Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
Ecclesiastes 3:15 That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

We have many types, shadows, patterns and figures in the Bible. Jesus said everything in the Bible is about Him and that includes not only His first coming but His second coming.

We can see that Ruth and Boaz are a type of the church being the bride of Christ. We can also see this with Esther as well. Adonijah is a type of the Antichrist. David's reign is a type of Jesus' reign. Jesus tells us He is the greater David and He is the greater Solomon. Jesus tells us that Jonah prefigured His resurrection. He tells us the Sodom and Gomorrah prefigures the judgment of the evil fleshly world and that Noah prefigures the tribulation at the end of the age.

Obviously all of these pictures should be viewed as separate images that can be put one on top of the other. Sodom and Gomorrah were quite distant in time from Noah and yet both events prefigure the judgment during the tribulation. A worldwide flood as well as fire and brimstone falling from the heavens.

In fact the more we look the more we see more patterns. Jesus ministry is a pattern told in three different and yet very similar accounts. The differences suggest three different time periods and three different groups. Luke gives us a picture of those who have thoroughly examined all these things from the time that angels visited Zechariah and Mary. This is the group taken prior to the 70th week. Mark gives us a picture of those who have repented after being left behind from the rapture. They are in the first three and a half year period of the 70th week, just like the Lord's ministry. Matthew is to the Jews who will be saved as a nation at the end of the 70th week.

However, this is the rule, you do not make doctrine from types, shadows and figures. These are like the background of paintings. They fill in the picture. You make doctrines from the black and white teaching in the Bible. This gives you the outline and structure. Then if the types and figures help fill in that picture all the better, as long as they don't contradict the truth in the word.

We can easily see a picture of the Bride in the book the Song of Songs and if you look closely enough you can also see the rapture prior to the tribulation as well as those who are left behind after the rapture.

Enoch gives us a picture of the rapture while Noah gives us a picture of the church going through the tribulation of the flood with the Lord (8 souls, Jesus + the seven signifying the church).

Elijah and Elisha also give us a picture of the rapture as well as those left behind during a time of miracles.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
What's on your bucket list?

GET READY FOR THE FLOODS OF DECEPTIONS--Surveying The Bible Now Before The Hard Times of The Church


I use a variation of the Devotional method. In that method you try to write down all the lessons you can find in a chapter. In my experience you can always find more. So I try to find something I haven't seen before or something speaking directly to today's situation.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
More differences with the gospel of Luke

Do you feel like a failure as a witness? This word will encourage you.

Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

We see this portion here in Luke and also in Matthew. But in Matthew John the Baptist first sends to Jesus from prison, here there is no mention of John the Baptist.

Here Jesus says:

16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

But in Matthew Jesus says

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

The question in Matthew is "are you the one who is to come?" That is the question that the Jews are asking.

The situation in Luke is that these ones are being faithful to the Lord calling them to be His witnesses.

This word is typically completely lacking in the messages I have heard concerning preaching the gospel. The focus of all messages I have heard on preaching the gospel is bringing people to the Lord and bringing them to the church. It is always about increase. The message here is not about increase but about rejection. It is about people despising you and rejecting the word of God. This is a big part of the gospel experience and once you understand this witnessing to the Lord is so much easier. If you think that the gospel is all about increase then you will feel like a failure. But once you get this word you feel like you have accomplished something with each person you witness to regardless of whether or not they hear you or despise you.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
Another major difference

Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

This takes place after Jesus appoints 70 others and sent them out two by two. However, in Matthew the Lord says this before appointing the twelve to go out, and He doesn't say this at all in Mark.


The big difference between Luke and the other synoptic gospels is that in Luke they don't leave the witnessing up to the twelve. That is the difference between the evangelical church and organized Christianity. In organized Christianity they let their "professionals" do the preaching and witnessing. In the Evangelical church everyone does the witnessing.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
One major promise only given in Luke

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Only in Luke do we see this.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Only in Luke are we given this power.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Only in Luke are they told that their names are written in heaven.

In fact the word "rejoice" is never used in the gospel of Mark!

Think of that, and consider this verse in Luke 10

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

When the 70 went out and came back with a good report Jesus rejoiced and thanked God. Yet in Mark no mention of anyone rejoicing, not the believers, not Jesus.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
The fundamental error of religion

Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

The lawyer thinks he will inherit eternal life because he knows the word. Jesus says "this do and thou shalt live". Knowing it is great, but that is not what causes you to have your name written in heaven. You have to do it.

The lawyer wants to justify himself asking who is his neighbor that he should show love to. Jesus shares the testimony of the good samaritan, again highlighting the difference between the priest, levite, and Samaritan. Then concludes:

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
Luke 10 is unique -- it focuses on the good part

From start to finish Luke 10 is a unique chapter in the Bible. It begins with Jesus sending out 70 which does not take place in any other gospel. It includes the promise of power to tread on scorpions and serpents, not given in any other gospel. It emphasizes the contrast between religion, knowing the word of God, and being a true disciple, doing the word of God. It gives you a definition of who your neighbor is and what it is to love your neighbor as yourself, again not given anywhere else in the Bible. (Though James does equate loving your neighbor as yourself with showing mercy).

Finally it concludes with this word which also is not in any of the other two synoptic gospels.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Religion is cumbered about with much serving, true disciples have chosen the good part, the one thing that is needful. Religion complains about these believers but the Lord will not allow them to take this good part away from them.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
Concluding thoughts concerning the Passover

Our Christian life begins with the Passover, with the Cross of Christ, with his redeeming sacrifice. Yes, you can see death and resurrection in this but that is true of our everything in our Christian life. The Christian life is a narrow road that leads to life, it begins with the Passover, that is the on ramp, that is not the end of the road it is the beginning.

12 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,

From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.


This was the first blessing of the covenant God made with Abraham. Again, this is not the end, it is the beginning. This is the story of Passover.

2 I will make you a great nation;

How did Israel become a great nation? They received the books of Moses. How did the church become a great nation? They received the fellowship of the apostles.

I will bless you

Israel was blessed with the good land, the church was blessed with Jesus Christ as our good land.

And make your name great;

Israel is "prince of God", Abraham is "father of faith", God makes our name great by transforming us into precious stones through the process of sanctification. David's name was made great when he slew Goliath. This is like the 9th of AV for the church, it was an opportunity to make your name great, Caleb and Joshua met that challenge while the other ten spies failed. But it is a blessing of faith.

And you shall be a blessing.

This is the blessing of the 15th of AV. For 40 years they wandered in the desert until all those who had cried to God that they wished they had died in the wilderness had died. But now the word for this next generation is that you will be a blessing. You will be the generation that reverses the curse and enters the good land.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

The history of Israel is filled with these battles, attacks, and testimonies of those who blessed the people of God were blessed while those who tried to curse them were cursed.

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

But this is the end of the road. Jesus said when you see Him you see the Father. In each blessing we are conformed more and more to the image of Jesus Christ. This is what it means when Adam saw Eve and said "this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh". This final blessing shows that we have been conformed to the image of Jesus to the point that we express the Father. We see this in the book of Esther. The book of Esther shows how the people of God can be a blessing to the nations. Likewise the story of Joseph is a story of God's people being a blessing to the nations.

Enoch was a type of the pre tribulation rapture, he "walked with God and he was no more". In other words he spent time with God, was transformed into His image, and was raptured. Esther is also a type of the rapture before the tribulation, before the evil Haman tries to kill all the people of God. When we read Esther we see what it means for Noah's ark to rest on the mountains. Our Christian life is like us being in the Ark with Jesus, in the church. It is a wild ride but as long as we stay in the Ark we are safe. But before the Antichrist is released on the 9th of AV typified by the raven the ark comes to rest on the mountain tops. Esther gives us a picture of the mountain top.

So I say all of this to give a remark on Passover. Yes, you can see death and resurrection in Passover, but what you really see is a new beginning. After the pre tribulation rapture, sure, the saints left behind will be devastated and chastened. But then they will have a new beginning. The two witnesses will be given to them and just like Jesus' earthly ministry beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist we will see a 3 1/2 year period of ministry that is every bit as glorious also beginning with this word to confess, repent, and to leave this land that you are in ruled by Pharaoh to a land that the Lord will show you.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
FREE AT LAST - RAPTURE WATCH FOR APRIL 3-4, 2023

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
This is just some kind of madness, which has never happened before! Over 100 tornadoes in 1 day

 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
The Central words of Luke

If we look at the central words of each of the first ten chapters of Luke we get a story.

Luke 1 — be called

There is a calling for all believers but you must choose to "be called". You have a free will.

Luke 2 — consolation of Israel

The consolation of Israel is a comfort that has come to the whole world as a "light to the Gentiles" and a glory of God's people, Israel. This is the gospel to the whole world which is also a fulfillment of the promises to Israel.

Luke 3 — the wheat into His garner but the chaff burn up

Our labor is the wheat harvest and that includes gathering wheat into the garner represents the process on the threshing floor. The chaff is lighter, is blown away from the garner and burned in the fire. When we labor for the Lord's harvest our goal is to get the wheat, but it also involves dealing with the chaff.

Luke 4 — I say unto you (no prophet is acceptable in his own country)

This is a crucial concept. If you want to labor for the Lord you don't remain stuck in your own country surrounded by your friends and family in your comfort zone.

Luke 5 — and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in

This is a story of how men were burdened to bring a paralytic man to Jesus but could not find any way to do that and so did something extraordinary by digging through the roof. Throughout gospel testimonies you will see it often takes something extraordinary to bring people to salvation and healing.

Luke 6 — Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

This is a constant theme. Do not remain in your own country, in your own comfort zone. Allow the Lord to stretch you to do things that seem impossible. Also be warned, men will not speak well of you and if they do that is not a good sign, on the contrary that is what they did with the false prophets.

Luke 7 — But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Also, be warned, you will not be wearing soft raiment, you will not be gorgeously apparelled, and you will not live delicately in kings' courts. These are more signs of the false prophets who have compromised with Satan's temptation (worship him and all these things will be given unto you). Instead you may be a construction worker (or a tent maker), you may be dressed as a deplorable, or the "working class" and your food and bedding may be spartan to say the least.

Luke 8 — When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high?

But if you follow the Lord and are one with Him you will see the demons fall down before the Lord. You will tread on scorpions and snakes. You will have tremendous adventures that turn the age.

Luke 9 — Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory,

You will see the glory of the Lord, you will see the prophecies telling you what is about to take place, and you will see the spiritual realm with angels and messengers of God.

Luke 10 — no man knoweth who the Son is

And you will come to know who the Son is.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
The Son of Man must suffer many things and be killed

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

This word is in Mark and Matthew but not in Luke. The Lord only gives them this revelation after they have the revelation that He is the Christ, the Son of God. The Lord Jesus has come to find out if the claims of unrighteousness are true. That is why He must be killed. This will be used when they stand before Him at the Great White throne of judgment. But along with this revelation is also the revelation that He will rise on the third day. As Jesus Christ is revealed so also Satan is revealed and his evil is unveiled. But this is all going to be evidence against Satan and his minions at his trial. Interestingly, this word is not in Luke. There are three groups that signify the Body of Christ and we have three gospels to them. If you are in the tribulation, either as the Christians left behind or the Jews you must be killed. However, there will be those who are raptured before the tribulation who will not be killed, so in Luke there is no word that the Son of man must be killed.

Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

Let's focus on what we are seeing today. We just watched over a year of BLM and ANTIFA protests against slavery, Jim Crow and all the injustice. That is like whitewashing the tombs. Who seems to be the most outraged at the sins of the past? The Democrats. Which party was the party of slavery? The Democrats. So these protests and all their speeches demonstrates that they are fully aware of the sins, the crimes, and the evil their parents did. But now they are labelling 75 million Americans as domestic terrorists, attacking parents of children in school, and arresting the Republican candidate for president. The legal justification is every bit as hokey as Jim Crow laws. We saw the Mueller investigation, two impeachments, the Russia hoax, censoring Hunter Biden's laptop, and now this. We need to see this because it is a witness that they are the sons of their fathers, children of them which killed the prophets.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
Let's go through these verses in reverse order



John 14:13b that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

1. The goal is that the father would be glorified in the son.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,

2. Whatever we ask in the name of Jesus He will do so that the father would be glorified.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.

3. We will do the works that Jesus did and greater works shall he do and this is because Jesus has gone to the Father.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

4. The goal is that we would believe that Jesus is in the Father. If you can't do that at the very least you can believe because of the works that you see.

7 If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

5. If you have seen Jesus you have seen the father, if you know Jesus you have known the Father.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

6. Jesus is the only way to the father, He is the way, the truth and the life.

4 And whither I go, ye know the way. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?

7. Jesus is going to the Father, he has already shown us the way.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

8. For the last two thousand years Jesus has prepared a place for us in Heaven in the Father's house, he promises to return and bring us to where He is. This is the rapture.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.

9. He tells us this so that we would not be troubled, we believe in God we need to also believe in Jesus.

Think of Jesus as the guy who jumps out of the helicopter to rescue those who are drowning in the ocean. You believe in Him and He in turn lifts you up into the Helicopter typifying Heaven and God. You see God doing these rescues, soon you also will be able to do them and even more. Why? Because all those guys who are rescued and lifted up into the helicopter will become an army.

Now why do this in reverse? It seems to me that before being raptured we would need to know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. It seems to me that anyone who is raptured would be praying to the Father, asking in the name of Jesus. So my point is that the experience of faith is like a circle. Jesus went through all these steps, then he was crucified and raised from the dead. When the apostles saw that it strengthened their faith to also go through all these steps, and then when we see the rapture it will strengthen the faith of all those left behind to also go through all the steps. That which has been is that which will be.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
PROPHECY-- AMERICA, OH AMERICA


Many say with their mouths that they serve me but their hearts are far from me. Full of good works but have no faith.

America, had you served me with all your heart your land would not be under the judgements now falling.

This nation is on the top rung of the ladder, there is no place to go but to fall to the bottom which is where America is going.

I have set an army from the North country that will move across the land as do locusts and show no mercy.

The invasion is almost complete, it will cause disruption to everything, money, food, power, entertainment, governments will all be disrupted or destroyed.

Much persecution is coming, be ready, I am with you through it all.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,446
6,668
113
Context is Everything

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

The context of the first ten chapters is that you have embraced your calling to be a witness of the Lord. You are speaking the consolation of Israel. You understand you have no honor in your own country and have widened the gospel outside of your comfort zone. You understand you will be slandered, your housing and clothes will make you comfortable with the deplorables, and you have learned that you are often called to do the impossible and finding a way is what your prayers are all about. You have seen the glory of God and now you are coming to know Jesus in a way you never did. That is the context of asking the Lord to teach you to pray "as John also taught his disciples". This is not the prosperity gospel, this is prayer to accomplish your ministry.

2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

There are "Christian" ministries that bring shame to the Lord, they bring shame to the name of the Father. This should be first and foremost in our prayers, not how big or how successful our ministry is. First and foremost let it be a ministry that hallows the name of the Father. It means to set apart, to sanctify, to make the name of the Father the opposite of common. Do you know what is common? Click bait. I picked a name for this blog that would be the opposite of click bait, I wanted to know that if someone clicked on this blog they would really be interested in what was in it. Do you know what else is really common? "Monetizing" your site, either with ads, or selling stuff, or charging a subscription fee, etc. The NT says "freely you received, freely give". Do you know what else is common? Self promotion. ZNP stands for Zaph Naph Paaneah, the name that Pharaoh gave to Joseph, Savior of the world. This blog is focused on the word of God, the incarnated word of God is Jesus, and this blog is for the world, the Egyptian name for Jesus is why I use ZNP.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Interesting prayer, aligning ourselves with God's will. We aren't trying to force this, we are simply praying let it take place. Not my will but thine be done. How are things done in heaven? The only way to know is to talk to those who have been to heaven. Jesus is Lord in heaven, Paul was caught up to heaven, we have a heavenly mandate and heavenly instructions.

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

This is far more glorious than the prosperity gospel preachers praying that they would get a fancy car and a mansion and a private jet. When the Lord answers this prayer it is glorious. Imagine being reduced to not knowing where today's meal will come from and yet God answers your prayer to supply it. Not only so but He does it daily.

4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

We did not pray "God may your name be glorified on earth as I glorify it" that would be arrogant and foolish. We do not pray "they kingdom come as I have brought it". No, this is the first time in your prayer to God where He wants to hear what you have done. Have you forgiven every one that indebted to you? If you want to be a minister of the gospel, it starts with your forgiveness of those who are indebted to you. Not some of them, but every one of them.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

You can have two very different relationships with the Lord. In one He is a light to your path, He is a warning in your spirit. He is like all those gauges in an airplane telling you how the plane is doing and giving you warnings long before the plane crashes. That is the relationship we are looking for, one where we pay attention to the slightest little word from the Lord and act on it. In the other relationship you don't listen to the Lord. You know better. In your spirit there is a warning but you ignore it. Alarms are screeching "pull up, pull up" but you disconnect the monitor. In a situation like that there is only one way to correct you and that is with a catastrophic event. Perhaps that car you love gets destroyed and in a way that you cannot collect any insurance. Maybe that great investment turns into a total scam. Maybe that person you marry turns into a total nightmare. Ultimately you will be praying every day that you will not ignore or overlook even the slightest warning from the Lord.

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

Context, Contex, Context! You have a ministry to minister Jesus. This happens all the time. You are asked to speak, to share, and so you go to the Lord, Lord I have nothing. If you have heeded the Lord's words through verse four then you will have the Lord as a friend. So you go to the Lord, Jesus my friend, I need three loaves, I have nothing to set before them.

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

This is a promise to us.

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.


Once again, context, this verse comes after the first eight verses. Don't you want this to be your experience? This is what makes the Christian life an adventure, this is what fills our life with many wonderful experiences. This is where the Lord wants to lead you, He wants to be part of your life even more than you want Him to be part of your life.