//Hoodwinked
Before the lord returns, there will be seven years of Tribulation. Despite popular western belief...the church will be on the earth during the tribulation. It's our privilege not our punishment. Any who, long story short the Anti-Christ will bring false peace for 3 and a half years to win the heart of the world, become the world political leader, then turn on everyone and make everyone get a mark in order to buy food. He will declare him self as God, and many will believe him, even the elect in Christ(better get grounded in the knowledge of God) will get swept a wave in deception. Then that's when all the bad judgments are released and then at the 7 year mark, at the 7th trumpet, the King will shout and split the skies with passion in his eyes.
Whew...that was a mouth full.
Paul said that the dead in Christ will rise first to meet him in the sky and get there resurrected body, then those who are still alive will get there's in a twinkling of an eye. Our resurrected bodies will be shinning like the sun(hint we will be like him when we see him :] ). The degree of our brightness will be determined by our faithfulness to God in this age. Jesus' sermon on the mount tells us that it's what's done in secret that matters. Faithfulness is measured by our life in secret, not in public.
Our relationship with God in this age will be put on display for all to see in the age to come. He will openly reward those who were faithful in secret. We're going to be surprised by who actually knew God.
I said ALL of that just to say this. Don't get hoodwinked by peoples external expressions of greatness. It's what done in secret that will transfer into greatness in the age to come. Some of the greatest well known men of God will be just as bright as some of the laymen house mom who know one knew about. The street sweeper is eligible to have a greater reward that the healing evangelist with the world-wide ministry. It's all about the heart. Get wise. Tuck your self into the bosom of his presence and pursue more of HIM and not a bigger whatever. Don't worry your self about who see's you, be determined to be seen by God. Oh, Beloved when you value his opinion over every other set of eyes...freedom is yours. Ok enough bunny trails.
Give your self to the knowledge of God. To know God requires relationship. Relationship demands intimacy. Knowledge is intimacy. You can know as much of Him as you want. He's unsearchable. You cannot exhaust the knowledge of God. Let the pursuit to know God more intimately rule your life(over pursuit for temporary pleasures and greatness). That's holiness. That's your reward. God himself. In all of His Glory. Don't get hoodwinked by what you see ;)
