ECCE

      There is a misconception in the Church regarding "The Day of the LORD." We view this Day as being associated mainly with the Rapture of the Church and the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. However, the prophets of scripture and the revelations of the New Testament give us a different view of what this Day entails.      The prophet Joel wrote that the Day of the LORD would be marked by earthquakes, gloominess and deep darkness as the light of the sun, moon and stars are withdrawn. He wrote: "...for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" (Joel 2:10-11). Malachi also asked the question: "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope..." (Mal. 3:2). Jesus said: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man...

      We need to understand the power and authority we have as believers, paid for with the blood of Jesus. It is not traditions, doctrines or denominations that are the source of this heavenly power and authority that is manifested on earth through the believer in Christ. In fact, scripture tells us that our traditions make void the Word of God. (see Mk. 7:6-7 , 13 ).      In His last words before His ascension into heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for that power from heaven to come upon them: "But ye shall receive power ( dynamis - strength, power, ability, power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.' And when he (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." (Acts 1:8-9).   ...

            After His resurrection, Jesus was able to be with His disciples for forty days until His ascension into heaven: "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he (Jesus), ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:1-5). The receiving of the Holy Spirit was a promise of God the Father. The disciples then asked Jesus if He would restore the kingdom to Israel at this time. Jesus answered: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (v. 6-8).      The Father's promise of the Holy Spirit ...