! Receiving His free gift of forgiveness and love !

"Sometimes the Lord calms the storm;
Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms the child" !

Blessings,

Jeanne

[Pcola Girl]

Jeanne, I am happy you found us here, hope you post often.
I do believe we are living in the last days and may even be the generation that sees Jesus return. But during the tribulation God has prepared a safe place for His people to go to where Satan, anti-christ cannot enter or go to at all. Some believe it is Petra but where-ever it is it is a place of safety that God has set up for christians.
I watched a show on this one night on Tv on the Christian channel and it sure was interesting to. Petra is carved out into a mountian and even has running water going through it. They say the water was coming from a underground supply but never could say where from. They said it would be the perfect place to hide out in.
What do you all think about this subject? I love hearing your say on all the devotionals and studies I post.
Have a great day and God Bless.
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THE ELECT FLEE; SATAN MAKES WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED

Satan is cast to the earth. He is enraged. The abomination of desolation occurs. Those in Judea are told to flee into the mountains. The elect flee for their lives.
At the time that the obedient elect flee, a series of events begin to take place. The Bible does not specify where they will ultimately be going. Some speculate that it will be Petra.
God enables them to flee fast; this appears to be symbolized by the "TWO WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE"-Rev 12:14. As they flee, Satan evidently speaks, and a flood of water rushes after those fleeing, so that they might be carried away and killed by the flood. However, God opens up the earth, and the flood is swallowed up. The elect escape to the wilderness where God has a place prepared for them. For the next 1260 days, God will feed and sustain them. The length of time God will take care of them seems to correspond with the length of time the Antichrist is allowed to continue.
Satan is absolutely infuriated that these escaped. He goes forth to destroy those who did not escape, those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

AND WHEN THE DRAGON (which is Satan) SAW THAT HE WAS CAST (or hurled) UNTO THE EARTH, HE PERSECUTED THE WOMAN (or he pursued the woman-NIV, which is Israel) WHICH BROUGHT FORTH THE MAN CHILD (Jesus)-Rev 12:13. Satan pursues and persecutes Israel.
It is written, WHEN YE THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE, (WHOSO READETH, LET HIM UNDERSTAND THEN LET THEM WHICH BE IN JUDAEA FLEE INTO THE MOUNTAINS: LET HIM WHICH IS ON THE HOUSETOP NOT COME DOWN TO TAKE ANY THING OUT OF HIS HOUSE: NEITHER LET HIM WHICH IS IN THE FIELD RETURN BACK TO TAKE HIS CLOTHES. FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE-Mt 24:15-18,21; ref Mk 13:14-19; Ezek 20:35.

As Israel is fleeing for her life, THE SERPENT (which is Satan) CAST (or spewed) OUT OF HIS MOUTH WATER AS A FLOOD (or river) AFTER (or to overtake) THE WOMAN, THAT HE MIGHT CAUSE HER TO BE CARRIED (or sweep her) AWAY OF THE FLOOD (or torrent)-Rev 12:15. A flood is mentioned, and then the kind of flood is actually specified. It is a flood of water. How it comes forth is also stated. The flood and water, here, are not believed to be symbolic but an actual flood of water. Satan speaks the words that a flood of water should come forth to swallow up and drown those fleeing. This is what it means when it says that Satan should "cast out of his mouth water." It is even as when Elijah called down fire from heaven. The words came out of his mouth, and the fire came down.
There may be an army also trying to catch the fleeing Jews, which will be close behind them. Those that disobeyed God and went to get some things, first, can expect to be caught.
AND THE EARTH HELPED THE WOMAN (or the land came to her rescue-JNT69), AND THE EARTH OPENED HER MOUTH, AND SWALLOWED UP THE FLOOD (or river) WHICH THE DRAGON (which is Satan) CAST (or spewed) OUT OF HIS MOUTH-Rev 12:16. Satan caused the flood of water to come forth to drown the fleeing Israelis. However, as the water was about to overtake them, the earth opened up, and the flood of water went down into the earth or it was swallowed up. Thus, the remnant of Israel that obeyed God and ran as He had commanded them escape to the place that God had ordained; there they will be under the protection of God for the last 1260 days. Such a miracle as the earth opening up also happened in the days of Moses. It is written, AND THE EARTH OPENED HER MOUTH, AND SWALLOWED THEM UP-Num 16:32; ref Num 16:27-35.
As already mentioned, some believe the place they will flee to will be Petra. Petra, located in Edom, is a fortress which has buildings built into the rock cliffs. It has a narrow entrance way that opens up into a large canyon. Some believe the flood that will come to carry them away will be from the Jordan River, which is east of Jerusalem. Jordan lies on the other side, and Petra is in Jordan. Scriptures do seem to indicate that this is possible; however, Petra is not specifically mentioned as the place that God will lead them to. Only the Lord knows for sure.

Israel is commanded to flee fast. AND TO THE WOMAN WERE GIVEN TWO WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE, THAT SHE MIGHT FLY INTO THE WILDERNESS, INTO "HER PLACE" (to the place prepared for her in the desert-NIV)-Rev 12:14. The wings of a great eagle would be symbolic of something large and would also indicate speed. In some manner, which is not made clear, God is going to enable those of Israel that keep the commandments of God to quickly escape or even fly to the place which God has for her. Through God's divine intervention, those that have the testimony of Jesus Christ will sense, or somehow know, in which direction to go. They have been forewarned by God's Word when to flee. As it is written in Mt 24:15-WHOSO READETH, LET HIM UNDERSTAND.
THE WOMAN (which is Israel) FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS (or desert), WHERE SHE HATH A PLACE PREPARED OF GOD, THAT THEY SHOULD FEED HER THERE (or where she might be taken care of-NIV) (for) A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THREESCORE DAYS (or 1260 days)-Rev 12:6. Thus, Israel goes to her place, WHERE SHE IS NOURISHED (or taken care of) FOR A TIME, AND TIMES, AND HALF A TIME (or for a season and two seasons and half a season-JNT,70 or 3 ½ years), FROM THE FACE OF THE SERPENT (or out of the serpent's reach-NIV)-Rev 12:14. The term "time" means one year. The term "times" means two years. The term "half a time" means one-half of a year. Thus, 1 year + 2 years + 1/2 a year equals 3 1/2 years. Three interchangeable terms are used in the Scriptures denoting the last part of the Tribulation. They are 3 ½ years, 1260 days, or 42 months.
It is written, THE THIRD SHALL BE LEFT THEREIN-Zech 13:8; ref verse 9. We might expect that the number which will escape could be one-third of Israel.
AND THE DRAGON (which is Satan) WAS WROTH (or infuriated, or enraged, or we might say, insanely mad) WITH THE WOMAN (which is Israel), AND WENT TO MAKE WAR (or fight) WITH THE REMNANT (or the rest) OF HER SEED (or children, or offspring), WHICH KEEP (or obey) THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE (or hold to) THE TESTIMONY (or bear witness) OF JESUS CHRIST (or Yeshua)-Rev 12:17.
It is written, THE LORD ALSO WILL BE A REFUGE FOR THE OPPRESSED, A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. AND THEY THAT KNOW THY NAME WILL PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE: FOR THOU, LORD, HAST NOT FORSAKEN THEM THAT SEEK THEE-Ps 9:9,10.

[la.lady]

Mary, I was taught that, if you are a Christian and die that your soul immediately goes to Heaven to be with the Lord. If you don't find it in scripture then you can be assured that there is no Petra. I have never heard of that before...

I just looked up Petra in my Bible Dictionary and it said that Petra was part of the Roman Empire but says nothing about Christians being there after death... Why would we have to hide out anyway??? I believe in the Rapture and that we will be in Heaven with God...

[Determinedtolose]

Originally Posted by la.lady

Mary, I was taught that, if you are a Christian and die that your soul immediately goes to Heaven to be with the Lord. If you don't find it in scripture then you can be assured that there is no Petra. I have never heard of that before...

I just looked up Petra in my Bible Dictionary and it said that Petra was part of the Roman Empire but says nothing about Christians being there after death... Why would we have to hide out anyway??? I believe in the Rapture and that we will be in Heaven with God...

Christians will not be here when all that takes place in Revelation, we will already be raptured out of here.

Revelation is God dealing with Israel and Petra is the location that God will send the Israelis who are the "remnent. The Body of Christ will not be here when that happens.

Since God has put Israels plan on hold "until the times of Gentiles be fufilled", then when we the Body of Christ is raptured to be with the Lord, God again will deal with Israel and resume His plan to set up His earthly Kingdom for Israel.