CHANGE YOUR LIFE. CHANGE YOUR WORLD.

REAL
MOTHERS
What makes one?

LOVE IS THE
ANSWER
A parent’s greatest asset

A LIFE DOUBLY
BLESSED
A daughter reflects

05_May2003_Act.indd 1 1/25/2003, 11:17:17 AM

 For a wide range of books and audio
and video productions to feed your soul,

personally speaking
lift your spirit, strengthen your family, Have you ever heard or read something
and provide fun learning times for your and wished you’d said that? That hap-
children, please contact one of our pened to me when I was sorting material
distributors below, or visit our Web site at
www.activated.org for this month’s Activated magazine—a
tribute to mothers. Ian Bach said of his
Activated Ministries mother just what I would say of mine.
P.O. Box 462805
Many would probably say the same,
Escondido, CA 92046–2805
USA and for good reason: Mothers are one of
info@activatedministries.org God’s universal gifts, yet of the billion or
(1–877) 862–3228 (toll-free) two mothers in the world, He somehow manages to find the
perfect match for each of us. Thanks, Ian!
Activated Europe
Bramingham Pk. Business Ctr.
Enterprise Way THE WORLD’S GREATEST MOTHER
Luton, Beds. LU3 4BU By Ian Bach
England
activatedEurope@activated.org If I called you “The World’s Greatest Mother”
(07801) 442–317 Some people might say that I’m biased.
Activated Africa “My, he’s got a nerve
P.O. Box 2150 To claim his mum deserves
Westville 3630 Such an accolade, this planet’s highest!”
South Africa
So I’ve come up with numerous findings,
activatedAfrica@activated.org
083 55 68 213 With evidence strong and empirical;
And do hereby attest
Activated India That indeed you’re the best!
P.O. Box 5215
(Please forgive if I wax a bit lyrical.)
G.P.O.
Bangalore – 560 001 You carefully nurtured your children,
India As plants in your garden so fair.
activatedIndia@activated.org Grew us kinder and wiser
EDITOR With love’s fertilizer,
Keith Phillips And warmed us with sunshine and care.
DESIGN You fed and you clothed and you taught us,
Giselle LeFavre
And kept us in line when essential,
ILLUSTRATIONS But at the same time
Doug Calder, Hugo Westphal
Gave us freedom to climb
PRODUCTION To new heights, to reach hidden potential.
Francisco Lopez
I could surely provide further data,
VOL 4, ISSUE 5
But my time and my paper’s run out.
May 2003
© 2003 Aurora Production AG So here’s my submission,
All Rights Reserved. Printed in Thailand. You win the position,
www.auroraproduction.com Beyond any shadow of doubt!
Unless otherwise indicated, all
Scripture quotations in Activated are Keith Phillips
from the New King James Version of the
Bible © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc.
When other versions are quoted, some
typographical changes have been made For the Activated Family
for the sake of clarity and uniformity.
(IAN BACH IS A FULL-TIME FAMILY VOLUNTEER IN THE MIDDLE EAST.)

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 E
HA RISS
LE C

A BY M
ICH
E L

life blessed
DOUBLY blessed
IT’S MOTHER’S DAY. I take my place on “Laughing and singing, what a way
stage, test the microphone, and scan to live...” Now I think about my step-
the hotel restaurant where some mom, who I love just as dearly and
friends and I are about to perform. can only think of as “Mom,” whose
Most of the 200 people who came voice I heard on the phone just days
for the Sunday brunch are mothers ago. As usual, she was full of laugh-
and daughters—young mothers with ter. If there is one person who knows
little girls, elderly mothers with adult what it means to live, it’s her. “Life
A young daughters, short round mothers with ain’t worth living, if it’s not to give…”
tall slender daughters, and some I can see her now, giving tirelessly as
mother
who look like they could be sisters. she cares for my dad and their eleven
gets up There are a few sons and husbands, children who are still at home. (Three
but they are greatly outnumbered of us are grown and living abroad.)
from her by the women, who are all radiant. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days
table and The reception desk is heaped with a week, giving.
individually wrapped pink roses, the A young mother gets up from her
dances hotel’s gift to the mothers on their table and dances through the restau-
with her special day. rant with her baby girl in her arms.
As the opening chords of our The baby laughs. She is secure. She is
baby girl in first number fill the room, I feel my loved.
mother’s presence. The lyrics remind Then I realize why I can smile and
her arms.
me of her. “Surround me with the laugh and come halfway around the
The baby little people...” Mom brought eight world to show other people God’s
little people into this world, each love. It is because I have been blessed
laughs. She of us her favorite in some inexplic- with the love of not one, but two
is secure. able way. “I want to be held in the mothers—one who had to leave me
everlasting arms of eternity...” Those but is ever near in spirit, and one
She is arms hold her now. It’s been seven who came when I needed a mother
loved. years since she died of cancer. My the most. What am I doing, fight-
dad held her in his arms till she took ing back the tears? I am secure. I am
her last breath. We kids still hug her loved. God has blessed me in double
goodnight as we say our prayers. measure. ◆
Now she’s in Jesus’ arms for eternity. I (MICHELLE CHARISSE IS A FULL-TIME FAMILY
blink away the tears. VOLUNTEER IN INDIA.)
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 To do the job of a mother takes the strength of Samson, the wisdom of King
Solomon, the patience of Job, the faith of Abraham, the insight of Daniel, and
the administrative ability and courage of King David.

BY DAVID BRANDT BERG

REAL T
THERE’S A LOT MORE TO BEING A
MOTHER THAN JUST HAVING A BABY!
Almost any woman can have children,
mothers
homemaking before they are plunked
down with a full-grown man and a
baby and find they don’t know what
but it takes a real mother to raise and to do with either one of them, much
care for them and do all the work less the housekeeping and cooking.
that’s involved—and it’s a full-time To them, boys were romantic play-
job! Motherhood is probably one of things and a husband some kind of
the hardest jobs in the whole world, a dream, apparently with no work
yet one that is seldom appreciated attached. But real life is a drastically
enough. People who have never done different picture. Even with all the
it can’t possibly appreciate what a conveniences of modern living to take
big job it is! It takes great faith and a much of the pain out of housekeep-
whole lot of plain hard work. ing, children are still a full-time job!
Up until a couple of generations To do the job of a mother takes the
ago, most women believed that their strength of Samson, the wisdom of
calling in life was to be a wife, mother, King Solomon, the patience of Job,
and homemaker. They gave them- the faith of Abraham, the insight of
selves to it, and began learning it at Daniel, and the administrative ability
an early age by helping their mothers and courage of King David. David was
do all the things they would one day a fighter, and it takes a lot of fight to
need to know. be a mother. It also takes the love of
In many modern countries today, God, that’s for sure!
however, girls grow up without I think motherhood is just about
learning that kind of responsibility. the greatest calling in the world!
Young women may receive little or Mothers of the next generation are the
no preparation for motherhood and ones that are molding the future. The

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 Never out
of style
—A Message from Jesus for Mothers
Old-fashioned motherhood never goes
out of style because it’s all about love. I made
people to need love, and I intended for them to
first experience that love through their mothers.
Mothers are the embodiment of love and care
and tenderness—love that even the tiniest baby
can feel and respond to.
So if you think you’re missing out or living
in the past because you’re stuck at home “just”
caring for a baby or raising children when you
could be pursuing a career, think again. Love
world of tomorrow is what the moth- is the best thing in life! It’s the most important
ers of today make it, according to the lesson anyone can ever learn and the great-
way they raise their children. est gift anyone can ever receive—and mothers
My mother undoubtedly had the teach it and give it like no one else. Life would
greatest influence of anybody over my go on fine without many things, but not without
life. Even though she couldn’t be with mothers. Old-fashioned motherhood is here to
me all the time due to her ministry for stay! ◆
the Lord as an evangelist and pastor,
I was constantly conscious of her
spiritual presence, her love, and how
she felt about things. Others had a
great influence over me too, of course,
like my grandfather and my father, my
teachers and caregivers. Children are
influenced by a combination of a lot
of people and a lot of things—parents,
caretakers, teachers, scoutmasters,
Sunday school teachers, uncles and
aunts, and friends they admire, books,
and so on. Nowadays kids can also
be greatly influenced by what they
are exposed to on television and in
movies.
Throughout my childhood, there
were wonderful, dedicated people
who helped mold my character and

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 make me what I would become. I ity of having a little child’s life in our
remember well the caretakers and hands, and that he’s going to be what
Sunday school teachers my brother we make him. Probably the final
Children
and sister and I had when we were greatest influence in your life will be
make us young, who read us the Bible and your own children.
told us Bible stories. Psychologists say that a child
parents Bible stories and the Bible itself learns more in the first five years
serious were a tremendous influence on my of his life than he’ll learn in all the
life, because I knew God was speak- rest of his life put together. Those
about life ing to me through His Book. Thus first years are extremely important.
and inspire God was a tremendous influence Parents can’t wait till their children
on my life through my teachers and are five years old; every passing day
us to be mother and father, who all taught me is important. Parents are responsible
of Him. Even as a small child, I knew to see to it that their children are not
good and do
the Lord, and He was a powerful only fed and clothed and protected,
good, to be influence on my life. I also learned a get proper sleep and are physi-
great deal from reading books, espe- cally healthy, but that they are also
an example cially historical classics with their trained, taught, stimulated mentally,
and train idealism and heroism. and inspired spiritually.
As a young teen, my father became Childrearing is a serious, sobering
them in the a tremendous influence in my life responsibility. God will hold parents
way they too. That is a crucial age when young responsible who don’t do what’s right
people learn a lot about the world for their children or don’t take care
should go. around them, much of it from their of them properly. If both parents
friends and peers. Young teenagers must work at other jobs or are
are very idealistic and begin to form otherwise unable to be the primary
strong ideas of what they think is caregivers to their children, then it is
right. The ideals, morals, goals, their responsibility to their children
standards, and hopes that will largely and to God to find somebody who
steer their later lives are crystallizing. is qualified to give that care and
At the age of 19 I was filled with dedicated enough to do it right—and
the Holy Spirit. After that I just lived the same goes for single parents.
in the Bible and devoured the Scrip- It cannot be stressed sufficiently
tures all the time. I would say that how important children are to the
from then on Jesus really became the future, or how important a mother’s
greatest influence in my life. job is. God will bless you mothers for
After completing school I helped all you give of yourselves for these
my mother in her full-time evangelis- precious, eternal gifts from Him,
tic work, and she continued to influ- your children. In fact, He is no doubt
ence me. At 25 I married, and soon blessing you daily in ways that others
came another tremendous influence can’t even imagine!
in my life—my own children! Train your children in the way they
Children make us parents serious should go, and when they are old
about life and inspire us to be good they will not turn from it (Proverbs
and do good, to be an example and 22:6). When they are grown, your
train them in the way they should children will be so thankful that they
go. We realize the sober responsibil- had a real mother! ◆

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 Mother is the name for God in the
lips and hearts of little children.
—WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY
(1811–1863), BRITISH NOVELIST

The role of a mother is probably

the most important career a
woman can have.
—JANET MARY RILEY (1915– ),
U.S. LAWYER AND WRITER

Rejecting things because they are

old-fashioned would rule out the thoughts on mothers
sun and the moon and a mother’s
love.
—AUTHOR UNKNOWN
and motherhood
Women and children, mother and
child—these belong together as
naturally as heaven and earth.
—TANG MIN (1956– ), CHINESE WRITER
kind precepts and counsels to All that I am or hope to be, I owe
dissipate the clouds of darkness, to my angel mother. No man is
The heart of a mother is a deep and cause peace to return to our poor who has a godly mother.
abyss at the bottom of which you hearts. —ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809–1865),
—WASHINGTON IRVING (1783–1859), U.S. PRESIDENT
will always find forgiveness.
U.S. WRITER
—HONORÉ DE BALZAC (1799–1850),
FRENCH NOVELIST
Motherhood is the most
Life began with waking up and important of all the professions,
Most of all the other beautiful loving my mother’s face. requiring more knowledge than
things in life come by twos and —GEORGE ELIOT (1819–1880), any other department in human
BRITISH NOVELIST affairs.
threes, by dozens and hundreds.
Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, —ELIZABETH CADY STANTON
An ounce of mother is worth a (1815–1902), U.S. CAMPAIGNER FOR
rainbows, brothers and sisters,
pound of clergy. WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE
aunts and cousins, but only one
—SPANISH PROVERB
mother in the whole world.
From my experience and
—KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN (1856–
1923), U.S. AUTHOR AND EDUCATOR
My mother was the making of me. observation, if a family is
—THOMAS A. EDISON (1847–1931), held together in difficult
U.S. INVENTOR circumstances, nine times out of
A mother is the truest friend
we have, when trials, heavy ten it’s the woman who’s doing it.
The thing that makes a mother —RODDY DOYLE (1958– ), IRISH
and sudden, fall upon us; when
wonderful is that self-sacrificial NOVELIST AND PLAYWRIGHT
adversity takes the place of
spirit that is willing to sacrifice her
prosperity; when friends who
own time and strength and even The hand that rocks the cradle
rejoice with us in our sunshine,
her health, if need be, for the sake Is the hand that rules the world.
desert us; when troubles thicken
of her child. —WILLIAM ROSS WALLACE (1819–
around us, still will she cling
—DAVID BRANDT BERG (1919–1994) 1881), U.S. POET AND SONGWRITER
to us, and endeavor by her
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 BY MARIA FONTAINE

IS THE
ANSWER

O
V
E
Everybody
L THE PRIMARY FACTOR IN RAISING
CHILDREN IS LOVE. If parents can just
learn to treat their children with love
and consideration, the children will
feel loved and secure.
Most parents can’t be with their
so none of them think they’re just
one more child in the line-up.
Give each one lots of love and
encouragement, because words have
the power to build them up and help
them feel loved. “Look what a big boy
children all the time, but it’s difficult you are! We’re so proud of you. You’ve
needs to feel for small children to understand learned so much!” Say things that will
that. Children think they should be let them know they really are special
special to the most important things in the to you.
somebody, world to their parents, so when the Small children, especially, don’t
parents can’t show them constant yet have a concept of time, so if you
to have a attention because of other obliga- give one child something and tell
tions, it hurts the children—and of the others that theirs will come next
personal
course, the more children you have, time, “next time” will probably seem
sense of the less individual time and attention a long way away and very nebulous.
you can give each one. That’s why it’s So in most cases when you give one
belonging. so important for parents to tune in something, you should try to do a
to their children and give them love little something special for the others
and attention when they do have the too.
opportunity. You can’t and shouldn’t treat all
The first step is to pray for under- of your children the same all the
standing of your children. Ask the time. Each needs to know they are
Lord to show you what each child special in their own way. And when
needs in each situation, and then one needs something that the others
do the little things that can mean so don’t, they have to be taught that it’s
much. according to need, not because one is
Everybody needs to feel special to more loved. If you take one out to get
somebody, to have a personal sense a needed pair of shoes, for example,
of belonging. No matter how many and you bring the others back a little
children you have, you can still give toy or something that may cost only
each one something special—either a few cents, this shows that you love
special attention or a special some- them and remembered them too.
thing that means a lot to them—and A lot of adults don’t realize how
you should try to do this consistently CONTINUED ON PG 10
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 The rich “Heaven’s treasures, old and new
I’ve stored it all for them and you.
Choose everything they’ll need someday,
Bright jewels to shine and light their way.

parent Give each of them a crown of gold,

Whose worth’s so great, it can’t be told.
Choose all the gems your children lack,
If you need more, why just come back.”

What can I give my children, Lord, For things so priceless, precious, rare,
When there’s not much I can afford? Most mortal men seem not to care.
They rate the best, these girls and boys, But when the earth begins to quake,
Yet get along with so few toys. Their stores and mighty buildings shake,
I see nice things I’d like to get, When towers tall come tumbling down,
But can’t, for we are poor, and yet And all man’s dreams lie on the ground,
We have great riches in our keep God’s own “poor” children then shall find,
That kings but dream of when they sleep! A place of rest for heart and mind.

We’ve wealth to share with all our house, Yes, we are the more truly blessed
The Words of Heaven, from God’s mouth. For having sought and found the best.
We’ve love that stands when all else flees, Now all the Words God’s given me,
And mountains tumble to the seas. I’ll share with children on my knee.
We’ve trust that will not break or tear, Yes, untold wealth is what we own.
And hope we know is always there. It fills our hearts and fills our home!
We’ve Heaven in our hearts today, What greater gifts could we impart
The Son of God who’s come to stay. Than Heaven’s Words to children’s hearts?
We’ve got a Rock on which to stand,
—KAY SPAIN
When fears and tremors fill our land.
(KAY SPAIN IS A FULL-TIME FAMILY VOLUNTEER
We’ve faith to stand the toughest test,
IN MEXICO, MOTHER OF 11 AND GRANDMOTHER
And give us peace when none can rest. OF 16.)
It whispers softly in our ears
To calm our hearts and melt our fears.
It stills the storm and sends the sun,
And helps us stand when all is done.
Jesus, Jesus, what a store
Of treasures, diamonds, at our door!
Your precious Words, so great yet free—
What riches You have given me!
I’ve gifts, new gifts, to give each day,
And when they’re gone, I hear You say,
“Come here, My child, peer in My chest,
Behold it all and take the best.

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 important it is to explain things to
children. You can’t just assume that
they understand. How can they
understand hardly anything unless
you explain it to them? Most adults
don’t take things without some kind
of explanation, and children have
as much right to an explanation as
anybody. If you think there could
be any question in their minds or
hurt feelings, explain. Even if they
can’t understand everything you say,
just the fact that you try to explain
it conveys to them that you’re con-
cerned about their feelings, and that
will help. them to take. When we go through
It’s nearly always a problem when difficulties, even though we know Without
somebody else comes along, like a that if we pray the Lord will work saying a
new baby, who they think is going things out and see us through, it’s still
to take their place. Children’s feel- often difficult. But when children go word, she
ings are just the same as adults’, only through these things, they’re sort of
difficult situations can be even more
reassured
lost unless we do everything possible
traumatic for children when they to reassure them with love. him that it
haven’t experienced those things I once heard a true story about
before and therefore don’t have the a boy who went to a banquet and was okay;
assurance that things usually work found he was the only male guest. He everyone
out in the end. That’s why children was so nervous that he knocked over
are so much more vulnerable than his glass of water. The hostess saw makes
adults, because of their very limited his embarrassment and immediately
mistakes.
experience. So you have to treat chil- knocked over her glass to draw every-
dren even more carefully and ten- one’s attention away from the boy
derly and considerately than adults. and spare his feelings. Without saying
It breaks my heart when I see par- a word, she reassured him that it was
ents in public places cuff their child okay; everyone makes mistakes.
on the head or lash out over some- A little love goes a long way!
thing that the poor child probably Children are bound to have
didn’t understand in the first place. problems, but no matter what the
It’s tragic! Children are more sensi- problem stems from, love can correct
tive and more easily hurt than adults. it. Even if you don’t understand
They instinctively love and trust their what the problem is, the Lord
parents, and to destroy that is really understands—and the answer is
sad! love! “Love covers over all wrongs”
Children aren’t that hard to under- (Proverbs 10:12 NIV). Just a little love
stand if you just put yourself in their and concern can make up for a lot of
position. The experiences they go mistakes and failures, no matter who
through are very similar to the things or what is to blame. Anybody—child
we adults go through, only harder for or adult—can be helped by love! Love
them to understand and harder for is the answer! ◆
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 Q
My husband and I have very different personalities. One way
this is manifested is in how we show affection to each another. I like
to express my love by giving little presents or cards. I secretly wish

QUESTIONS
he would do the same for me, but it seems that’s just not “him.” This
is only a small part of our lives, but these little gestures of affection
mean a lot to me. What should I do?—Try to change my husband by
encouraging him to be more like that, or ask the Lord to change me so
TO YOUR
I don’t desire those things so much?
A: Your husband’s personality is probably one of the things that
attracted you to him in the first place, so you wouldn’t want to change
that in a big way. Of course, there are probably some things about his
personality that you didn’t realize when you married him, and this
may be one of them.
Couples whose marriages have stood the test of time often credit
their success to three things: respect, acceptance, and communica-
tion. Marriage partners who genuinely respect each other find it much
easier to accept their mates as they are, blemishes and all. If you don’t
feel this type of love, ask God to give it to you. His love is great enough
to overlook shortcomings, and keeps on loving even when we fail.
Also remember that just because people are a certain way doesn’t
mean they need to stay that way—and love is a great catalyst for
change! People who are in love are willing to do almost anything in
ANSWERS

order to please the ones they love. Here is where communication

comes in. Too often mates rely on hints or suffer in silence, when just
a little honest and open communication about their likes and dislikes,
needs and desires would solve the problem.
Here are some practical steps that you could take to get more of
the kind of affection you would like from your husband and to give
him more of what he would like from you:

➚ Each make a list of the other’s admirable qualities—all the things

you most love and respect about your mate.
➚ Think about the ways your mate expresses affection. (Hint: Women
tend to be more sentimental and to express their love in the
form of notes, cards, and gifts; men tend to be more practical and
to express their love through actions that say, “I want to protect
and provide for you.”) When you stop to appreciate your mate’s
expressions of love, it helps you overlook his or her “lacks” in that
area.
➚ Take some time together in a relaxed setting to talk about your
favorite ways to be shown love, affection, and appreciation. Listen
and learn.
➚ Once your mate has explained how he or she likes to be shown
love, make a point of doing at least one of those things within
the next day or two, then do them regularly until doing them
becomes more natural. ◆
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 14
MAJOR
Part 1 of this article covered the
first seven major stages or events of
the Endtime: 1) various signs of the
times, as described in Matthew 24 and
other passages; 2) the rise of the world

points of the dictator known as the “Antichrist”; 3)

the signing of a “covenant” that will
usher in a brief period of stability and
signal the beginning of the Antichrist’s

ENDTIME
AN OVERVIEW OF BIBLE PROPHECY – PART 2
seven-year reign; 4) the breaking of
that covenant three and a half years
later; 5) a time of unprecedented
trouble and suffering known as the
“Great Tribulation”; 6) a nuclear war
that will destroy “Babylon, the great
whore” in one hour; 7) the “Rapture,”
when Jesus returns at the end of the
Great Tribulation to rescue His chil-
dren out of this world.

8. Marriage supper
In the Rapture, Jesus has come
back to catch His bride, His Church,
out of the evil clutches of the Anti-
christ and to whisk her away to unite
with Him and each other in the
grandest, most glorious and thrill-
ing wedding party that’s ever been
held, the great marriage supper of
the Lamb in Heaven, where the Lord
will reward all His faithful children
with beautiful, eternal “crowns of life”
(Revelation 19:7–9; 2:10).

9. Wrath of God
After the Lord rescues and raptures
His children to be with Him, the hor-
rific vials of the great “wrath of God”
will be poured upon the Antichrist
and his evil forces still remaining on
earth—the most horrible plagues the

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 world has ever known! God’s angels (Isaiah 2:4; Revelation 2:26; 20:4–6).
COMPILED BY
of judgment are going to give the This thousand-year period is known
JOSEPH CANDEL
Antichrist and his forces what they as the “Millennium.” FROM THE WRITINGS
deserve (Revelation 11:18; 14:9–10; During the Millennium, the OF DAVID BRANDT
16:1–11). resurrected saints will have new BERG
supernatural bodies with amazing
powers like Jesus had after His
10. The Battle of resurrection (Philippians 3:20–21;
Armageddon Luke 20:36)—invincibility; complete
On a plain in what is now north- freedom from pain, sickness, and
ern Israel, the Antichrist will lead death; abilities such as being able
his armies in this major campaign to fly, appear and disappear, change
against those who still oppose him. their appearance, read minds,
But Jesus and His army of saints—all communicate with each other
of His born-again and now resur- telepathically, and stop wrongdoers
rected children from throughout the with as little as a thought or a glance During the
ages—will return to earth on majestic (1 John 3:2; John 20:19,26; Luke 24:31; Millennium,
white horses to utterly defeat and Acts 10:40–41).
destroy the Antichrist and his evil Those on earth will still be in the
forces in the apocalyptic Battle of natural bodies, like the ones we have
Armageddon (Revelation 16:12–16;
resurrected
now, and will have none of the saints’
19:11–21). supernatural powers, so they will be saints will
fairly easy to rule over with the love,
wisdom, and power of Jesus and
have new
11. The Millennium His personal leadership. Because supernatural
The earth will be restored to a everyone will see God’s glorious
perfect, Garden-of-Eden state (Isaiah power and kingdom, there won’t be bodies with
11:6–9; 14:7; 65:25; Hosea 2:18), and any unbelievers in the Millennium
Jesus and His saints will set up the amazing
(Hebrews 8:11; Habakkuk 2:14). But
kingdom of Heaven on earth (Daniel sad to say, there will still be some powers like
2:44; 7:18,22,27; Revelation 5:10). unreceivers—those who won’t yield or
The Devil will be bound and cast as a Jesus had
obey, but rather choose to stubbornly
prisoner into the bottomless pit for a and defiantly rebel when they get the after His
thousand years (Revelation 20:1–3), chance, at the end of the Millennium
and the world’s unsaved inhabit- (Isaiah 26:10). resurrection.
ants—those who survived the Battle
of Armageddon—will be forced to
do what’s right. Then and only then, 12. The Battle of Gog and
under the righteous rule of Jesus and Magog
the saints, will all wars cease. The At the end of the Millennium,
world will at last be governed fairly Satan will be released for a “little
and well with true justice, liberty, season” from the bottomless pit
peace, plenty, and happiness for all where he has been imprisoned—just
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 long enough for him to deceive those 14. The new Heaven and new
unconverted rebels who will again
follow Satan to the full, in open rebel-
Earth
God’s great heavenly city will then
lion against the Lord and His govern- Almost
descend from above to the beauti-
ment.
ful, re-created planet Earth, and God everyone
This rebellion will result in the
Himself will dwell with us, right here
catastrophic Battle of Gog and who has
on earth (Revelation 21:1–3). The
Magog, in which God will send down
heavenly city will measure nearly ever
fi re to devour them completely. In
1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) long,
fact, it is such a horrible fire that it lived will
1,500 miles wide, and 1,500 miles high
will completely burn up the surface
(Revelation 21:16).
of the planet, and the atmospheric finally be
The entire city is made of pure gold,
heavens will roll back like a scroll and
like clear glass (Revelation 21:18), and reconciled
depart with a great noise (Revelation
through those transparent walls we will
6:14; 2 Peter 3:10). The entire surface to God
be able to see out onto a beautiful, fully
of the planet will then be recreated
restored and re-created earth, which and live
into a beautiful new Earth with no
will be populated by new nations who
more seas (though there will likely either with
will truly have learned the righteous-
still be bodies of water), no more
ness, goodness, and love of God. And the elect
pollution, and no more Devil, for he
eventually, because of God’s mercy
will have been cast into “the lake of
and justice, all punishment on earth within the
fi re” (Revelation 20:7–10; 21:1).
and under the earth will end. Almost
heavenly
everyone who has ever lived will finally
13. The Great White Throne be reconciled to God and live either city or else
with the elect within the heavenly city
judgment or else outside the city. “For God is not outside the
After the climactic Battle of Gog and
willing that any should perish, but that city.
Magog, the unsaved of all ages will be
all should come to repentance”
resurrected for the final Great White
(2 Peter 3:9). “Who desires all men to
Throne judgment, where “the books
be saved, and to come to the knowl-
are opened” and they will be given
edge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
their final sentences according to their
“That at the name of Jesus every knee
works and assigned to their places in
should bow … and that every tongue
the hereafter (Revelation 20:11–13).
should confess that Jesus Christ is
The worst and most cruel and wicked
Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
will be sent to Hell or Purgatory for
(Philippians 2:10–11).
punishment and purging, while those
who tried to be good but were unsaved
because they had not heard the Will you enjoy the Rapture, the wedding party, the
Gospel, whose names will be found in millennial heaven-on-earth, and God’s eternal, heav-
the Book of Life, will be given a chance enly city? Are you one of the saved who will be allowed
to receive Jesus and enjoy the marvel- to live in that great city? Receive Jesus as your Savior,
ous new Earth (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy if you haven’t already, and you’ll be granted instant,
2:4; 1 Peter 3:18–19). permanent citizenship to that great golden city and
be given a foretaste of what Heaven and eternal life
will be like, right here and now! ◆

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 FEEDING READING
God’s guide to parenting

Teach your children in love.

A STRONG 1 Corinthians 16:14

Ephesians 6:4
Colossians 3:21
or a woman of strength?
Teach your children God’s Word.

WOMAN Deuteronomy 6:7

Deuteronomy 11:18–19
Proverbs 22:6
A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape. Isaiah 38:19b
A woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape. 2 Timothy 3:15
A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything.
The good influence of godly par-
A woman of strength shows courage in spite of her fear.
ents, and resultant blessings:
A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her. Deuteronomy 12:28
A woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone. Proverbs 20:7
A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future. 1 Kings 9:4–5
2 Chronicles 26:4
A woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be God’s
2 Timothy 1:5
blessings and capitalizes on them.
A strong woman walks surefootedly. The bad results of being an indul-
A woman of strength knows God will catch her if she falls. gent parent:
A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face. 1 Samuel 3:13
Proverbs 29:15b
A woman of strength wears grace.
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey. Severe warning against offending
A woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will children’s faith:
become strong. Matthew 18:6
—AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Examples of motherly love:
Hebrews 11:23
1 Samuel 1:22–28; 2:18–19
1 Kings 3:23–27
If you haven’t yet met the Man who has the power to
2 Kings 4:17–20,27
change any life, forgive any wrong, heal any heartache,
Isaiah 49:15a
and give heavenly happiness here and now and in
Heaven to come, you can do so right now by praying Matthew 15:22–28
the following: John 19:17–18,25

Dear Jesus, I open my life and heart to You now and Examples of fatherly love:
accept You as my Savior. Please forgive me for all the Genesis 37:33–35
wrongs I’ve done, give me a fresh start, and help me get Mark 5:22–23
to know You and Your love. Amen. ◆ Luke15:20–24

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 Thank you, dear parents…
for being part of the miracle of bringing new lives into the world;
for loving the children I have entrusted to your care;
for opening your hearts and lives to these gifts of joy;
for teaching them that I am love by your own loving examples;
for giving them a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on;
for comforting them when they hurt and need extra tender loving care;
for giving of yourselves for them, asking nothing in return, which
teaches them unselfishness and self-sacrifice;
for showing mercy, even when they least deserve it, that they might
understand My mercy and forgiveness;
for praying for them in all things big and small, that they might learn
the power of prayer;
for leaning on Me when your own strength runs out, which teaches
them that My grace and strength are always enough;
for never losing faith, which teaches them the rewards of faith;
for holding on to the promises of My Word, that they too might learn
to put their trust in Me;
for giving them back to Me, knowing that I always care for My own;
for loving them unconditionally, no matter where their choices may
take them;
for helping them grow into men and women we can all be proud of.

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

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