De flesta tycker att det är en spännande upplevelse att få vara med om att delta i processen "från ax till limpa" när ett konstverk kommer till. Sittningarna varar i regel i 20 minuters pass med bensträckare emellan och totalt ca tre timmar per gång. Totalt krävs ca 6 till 7 gånger för ett mindre porträtt. Om man så önskar kan man också lyssna på musik eller talböcker när man sitter modell. Genom att det idag finns belysning med färgtemperatur som ligger helt nära vanligt ljus kan porträtten utföras på tider som passar både konstnären och modellen.

"Monicka " målad 2008 av Tony Warren (1961 - ).

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.

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Tony Warren återger här stofferna på ett mästerlikt sätt utan att förlora fokus på den psykologiskt inträngande skildringen av den avbildades personlighet.

"Ulrika" målad 2008 av Tony Warren (1961 - ).

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.

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Det är skillnad mellan porträtt och porträtt!

En konstnär som får uppdraget att måla en avgående landshövding eller någon annan paradfigur åstadkommer oftast en porträttlik avbildning som visserligen har större status än ett fotografi men oftast ett ringa konstnärligt värde.

Men när konstnären gör en bild av sig själv eller annan där han får frihet att skildra en psykologisk inblick i den egna eller den andres stjäl kan det bli ett måleriskt lyckokast.Det kan bli en bild som lämnar avbildningen och blir ett psykologiskt vittnesbörd i form och färg med komposition och dynamik där den som avbildas bara är utgångspunkt.

Bland de porträttkonstnärer som är verksamma i Sverige idag finns Tony Warren från Ockelbo.  Tony Warren är en konstnär som lyckas gå bortom fotografiets ögonblicksbild och skapar psykologiskt inträngande porträtt där avbildade personer återges med en förbluffande skärpa. Tony Warrens storhet ligger i hans sällsynta iakttagelseförmåga och hans sätt att skildra personlighet.

Det går att se Tony Warrens pågående porträttutställning på webben genom att klicka på porträttutställning under rubriken Konstutställning till höger.

   

Tony Alan Warren föddes i Düsseldorf i Tyskland år 1961. Fadern var från Amerika och modern från Sverige. Tony växte upp i Sverige, men har bott i många delar av världen, bland annat i Asien, USA och Europa. Som porträttmålare har de nära kontakterna med andra länder, kulturer och folkslag genom att ha bott i dessa kulturer fått stor betydelse. Genom åren har Tony Warren studerat porträttmåleri, bland annat under fyra år på SORA - School of Representational Art i Chicago. Detta är en av världens främsta konstskolor med akademisk inriktning.

En av Tony Warren förfäder var Sioux indian, något som han själv tror har satt en prägel på hans konst. Konstverken präglas av en noggrannhet och att mycket tid lagts på varje individuellt verk, liksom det alltid gjort i det klassiska måleriet som gestaltat porträtt, stilleben och landskapsmåleri.

Tony Warren utför psykologiskt inträngande porträtt där avbildade personer levandegörs på ett sätt som gör att de syns närvarande i rummet. Genom en bländande klassiska teknik som har sina rötter i Rembrandts mjuka övergångar mellan ljusa och mörka partier i målningen synliggörs de avbildade personernas karaktär på ett sätt som ger associationer till den ryske konstnären Repin.

Utställningen av Tony Warrens porträtt måleri på webben möjliggör att många på ett enkelt sätt kan ta del av konstverken. Nackdelen är givetvis att ett fotografi inte ger rättvisa åt målningarna då färg och ljus återgivningen sällan blir korrekt.  Den tredimensionella upplevelse man får vid ett direkt betraktande av målningarna går också förlorad. Det finns därför en möjlighet att efter avtal få se vissa av målningarna ”live” hos Asgard galleri och konsthandel och i Tony Warrens ateljé i Ockelbo.   

Tony Warren i Ateljén.  

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media    

Vännerna på Asgard hurrar och önskar en bra arbetsdag vid staffliet.

”Bengt” målad 2007 av Tony Warren (1961- ).

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

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Det är glädjande att fler och fler uppmärksammar Tony Warrens förmåga att utföra psykologiskt inträngande porträtt där de målade personerna levandegörs på ett nästan overkligt sätt.    

”Lars-Erik” målad 2008 av Tony Warren (1961- )

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media  

Lucia markerar tillsammans med advent inledningen av julfirandet. Traditionen att fira Lucia som den görs idag kommer från Västergötland och har sprits över landet. Firandet var vanligast på Sveriges västkust. Man firade med mat och dryck och en av gårdens kvinnor kläddes i vitt och fick bära en ljuskrans i håret. 

Seden att gå runt bland hus i grannområdet är ett arv från äldre tiders "staffanssjungning", som förekom både på landet och i städerna, där djäknarna gick mellan husen för att samla in pengar till den årliga hemfärden.

”Minnen ” målad  av Tony Warren (1961-).   

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

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De aktuella butikerna kämpar inte med låg lönsamhet utan tillhör de i landet som har högst omsättning och vinster (15 -20 miljoner per år). Det är därför helt obegripligt att man riskerar det goda ryckte som arbetats upp av ICA under många år för att få några % högre vinst. När man ertappats med byxorna nere talar man om att se över sina rutiner. Det man borde fundera över är vilken moral och etik man har själv.

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

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Den gamla offerstenen med skålgropar från stenålderstid beskriver människans tidlösa behov av en tro på något gudomligt. Vad människan tror på har skiftat under årtusendena, men behovet att tro på något gudomligt har bestått. 

”Källa” målad 2006 av Tony Warren (1961-). 

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

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Genom en bländande klassisk teknik som har sina rötter i Rembrandts mjuka övergångar mellan ljusa och mörka partier i målningen och en stil som synliggörs de avbildade personernas karaktär på ett sätt som ger associationer till den ryske konstnären Repin.

Det som är nytt med Tony Warrens måleri är att han i stället för ett porträtt även erbjuder människor att delta i ett figurativt konstverk som modeller. Tony Warren säger att han vill förena det klassiska måleriet med det moderna från 1900 talet och skapa ett beskrivande måleri med det bästa från två världar.  

”Vägvisaren” figurativt konstverk av Tony Warren.

”Erik” porträtt av Tony Warren.

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media  

”Liv” målad 1999 av  Tony Warren (1961- ).

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

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”Tors strid med jättarna”  målad av Mårten Eskil Winge (1825 – 1896).

”Smideshammaren Tor” Målad av Tony Warren.

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.  

PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media   

Genom en bländande klassisk teknik som har sina rötter i Rembrandts mjuka övergångar mellan ljusa och mörka partier i målningen och en stil som synliggörs de avbildade personernas karaktär på ett sätt som ger associationer till den ryske konstnären Repin.

Det som är nytt med Tony Warrens måleri är att han i stället för ett porträtt även erbjuder människor att delta i ett figurativt konstverk som modeller.Tony Warren säger att han vill förena det klassiska måleriet med det moderna från 1900 talet och skapa ett beskrivande måleri med det bästa från två världar.

”The Body and the Wing” figurativt konstverk av Tony Warren.

”Tommy” porträtt av Tony Warren.

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.

PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media   

Hösten är här med skördefest söndagen den 16 september hos Wij Trädgårdar i Ockelbo. Wij Trädgårdar har vunnit första pris som Sveriges vackraste park 2007.  I sin motivering skriver juryn: I Carl von Linès anda har Vij Trädgårdar på kort tid lyckats skapa ett genuint och i många stycken unikt parkideal som tydliggör och speglar skönheten i det omgivande norrländska landskapet.

Besöker man Wij Trädgårdar kan man passa på och se konstnären Tony Warrens atelje som ligger i direkt anslutning till parken. Utöver konst upplevelser har besökarna kunnat avnjuta otroligt goda våfflor med glass, grädde och hjortron eller hallonsylt.

Interiör från Tony Warrens ateljé.

I skördetider kan man också njuta av ”Vårt dagliga bröd” målad av Anders Zorn (1860 – 1920).

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.

PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media   

 Tony Warren har nu nästan färdigställt porträttet av ”Gösta” i sin ateljé i Ockelbo.

Under sommaren har många gäster skrivit i en gästbok om sina intryck av målningen ”Storyteller” . Besökarnas fascination har varit stor. Några har ansett att detta är Sveriges svar på ”Mona-Lisa”.    

Utöver konst upplevelser har besökarna kunnat avnjuta otroligt goda våfflor med glass, grädde och hjortron eller hallonsylt.

Ännu finns chansen att få uppleva konst och förtära något riktigt gott ytterligare någon vecka. Gör ett besök hos Tony Warren i Ockelbo. 

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.

 PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media   

 Sveriges just nu mest reproducerade konstverk är förmodligen den jubileumstavla som Tony Warren målat åt ICA  Ockelbo i samband med deras 140 års jubileum.

Motivet trycks på de matkassar av plast som affären säljer. Man räknar med att sälja 6000 påsar per vecka under två år. Totala upplagan av Tonys konstverk kommer således att nå över 600000 exemplar.

Det konstverk som är mest välkänt i Sverige och förmodligen ett av världens mest reproducerade konstverk är solstickepojken av  Einar Nerman.

Vännerna på Asgard önskar alla en bra dag.

 PS Denna artikel återfinns på http://intressant.se/intressant, samt bloggar.se konst kultur media   

more from Tony Warren

In many Christian circles there is a popular theological view which states that the Church must somehow be taken out of the world before the Great Tribulation period. Sadly this doctrine has become one of the most predominant views in the Church. This form of theology is the product of spurious dogma that over the years has been taught relentlessly. It is not supported by sound Biblical hermeneutics, but is constantly repeated so that now many Christians actually believe that the scriptures themselves say these things.

Clearly they do not!

Neither do they imply, nor allude to such things. In truth, this doctrine is a predisposed handling of certain scriptures which say other things, but which Theologians teach to indirectly support this doctrine. If you were to ask these people to give you the exact chapter and verse of scriptures which says that the Church will be taken out of the world before the Great Tribulation period, they couldn’t do it. For they are forced to provide other scriptures which they then allege implies it, even though they readily admit it doesn’t say it! i.e., it’s their own interpretation of the verses, not something that God has actually declared. However, the scriptures are not subject to private or personal interpretation. Interpretations belong to God (Genesis 40:8, 41:16). unfortunately, this very glaring lack of sound hermeneutics doesn’t deter those who choose to believe these type doctrines. The age old adage still applies:

"if you repeat an untruth enough times, many will begin to believe it simply by process of indoctrination, and will look upon it as their truths." -WiseManSay

This is how all false teachings start. If you say things enough times in a way which on the surface sounds reasonable, or which seems right in their own eyes (proverbs 12:15), there are always people who will believe it, no matter what the scripture actually says. There is not one Theologian who can give you a single solitary verse which actually says these things, nor which unambiguously alludes to them, but somehow to many this is not an important point. However, this is ignoring a most basic fundamental Biblical principle of sound exegesis. That which states that, "Man cannot of himself interpret God’s Word, the scriptures interpret scriptures." Which means that we cannot of our own will personally interpret or assign meaning to scripture which God has not assigned to it. If God doesn’t say this in some part of the scriptures, or if there is no unambiguous scripture which supports this view, then it’s simply not God’s interpretation, it’s man’s own interpretation. Because as righteous Joseph declared, "it is not in me, interpretations belong to God". - Genesis 40:8, 41:16 Unless God is talking to us through the burning Bush, or from the smoke on the Mountain, then His revelation is in His Holy Word, the Bible, and this is where the interpretation must be found. In the Word of God revealed by the Spirit of truth.

As a practical example, we cannot privately interpret Ezekiel’s wheel to be a flying automobile, or that the 7 candlesticks of revelation are 7 great volcanoes in Asia, or that the 10 horns of daniel as collection of utilities which help men put their shoes on. to do so would constitute making private (personal) interpretations. Interpretations belong to God, not Webster’s dictionary nor man’s own thoughts on a matter!

In this study we will take a careful look at this teaching to see if it is in any way in agreement with the rest of the Bible. Comparing scripture with scripture we shall see if it can possibly be true. If so, then it will be made manifest by the Spirit of God via the Word, and if not, that will be made known as well.

First of all, a brief recognition that there are some Christians who object to the use of the word Rapture. Generally they argue against it because it’s not a word that is found in the Bible, or because they have the idea that it pertains to premillennialism or dispensationalism. This is because so many of this Theological viewpoint use this word in their unbiblical doctrines. However, the word Rapture has nothing whatsoever to do with Premillennialism or Dispensationalism. Not only do I see no problem with using this word, I think it perfectly describes what is unquestionably scripture. We should understand that the word Rapture is derived from a Latin term meaning "caught away" and is merely used by Christians to avoid repetitive awkward quoting of an entire verse of scripture each time we reference an the event it describes. So let me be clear that when I use the word Rapture, I am simply speaking about nothing more and nothing less than what the scripture itself define as:

when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and when the dead in Christ shall rise first, and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we forever be with the Lord. -1st Thessalonians 4:17

This is our being caught up (Raptured) together to be with Christ in the air at His Coming. In order to avoid typing or repeating that whole verse every time we refer to this great event, we simplify it by calling this "The Rapture!" So when we use this word Rapture, know that 1st thessalonians chapter 4:17 is what we are referring to. ..Nothing more should be read into it.

The first obvious question about this belief that the Church must be removed before the Tribulation would be, "Why would God want to take the believers out of the world before the great tribulation?" The most common responses are,

"because God does not want his believers to go through the horrendous Tribulation of that time"

"He has not appointed the Church to wrath"

"He has said He would keep us from the hour of temptation."

Let’s be the faithful stewards and try/test these reasons by what the Word of God has to say. Does God say that He won’t let the believers go through any tribulation, whether Great or Small? The only Biblical answer is, No! It is an absolute fact that God nowhere in scripture says believers will not go through Great Tribulation. So we’ve established that Biblical fact right from the onset. God never "ever" uses that word tribulation to either say, imply, indicate, or even allude that we won’t go through it. On the contrary, when we search the scriptures (correct Biblical hermeneutics), and we examine the places where that word is used, and the event spoken of, we see believers are always there! And if believers are there, that means that the Church is there. Because they are one and the same. God tells us all through scripture that we "will have tribulation" in this world and we will have trial in this world, but we will overcome it because we are in Christ who is our strength. The Word declares "Plainly" that tribulation is in fact normal for the believer, not something that we fear or are expect to be taken out of the world from. Great Tribulation is simply more of what Christians normally have in the world. It’s the normal expectation. Many Theologians understand this truth about tribulation and believers, and so they attempt to make an artificial distinction by claiming:

"..Yes, True, but in this time, it will be different tribulation, and so God will be merciful and not let us go through that, for he is not going to beat up on His bride".

As faithful Christians, the first obvious question is,

Where is the scriptural support for the claim that God won’t allow His believers to go through Great tribulation?

Moreover, where is scriptural support that this tribulation will be different (other than more or greater)?

There is no scripture where God says, "I will let my Church go through tribulation, but not if I add the word Great to it?" That is a addendum by those who believe this in doctrine, but not prescribed by the Word. This is nothing more than the rationalizations required to justify believing this theory. There is not one scripture anywhere in which God tells us that He will not let the Church go through Great Tribulation! And the Word of God being our authority, we should not presume to say it either.

Something that we need to understand here is that this Greek word Great [megale] means large in size or big in dimension. For example as we would use it in a sentence like, "A great fire swept through Chicago", or "the tribulation in New York was great". It doesn’t mean a new kind of tribulation, it simply delineates there is a greater degree of tribulation.

The way some Theologians speak on this issue, you would think that there is going to be new ways invented to persecute Christians in this time. Not at all! Christians have been persecuted in every imaginable way, and had tribulations which are unthinkable, but God never took them out of the world to avoid it. Great tribulation is used to denote that the tribulation of this period will be more widespread, greater than it has ever been in history. Just as if we say, "Noah was in a Great flood". It doesn’t denote there was a new kind of water or flood, it simply denotes that this flood was greater (more water) than all the rest! The flood waters were the same, there was simply "more" of it.

Likewise, that is how the word great is used to describe this period of tribulation. At this time Christ speaks about, there will be much more iniquity abounding and persecution of anyone holding to the truth of scripture. Thus, greater tribulation in the world than ever before. But nowhere does God say Christians won’t go through it. On the contrary, indeed the Church is the very ones who are in tribulation and persecuted for the cause of Christ. Just as they have been for centuries.

They have been burned at the stake, Stretched on the rack, Stoned to death, Sawn asunder, fed to the lions, crucified, tortured, and severely beaten. God didn’t rapture them because he didn’t want them to suffer in this world, He allowed it! Are we better than these who went before us that we won’t go through the same? Theologians say these things, but God says, "pick up your cross and follow Me". God says, if they’ve done it to me, expect that they’ll do it to you, for we are not greater than He.

John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also".

These are the things God says, not, "..you poor Christians, I’ll not let you go through Great Tribulation". That would be the exact opposite of what we see as normative for Christians all throughout scripture. Indeed it is through these persecutions that we learn humility and grow closer to the Lord! Our weakness in tribulation makes us aware of our lack of ability to overcome of ourselves. It highlights our inadequacies cause us to turn our hearts to God, from whence cometh our help. In trial and persecution we come to understand more fully our dependence upon God, to His Glory! Tribulation humbles us and is a blessing in disguise, compelling our dependence on Him. We don’t need to be taken out of the world, for Grace is more than adequate.

2nd Corinthians 12:9-10

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong".

Paul understood this concept, for he knew that nothing this world could offer was a defeat. Stephen was dreadfully and brutally stoned to death, and God allowed it.

Would Christians in the time of future Great tribulation be killed in a more horrible way, so that God couldn’t allow it?

There is no scripture to support this. For that is not what is in view for this period. Tribulation in fact is normative for the believers. But don’t take my word for it,

John 16:33 "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me, ye might have Peace, in the world ye shall have Tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We’ve all heard what these Theologians tell us about believers and tribulation, but here is what God Himself tells us about the matter. God didn’t promise us peace in the world. On the contrary, He promised us Peace with God, and war with the world. We shall have tribulation in this world, and Christ didn’t add a end note of, "unless it is Great tribulation!" That idea is a product of wishful thinking, sensationalism, and humanism.

The unsaved hate us and revile us and persecute us. God isn’t going to take us out of the world so we can have peace. As John 16:33 says, our Peace is in Christ and that is all we need! Yes, in the world we shall have tribulation, but He has overcome the world for us. That is precisely why "His Grace is sufficient."

Note that whenever these Theologians allege that we won’t be in the great tribulation period, the verse they will give you as (supposed) Biblical support will never "ever" have this actual word Tribulation in it. Mark that down in indelible ink because it is a faithful truth! Whenever they explain about how we won’t go through the Tribulation, any verse they give to confirm this, will never actually have the word tribulation in it. ..Amazingly some do not find this curious that God would talk about saving us from the Tribulation, without ever using the word.

But we can readily discern why this is the case. It’s Because God never says we won’t go through the tribulation, "therefore" they can’t give you a verse where he uses the word. Think about that! They will give you a verse and tell you we should interpret it as the Great Tribulation period that Jesus spoke of, or they will give you a verse and tell you God "means" tribulation when He says this, but they can never give you a verse where the actual word is used. That’s no small caveat to brush aside. It’s a very telling fact when we consider wisely what this means. It means God didn’t actually say what they are alleging, they did! By contrast, I have given you an unambiguous verse, direct from scripture that says, "in the world you shall have tribulation." And there was no exception to great tribulation.

Moreover, the very 24th chapter of Matthew which speaks of the Great Tribulation Period clearly illustrates that believers are both there, and they are being warned of Christ how to deal with it!

Matthew 24:20-21"But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be".

Christ is talking to the Church throughout this narrative, and he says "Pray ye" (indicating that the Church are still here during this Great tribulation period), and telling them that they are to flee to the mountains.

How can Christ’s people (The Church) flee to the mountains if they are not here?

So who is right, God’s Word or these theologians? Will believers have tribulation in the world as God says, or will God take them all out of the world so they won’t have great tribulation?

According to what scripture declares about this great tribulation and persecution, and the people who will be trying to deceive them (believers) at the time, they will be there. That indeed is why Christ is warning the Church here. So it comes down to the same age old question.

Are we going to believe man’s tradition, or believe what God’s Word says?

The fact is, this tactic of making an artificial distinction between tribulation, and Great tribulation (as different persecution where God won’t allow us to be persecuted this way), does a great disservice to the great Christians who went before us. The logic is extremely flawed. Tribulation is tribulation. Whether great, or small it’s still the same thing. The word does not change, only the amount changes as a mathematical equation. In other words, the difference between Tribulation, and Great Tribulation, is the amount of it. It’s not a completely different thing, it’s been qualified! The rationalizing of this is a diversion from the contradictions and lack of biblical support manifested in this whole theory. It’s only different (as God’s description of it demonstrates), in that there is simply a greater amount of it. We can make it simple. We simply define Tribulation, then we define Great Tribulation.

Tribulation: a time of persecution, hatred, offences, revilings, betrayal, and affliction.

Great Tribulation: a time of great persecution, great hatred, great offences, great revilings, great betrayals, and great afflictions.

Where is the mystery? It is very simply a time when tribulation is multiplied greatly.

More than that, all we have to do is look where the Great Tribulation is spoken about in scripture and we see clearly that believers are still in the world. Unlike those who teach the theory of a pre-tribulation rapture, "we" can look at the places where the actual word Tribulation is found and get our understanding direct from these scriptures. That’s the way to come to real truth. By comparing scripture with scripture that we know what God says. For example, speaking of the Great Tribulation (and talking to believers) Jesus says:

Matthew 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake"

Sounds very consistent with what Jesus said before doesn’t it?

In the world, ye shall have Tribulation. Note that these are Christians. i.e., People who are being afflicted for Christ’s name sake. Carefully note the language, "hated for the name of Christ!" It’s the Church who takes the name of Christ, we are the Christ-ians! It’s Christians who are hated because of the name of Christ. Not Non-Christians, but the body of Christ. The Church! In the literal, that verse says:

"..being hated by all the nations because of the name of Me!"

These believers are being hated because of the name of Christ. i.e., they are Christians. We are either with Christ or against Him, there is no in between. And those hated for Christ’s name are quite "obviously" here during this tribulation.

Verse 13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be Saved."

No one is going to be Saved but Christians. If there are those here who will endure this Great Tribulation for Christ name sake (Christians), and be Saved, then obviously the body of Christ is still on the earth when this is happening. As Paul asks in the Corinthians, "Is Christ Divided?" And the answer of course is, No! There is only one body who takes the name of Christ and that is the Church of Christ. And we see here that it is still here at this time, being persecuted, reviled, and hated, because of His name!

Moreover, if God doesn’t want his bride to go through this horrible tribulation, then what are these believers that Jesus is talking about doing going through the Great tribulation for Christ’s sake?

It makes no sense because it is man’s private interpretation and not biblically validated. It’s man’s wrested or twisted Theology! God is not going to take His people out of the world because He doesn’t want them to go through this horrible tribulation, and then turn right around and have a whole other group of His people go through that very same Tribulation. That is just plain ridiculous! Unsound exegesis which is contradictory to all that God has written. God is not the author of confusion, man is.

Verse 14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the End come!"

Who is this preaching the gospel to all nations if the Church has been taken out of the world? This is the Church’s job! That’s what Acts chapter one tells us is our commission! To be a witness unto all nations in the name of Christ. It’s one of the very last things Jesus told the Church before He ascended back to heaven,

Acts 1:8 "..and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth."

Now, if Matthew 24:14 is not the Church, are we to assume that the Church failed in it’s commission to do this?

Perish the thought! No, they did not fail, because they are here in the tribulation and they are the ones doing the witnessing and being reviled and persecuted because of it. And when their testimony is finished, God says, "..and then shall the end come." It’s totally consistent with verse 31 which declares, immediately "after" the tribulation Christ will return and gather the chosen. The gospel is preached "by the Church" to all the world, then there is a short period of Great tribulation as Satan is loosed (Revelation 20), and then the end will come. It only becomes clouded when Theologians go to the scriptures with preconceived ideas about a Pre-tribulation Rapture. Then they of necessity make God’s Word uncertain and confused so that their own word will appear to stand. But in order for the Church to be preaching the gospel to the whole world at this time, it has to be here in the world. There are not two separate bodies of Christ! Christ is not Divided!

Matthew 24:21-23 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be Saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man say unto you, Lo here is Christ, or there, believe it not."

We are still here, and there are false prophets and false Christs’ abounding, trying to deceive us. And God warns us, follow them not! Don’t Believe them! So why would God warn the Church if the Church was not present at this time? Of course the truth is, He wouldn’t! He warns the Church not to be deceived because they are still here. They are those commanded to Watch!

If we were to listen to all the voices telling us that we would be taken out of the world before this Great Tribulation occurs, we’d have to ignore great blocks of scripture altogether. Not once or twice, but continually and consistently. But many seem to have no conscience in doing just that. It’s just amazing what man will believe without one shred of Biblical validation that it is true. And it’s because he is indoctrinated or just too dependent upon others to check it out in the scriptures for himself. How can someone say to the Church, Lo here is Christ, or lo there is Christ (trying to deceive them), if the Church isn’t even there? How could it almost deceive even the very chosen (elect) if that were possible, if the very chosen are not here? The Chosen are the believers, Chosen from the foundation of the world.

1st Peter 2:9"But ye are a Chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an Holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praise of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:"

Note the word Chosen there. It’s the exact same word as you read in Matthew chapter 24. Elect and Chosen are the exact same word. If you want God’s definition of the elect, read God’s Word rather than listen to the traditions of men. On the old testament side of the cross, the Old Testament Congregation primarily were the chosen, and on the New Testament side of the cross, the New Testament congregation are the Chosen! We are the Elect (Eph. 1:4, Romans 9:11) that the false Christs’ will be trying to deceive, but who they cannot deceive, because we are the Children of God who endure to the end. They will deceive the unfaithful of the Churches, but not the Elect.

Again, how is it that these Theologians say the Church is raptured, and yet no one on earth knows that Christ had come (secret rapture) and taken them?

Are we to believe that Christ will come and gather the elect and no one will notice, or that they’ll notice, but go about their business as usual?

That quite frankly is Ludicrous!

God says the rapture is with the Sound of a great trumpet and the Lord descending with a Shout and the voice of the Chief Messenger! Without conscience man teaches that, "No, Christ comes in secret (as a thief in the night) so the world doesn’t notice the Church is gone". It’s not only unbiblical, it’s anti-biblical. The verses that speaks about Christ coming as a thief in the night is signifying how the unbelievers won’t expect anything until they see Christ in the air. It doesn’t mean they won’t see Him come and take the Church. In other words, it means the end catches them unawares! But this is just another example of how some Theologians use scripture carelessly and without mandate. He comes as a thief in the night to the unsaved because they’re not "Watching" as the believers are. But the true believers is not caught off guard like the unbelievers. He doesn’t come as a thief to us! And that contradicts this teaching. But again, don’t take my word for it..

1st Thessalonians 5:2 "For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1st Thessalonians 5:4 "but ye brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a Thief.

It’s the "day of the Lord", The Day of Judgment, and notice they are both here. The Church as well as the unrighteous. For the unsaved, that Day overtakes them as a thief in the night because they live in darkness they won’t see it coming. The judgment of God will come on them quickly as they are subject to the wrath of God. But notice God says that Day shall not overtake us as a thief.

Why not?

Because we are the Children of light. We see and we’re ready! As Jesus says in Matthew 24, we’re Watching! Read that chapter carefully. It’s one day, the day of Judgment, and the day of deliverance. That Day is the day of the Rapture of God’s Church, and of God’s wrath upon the wicked.

1st Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."

That day will be a day of wrath for the unsaved, but we have been spared from it "by the blood of Christ". We are not appointed to wrath and judgment in the lake of fire as the unsaved are. There is absolutely no question that this wrath of God is the judgment at the end of the world. We see all through scripture the same consistency.

2nd Peter 3:10 "But the DAY of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

Does that (coming as a thief) sound like a secret coming to you?

…He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!

How do most of these Theologians get past all these verses which are contradictory to their doctrines?

They usually "ignore" them or pretend that they aren’t there. Others attempt to explain that, "they don’t really mean exactly what they say". Still others wrest the scriptures and twist them until they conform to their own ideas. But to the faithful it is clear that the coming as a thief in the night refers to Christ’s second advent at the "last" day, the end of the world. All of scripture uniformally confirm this.

Matthew 24:29-30 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with Power and great glory."

We see that immediately after the tribulation Christ will return (and verse 43 illustrates it’s as a thief and the unrighteous are not watching), and that is when the Chosen will be raptured. Curiously, many Theologians say that the rapture is when Christ comes as a thief in the night. However, when they get to Matthew 24 they claim that this chapter speaking of Him coming as a thief, is not the rapture!

..it becomes like Alice in wonderland getting curious-er and curious-er.

Matthew 24 says Christ will return, and verse 31 says, with the sound of a trumpet Christ will send his angels and gather the elect (remember God’s definition of the elect) from the four winds of heaven. We’ll all be gathered together in the air to be with the Lord. So here we have the Word of God telling us the rapture is after the Tribulation, and we have man telling us it is before. Nowhere does the Word of God say the rapture is before the Tribulation. On the contrary, it illustrates immediately after. I didn’t say it, God’s Word said that the Chosen were raised here immediately after the tribulation of those days. And it’s with the sound of the Trumpet, not in secret. Christ will appear on the clouds and send his angels to gather his chosen from the four winds. Written clearly there in Matthew 24:29-31. This is the rapture, and is exactly what’s spoken of again in,

1st Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a Shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the Trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Compare scripture with scripture, Matthew with 1st Thessalonians, and the picture is clear when and how the Rapture occurs. And again note, it is with a shout and sounding trumpet, not secret! To think that the Lord will take the Church out first (before tribulation) is to ignore both content and context of matthew 24. Scripture is in agreement only with "a last day" rapture.

Another telling passage is the parable of the tares. All parables are given by inspiration of God for our learning, and there is a valuable lesson in this one concerning how we will be left in this world.

The Parable (Matthew 13) is that there are wheat and tares sown in a field. The wheat is the believers and the tares are the unbelievers. The field is the world and the harvest is at the end of the world. That’s how God (not I) interprets the parable. So it was said, "Shall we take the tares out of the world so they won’t hurt the wheat". God said No! He wanted the tares and the wheat to remain "together" in the field until the end of the world (Which He said is the harvest), and then the separation would