eschatology, the Lord's Prayer (Matt.6)

Today is an interesting side-note to the study of the times.  We'll eventually see it being said that no one except the Father knows the day and hour - as to when the rapture and then the Tribulation happens.  So one might think, "Oh well, we'll just ignore all this, then!"  But Jesus gives the disciples a template for prayer that is most interesting - and meant for us - now in the Church Age...

(Matthew 6:9-13)  “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

Today's takeaway:  Whether our prayers are requesting that the Israelite nation realize salvation and see their covenants fulfilled in the Millennial kingdom, or that God's will be done on earth right now - it's "all good!"  But what exactly does that all mean?  I believe Jesus answered that in this same chapter of Matthew.  As Christians, everything we do (in deed and prayer) should be done with the right motives (with God's love).  It stands to reason that if we believe in God's love and His forgiveness - we will love - with God's love - therefore we will want to forgive others for everything they do to us.  Like Father - like child!  We should be putting our loving faith to practice!...

(Matthew 6:1-7, 15)  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners [so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him...

14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions..."