I would like to thank you for your wonderful work on the internet. So many people complain about how the internet breeds nothing but danger and lust. This is wrong as you have proven it. I run a young adults bible study in Madison, WI. We just happen to start the book of revelations and I was looking for a little more information, and then I ran across your site. Plenty of information that is on the right path. I have run across a few pages that were way off the mark. I would just like to thank you and say that you are doing great work, keep it up and we will keep you in our prayers.

Thank you,

Don & B'Ann Wrote:

We agree that there are many pages on the web written about Revelation that are full of confusion. For this reason we wrote DOWEKNOW as a wake up call--not necessarily as a great authoritative work--in hopes that everyone interested in prophecy would do as Christ commanded; i.e., "Trust me, Try me, Prove Me…" Part of the confusion about prophecy has come about because people are using the written words of men as their authority rather than going to the Scriptures. It would be a bit careless to presume that everything about Revelation was revealed to those who lived prior to the 1960’s. However, many base the foundation for their present writings upon these older writings. Throughout our age, the overall themes of prophecy have been available for the Church’s understanding, and for the most part, the Church has been in agreement about the major events yet to take place. It is our conviction, though, that the "jots and tittles" about prophecy are "time released" and that they will not be "released" to the Church until that understanding is needed. If this be so, then those who are building their understanding on the understanding of those before them might be way off the "plumb line," and their prophetic understanding could be in danger of collapsing.

It is our sincere hope that people will get into the scriptures for themselves, and our web site is designed with that in mind. Since the Prophetic Word is not for private interpretation, but is to be discerned by the body, the more believers who apply themselves to the study of prophecy, the more excellent will be our understanding. Satan would have us to be screaming "the sky is falling, the sky is falling," and have us so worried about which piece is going to fall on us so that we are no longer effective witnesses. But the Prince of Peace would have us to know that He is in charge of His creation, and that He will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him. Satan (a puny created being) has never been a match for his Creator, and if we will resolve ourselves to walking in the Spirit— well, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). However, if we are totally concerned about our own selves, we certainly will not be concentrating on the needs of others—and who would want this?

I do not want to sound nonchalant; however, God did not consult any of us when he made the worlds without end. Similarly, He will not consult any of us when He decides to change the present world situation. Why should we spend endless hour trying to pin the label of "beast" on a man? Indeed didn’t Judas say, "Is it I Lord?" So, perhaps we could be sitting next to him and not be any wiser than the disciples. They had no clue as to who Judas was. They trusted him so much that they made him their treasurer. Think about it! I would hope that as the end of things approach, God will see fit to honor someone with an understanding of what He is about as He did Noah. However, He does ask, "will He find any faith?" when He returns to claim His own.

Since the Church will go up to be with Christ Jesus just before the awful time of God’s wrath; the beast and the resulting happenings that are prophesied about him will not occur until after the Christians are removed from the earth. SO…we don’t need to worry, worry, worry over this. But it will be to our credit if we worry, worry, worry about the Great Commission and get about the harvest. If we truly have compassion for the lost, we will not want them to go through the terrible times prophesied. If they are to escape the flood of woes that will rise when the Church is taken up, we must point them to the door of the Ark, and that door is Jesus. They may not choose Him as their Lord and Savior, but they must be allowed a choice--THEN we will not be held accountable.

Logically, if we were farmers and were planting a field, we would not be required to plant more than we can care for. However, we are required to sow the seed of the Word whenever we can. I lived in the northern part of the U.S. We learned to sow the lawn out of season. When the ground was covered with snow, the seeds could be sown on top of the snow. As the snow melted, the seeds would go into the earth with the water. The resulting lawn in early spring was fantastic. Sow the seed of the word, in season and out of season, and leave the watering to God. The harvest can only come when the plant is ready. If we attempt to harvest before its time, we will kill the chance of the seed bearing fruit. Sowing is safe. Harvesting takes a skilled worker that walks in the Spirit and knows when to finish the witnessing. We can always go safely into the world and quote John 3:16. So, sow, sow, sow!!!

If you find yourself on a prophetic web page that stirs up alarm, that wants to sell you something in the name of the Lord, that has no concern about the great commission of the Church in our day; then you can know that that site is way off the mark! It is a proven fact that if we’re not careful, we will find ourselves doing as those do with whom we associate. If you want to stay positive, get with a positive crowd. If you want to become negative, get with the grumblers. If you want to have a part in saving souls--well, you get the point.

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever"
(Daniel 12:3).

Thanks for the good Word, and may the Lord give you a bountiful harvest of souls for His Kingdom is our prayer.

Don & B’Ann Love

____?_____ Wrote:

Question-Comment: The churches mentioned in the book of revelations, are they truly churches or can we look at them as believers (ourselves) too?

Don Wrote:

Hey ____?_____:

Thanks for taking the time to WRAP with us. You’ve brought up an excellent question.

As you will notice throughout our teachings, we make reference to the church using a little "c" (the organized church on the earth which has in it good fish and bad fish [Matthew 13:47]), to the Church capitalized (the Body of born-again believers), and to Israel in the sense that it, too, is a called out body. When we refer to the Church; i.e., the Body of Christ, we are talking about the total of all regenerated believers (Romans 12:4). Paul put it this way to the Corinthians. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27). So to answer your question, just as someone cannot talk about the little finger on your right hand without talking about you, neither can someone talk about a believer without talking about the church. This is why it is so important that we conduct ourselves at all times as though we are representatives of Christ, for our behavior reflects on Him and on everyone who claims His name. However, when someone talks about a "pinky" in the Body of Christ, he is not necessarily talking about an "arm" of Christ. (As per Paul’s analogy to the Corinthians, an arm might be strong and well, while a little finger might be wounded or diseased.) Likewise, when the Bible addresses a local church, what it has to say may or may not apply to you or I personally. If it is a commendation, hopefully it does. If it is a reprimand, hopefully it doesn’t. But in either case, if we will be open to the Spirit of Christ and let Him apply the Word to our lives, it will bring forth good fruit and we will profit thereby. But all of this is possible only when we let God’s Word have its proper place in our lives.

"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 55:11.)

Thanks again for WRAPPING with us.

Yours in Christ,

Don Love.

Question-Comment: I have been reading the Left Behind series of books written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. The books have made me think a lot about what is happening on the planet. I am feeling a lot like one of the characters in the in the series, Hattie Durham. Hattie knows the facts and still has not chosen God. I know the facts and believe the prophecies. I know that Christ will return for his church and that following the rapture there will be a period of tribulation. I know that as each woe is passed out the times become worse for both believers and non-believers. I am worried about the eventually mark one will have to bare. I also know that eventually believers will not be able to openly buy and sell. I want to come fully to Christ and live only for Him, how do I find the strength to do this? It seems I have knowledge, but lack faith. God has shown Himself to me several times through answering my prayers and getting me through rough times both emotionally and financially. I KNOW THERE IS A LOVING GOD, now what do I do??

Sincerely,

DON & B'ANN WROTE:

What do you mean lost? Satan would like nothing better than to have you endlessly recounting all your supposed/real shortcomings toward Jesus. While you are occupied with this counting, you are not able to go out on the offensive. You will constantly be on the defensive.

Throughout our years of pastoring and ministering, we have observed that many new converts run into the testing that you are now going through. Although they responded to the drawing of the Holy Spirit as sincerely as they knew how when they received Christ as Lord and Savior, it seems that upon reflection, they couldn’t believe that they were still saved, or if, indeed, they ever were. The Scriptures that were key in getting them back on track were:

• "…though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:6b-7)
• "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:2- 9).

Note that the common factor in both of these passages is "…the trial/trying of your faith."

To understand the importance of faith to the believer, let’s look at a few Scriptures.

• "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).
• "…Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29).
• "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20).
• "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40).
• "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28).
• "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord" (James 1:5-7).

So, it is written that without faith it is impossible to please God. Without faith that He sent His Son to die for our sin, we cannot receive His gift of eternal life; and without faith in His promises, we cannot get him to move on our behalf. However, because faith is so crucial to you and I, God set everything up so that faith is readily available to "whosoever will." In fact, everyone born of the human race is born with a "measure of faith" (Romans 12:3) so that they can believe in Christ if they so choose. But then, those who have exercised that measure of faith become new creatures (in their inner man) with a new walk of life (II Cor. 5:17). The Bible calls this "new walk" the way of faith; and as its name implies, it is filled with decisions. Again, though, God has placed within us and within our reach all things needful for a full, overcoming life. Within us he has placed a new heart (new desires) and a new way of thinking that concurs with His will and ways. The Bible calls this regenerated believer a new man and he is admonished to put off the old man with all of his ways (Ephesians 4:22) and to live by the dictates of this "inner man" and "renewed mind" (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 12:1-2). To help us with our spiritual endeavors, He has given to each believer the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) Who will abide with the believer forever! The Holy Spirit is given to us to comfort us and to empower us to live for our Lord. However, He is also given to us to discomfort us when we are living in disobedience to the will of God. Why should the believer be discomforted? Well, if the believers are to do well in their walk of faith, obviously, they must exercise faith. But if they do not line up with the Word and study to show themselves approve unto God, then they must be driven to Bible study because "…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). The devil pulls at the new convert to revert to his old ways of corruption so that he can get the babe-in-Christ to straggle off from the flock and be at his mercy. But the Holy Spirit prompts the new believer to walk in truth and light and to know joy unspeakable and full of glory—not to mention the laying up of treasures in heaven. This is why Peter wrote, "…though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations." This heaviness serves a two-fold purpose. It makes the believers to know that what they are doing is not pleasing to the Lord; and it drives them to the Word, or to someone who will steer them to the Word. In fact, when all of this takes place in the life of the new believer, it is a sign that they are truly the Lords. If they could hear the Word of the Lord and turn away and forget it, they would be like one where the seed fell on the rock.. Jesus described them thusly: "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away (Luke 8:13).

In the sixth chapter of John we have an account of where the words of Jesus offended the multitude so that they quit following Him. "Will ye also go away?" Jesus asked the disciples. That you can’t walk away from the love of Christ puts you in the same category of Peter who answered for the group, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:67-69).

So, it seems that today you have a choice. You can get into the Word of God in a serious way, learn to pray in the Spirit; and take the battle to the devil; or you can sit on do nothing and let him slap you around. When the devil hurls his accusations at you, you can start quoting Scripture in his face such as, "Nay, in all these things (everything the devil can throw at us) we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37); or you can continue to feel bad in your spirit. The wonderful part about freely quoting scripture such as this one is that those around you begin to be made free because you are addressing "we." How many people are set free? Any that God might put to your watch care. This is why Satan wants to keep us selfishly turned in on ourselves by the constant "Woe is poor little me, I’M not perfect." This is literally false pride. The scriptures say that none is good, no not one. So, why should we beat an old dead horse, one that has already been put to death by the death of Christ on the cross? Understand!

Evidently, you adhere somewhat to the "saved and lost" doctrine. To become "lost" after you have been "born again" would mean you are stronger that the blood of Christ. Many people try to operate under the beggarly elements of the law that does not apply to us. (If you would truly like to walk in the grace and the victory that God has for you, go to our book MARK THEM. It is on our site in its entirety. Simply go to our home page and click the MARK THEM button.) It is evident that you have more than a head knowledge of the Scriptures/salvation plan or you would not be concerned and calling yourself "lost." I suspect you have been born into the Kingdom, but because of faulty teaching, you do not know what is yours in Christ Jesus. Stand up to Satan. You may be in need of multiple deliverances; however, these cannot come until you start claiming what is yours. As you quote this one scripture (Romans 8:37), the chains of doubt, fear, self-incrimination, insecurity, timidity…will start to leave—All at once? I don’t know. Perhaps it will be gradual. But the miracle at this point is in your mouth as you confess Romans 8:37.

Romans 8:
³⁷Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Thanks for taking the time to WRAP with us. If our site ministers to you, how's about sharing it with a friend. The Lord will bless us all if you do.

Yours in Christ,

Don and B'Ann Love

____?____ WROTE:

Question-Comment: I would like to commend you on such an honest and true representation of God's Word. I am a 28 year old Bible student and have been led to prophesying about end-time events for 3 years now. I was a backslidden Christian for years until the death of my 7 month son brought me back to recognizing the Lord's will in my life. Prophecy would normally have been an area I would rather have left alone in the past because it can be scary. But events leading up to the establishment of the new European currency made me realize what was happening. My friends, co-workers, and family have gotten an earful from me and are a witness to the prophecies that the Holy Spirit has led me to in God's word. I have been working on documentation on the G-8 nations which I think you might find interesting. G-8 are: 1 France 2 U.S. 3 England-Tony Blair is spokesman-mouth of lion? 4 Germany 5 Japan 6 Italy -all three are former axis powers that are enjoying increasing power in the world-wounded head healed 7 Canada 8 Russia-feet of bear? Russia is outcast member of G-8,but without her it would be hard for diplomacy in the areas of trouble in the middle-east, Yugoslavia, Iraq, etc. Now hold on to your boots. The Western European Union, established in 1948(!) is the European branch of NATO. It is made up of 10(!) nations. They are:1 Belgium-Brussels is H.Q. of NATO 2 Germany 3 France 4 Greece(!) 5 Great Britain 6 Italy 7 Luxembourg- re: Clinton appointed homosexual ambassodor this year to this country. 8 Holland 9 Portugal 10 Spain These countries have been holding 6 month term elections for leadership for the past couple of years. Tony Blair is now expressing concern about the E.U. and its need for a longer term for leadership. I believe that G-8 is the 7 headed beast and the 10 crowns and horns are the W.E.U…

DON & B'ANN WROTE:

We need to be curious about the prophesied events yet to occur in Bible prophecy. However, as you will notice when you check out our site, our approach to prophecy at DOWEKNOW is that it was written to spur the Church into action so that "as we see these signs coming to pass," we will witness/harvest as never before. We also feel that up to now, if ever there were a generation of the Church that needed to say "Maranatha" to everyone they meet and take responsibility to witness to them, we are that one. Our witnessing can be as simple as an inexpensive tract, a genuine smile, or a word fitly spoken in the Spirit.

Also, if we really think these nations are lining up as you write, and that this will have a significant impact upon the world, then we are obligated to harvest, harvest, harvest all the more! It is our understanding that the Church will go through the first part of the Horrible time predicted for the end of our age, but that it will be Rapture before the Wrath of God is poured out upon a world that rejects His Son’s Gift of eternal life. (For our ideas and the Scriptures that support them, go to our home page and click on the "Clock of the Ages" button.) Consequently, the people who come into the Kingdom of God by a born-again experience will escape the day of God’s wrath (not to mention an eternity in hell)—and then, if perchance it is their lot to be one of the many at the end time who will be called upon to suffer for His namesake, they will be empowered to stand.

As we began building this prophetic site, the Lord impressed upon us that we should take care as to what we are actually looking for. A common sense approach to prophecy was to be our guideline. To us it only makes sense that Christ left His prophetic Word so that we might be aware of the impending and that we might be LOOKING FOR HIM—not for the beast, nor the abomination of desolation, nor the ten nations per se. There are reasons that we weren’t given the exact hour of His return, or the identity of the beast, or the names of the ten nations, or the exact understanding of the abomination of desolation. Many of these reasons we will probably never know in this life time; but we do know that these signs weren’t given to sidetrack us from the two main reasons for prophecy: i.e., to watch for our Lord’s return and to get about our business of fulfilling the great commission. For ourselves, the Lord has impressed upon us the need to be on guard lest we get caught up in prophetic tangents that profit no one. In other words, we feel that the Lord would have us to be alerted, but not alarmed; and more concerned about some "special souls" than we are about some "special word."

Thanks for taking time to WRAP with us, and thanks for the research, it is very good and it has given us reason to think. Now, if we will let the prophetic Word "have its perfect work," we will harvest as never before. Jesus knew that His Father had and would always have all things under His control, so He had no worries about things to come in the end times that could understandably give us cause for consternation. However, He did say, "…when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). When we look at the teachings of Jesus overall, it would seem that He was not as much concerned that we understand all there is to know about things such as the alignment of nations at the end time as He was that we have the faith to do the Great Commission. Indeed these nations will line up according to Bible prophecy, but doesn’t common sense dictate that it is useless to worry about something we cannot control? We can determine if we want to study God’s Word and to pray, or not. And we can control our witnessing to the lost. My prayer is that what you wrote is a good wake up call to a "slumbering" people. Thanks!

Don & B'Ann Love

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