Shawn Akers

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UPDATE `wp_nextend2_section_storage` SET `value` = '[[{\"id\":619127,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/youre-not-an-accident-apostle-jim-raley-reveals-how-to-discover-your-god-given-purpose\\/\",\"title\":\"You&#8217;re Not an Accident: Apostle Jim Raley Reveals How to Discover Your God-Given Purpose\",\"content\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/OHIULghpfy8?si=264WI5P87o9YOPyD\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Have you ever wondered why God placed you here, in this moment, with your unique story? <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/most-recent\\/jim-raley-the-church-must-stop-blending-in-to-see-god-break-in\\/\\\">According to Apostle Jim Raley,<\\/a> that question has an answer rooted in Scripture. Our lives are not random, and neither are the seasons we\'ve walked through.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"You\'re not an accident,\\\" Raley said. \\\"You\'re an answer.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Drawing from Jeremiah 1:5, Raley reminded believers that God\'s purpose for their lives began long before they were born.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Born on Assignment<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Quoting God\'s words to Jeremiah, Raley emphasized that the Lord\'s calling is established before we ever take our first breath.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"Before I formed you in the womb... God already knew you,\\\" he said. \\\"God already had an assignment with your name on it.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":608176,\\\"width\\\":\\\"264px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Realm-Explanation-Unlocking-Breakthroughs-Blessings\\/dp\\/1636415733\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KGWAQAYL2L9X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qBSxf79Aa4C_tJLjxF2cUtYsmLnLnis3_tUHGc5uFt4CNiisMA3qeKIsySVbrwY3XyMlef-uSecgY0KhGU7slPy3Qc_bc_px-AVitWxPr44.u4YJeTaJBIg_BEOpC1meVbTPK5MVlIB6QuN4uyBwZkI&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Jim+Raley&amp;qid=1784898493&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=jim+raley%2Cstripbooks%2C138&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/01\\/Jim-Raley-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-608176\\\" style=\\\"width:264px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Realm-Explanation-Unlocking-Breakthroughs-Blessings\\/dp\\/1636415733\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KGWAQAYL2L9X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qBSxf79Aa4C_tJLjxF2cUtYsmLnLnis3_tUHGc5uFt4CNiisMA3qeKIsySVbrwY3XyMlef-uSecgY0KhGU7slPy3Qc_bc_px-AVitWxPr44.u4YJeTaJBIg_BEOpC1meVbTPK5MVlIB6QuN4uyBwZkI&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Jim+Raley&amp;qid=1784898493&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=jim+raley%2Cstripbooks%2C138&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order Jim Raley\'s New Book, \\\"The Realm of No Explanation\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Raley compared our lives to a seed. Just as a seed already contains everything needed to become a towering tree, he said God has already placed within each believer the gifts, passions and abilities needed to fulfill His calling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The gifts, the capacity... your personality, your passion, your experiences, and then His calling on your life... it\'s already there. It\'s in the seed.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">God Doesn\'t Waste Your Story<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>One of the message\'s strongest themes was that painful seasons are not obstacles to God\'s purpose\\u2014they are often preparation for it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"God doesn\'t waste anything, especially your pain,\\\" Raley said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Looking back over his own life, he reflected, \\\"My wounds have often become my wisdom. My trials have become my testimony. The very thing the enemy meant to disqualify me became the exact thing God used to qualify me.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than seeing past failures or hardships as disqualifications, Raley encouraged believers to recognize them as part of God\'s refining work, preparing them to minister to others facing similar struggles.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Ask a Better Question<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Raley challenged Christians to stop asking what they want to do with their lives <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/article\\/the-ark-of-the-covenant\\/\\\">and instead seek God\'s greater purpose.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The question real God-given purpose asks is this: Why did the Lord put me in the earth? ... What problem am I here to solve?\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>That shift, he said, changes everything.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Whether you\'re in a season of waiting, healing or growth, Raley\'s message offers a timely reminder that God has not overlooked your life. As he declared, \\\"I\'m not an accident. I\'m an answer.\\\" For every believer, discovering that truth may be the first step toward walking confidently in the purpose God established before they were ever born. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to\\u00a0Charisma\\u00a0magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact\\[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/OHIULghpfy8?si=264WI5P87o9YOPyD\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Have you ever wondered why God placed you here, in this moment, with your unique story? <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/most-recent\\/jim-raley-the-church-must-stop-blending-in-to-see-god-break-in\\/\\\">According to Apostle Jim Raley,<\\/a> that question has an answer rooted in Scripture. Our lives are not random, and neither are the seasons we\'ve walked through.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"You\'re not an accident,\\\" Raley said. \\\"You\'re an answer.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Drawing from Jeremiah 1:5, Raley reminded believers that God\'s purpose for their lives began long before they were born.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Born on Assignment<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Quoting God\'s words to Jeremiah, Raley emphasized that the Lord\'s calling is established before we ever take our first breath.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"Before I formed you in the womb... God already knew you,\\\" he said. \\\"God already had an assignment with your name on it.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":608176,\\\"width\\\":\\\"264px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Realm-Explanation-Unlocking-Breakthroughs-Blessings\\/dp\\/1636415733\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KGWAQAYL2L9X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qBSxf79Aa4C_tJLjxF2cUtYsmLnLnis3_tUHGc5uFt4CNiisMA3qeKIsySVbrwY3XyMlef-uSecgY0KhGU7slPy3Qc_bc_px-AVitWxPr44.u4YJeTaJBIg_BEOpC1meVbTPK5MVlIB6QuN4uyBwZkI&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Jim+Raley&amp;qid=1784898493&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=jim+raley%2Cstripbooks%2C138&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/01\\/Jim-Raley-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-608176\\\" style=\\\"width:264px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Realm-Explanation-Unlocking-Breakthroughs-Blessings\\/dp\\/1636415733\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KGWAQAYL2L9X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qBSxf79Aa4C_tJLjxF2cUtYsmLnLnis3_tUHGc5uFt4CNiisMA3qeKIsySVbrwY3XyMlef-uSecgY0KhGU7slPy3Qc_bc_px-AVitWxPr44.u4YJeTaJBIg_BEOpC1meVbTPK5MVlIB6QuN4uyBwZkI&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Jim+Raley&amp;qid=1784898493&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=jim+raley%2Cstripbooks%2C138&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order Jim Raley\'s New Book, \\\"The Realm of No Explanation\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Raley compared our lives to a seed. Just as a seed already contains everything needed to become a towering tree, he said God has already placed within each believer the gifts, passions and abilities needed to fulfill His calling.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The gifts, the capacity... your personality, your passion, your experiences, and then His calling on your life... it\'s already there. It\'s in the seed.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">God Doesn\'t Waste Your Story<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>One of the message\'s strongest themes was that painful seasons are not obstacles to God\'s purpose\\u2014they are often preparation for it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"God doesn\'t waste anything, especially your pain,\\\" Raley said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Looking back over his own life, he reflected, \\\"My wounds have often become my wisdom. My trials have become my testimony. The very thing the enemy meant to disqualify me became the exact thing God used to qualify me.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than seeing past failures or hardships as disqualifications, Raley encouraged believers to recognize them as part of God\'s refining work, preparing them to minister to others facing similar struggles.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Ask a Better Question<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Raley challenged Christians to stop asking what they want to do with their lives <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/article\\/the-ark-of-the-covenant\\/\\\">and instead seek God\'s greater purpose.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The question real God-given purpose asks is this: Why did the Lord put me in the earth? ... What problem am I here to solve?\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>That shift, he said, changes everything.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Whether you\'re in a season of waiting, healing or growth, Raley\'s message offers a timely reminder that God has not overlooked your life. As he declared, \\\"I\'m not an accident. I\'m an answer.\\\" For every believer, discovering that truth may be the first step toward walking confidently in the purpose God established before they were ever born. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to\\u00a0Charisma\\u00a0magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact\\[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"youre-not-an-accident-apostle-jim-raley-reveals-how-to-discover-your-god-given-purpose\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/jlasher\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 24, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 24, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"spiritled-living\",\"category_name_0\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"spiritled-living\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article.jpg\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-374x250.jpg\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-898x600.jpg\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-150x100.jpg\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-768x513.jpg\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-200x268.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-600x338.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-150x125.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-150x150.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-280x189.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-180x100.jpg\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-1280x720.jpg\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-1024x684.jpg\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article-720x380.jpg\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article.jpg\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Raley-article.jpg\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"Apostle Jim Raley\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/apostle-jim-raley\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"Biblical purpose\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/biblical-purpose\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"Christian encouragement\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-encouragement\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"discipleship\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/discipleship\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"Discover your purpose\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/discover-your-purpose\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"God\'s calling\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/gods-calling\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"Identity in Christ\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/identity-in-christ\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"spiritual growth\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/spiritual-growth\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784902117:8603\",\"thumbnailid\":\"619128\",\"editlast\":\"8603\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Jim Raley\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"Apostle Jim Raley encourages believers to discover their God-given purpose, reminding them they were born on assignment and created for more.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"73\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"90\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"3\",\"excerpt\":\"Have you ever wondered why God placed you here, in this moment, with your unique story? According to Apostle Jim Raley, that question has an answer rooted in Scripture. Our lives are not random, and neither are the seasons we&#8217;ve walked through. &#8220;You&#8217;re not an accident,&#8221; Raley said. &#8220;You&#8217;re an answer.&#8221; Drawing from Jeremiah 1:5, \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=619127\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260724\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 24, 2026, 10:01 am\",\"tag_9\":\"\",\"tag_link_9\":\"\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"\",\"category_link_1\":\"\",\"category_slug_1\":\"\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":619014,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/ancient-proverbs-modern-world-jack-hibbs-says-gods-wisdom-is-the-only-answer-to-a-culture-celebrating-evil\\/\",\"title\":\"Ancient Proverbs, Modern World: Jack Hibbs Says God&#8217;s Wisdom Is the Only Answer to a Culture Celebrating Evil\",\"content\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/GIcsAgVjq7k?si=JGPMTUyB-GCjBuRr\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>An ancient passage of Scripture is reading more like today\'s headlines than ever before, according to Pastor Jack Hibbs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Teaching through Proverbs 2:14-19, the California pastor said the chapter offers far more than timeless wisdom. He argued it provides a clear warning about a culture that no longer hides sin but openly celebrates it, while pointing us back to God\'s wisdom as our protection.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/pastor-jack-hibbs-the-church-has-been-infected-by-a-spiritual-pandemic\\/\\\">\\\"The wisdom of God will in fact save your life,\\\"<\\/a> Hibbs told his congregation. \\\"It is incumbent upon every single one of us to pay absolute attention to God\'s Word, the Bible.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">\'The Sin Was Hidden. Now It\'s Celebrated\'<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hibbs pointed to Proverbs\' description of people who \\\"rejoice in doing evil\\\" and \\\"delight in the perversity of the wicked,\\\" arguing the passage accurately describes modern society.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The sin was hidden. Now it\'s celebrated,\\\" he said. \\\"The Bible, a 3,000-year-old passage of Scripture, is saying, \'Watch out because there will be those who depart from the ways of truth and of God, and they will celebrate their sin.\'\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He warned that Christians should recognize the growing divide between God\'s standard and the direction of the culture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"When we dedicate things like an entire month to the celebration of perversity, we are far from God\'s way,\\\" Hibbs said. \\\"Every nation that practices such things, God says He will judge.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":607469,\\\"width\\\":\\\"277px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K3LH4WKI7CJN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhceyhN15wnLD-epKJeccilYdfsi83AMkrok2BPRlAybPjTO5H86ymnFL7QhKRAEic_95rLDBnvvOAZS30wayHp8Rd7xf75C0aTU3iZamsNiyVuyrNCTr889Gzz4IfiLid0xGwNCEBRH2fvuN155oC0BIJp16tze_oE50MW-SDBYWHA.vMlLNkZ5AsHUJGQRJVexR2csUqQwJ_IyklzCa94UDXo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784747497&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C296&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/12\\/Abbys-Book-1-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-607469\\\" style=\\\"width:277px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K3LH4WKI7CJN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhceyhN15wnLD-epKJeccilYdfsi83AMkrok2BPRlAybPjTO5H86ymnFL7QhKRAEic_95rLDBnvvOAZS30wayHp8Rd7xf75C0aTU3iZamsNiyVuyrNCTr889Gzz4IfiLid0xGwNCEBRH2fvuN155oC0BIJp16tze_oE50MW-SDBYWHA.vMlLNkZ5AsHUJGQRJVexR2csUqQwJ_IyklzCa94UDXo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784747497&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C296&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order Abby Trivett\'s New Book, \\\"The Power of Suddenly\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Wisdom Protects Against Temptation<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Throughout the message, Hibbs emphasized that every believer faces temptation, but victory comes through God\'s Word rather than human determination.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The only way that you and I are going to be victorious over temptation is by standing up in the power of God\'s Word against it,\\\" he said. \\\"Temptation hits every believer. It hits every unbeliever. It\'s one of Satan\'s tactics.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He also reminded the congregation that God never leaves us defenseless.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">A Call to Stand Firm<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hibbs urged fellow believers not to surrender to the culture, but that we are to remain spiritually alert, describing the Christian life as a continual battle between light and darkness.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"We\'re in a great war,\\\" he said. \\\"We\'re in a great battle.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While acknowledging the darkness he sees around him, Hibbs concluded with the hope of the Gospel, saying true freedom is found only in Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The only hope for America is for you and I and the church to turn back to God,\\\" he said. \\\"Jesus set us free from it. He did that by going to the cross. He died for our sins and then rose again from the dead... the way of wisdom is the way of life.\\\" <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to\\u00a0Charisma\\u00a0magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact\\[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/GIcsAgVjq7k?si=JGPMTUyB-GCjBuRr\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>An ancient passage of Scripture is reading more like today\'s headlines than ever before, according to Pastor Jack Hibbs.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Teaching through Proverbs 2:14-19, the California pastor said the chapter offers far more than timeless wisdom. He argued it provides a clear warning about a culture that no longer hides sin but openly celebrates it, while pointing us back to God\'s wisdom as our protection.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/pastor-jack-hibbs-the-church-has-been-infected-by-a-spiritual-pandemic\\/\\\">\\\"The wisdom of God will in fact save your life,\\\"<\\/a> Hibbs told his congregation. \\\"It is incumbent upon every single one of us to pay absolute attention to God\'s Word, the Bible.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">\'The Sin Was Hidden. Now It\'s Celebrated\'<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hibbs pointed to Proverbs\' description of people who \\\"rejoice in doing evil\\\" and \\\"delight in the perversity of the wicked,\\\" arguing the passage accurately describes modern society.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The sin was hidden. Now it\'s celebrated,\\\" he said. \\\"The Bible, a 3,000-year-old passage of Scripture, is saying, \'Watch out because there will be those who depart from the ways of truth and of God, and they will celebrate their sin.\'\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He warned that Christians should recognize the growing divide between God\'s standard and the direction of the culture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"When we dedicate things like an entire month to the celebration of perversity, we are far from God\'s way,\\\" Hibbs said. \\\"Every nation that practices such things, God says He will judge.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":607469,\\\"width\\\":\\\"277px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K3LH4WKI7CJN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhceyhN15wnLD-epKJeccilYdfsi83AMkrok2BPRlAybPjTO5H86ymnFL7QhKRAEic_95rLDBnvvOAZS30wayHp8Rd7xf75C0aTU3iZamsNiyVuyrNCTr889Gzz4IfiLid0xGwNCEBRH2fvuN155oC0BIJp16tze_oE50MW-SDBYWHA.vMlLNkZ5AsHUJGQRJVexR2csUqQwJ_IyklzCa94UDXo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784747497&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C296&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/12\\/Abbys-Book-1-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-607469\\\" style=\\\"width:277px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K3LH4WKI7CJN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhceyhN15wnLD-epKJeccilYdfsi83AMkrok2BPRlAybPjTO5H86ymnFL7QhKRAEic_95rLDBnvvOAZS30wayHp8Rd7xf75C0aTU3iZamsNiyVuyrNCTr889Gzz4IfiLid0xGwNCEBRH2fvuN155oC0BIJp16tze_oE50MW-SDBYWHA.vMlLNkZ5AsHUJGQRJVexR2csUqQwJ_IyklzCa94UDXo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784747497&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C296&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order Abby Trivett\'s New Book, \\\"The Power of Suddenly\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Wisdom Protects Against Temptation<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Throughout the message, Hibbs emphasized that every believer faces temptation, but victory comes through God\'s Word rather than human determination.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The only way that you and I are going to be victorious over temptation is by standing up in the power of God\'s Word against it,\\\" he said. \\\"Temptation hits every believer. It hits every unbeliever. It\'s one of Satan\'s tactics.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He also reminded the congregation that God never leaves us defenseless.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">A Call to Stand Firm<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Hibbs urged fellow believers not to surrender to the culture, but that we are to remain spiritually alert, describing the Christian life as a continual battle between light and darkness.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"We\'re in a great war,\\\" he said. \\\"We\'re in a great battle.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While acknowledging the darkness he sees around him, Hibbs concluded with the hope of the Gospel, saying true freedom is found only in Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The only hope for America is for you and I and the church to turn back to God,\\\" he said. \\\"Jesus set us free from it. He did that by going to the cross. He died for our sins and then rose again from the dead... the way of wisdom is the way of life.\\\" <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of\\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to\\u00a0Charisma\\u00a0magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact\\[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"ancient-proverbs-modern-world-jack-hibbs-says-gods-wisdom-is-the-only-answer-to-a-culture-celebrating-evil\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/jlasher\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 22, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 22, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"spiritled-living\",\"category_name_0\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"spiritled-living\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs.jpg\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-374x250.jpg\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-898x600.jpg\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-150x100.jpg\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-768x513.jpg\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-200x268.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-600x338.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-150x125.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-150x150.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-280x189.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-180x100.jpg\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-1280x720.jpg\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-1024x684.jpg\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs-720x380.jpg\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs.jpg\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Jack-Hibbs.jpg\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"Bible teaching\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/bible-teaching\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"biblical truth\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/biblical-truth\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"biblical wisdom\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/biblical-wisdom\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"Christian living\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-living\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"Culture and Christianity\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/culture-and-christianity\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"Jack Hibbs\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/jack-hibbs\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"Proverbs 2\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/proverbs-2\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"sexual immorality\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/sexual-immorality\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784749068:8603\",\"thumbnailid\":\"619015\",\"editlast\":\"8603\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Hibbs\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"Jack Hibbs says Proverbs 2 perfectly describes today\'s culture, warning that God\'s wisdom is the only protection against temptation, deception and celebrated sin.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"75\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"60\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"3\",\"excerpt\":\"An ancient passage of Scripture is reading more like today&#8217;s headlines than ever before, according to Pastor Jack Hibbs. Teaching through Proverbs 2:14-19, the California pastor said the chapter offers far more than timeless wisdom. He argued it provides a clear warning about a culture that no longer hides sin but openly celebrates it, while \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=619014\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260722\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 22, 2026, 3:33 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"spiritual warfare\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/spiritual-warfare\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"temptation\",\"tag_link_10\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/temptation\\/\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"1\",\"category_name_1\":\"\",\"category_link_1\":\"\",\"category_slug_1\":\"\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618999,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/he-died-during-surgery-and-met-jesus-then-came-the-unexpected-encounter\\/\",\"title\":\"He Died During Surgery and Met Jesus. Then Came the Unexpected Encounter.\",\"content\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/aFhVG5Mav5Y?si=hgbbvPFOZB54T4b7\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Mike Olsen entered the operating room expecting to receive a new pair of lungs. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Instead, the longtime minister says he crossed the boundary between life and death\\u2014and encountered the man whose death had made his transplant possible.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Olsen\\u2019s journey began years earlier with a devastating diagnosis. In 2014, doctors told him he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung disease that left him dependent on oxygen around the clock.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The prognosis was grim. Olsen says his pulmonologist told him to put his affairs in order and suggested he might have only two years to live.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than asking God why the illness had happened, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/man-dies-during-surgery-returns-with-stunning-message-from-jesus\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/man-dies-during-surgery-returns-with-stunning-message-from-jesus\\/\\\">Olsen asked what God wanted to accomplish <\\/a>through it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI heard Him say, \\u2018Mike, trust Me,\\u2019\\u201d Olsen recalled during an appearance on \\u201cSid Roth\\u2019s It\\u2019s Supernatural!\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614629,\\\"width\\\":\\\"251px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"full\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/04\\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-152935.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614629\\\" style=\\\"width:251px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\">To order Sid Roth\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\">The Glory Story<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Those two words became an anchor as Olsen waited four years for a double-lung transplant. Shortly before the call finally came, his wife dreamed that he would receive new lungs, while a friend said she saw a vision of lungs descending from heaven and being placed inside his chest.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>During the approximately 15-hour transplant surgery, however, something went terribly wrong. Olsen says a clamp was removed prematurely, causing him to lose blood in his body.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI was coming off the operating table, and I\\u2019m going, \\u2018I think I\\u2019m dead,\\u2019\\u201d Olsen said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He described seeing swirling, rainbow-colored lights that he understood to be angels. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Olsen, they sang, \\u201cMike\\u2019s coming home,\\u201d before the Lord declared that he was only there for a visit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Olsen says he suddenly found himself in heaven, surrounded by brilliant light, overwhelming peace and the presence of Jesus.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI couldn\\u2019t remember any sin I ever committed because Jesus\\u2019 blood washed it all away,\\u201d he said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Then Olsen remembered that another person had died so he could receive the lungs he needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI want to thank my organ donor,\\u201d Olsen recalled thinking.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He says Jesus appeared beside the donor. As Olsen attempted to express his gratitude, Jesus placed a hand on his shoulder and delivered a life-changing declaration.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cMike, these are your new lungs. Receive them,\\u201d Olsen recalled Jesus saying.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Olsen agreed, choosing to return because he believed he still had unfinished work and wanted to be with his wife and son. After spending 10 days in a coma, he awoke and told a friend that he had met his organ donor in heaven. Remarkably, Olsen\\u2019s wife said she had already sensed the same thing while he was unconscious.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Near-death experience survivor Randy Kay joined Olsen and shared his own glimpse of heaven. Kay recounted standing with Jesus in a magnificent field where everything was alive and flourishing. There, a toy fox terrier named Casey\\u2014Kay\\u2019s beloved childhood dog\\u2014ran toward him and leaped into his arms.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614927,\\\"width\\\":\\\"272px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/05\\/Randy-Kay-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614927\\\" style=\\\"width:272px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">To order Randy Kay\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">Heaven Encounters<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay said Jesus told him, \\u201cI give you the desires of your heart.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The encounter revealed<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/article\\/from-hell-to-heaven-what-these-near-death-encounters-reveal-about-eternity\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/article\\/from-hell-to-heaven-what-these-near-death-encounters-reveal-about-eternity\\/\\\"> a depth of divine love that people often underestimate.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cWhen you look into His eyes, you will see consummate love for you,\\u201d Kay said. \\u201cHe will see you and know you as no one has ever known you before.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Yet both men stressed that testimonies of heaven are not meant to produce escapism. They are meant to awaken urgency.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThis is a workstation,\\u201d Kay said of earthly life. \\u201cWe are here to do work.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He urged believers to live as citizens of heaven while there is still time to reach the hurting, the forgotten and those who do not yet know Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Heaven is real, Jesus is near, and no life surrendered to God is without purpose. No matter what one has had to endure, it is part of a greater story\\u2014one that points beyond death and toward the eternal hope found in Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/aFhVG5Mav5Y?si=hgbbvPFOZB54T4b7\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Mike Olsen entered the operating room expecting to receive a new pair of lungs. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Instead, the longtime minister says he crossed the boundary between life and death\\u2014and encountered the man whose death had made his transplant possible.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Olsen\\u2019s journey began years earlier with a devastating diagnosis. In 2014, doctors told him he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung disease that left him dependent on oxygen around the clock.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The prognosis was grim. Olsen says his pulmonologist told him to put his affairs in order and suggested he might have only two years to live.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than asking God why the illness had happened, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/man-dies-during-surgery-returns-with-stunning-message-from-jesus\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/man-dies-during-surgery-returns-with-stunning-message-from-jesus\\/\\\">Olsen asked what God wanted to accomplish <\\/a>through it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI heard Him say, \\u2018Mike, trust Me,\\u2019\\u201d Olsen recalled during an appearance on \\u201cSid Roth\\u2019s It\\u2019s Supernatural!\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614629,\\\"width\\\":\\\"251px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"full\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/04\\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-152935.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614629\\\" style=\\\"width:251px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\">To order Sid Roth\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\">The Glory Story<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Glory-Story-Journey-Supernatural-Presence\\/dp\\/1636416225\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Those two words became an anchor as Olsen waited four years for a double-lung transplant. Shortly before the call finally came, his wife dreamed that he would receive new lungs, while a friend said she saw a vision of lungs descending from heaven and being placed inside his chest.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>During the approximately 15-hour transplant surgery, however, something went terribly wrong. Olsen says a clamp was removed prematurely, causing him to lose blood in his body.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI was coming off the operating table, and I\\u2019m going, \\u2018I think I\\u2019m dead,\\u2019\\u201d Olsen said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He described seeing swirling, rainbow-colored lights that he understood to be angels. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Olsen, they sang, \\u201cMike\\u2019s coming home,\\u201d before the Lord declared that he was only there for a visit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Olsen says he suddenly found himself in heaven, surrounded by brilliant light, overwhelming peace and the presence of Jesus.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI couldn\\u2019t remember any sin I ever committed because Jesus\\u2019 blood washed it all away,\\u201d he said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Then Olsen remembered that another person had died so he could receive the lungs he needed.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cI want to thank my organ donor,\\u201d Olsen recalled thinking.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He says Jesus appeared beside the donor. As Olsen attempted to express his gratitude, Jesus placed a hand on his shoulder and delivered a life-changing declaration.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cMike, these are your new lungs. Receive them,\\u201d Olsen recalled Jesus saying.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Olsen agreed, choosing to return because he believed he still had unfinished work and wanted to be with his wife and son. After spending 10 days in a coma, he awoke and told a friend that he had met his organ donor in heaven. Remarkably, Olsen\\u2019s wife said she had already sensed the same thing while he was unconscious.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Near-death experience survivor Randy Kay joined Olsen and shared his own glimpse of heaven. Kay recounted standing with Jesus in a magnificent field where everything was alive and flourishing. There, a toy fox terrier named Casey\\u2014Kay\\u2019s beloved childhood dog\\u2014ran toward him and leaped into his arms.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614927,\\\"width\\\":\\\"272px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/05\\/Randy-Kay-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614927\\\" style=\\\"width:272px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">To order Randy Kay\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">Heaven Encounters<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay said Jesus told him, \\u201cI give you the desires of your heart.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The encounter revealed<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/article\\/from-hell-to-heaven-what-these-near-death-encounters-reveal-about-eternity\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/article\\/from-hell-to-heaven-what-these-near-death-encounters-reveal-about-eternity\\/\\\"> a depth of divine love that people often underestimate.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cWhen you look into His eyes, you will see consummate love for you,\\u201d Kay said. \\u201cHe will see you and know you as no one has ever known you before.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Yet both men stressed that testimonies of heaven are not meant to produce escapism. They are meant to awaken urgency.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThis is a workstation,\\u201d Kay said of earthly life. \\u201cWe are here to do work.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He urged believers to live as citizens of heaven while there is still time to reach the hurting, the forgotten and those who do not yet know Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Heaven is real, Jesus is near, and no life surrendered to God is without purpose. No matter what one has had to endure, it is part of a greater story\\u2014one that points beyond death and toward the eternal hope found in Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"he-died-during-surgery-and-met-jesus-then-came-the-unexpected-encounter\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/atrivett\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 22, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 22, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Home-Pinned\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/home-pinned\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"home-pinned\",\"category_name_0\":\"Home-Pinned\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/home-pinned\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"home-pinned\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM.png\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-375x250.png\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-900x600.png\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-150x100.png\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-768x512.png\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-200x268.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-600x338.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-150x125.png\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-150x150.png\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-280x189.png\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-180x100.png\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-1280x720.png\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-1024x683.png\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM-720x380.png\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM.png\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-22-2026-01_47_13-PM.png\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"Heaven Encounters\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/heaven-encounters\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"It\'s Supernatural\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/its-supernatural\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"Mike Olsen\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/mike-olsen\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"miracle\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/miracle\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"NDE\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/nde\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"near death experience\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/near-death-experience\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"Randy Kay\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/randy-kay\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"Sid Roth\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/sid-roth\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784753783:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"619000\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Heaven\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"Mike Olsen entered the operating room expecting to receive a new pair of lungs. Instead, the longtime minister says he crossed the boundary between life and death\\u2014and encountered the man whose death had made his transplant possible.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"63\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"60\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"4\",\"excerpt\":\"Mike Olsen entered the operating room expecting to receive a new pair of lungs. Instead, the longtime minister says he crossed the boundary between life and death\\u2014and encountered the man whose death had made his transplant possible. Olsen\\u2019s journey began years earlier with a devastating diagnosis. In 2014, doctors told him he had idiopathic pulmonary \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618999\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260722\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 22, 2026, 2:06 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"supernatural encounters\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/supernatural-encounters\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"surgery\",\"tag_link_10\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/surgery\\/\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_1\":\"spiritled-living\",\"tag_11\":\"The Glory Story\",\"tag_link_11\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/the-glory-story\\/\"}],[{\"id\":618954,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/never-to-be-ashamed\\/\",\"title\":\"Never to be Ashamed\",\"content\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThey looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed\\u201d (Psalm 34:5).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>David says, \\u201cThey looked.\\u201d But who looked?<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>God\\u2019s children are the ones looking. His precious saints, those who have been set apart unto Him, and who He has chosen out of the world to be His.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Beloved, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-kirt-schneider-dont-fear-the-end-times-let-them-strengthen-your-faith\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-kirt-schneider-dont-fear-the-end-times-let-them-strengthen-your-faith\\/\\\">when King David says, \\u201cthey looked to Him<\\/a>\\u2026\\u201d, he is referring to \\u2013 you!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Because, when we set our sights on Father, keeping ourselves fully focused on Him, we are going to have victory in our lives. When we resist being pulled to the left and avoid distractions that would cause us to look to the right, and instead fix our gaze straightforward on our Lord - we will stand tall and be strong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>But, as long as we are on earth, we must continue to fight the battles day by day knowing as they occur. The powers of darkness will oppose us. Remember, Jesus talked about overcoming seven times in the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. He wanted us understand, be prepared, and stay diligent. He knew there would be obstacles, assaults and roadblocks that we would face on our journey home. Again, the darkness by nature will always resist the light.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":613706,\\\"width\\\":\\\"269px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/04\\/Rabbi-Schneider-Mystery-of-the-Tabernacle-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-613706\\\" style=\\\"width:269px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\">To order Kirt Schneider\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\">The Mystery of the Tabernacle<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Here are two examples:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God\\u201d (Revelation 2:7).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cHe who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne\\u201d (Revelation 3:21).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>We have to become overcomers. It is a necessary progression that matures us into Father\'s sons and daughters. It requires action, determination, and a focus on God! Overcoming is a choice, is built on trust and fueled by faith. But we must keep our eyes on Him throughout each battle, confident that we will overcome and become, as David said, \\u201cRadiant.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it\\u201d (John 1:5). NIV<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Father is going to create a supernatural youth in us as we cling to Him in our battles. We may even begin to look different because of the supernatural joy of God that emanates from us!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>For example, do you know anybody or have you ever seen someone, that when they are doing well in the Lord, you can actually see the glory of God on them? <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-schneider-unpacks-one-of-jesus-final-warnings-before-calvary\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-schneider-unpacks-one-of-jesus-final-warnings-before-calvary\\/\\\">Physically, you can literally see it.<\\/a> There is light coming from them. But when you take that same individual and they are not walking in God\\u2019s strength they look totally different. It seems as if they have aged 15 years. Then a week later, you see them again and they are radiating with light and it looks like they are 15 years younger again.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>You see, the Holy Spirit will actually give life to our mortal flesh.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cBut if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you\\u201d (Romans 8:11)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It is important that we realize that the Spirit of the Lord is real. He is not imagined or some fairytale. He actually exists. We may not see Him with our natural eyes, but neither can we see gravity, electromagnetic fields, or radio waves\\u2014but their existence is undeniable.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Spirit of God is real and has tangibility. Here are some ways the Bible describes Him:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Wind <\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cAnd suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting\\u201d (Acts 1:2).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Fire <\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cAnd there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them\\u201d (Acts 2:3).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Water <\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cHe who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, \\u2018From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.\\u2019\\u201d (John 7:38).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Holy Spirit is real and is essential to overcoming and living victoriously in our world.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Again, David said, \\u201cThey looked to Him and were radiant, \\u2026 and will never be put to shame.\\u201d \\u201cBut thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place\\u201d (2 Corinthians 2:14). No matter what we face in life, we are overwhelmingly conquerors.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Furthermore, we are assured that nothing can ever remove us from God\\u2019s love.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cFor I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord\\u201d (Romans 8:38, 39).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Be immersed in and convinced of who you are in God. You are a champion! You are a precious and irreplaceable child of the Father. You are born of His Spirit, and your destiny is Heaven, where you will reign with Him forever!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Beloved, there is an undefeatable banner of victory over our lives. We are God\\u2019s Children! We are overcomers! Because we are born of His Spirit! Father, we love and honor and thank you, King Jesus!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Rabbi Schneider<\\/strong><em> hosts the impactful television program \\u2013Discovering The Jewish Jesus, which is available in more than one hundred million homes in the United States and nearly two hundred nations worldwide. In 2021 he began broadcasting on radio and now airs across America.\\u00a0Rabbi Schneider\\u00a0imparts revelation of Jesus\\u2019 Jewish heritage and His fulfillment of\\u00a0Messianic prophecy.\\u00a0 Questions of how the Old and New Testaments tie together, and how Yeshua completes the unfolding plan of The Almighty Yahweh, are answered with exceptional clarity.<\\/em><br><a href=\\\"file:\\/\\/\\/C:\\/Users\\/atrivett\\/Downloads\\/www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com\\/about-2\\/rabbi-schneider\\/\\\">www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com\\/about-2\\/rabbi-schneider\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThey looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed\\u201d (Psalm 34:5).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>David says, \\u201cThey looked.\\u201d But who looked?<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>God\\u2019s children are the ones looking. His precious saints, those who have been set apart unto Him, and who He has chosen out of the world to be His.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Beloved, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-kirt-schneider-dont-fear-the-end-times-let-them-strengthen-your-faith\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-kirt-schneider-dont-fear-the-end-times-let-them-strengthen-your-faith\\/\\\">when King David says, \\u201cthey looked to Him<\\/a>\\u2026\\u201d, he is referring to \\u2013 you!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Because, when we set our sights on Father, keeping ourselves fully focused on Him, we are going to have victory in our lives. When we resist being pulled to the left and avoid distractions that would cause us to look to the right, and instead fix our gaze straightforward on our Lord - we will stand tall and be strong.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>But, as long as we are on earth, we must continue to fight the battles day by day knowing as they occur. The powers of darkness will oppose us. Remember, Jesus talked about overcoming seven times in the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. He wanted us understand, be prepared, and stay diligent. He knew there would be obstacles, assaults and roadblocks that we would face on our journey home. Again, the darkness by nature will always resist the light.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":613706,\\\"width\\\":\\\"269px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/04\\/Rabbi-Schneider-Mystery-of-the-Tabernacle-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-613706\\\" style=\\\"width:269px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\">To order Kirt Schneider\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\">The Mystery of the Tabernacle<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Mystery-Tabernacle-Ancient-Experiencing-Presence\\/dp\\/1636415652\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Here are two examples:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God\\u201d (Revelation 2:7).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cHe who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne\\u201d (Revelation 3:21).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>We have to become overcomers. It is a necessary progression that matures us into Father\'s sons and daughters. It requires action, determination, and a focus on God! Overcoming is a choice, is built on trust and fueled by faith. But we must keep our eyes on Him throughout each battle, confident that we will overcome and become, as David said, \\u201cRadiant.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it\\u201d (John 1:5). NIV<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Father is going to create a supernatural youth in us as we cling to Him in our battles. We may even begin to look different because of the supernatural joy of God that emanates from us!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>For example, do you know anybody or have you ever seen someone, that when they are doing well in the Lord, you can actually see the glory of God on them? <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-schneider-unpacks-one-of-jesus-final-warnings-before-calvary\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/rabbi-schneider-unpacks-one-of-jesus-final-warnings-before-calvary\\/\\\">Physically, you can literally see it.<\\/a> There is light coming from them. But when you take that same individual and they are not walking in God\\u2019s strength they look totally different. It seems as if they have aged 15 years. Then a week later, you see them again and they are radiating with light and it looks like they are 15 years younger again.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>You see, the Holy Spirit will actually give life to our mortal flesh.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cBut if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you\\u201d (Romans 8:11)<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>It is important that we realize that the Spirit of the Lord is real. He is not imagined or some fairytale. He actually exists. We may not see Him with our natural eyes, but neither can we see gravity, electromagnetic fields, or radio waves\\u2014but their existence is undeniable.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Spirit of God is real and has tangibility. Here are some ways the Bible describes Him:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Wind <\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cAnd suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting\\u201d (Acts 1:2).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Fire <\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cAnd there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them\\u201d (Acts 2:3).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Water <\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cHe who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, \\u2018From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.\\u2019\\u201d (John 7:38).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Holy Spirit is real and is essential to overcoming and living victoriously in our world.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Again, David said, \\u201cThey looked to Him and were radiant, \\u2026 and will never be put to shame.\\u201d \\u201cBut thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place\\u201d (2 Corinthians 2:14). No matter what we face in life, we are overwhelmingly conquerors.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Furthermore, we are assured that nothing can ever remove us from God\\u2019s love.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cFor I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord\\u201d (Romans 8:38, 39).<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Be immersed in and convinced of who you are in God. You are a champion! You are a precious and irreplaceable child of the Father. You are born of His Spirit, and your destiny is Heaven, where you will reign with Him forever!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Beloved, there is an undefeatable banner of victory over our lives. We are God\\u2019s Children! We are overcomers! Because we are born of His Spirit! Father, we love and honor and thank you, King Jesus!<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Rabbi Schneider<\\/strong><em> hosts the impactful television program \\u2013Discovering The Jewish Jesus, which is available in more than one hundred million homes in the United States and nearly two hundred nations worldwide. In 2021 he began broadcasting on radio and now airs across America.\\u00a0Rabbi Schneider\\u00a0imparts revelation of Jesus\\u2019 Jewish heritage and His fulfillment of\\u00a0Messianic prophecy.\\u00a0 Questions of how the Old and New Testaments tie together, and how Yeshua completes the unfolding plan of The Almighty Yahweh, are answered with exceptional clarity.<\\/em><br><a href=\\\"file:\\/\\/\\/C:\\/Users\\/atrivett\\/Downloads\\/www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com\\/about-2\\/rabbi-schneider\\/\\\">www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com\\/about-2\\/rabbi-schneider\\/<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"never-to-be-ashamed\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/rabbi_kirt_a_schneider\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 21, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 21, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"spiritled-living\",\"category_name_0\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"spiritled-living\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM.png\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-374x250.png\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-898x600.png\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-150x100.png\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-768x513.png\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-200x268.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-600x338.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-150x125.png\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-150x150.png\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-280x189.png\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-180x100.png\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-1280x720.png\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-1024x684.png\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM-720x380.png\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM.png\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-04_57_58-PM.png\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"Discovering the Jewish Jesus\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/discovering-the-jewish-jesus\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"Faith\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/faith\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"God&#039;s love\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/gods-love\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"King David\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/king-david\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"Psalm 34\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/psalm-34\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"Psalms\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/psalms\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"Rabbi Kirt Schneider\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/rabbi-kirt-schneider\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"\",\"tag_link_8\":\"\",\"editlock\":\"1784668000:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618955\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-7668\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-7668\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Ashamed\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"It is important that we realize that the Spirit of the Lord is real. He is not imagined or some fairytale. He actually exists. We may not see Him with our natural eyes, but neither can we see gravity, electromagnetic fields, or radio waves\\u2014but their existence is undeniable.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"79\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"30\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"5\",\"excerpt\":\"\\u201cThey looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed\\u201d (Psalm 34:5). David says, \\u201cThey looked.\\u201d But who looked? God\\u2019s children are the ones looking. His precious saints, those who have been set apart unto Him, and who He has chosen out of the world to be His. Beloved, when King \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618954\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260721\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 21, 2026, 4:59 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"\",\"tag_link_9\":\"\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"\",\"category_link_1\":\"\",\"category_slug_1\":\"\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618926,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/randy-kay-4-biblical-tests-every-christian-should-apply-to-near-death-experiences\\/\",\"title\":\"Randy Kay: 4 Biblical Tests Every Christian Should Apply to Near-Death Experiences\",\"content\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/Aw7LfnyoYks?si=AxH42kinTUW0aR70\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Near-death experiences have become one of the fastest-growing genres of Christian content online. Social media feeds are filled with dramatic testimonies of people claiming to have visited heaven, witnessed hell or returned with messages about eternity. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While many believers find these stories inspiring, author Randy Kay says Christians should approach every account with one question above all others: Does it align with the Word of God?<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In a recent teaching, Kay\\u2014who experienced a clinical death after suffering cardiac arrest years ago\\u2014warned that not every supernatural encounter necessarily points people toward Christ. In fact, he believes some of the greatest deception comes through experiences that appear loving, peaceful and even heavenly.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/heaven-encounters-140-near-death-experiences-backed-by-clinical-evidence\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/heaven-encounters-140-near-death-experiences-backed-by-clinical-evidence\\/\\\">The most dangerous near-death experience<\\/a> isn\'t the one that was fake,\\\" Kay said. \\\"It\'s the one that was real and met the wrong thing.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Drawing from both Scripture and years of interviewing hundreds of people who say they have experienced the afterlife, Kay outlined four biblical tests he believes every Christian should use before accepting any near-death testimony.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">1. Does It Agree With Scripture?<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Every evaluation begins with the Bible\\u2014not the experience itself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay argues that no testimony, regardless of how emotional or convincing it may seem, should ever carry more authority than God\'s written Word. If an experience teaches that everyone goes to heaven, that all religions lead to God, that there is no judgment, that humanity is inherently divine, or that people receive multiple chances through reincarnation, Kay says it immediately fails the first test because those ideas contradict Scripture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The question was never, \'Did you experience something?\'\\\" Kay said. \\\"The question is, who did you meet and what did they tell you?\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pointing to passages including Hebrews 9:27, John 14:6 and Paul\'s warning that even an angel preaching a different gospel should be rejected, Kay maintains that the Bible remains the final authority over every supernatural claim.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">2. Look for Verification, Not Just Emotion<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay\'s second test focuses on evidence.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While acknowledging that many people sincerely believe what they experienced, he encourages believers to ask whether there is independent corroboration for the account. That might include documented medical records, eyewitness confirmation or verified observations made while a person was clinically unconscious.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614927,\\\"width\\\":\\\"241px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/05\\/Randy-Kay-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614927\\\" style=\\\"width:241px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">To order Randy Kay\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">Heaven Encounters<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay also cautions against overstating evidence simply to make a testimony more persuasive. He discusses several well-known cases in near-death research, noting both their strengths and the questions critics have raised. Rather than weakening authentic testimonies, he believes intellectual honesty ultimately strengthens them.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">3. Examine the Messenger<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Perhaps Kay\'s most practical test has little to do with the experience itself and everything to do with the person sharing it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>After interviewing hundreds of individuals who claim to have encountered eternity, Kay says genuine encounters with God often produce humility before they produce publicity. He contrasts reluctant witnesses with those who quickly build platforms around extraordinary claims, encouraging Christians to consider whether a testimony is producing lasting spiritual fruit or simply attracting attention.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Referencing both his own decision to remain silent about his experience for years and the Apostle Paul\'s delayed account of being caught up to the \\\"third heaven,\\\" Kay suggests restraint can sometimes be a mark of authenticity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">4. Know What Actually Happened<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Finally, Kay encourages believers to distinguish between different kinds of supernatural experiences.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He separates documented clinical death, near-death trauma and spiritual visions into three distinct categories, arguing they should not be treated as interchangeable. While he believes God can work through each, he says they carry different levels of evidential support and should be described honestly rather than sensationally.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay also discusses scientific research surrounding cardiac arrest and brain activity, acknowledging ongoing debate while arguing that certain documented cases remain difficult to explain through natural processes alone. At the same time, he insists Christians should never exaggerate medical evidence to strengthen their case <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/randy-kay-explains-what-christians-should-know-about-ghosts-spirits-and-near-death-experiences\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/randy-kay-explains-what-christians-should-know-about-ghosts-spirits-and-near-death-experiences\\/\\\">because truth does not need embellishment.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As stories of heaven and the afterlife continue to captivate millions online, Kay believes Christians should resist both extremes\\u2014blindly accepting every testimony or dismissing them altogether. Instead, he calls believers to practice biblical discernment.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The issue is ultimately not whether an experience feels profound, emotional or even supernatural. The defining question is whether it points people back to Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In an age when extraordinary claims can spread across the internet in a matter of hours, Kay argues that the safest place for believers is not to be anchored in remarkable experiences but in the unchanging truth of God\'s Word.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/Aw7LfnyoYks?si=AxH42kinTUW0aR70\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Near-death experiences have become one of the fastest-growing genres of Christian content online. Social media feeds are filled with dramatic testimonies of people claiming to have visited heaven, witnessed hell or returned with messages about eternity. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While many believers find these stories inspiring, author Randy Kay says Christians should approach every account with one question above all others: Does it align with the Word of God?<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In a recent teaching, Kay\\u2014who experienced a clinical death after suffering cardiac arrest years ago\\u2014warned that not every supernatural encounter necessarily points people toward Christ. In fact, he believes some of the greatest deception comes through experiences that appear loving, peaceful and even heavenly.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/heaven-encounters-140-near-death-experiences-backed-by-clinical-evidence\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/heaven-encounters-140-near-death-experiences-backed-by-clinical-evidence\\/\\\">The most dangerous near-death experience<\\/a> isn\'t the one that was fake,\\\" Kay said. \\\"It\'s the one that was real and met the wrong thing.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Drawing from both Scripture and years of interviewing hundreds of people who say they have experienced the afterlife, Kay outlined four biblical tests he believes every Christian should use before accepting any near-death testimony.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">1. Does It Agree With Scripture?<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Every evaluation begins with the Bible\\u2014not the experience itself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay argues that no testimony, regardless of how emotional or convincing it may seem, should ever carry more authority than God\'s written Word. If an experience teaches that everyone goes to heaven, that all religions lead to God, that there is no judgment, that humanity is inherently divine, or that people receive multiple chances through reincarnation, Kay says it immediately fails the first test because those ideas contradict Scripture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The question was never, \'Did you experience something?\'\\\" Kay said. \\\"The question is, who did you meet and what did they tell you?\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pointing to passages including Hebrews 9:27, John 14:6 and Paul\'s warning that even an angel preaching a different gospel should be rejected, Kay maintains that the Bible remains the final authority over every supernatural claim.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">2. Look for Verification, Not Just Emotion<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay\'s second test focuses on evidence.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While acknowledging that many people sincerely believe what they experienced, he encourages believers to ask whether there is independent corroboration for the account. That might include documented medical records, eyewitness confirmation or verified observations made while a person was clinically unconscious.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614927,\\\"width\\\":\\\"241px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/05\\/Randy-Kay-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614927\\\" style=\\\"width:241px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">To order Randy Kay\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">Heaven Encounters<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Heaven-Encounters-Near-Death-Experiences-Revealing\\/dp\\/1636415962\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay also cautions against overstating evidence simply to make a testimony more persuasive. He discusses several well-known cases in near-death research, noting both their strengths and the questions critics have raised. Rather than weakening authentic testimonies, he believes intellectual honesty ultimately strengthens them.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">3. Examine the Messenger<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Perhaps Kay\'s most practical test has little to do with the experience itself and everything to do with the person sharing it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>After interviewing hundreds of individuals who claim to have encountered eternity, Kay says genuine encounters with God often produce humility before they produce publicity. He contrasts reluctant witnesses with those who quickly build platforms around extraordinary claims, encouraging Christians to consider whether a testimony is producing lasting spiritual fruit or simply attracting attention.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Referencing both his own decision to remain silent about his experience for years and the Apostle Paul\'s delayed account of being caught up to the \\\"third heaven,\\\" Kay suggests restraint can sometimes be a mark of authenticity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">4. Know What Actually Happened<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Finally, Kay encourages believers to distinguish between different kinds of supernatural experiences.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He separates documented clinical death, near-death trauma and spiritual visions into three distinct categories, arguing they should not be treated as interchangeable. While he believes God can work through each, he says they carry different levels of evidential support and should be described honestly rather than sensationally.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Kay also discusses scientific research surrounding cardiac arrest and brain activity, acknowledging ongoing debate while arguing that certain documented cases remain difficult to explain through natural processes alone. At the same time, he insists Christians should never exaggerate medical evidence to strengthen their case <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/randy-kay-explains-what-christians-should-know-about-ghosts-spirits-and-near-death-experiences\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/randy-kay-explains-what-christians-should-know-about-ghosts-spirits-and-near-death-experiences\\/\\\">because truth does not need embellishment.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As stories of heaven and the afterlife continue to captivate millions online, Kay believes Christians should resist both extremes\\u2014blindly accepting every testimony or dismissing them altogether. Instead, he calls believers to practice biblical discernment.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The issue is ultimately not whether an experience feels profound, emotional or even supernatural. The defining question is whether it points people back to Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In an age when extraordinary claims can spread across the internet in a matter of hours, Kay argues that the safest place for believers is not to be anchored in remarkable experiences but in the unchanging truth of God\'s Word.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"randy-kay-4-biblical-tests-every-christian-should-apply-to-near-death-experiences\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/atrivett\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 21, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 21, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"spiritled-living\",\"category_name_0\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"spiritled-living\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM.png\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-374x250.png\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-896x600.png\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-150x100.png\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-768x514.png\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-200x268.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-600x338.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-150x125.png\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-150x150.png\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-280x189.png\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-180x100.png\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-1280x720.png\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-1024x685.png\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM-720x380.png\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM.png\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-21-2026-02_53_22-PM.png\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"afterlife\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/afterlife\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"eternity\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/eternity\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"heaven\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/heaven\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"Heaven Encounters\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/heaven-encounters\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"hell\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/hell\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"NDE\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/nde\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"near death experience\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/near-death-experience\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"Randy Kay\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/randy-kay\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784661249:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618930\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Near-Death Experience\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"In a recent teaching, Randy Kay\\u2014who experienced a clinical death after suffering cardiac arrest years ago\\u2014warned that not every supernatural encounter necessarily points people toward Christ.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"60\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"60\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"5\",\"excerpt\":\"Near-death experiences have become one of the fastest-growing genres of Christian content online. Social media feeds are filled with dramatic testimonies of people claiming to have visited heaven, witnessed hell or returned with messages about eternity. While many believers find these stories inspiring, author Randy Kay says Christians should approach every account with one question \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618926\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260721\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 21, 2026, 3:06 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"supernatural\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/supernatural\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"test the spirits\",\"tag_link_10\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/test-the-spirits\\/\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"\",\"category_link_1\":\"\",\"category_slug_1\":\"\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618856,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/john-bevere-the-new-jerusalem-is-more-than-a-heavenly-city\\/\",\"title\":\"John Bevere: The New Jerusalem Is More Than a Heavenly City\",\"content\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/CEvbdJ9GjVM?si=pf6LoTwUMLZ8XQJA\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Many Christians picture the New Jerusalem as a magnificent city with streets of gold and gates of pearl. But John Bevere says Revelation points to something even greater: the eternal fulfillment of God\'s desire to dwell with His people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>On a recent episode of <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/john-bevere-jesus-isnt-coming-back-for-a-relevant-church\\/\\\">The John Bevere Podcast, Bevere and his son, Arden,<\\/a> explored one of Revelation\'s most intriguing passages, where the apostle John is invited to see \\\"the Bride, the wife of the Lamb\\\" but is instead shown the New Jerusalem descending from heaven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Why Is the New Jerusalem Called the Bride?<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Bevere said many believers have overlooked the significance of Revelation\'s description of the New Jerusalem.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"We\'ve often separated the Bride from the city,\\\" he said, explaining that Scripture presents them together rather than as competing ideas.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Bevere, the New Jerusalem is a real city prepared by God, while also representing the redeemed people who will dwell in His presence forever.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than diminishing either truth, he said Revelation reveals the deep connection between God\'s eternal dwelling place and those He has redeemed through Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":559409,\\\"width\\\":\\\"268px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Bait-Satan-20th-Anniversary-Offense\\/dp\\/1621365484\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TYINCPI6Z5LC&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gWJGCnTwfaUt1RLDVAFBzqr5UFAtVsidD7qJ38pKNtHtIopcKf9o2jn7O9PUCyN3fYp8XLuUFuGNkSytt6RpQAD_KLNR1WH4BUZdtG1HVKekP074Yxw717C63pouIK6KMJDDg2BDWHcYnJM-SSZb1y8DkpJyLV9IVaTqmCPpIXjcCFDI_xK-1jqXri6MVoVnc1ji42t4g9XQe5OdAc0tCkCg5wjz8H1cn2VCbpcQFII.jR-i88okbiSDcXjp8DKoc_D6NQkgJkReXqMcSGizu24&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=The+Bait+of+Satan&amp;qid=1784573844&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=the+bait+of+satan%2Cstripbooks%2C156&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/09\\/John-Bevere-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-559409\\\" style=\\\"width:268px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Bait-Satan-20th-Anniversary-Offense\\/dp\\/1621365484\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TYINCPI6Z5LC&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gWJGCnTwfaUt1RLDVAFBzqr5UFAtVsidD7qJ38pKNtHtIopcKf9o2jn7O9PUCyN3fYp8XLuUFuGNkSytt6RpQAD_KLNR1WH4BUZdtG1HVKekP074Yxw717C63pouIK6KMJDDg2BDWHcYnJM-SSZb1y8DkpJyLV9IVaTqmCPpIXjcCFDI_xK-1jqXri6MVoVnc1ji42t4g9XQe5OdAc0tCkCg5wjz8H1cn2VCbpcQFII.jR-i88okbiSDcXjp8DKoc_D6NQkgJkReXqMcSGizu24&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=The+Bait+of+Satan&amp;qid=1784573844&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=the+bait+of+satan%2Cstripbooks%2C156&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order John Bevere\'s Bestselling Book, \\\"The Bait of Satan\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">God\'s Plan Has Always Been to Dwell With His People<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Bevere said the Bible tells one continuous story from Genesis to Revelation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before sin separated humanity from Him. Throughout the Old Testament, His presence filled the tabernacle and later the temple. Then Jesus came as Immanuel, \\\"God with us,\\\" and after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within believers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Revelation brings that story to its completion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"This has always been God\'s desire,\\\" Bevere said. \\\"To dwell with His people.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The New Jerusalem is the final picture of that promise fulfilled, where nothing will separate God\'s people from His presence again.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">More Than Streets of Gold<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While Revelation describes breathtaking beauty throughout the city, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/john-and-lisa-bevere-this-1-thing-separates-lukewarm-christians-from-on-fire-believers\\/\\\">Bevere encouraged Christians not to lose sight of what makes the New Jerusalem glorious.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Its greatest treasure is not its walls, foundations or streets, but the presence of God Himself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He said heaven should never be viewed primarily as a destination filled with rewards, but as the place where believers will enjoy perfect fellowship with Christ forever.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">A Hope That Changes How We Live<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Bevere said understanding the New Jerusalem gives Christians a greater appreciation for their eternal identity and future.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The closing chapters of Revelation are not simply about a heavenly city\\u2014they reveal the culmination of God\'s redemption plan and His unwavering desire to live with His people forever.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>That hope is more than a future promise. It is a reminder that every step of God\'s plan has been leading to the day when His people will dwell in His presence for all eternity. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to&nbsp;Charisma&nbsp;magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/CEvbdJ9GjVM?si=pf6LoTwUMLZ8XQJA\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Many Christians picture the New Jerusalem as a magnificent city with streets of gold and gates of pearl. But John Bevere says Revelation points to something even greater: the eternal fulfillment of God\'s desire to dwell with His people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>On a recent episode of <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/john-bevere-jesus-isnt-coming-back-for-a-relevant-church\\/\\\">The John Bevere Podcast, Bevere and his son, Arden,<\\/a> explored one of Revelation\'s most intriguing passages, where the apostle John is invited to see \\\"the Bride, the wife of the Lamb\\\" but is instead shown the New Jerusalem descending from heaven.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Why Is the New Jerusalem Called the Bride?<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Bevere said many believers have overlooked the significance of Revelation\'s description of the New Jerusalem.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"We\'ve often separated the Bride from the city,\\\" he said, explaining that Scripture presents them together rather than as competing ideas.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Bevere, the New Jerusalem is a real city prepared by God, while also representing the redeemed people who will dwell in His presence forever.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than diminishing either truth, he said Revelation reveals the deep connection between God\'s eternal dwelling place and those He has redeemed through Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":559409,\\\"width\\\":\\\"268px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Bait-Satan-20th-Anniversary-Offense\\/dp\\/1621365484\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TYINCPI6Z5LC&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gWJGCnTwfaUt1RLDVAFBzqr5UFAtVsidD7qJ38pKNtHtIopcKf9o2jn7O9PUCyN3fYp8XLuUFuGNkSytt6RpQAD_KLNR1WH4BUZdtG1HVKekP074Yxw717C63pouIK6KMJDDg2BDWHcYnJM-SSZb1y8DkpJyLV9IVaTqmCPpIXjcCFDI_xK-1jqXri6MVoVnc1ji42t4g9XQe5OdAc0tCkCg5wjz8H1cn2VCbpcQFII.jR-i88okbiSDcXjp8DKoc_D6NQkgJkReXqMcSGizu24&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=The+Bait+of+Satan&amp;qid=1784573844&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=the+bait+of+satan%2Cstripbooks%2C156&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/09\\/John-Bevere-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-559409\\\" style=\\\"width:268px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Bait-Satan-20th-Anniversary-Offense\\/dp\\/1621365484\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TYINCPI6Z5LC&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gWJGCnTwfaUt1RLDVAFBzqr5UFAtVsidD7qJ38pKNtHtIopcKf9o2jn7O9PUCyN3fYp8XLuUFuGNkSytt6RpQAD_KLNR1WH4BUZdtG1HVKekP074Yxw717C63pouIK6KMJDDg2BDWHcYnJM-SSZb1y8DkpJyLV9IVaTqmCPpIXjcCFDI_xK-1jqXri6MVoVnc1ji42t4g9XQe5OdAc0tCkCg5wjz8H1cn2VCbpcQFII.jR-i88okbiSDcXjp8DKoc_D6NQkgJkReXqMcSGizu24&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=The+Bait+of+Satan&amp;qid=1784573844&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=the+bait+of+satan%2Cstripbooks%2C156&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order John Bevere\'s Bestselling Book, \\\"The Bait of Satan\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">God\'s Plan Has Always Been to Dwell With His People<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Bevere said the Bible tells one continuous story from Genesis to Revelation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before sin separated humanity from Him. Throughout the Old Testament, His presence filled the tabernacle and later the temple. Then Jesus came as Immanuel, \\\"God with us,\\\" and after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within believers.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Revelation brings that story to its completion.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"This has always been God\'s desire,\\\" Bevere said. \\\"To dwell with His people.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The New Jerusalem is the final picture of that promise fulfilled, where nothing will separate God\'s people from His presence again.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">More Than Streets of Gold<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>While Revelation describes breathtaking beauty throughout the city, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/john-and-lisa-bevere-this-1-thing-separates-lukewarm-christians-from-on-fire-believers\\/\\\">Bevere encouraged Christians not to lose sight of what makes the New Jerusalem glorious.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Its greatest treasure is not its walls, foundations or streets, but the presence of God Himself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He said heaven should never be viewed primarily as a destination filled with rewards, but as the place where believers will enjoy perfect fellowship with Christ forever.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">A Hope That Changes How We Live<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Bevere said understanding the New Jerusalem gives Christians a greater appreciation for their eternal identity and future.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The closing chapters of Revelation are not simply about a heavenly city\\u2014they reveal the culmination of God\'s redemption plan and His unwavering desire to live with His people forever.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>That hope is more than a future promise. It is a reminder that every step of God\'s plan has been leading to the day when His people will dwell in His presence for all eternity. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to&nbsp;Charisma&nbsp;magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"john-bevere-the-new-jerusalem-is-more-than-a-heavenly-city\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/jlasher\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 20, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 20, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Home-Pinned\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/home-pinned\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"home-pinned\",\"category_name_0\":\"Home-Pinned\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/home-pinned\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"home-pinned\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article.jpg\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-374x250.jpg\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-898x600.jpg\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-150x100.jpg\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-768x513.jpg\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-200x268.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-600x338.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-150x125.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-150x150.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-280x189.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-180x100.jpg\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-1280x720.jpg\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-1024x684.jpg\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article-720x380.jpg\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article.jpg\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/John-Bevere-article.jpg\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"Bible Study\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/bible-study\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"bride of Christ\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/bride-of-christ\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"end times\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/end-times\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"John Bevere\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/john-bevere\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"New Heaven and New Earth\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/new-heaven-and-new-earth\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"New Jerusalem\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/new-jerusalem\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"podcast\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/podcast\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"Revelation\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/revelation\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784581103:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618857\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"John Bevere\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"John Bevere explains why the New Jerusalem is more than a heavenly city and what Revelation reveals about God\'s eternal plan for His people.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"83\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"60\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"3\",\"excerpt\":\"Many Christians picture the New Jerusalem as a magnificent city with streets of gold and gates of pearl. But John Bevere says Revelation points to something even greater: the eternal fulfillment of God&#8217;s desire to dwell with His people. On a recent episode of The John Bevere Podcast, Bevere and his son, Arden, explored one \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618856\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260720\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 20, 2026, 3:28 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"spiritual growth\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/spiritual-growth\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_1\":\"spiritled-living\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618807,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/jonathan-cahn-issues-a-powerful-call-every-christian-needs-to-hear\\/\",\"title\":\"Jonathan Cahn Issues a Powerful Call Every Christian Needs to Hear\",\"content\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/LkEhZJlirIU?si=RvDFnj5o646uIxTs\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Bible never describes the Bride of Christ as stagnant. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to #1 New York Times bestselling author and prophetic teacher Jonathan Cahn, Scripture paints a far more glorious picture: one of believers who continually grow brighter until they reflect the very glory of Christ Himself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>During a powerful teaching on Song of Solomon 6:10, Cahn unpacked what he calls one of Scripture\'s most beautiful portraits of spiritual maturity. Quoting the passage\\u2014\\\"Who is this who grows like the dawn?\\\"\\u2014he explained that God never intended believers to remain where they first encountered Him. Instead, every follower of Christ is called to an ever-increasing life of transformation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The bride is like the dawn,\\\" Cahn said, noting that dawn begins as only a faint light before gradually illuminating the entire horizon.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He explained that <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritual-warfare\\/jonathan-cahn-unveils-the-spiritual-secret-to-breaking-curses\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritual-warfare\\/jonathan-cahn-unveils-the-spiritual-secret-to-breaking-curses\\/\\\">the Christian life should mirror that progression.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The light of God in you must be continually growing more than before,\\\" Cahn said. \\\"If you\'re not growing, you\'re going backwards.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cahn said this continual growth should touch every area of a believer\'s life\\u2014from love and holiness to joy and devotion to Christ. Just as dawn signals a new beginning, believers are called to live with the constant reality that every day is another opportunity for God to make all things new.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>But Cahn says the journey doesn\'t stop with the dawn.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He pointed to the next description in Song of Solomon, where the Bride is compared to the moon. Unlike the dawn, which announces the coming light, the moon reflects light that comes from another source.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Likewise, Cahn said mature believers stop striving to produce righteousness on their own and instead become reflections of Christ Himself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614113,\\\"width\\\":\\\"256px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"full\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/04\\/Screenshot-2026-04-22-122557.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614113\\\" style=\\\"width:256px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\">To order Jonathan Cahn\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\">The Altar of Pergamon<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"You don\'t have to reflect your own love,\\\" he explained. \\\"You reflect the love of God, and it becomes your love.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>That reflection, he said, should remain steady rather than fluctuating with emotions or circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>To illustrate that truth, Cahn recounted the story of a Christian imprisoned under communist persecution. After years without seeing sunlight, the man cried out to God about His promise that the sun rises on both the righteous and the unrighteous. The Lord responded with a simple but life-changing reminder: \\\"<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/propheticrevival\\/sid-roth-jonathan-cahn-say-prophetic-signs-point-to-the-coming-greater-glory\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/propheticrevival\\/sid-roth-jonathan-cahn-say-prophetic-signs-point-to-the-coming-greater-glory\\/\\\">You are the sunrise. Light up your prison cell<\\/a>.\\\" The man ultimately led his torturer to Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Finally, Cahn said believers mature into becoming like the sun itself\\u2014not because they possess light independently, but because Christ\'s life so completely fills them that His love flows naturally through them.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than living for recognition or approval, mature believers become people who continually give themselves away in service, sacrifice and unconditional love.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cahn reminded listeners that God gave humanity His greatest gift in Jesus Christ. Those who receive that gift, he said, are now called to become gifts themselves.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As culture grows darker, Cahn\'s message serves as a reminder that the church\'s calling is not simply to survive the darkness, but to overcome it by reflecting the light of Christ until the world sees Him through His people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/LkEhZJlirIU?si=RvDFnj5o646uIxTs\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The Bible never describes the Bride of Christ as stagnant. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to #1 New York Times bestselling author and prophetic teacher Jonathan Cahn, Scripture paints a far more glorious picture: one of believers who continually grow brighter until they reflect the very glory of Christ Himself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>During a powerful teaching on Song of Solomon 6:10, Cahn unpacked what he calls one of Scripture\'s most beautiful portraits of spiritual maturity. Quoting the passage\\u2014\\\"Who is this who grows like the dawn?\\\"\\u2014he explained that God never intended believers to remain where they first encountered Him. Instead, every follower of Christ is called to an ever-increasing life of transformation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The bride is like the dawn,\\\" Cahn said, noting that dawn begins as only a faint light before gradually illuminating the entire horizon.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He explained that <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritual-warfare\\/jonathan-cahn-unveils-the-spiritual-secret-to-breaking-curses\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritual-warfare\\/jonathan-cahn-unveils-the-spiritual-secret-to-breaking-curses\\/\\\">the Christian life should mirror that progression.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The light of God in you must be continually growing more than before,\\\" Cahn said. \\\"If you\'re not growing, you\'re going backwards.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cahn said this continual growth should touch every area of a believer\'s life\\u2014from love and holiness to joy and devotion to Christ. Just as dawn signals a new beginning, believers are called to live with the constant reality that every day is another opportunity for God to make all things new.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>But Cahn says the journey doesn\'t stop with the dawn.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He pointed to the next description in Song of Solomon, where the Bride is compared to the moon. Unlike the dawn, which announces the coming light, the moon reflects light that comes from another source.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Likewise, Cahn said mature believers stop striving to produce righteousness on their own and instead become reflections of Christ Himself.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614113,\\\"width\\\":\\\"256px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"full\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/04\\/Screenshot-2026-04-22-122557.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614113\\\" style=\\\"width:256px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\">To order Jonathan Cahn\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\">The Altar of Pergamon<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Altar-Pergamon-Mystery-Angel-Future\\/dp\\/1636416152\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"You don\'t have to reflect your own love,\\\" he explained. \\\"You reflect the love of God, and it becomes your love.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>That reflection, he said, should remain steady rather than fluctuating with emotions or circumstances.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>To illustrate that truth, Cahn recounted the story of a Christian imprisoned under communist persecution. After years without seeing sunlight, the man cried out to God about His promise that the sun rises on both the righteous and the unrighteous. The Lord responded with a simple but life-changing reminder: \\\"<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/propheticrevival\\/sid-roth-jonathan-cahn-say-prophetic-signs-point-to-the-coming-greater-glory\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/propheticrevival\\/sid-roth-jonathan-cahn-say-prophetic-signs-point-to-the-coming-greater-glory\\/\\\">You are the sunrise. Light up your prison cell<\\/a>.\\\" The man ultimately led his torturer to Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Finally, Cahn said believers mature into becoming like the sun itself\\u2014not because they possess light independently, but because Christ\'s life so completely fills them that His love flows naturally through them.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than living for recognition or approval, mature believers become people who continually give themselves away in service, sacrifice and unconditional love.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Cahn reminded listeners that God gave humanity His greatest gift in Jesus Christ. Those who receive that gift, he said, are now called to become gifts themselves.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As culture grows darker, Cahn\'s message serves as a reminder that the church\'s calling is not simply to survive the darkness, but to overcome it by reflecting the light of Christ until the world sees Him through His people.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"jonathan-cahn-issues-a-powerful-call-every-christian-needs-to-hear\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/atrivett\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 20, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 20, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Home-Pinned\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/home-pinned\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"home-pinned\",\"category_name_0\":\"Home-Pinned\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/home-pinned\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"home-pinned\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM.png\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-374x250.png\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-896x600.png\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-150x100.png\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-768x514.png\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-200x268.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-600x338.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-150x125.png\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-150x150.png\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-280x189.png\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-180x100.png\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-1280x720.png\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-1024x685.png\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM-720x380.png\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM.png\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-20-2026-10_31_57-AM.png\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"Christian life\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-life\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"Christian persecution\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-persecution\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"Jonathan Cahn\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/jonathan-cahn\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"love of God\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/love-of-god\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"Shine Your Light\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/shine-your-light\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"Song of Solomon\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/song-of-solomon\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"spiritual growth\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/spiritual-growth\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"standing in faith\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/standing-in-faith\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784581012:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618809\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Jonathan Cahn\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"The Bible never describes the Bride of Christ as stagnant. According to #1 New York Times bestselling author and prophetic teacher Jonathan Cahn, Scripture paints a far more glorious picture: one of believers who continually grow brighter until they reflect the very glory of Christ Himself.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"70\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"30\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"3\",\"excerpt\":\"The Bible never describes the Bride of Christ as stagnant. According to #1 New York Times bestselling author and prophetic teacher Jonathan Cahn, Scripture paints a far more glorious picture: one of believers who continually grow brighter until they reflect the very glory of Christ Himself. During a powerful teaching on Song of Solomon 6:10, \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618807\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260720\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 20, 2026, 10:44 am\",\"tag_9\":\"The Altar of Pergamon\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/the-altar-of-pergamon\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_1\":\"spiritled-living\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618750,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/kenneth-copeland-why-most-christians-are-defeating-themselves-with-one-daily-habit\\/\",\"title\":\"Kenneth Copeland: Why Most Christians Are Defeating Themselves With One Daily Habit\",\"content\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/8STNOresR8M?si=oHY5xcIDyFNq2lYU\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>After nearly six decades of ministry, Kenneth Copeland says the greatest revelation he continues to discover isn\'t a new doctrine or hidden prophecy\\u2014it\'s the unchanging power of God\'s Word.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>During a recent episode of the Kenneth Copeland Podcast, the veteran minister shared why he believes Scripture remains the foundation for every area of a believer\'s life, from spiritual growth to physical health, emotional peace and biblical prosperity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"What produces spiritual, mental and physical prosperity?\\\" Copeland asked. \\\"The Word of God.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pointing to Hebrews 4:12, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/kenneth-copeland-challenges-misconceptions-about-prosperity\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/kenneth-copeland-challenges-misconceptions-about-prosperity\\/\\\">Copeland emphasized that God\'s Word is \\\"alive\\\" and \\\"powerful,<\\/a>\\\" declaring that believers who continually walk according to Scripture position themselves to experience God\'s promises in every area of life. He argued that while many Christians readily preach about the effects of sin and the curse, they often fail to spend equal time teaching the redemption Christ purchased through His sacrifice.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Reading from his book, The Laws of Prosperity, Copeland compared faith to a spiritual force that operates according to God\'s established laws. Just as gravity functions consistently in the natural world, he said, faith activates the higher spiritual law established through Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The law of the Spirit of life,\\\" he explained, \\\"supersedes the law of sin and death,\\\" adding that God\'s promises become effective in a believer\'s life when they are received and acted upon in faith.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>One of the interview\'s strongest themes centered on the power of words.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614941,\\\"width\\\":\\\"264px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/05\\/John-Eckhardt-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614941\\\" style=\\\"width:264px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\">To order John Eckhardt\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\">The Power of Your Words<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Copeland warned that believers often undermine themselves through careless speech, encouraging Christians to pay close attention to the confessions that repeatedly come out of their mouths.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"What you say coming out of your mouth will determine your life,\\\" he said, explaining that repeated words eventually settle into the heart and begin shaping a person\'s thinking and actions. He shared personal examples of changing his vocabulary after realizing he had developed negative speech habits about exercise and everyday situations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He also challenged listeners to reject fear rather than tolerate it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Describing fear as \\\"faith in a storm\'s ability to hurt you,\\\" Copeland urged believers to replace anxious thoughts with Scripture-rooted declarations rather than allowing fear to dictate their responses. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Summarizing his point, he offered one of the podcast\'s most memorable statements: \\\"Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When asked what still excites him after decades of studying the Bible, Copeland pointed to the discipline of meditation. Reflecting on Jesus\' encounter with the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, he explained that slow, meditative study of Scripture has allowed him to see fresh details and deeper applications that he believes <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/kenneth-copeland-gives-powerful-answer-to-the-question-every-christian-asks-about-healing\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/kenneth-copeland-gives-powerful-answer-to-the-question-every-christian-asks-about-healing\\/\\\">strengthen his understanding of God\'s character and compassion<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>For believers wrestling with anxiety, Copeland pointed to Philippians 4 and 2 Corinthians 10, encouraging Christians to reject fearful thoughts before they take root and instead intentionally fix their minds on God\'s truth. He also shared a personal testimony of learning to cast financial burdens onto the Lord after realizing he had been carrying worry instead of walking in faith.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Whether discussing prosperity, fear, meditation or the renewing of the mind, Copeland returned repeatedly to one central conviction: God\'s Word is not merely information to be studied but truth to be believed, spoken and lived. Lasting transformation begins when we allow Scripture\\u2014not circumstances\\u2014to become the final authority over every area of life.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/8STNOresR8M?si=oHY5xcIDyFNq2lYU\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>After nearly six decades of ministry, Kenneth Copeland says the greatest revelation he continues to discover isn\'t a new doctrine or hidden prophecy\\u2014it\'s the unchanging power of God\'s Word.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>During a recent episode of the Kenneth Copeland Podcast, the veteran minister shared why he believes Scripture remains the foundation for every area of a believer\'s life, from spiritual growth to physical health, emotional peace and biblical prosperity.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"What produces spiritual, mental and physical prosperity?\\\" Copeland asked. \\\"The Word of God.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Pointing to Hebrews 4:12, <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/kenneth-copeland-challenges-misconceptions-about-prosperity\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/culture\\/kenneth-copeland-challenges-misconceptions-about-prosperity\\/\\\">Copeland emphasized that God\'s Word is \\\"alive\\\" and \\\"powerful,<\\/a>\\\" declaring that believers who continually walk according to Scripture position themselves to experience God\'s promises in every area of life. He argued that while many Christians readily preach about the effects of sin and the curse, they often fail to spend equal time teaching the redemption Christ purchased through His sacrifice.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Reading from his book, The Laws of Prosperity, Copeland compared faith to a spiritual force that operates according to God\'s established laws. Just as gravity functions consistently in the natural world, he said, faith activates the higher spiritual law established through Christ.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The law of the Spirit of life,\\\" he explained, \\\"supersedes the law of sin and death,\\\" adding that God\'s promises become effective in a believer\'s life when they are received and acted upon in faith.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>One of the interview\'s strongest themes centered on the power of words.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":614941,\\\"width\\\":\\\"264px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/05\\/John-Eckhardt-book-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-614941\\\" style=\\\"width:264px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\">To order John Eckhardt\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\">The Power of Your Words<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Your-Words-Decree-Declare\\/dp\\/1636415628\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Copeland warned that believers often undermine themselves through careless speech, encouraging Christians to pay close attention to the confessions that repeatedly come out of their mouths.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"What you say coming out of your mouth will determine your life,\\\" he said, explaining that repeated words eventually settle into the heart and begin shaping a person\'s thinking and actions. He shared personal examples of changing his vocabulary after realizing he had developed negative speech habits about exercise and everyday situations.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He also challenged listeners to reject fear rather than tolerate it.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Describing fear as \\\"faith in a storm\'s ability to hurt you,\\\" Copeland urged believers to replace anxious thoughts with Scripture-rooted declarations rather than allowing fear to dictate their responses. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Summarizing his point, he offered one of the podcast\'s most memorable statements: \\\"Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When asked what still excites him after decades of studying the Bible, Copeland pointed to the discipline of meditation. Reflecting on Jesus\' encounter with the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, he explained that slow, meditative study of Scripture has allowed him to see fresh details and deeper applications that he believes <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/kenneth-copeland-gives-powerful-answer-to-the-question-every-christian-asks-about-healing\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/kenneth-copeland-gives-powerful-answer-to-the-question-every-christian-asks-about-healing\\/\\\">strengthen his understanding of God\'s character and compassion<\\/a>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>For believers wrestling with anxiety, Copeland pointed to Philippians 4 and 2 Corinthians 10, encouraging Christians to reject fearful thoughts before they take root and instead intentionally fix their minds on God\'s truth. He also shared a personal testimony of learning to cast financial burdens onto the Lord after realizing he had been carrying worry instead of walking in faith.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Whether discussing prosperity, fear, meditation or the renewing of the mind, Copeland returned repeatedly to one central conviction: God\'s Word is not merely information to be studied but truth to be believed, spoken and lived. Lasting transformation begins when we allow Scripture\\u2014not circumstances\\u2014to become the final authority over every area of life.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"kenneth-copeland-why-most-christians-are-defeating-themselves-with-one-daily-habit\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/atrivett\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 17, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 17, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Most-Recent\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/most-recent\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"most-recent\",\"category_name_0\":\"Most-Recent\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/most-recent\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"most-recent\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3.png\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-374x250.png\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-898x600.png\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-150x100.png\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-768x513.png\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-200x268.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-600x338.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-150x125.png\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-150x150.png\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-280x189.png\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-180x100.png\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-1280x720.png\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-1024x684.png\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3-720x380.png\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3.png\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Kenneth-Copeland-3.png\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"anxiety\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/anxiety\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"Faith\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/faith\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"Kenneth Copeland\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/kenneth-copeland\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"negativity\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/negativity\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"overcoming fear\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/overcoming-fear\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"power of thoughts\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/power-of-thoughts\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"power of words\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/power-of-words\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"prosperity\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/prosperity\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784312020:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618753\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Kenneth Copeland\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"After nearly six decades of ministry, Kenneth Copeland says the greatest revelation he continues to discover isn\'t a new doctrine or hidden prophecy\\u2014it\'s the unchanging power of God\'s Word.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"73\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"30\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"4\",\"excerpt\":\"After nearly six decades of ministry, Kenneth Copeland says the greatest revelation he continues to discover isn&#8217;t a new doctrine or hidden prophecy\\u2014it&#8217;s the unchanging power of God&#8217;s Word. During a recent episode of the Kenneth Copeland Podcast, the veteran minister shared why he believes Scripture remains the foundation for every area of a believer&#8217;s \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618750\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260717\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 17, 2026, 2:13 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"Word of God\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/word-of-god\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_1\":\"spiritled-living\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618716,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/7-reasons-god-wont-promote-you-until-youre-ready\\/\",\"title\":\"7 Reasons God Won&#8217;t Promote You Until You&#8217;re Ready\",\"content\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/RRjoZpFh_lU?si=od5XGv_ewN2wXLXv\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Everyone wants the harvest. Few people want the plow.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>We celebrate the breakthrough, the open door, the fulfilled promise and the visible fruit. But long before the harvest appears, there is often a season of resistance, hidden work and painful preparation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In a new episode of \\u201cThe Leader\\u2019s Cut,\\u201d Pastor Preston Morrison unpacked seven biblical principles of plowing, revealing why the hardest seasons are not always evidence that something has gone wrong. Sometimes, they are proof that God trusts you with something greater.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">1. Change the Way You See the Plow<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The first principle is simple but transformative: Stop viewing the plow as punishment.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Morrison described four types of fields\\u2014pavement, potential, already plowed and plentiful. Naturally, most people would choose the field that is already prepared. Yet the hardest ground can produce the deepest transformation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cPlowing is not a form of divine punishment,\\u201d Morrison said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When God hands you a difficult field, it may not be because the ground is worthless. It may be because hidden beneath the surface are seeds you cannot yet see.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">2. Expect the Hard<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Plowing is difficult by design.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Everything may take longer than expected. Resistance may feel relentless. Spiritual warfare may intensify. <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/still-waiting-on-god-heres-why-thats-exactly-where-you-should-be\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/still-waiting-on-god-heres-why-thats-exactly-where-you-should-be\\/\\\">Yet difficulty does not automatically mean you missed God.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Plowing does not immediately produce fruit. It makes room for fruit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Galatians 6:9 reminds believers not to grow weary in doing good, because in due season they will reap if they do not give up. The hard work is not wasted. God is building the endurance required for the harvest ahead.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">3. Recognize Plowing as a Compliment<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Morrison emphasized that when God asks someone to plow, it is often evidence of divine trust.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThe more you graduate, the more He trusts you to plow,\\u201d he said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":607469,\\\"width\\\":\\\"268px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/12\\/Abbys-Book-1-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-607469\\\" style=\\\"width:268px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\">To order Abby Trivett\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\">The Power of Suddenly<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>God rarely hands someone a platform before proving them with a plow. Greater influence requires greater preparation. The field may feel brutal, but the assignment itself may be heaven\\u2019s declaration that God believes you can carry what is coming.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">4. Do Not Plow With the Wrong People<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Drawing from Deuteronomy 22:10, Morrison warned against yoking an ox and a donkey together.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Spiritually, the lesson is clear: Do not build with people who love talking about the harvest but refuse to endure the labor.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When pressure rises, faithful workers keep moving. Others look for shortcuts, excuses or opportunities to benefit from someone else\\u2019s sacrifice. The people beside you can either strengthen your resolve or pull your field off course.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">5. Plow With Committed Resolve<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Jesus said in Luke 9:62 that anyone who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Plowing requires focus.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Comparing your field to someone else\\u2019s can cause you to lose sight of the assignment directly in front of you. What God is doing through another person is not the measure of what He is doing through you.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Plow the row He gave you.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">6. Understand That Plowing Is Preparation<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Elisha was plowing when Elijah placed the prophetic mantle upon him. David was faithfully serving in obscurity before entering the palace.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/what-happens-when-we-stop-eagerly-waiting-for-christ\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/what-happens-when-we-stop-eagerly-waiting-for-christ\\/\\\">The hidden field often becomes God\\u2019s training ground.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Every rock, delay and obstacle builds strength. Every unseen act of obedience develops stewardship. God may be preparing you for something your current character cannot yet carry.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">7. Remember That Plowing Will Not Last Forever<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Isaiah 28 reminds us that a farmer does not plow forever. Eventually, the seed is planted, and the harvest comes.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>But Morrison warned that God is not only plowing the field around you. He is also plowing the field within you.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The greatest danger would be entering a plentiful field with an untouched, prideful heart.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>So do not despise the plow. Let God break up the hardened places. Let Him remove the rocks. Let Him prepare both the ground and the worker.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The harvest is coming\\u2014but God loves you too much to let it arrive before you are ready.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"className\\\":\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/RRjoZpFh_lU?si=od5XGv_ewN2wXLXv\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\\\" referrerpolicy=\\\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"\\\"><\\/iframe>\\n<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Everyone wants the harvest. Few people want the plow.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>We celebrate the breakthrough, the open door, the fulfilled promise and the visible fruit. But long before the harvest appears, there is often a season of resistance, hidden work and painful preparation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In a new episode of \\u201cThe Leader\\u2019s Cut,\\u201d Pastor Preston Morrison unpacked seven biblical principles of plowing, revealing why the hardest seasons are not always evidence that something has gone wrong. Sometimes, they are proof that God trusts you with something greater.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">1. Change the Way You See the Plow<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The first principle is simple but transformative: Stop viewing the plow as punishment.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Morrison described four types of fields\\u2014pavement, potential, already plowed and plentiful. Naturally, most people would choose the field that is already prepared. Yet the hardest ground can produce the deepest transformation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cPlowing is not a form of divine punishment,\\u201d Morrison said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When God hands you a difficult field, it may not be because the ground is worthless. It may be because hidden beneath the surface are seeds you cannot yet see.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">2. Expect the Hard<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Plowing is difficult by design.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Everything may take longer than expected. Resistance may feel relentless. Spiritual warfare may intensify. <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/still-waiting-on-god-heres-why-thats-exactly-where-you-should-be\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/still-waiting-on-god-heres-why-thats-exactly-where-you-should-be\\/\\\">Yet difficulty does not automatically mean you missed God.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Plowing does not immediately produce fruit. It makes room for fruit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Galatians 6:9 reminds believers not to grow weary in doing good, because in due season they will reap if they do not give up. The hard work is not wasted. God is building the endurance required for the harvest ahead.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">3. Recognize Plowing as a Compliment<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Morrison emphasized that when God asks someone to plow, it is often evidence of divine trust.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\u201cThe more you graduate, the more He trusts you to plow,\\u201d he said.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":607469,\\\"width\\\":\\\"268px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/12\\/Abbys-Book-1-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-607469\\\" style=\\\"width:268px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\">To order Abby Trivett\'s new book, <\\/a><\\/em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\">The Power of Suddenly<\\/a><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\\">, visit Amazon.com.<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>God rarely hands someone a platform before proving them with a plow. Greater influence requires greater preparation. The field may feel brutal, but the assignment itself may be heaven\\u2019s declaration that God believes you can carry what is coming.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">4. Do Not Plow With the Wrong People<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Drawing from Deuteronomy 22:10, Morrison warned against yoking an ox and a donkey together.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Spiritually, the lesson is clear: Do not build with people who love talking about the harvest but refuse to endure the labor.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>When pressure rises, faithful workers keep moving. Others look for shortcuts, excuses or opportunities to benefit from someone else\\u2019s sacrifice. The people beside you can either strengthen your resolve or pull your field off course.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">5. Plow With Committed Resolve<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Jesus said in Luke 9:62 that anyone who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Plowing requires focus.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Comparing your field to someone else\\u2019s can cause you to lose sight of the assignment directly in front of you. What God is doing through another person is not the measure of what He is doing through you.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Plow the row He gave you.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">6. Understand That Plowing Is Preparation<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Elisha was plowing when Elijah placed the prophetic mantle upon him. David was faithfully serving in obscurity before entering the palace.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/what-happens-when-we-stop-eagerly-waiting-for-christ\\/\\\" data-type=\\\"link\\\" data-id=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/what-happens-when-we-stop-eagerly-waiting-for-christ\\/\\\">The hidden field often becomes God\\u2019s training ground.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Every rock, delay and obstacle builds strength. Every unseen act of obedience develops stewardship. God may be preparing you for something your current character cannot yet carry.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">7. Remember That Plowing Will Not Last Forever<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Isaiah 28 reminds us that a farmer does not plow forever. Eventually, the seed is planted, and the harvest comes.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>But Morrison warned that God is not only plowing the field around you. He is also plowing the field within you.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The greatest danger would be entering a plentiful field with an untouched, prideful heart.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>So do not despise the plow. Let God break up the hardened places. Let Him remove the rocks. Let Him prepare both the ground and the worker.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>The harvest is coming\\u2014but God loves you too much to let it arrive before you are ready.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>Abby Trivett<\\/strong><em>&nbsp;is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released<\\/em>&nbsp;<em>book,<\\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/\\\">The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.<\\/a>&nbsp;<em>For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected]<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"7-reasons-god-wont-promote-you-until-youre-ready\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/atrivett\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 17, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 17, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Most-Recent\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/most-recent\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"most-recent\",\"category_name_0\":\"Most-Recent\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/most-recent\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"most-recent\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM.png\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-374x250.png\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-896x600.png\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-150x100.png\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-768x514.png\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-200x268.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-600x338.png\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-150x125.png\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-150x150.png\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-70x70.png\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-280x189.png\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-180x100.png\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-1280x720.png\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-1024x685.png\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM-720x380.png\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM.png\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-17-2026-10_41_51-AM.png\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"biblical fruit\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/biblical-fruit\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"commitment\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/commitment\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"God\'s timing\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/gods-timing\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"hardship\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/hardship\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"harvesting and plowing\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/harvesting-and-plowing\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"Preston Morrison\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/preston-morrison\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"The Leader\'s Cut podcast\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/the-leaders-cut-podcast\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"The Pillar Church\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/the-pillar-church\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784300593:8766\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618723\",\"editlast\":\"8766\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8766\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"God\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"We celebrate the breakthrough, the open door, the fulfilled promise and the visible fruit. But long before the harvest appears, there is often a season of resistance, hidden work and painful preparation.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"72\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"90\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"4\",\"excerpt\":\"Everyone wants the harvest. Few people want the plow. We celebrate the breakthrough, the open door, the fulfilled promise and the visible fruit. But long before the harvest appears, there is often a season of resistance, hidden work and painful preparation. In a new episode of \\u201cThe Leader\\u2019s Cut,\\u201d Pastor Preston Morrison unpacked seven biblical \",\"comment_count\":\"0\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618716\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260717\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 17, 2026, 11:03 am\",\"tag_9\":\"waiting season\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/waiting-season\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"1\",\"category_name_1\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_1\":\"spiritled-living\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}],[{\"id\":618689,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/7-biblical-patterns-that-will-change-how-you-view-the-rapture\\/\",\"title\":\"7 Biblical Patterns That Will Change How You View the Rapture\",\"content\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/3oJ_vhcDqt0?si=9lsA7_YIby52NFJu\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Evangelist Perry Stone recently devoted an entire teaching to explaining why he believes Scripture points to a pre-tribulation rapture, arguing that God\'s prophetic timeline consistently places the catching away of believers before the seven-year Tribulation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than focusing on current events, Stone walked viewers through biblical prophecy, the feasts of Israel and what he called <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/propheticrevival\\/the-sealed-eastern-gate-and-the-rapture-randy-kay-reveals-the-prophetic-connection\\/\\\">\\\"100% proof\\\" that the Church will be removed before God\'s wrath<\\/a> is poured out on the earth. Here are the primary arguments he presented.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone begins with the three major views<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone acknowledged that Christians hold different beliefs about the timing of Christ\'s return.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone, the three primary views are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Pre-tribulation<\\/strong> \\u2014 Christ gathers believers before the Tribulation begins.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Mid-tribulation<\\/strong> \\u2014 Christ returns around the midpoint of the seven years.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Post-tribulation<\\/strong> \\u2014 Believers meet Christ in the air before immediately returning with Him to establish His kingdom.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He also urged believers not to divide over the issue.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"Heretical teaching is not ... your opinion of when the rapture is going to take place. Heretical teaching is to say Jesus is not the Son of God, or He was not born of the virgin Mary.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">1. The Old Testament reveals Christ\'s kingdom. The New Testament reveals the rapture.<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone argued that the Old Testament repeatedly foretells Christ reigning as King on the earth, while the New Testament introduces an additional event: Christ coming for His Church before returning to reign.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He pointed to John 14 as one of the clearest examples.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The Old Testament revelation is Christ ruling on earth. The New Testament revelation is Christ returning for the Church to take them to heaven for a period of time, and then returning back... to rule on the earth.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone\'s key distinction<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Old Testament \\u2192 Christ\'s earthly kingdom<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>New Testament \\u2192 Christ gathers the Church<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Revelation 19 \\u2192 Christ returns with His saints to reign<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">2. Israel and the Church have different promises<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone next argued that Scripture distinguishes between God\'s promises to Israel and His promises to the Church.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Israel\'s promises<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Promised Land<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Jerusalem<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>An earthly kingdom<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">The Church\'s promises<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Heaven<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Judgment Seat of Christ<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Marriage Supper of the Lamb<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As Stone explained:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"All the promises given to the Jews... were earthly promises... The Church\'s promises... are heavenly promises.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":607469,\\\"width\\\":\\\"279px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T2D2RDFZCJCI&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhcep09R0xTQnyRumn3-RHX7HxMj-zoutIvTjAy1PyZDEhGkiuaju1RWJ0NapB043JiwcDNZxIpR1GNSpD5bVjPIG46WRAAtBEvcIaJRx3C2OvTTLlys-K02-3zA_LlqVST_zr32js0EhPKbCRB0BcIxEg.9m1t3Ld5BQON9k6Io6rvE-Jd-8SFG9Qvjcii08jTkfk&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784228652&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C362&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/12\\/Abbys-Book-1-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-607469\\\" style=\\\"width:279px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T2D2RDFZCJCI&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhcep09R0xTQnyRumn3-RHX7HxMj-zoutIvTjAy1PyZDEhGkiuaju1RWJ0NapB043JiwcDNZxIpR1GNSpD5bVjPIG46WRAAtBEvcIaJRx3C2OvTTLlys-K02-3zA_LlqVST_zr32js0EhPKbCRB0BcIxEg.9m1t3Ld5BQON9k6Io6rvE-Jd-8SFG9Qvjcii08jTkfk&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784228652&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C362&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order Abby Trivett\'s New Book, \\\"The Power of Suddenly\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">3. Exodus 19 foreshadows the rapture<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone then turned to Mount Sinai, arguing that Moses\' encounter with God contains a prophetic picture of the rapture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He highlighted several parallels.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone\'s comparisons<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>A trumpet sounds.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>God speaks with a voice.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Lord descends.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Moses is called upward.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone concluded:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"Exodus 19:19-20 is a picture of the rapture.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">4. The seven feasts reveal God\'s prophetic calendar<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone, Israel\'s annual festivals do more than commemorate historical events\\u2014they also reveal God\'s prophetic timeline.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Spring feasts<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Passover<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Unleavened Bread<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>First Fruits<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Pentecost<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone said these were fulfilled through Christ\'s death, burial, resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Fall feasts<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Trumpets<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Atonement<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Tabernacles<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He argued these point to future prophetic events that have not yet reached their complete fulfillment.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">5. Why Stone believes Trumpets represents the rapture<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone devoted much of his teaching to the Feast of Trumpets.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He said several details correspond to the New Testament description of the rapture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">He pointed to:<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The blowing of the trumpets<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The \\\"last trump\\\"<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The mystery surrounding the feast<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The fact that no one knew precisely when the feast would begin until witnesses observed the new moon<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone connected this to Jesus\' statement that \\\"no man knows the day or the hour.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The last trumpet sounded is the T\'Qiah Ha G\'Dolah... it\'s called the last trump, and Paul talked about the last trump when the dead would be raised to meet the Lord in the air.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">6. Stone\'s \\\"100% proof\\\" for a pre-tribulation rapture<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone said his strongest evidence comes from the order of Israel\'s festivals.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The seven festivals cannot be taken out of order.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone\'s interpretation, God\'s prophetic calendar follows this sequence:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true} -->\\n<ol class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Pentecost<\\/strong> \\u2192 The Church Age<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Trumpets<\\/strong> \\u2192 The Rapture<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Atonement<\\/strong> \\u2192 The Tribulation<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Tabernacles<\\/strong> \\u2192 Christ\'s millennial reign<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone argued that placing the rapture in the middle or at the end of the Tribulation would require changing the order God established for the feasts.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"It is impossible... to take any festival and put one in front of the other.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone\'s conclusion<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone concluded that we are currently living in the Pentecost or Church Age, with the Feast of Trumpets representing <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/jack-hibbs-shares-how-1-scripture-shattered-his-beliefs-about-the-rapture\\/\\\">the next major event on God\'s prophetic calendar.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He argued that because the biblical festivals always unfold in the same order, the prophetic sequence must likewise remain unchanged: the rapture, then the Tribulation, followed by Christ\'s return to establish His millennial kingdom. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to&nbsp;Charisma&nbsp;magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"description\":\"<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><iframe title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" src=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.youtube.com\\/embed\\/3oJ_vhcDqt0?si=9lsA7_YIby52NFJu\\\" width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allowfullscreen=\\\"allowfullscreen\\\"><\\/iframe><\\/p>\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Evangelist Perry Stone recently devoted an entire teaching to explaining why he believes Scripture points to a pre-tribulation rapture, arguing that God\'s prophetic timeline consistently places the catching away of believers before the seven-year Tribulation.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Rather than focusing on current events, Stone walked viewers through biblical prophecy, the feasts of Israel and what he called <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/propheticrevival\\/the-sealed-eastern-gate-and-the-rapture-randy-kay-reveals-the-prophetic-connection\\/\\\">\\\"100% proof\\\" that the Church will be removed before God\'s wrath<\\/a> is poured out on the earth. Here are the primary arguments he presented.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone begins with the three major views<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone acknowledged that Christians hold different beliefs about the timing of Christ\'s return.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone, the three primary views are:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Pre-tribulation<\\/strong> \\u2014 Christ gathers believers before the Tribulation begins.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Mid-tribulation<\\/strong> \\u2014 Christ returns around the midpoint of the seven years.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Post-tribulation<\\/strong> \\u2014 Believers meet Christ in the air before immediately returning with Him to establish His kingdom.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He also urged believers not to divide over the issue.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"Heretical teaching is not ... your opinion of when the rapture is going to take place. Heretical teaching is to say Jesus is not the Son of God, or He was not born of the virgin Mary.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">1. The Old Testament reveals Christ\'s kingdom. The New Testament reveals the rapture.<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone argued that the Old Testament repeatedly foretells Christ reigning as King on the earth, while the New Testament introduces an additional event: Christ coming for His Church before returning to reign.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He pointed to John 14 as one of the clearest examples.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The Old Testament revelation is Christ ruling on earth. The New Testament revelation is Christ returning for the Church to take them to heaven for a period of time, and then returning back... to rule on the earth.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone\'s key distinction<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Old Testament \\u2192 Christ\'s earthly kingdom<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>New Testament \\u2192 Christ gathers the Church<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Revelation 19 \\u2192 Christ returns with His saints to reign<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">2. Israel and the Church have different promises<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone next argued that Scripture distinguishes between God\'s promises to Israel and His promises to the Church.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Israel\'s promises<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Promised Land<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Jerusalem<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>An earthly kingdom<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">The Church\'s promises<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Heaven<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Judgment Seat of Christ<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Marriage Supper of the Lamb<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>As Stone explained:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"All the promises given to the Jews... were earthly promises... The Church\'s promises... are heavenly promises.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:image {\\\"lightbox\\\":{\\\"enabled\\\":false},\\\"id\\\":607469,\\\"width\\\":\\\"279px\\\",\\\"height\\\":\\\"auto\\\",\\\"sizeSlug\\\":\\\"large\\\",\\\"linkDestination\\\":\\\"custom\\\",\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<figure class=\\\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\\\"><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T2D2RDFZCJCI&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhcep09R0xTQnyRumn3-RHX7HxMj-zoutIvTjAy1PyZDEhGkiuaju1RWJ0NapB043JiwcDNZxIpR1GNSpD5bVjPIG46WRAAtBEvcIaJRx3C2OvTTLlys-K02-3zA_LlqVST_zr32js0EhPKbCRB0BcIxEg.9m1t3Ld5BQON9k6Io6rvE-Jd-8SFG9Qvjcii08jTkfk&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784228652&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C362&amp;sr=1-1\\\"><img src=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/12\\/Abbys-Book-1-400x600.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" class=\\\"wp-image-607469\\\" style=\\\"width:279px;height:auto\\\"\\/><\\/a><\\/figure>\\n<!-- \\/wp:image -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"align\\\":\\\"center\\\"} -->\\n<p class=\\\"has-text-align-center\\\"><strong><em><a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Power-Suddenly-Discover-Change-Everything\\/dp\\/1636415911\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T2D2RDFZCJCI&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvzmMiAuDGYLOpSiTYDPqIoQdzBqQhrbz8aEaw4GC2-ccgPWLpf1ayXxLlW1hhcep09R0xTQnyRumn3-RHX7HxMj-zoutIvTjAy1PyZDEhGkiuaju1RWJ0NapB043JiwcDNZxIpR1GNSpD5bVjPIG46WRAAtBEvcIaJRx3C2OvTTLlys-K02-3zA_LlqVST_zr32js0EhPKbCRB0BcIxEg.9m1t3Ld5BQON9k6Io6rvE-Jd-8SFG9Qvjcii08jTkfk&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+suddenly&amp;qid=1784228652&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C362&amp;sr=1-1\\\">Order Abby Trivett\'s New Book, \\\"The Power of Suddenly\\\" on Amazon.com!<\\/a><\\/em><\\/strong><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">3. Exodus 19 foreshadows the rapture<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone then turned to Mount Sinai, arguing that Moses\' encounter with God contains a prophetic picture of the rapture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He highlighted several parallels.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone\'s comparisons<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>A trumpet sounds.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>God speaks with a voice.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The Lord descends.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Moses is called upward.<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone concluded:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"Exodus 19:19-20 is a picture of the rapture.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">4. The seven feasts reveal God\'s prophetic calendar<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone, Israel\'s annual festivals do more than commemorate historical events\\u2014they also reveal God\'s prophetic timeline.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Spring feasts<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Passover<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Unleavened Bread<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>First Fruits<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Pentecost<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone said these were fulfilled through Christ\'s death, burial, resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Fall feasts<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Trumpets<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Atonement<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>Tabernacles<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He argued these point to future prophetic events that have not yet reached their complete fulfillment.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">5. Why Stone believes Trumpets represents the rapture<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone devoted much of his teaching to the Feast of Trumpets.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He said several details correspond to the New Testament description of the rapture.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading {\\\"level\\\":3} -->\\n<h3 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">He pointed to:<\\/h3>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list -->\\n<ul class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The blowing of the trumpets<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The \\\"last trump\\\"<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The mystery surrounding the feast<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li>The fact that no one knew precisely when the feast would begin until witnesses observed the new moon<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ul>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone connected this to Jesus\' statement that \\\"no man knows the day or the hour.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The last trumpet sounded is the T\'Qiah Ha G\'Dolah... it\'s called the last trump, and Paul talked about the last trump when the dead would be raised to meet the Lord in the air.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">6. Stone\'s \\\"100% proof\\\" for a pre-tribulation rapture<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone said his strongest evidence comes from the order of Israel\'s festivals.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"The seven festivals cannot be taken out of order.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>According to Stone\'s interpretation, God\'s prophetic calendar follows this sequence:<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list {\\\"ordered\\\":true} -->\\n<ol class=\\\"wp-block-list\\\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Pentecost<\\/strong> \\u2192 The Church Age<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Trumpets<\\/strong> \\u2192 The Rapture<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Atonement<\\/strong> \\u2192 The Tribulation<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\\n<li><strong>Tabernacles<\\/strong> \\u2192 Christ\'s millennial reign<\\/li>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list-item --><\\/ol>\\n<!-- \\/wp:list -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone argued that placing the rapture in the middle or at the end of the Tribulation would require changing the order God established for the feasts.<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:quote -->\\n<blockquote class=\\\"wp-block-quote\\\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>\\\"It is impossible... to take any festival and put one in front of the other.\\\"<\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph --><\\/blockquote>\\n<!-- \\/wp:quote -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:heading -->\\n<h2 class=\\\"wp-block-heading\\\">Stone\'s conclusion<\\/h2>\\n<!-- \\/wp:heading -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Stone concluded that we are currently living in the Pentecost or Church Age, with the Feast of Trumpets representing <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/spiritled-living\\/jack-hibbs-shares-how-1-scripture-shattered-his-beliefs-about-the-rapture\\/\\\">the next major event on God\'s prophetic calendar.<\\/a><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>He argued that because the biblical festivals always unfold in the same order, the prophetic sequence must likewise remain unchanged: the rapture, then the Tribulation, followed by Christ\'s return to establish His millennial kingdom. <\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p><strong>James Lasher<\\/strong><em>, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/www.amazon.com\\/Revelation-Jesus-Common-Mans-Commentary\\/dp\\/163641494X\\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23U50CBBJB2IW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dTc5diahTKA2qr7NbMPMOJoTPQ-sVcrEs1dalBbzd54HEqEGWQAslq8CUpKzYauIg0wWFTXycgLSxUs2oQ84oTTLS9juXMJj4JE4TnM9uA7Y1J5KqxtqqvIBVMp5pUhNHJLn06Rq5UTWUrsRNjA5AIWzSE9qcRoltk16hJzjPKkD_oVcYewHjQRMWkqtmpiNKbBdYdKk2XS_Zo5E0wFXXlppSwgb0g7nUIS0oL_klYM.E0abpMhyk8FKxMMNNZT-zNXfwMbeXNJP4rVX8lLP3DM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+revelation+of+jesus&amp;qid=1757519491&amp;sprefix=The+Revelatio+%2Caps%2C202&amp;sr=8-1\\\">The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man\\u2019s Commentary<\\/a> and a contributor to&nbsp;Charisma&nbsp;magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;[email protected].<\\/em><\\/p>\\n<!-- \\/wp:paragraph -->\",\"slug\":\"7-biblical-patterns-that-will-change-how-you-view-the-rapture\",\"author\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_name\":\"Shawn Akers\",\"author_url\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/author\\/jlasher\\/\",\"author_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2023\\/11\\/10506749_10206454134381848_8903233809929473767_o.jpg\",\"date\":\"July 16, 2026\",\"modified\":\"July 16, 2026\",\"category_name\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug\":\"spiritled-living\",\"category_name_0\":\"Spirit-Led Living\",\"category_link_0\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/category\\/spiritled-living\\/\",\"category_slug_0\":\"spiritled-living\",\"featured_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article.jpg\",\"image_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-374x250.jpg\",\"image_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-898x600.jpg\",\"image_thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-150x100.jpg\",\"image_medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-768x513.jpg\",\"image_issuem_cover_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-200x268.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_rotator_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-600x338.jpg\",\"image_issuem_featured_thumb_image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-150x125.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_avatar\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-150x150.jpg\",\"image_authorship_box_related\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_flat\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-70x70.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_cards\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-280x189.jpg\",\"image_authorship_post_thumbs\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-180x100.jpg\",\"image_newsair_slider_full\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-1280x720.jpg\",\"image_newsair_featured\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-1024x684.jpg\",\"image_newsair_medium\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article-720x380.jpg\",\"alt\":\"\",\"image\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article.jpg\",\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/07\\/Perry-Stone-article.jpg\",\"url_label\":\"View post\",\"tag_1\":\"BIble prophecy\",\"tag_link_1\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/bible-prophecy\\/\",\"tag_2\":\"Christian headlines\",\"tag_link_2\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-headlines\\/\",\"tag_3\":\"Christian news\",\"tag_link_3\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-news\\/\",\"tag_4\":\"Christian theology\",\"tag_link_4\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/christian-theology\\/\",\"tag_5\":\"end times\",\"tag_link_5\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/end-times\\/\",\"tag_6\":\"Feast of Trumpets\",\"tag_link_6\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/feast-of-trumpets\\/\",\"tag_7\":\"Perry Stone\",\"tag_link_7\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/perry-stone\\/\",\"tag_8\":\"Pre-Tribulation rapture\",\"tag_link_8\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/pre-tribulation-rapture\\/\",\"editlock\":\"1784230189:8603\",\"thumbnailid\":\"618690\",\"editlast\":\"8603\",\"molonguiauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"molonguimainauthor\":\"user-8603\",\"newsairmetacontentalignment\":\"align-content-right\",\"us_auhfc1\":\"append\",\"yoastwpseoprimarycategory\":\"59310\",\"yoastwpseofocuskw\":\"Rapture\",\"yoastwpseometadesc\":\"Discover seven biblical patterns that supporters of the pre-tribulation rapture believe reveal God\'s prophetic timeline and the timing of Christ\'s return for His Church.\",\"yoastwpseolinkdex\":\"79\",\"yoastwpseocontentscore\":\"90\",\"yoastwpseoestimatedreadingtimeminutes\":\"4\",\"excerpt\":\"Evangelist Perry Stone recently devoted an entire teaching to explaining why he believes Scripture points to a pre-tribulation rapture, arguing that God&#8217;s prophetic timeline consistently places the catching away of believers before the seven-year Tribulation. Rather than focusing on current events, Stone walked viewers through biblical prophecy, the feasts of Israel and what he called \",\"comment_count\":\"1\",\"guid\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/?p=618689\",\"modified_datetime\":\"20260716\",\"date_datetime\":\"July 16, 2026, 3:17 pm\",\"tag_9\":\"Rapture\",\"tag_link_9\":\"https:\\/\\/mycharisma.com\\/tag\\/rapture\\/\",\"tag_10\":\"\",\"tag_link_10\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountcopy\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecounttwitter\":\"1\",\"ssssclicksharecountlinkedin\":\"\",\"ssssclicksharecountfacebook\":\"\",\"category_name_1\":\"\",\"category_link_1\":\"\",\"category_slug_1\":\"\",\"tag_11\":\"\",\"tag_link_11\":\"\"}]]' WHERE `application` = 'cache' AND `section` = 'notweb/n2-ss-3' AND `referencekey` = 'generator2en_US'