I need some quick, wise and biblical advice

Emli said:

I don't think reading Revelation will get me more superstitious though. Everytime I study it, I understand it more and more. I get further away from all the conspiracy theories, and more based on the actual meaning of the scriptures, and more focused on Christ. I think that it's probably important for all Christians to study it, and the OT prophecies, because it increases our understanding of false religion and the world system. God has absolutely been telling me to study it, so that I will understand it, and won't be scared and stressed and fall for all the false theories, American anti-Christs, date settings etc. that are circulating. I need to know the Truth.

Click to expand...

Emli said:

But I love Revelation.

I know that it's confusing, but that's why I love it. I love puzzles and riddles. And it's actually not that confusing, when you compare it to the rest of the Bible. Symbolism is something my brain understands. I don't really study it though, it's just something that is in the back of my mind. And I absolutely love the imagery of Jesus in it. It gives me joy, comfort and hope, and it makes me long for the future, instead of being afraid of the Anti-christ like a lot of other people. I'm not really building my faith on it, my faith is built on Jesus, but it is foundational for me. We are supposed to look forward to that day, and also be able to understand how the world works. And I don't think that we can truly understand the Gospel without reading it, or really know the divinity of Jesus. I was afraid of it for a long time, when I didn't know any better, but not today. Actually, my views of it, or rather my feelings, changed radically in the last few days. Something changed in my mind even today. The more I understand it, the less fearful I become. But don't worry. I've read, and continue to read, the rest of the New Testament as well. And hopefully, I'll soon have the time to finish the Old Testament.

Click to expand...

Emli said:

I agree with you on this. But I'm not studying to figure out when or how the world will end. Jesus clearly told us not to do that. There is so much more to learn from Revelation. I was blind about how the world works before I understood the meaning of the Beast and Babylon. And I've learned to discern the true from the false church a lot better. It just removes a lot of the traps and pitfalls that we face today.

Most of all, once I started reading and hearing about all of the false ideas about the Anti-Christ, rapture etc, I knew better than to believe in them. It saved me from a lot of trouble. I have a belief about the rapture, but it doesn't matter. I'll either die or be raptured before the tribulation, or be here to face it. No matter when and what will happen, we can know that God will make it happen, and it will be the absolute most wonderful event in our history! It's the finish line, when all of the chaos of this world will go away forever and we will be free. Revelation is the only book in the Bible that allows us to understand this fully, and take comfort in it through times of tribulation. We can know that the more sinful the world becomes, the more closer we get to enjoy absolute freedom with God. This produces perseverance.

Click to expand...

Emli said:

Hi,

I just joined this forum, and I hope that someone might be able to help me out. I need wise answers. I'm in a tough and weird situation. I live in Sweden, and since there aren't a lot of true Christians over here, I don't have anybody to talk to about this.

I just got a new part-time job, as a conductor for a train company. It seems like a great job. The company has good values and seem to treat both the staff and the passengers really well. I'm on day four of the training program, and next week I'll have to start working as a trainee.

This is the problem: The train is cashless, which makes a lot of sense, because of robberies, but the card I will have to use to login to the ticket machine has the number 666 on it, in my personal serial number. Also, when we practiced using the machine, the total sum of purchases after the first exercise was 6660 SEK (Swedish money). This freaks me out, which it should! Yet, I don't feel as alarmed as I think I should be.

God has previously used numbers to talk to me, and to warn me away from situations, especially when I was a new Christian. No numerology or anything, I don't touch anything occult. But He has, and it has always been biblical (like pointing me to the specific Bible verse in a specific circumstance). I know that He is in control of everything. This is obviously not a coincidence. Do you think that God wants me to quit? Or is He just warning me about something? I know I'm not accepting the mark of the beast if I use this card (I've studied Revelation and the old testament prophecies, so I'm not confused about what it means), but it feels waaaaay to close for comfort. I feel like I would be a part of the culture that is leading towards the beast system. And betraying God for money!

The number 42 appears everywhere at work too. I'm NOT looking for signs. And today, my teacher randomly said "train number 1317" right after I had wondered about Rev 13:17.

I became a Christian two years ago, and since, I've lost four jobs because of my faith, for different reasons. (This is NOT a Christian-friendly country). I've been unemployed for six months now, and I'm living off welfare. I get less then I need, and I'm in a lot of debt. If I quit my job or cause them to fire me, I will get no more welfare and no way to pay my bills, at all. I have no one to turn to for money...

I don't mind quitting another job for Christ, and I'm not afraid, not even if it meant I would end up homeless. It would be okay with me, even if it does feel irresponsible. But I don't feel convicted to leave. It might just be my survival instincts taking over, rationalizing, and somehow calming me, because I really need the money, or the enemy is trying to confuse me. I've been under a lot of oppression lately.

I really want to pay off my debts, because it's what the Bible says to do. So quitting a well-paid job seems like sinning. I always trust God will provide though. And it feels really wrong being paid for the days I've been there, without having worked at all.

There are other factors as well. I would indirectly be working for the Swedish government, which is probably one of the most anti-christian governments in the world. And I would have to work both late and early hours, which does go against Psalm 127:2 (I'm not legalistic, but it seems important somehow).
I would also have to wear a really fancy uniform, which I'm not sure is okay, and totally goes against my personality.
It seems really stressful, but I love stressful situations, because I have to rely on God so much (I absolutely cannot handle it on my own, but it always works out).

What should I do? I'm so stressed and confused right now, I've kind of stopped being able to think at all. I feel one thing, yet the signs say the opposite. I need a lot of help. And please pray for me.

Emelie

Click to expand...