Articles by Edward Thomas

It all started at camp Manitogua, in Chicago in 1970.

Life Summary

1. Early life (see the Dad’s book as I have detailed much of these first 6 items)
2. Camp Manitoqua-Chicago (see Dad’s book)
3. Accepted Jesus Christ at age 11 and baptized in Atlanta, Georgia (see Dad’s book)
4. Dad left at age 13, how did my mom keep 6 kids together on a minimal salary by herself? By God’s grace!  My mom will wear of crown of glory in heaven as see she her kids, grandkids, and all that come from them in heaven.  It will be a glorious reunion that will last into eternity. 
5. Grace and Truth Bible Camp-where I fell in love with prophecy (movie: A Thief in the Night)-that changed my life.  The reality and fulfillment of Bible prophecy has been an incredible blessing and basis for hope in my journey with Jesus.
6. Evidence that Demands a Verdict (reading this solidified my faith.  I had to believe it in my heart, but the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is overwhelming!)
7. Passion for Salvation and Prophecy, Why? There is so much mystery and truth revealed in these that how can one avoid an incredible thirst and amazement in each of these. After watching the movie “A Thief in the Night” at Grace and Truth Bible Camp in Hickory NC, that changed my life and gave me a love for prophecy. It has never left me.  I have read some articles about those in the 1970’s that were influenced by this movie the same way I was (including the Tim Lahaye “Left Behind” series), but over the past 50 years they have been disallusioned that the rapture has not come yet.  They have been discouraged and are tired of watching for our Blessed Hope.  They are weary and tired of always anticipating the rapture. Many have abandoned the faith and some have relegated bible prophecy to all allegory and have abandoned the literal approach.  I will speak more on this if I have time. But I am dismayed at this.  I think the propensity for some to promote “date setting” and “high watch” rapture times is very dangerous and has led to this apathy and cry wolf syndrome.  We need good teachers that rightly divide the word of truth.  The study of prophecy should always be an encouragement and a blessing to those who heed it. We should never give up hope thinking the master will not return.  He is not “slack” regarding His coming, but desires that no one should perish and that all should come into eternal life.
8. Starting traditions-important…encourage everyone to start one or several! I will certainly start and continue them on the other side of eternity. I claim Monday nights and beach trips with mom in the next life. 
9. Time at Seminary-more for Donna than me.  We will probably not know how many lives she influenced for good until the next life. I think some of my training in this life will help during the 1000-year reign of Jesus from Jerusalem.  Rebellion will grow during those 1000 years and I hope to help slow that rebellion and convince the youth to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah and He is fair and just. You may be thinking, “oh Ed this is such a pipe dream, you are only speculating!”  Perhaps.  But I think there is enough scriptural evidence to make a good case for this.  We will be priests and kings that will serve and reign with Him (Revelation 1:6)!  We will be amazed by what God has in store for us.  Paul said it will be beyond what we can think or imagine (Ephesian 3:20).  It will be better than we can even think!  And it will be more human, more earthly, more fleshly, and more comparable to life as we know it today than we realize, but without evil or sin.  It will be totally real and tangible and not some invisible spirit world existence.  The original creation on this earth called “Eden” showed that Adam and Eve were tangible human beings.  They worked the garden.  They walked with God.  It was perfect and God’s original intention for mankind.  He has not scrapped those blueprints.   The earth will one day return to the days of Eden, yet without the capacity for sin.

1. Retirement, cancer diagnosis and heart attack? Why such things? What is the purpose? Perhaps I will find out in this life–but regardless, I Know Whom I have Believed (2 Timothy 1:12) and ultimately I am convinced that He has all the answers in great detail which one day we will know.  Even in the required randomness (that free will may exist) in the lives of His people, there is an exact purpose.  For He is the master Chess player who knows “the end” from “the beginning”, so there is no move against Him or event upon the earth that proceeds without His careful analysis and purpose.