Are Ghosts Real? ~ Can The Dead Appear To Us?

ARE GHOSTS REAL?   CAN THE DEAD APPEAR TO US?   First, a simple answer from the Bible:  NO.  Ghosts are not real and those who have left this mortal life cannot appear to us.  If the dearly departed is a believer, why would he or she even want to come back? No matter how much we love them or they love us - all believers are in the blessed presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

If you were in heaven today, basking in His presence - would you want to come back to this world?  No way!  We should not even desire to pull them out of the presence of our Lord - to help us handle mortal issues here on earth, not even heartbreak from losing them.  We celebrate their promotions into His presence, even though we miss them so much.

And the non-believer who dies in this mortal body?  Well, Luke 16:19-31 clearly tells us that those who died in disbelief cannot come back again for a "do over."  Hebrews 9:27 confirms that, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."

But we can, and often we do, encounter spirits in our daily lives?  Spirits, not mortals who have passed through the portal of mortal death.  And we encounter both good and evil spirits.  But they are not the spirits of our departed loved ones nor the spirits of our departed enemies.  They are heavenly spirits created by God as angels.  From what we read about angels in the Bible, we have to assume that God created billions of angels (Hebrews 12:22) before the Creation week. 

Personally I believe God created the angels first, just as in the six days of the Creation He created the heavens, earth, and all that make the earth habitable to man - before creating man.  Then He created man and beast on the sixth day.  In other words, He prepared a home for man, with guardian spirits (Hebrews 1:14) - then He created man (Genesis 1:24ff).

Lucifer was created, it is my belief, as an archangel - for the name Lucifer means shining one, morning star.  But then his beauty and desire to be like, or equal to, God took control and he fell into eternal evil, taking one third of all created angels with him. (Isaiah 14:12-14,. Jude 1:6)

In the Bible we read of only one instance where God allowed necromancy, i.e., communication with the dead.  We read about it in the story of the King Saul and the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20).  King Saul, who had banned all psychics, mediums, seers, séances, sorcerers, conjurers, and all forms of what now is known as New Age Religion from all Israel - now felt a need for a séance himself. 

Saul was starting to lose control, so in desperation he disguised himself and went to the Witch of Endor by night - asking her to contact the dead prophet judge Samuel.  The story of the Witch of Endor summoning Samuel is recorded in 1 Samuel 28 and is the only biblical account of anyone being visited by a deceased person.  Why did God allow the spirit of Samuel to talk with Saul?

God allowed Samuel to talk with King Saul for one purpose - to give Saul the bad news of his own coming defeat and death.  This does not mean that God would allow witches or mediums to speak with the dead today - only that God allowed it in this one exception.  There is no biblical indication that He did, or would, allow that to happen again, for anyone.

When a person dies, his soul is taken into heaven or hell, depending upon whether he has placed his faith in Christ, or not.  Would you really want to be visited by someone from the dead - to receive a message of YOUR own soon destruction?

That said, I believe we all have encounters with the spirit world.  I absolutely know that I have encountered spirits, both good and evil.

In the early 1980s, before I was a Christian believer, I was very much into psychic phenomena and the paranormal world.  About that time I became interested in genealogy and was tracing my family history.  One thing which bothered me was the story that my maternal grandfather had committed suicide when I was six months old - for when I research it, everything pointed toward his having been murdered by someone he knew.

Circa 1985 a Filipina medical doctor family friend was interested in meeting a psychic I knew in San Diego.  I invited both to my home to meet - and while they were there, I asked the psychic questions about my grandfather and recorded the session.  After they left I was in my bedroom and played the cassette tape of our conversation.  At the point in the recording where she began to talk about my grandfather's death, I felt a strong hand grasped my right shoulder from behind - and my bedroom went totally frigid.  It was as though I was standing in a freezer.  I rewound the tape and at that same spot, there was the hand on my shoulder and the icy chill.

At that time, not being a believer, I was convinced it was my grandfather trying to communicate with me from the grave.  Now I know it was only a demonic spirit imitating my grandfather.

Let me pause for a short side trip.  Do I believe that it was Satan himself who played this trick on me?  No, for Bill Gray is not that important to Satan.  He has bigger fish to fry - like going after national and world leaders, using his old "Eve Trick" on them with the question, "Did God really say that?" (Genesis 3:1-5).  So the next time you hear a presidential candidate or other politician, or a religious leader, assuring us that the homosexual lifestyle, same-sex marriage, pedophilia, abortion, and other similar secular lifestyles is okay with God, that these lifestyle are not condemned in the Bible - you can be sure that is Satan speaking through those people.

Satan has billions of fallen angels, i.e., demonic spirits, which are assigned to harass people like you and me. 

About 15 years ago, Dory and I had a young Filipina friend, Vicki, staying with us for a while.  From the time Vicki had arrived in America to marry Mark, his mother had been doing all she could to destroy their relationship.  The mother and son were very close - and she convinced her son that her psychic buddy had warned her that Vicki was being unfaithful.  Nothing could have been further from the truth, but "momma knows best" and she caused them to separate.  The mother was heavily into the psychic, seer, medium, and paranormal world.

One day I was working in my office at home, Dory and Vicki had gone out, and the mother-in-law called.  I explained that Vicki was not home and then she and I talked for a while.  I asked her if she would step back and allow Mark and Vicki to work out their marital problems alone.  Vehemently she declared, "That women will never have my son."  That spoke volumes.

As we were talking on the phone, I could feel evil spirits all around me in my office.  Literally my office was crowded with evil spirits.  No, it was not imagined, for I no idea this woman was so full of demonic beings.  I felt like there were a hundred evil spirits all around me - but, believe it or not, I felt no fear, just aggravation.  I knew I was safe from those spirits which could harass me, but could not enter me - for the moment I was saved the Holy Spirit took up residence in me and NO evil spirit is allowed to share that residence with Him.

Let me emphasize that point clearly:  When a person is saved and indwelled by God the Holy Spirit - NO evil spirits can possess or enter that person.  Your body became the "temple of God."

John 14:16-17, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

1 Corinthians 3:16-17, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."

Demonic spirits can, and do, harass believers - but they cannot enter us nor possess us.

The mother-in-law and I talked for about half an hour and then hung up.  The moment we hung up the phone, the spirits were gone.  It was her spirits of darkness I was sensing all around me.

But how about good spirits, angels still faithful to God - do they visit us?  I believe they do.  Let me share an instance when I believe I may have had a heavenly visitor.   Most of my life I have loved walking in the evenings.  I did it when I was in high school, walking with my friend, Jimmy Henson, after he got off work at the Colbert Theater in my hometown.  We often walked up to the cliffs overlooking the beautiful Tennessee River and sat enjoying the view of the river and all the lights of the dam, the bridge, and the city across the river - day dreaming about the future.

All through my long career in the computer industry, wherever I traveled on business I had my long walks after dinner.  So the story I am about to share with you should be no surprise - for away on business trips or at home, it has long been my habit to walk late in the evening.

It was about 11:30 PM, Friday evening, April 8, 2005, when I had an experience which left me somewhat in awe, somewhat exhilarated, and somewhat shaken.  I have been a walker all of my life; love to take long walk, preferably in the evening.  To the dismay of my family, I often like to walk late at night when it is peaceful and cool.  I have walked in almost every major city in this country, many smaller cities, and in some beautiful countryside in England.  When traveling on business, I always like to have dinner in my hotel room, then go for a  walk.

That Friday evening in 2005, as I was walking, I was praying and asking God if I am doing the ministry He truly wants me to be doing.  I prayed, "Lord, I believe I am doing the writing ministry You have given me, and I know that, when I write You are guiding my thoughts and my words.  But, Lord, is this truly what You want me to be doing full time?  Is there more?  Please, Lord, help me to know that I am doing Your will."

I walked several more blocks, walking east on Magnolia Avenue, a major boulevard in Riverside, California.  Suddenly a man, who appeared to be homeless and about forty years old, jumped from behind a sign and started screaming and yelling at me.  He was angry and seem to be extremely agitated, screaming, calling me names.  His eyes were full of fire, as though demon possessed or on drugs.  I started backing up.  I backed into busy Magnolia Avenue with cars streaming past me - he followed me, screaming and yelling.  At one time he yelled, "Give me ten dollars."  I told him, "I don't have any money."  Which was true, for I never carry a wallet or any valuables when I walk.

I backed all the way across east-bound Magnolia Avenue, through the traffic, all the time telling him, "Cool it, man.  I don't want any trouble."

Soon I stood on the island between east-bound and west-bound Magnolia, a wide area with trees, landscaping, and open space.  The moment I stepped on the island, I felt a sudden peace, a peace of God, come over me.  For a moment I just stood there.  Then I approached the man and told him, "I don't have any money.  But I want to be your friend."  I could see his face change slightly, I could see just a bit of the anger leave.  I walked up to him, put my right hand on his left shoulder, and told him, "I want to be your friend.  I love you; God loves you.  Can I pray for you?"  And this man who, moments before, had been screaming at me, said meekly, "Yes."

I held his shoulder and prayed that God would touch this man, help him, and provide for his needs.  I prayed for God to show His love to this man.  Then I hugged him.  He hugged me back, so tightly, and said in a small, soft voice, "This is what I really want."  He wanted someone to care, someone to care enough to hug him, a homeless man, and say, "I love you."  Then he turned and walked calmly away.

Was this God's way of showing me that I am doing the ministry He wants me to be doing?  I don't know for sure.  But I do know that God was on that highway island with me as I prayed with this homeless man.  I know that His love flowed through me for this man.  And I know that this man felt it also.  This man felt God's love and His peace, through my touch, and through my prayer.

I called Dory and told her what had happened, then started walking home - when it dawned on me that I had overlooked something which should have been so obvious.  I never thought about it when I was talking with this man.  Initially I did not think about it afterwards - not until I was walking home, going over in my mind what had happened and how frightened I had been initially during this confrontation.  What was that so obvious thing I missed?  Odor.

One of the first things most people, including myself, would think of when considering hugging a homeless person is - will he/she have an odor?  We know that a person living on the streets with no means of personal hygiene, will have an odor, both that person and his clothing.  That never entered my mind until I was walking home.  But as I thought about it later, I realized that this man whom I had been hugging - had no odor whatsoever.  He was as fresh as a baby coming out of a bath.  He had no odor; his clothing had no odor - yet, he was obviously homeless and living on the streets.  Was this another message from God?  Was God telling me, as He did Peter in Acts 10:15, "What God has cleansed, . . ."

Walking home this Scripture verse came to mind:  Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

You can see why I felt somewhat shaken after this was over and decided to just go back home instead of finishing my walk.  I also felt exhilarated because I know that God had touched that man through me.   My wife, Dory, told me, "That is all well and good.  But from now on, please walk earlier in the evening."  We men should listen to our wives.

Did I encounter an angelic being that evening?  I cannot say for sure.  But I will say this, walking in that community for many years I saw many homeless people - but I don't recall ever seeing that man before - and I have never seen him since.   You decide.

My main point in writing this blog is to assure all my believing Friends that you will never see nor encounter a ghost in this life - but we all do need to be on guard against Satan's demonic spirits who will tempt and harass us, daily.  And keep your spiritual feelers tuned - for you never know when you may be "entertaining angels without knowing it."

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

Nothing Comes To Forumland ~ One More Time!

Over twenty years ago, at the suggestion of my good Friend, Pastor Freddy Cortez, I began to share my writing ministry on the internet.  And I found a lot of fertile ground for planting seeds of eternal life.  Then I found my Alabama hometown newspaper, the TimesDaily, online and began to follow the activities of my hometown friends and neighbors. 

Since I am an Alabamian living in Southern California, for several years I read the TimesDaily online just to keep up with my hometown folks.  But I stayed clear of the forums - for to me most forums were just "spitting contests."  However in January 2007 I noticed on the TimesDaily Forums a post titled "What Is A Christian?"  Knowing that my home state is the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt - I had to see what that post had to say.

What I found in that forum discussion and on the Timesdaily Forum, later renamed the TimesDaily Religion Forum, was that the majority of the dialogues were dominated by two atheists, DeepFat and GoFish.  DeepFat was, like me, an Alabamian transplanted to Southern California, and GoFish was still living in the Shoals area of north Alabama.  Both were devout atheists.  To refute their atheistic teachings I joined the forum and stayed for seven years - until in 2015 a new atheist-leaning Publisher banned me for posting conservative Christian thoughts on "his" Religion Forum. 

Using a wee bit of satire to balance the atheist teachings on the Religion Forum, in 2007 I shared a story of my jousting with Forum Friends, Deep and Fish.  I pray you will enjoy this satirical view of our dialogues.  Keep in mind that while the story is fictional, and the characters are fictional, there is so much truth in the tale itself.  You might call it a prophetic short story.  And, as you will quickly surmise, the fictional characters Argue and Debate in the story, are in reality my Forum Friends Deep and Fish.

+++++++++++++++++++

NOTHING COMES TO FORUMLAND!  (From 2007)

Once upon a time, long ago, in a land far away named Oblivion, there lived two atheist friends.  These friends were named Argue and Debate.  One thing that both Argue and Debate agreed upon was that they believed strongly in Nothing.  That was their faith, their religion, the Religion of Nothing.  They worshiped Nothing, they adored Nothing, their lives were dedicated to Nothing.

One day, as they were wandering around in search of Nothing, they happened to stumble upon a new valley, the valley of Forumland.  Oh, they were so excited.  "Maybe," chimed Argue, "we can find others here who know Nothing!"

"Yes," declared Debate, "if not, we can surely introduce them to Nothing!"

They were so excited.  Possibly there were many people here in this beautiful valley who either knew Nothing - or could be lured into knowing Nothing.

"Just imagine the possibilities, if we can convince many others to also believe in Nothing," Debate told Argue.  "Then maybe we can build a cathedral dedicated to Nothing.  That will be a glorious tribute to our god, Nothing."

So, in the new valley of Forumland, Argue and Debate began a concerted effort to plant their seeds and to lay plans for building their cathedral to Nothing.  First, they had to develop a relationship with the people of Forumland.  "Come," said Debate, "we will get into a  conversation with them, assure them that we are Friends - and then we can talk about Nothing."

Walking along in Forumland, the two friends happened upon a small group of Forumland residents.  Right away Argue and Debate began to talk with these good folks.  Discovering that many of these folks believed in someone called God, the two friends were somewhat taken aback.  But that did not deter them.  They were determined that these folks were going to become followers of Nothing.

Argue began, in his sly way, to lead the group of Forumland residents into a discussion.  He asked, "Do you really believe in this God?  Why do you believe that He really exists?"

One local fellow, Bill, replied, "Truthfully, until twenty years ago, I was very much like the two of you.  I wandered in the world, loving the ways of the world, and following Nothing.  But then a Friend named Sam told me about God - and this Friend was so full of love, warmth, and peace.  I realized he must have something that I was lacking.  I had Nothing.  But he had his God.  I was wandering, but he was grounded in love and peace."

"So when he told me about his God, I began to investigate this new Person.  I went to Sam's church, I went to their Bible studies - and I found that these folks in church and Bible study also had this love and peace I was lacking.  Because of this, I kept going to church and Bible study.  I kept learning more and more about this God.  And the more I learned, the more I realized that the god, Nothing, whom I had been following was just that - he was Nothing."

"After about six months, I began to feel this love and peace coming into my heart.  I was surprised.  That is when I said, 'Yes, God, please come into my heart and bring all of Your love and peace.  I want to follow You and Your Son, Jesus Christ.'

"Since then, I have had God's love and peace in my life.  Really, Argue and Debate, you should try it.  You should go to a Bible-teaching church and their Bible study and see if you can rid yourself of Nothing and find God."

Of course, Argue began to argue, "You say that this love and peace JUST came into your heart?"

"No," replied Bill.  "As I learned more about God, I began to realize that He had what was missing in my life.  Then I began to seek Him, I wanted to know more about Him.  It took me about six months to realize that I wanted Him to be my Lord and Savior.   That is when I prayed and asked Him to come into my heart.  That is when I was saved - and His love and peace came into my heart - for He forgave me all my my sins."

So, debated Debate, "If it is that easy, I guess that even Hitler might have been saved?"

"Yes," Bill told him, "even Hitler could have been saved if he had sincerely turned to God in repentance and asked Jesus to come into his heart.  That said, I truly doubt that he did - for he scoffed at everything of God."

"You see," Bill continues, "the only sin which cannot be forgiven is the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ.  For by rejecting Him you condemn yourself.  By rejecting Him, you, by default, choose to follow Satan.  And that personal choice you make will condemn you to an eternity with Satan, without God."

Then Bill told them, "Even Judas Iscariot could have been saved if he had truly repented.  Yet, the Bible tells us that Judas was indwelt by Satan at the Last Supper and never repented.  We read about this in John 13:26-27 and Mark 14:21.  Yes, Judas was sorry about his action of taking thirty pieces of silver as his price to betray Jesus.  And Judas ended much like Hitler, by taking his own life.  We read about this in Matthew 27:3-10."

By now Debate is incensed, "I suppose you even believe in the myth of Creationism?"

"Actually," Bill smiled, "Yes, I do.  If you are sincerely interested I can explain.  You see, nature, the human body, the universe, the relationship between the earth, the sun, the planets, moon, and stars - all of these things declare the glory of God and His Creation.  Later, if you are interested I can give you much more detail to prove that Creation is indeed true and factual."

This really gets under Debate's skin.  He responds, "Evolution is the only thing that is factual and true.  I can give you many web sites which prove evolution!"

Bill responds to Debate's challenge, "No, Debate, rather than showing me what other evolutionists who are devoted to Nothing write - why don't you tell me, in detail, why you believe in evolution."

Debate sputters and fumes, "No.  You are really stupid.  I tell you that evolution is factual, but you will not listen!"

"No, Debate," said Bill, "you tell me to look at web sites written by other followers of Nothing.  But you have not given me any knowledge or facts which come from you.  Why don't you tell me exactly what you know about evolution and why it is factual.  Remember, even Charles Darwin said that if scientist cannot show a transitional 'missing link' fossil record - then, evolution is gasping its last breath.  What can you personally tell me, from your own knowledge, that will show me, absolutely, that evolution is alive and well?"

Angrily, Debate declares, "Bill, you are really stupid.  Look at this web site, Blah-Blah-Blah dot com.  And there are others.  Go to this web site, HotAir dot com. Are you so thick headed and moronic that you cannot read what these honest, sincere evolutionists, followers of Nothing, have written?"

"No," Bill once again replied, "I want to know what you, Debate, and you, Argue, know.  Not what a bunch of other Nothing followers tell you.  What do you know?  Can you, from your own knowledge, tell me why evolution is factual?  Don't just huff and puff, calling me names.  Show me the beef!  Show me the 'missing link' fossils.  Lay it on me!"

Now, both Debate and Argue are boiling, "Bill, you are too stupid for us to waste our time.  We don't want to talk with you anymore.  Just go away and leave us to tell these good people about Nothing."

Smiling, Bill tells them, "I am sorry, my atheist Friends, but I cannot leave Forumland and allow you to build your cathedral to Nothing.  I must make sure that these good folks, my home town family, at least have the Word of God to balance against your words of Nothing."

And, so, the saga of God versus Nothing continues in Forumland; each with their champions, each continuing to share His Truth or his truth - until one day Jesus will come and Rapture His followers away - leaving Forumland totally in the hands of Nothing.

+++++++++++++++++++

Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of "Nothing Comes To Forumland."

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

 

Do You Know Your Church's Statement Of Faith?

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

How Many Of Your Church Members Can Pass A SAT Test?

How many of your church members could pass a spiritual SAT Test (SAT - Spiritual Awareness Test)?  I know, many of my Friends will be wondering, "Bill have you been smoking funny cigarettes?"   No, my Friends, I am asking a very legitimate question.

Next Sunday if your pastor takes a congregation SAT poll and asks the following questions, how will your church fare?

1.  How many of you can stand and tell us the Biblical Doctrinal Beliefs (Statement of Faith) of our church?

2.  How many of you can stand and tell us your own personal Statement of Faith?

3.  Who can recite the Biblical Doctrinal Beliefs (Essential Doctrinal Beliefs) which assure your salvation and your eternal life?

4.  Who can tell us some of the Non-Essential Doctrinal Beliefs - and why it is important to also know them?

5.  What is the difference between Essential Christian Beliefs and Non-Essential Christian Beliefs? 

6.  Is our church a Covenantal Theology church or a Dispensational Theology church? 

One major difference is how we view the nation Israel.  Covenantal Theology teaches that the church has become the "spiritual Israel" replacing the national Israel - and that all of God's promises to Israel now belong to the church (Replacement Theology).  Dispensational Theology teaches that the church and Israel are two different entities in God's eternal plan and that the promises God made to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Noah in the Old Testament have not changed and that He will save for Himself an eternal remnant of Israel, His wife - while we in the church are the separate bride of Christ.

7.  What are the Eschatological Beliefs of your church?  What does that mean and why does it matter? 

8.  What does your church believe about the Rapture, the Second Coming, the Millennium, the Judgments?

9.  Is your church a Soul Winning church?

10.  Specifically, what is your church doing to be called a Soul Winning church?

Those ten questions only scratch the surface of Christian maturity.  But they are important.  What are steps your church can take to assure that a greater number of members will be able to answer those SAT questions (1 through 8)?  What can your church do to become a stronger Soul Winning church (questions 9 and 10)?

Strong interactive, discussion style Bible studies and Sunday School classes will absolutely help church members with the first 8 questions. Sitting with other Christian believers and having an indepth discussion based upon Scripture, especially those dealing with salvation and eternal life - will make us all more mature in our knowledge of God's Word - and it will make us better Great Commission witnesses.

And for questions 9 and 10 the world of technology today offers us so many great tools for witnessing and sharing.   Yes, 90% of social media, i.e., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, etc. - are, for the most part, a waste of time.  But that other 10% - WOW!  That could be a goldmine for sharing the Gospel, witnessing, and following the Great Commission.

I joke with my wife, Dory, that I am a Matthew 13:57 witness:   "But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.' "

Matthew 13:54-58, "When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, 'Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  (55) Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? (56)  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?'  (57) So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.'  (58) Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

Now before you pick up stones to throw, no, I am not comparing myself with Jesus Christ.  I am only saying that the general meaning of that phrase today is often stated, "Familiarity breeds contempt."  In my case it is not so much contempt, as it is, "Hey, that is only Bill.  What does he know?  Did he go to seminary?"  

So when I post a new writing or blog on my Friends Ministry eNewsletters, on our Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, or on Facebook -  I get responses from all across America and from around the world.  But I get none from my family nor from my local church.  Hmmm?  "Hey, that is only Bill"?    

Let me give you an example:  About a month ago, in a two day period, I posted two Urgent Prayer Requests, and later that week the mother of one Christian sister died.  To those prayer requests I received over 100 responses and likes - but none from my family or from my local church fellowship.  Does that mean that my family and my local church fellowship do not believe in prayer? 

Absolutely not.  My family is devout in their prayer life - and my local church fellowship puts great emphasis on prayer.  So, why the lack of response to those prayer requests?  Could it be, "Hey, that is only Bill."  Or as Jesus tells us, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."

No, this is not a "pity party" for Bill.  This is just me saying that our local churches could, and should be, utilizing the power of social media to share God's Word, to communicate with other believers in various locations, and to reach out and invite folks to come join us for worship, fellowship, and prayer.

Do you remember the Biblical account of the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11?  When God allowed them to be killed, they lay on the street for 3 1/2 days - and people from all around the world could watch the dead bodies lying there.  How is that possible?

Revelation 11:7-12,  "When they (the two witnesses) finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.  And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.  And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.  Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.  And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them."

How will the whole world be able to watch the Two Witnesses lying dead on the street?  I am sure that the Antichrist will still have CNN and all the other Liberal News Media alive and well - showing his accomplishments. 

If the Antichrist can use social media and liberal news channels during the Tribulation - we should also be using it more effectively today to share the Gospel, the Word of God.  So, let us not hold social media in disdain.  Instead we should be making sure the true and full Gospel is emanating from all our local churches.  Instead of raising funds for bigger and better church buildings, decorations, vans, and other equipment - let's put a greater priority on having the right computer, video, network connection, and other electronic equipment which will allow us to share the Gospel using the gift of social media.

Does this mean that there is no value in door knocking and other forms of face-to-face soul winning?  Absolutely not, NO, NO, NO!  We, as local church fellowships should be using EVERY possible means of sharing the Gospel.  But let us not lose sight of what good, high quality videos and other means of using social media can accomplish in our soul winning efforts.

So, is your church ready for their SAT Tests?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: