An incomplete set of notes and Scriptures used: Disaster Preparedness... Car preparedness.... NOT IF... but WHEN We have the big ONE earthquake... Water, food, car, candles, radio, batteries... (Luk 21:36) Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." WATCH = WITHOUT SLEEP (Luk 21:34) "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. Be prepared... take heed... A key principle... "Evil comes from Delayed Sentencing" (Ecc 8:11) Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Ecc 8:12) Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. (Ecc 8:13) But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. 3 distinct stories on a single theme of Material Wealth vs. True Life Reward (Luk 16:19) "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. Pg 991, vol VIII of the Expositor's Bible Commentary... (Luk 16:20) But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, (Luk 16:21) desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (Luk 16:22) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (Deu 15:7) "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, (Deu 15:8) but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. (Deu 15:9) Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you. (Deu 15:10) You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. (Deu 15:11) For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.' (Pro 28:27) He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. (Eze 16:49) Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Luk 16:22) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luk 16:23) And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luk 16:24) "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' [Gk Phlox - 7 x in NT - all other 6 x paired with FIRE. Here just the Flame word ; Vine's = To shine] (Luk 16:25) But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. (Luk 16:26) And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' Christ fast forwarded to the end of the Plan of God... 2nd Resurrection... at the very end or 3rd resurrection to Death and Hades. [Rev 20:14] He is in this "Shinning" Light... heat... Dan 3:22 Lake of fire.... (Luk 16:27) "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, (Luk 16:28) for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' (Luk 16:29) Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' (Luk 16:30) And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' (Luk 16:31) But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' " THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS: (Ecc 8:11) Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. WE are those people... IF we do not listen to the LAW and the PROPHETS we will keep on "speeding" ... Judgement begins with the "house of God" ... Will we listen and DO? Will you focus on THIS life... or the NEXT LIFE? We want to be in CHARGE... in Control... but... IT IS GOD Who is IN charge and has THE CONTROL.... DON'T BE DECEIVED, JUDGEMENT DAY IS COMING !!!!