POWER BLOG

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I've been asked on more than one occasion: "Why hasn't Christ returned, he told his disciples that some of them would still be alive, yet it's been 2,000 years?

To answer that question, I believe the verses they were referring to, were Mark 9:1 and Matthew 16:28. (they are the same verse)

Mark 9:1 - And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Matthew 16:28 - "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

I've found that whenever a scripture is confusing or sounds contradictory, I always read the entire paragraph or so, to get the writers meaning. Jesus was actually talking about what was going to happen “six days later”. (The transfiguration)

Mark 9:2 - Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them;
Mark 9:3 - and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Mark 9:4 - Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

It was during this incident that they heard the voice of God.

Mark 9:7 - Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!"

EXAMPLE: If you were standing and witnessing with your own eyes, Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah, Jesus` clothes shining whiter than anything you could compare them too, and then God himself says: (in an audible voice) "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!"

Then you would have witnessed "the kingdom of God after it has come with power" and "the Son of Man coming in His kingdom".

As to whether the disciples believed Jesus would return in their lifetime, I really don't know. However, the whole chapter (Mark 13) was about Jesus telling them a long list of things that would take place prior to his return.

The amazing thing about the disciples being killed and crucified, was that they died in different cities or countries, far away from each other. All any of them had to do, was to deny that Jesus rose from the dead, and say they made up the story, and they would have been set free.

So whether anyone else believes in Christ or not, “THEY DID!” It's quite a powerful testimony to the existence of Christ and that he rose from the dead, when you think about it. They were absolutely convinced! To the point that death didn't frighten them, and they were secure about their future after death.

I won't go into detail, but I do believe we are living in the last days. I'm not going to sell my house and other material things just yet though. That's basically what happens when preachers make followers and not disciples. There is one leader of the Christian Church, that is Christ. 2000 years ago it was the elders who did the teaching and the preaching.

Many men, (and women) in many Churches have claimed a title and position that belongs only to Christ, (spiritual leader) and they lead a lot of people astray.

I try to write so that people don't need a dictionary to understand it. (either that, or I'm just not that smart) After watching Sunday morning television, I can understand why some people would be turned off on God. If those preachers are the examples, who in the world would want to be like them?

All I can say, is once a person gets past the preachers and starts to see who God really is and what he is about, they see that he really “is” awesome, and they want more of him. Most preachers measure their success, by the number of alter calls they have, and the response they get from them.

The problem is, they can't save anyone, and “I” can't save anyone! It is not their job to save people, only God can save a person. Their job is to simply point people in the right direction. But then, there's not much glory (or money) in being a traffic cop for God huh? I would suggest that a person seek God 100%, but ignore 80% of what they hear on Christian television.

Jeremiah 29:12 - 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:13 - 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:17 - "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

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