CHRISTMAS 2013  Ramah, Israel   - 1 Sam 7:15 to 17, Jerm 31:15 

  On DEC 11, 2013 the first rains fell over Israel.  I pray for rain in Dec-Feb or March.  And I pray for the latter rains.  Deut 11:14  Yoreh is first rain and malkosh is latter rain.

The first or former rain came as The Messiah was born and with the coming of His Holy Spirit we have experienced the rains before the latter rain.  And how the church awaits the return of Jesus Christ in the air to take us to be with Him forever.  1 Thes 4:13-18  But the latter rain will come when Jesus Christ returns to be the King of Israel reigning in Jerusalem and The King and His chosen people Israel being a blessing in all the world.  Zach 14  The born again believers will come with Jesus Christ when He comes to judge the unsaved world,  Jude 14   I believe that born again believers shall rule and reign with Jesus Christ for a thousand years.  Rev 20:1-7

  I have taught recently 1 Peter 1:1-20.  There are stages in our salvation and in the appearing of Jesus Christ.  He was manifest to us when He was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem.  After His crucifixion He reappeared for 40 days in Israel then returned to heaven to be with His Father.  Jesus Christ then sent His Holy Spirit to the earth in His place.  Acts 2 It is interesting to realize the work of the Holy Spirit in working out the plan of God for this world and especially the body of Christ His Church.  1 Peter 1:2, 11, 12, 22.

  Our salvation also has stages.  The truth of the gospel was preached to us in the power of the Holy Spirit.  v. 12  We received the forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life.  But we will not remain forever in our human bodies as we are now.  When we die our soul will go to God the father. 2Cor. 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Then at the taking up of the believers our soul shall be reunited with our body. 

Then there will be the believers’ judgment. 

2Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  

Followed by The Marriage super of the Lamb. Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Then we will come with Christ for the judgment of the non believers.  Then we shall reign with Christ for a thousand years.

The revelation of Jesus Christ is coming.  1 Peter 1:13

  The coming of the Messiah to Bethlehem has brought to the believer full and complete salvation each stage to be revealed in its time.

  Many blessed meditations during this season that we remember the birth of the promised Messiah Jesus Christ.  And much grace for the New Year of 2014.

Michael David Bentley