Some of you who have been in church for a while, may know exactly what I mean when I mention the "Rapture".  However, there are many...especially UNBELIEVERS, who have no familiarity with this term.  The "Rapture" is the term used to describing the soon coming event in which there will be a  "snatching away" of believers to the LORD.   When the Rapture takes place, the world will be in chaos and distress will be everywhere— but nothing will compare to the pain of parents losing their babies, or teens being left alone in this world without a parent. The only hope is to PLACE YOUR TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST!
 
This is NOT a mere story or a fable or a fairy tale  — this event will be an actual fulfillment of Bible PROPHECY!
 
People will be stunned, shocked, fearful, and remorseful when they witness millions of people suddenly disappearing. Anyone they knew who had believed in Jesus alone for salvation would have been taken to Heaven by Him.
 
They will experience the MOST shocking event in HUMAN HISTORY!!
 
The Rapture is described throughout scripture, but most notably in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17:  "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
 
Every person who wholeheartedly believed and accepted the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has been eagerly expecting His glorious return. When the rapture occurs, the Church will witness the fulfillment of Christ's promise when He said:   "I will come again and receive you unto Myself, so that where I am, you may be also."
 
When the Church disappears, (not the buildings but those people who believed in Christ as their Messiah),  chaos will unfold as firefighters, police officers, and emergency workers of all kinds go missing. Cars will veer off roads, and planes will crash from the sky. It may take several months to clean up the initial disasters caused by the rapture of the Church.
 
There will most likely be an attempt to DECEIVE YOU into believing that it was caused by some UFOs, or some aliens, or give other false explanations. It will be nothing but lies! DO NOT BE DECEIVED! All the narratives they are pushing now will be multiplied.
 
Shortly after this event is when the Antichrist will emerge and be revealed. He will be a very charismatic man who will bring peace out of the chaos. People will be desperate for a world leader who can protect them and provide for their needs, and he will appear to be the perfect one. Peace and safety will be his mantra, his model.
 
One of his primary goals will be to sign a peaceful 7-year agreement with Israel and allow them to rebuild the third temple in Jerusalem. He will introduce to the world the mark of the beast which people will need in order to buy and sell.  What will follow are the most HORRIFIC years that humanity will ever experience, after he sits at the temple and declares himself as god.
 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANYONE WHO IS LEFT BEHIND:

• Parents: Your baby is safe in heaven, surrounded by the love of God and everything he or she will ever need —  Stay strong, there is still hope!  Turn to the LORD NOW!

 

• Teens: If your parents are missing it's because they believed and placed their full trust in Jesus. Perhaps you disagreed or hadn't decided for yourself yet whether or not you wanted to follow Christ, this is why you are still here — Stay calm, there is still hope!   Put your faith in JESUS CHRIST NOW!

 
DON'T TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST!!!!
No matter what happens, even if it means facing death or torture.  The mark signifies a complete and final rejection of God and His mercy and grace - at this moment your destination is sealed— YOU WILL GO TO HELL! The number is referred to in the Bible as 666. What 666 means we do not know.  All I can advise you is to not take the Mark of the Beast.  You will need it in order to get food or even a bottle of water.  You will have sealed your end, your doom.
 
In the Book of Revelation there is the mention of The Two Witnesses: Be extremely attentive when two witnesses emerge in Jerusalem, defying the Antichrist. Pay close attention to their message and make sure not to disobey them, for they are sent by God! The names of these two witnesses have been debated for years but just listen to them for they are sent by God to warn you.
 
In the Book of Revelation there is the mention of The 144,000: There will be also 144,000 Jews who are sealed by God to tell the Gospel message.  They will have special protection from God. Their mission will be to evangelize and proclaim the gospel during this shocking time. Believe what they are saying because they are appointed for this time - TO SAVE YOU!
 
In The Book of revelation there is the mention of The 3 Angels: There will be three angels, one flying in the midst of heaven proclaiming the Everlasting Gospel to every single person alive on earth, another warning about the fall of Babylon, and another warning you not to take the mark of the beast! TAKE HEED AND LISTEN TO THEM!
 
It doesn’t make any difference, at this point, why you’re still on Earth, the point now is you have another chance!  
 
For those reading this BEFORE the rapture...make sure that you are saved NOW.   Be ready for HIS return is VERY NEAR!

​CHOOSE WISELY DO NOT MISS IT!!!! 

The Bible tells us that there are two primary judgment events which will occur in the end-times. The first is known as the Great White Throne and the second is called The Judgment Seat of Christ (also known as the Bema Seat).  So to answer the obvious question: Do Christians face judgment from God when they die?  The short answer is YES.  So what is the difference between these two judgments?

According to the Bible, Christians will not be a part of the Great White Throne Judgment.  The Great White Throne Judgment is a condemnation judgment. Instead, believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, which you may have heard called the Bema Seat.   This is a judgment for rewards based on our earthly works.

If you have ever been to church or have read a Bible or have heard a Gospel message inviting you  to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and to humbly bow to Jesus. sometimes it is referred to as that born-again experience or a salvation message.   It is a choice that you must make before you die.

The Great White Throne Judgment: A Judgment of Condemnation
The Great White Throne Judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15. It's a judgment of the unsaved dead. In other words, it’s for those who never accepted salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. You do not accept that Jesus died on the Cross for your sin.  It’s a judgment leading to eternal separation from God. The end result is referred to in the Bible as the 'second death', the eternal lake of fire or better known as hell.  REMEMBER: HELL IS FOREVER (and that's a REALLLYYYY Long time) AND THERE ARE NO EXIT DOORS IN HELL!!!!!   So, be sure to choose wisely today!

The Judgment Seat of Christ: A Judgment of Rewards
As already stated, we see from scripture that the Great White Throne Judgment is not for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior!  The Apostle John tells us in John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

While believers escape the Great White Throne Judgment, we are reminded in scripture that we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This event is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,(Bema Seat) so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Unlike the Great White Throne Judgment, this judgment is not about salvation or condemnation but rather rewards. It is an evaluation of a believer's works during their lifetime. Just like a review is at your work or in school when you get a report card.
 
Eternal Rewards, Not Salvation
It's important to understand that these rewards are not equal to salvation! Salvation is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  You must receive Christ while you are on this earth.  That decision must be made before you die.  The judgment at the Bema Seat is about how believers have lived out their faith, the ways they have served Christ, and the motives behind their actions.

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul describes how our works will be tested by fire. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will still be saved.

A Call to Faithful Service
This understanding of the Judgment Seat of Christ should inspire and challenge us to live faithfully. We should serve Christ wholeheartedly, not out of duty, but out of love and gratitude. As we sow seeds for the faith here on earth, we look forward to the day when we stand before Jesus Christ, not to be condemned, but potentially for rewards that reflect His grace and mercy and our faithful response to it.

So Christians can have assurance that they will not face the Great White Throne Judgment (Punishment).  However, Yes, all Christians will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, which calls for an earnest reflection on how we spent our time, talents, and treasures for God's kingdom.

Remember and keep in mind that we live in a society where homosexuals lecture us on morals.  Where transsexuals lecture us on humans biology.  Where baby killers lecture us on human rights.  Where communists lecture us on economics and where satanists lecture us on religion.

Choose Wisely, Choose Christ, Choose Faith,  Choose Today!

There is an old hymn we used to sing in church which was titled:  This World Is Not My Home by Albert Brumley.  This incredible hymn starts by reminding us that: 
 
                    This World is not our home we’re just a passing through
                    Our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
                    The angel beckons me from heaven’s open door
                     And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
 
The Bible says that for the Christian, this world is not our home (see Hebrews 13:14). 

The phrase not of this world is found in John 18:36 where Jesus says that His kingdom is “not of this world”.   We must stand and fight for what is truth and right on this earth, but we must never be so focused on earthly THINGS, and holding on so tightly to this world but rather we are to seek after the Heavenly Jerusalem.  Don’t miss the Kingdom of God to come...and don’t miss the KING.
 
America is important. The fight is important. But without a relationship with Jesus Christ, you'll be temporarily busy with no eternal impact. No hope for your future.  You will only believe that what we see in this life is all that there is.  Lift up your eyes and don't miss Jesus for the world.  Don’t say what others have said: “I’m  from Missouri I have to see it to believe it!”   We need to have faith.
 
Are you one of those people who say: Oh I don’t have faith.  BUT….you have faith that your alarm clock will wake you up for work.  You have faith that the brakes on your car will work when you are driving.  I can go on and on.  You get the point we have faith for the things we think are important.

Some 250 years ago, two young Moravian men heard of an island in the West Indies which was virtually owned by one plantation master. He was a violent man who treated his slaves with complete contempt. He would not allow them to know anything of Christianity; no minister was permitted to come and form a church among them. So these two young Moravian men, gripped with a burden for a group of people who might never hear about the love of Jesus, sold themselves into slavery to that plantation master. The money they received for their own lives they used to pay for their passage to get to the island. They gave up their lives to go and live among that community of slaves and bring them the gospel.

Their families came to the docks to bid them farewell, knowing it was highly doubtful they would ever see them again. As the ship pulled out of the harbor, with mothers crying on the shore, the last words ever heard from them was when one of the young men cried out from the ship’s deck: “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” That became the catch-cry of the small Moravian community, who sent out 2158 recorded missionaries all over the world. Jesus had died for people who would never hear the gospel unless someone went to tell them.

Some of you are saying when we hear of those two young men, we are tempted to think “That is not NORMAL! Selling yourself into slavery? Leaving all behind, even your grieving family. That is not normal.

Let me ask you this, what IS the “NORMAL” Christian life?  Having searched through what the Bible has to say, I would describe it this way: the normal Christian life is one of FULL DEVOTION to Jesus Christ. Anything less than TOTAL devotion to Him is inferior and is NOT what Jesus intends.

Giving up all our rights. Following Him. That is the NORMAL Christian life, as described by the Founder, full devotion to Jesus Christ.

Well, what would that entail? What does full devotion to Jesus look like? One person who was living the normal Christian life was the Apostle Paul – the man who wrote half of the New Testament. Read some of the Books in the Bible he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. and you will see what he said was full devotion to Jesus.

No matter where we live here on earth, we can claim the land we live only as temporary homeland. But scripture tells us that a time is coming when I will transfer my residence to my true home with my Savior in heaven.
 
This is what gives me peace and hope as I see world events unfolding.  We have to chose to give my life to Jesus, so that I could live my life for Jesus. Because of that decision, I know with certainty that I will not be here when the world passes through the coming great tribulation.
 
Everyone has that same choice, including you. You need to decide now whether, when the end times descend upon the people of this earth, you will be a heaven dweller or an earth dweller?

Are you a God pleaser or a man pleaser?  I have made my choice to reside with Jesus, and I pray that your choice will be the same.  Choose wisely and remember this world is not our [Eternal] home!

•  - Two questions we often here are, "​If I die today will I go to Heaven?" and "What do I need to do to go to heaven?".

In this day and age, each of us seems to have our own belief system.  Things we may have learned at home or things we may have learned as we grew older and started asking questions and did some reading.  Most religions of the world have some form of belief system of what happens when we die:

• Islam- Muslims believe that after our physical death on Earth, our soul lives on and goes to the Angel of Death to wait for Judgment Day. The Qur’an teaches that on the day of judgment, the righteous will go to J (Paradise) and the sinners will go to Jahannam (Hell).
• Judaism - Judaism is ambiguous about what happens when we die. While Jews tend to focus more on their life on Earth, most Jewish people believe in an afterlife, and it can come in many forms. Some Jews believe in reincarnation, while others believe in the World to Come, which is similar to Heaven. They also believe that their lives are put on a scale and the “good” should out weigh the bad things.

Similar to Muslims and Christians, Jews also recite a special confession prayer for someone who is                dying. They also wash and cleanse the body to prepare for burial. After the burial, close relatives may            observe Shiva, a period of seven days of mourning, in the deceased’s home.

• Buddhism - Buddhists believe that when they die, they are reincarnated into another body. After death and before rebirth, each person passes through the state called Bardo, which can be a time of great insight and liberation. For Buddhists, the ultimate goal is to break out of the cycle of reincarnation by attaining Nirvana, which is an end to suffering. In order to reach such a state of enlightenment, Buddhists believe they must meditate and purify their minds. 

Since Buddhists believe that death is the beginning of a new reincarnated life, end-of-life rituals can be an important way to send off the person to the next realm. The patient may refuse pain medication in order to remain mindful of the death process, and family and friends may chant to calm the patient’s mind.

• Hinduism - Hindus share similar beliefs with Buddhists when it comes to death and the afterlife. They also believe in reincarnation, and believe that they can be reborn not only into humans, but also into animals, plants, or even insects. 

A Hindu may wish to die at home surrounded by family and friends as they sing their hymns, pray, read  verses or chant. These rituals are meant to keep the patient’s focus on Brahman, or the “Supreme Spirit.” After death, a Hindu’s body will be cremated, and the ashes may be scattered in the sea to transport them to the next life. 

• Atheism - Those who do not have a belief system or do not believe in the afterlife may have a number of different views about death and dying.  Unfortunately, an atheist believes that they have no religious belief but atheism is a religion in the true sense of the definition of religion.  Atheism is a religious worldview.  Their assurance is rooted in faith rather than in proven facts.  Atheists claim to know something fundamental about reality that has not been or cannot be proven.  People like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens are leaders in this belief system.
• Christianity - Most Christians believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the existence of an afterlife. Most believe that the decision to be what is referred to as that  “Born-Again” experience in which we accept Jesus as the Savior of the World, the Messiah, who was God and Man and who died for man’s sin at the Cross at Calvary, that is what determines whether we go to Heaven or Hell. 

 
So where are you, and what do you believe?
 
Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives, concerning eternal life?  WE SOMETIMES FORGET THAT WE ARE ALL TERMINAL.   What is all this that I hear from my Christian friends about salvation.? Getting saved from going to hell when we die, what is this gift from God, this eternal life in heaven?  What does this mean to be born-again

A B C’S OF GETTING SAVED AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN

This is what you do to get saved from hell and have eternal life in heaven

The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (Oh Jesus is telling him that Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit). You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again” (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. This New Birth makes us new creations. Being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?"  The problem goes all the way back to Genesis 3 when man sinned in the Garden of Eden and from then on we were born with a sin nature.  Yes, even the best of us, we are all separated from God from sin.
 
The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1:   "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (NKJV).
To the Romans he wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Sinners are spiritually “dead”; and when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth. Only those who are born again, have their sins forgiven and can have a relationship with God.
 
So what do I have to do? It's really as simple as "A, B, C":

ADMIT THAT YOU’RE A SINNER. Most people do not want to believe that they are sinners.  We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others.  We think we are good but this is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against the righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and rejuvenates us from the inside out.
 
BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS ON THE CROSS, WAS BURIED, AND THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who He said he was-the Son of God.
 
CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who He said He was. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

I am including a simple prayer but this is only a thought or an example.  You do not have to pray this exact prayer to be saved - you only need to Admit, Believe and Call upon the name of the Lord.
Simple prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
 
  
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8-9 states,   "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
 
When one is saved, he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth and a new creation. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the Cross, is the means to be "born again." "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Getting saved requires only faith in the Cross and what Jesus did for each one of us on that cross.  He took our sins and all we need to do is have faith, to trust in God, to believe that Jesus died for all our sins.
 
We forget that God loves us and has a plan for each of our lives. But we have been separated from God because of our sin.  God sent His Son to die for our sins.  In today’s English we would say He took the bullet for us. Yes, I know there are many who think we aren’t so bad but the Bible says that people are sinful and they have been separated from a Holy, Pure God.  So in love God sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins and in this way we could have a relationship with God and when we die we will be with Him forever and ever.
 
Well, are there any other ways to God? No!   The Bible tells us that accepting Jesus in faith is the only way to God.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6)

We can’t earn salvation; we can’t buy salvation, but we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness.

Once you have done this, then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the honest attitude of your heart.

If you have ever asked yourself "where will I spend eternity", take that step of faith today and determine your eternal destination.   Don't put off your eternal reservation even one day longer.   Remember ETERNITY IS A REALLY LONG TIME, so be sure you know where you are spending it!

Did you know that God has made A BAG FOR OUR SINS?
Job 14:17 says. “My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover my iniquity.”  In ancient times, when men died at sea, their bodies were placed in a weighted bag which was sewn together and sealed.  Then they were cast into the depths of the sea.  If we ask God to forgive us of our sins that is what God will do with our sins.  They are cast into the depths of the sea. When Christ died, by His one sacrifice for our sins,  He put away all our sins. They are buried in the sea of God's infinite forgiveness, never to be
brought up again.  Our sins can be erased, only by Faith in the shed blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13-28)
 
Did you know that God has written A BOOK FOR OUR NAMES? 
If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, the Bible tells us that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of life!   You will find that throughout scripture.  (See: Psalm 139:16, Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 13:8 and 17:8)  The fact that our names are written in that Book means that our salvation is a matter of absolute certainty.  When God says "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven,"   He is telling us that we have nothing to fear.  All is well for those whose names are written in heaven.  This tells us that the only way one’s name can be placed in the Book of Life is by the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior, and what He did for us at the Cross.  This is referred to as a Foundational Doctrine and it means that every Doctrine from the Bible must be built on the foundation of the Cross of Jesus Christ otherwise it is false, fake, counterfeit and a hoax.  Are you getting the message?
 
Did you know that God also keeps A BOTTLE FOR OUR TEARS? 
Psalm 56:8-9 states: "You tell all my wanderings: Put You my tears into Your bottle: are they not in Your book?...when I cry  unto You, then shall my enemies turn back: This I know; for God is for me.” It was customary at ancient Egyptian funerals for mourners to have a small cloth or sponge to wipe away their tears.   Then, they were squeezed into a small vial, a tear bottle, and placed in the tomb with the dead,
symbolizing the care the mourners had for one who had died.  Even so, our God, our heavenly Father, our Almighty Savior, our Holy Comforter tenderly cares for us.  In all our afflictions He is afflicted.  We are the very apple of his eye.  In these verses we are being told that despite David’s wanderings and his attempts to escape from King Saul, God knew at all times exactly where he was.  When the Believer sets out to do the will of God for his life, Satan will do all he can to oppose those efforts.  Remember the Lord allows Satan a certain latitude so that we may learn to have Faith and to place our trust exclusively in the Word of God.  We have to be reminded that Satan is a liar, a loser but he is limited by God.
 
There is a saying:
               Oppressors stand above us, adversaries stand against us but comforters stand beside us.  
No matter how old we are, we all want to be comforted.   In the Bible,  God is our ultimate comforter, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  God takes great care to comfort His people in their trials and sorrows in this world.  Could anything be more comforting in this world of sin, sorrow and death?  Our God has put our sins in a bag and buried them.  Our names are written in the Book of Life so we can rejoice in that.  And our tears He has put into a bottle to show His tender care for us.  For those of us who have been Believers for many years and have read the Word of God; we know that God is absolutely true to His Word.  If He says it is going to happen….it will happen. 
 
Do you know for sure that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? 
Maybe you are asking, "Who is the Lamb"?        
Jesus is the Lamb!  
So I ask, is your name in His Book or not? 
Remember you won’t get to spend eternity in Heaven unless it is recorded there. 
Sometimes, we forget that we are ALL terminal and one day, when death comes knocking at your door you need to know where you will spend eternity.  Will you spend eternity in heaven or hell?  
What is your eternal destiny? 
Remember life comes from Jesus not from what the world has to offer.  This world offers no eternal rewards only heartaches, pain and sorrows. 
Only Jesus offers eternal rewards. 
 
It is your move. 
It is always your choice. 
Choose wisely!

​The author of the Book of Hebrews is unknown.  Hebrews has been attributed to Paul even though many question his authorship.   However, there is an abundance of evidence in his favor.  This Book describes Christ’s ministry in heaven at God’s right hand.  The word “better” appears many times in the Book of Hebrews.  That should be our goal as Christians to know Him better for it appears 13 times in the King James Version of Hebrews.
 
When we get to chapter 13 it is an exhortation. That word exhortation means to incite, and it often implies the  urging or admonishing of an orator or preacher.  Well, some would say that we should use a better word such as to encourage but there is a difference between those two verbs.  To exhort is to urge or to advise earnestly while encourage is to mentally support, to motivate, to give courage, hope or spirit.
 
The main object of the letter to the Hebrews is to put the excellence of Jesus in prominence.  He is telling them that Jesus is superior to everything and everyone.  The author focuses in on this precious, scriptural diamond that many have memorized over the years.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.   Does that mean that we have no choices?  No!  We always have choices and decisions that must be made in this life.  However, Jesus as our foundation is our refuge and strength in a world that is changing rapidly.  He is our anchor when we face many changes that can affect us deeply.  Things in this life do not remain the same.  Changes occur in our homes, in our jobs, in relationships, in nature, in our finances, in our health, in our culture, in our laws, in our government, etc. and changes can happen suddenly and traumatically.  We need to remember that at those times when everything seems to go upside down we must rely on the unchanging GOD, who is our sure foundation.  HE is as the Scriptures say, our Faithful Friend and HE will be there for us when things change and even when things are uncertain.  He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  We may ask "why did this happen or that happen if HE has promised to never leave us?".  When Jesus was on the cross everyone ,except for a few, forsook Him.  He knew that would happen but He had the blessed assurance that His Heavenly Father would be with Him even in that time of loneliness.  Remember even when everyone else has forsaken us we can trust the Lord to be with us.
 
The question we have to ask ourselves is what are the supreme marks of the Christian’s conduct?  As you read through chapter 13 take a look at each of the verses.  The author speaks of brotherly love, hospitality, helping the prisoners and the mistreated, purity in marriage, contentment, remembering your leaders and remembering your Source of life and our power - which is Jesus Christ.  Since we are just looking at verse 8 it looks as if the author wants to give a greater emphasis to all that he has said so far.  It appears to be a focus as a lasting remembrance for his entire life.  The author reminds us that many leaders come and go and eventually they all die.  However, the Source of our lives and power of this life will never leave and never passes away.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is forever present with us; and He never changes.  For example, notice that His definition of sin is the same as it has been since Genesis 3 - it remains the same.  We see the result of sin ever since Genesis 3 is that there would be sorrow and sadness and death and thousands of years later, we see that every day in this life.
 
The author is also showing us that Jesus Christ is superior to time.  You see the strength and depth of His doctrine do not go out of style.  We have people who base their careers on trends but Jesus Christ is not a trend or a fad.  The important people of one age are forgotten by the next generation.  Talk to some of the younger generation and when you mention someone you thought was a great person they look at you like who are they and what are you talking about????
 
Yes, Jesus Christ is consistent over the ages.  If you had lived in Bible times, in the Middle ages or if you live in this modern era of the 21st century Jesus is the same.  He is not a puppet master that forces you to be and do what He wants.  Every generation finds interest in Him.  He is the same today and points out to us ways not yet discovered.  We sometimes forget that Jesus is always a friend and the longer we know Him time renders Him more intimate and admired.
 
Jesus Christ is the same with every generation. To Christ sin is sin and that is what the Bible speaks of when it speaks of the “sin nature”. 

In contrast, this verse reminds us that man is not always the same.  People do not treat everyone from the same point of view and with the same equality and love; but Jesus Christ does. We are moved by sympathy because we do not see the wickedness of some and then we exaggerate a small defect in another.  It is different with Jesus; we all enjoy equal rights before Him.
 
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday-in times past- Jesus Christ sacrificed everything for us, even to the point of dying for us.  He even suffered and took our sins upon Him.  All the heinous things that we see and classify as sins: murder, adultery, pornography, bestiality, sexual sins, drug addictions, alcoholism, you name the most despicable things that you can think of rape, molestation, sex trafficking terror, etc.  He took it all upon Him.  That is why the Father could not look at Him on the Cross.
 
Jesus Christ is the same forever, eternally. He lives eternally throughout all the ages of eternity.  He lives eternally to meet our need forever and ever.  He met all the needs yesterday,   He meets all the needs today and He shall meet all the needs eternally.  Yes, He met the needs of all believers who lived yesterday, in whatever culture they were in.   He meets the needs of all believers today.  He shall meet the needs of all believers forever, and ever and ever
 
What a blessed assurance we have.  As Believers we often lose courage.  We are often tempted to turn back from our Christian walk.  But we have the reassuring and sure voice of the Master reminding us that Jesus Christ passed through similar pains and tiredness and discouragement.  This verse should encourage us to continue our pilgrim walk with Jesus; walking hand in hand with the Master who walked this life . 

Lord, help us to have courage and be strengthened by this verse today!  It does not matter where you live, what is the color your skin, the generation which you are in.  It does not even matter where or what part of the world you live in -  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and He will take care of you.   HE has ALWAYS been and ALWAYS will be!