Rapture ForeWarning Advisory
from The Joseph Plan
Is there something in your life, something you are doing, thinking or feeling that can disqualify you from eternal Salvation and thus the Rapture? Not all professed Christians will be chosen. How can this be?
There reasons and I invite you to take some time to examine yourself.
Have the standards of society crept into your life and are now hindering you from realizing the fullness of God?
Is there an area of your life that is a blockage to your spiritual growth and is standing in your way to developing a more full relationship with the Lord?
Is there something in your life that is providing an open door for the demonic to enter and cause you troubles? Troubles with bad thinking, sleeplessness, fears or illness?
If you are living in, a slave, to any of the “Works of the Flesh”—you may be. This is your “Rapture Forewarning Advisory” to “Examine oneself”.
“Works of the Flesh” Galatians 5:19-21
A Study from The Joseph Plan dot ORG www.thejosephplan.org
If you are a saved, thus true Christian, the answer is a resounding NO! When saved and infilled by the Holy Spirit a person cannot be denied Salvation and thus disqualifies from the Rapture by sinful involvement in the “Works of the Flesh”.
By the grace and power of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ you are assured an eternity in heaven. Because of your assurance of salvation you can not be disqualified. Please see the post entitled “Can a Christian lose their Salvation?” on The Joseph Plan website.
The reason Jesus Christ had to be crucified and die on that cross was because He knew none of us could achieve salvation on our own merits. Only the power of the cross and the blood were enough to give us the grace we needed to receive forgiveness and salvation.
All of us came into this world with a fallen nature or spirit. If left to our own devices we would all be disqualified from salvation. That means you and me and everyone. We would all be wallowing in the “Works of the Flesh”.
So the question really comes down to whether having any of the Works of the Flesh as part of your life can be hindering you and holding you back or not. Saved Christians can get involved in sin. Any sin in our life can stagnate and hinder our spiritual growth and be the cause of a spiritual stronghold in our life that gives the demonic permission to have legal authority from which to operate. Christians “can be” bothered and tempted into sin by demons. Eliminating such possibilities should always be our goal.
If you are struggling with the issue of salvation and are not finding peace or if God seems distant and impersonal in your life the “Works of the Flesh” may be the reason. They can stand in the way of you receiving the free gift of salvation. Living a life style that includes the “Works of the Flesh” can keep you in Bondage to unforgiven sin and thus unable to repent and receive salvation. That is important.
It is our prayer that this analysis will be of help to all in identifying and freeing oneself from all the “Works of the Flesh” that may be hindering your growth or preventing you from receiving salvation in the first place.
Society has adopted many of the “Works of the Flesh” as OK or approved standards for living. Christians are commanded by God hold themselves to a higher standard. We are asked to live a life of righteousness.
You are invited to explore the Word of God and use it to “Examine yourself”.
What are the “Works of the Flesh”?
The “Works of the Flesh” keep us from living righteous lives. The “Works of the Flesh” are what the corrupt and un-renewed human nature produces in ones life if it is allowed to run on Self Will. If man is not renewed and his natural spirit transformed, it is what the natural man will manifest or become by his own will power. He or she will, by nature, develop one or more of these natural traits. It is common to all people and none of us are an exception. If any of these are allowed to flourish one becomes in bondage to them and they can control ones thinking, emotions, actions and very life. They can become a stronghold from which the demonic is given legal permission to operate. It becomes the “base of operations” from which the demonic conducts its business. They are all sin.
Who can be “Disqualified from the Rapture”?
*This is a very important issue. If you are truly saved, a true Christian, you are assured Salvation and a seat on the first flight out of here in the Rapture. You’ll be swooped up into the clouds in the Rapture to meet Jesus and brought to the mercy seat. Praise the Lord! Free at last! One thing that the Joseph Plan teaches consistently is that the Bible does not tell us that we can lose our Salvation. It is eternal, and a gift to us from God. As Christians, we may lose our fellowship with Him, as a result of our selfish desires, but we can never lose our salvation (Hebrews 10:17). In Heb. 12:4-11, we see that God has disciplinary measures to His children who persist in sinning.*
In Gal. 5:16-21, the Apostle Paul is admonishing the Christian to commit his life to the control (i.e. constantly) of the Holy Spirit, and that one will not give surrender to the flesh. If one daily commits him or herself to the Holy Spirit’s control, the law won’t bother us, since He constantly and consistently is desirous of allowing the Holy Spirit to control and guide him. On the other hand, one who constantly lives in bondage to and after the flesh, does not have the Holy Spirit in them and its regeneration of life. Thereby living a consistently self centered life and will not inherit eternal life. I’m not saying that a Christian never partakes of sinful, self centered things: I’m saying that if those things control ones life, then it is certain he was never saved to begin with.
How can we figure all this out? We need to take some time and Examine oneself. We can take our own inventory.
So, all of us spending some time and taking an inventory is a good thing.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Here are the definitions and meanings of each of character traits or characteristics mentioned as Works of the Flesh. Let us all clearly understand what the Lord is telling us. They are taken from Galatians in the Bible and the three sources footnoted below. I encourage you to read the entire list and EXAMINE YOURSELF. Take an honest inventory of your life. If you find that one or more of these traits FITS, you will want to read on. This will not do you any good or be of benefit if you are not totally honest with yourself and wiling to examine yourself truthfully.
We are going to start with the definitions as taken from Strong’s Biblical Concordance and the classical language definitions. Strong’s is one of the most widely accepted bible references available. This is not a list of order of importance or any kind of ranking. The works are listed in the order they appear in the bible.
If you are wondering or looking for answers about yourself and your involvement with any of the “Works of the flesh that could “Disqualify” you from salvation and thus the rapture, we are providing you with the following list of behaviors and there definitions. We are doing our best to help you know for sure and to leave one with “NO wiggle room”.
2Co 13:5 Test yourselves and find out if you really are true to your faith. If you pass the test, you will discover that Christ is living in you. But if Christ isn’t living in you, you have failed.
Yes, Examine ones self. Test your self in a very deep and prayerful examination.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test(Examine) all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
Now is the time to take an honest inventory. The Bible has all the answers for you.
This may be one of the most important issues you have faced in your entire life. Are you Saved from eternal damnation? And, are you disqualified for the rapture? The references are provided below.
1. Adultry– Having sex with someone other than your spouse. (see Matt.15:19; Mark 7:21; John 8:3; Gal.5:19) from #3431 – AV – commit adultery – 1) to commit adultery; 1a) to be an adulterer; 1b) to commit adultery with, have unlawful intercourse with another’s wife; 1c) of the wife: to suffer adultery, be debauched; 1d) A Hebrew idiom, the word is used of those who at a woman’s solicitation are drawn away to idolatry, i.e. to the eating of things sacrificed to idols.
It is a commandment: Thou shall not commit adultery! Ex 30:14
Making the decision to willfully live in a situation where you are regularly breaking a commandment puts one in disfavor.
Also see:1 Cor 6:9. Heb 13:4, James 4:4, Mark7:21, Pro6:32,Rev 2:22.
2. Fornication – To have sex with anyone outside of marriage. To commit fornication; commit – 1) to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another; 2) to give one’s self to unlawful sexual intercourse; 2a) to commit fornication outside of marriage; 3) metaphors. to be given to idolatry, to worship idols; 3a) to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry – found in – I Cor.6:18; 10:8 (twice); Rev.2:14, 20; 17:2; 18:3, 9
What we are talking about here is sexual behaviors which are contrary to God’s law.
It is wide spread and sometimes seems like “everybody is doing it. Well, everyone isn’t doing it. That is just the way I am doesn’t cut it either. True Christians don’t as a part of their normal daily living.
See also: 1Co 5:9-10, 1Co 7:1-2; Rev 9:21
Sexual immorality brings punishment. Obstacle for salvation without repentance.
Heb 13:4, Lev 20:10-21; Pr 2:16-19; Pr 22:14; Eze 16:38; Ro 1:24-27; Eph 5:5;
Col 3:5-6; 1Th 4:3-6; Jude 7; Rev 21:8; Rev 22:15
Sexual immorality has no place in the Christian life
See also: 1Th 4:3,7 Ac 15:20,29; Ac 21:25; Ro 13:13; 1Co 6:9-11,13-20; 1Co 10:8; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; Heb 12:16.
Is it time to make the right decision? Time is short!
3. Uncleanness – To be morally or spiritually impure. 1) uncleanness; 1b) in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living; 1b1) of impure motives.
In a moral sense: unclean in thought and life.
To not be cleansed, of filth, impurity, etc., 1a) to prune trees and vines from useless shoots, 1b) metaphors. from guilt, to expiate – found in – John 15:2; Heb.10:2
See also: Matt23:27, Rom6:19, 1 Thess 4:7, 2 Peter 2:10
4. Lustfulness or Lewdness – To be lustful; act of being lustful, to be desirous of someone physically. lasciviousness, wantonness, filthy – 1) unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence. Excessively desiring, in the flesh, another person.
An overpowering and compulsive desire or passion, especially of a sexual nature. Scripture condemns lust of all kinds, and urges believers to show self-control.
See also: Pr 6:25-29; Mt 5:28 Ge 3:6; Job 31:1; Jas 1:13-15; 1Jn 2:16
5. Idolatry – To worship of physical object as a god; immoderate attachment or devotion to something. The worship of false gods, idolatry; 1a) of the formal sacrificial feats held in honor of false gods; 1b) of avarice, as a worship of Mammon; 2) in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it – found in I Cor.10:14; Gal.5:20; Col.3:5; I Peter 4:3
To worship an image, likeness; 1a) i.e. whatever represents the form of an object, either real or imaginary; 1b) used of the shades of the departed, apparitions, spectres, phantoms of the mind, etc.; 2) the image of a heathen god; 3) a false god.
It can fall under one of the Ten Commandments. Thou shalt not have any other god’s before me.
What do you have in your life that you hold to a higher esteem or consider more important that your relationship with God?
See also: 1 Cor 8:7, 1 Cor 10:19, Eph 5:5, Rev 21:8,Rev 22:15, 1 Cor 10:14,
6. Sorcery – Also called Witchcraft! Having spiritual intercourse with the devil. Sorcery, witchcraft – 1) the use of or the administration of drugs, 2) poisoning, 3) sorcery, magical arts, casting spells, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it, 4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry – found in – Gal.5:20; Rev.9:21; 18:23.
From pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion) – AV – sorcerer – 1) one who prepares or uses magical remedies, 2) sorcerer – found in – Rev.21:8.
pharmakeia: sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry.
Examples of those who practiced sorcery in the bible.
Egyptian magicians: Ex 7:11; Ex 8:18 Balaam: Nu 22:6; Nu 23:23
2Ki 21:6 Manasseh, king of Judah; Isa 47:9-13 the Babylonians; Ac 8:9-11 Simon of Samaria; Ac 13:6-8 Bar-Jesus of Cyprus; Ac 19:19 people in Ephesus
Also see: strongly forbidden
See also Dt 18:9-12 Lev 19:26,31; Jer 27:9-10; Eze 13:18,20
God’s judgment comes upon sorcerers and magicians
Lev 20:6; Mic 5:12; Ac 13:6-11; Rev 21:8
Gal 5 God made participation in occult practices punishable by death.
That is serious and would make any of us disqualified. But a true Christian couldn’t possibly participate this. For a true Christian simply couldn’t make that willful decision.
7. Hatreds – To have prejudiced hostility. Enmity, hatred – 1) enmity, 2) cause of enmity – found in – Luke 23:12;Rom. 8:7; Gal. 5:20; Eph.2:15, 16; James 4:4
Hateful – enemy, foe – 1) hated, odious, hateful; 2) hostile, hating, and opposing another; 2a) used of men as at enmity with God by their sin; 2a1) opposing (God) in the mind; 2a2) a man that is hostile; 2a3) a certain enemy; 2a4) the hostile one; 2a5) the devil who is the most bitter enemy of the divine government. Hatred for others or God is associated with human sin. Scripture also emphasizes. God’s hatred of sin and evil. Believers are commanded to love those who hate them.
Hatred as evidence of corrupt human nature
See also: 2Sa 13:15; Tit 3:3 Ge 37:4; Dt 7:15; Dt 19:11-12; Jdg 11:7; 2Sa 13:22;
Ps 25:19; Ps 38:19; Mt 24:10; Gal 5:19-20; 1Jn 2:9-11; 1Jn 3:15; 1Jn 4:20
Hatred of God himself
Ps 81:15; Ro 1:29-31 See also Ex 20:5; Dt 7:10; Dt 32:41; 2Ch 19:2; Ps 50:17
Hatred of Jesus Christ
See also: Jn 7:7 Isa 53:3; Mt 12:14; Mt 21:46; Mt 26:3-4; Mt 27:22; Lk 19:14;
Believers are to love those who hate them
See also: Lk 6:27-28 Mt 5:43-44.
8. Contentions and Fighting – A quarreler, continual debater, strife; to argue about most things. contention, contentious 1) electioneering or intriguing for office; 1a) apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts; 1b) partisanship, fractiousness – Further note – This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means. Paul exhorts us to be like Christ, not putting self forward or being selfish (Phil. 2:3). James3:14 speaks against having selfishness or self-promoting in your heart. Rom.2:8; II Cor.12:20; Gal.5:20; Phil.1:16; 2:3; James 3:14, 16
To stir up, excite, stimulate, to provoke – II Cor.2:9; Col.3:21
God hates violence
See: Ps 11:5; Ps 139:19; Jer 22:3; Eze 45:9; Mal 2:16, Prov 18:18, Jer 15:10,
Titus 3:9, James 4:1-2.
9. Jealousies – Emulations, ambitious or envious rivalry. Embittered about another persons wealth, possessions or status. It is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a human connection.
Jealousy often consists of a combination of presenting emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness and disgust. It is not to be confused with envy.
Human jealousy arises from sin
Human jealousy can be destructive
Pr 14:30 Job 5:2; Pr 27:4; Ecc 9:5-6
Also see: Gal 5:19-21, Ps 37:1-2; Pr 23:17; Ro 13:13; 1Co 13:4-7;
10. Angers – Violent anger; to pay back with punishment for an offense or crime. Anger or wrath. Wrath, fierceness, indignation – 1) passion, angry, heat, anger, forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again. A strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance.
In the templeJesushad righteous anger in His actions and words in emptying the Templeprecincts of the hucksters. (Mark 11:15-17).
There is righteous anger and unrighteous anger. This is talking about unrighteous, self centered anger. Christians should be slow to anger, to make sure it isn’t their lower self nature that is rising up. (James 1:19-20)
Anger can lead to Wrath.
Any unrighteous wrath by man is strictly forbidden. God will be pouring out His wrath upon the unrighteous after the Rapture of His church.
Gen 49:7, Isa 16:6, Lev 10:6, Deut 9:7, Nah 1:6,
We are commanded to love our neighbor. Love and wrath are opposites.
God holds the objects of His Wrath, the people, responsible for their actions.
Num 11:1; Deut 1:26-36; 13:2, 6, 13 et al.; Josh 7:1; 1 Sam 28:18;
Ps 2:1-6; 78:21, 22, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 12:5, Matt 7:13-27,
God’s wrath is the punishment of the soul. Matt 5:21, 22; 10:28
11. Strife – Rivalries or selfish ambitions. Contentious quarrels; fond of strife. Lack of agreement or harmony. A bitter conflict; heated, often violent dissension.
Strife is usually caused by selfish ambitions. Selfishness causing untold amounts of pain and suffering. Some seen, much un- seen.
Selfish Ambition is the pursuit of personal status and fortune, which is
contrary to the purposes of God as expressed in Scripture.
See: Pr 6:18; Eph 2:3; 1Jn 2:16, Phil 2:3
12. Divisions or dissensions – Resistant to authority. Disagreements arising from diversity of opinions and goals. The act of separating into parts, causing people to loose consensus, partitioning; basic mathematical operation in which one number is divided by another; department, faculty; group of soldiers that form a distinct tactical unit within a squadron.
13. Heresies – An opinion or doctrine contrary to the biblical truth; It carries the connotation of behaviors or beliefs likely to undermine accepted morality and cause tangible evils, damnation, or other punishment. In some religions, it also implies that the heretic is in alliance with the religion’s symbol of evil, such as Satan or chaos.
Within the church. 1 Cor. 11:19,
In Titus 3:10 a “heretical person” is one who follows his own self-willed “questions,” and who is to be avoided.
Heresies signify self-chosen or self serving doctrines that do not
emanate from God.
See: (2 Pet. 2:1).
14. Envy – Resentment of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with a desire to possess the same advantage. Envy is a sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others.
Envy is a great desire to have something possessed by another.
Envy is the result of human sin
See: Pr 23:17; Mt 15:19-20 Mk 7:21-23; Ro 1:29; 1Co 3:3; 1Ti 6:4;
Love does not envy others
See: 1Co 13:4
Results of envy
See: Job 5:2 Pr 14:30; Ecc 4:4; Jas 3:14-16
Envy forbidden
See: Ps 37:1 Pr 3:31; Pr 24:1; Gal 5:26
15. Murders – Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice and aforethought of another human, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of homicide (such as manslaughter).
To Murder is strictly against the Ten Commandments.
Thou shalt not kill.
Kill in the original language means “to murder.”
16. Drunkenness – Over indulgence of alcohol or legal and illegal drugs for self medicating or escapism purposes, resulting in intoxication.
Alcohol intoxication (also known as drunkenness or inebriation) is a physiological state that occurs when a person has a high level of ethanol (alcohol) in his or her blood.
It is also known as getting smashed or drinking too much.
Scripture does not forbid the drinking of alcohol. But sternly warns
against its over use.
The effects of strong drink are vividly described in the OT.
There are frequent references to the unsteady gait of drunkards.
Job 12:25; Ps 107:27; Isa 19:14;
They are prone to quarrelsomeness and brawling (Prov 20:1;23:19-
When drinking their minds are confused, their understanding is taken
away
(Hos 4:11); they neglect their duties (Prov 31:4, 5); they think they
are heroes (Isa 5:22); they end their days in poverty (Prov 21:17;
23:20, 21) and in woe and sorrow (23:29-32).
Alcohol and drugs are considered very similar. They both are
addicting and separate a person from God.
17. Revelries – Regularly attending wild parties or celebrations. unrestrained merry making, jubilation, celebration, festivities.
The opposite is “self control”. The bible has a lot to say about self control. Self-control fortifies the inner man. It builds a wall of defense around him against destructive forces of evil. The pathetic tragedy of the physically strong man Samson was the result of his intemperance in sensual desires. His sexual love for ungodly women decreed his doom Judg 14:2, 1 Cor 7:5).
Self-control is essential for success in the pursuit of any worthy goal. “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Cor 9:25).
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The answer to any of the above Works of the Flesh is to: STOP DOING IT! REPENT! COMMIT your life to JESUS!
Did you identify one or more of the above sin characteristics as being prevalent in your life? Please don’t panic. You are very blessed, not condemned. You now know what you have to do. Remember that most of us have fell victim to one or more of the above sins, at one time or another. There is only One who was and is perfect. We are taking the inventory to discover is if any of these have become so entrenched in our being that they now define who we are.
It is time to take action. Start today. Write down on a piece of paper what you have discovered. Write down what your thoughts and feelings are about it. It’s important that you not allow yourself to forget or rationalize this new revelation away. Your eternal soul could be at stake.
None of the characteristics mentioned above are terminal. You can stop from participating in any of them. But most of them you will find that you may not be able to get out or stop on your own power. It may take an act of God to fix the situation. The phrase “I can’t, there is one who can, so I am making a decision to ask and let Him”, fits very well right here. Only the God of the universe, Jesus Christ, has the power to move mountains.
We may have to allow God to take away some things in our life that are very important to us or part of who we are. Some of this is going to hurt. But I guarantee you it will be just a temporary, small amount of pain, in exchange for an eternity of gain. The purpose isn’t for you to simply change some things and gain a new purpose in your life. The purpose is to make sure you are included in the rapture and have an everlasting life with Jesus, the creator.
So we bring our troubles and pains to the Lord.
Relax. He is faithful! He always listens and always responds! Ask the Lord to send the Holy spirit to minister to you.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm.
1Th 5:7 For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet.
1Th 5:9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.
1Th 5:11 Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do.
Examine yourself and trust Jesus Christ. He is here and waiting to cleanse and justify you right now Today may be your day to make some changes. Let the power of God help you. We are powerless over so many things. He is the powerful one and can move mountains.
Remember that:
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we are looking for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
3:21 who shall change our body of humiliation so that it may be fashioned like His glorious body, according to the working of His power, even to subdue all things to Himself.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test(Examine) all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
Print out this prayer. Pray about the prayer and then go to a quiet place and let what is in your heart come through your lips and up to the Lord. It’s the salvation prayer. Watch the video if you feel you need some coaching.
The Salvation Prayer (click here) is in the Blog in the top right column of this page.
“God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:6, 7)
Galatians 5: 21
And things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
John 15: 12-14 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
If you have a hard time dealing with any of your identified sins, natural bondages or character issues, we strongly advise you to go see a bible believing pastor, Christian consular or at the very least a trusted Christian person you can pray with and share your burdens. All of them can be dealt with be surrendering them to the Lord. Only He is strong enough. It is getting there that we all need help with.
I have authored an e-book that is almost two hundred pages of Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance instruction. You can get your copy at: http://ww.biblicalspiritualwarfare.org.
The “Biblical Spiritual Warfare Manual” contains all the biblical instruction you will need to overcome the enemy. Please don’t assume the internet is going to be here in your worst time of need. Get your copy today.
We serve a powerful God and He doesn’t want any of us, especially you, to miss the big event.
May God Bless You and Keep You Safe!
Pastor Thomas Holm
http://www.thejosephplan.org
the Joseph Plan Rapture ForeWarning. © is copyrighted and any distribution or electronic transfer or posting is strictly prohibited. Please don not reproduce or link to this Advisory. It is intended for registered users only.
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References: NKJV Holy Bible, Strongs Bible Concordance, Bible-Dictionary and Babylon.com Dictionary. Portions of the above text were taken from BibleGateway.com.