WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT BEING ORGANIZED?

Sometimes we may seem overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. The things we would LIKE to do gets shadowed by all the things that we NEED to do. In the chaos of everyday life we can get overwhelmed, confused, and even move into the place of procrastination because it is mentally easier to not start a project then start one knowing that we won't be able to finish it.

What is the answer? The first rule of thumb is to pray each day not to be crisis driven and do only those things which the Father has placed in your hands for that day. Yes, there is a right time for doing dishes and laundry. In other words we can do it when we have a moment of time and be frustrated at the amount of chores we have or we can do it when the Father says and He gets the glory and we are blessed and empowered.

Remember
Rule 1: Don't be driven by the need or the crisis of the day.
Rule # 2: Begin with the end in mind.

This means that we need some organization, a game plan. Now typically I am not an administrative person, however when I have multiple jobs/tasks that need to be done and I pray and seek the Lord I always seem to come up with a plan that accomplishes 2 or 3 times more than if I just jumped into the project without any thought about how I was going to accomplish everything that needed to be done.

Having said that, let's look at Scriptures concerning an organized spirit-filled life.

1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV  (40)  But all things should be done decently and in order.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV  And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.  (3)  For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Proverbs 13:4 ESV  The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 ESV  (57)  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (58)  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Mark 6:39-41 ESV  Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.  (40)  So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.  (41)  And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.

Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV  Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.  (7)  Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,  (8)  she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.  (9)  How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?  (10)  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,  (11)  and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

If you need help in this area I would like to suggest a great book on clutter and how it effects us andhow to get out from under it.
​It is "ORGANIZE HIS WAY" By Eileen Koff

THE "OVERCOMING" POWER WITHIN US:
This is post #13 on the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have already looked at the blood bringing about 11 wonderful Biblical life-changing truths. If you not done so it would be a great advantage to you if went back over the first 12 posts of this study.

The 12th truth concerning the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is the believers "OVERCOMING POWER."

I am amazed how so many believers who have been saved for years and years continue to be overcome by the enemy, the world, and their flesh. Is the cross enough for victory?

Apparently it must not be enough to live a victorious daily life according to many believers and many Christian authors. Our Christian bookstores are filled with self-help books on overcoming depression, fear, rejection, etc. etc. etc.

What ever happened to the BLOOD of the LAMB? The cross is enough. We can overcome by the blood of the Lamb of God. One of the fruits or characteristics of an immature Christian is that of being overcome. One of the fruits or characteristics of a "young adult Christian" status is that they know how stand on God's promises and in His power to overcome the evil one.

1 John 5:4-5 ESV For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (5) Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 4:4 ESV Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 2:13-14 ESV I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. (14) I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

WHAT TO STORE UP IN PREPARING FOR END TIMES:

When we speak about preparing we do not want to give the idea nor get the mindset of being a survivalist. The believer is called to be an overcomer and not a survivalist. We are called to be a people of faith and not rely upon the flesh. However, in preparation we will be able to assist others who are not in the faith or are weak of faith.

We encourage believers to store sufficient food, clothing, and where possible fuel for at least three months. Some prepare for one year knowing that it most likely will not last a year. We have not laid down an exact formula for what should be stored. I will place some items to stock up on in a list in the next study.

We suggest that the Saints concentrate on essential foods that sustain life, such as grains, beans and peas, cooking oil, powdered milk, salt, sugar or honey, and water. Most families can achieve and maintain this basic level of preparedness. The decision to do more than this rests with the individual.

Do not think that once a crisis hits that you will have time to gather the necessary things to hold you and others over. There is only a three day supply of food and necessary items on the shelves of our stores. So start stocking now a little each month or it will be to late to get anything. 

I happen to believe that the Father is going to care for His children with bread from heaven as He did with the Hebrew children in the wilderness for 40 years. If He did it then He will do it again. However, not everyone will be able to believe God for this. The food that we store will serve to minister more to others than for the true believer walking in faith.

We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people prepared through obedience to the commandments of God will be able to minister by assisting others during the “End Times” tribulations. Fear is not a character that a believer should have. Therefore, if fear is the motive for storing then there is a heart problem with the heavenly Father and His Word of Truth. The words of our Lord in the “Book of Matthew” do not end when the tribulation starts.

(Matthew 6:25 ESV) "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

(Matthew 6:26 ESV) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

(Matthew 6:27 ESV) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

(Matthew 6:28 ESV) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,

(Matthew 6:29 ESV) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

(Matthew 6:30 ESV) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

(Matthew 6:31 ESV) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

(Matthew 6:32 ESV) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

(Matthew 6:33 ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

(Matthew 6:34 ESV) "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

If families would think in terms of storing only foods basic to human need, or if they would supplement the food storage they already have with the basics to build it up to a year’s supply, the task would be simpler than they might think. They would then be prepared for food emergencies. A year’s supply of food storage is beneficial in several ways.

However, the key is always remember to seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost, and not to walk in fear.

I am spending a few lessons on the topic of gold because so much trust has been placed on it. From the governments of the world for their economic stability to the individual seeking to have a solid financial security for the future, gold has been the ch
oice of many.

The Old Testament role was quite straight forward. Gold served as money or adornment. Corruption certainly existed during Bible day. For example, people would shave gold coins, until they ended up as little more than nubs. Still gold remained and its value was not systematically destroyed nor manipulated through a financial money system. The time of King Solomon was known as the Golden Age of Israel. Solomon had lots of gold, in fact earning over 600 talents of gold per year and more.

We have seen what gold has done over the years of history since the birthing of the church. This history according to Acts chapter 2 is known as the period of “the last days”. Gold prices have climbed and fallen. However, it is the use and value of gold during the Tribulation period which should interest us. The Bible seems to suggest that gold holdings will be of little help at that time.

Ezekiel 7:19 ESV They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity.

People will continue to hold on to their materialistic idolatries and corrupt financial systems despite terrible times of crisis and tribulation.

Revelation 9:20-21 ESV The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, (21) nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.  

In Rev.6:6 we that it will take a full days wage to buy some grain for bread. I would like to share a story from the internet about a grandmother in Germany telling her grandson about a time between WWI and WWII.

Revelation 6:6 ESV And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!"

ONE MAN’S STORY:

As a little boy I used to ask my grandmother to tell me stories of her life as a young girl in Germany. She was always reluctant to talk about it, but I was usually able to coax something out of her. I didn’t understand until I was much older, but her reluctance was a result of the pain those memories caused. One of the stories that she would tell took place after the First World War.

Germany lost and, in so doing, agreed to the Treaty of Versailles. In addition to the loss of geographical territory, the German Weimar Republic was forced to pay enormous sums in reparations. In essence, the Germans had to pay for all of the damage done in the war. Germany did not have the financial means to pay these damages and their solution was to just print money.

As this new money moved into circulation the impact was devastating to the German economy. The inflation rate was absolutely staggering. A few years after the end of the war the German economy had an inflation rate in excess of 300% per month! The economy had essentially collapsed and the country was experiencing a depression of enormous proportions. This set the stage for the rise of the Nazi party several years later.

Which brings us back to my grandmother’s story. She would tell me how her father and brothers, all coal miners, would get paid twice a day. The currency was devaluing so fast that it needed to be spent as fast as it was earned. My grandmother told of collecting the money and going shopping for food.

The grocers didn’t even bother counting the money. They just estimated the amount by how large the stack was. A loaf of bread could be purchased for two bags of money in the morning, by the afternoon the price might be three bags. The currency had so little value that people would burn it in their stoves for heat because wood had more value than the money.

The reason I share this is because many people everywhere will be starving, and money and gold will be worthless compared to a scrap of bread.

GOLD AND SILVER (Continued)

I am spending a few lessons on the topic of gold because so much trust has been placed on it. From the governments of the world for their economic stability to the individual seeking to have a solid financial security for the future, gold has been the choice of many.
 
The topic of gold evokes interest today just as it always has throughout the millennia. Much of mankind’s history has surely been motivated by the possession of this fascinating metal. One would think that there must be lots of gold in the world today. Not so. If all the gold presently existing above ground in the world were put into one place, it would amount to one solid cube the size of a doubles tennis court and 45 feet high.

That block would represent most of the gold ever mined in history. It is estimated that only about 15% of all gold ever produced has been either consumed or lost. The rest of it all remains accounted for and owned by some person or entity today. There is only about 160,000 tons of gold in the world today. This seems like a lot but it equates to less than one ounce per person on the earth.

Why the big attraction to gold? It is a rare and special substance and one of its most valued properties being that it does not corrode. The only other metal that rivals gold’s properties is platinum. However, platinum is very difficult to produce and is much rarer. The timelessness of gold and also the fact that it is only found in pure form in nature are qualities much admired. In the Bible, gold is used to express ideas of purity, value and wealth.

Gold also plays a significant role in prophecy. Today’s world with its corrupt monetary systems, will want to heed what the Scriptures say about gold, especially its “last day” roles. Unfortunately, there exist some serious misconceptions and false hopes about gold today.

Many believe that in light of hyperinflation, perhaps a massive worldwide economic depression, monetary debasement by corrupt governments or any other form of economic theft, gold will hold its value. Is this really the case? No! We could cite reams of supporting economic and financial history on this point, both ancient and modern.

The history of the past century alone will dispel all such comfortable notions. Despite two world wars, a supposed massive debasement of our currencies hyperinflation, and the recent gold rally, gold has returned a total of -9% in real terms in 111 years. The supposed financial safe harbor of gold has been a myth. Yet it still stands as a stronger investment value than any currency.

Before going any further, it is therefore important to settle this point of “false hope.” In this present age of gold, as alluring and hopeful as it may appear, it does not offer a sure escape from monetary corruption nor judgment. It may be a promising investment from time to time. It may even provide protection from the ravages of inflation during certain periods. But it will not provide assurance against a world “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (See Matt.6:20). In the first place, we must remember that our Lord Jesus Christ still remains in heaven and that this world still remains thoroughly corrupted. 

This great era of human history from a commercial point of view can be called “the Age of Global Capital”. It is marked by world-wide sophisticated forms of monetary corruption and theft. Because of these conditions, many people seek a safe haven for their savings. Investors therefore value gold for what they believe is its property of “real money.”

Just what does the Bible say about gold today and its future roles, especially at the time that God restores everything? In tackling this subject, we need to consider gold’s role over five different eras of time:

1.  Old Testament times
2.  The Last Days (beginning with the revealing of the Church in the Book of Acts)
3.  The Tribulation period
4.  The Millennium
5.  The Eternal Jerusalem

To be continued...

Among many who truly profess the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, there is little disagreement concerning the doctrine of salvation.  Most would agree that salvation is a work of GRACE, which is appropriated by faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But when it comes to a personal life of holiness, personal growth and maturity, and walking daily in victory, there are many opinions to draw from. We seem to know how to “DEAL” with committed sins, we can just ask forgiveness and move on.  But, how do we deal with the daily life sins that seem to rob the believer of joy and victory?  How do we handle those “LIFE CONTROLLING” sins that always set us back? 

There are always questions concerning the “FLESH”, “SIN”, and those “NAGGING PROBLEMS” that we can’t seem to get victory over.  There seems to be the idea among some believers that there are sins that are destined to be a part of our lives forever.  Then there is the idea that we can “carry” certain issues around all our lives by calling them our “THORNS IN THE FLESH”.  This would imply that we are spiritualizing or even condoning our sins and weaknesses, and that we truly believe that God does so as well.  This belief about our sins is incorrect and against the Word of Truth.

Then there is the issue of “OLD ADAM”.  Who is he?  Is he really dead?  Do I have the power and right to raise him up to live within me?  Can I blame my sins on my “OLD ADAMIC NATURE?”

In this series we have been proclaiming Biblical promises that are ours because of our standing in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. I would like for us to look at some more of the promises that are ours because we are believers and a part of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are to defeat the sin within us we need to see ourselves the way God has called us and then act on that.

(2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV) But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

(2 Corinthians 2:15 ESV) For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

(2 Corinthians 2:16 ESV) to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

In parts 5-10 I revealed that praise is not worship and worship is not praise. Much of what we call worship in the church is praise to God or entertainment to man. I stated that worship is tied to the spirit of man, the heart of man and the physical body of man. It involves the physical act of bowing the head, bowing the body, kneeling, or laying flat before the Lord. No time is the word worship used in the Scriptures that music is involved. 

I stated in the last study that  the first time the word worship is used in the Bible it was used by Abraham when he was going to Mount Moriah to sacrifice Isaac.

Genesis 22:5-6 ESV Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." (6) And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

The Hebrew word used here and a total of 171 times in the Old Testament is shaw-khaw' which is H7812 in Strong's. 

TO WORSHIP MEANS: To prostrate before; to bow to pay homage to royalty or to God; To bow down, crouch down, or fall down flat in humility; To revere in the heart and with physical body; to stoop to; to adore.

TRUE BIBLICAL WORSHIP IS AN EXPRESSION OF HUMILITY:

We can’t truly worship unless we humble ourselves.   The difference between worship and praise is that I can praise God to someone by boasting and shouting and singing praise, but I can’t worship God to someone. Real Biblical worship is personal. Real worship is the most intimate time with God a person can have.

Another Old Testament word for worship is H5456.

The word is saw-gad' and means to prostrate oneself (in homage): to fall down. This was used when Nebuchadnezzar decreed that at the sound of the music everyone would fall on their face and worship his golden image.

Daniel 3:4-6 ESV And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, (5) that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. (6) And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace."

When Nebuchadnezzar saw the deliverance of the three Hebrew servants by God from the fiery furnace he decreed that the three would bow and lay before no one except the God of Israel.

Daniel 3:28 ESV Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

Next study we will look at the New Testament words for worship.

GOLD AND SILVER (Continued)

We have been discussing the use and need for gold and silver in the end times. One of the ways to see how these will be used in the end times is to see how they were used in the Old Testament. Remember these verses in Ecclesiastes which basically tells us there is nothing new under the sun. The things that were will be again. The things that are now have been before. In other words history repeats itself. So, we can look to the use of gold three to five thousand years ago and see how it will be used in the end times when there will be a one world-wide money system.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 ESV (9) What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. (10) Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. (11) There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 ESV (14) I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. (15) That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

GOLD-SILVER-SEED-FLOUR:
We will see a return to using gold and silver along with seed and flour as a means of money for a season: If you can't afford to have gold or silver, then get seed and flour. However, don't place your trust in these. They will be a short-lived means of trade in the end times.

Gold and Silver, as is all of creation, are from God, and given to man for good use, for a useful purpose. Gold, silver, seed, and flour, were all used as money in the Old Testament, (See Lev. 27:16, 2 Kings 7:1).

SIGN OF WEALTH:
There has been a lot of false teachings concerning true Biblical prosperity in the body of Christ over the years. As a result of the teaching the only ones getting wealthy are the TV evangelists asking for your faith seed. There will be those in the end times that will be deemed the wealthy and for a season will have some clout.

The vast majority of the time that gold and silver are mentioned in the Bible, it is in reference to the wealth of the kings of Israel or to the wealth of the Temple of the Lord. Gold and silver were used in the workings and furnishings of the Ark of the Covenant, and the vessels in the temple. Therefore, gold is definitely approved by God for men to use as money and as a store of wealth.

We strongly believe that the Jewish Temple needs to be rebuilt. Everyone talks about the need for the Ark of the Covenant, the Red Heifer, and the re-establishment of the High Priest and the priesthood. However, lest we forget, it will take an incredible amount of gold to rebuild the Temple with everything that was required. This means that there are some Jews who are storing gold for such a project.

UNJUST MEASURE:
The people were to have and use "just weights and measures." The standard Hebrew units to measure the weight of things such as iron, stone, flour or anything, were the shekel or talent (or other measures), and also used to measure the weight of gold and silver. Unjust weights and measures were "an abomination to the Lord", (See Lev.19:35, Deut.25:15, Prov.20:10).

As it was in the early Old Testament days so will it be in the last days. There will be crooks looking to survive by cheating others in their weighting of gold silver and the product being purchased.

UNJUST INTEREST:
We scream a lot about certain immoral decisions coming from our law-makers, but are silent about other things. When a Jew borrowed money from a Jew it was forbidden by God to charge him interest.

However we built a nation of banks on the interest charged from loans. Just because we all have paid interest all of our adult lives does not mean that it is right. 

Charging interest when lending money was forbidden by God’s Law unless to a foreigner, (See Ex.22:25, Lev.25:36-37, Deut.23:19-20, Ps.15:5, Prov.28:8, Ez.18:12-13, Neh. 5).

Currently I have seen credit cards with interest rates from 22 to 29 percent. This is not only against God's law but it is robbery. When the last of the last days comes upon us we will see interest rates sky rocket to 100 percent or higher. Those who have will take advantage of those who need.

To be continued:

WHEN YOU ARE FEELING DEPRESSED OR DISCOURAGED:

We all at times get down, even to the place of depression, or get discouraged at the ways things are, the load we carry, or from a sense of loneliness. Many times we just need a revival of heart, (revival of the way we think, the way we feel and the way we make choices.

The revival we need is not a church meeting but a renewed meeting with the Father and His Word about what is going on within us. Because typically when we are down and feel this way we are not so ready to take advice from anyone, even those close to us and love us the most, and we typically take on a victim mindset. It is common even for a Christian, yet for a believer it is not common and very dangerous to stay in this down, lonely, discouraged, or depressed stage.

Therefore, here are some Scriptures to think on, be revived on and to pray on to be encouraged by and hopefully break the cycle and restore the soul to a place of God's joy and peace. Many are Scriptures we know well, but don't let the familiarity of the Scripture rob you of the true impact of the Scripture. Take your time with these Scriptures, don't rush through them. Life is not a 100 yard dash but a marathon. Enjoy the journey as much as we believe we will enjoy the destination.

Philippians 4:4-7 ESV  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  (5)  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  (6)  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 ESV  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV  It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Psalms 34:17-19 ESV  When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  (18)  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  (19)  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Psalms 40:1-3 ESV  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  (2)  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.  (3)  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalms 3:2-5 ESV  many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah.  (3)  But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.  (4)  I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah.  (5)  I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

Psalms 42:11 ESV  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  (7)  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

John 16:33 ESV  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV  (3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  (4)  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  (13)  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Many believe that prior to the return of Christ Israel will become very rich in gold and silver. I will pose some statements and questions and then offer some Scriptures. Although I have extensive teachings on each question I have intentionally left it out so that you can formulate your own opinion based on Scriptures.

I want to continue on the topic of GOLD & SILVER from part 7 to help us understand the role of these precious metals during the last days. In part 7 I listed Scriptures concerning Gold and Silver. In this part I will share what I believe will happen to lead us to the one world money system.

1.  SHOULD I INVEST IN THE STOCKMARKET, STOCKPILE MONEY, GOLD, SILVER, LAND, OR HOUSES? (Continued from part 7)

SILVER AND GOLD:

These precious metals must rise in value enough so to move other nations to envy so that Russia and the Arab nations will be led to invade Israel at the start of the tribulation period, (See Ezekiel 38 & 39). This is because Israel will possess a lot of the world's gold.

Many believe that gold and silver at the start of the tribulation will become extremely valuable, even much more so than today.  This is especially true after all major currencies suffer devaluations and there is severe economic collapse. This devaluation and economic collapse is a planned event to bring about the chaos necessary to humble the nations into accepting world rule by the antichrist.

The world rule by the antichrist in the tribulation will involve a world currency, which might include an electronic tracking system of gold credits, (See Dan 11:38, 11:43).  All of this will bring about the mark of the beast which is needed to buy and sell anything, (See Rev.13:16-18).

It is believed that during this tribulation period, many (not all) of those possessing gold and silver, who refuse to accept the mark of the beast, will be hunted down and beheaded, (See Rev. 20:4).

This may lead to a law which will make it illegal to possess gold and silver in physical form as an unauthorized individual, (without the mark or number or authority of the beast). I believe that this would be a worldwide ban, (See Ez.7:19). This will probably just be the final 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period, (See Dan 7:25, 9:27, Rev 13:5).

Finally, for the survivors of the tribulation, gold and silver will be restored as money worldwide, in accordance with the economic laws and principles as outlined in the Hebrew law, (See Zech. 14:16, Is.2:2-5).

A key set of verses in the Bible in Ecclesiastes reveals that the things that were will be again. This means that we can look into the way certain things were used in the Old Testament and determine how the end times will repeat the same usage. The next study in the series will cover this.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 ESV (9) What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. (10) Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. (11) There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 ESV (14) I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. (15) That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.