COUNTDOWN TO 6000

BY R. J. ADAMS








ALL SCRIPTURE VERSES ARE QUOTED FROM THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. USED BY PERMISSION.

The Holy Bible: New International Version, published by Zondervan Bible Publishers, copyright 1984 by The International Bible Society.

COUNTDOWN TO 6000

FIRST EDITION 1992

COPYRIGHT (C) 1992, 1995 R. J. ADAMS

SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48603
 
 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 
 

PREFACE

GOD HAS PROMISED THAT IN THE LAST DAYS BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE WOULD BE INCREASED. (DANIEL 12:9) MANY DISCOVERIES HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE LAST 100 YEARS THAT HAVE GIVEN US A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE. ARCHAEOLOGY, THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS, AND NEW TRANSLATIONS OF EXISTING LITERATURE, HAVE ALL SERVED TO MAKE END TIMES BIBLE PROPHECY, AND PARTICULARLY THE BOOK OF REVELATION MORE UNDERSTANDABLE.

MODERN SCIENCE AND COMPUTERS HAVE ALSO PLAYED A LARGE PART IN THE KNOWLEDGE EXPLOSION. COMPUTERIZED CONCORDANCES HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED SYSTEMATIC BIBLICAL STUDIES. BY THE USE OF ONE "KEYWORD," EVERY VERSE WITH THAT PARTICULAR WORD, LETTER OR NUMBER COMBINATION IN IT CAN BE FOUND IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF OVERLOOKING EVEN ONE OF THEM.

THIS BOOK UTILIZES ALL OF THE LATEST DISCOVERIES AND TECHNIQUES TO RESEARCH THE BOOK OF REVELATION, AND PLACE THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN IT IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR. THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ARRANGED AND ORGANIZED WITHIN THIS BOOK IS BASED LARGELY ON HOW EACH VERSE FITS TOGETHER WITH EVERY OTHER VERSE IN THE BIBLE THAT PERTAINS TO THE SAME SUBJECT.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS TO GIVE THOSE WHO WISH TO STUDY END TIMES BIBLICAL PROPHECY A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENTS, AND THE ORDER OF THOSE EVENTS, THAT THE LORD HAS PROMISED TO BRING TO PASS ON THE EARTH IN THE NEAR FUTURE. R. J. ADAMS
 
 

CHAPTER TITLES

NOTE: Text printed both Large and Small type are quotations from the bible and other sources. Text printed in all "CAPITAL" letters are the author's opinions.
 
 

CHAPTER 1: WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

Psalms 14:1 "The fool says in his heart, `There is no God."

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

ONE PREREQUISITE TO UNDERSTANDING GOD'S PROPHETIC PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IS THAT YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT A HIGHER POWER THAN MAN EXISTS, AND THAT HE WILL REWARD THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM WITH WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SPIRITUAL THINGS.

Proverbs 8:10-11 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the

truth.
 
 

CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION TO PROPHECY

THE STUDY OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY IS AN INEXACT SCIENCE, BEFORE THE PROPHECIES ARE FULFILLED. ALL OF THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT FUTURE BIBLICAL PROPHECY, INCLUDING THIS ONE ARE JUST "GUESSTIMATES" AND MEN'S OPINIONS ABOUT HOW GOD WILL FULFILL HIS WORD. WE ARE IN A SIMILAR POSITION AS THOSE WHO RECOGNIZED THAT IT WAS TIME FOR GOD TO FULFILL HIS WORD WHEN CHRIST WAS BORN NEARLY 2000 YEARS AGO. NO ONE KNEW THE PARTICULAR ORDER OF EVENTS THAT GOD WOULD USE TO FULFILL HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES SIMPLY SAID THAT THE MESSIAH WOULD COME OUT OF BETHLEHEM, BE CALLED OUT OF EGYPT, AND BE CALLED A NAZARENE. (NAZARENE COMES FROM THE HEBREW WORD "NAZAR" WHICH IS TRANSLATED "BRANCH" IN ENGLISH.

Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Jeremiah 33:15 "'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.

Zechariah 3:8 "'Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. (THE NAZARENE)

THERE ARE MANY WAYS IN WHICH GOD COULD HAVE FULFILLED THESE SCRIPTURES ABOUT JESUS. HE COULD HAVE BEEN BORN IN ANY ONE OF THE THREE PLACES AND LIVED AT VARIOUS TIMES IN THE OTHER TWO. HE COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN NAMED OR CALLED THE "BRANCH" OR "NAZARENE" AND NOT HAVE LIVED IN NAZARETH AT ALL TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURES. NOW WE WILL LOOK AT HOW THE VERSES ABOVE ACTUALLY CAME TO PASS.

Matthew 2:4-6 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

John 7:40-43 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.

Matthew 2:14-15 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Matthew 2:23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING BIBLICAL PROPHECY IS TO LEARN WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY WILL HAPPEN JUST BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO DISCERN THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. EVEN AFTER THE MESSIAH HAD COME AND FULFILLED MANY OF THE PROPHECIES WRITTEN ABOUT HIM THERE WAS STILL CONTROVERSY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS THE CHRIST.

John 12:37-43 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn--and I would heal them." Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHEN STUDYING YET UNFULFILLED BIBLICAL PROPHECY THAT OUR OPINIONS OF HOW WE THINK THE LORD WILL FULFILL HIS WORD DO NOT PREVENT US FROM UNDERSTANDING THE ACTUAL FULFILLMENT WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF JESUS' TIME ON EARTH WERE UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE TRUTH BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MINDS AND HARDENED THEIR HEARTS TO ANY NEW INTERPRETATION OF GOD'S WORD THAT DID NOT AGREE WITH THEIR ANCIENT TRADITIONS.

Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."

Matthew 22:29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

Mark 7:6-8 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

Matthew 16:2-3 He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU AGREE WITH THE AUTHORS OPINIONS ABOUT THE TIME THAT THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD WILL TAKE PLACE OR WHETHER SOME OF THE EVENTS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION ARE ONLY FIGURATIVE IS NOT IMPORTANT. IT IS THE COMMAND OF CHRIST TO HIS SERVANTS TO WATCH FOR HIS APPEARING, AND EVEN IF WE DIE WHILE WATCHING AND WAITING FOR HIM, WE WILL STILL BE BLESSED IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE LIFE TO COME FOR OBEYING HIS WORD.

Luke 12:37-40 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
 
 

CHAPTER 3: THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROPHECY

THERE ARE SEVEN MAJOR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WORLD TODAY, AND THESE ARE; CHRISTIANITY, (3 GROUPS, ROMAN CATHOLIC, ORTHODOX, AND PROTESTANT) JUDAISM, ISLAM (THE MOSLEMS), HINDUISM, AND BUDDHISM. ONLY THE RELIGIONS THAT ARE FOUNDED ON ALL OR PART OF THE WRITINGS OF THE HEBREW PROPHETS IN THE BOOK THAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS THE BIBLE, INCLUDE IN THEIR BODY OF SACRED LITERATURE, PROPHECY, PREDICTIONS CONCERNING FUTURE EVENTS THAT WILL HAPPEN ON EARTH.

THE ONLY PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE FOUND IN THE WRITINGS OF ALL OF THE OTHER RELIGIONS ARE THOSE CONCERNING THE AFTERLIFE, HEAVEN AND HELL, AND JUDGMENT AFTER DEATH. THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE THE BOOKS THAT ARE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY THESE RELIGIONS ARE ONLY THE WRITINGS OF MEN, WHO CANNOT FORETELL THE FUTURE. ALL THAT MEN CAN DO IS SET DOWN IN WRITING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR LIVING LIFE ON EARTH.

THE GOD WHO IS WORSHIPPED BY THE CHRISTIANS AND THE JEWS IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER GODS WHO ARE WORSHIPPED BY THE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD. HE CLAIMS TO CONTROL THE EVENTS ON EARTH, AND HAS PROVED HE HAS THE POWER TO DO SO BY PAST HISTORY. FULFILLED PROPHECY IS ONE OF THE PROOFS THAT THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS THE ALL POWERFUL GOD OF THE UNIVERSE.

6000 YEARS AGO GOD CREATED ADAM AND EVE, AND WHEN THEY SINNED, HE PROMISED TO SEND A SAVIOR TO REDEEM THEM. THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROMISE IS THE TURNING POINT OF HISTORY. WHEN CHRIST CAME THE FIRST TIME, 4000 YEARS AFTER GOD GAVE THE PROMISE TO ADAM AND EVE, EVEN THE CALENDAR CHANGED. OUR CALENDAR TODAY REFLECTS THE FACT THAT ABOUT 1,995 YEARS AGO, JESUS CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND, WAS BORN. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TRACE GOD'S DEALINGS WITH MEN AS HE PREPARED THE WAY FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME. JESUS HIMSELF VERIFIED THE FACT THAT MUCH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS HISTORY WRITTEN ABOUT HIM IN ADVANCE, WHICH IS WHAT PROPHECY IS, PRE-WRITTEN HISTORY.

Luke 24:25-27 & 44-47 KJV Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY IS TO REVEAL THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST. EVERY VERSE OF MESSIANIC PROPHECY IN THE BIBLE THAT JESUS DID NOT FULFILL DURING HIS 33 YEARS ON THE EARTH MUST OCCUR AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.

THERE IS A PROBLEM HOWEVER, THAT HAS SPLIT THE JEWS AND THE CHRISTIANS, WHO BOTH BELIEVE THAT THE OLD TESTAMENT IS GOD'S WORD. THE PROBLEM CAME ABOUT BECAUSE GOD DID NOT MAKE IT EXPLICITLY CLEAR IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT THERE WOULD BE TWO PHASES TO THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH, ONE AS A SUFFERING SERVANT TO REDEEM THE FALLEN HUMAN RACE, AND ANOTHER WHEN HE COMES AS THE KING AND THE JUDGE OF THE UNIVERSE. THAT IS THE REASON WHY THE JEWS AND THE CHRISTIANS HAVE SEPARATE RELIGIONS. WE WILL LOOK AT SOME SCRIPTURES FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH THAT SHOW HOW AND WHY THE DIVISION OCCURRED.

THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST AS PREDICTED IN ISAIAH

Isaiah 9:5-6 KJV Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

EVENTS PERTAINING TO THE SECOND COMING

Isaiah 9:7 KJV Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

THE JEWS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A MESSIAH WHO WILL REDEEM THEM AND SET UP A KINGDOM IN ISRAEL, WITHOUT A TIME BREAK BETWEEN THE TWO EVENTS.

Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

Luke 4:14-21 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

JESUS STOPPED READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH BEFORE SPEAKING OF THE VENGEANCE OF GOD, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE LAST JUDGMENT AND THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND ALSO THE COMFORT THAT WILL COME TO THOSE WHO ARE ON HIS RIGHT SIDE AT THE JUDGMENT. HE STOPPED BECAUSE HE WAS NOT GOING TO FULFILL THOSE PROPHECIES DURING HIS FIRST ADVENT. IN A SPIRITUAL SENSE THERE HAS BEEN A PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF COMFORTING THOSE WHO MOURN, WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN, BUT IN THE PHYSICAL REALM IT REMAINS TO BE FULFILLED.

THE PROMISED MESSIAH

Isaiah 11:1-9 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

AS YOU CAN SEE THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE MESSIAH IN ISAIAH CHAPTER ELEVEN, VERSES THREE TO NINE PERTAIN TO BOTH THE FIRST AND THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW THE JEWS BECAME CONFUSED BECAUSE OF THIS AND REJECTED JESUS AS THEIR MESSIAH.

THE REGATHERING OF ISRAEL

Isaiah 11:10-12 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.

THE JEWS WERE ALSO EXPECTING THE MESSIAH TO REGATHER THEIR BRETHREN THE LOST TEN TRIBES, THE ISRAELITES WHO WERE TAKEN CAPTIVE FROM ISRAEL MORE THAN 700 YEARS BEFORE AND SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE EARTH. IN FACT, THE VERY OPPOSITE OCCURRED. IN 70 AD THE TWO TRIBES (JUDAH AND BENJAMIN, KNOWN AS THE JEWS) WERE DRIVEN FROM ISRAEL, THEIR TEMPLE WAS DESTROYED, AND THEY TOO WERE SCATTERED WITH THEIR BRETHREN THE ISRAELITES, OVER THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. TO THIS DAY THERE IS A VEIL OVER THE HEARTS AND THE MINDS OF MOST OF THE JEWS, AND THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES.

2 Corinthians 3:12-16 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

THE STUDY OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING SUBJECTS THAT A PERSON CAN UNDERTAKE, AND IT BUILDS FAITH. BY SEEING THAT GOD HAS KEPT HIS PROMISES IN THE PAST, IT HELPS US TO BELIEVE HE CAN KEEP HIS PROMISES TO US TODAY. SOME HAVE MISUSED BIBLICAL PROPHECY OUT OF IGNORANCE AND SET DATES FOR CHRIST'S RETURN THAT DID NOT HAPPEN, AND SOME HAVE USED THE SUBJECT FOR PERSONAL GAIN. BUT, THE ERRORS OF MEN IN NO WAY DIMINISH THE POWER OF GOD TO KEEP HIS OWN WORD.

Romans 3:4 KJV God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written,

Titus 1:2 KJV In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

IN ORDER TO STUDY GOD'S WORD, ONE MUST HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CROSS REFERENCE EVERY VERSE PERTAINING TO A PARTICULAR SUBJECT WITH EVERY OTHER VERSE PERTAINING TO THAT SUBJECT. GOD'S WORD MUST BE RIGHTLY DIVIDED IN ORDER FOR US TO UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 
 

CHAPTER 4: BIBLICAL PROPHECY

Amos 3:7 "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets."

GOD, SINCE THE CREATION OF ADAM, HAS SENT HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS TO REVEAL HIS FUTURE PLANS TO THOSE WHO WERE WILLING TO LISTEN. BEFORE THE FLOOD GOD SENT ENOCH AND NOAH TO PREACH TO THE PEOPLE THAT A GREAT FLOOD WOULD COME UPON THE EARTH. AFTER THE FLOOD GOD CHOSE ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS TO BE HIS ORACLE PEOPLE. FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS GOD SENT HIS PROPHETS TO ABRAHAM'S DESCENDANTS, AND THE WRITINGS OF THESE PROPHETS ARE PRESERVED FOR US IN THE OLD TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 44:6-8 "This is what the Lord says--Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." "Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come--yes, let him foretell what will come." "Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Isaiah 48:5 "Therefore, I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them."

GOD, IN THE BIBLE HAS DECLARED HIMSELF TO BE THE ONLY GOD, THE FIRST AND THE LAST. HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT HE IS THE GOD, THE ONLY GOD, WHO CAN FORETELL THE FUTURE WITH 100% ACCURACY, ESPECIALLY WHERE IT CONCERNS HIS ANCIENT PEOPLE, ISRAEL.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken."

THE TEST OF AN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET WAS THAT WHAT HE HAD SPOKEN IN THE NAME OF THE LORD HAD TO COME TRUE DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE PEOPLE HE WAS SPEAKING TO, EXCEPT FOR THOSE THINGS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY STATED TO BE PROPHECIES FOR THE DISTANT FUTURE. IF A PROPHETS WORDS DID NOT COME TRUE, HIS WRITINGS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BIBLE. THIS IS WHY SOME DENOMINATIONS TEACH THAT ALL PROPHECY EXCEPT FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST HAS ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED. ALMOST ALL BIBLICAL PROPHECY HAS HAD A MINOR FULFILLMENT SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS GIVEN, WITH THE MAJOR FULFILLMENT COMING HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS LATER. GOD HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL REVEAL NEW THINGS TO THOSE WHO ARE ALERT AND WILLING TO RECEIVE THEM.

Isaiah 48:6-7 "You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today."

ALSO, NOTICE IN THE NEXT VERSE THAT GOD NOT ONLY KNOWS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, BUT HE KNOWS WHO IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO. HE KNOWS PEOPLE, NOT JUST BEFORE THEY ARE BORN, BUT BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN CONCEIVED.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

THE PROOF THAT THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN THE UNIVERSE IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR MORNING NEWSPAPER ONCE YOU KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD SAYS HE WILL ACCOMPLISH AS WE DRAW NEARER TO THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST.

THE BIBLE SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT NO MAN KNOWS THE DAY AND THE HOUR THAT CHRIST WILL RETURN.

Matthew 24:26 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Acts 1:6-7 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

ALTHOUGH WE CANNOT KNOW THE DAY OR THE HOUR THAT HE WILL RETURN, CHRIST COMMANDS US TO WATCH FOR THE SIGNS THAT WILL PRECEDE HIS SECOND COMING SO THAT WE WILL BE EXPECTING HIS APPEARING, AND NOT BE CAUGHT UNAWARES.

Matthew 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

CHAPTER 5: COUNTDOWN TO 6000

IT IS INDICATED IN THE BIBLE THAT THE HISTORY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ADAM LIVING ON THE EARTH WILL LAST FOR SIX THOUSAND YEARS, FOLLOWED BY 1000 YEARS OF PEACE UNDER THE RULE OF JESUS CHRIST. THROUGH THE CALCULATION OF THE AGES OF THE BIBLICAL PATRIARCH'S WE CAN DETERMINE THAT THERE WERE 2000 YEARS FROM THE CREATION OF ADAM TO THE CALL OF ABRAHAM, AND 2000 YEARS FROM THE CALL OF ABRAHAM UNTIL THE TIME THAT JESUS BEGAN HIS MINISTRY. THIS INDICATES THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PERIOD OF 2000 YEARS FROM THE TIME OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS UNTIL HIS SECOND COMING. THE SUM OF THE THREE 2000 YEAR TIME PERIODS WILL BE 6000 YEARS. AS WE APPROACH THE YEAR 2000 MANY PREACHERS AND PROPHECY STUDENTS ARE TEACHING THAT THE 6000 YEARS ARE ALMOST FINISHED AND THAT CHRIST WILL RETURN ON OR BEFORE THE YEAR 2000. THEY HAVE OVERLOOKED THE FACT THAT OUR CALENDAR IS IN ERROR BY ABOUT 30 YEARS BECAUSE IT WAS SET BACK TO ZERO ON THE YEAR THAT CHRIST WAS BORN, RATHER THAN ON THE YEAR THAT HE BEGAN HIS MINISTRY. BIBLICAL RESEARCHERS HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE FIRST 4000 YEARS OF HISTORY WERE NOT COMPLETED UNTIL THE DAY CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED IN THE JORDAN RIVER BY JOHN THE BAPTIST. THE SCRIPTURES STATE THAT JESUS WAS ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD AT THIS TIME.

Luke 3:21-23 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

THIRTY IS THE AGE THAT GOD HAS DETERMINED AS THE TIME WHEN A MAN IS BOTH LEARNED AND EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO ENTER INTO THE SERVICE OF THE LORD AS A PRIEST OR A KING.

Genesis 41:46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

2 Samuel 5:4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

THE FIRST 4000 YEARS WERE NOT COMPLETED UNTIL THE MOMENT THAT CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED BY JOHN AT THIRTY YEARS OF AGE. IF CHRIST WAS BORN IN 4 BC, THEN THE 6000 YEARS WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL ABOUT 2026. THE YEAR 2000 ON OUR CALENDAR IS REALLY ONLY THE YEAR 1970. WHEN THE YEAR 2000 ARRIVES WE WILL ONLY HAVE ACHIEVED 5,970 YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY, NOT 6000. WE WILL STILL HAVE ABOUT 30 MORE YEARS BEFORE THE 6000 YEARS ARE COMPLETED.

2 Peter 3:2-4 & 8-9 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

NOTICE THE CLUE THAT PETER GIVES US, THAT A DAY IS TO THE LORD LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS. THESE FUTURE SCOFFERS WILL FORGET THAT WE ARE COUNTING TIME ON THE ROMAN CALENDAR, WHICH IS ABOUT 30 YEARS AHEAD OF GOD'S CALENDAR. GOD'S CALENDAR FOR HUMAN EVENTS BEGAN ON THE DAY AND THE HOUR THAT HE CREATED ADAM. ONE OF THE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE IN GENERAL, AND PROPHECY IN PARTICULAR, IS TO UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS A MATHEMATICAL GOD. THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE HE CONSTANTLY USES THE SAME NUMBERS AND NUMBER COMBINATIONS TO SYMBOLIZE VARIOUS THEMES. THE NUMBERS SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHT ARE FREQUENTLY USED BY GOD TO REPRESENT PROPHETIC THEMES.

THE NUMBER SEVEN, IN THE BIBLE, SYMBOLIZES COMPLETENESS AND PERFECTION. THIS IS THE REASON WHY SEVEN HAS BEEN CONSIDERED A LUCKY NUMBER FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. SEVEN DAYS MAKES A COMPLETE WEEK, AND SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS WILL COMPLETE ONE HEAVENLY WEEK, A WEEK MADE UP OF SEVEN ONE THOUSAND YEAR DAYS. THERE ARE MORE OCCURRENCES OF THE NUMBER SEVEN IN THE BIBLE THAN ANY OTHER NUMBER.

THE NUMBER SIX IS THE NUMBER THAT SYMBOLIZES IMPERFECTION AND INCOMPLETENESS, BECAUSE IT IS ONE LESS THAN THE PERFECT NUMBER, SEVEN. MAN WAS CREATED ON THE SIXTH DAY, AND HIS HISTORY BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST WILL LAST FOR SIX THOUSAND YEARS.

THE NUMBER EIGHT IN THE BIBLE SYMBOLIZES NEW BEGINNINGS. AFTER THE HEAVENLY WEEK OF SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS IS COMPLETED, THE EIGHTH DAY WILL BEGIN, WHICH WILL BE ETERNITY.

THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, GOD GIVES US CLUES THAT THE PRESENT WORLD AS WE KNOW IT, WILL LAST FOR SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS. THE LAST ONE THOUSAND YEARS WILL BE THE HEAVENLY SABBATH DAY, ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE UNDER THE RULE OF JESUS CHRIST, FOLLOWED BY THE EIGHTH DAY, THE NEW CREATION.

Psalms 90:4 KJV For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

THE BOOK OF JUBILEES ALSO STATES THAT ONE DAY IN HEAVEN IS LIKE A

THOUSAND YEARS. (JUBILEES IS AN ANCIENT JEWISH RABBINICAL HISTORY BOOK)

Jubilees 4:28-29 And Adam died, and he lacked seventy years from one thousand years, for a thousand years are like one day in the testimony of heaven. And therefore it was written concerning the tree of knowledge: "On the day which you eat of it you will die." And for this reason he did not complete the years of this day, for in it he died.

PAUL HAD A PARTNER IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL NAMED BARNABAS. HE ALSO WROTE A BOOK KNOWN AS "THE EPISTLE OF BARNABAS." THIS BOOK WAS READ IN THE EARLY CHURCHES AND USED AS A TOOL TO ASSIST IN UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES. ALTHOUGH THIS BOOK IS NOT A PART OF THE BIBLE, IT IS USEFUL BECAUSE IT TAKES US BACK TO THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CHURCH AND SHOWS US WHAT WAS BEING TAUGHT ABOUT PROPHECY WHILE THE APOSTLES WERE STILL ALIVE.

Barnabas 23:1-6 "Furthermore, it is written concerning the Sabbath, in the Ten Commandments, which God spoke on Mount Sinai to Moses, face to face; Sanctify the Sabbath of the Lord with pure hands and a clean heart. And elsewhere he said; If your children shall keep my Sabbaths, then will I put my of the Sabbath. And God made in six days the works of his hands; and he finished them on the seventh day, and he rested on the seventh day, and he sanctified it. Consider, my children, what that signifies. He finished them in six days. The meaning of it is this; that in six thousand years the Lord God will bring all things to an end. For with him one day is as a thousand years; as he himself testifies, saying, Behold this day shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, shall all things be accomplished. And what is it that he said, and he rested the seventh day: he means this; that when his Son shall come, and abolish the season of the Wicked One, and judge the ungodly; and shall change the sun and the moon, and the stars; then he shall gloriously rest in that seventh day."

BARNABAS GOES ON TO SAY IN HIS BOOK, THAT FOLLOWING THE ONE THOUSAND YEAR HEAVENLY SABBATH, THE EIGHTH DAY, THE NEW WORLD WILL BEGIN. GOD ALSO GIVES US ANOTHER CLUE IN THE BIBLE \THAT THE WORLD WILL GO ON AS NORMAL FOR SIX THOUSAND YEARS WHEN HE STATES THAT THE PUNISHMENT OF THE JEWS FOR REJECTING CHRIST WILL LAST FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS.

Hosea 5:14-15 "For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them. Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me."

THE PRECEDING VERSES ARE REFERRING TO GOD'S DEALINGS WITH THE JEWS AFTER THEY REJECTED CHRIST. NOTICE IN HOSEA 5:15 HE SAYS THAT HE WILL GO BACK TO HIS PLACE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN CHRIST ASCENDED TO SIT AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER AFTER BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD, HE WENT BACK TO HIS PLACE, HEAVEN.

Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

HE WILL NOT RETURN UNTIL THE TIME COMES WHEN THE JEWS ADMIT THEIR GUILT IN REJECTING THEIR MESSIAH, AND SEEK CHRIST.

Hosea 6:1 & 2 "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days, he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence."

AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE, AFTER TWO HEAVENLY DAYS, TWO THOUSAND YEARS HAVE PASSED, GOD WILL OPEN THE EYES OF THE JEWS AND THEY WILL RECOGNIZE JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR MESSIAH. WE KNOW FROM HISTORY THAT CHRIST DID NOT RETURN FORTY EIGHT HOURS AFTER HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN, SO THIS VERSE MUST BE REFERRING TO TWO HEAVENLY DAYS OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS EACH. NOTICE ALSO THAT IT SAYS THAT ON THE THIRD DAY THEY WILL LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE. THIS IS A REFERENCE TO THE MILLENNIUM, WHEN CHRIST WILL REIGN ON EARTH.

FOUR THOUSAND YEARS HAD ALREADY PASSED WHEN CHRIST BEGAN HIS MINISTRY, SO THE BEGINNING OF THE THIRD DAY FROM THE TIME THAT JESUS RETURNED TO HEAVEN, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE SEVENTH DAY FROM THE CREATION OF ADAM, WILL OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME. BOTH ARE REFERENCES TO THE HEAVENLY SEVENTH DAY, GOD'S SABBATH, THE MILLENNIUM. GOD HAS DECREED IN HIS WORD THAT THE JEWS PUNISHMENT FOR REJECTING CHRIST WILL LAST FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS. THEY WILL NOT SEE CHRIST AGAIN UNTIL THEY SAY, "BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD."

Luke 13:34-35 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.'"

MANY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES HAVE TAUGHT DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES THAT GOD HAS REJECTED THE JEWS FOREVER. THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT THE TIME OF THEIR PUNISHMENT IS ONLY TEMPORARY, AND THAT SOMEDAY GOD WILL RENEW HIS DEALINGS WITH THE JEWS.

Luke 21:24 "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

Romans 11:25 "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in."

PAUL DOESN'T WANT ANYONE TO BE IGNORANT ON THIS SUBJECT, SO HE STATES IT CLEARLY, PART OF ISRAEL, THE JEWS IN PARTICULAR, HAVE HAD THEIR HEARTS HARDENED, UNTIL GOD IS FINISHED DEALING WITH THE GENTILES. PAUL UNDERSTOOD CLEARLY THAT THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES WOULD EVENTUALLY COME TO AND END, AND HE WARNS THE GENTILES NOT TO BECOME CONCEITED BECAUSE GOD WAS AT THE PRESENT TIME DEALING WITH THEM LIKE HE HAD DEALT WITH THE JEWS FOR THE PREVIOUS TWO THOUSAND YEARS.

Romans 11:17-22 "If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, 'the branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.' Granted, but they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider, therefore, the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

THE TIME PERIOD KNOWN IN THE SCRIPTURES AS THE "TIMES OF THE GENTILES" IS COMMONLY CALLED THE "CHURCH AGE" BY THOSE WHO STUDY PROPHECY. ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION, THERE WILL BE ONE THOUSAND YEARS, A HEAVENLY SABBATH DAY, WHEN THE "CHURCH AGE" ENDS, AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD IS SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS "THE RAPTURE." IN THIS STUDY WE WILL REFER TO THAT EVENT AS "THE FIRST RESURRECTION," BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT IS CALLED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."

GOD CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL ONE THOUSAND YEAR TIME PERIOD AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THIS AGAIN TIES IN PERFECTLY WITH THE TEACHING THAT THERE WILL BE SIX THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE UNDER THE RULE OF JESUS CHRIST, AND THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE EIGHTH DAY, ETERNITY, AND THE NEW CREATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. THIS ONE THOUSAND YEAR TIME PERIOD IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "MILLENNIUM."

CHART 1: THE HEAVENLY WEEK

CONSCIENCE LAW THE CHURCH AGE ROD OF IRON

<-2000 YEARS-><-2000 YEARS-><-2000 YEARS-><-1000 YEARS-->

SUN-MON TUES-WED THUR-FRI SABBATH

<------ 4000 YEARS --------><-2000 YEARS-><-1000 YEARS->

FROM ADAM TO CHRIST CHURCH AGE MILLENNIUM
 
 

SEVEN IS THE NUMBER GOD USES TO SIGNIFY "COMPLETENESS. SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS WILL COMPLETE ONE HEAVENLY WEEK. WHEN THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS ARE COMPLETED, THE EIGHTH DAY WILL BEGIN, WHICH IS ETERNITY.

NOTE: SATURDAY IS THE BIBLICAL SABBATH DAY. SUNDAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE ROMAN WEEK.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE 7000 YEAR THEORY OF GOD'S PROGRAM FOR MANKIND DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE ARE ONLY 6000 YEARS OLD. THE EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE MAY BE MILLIONS OR BILLIONS OF YEARS OLD, AS THEY WERE CREATED "IN THE BEGINNING." THE LORD CREATED AND PLACED HUMAN LIFE, DESCENDED FROM ADAM AND HIS WIFE, ON EARTH ABOUT 6000 YEARS AGO.
 
 

CHAPTER 6: THE DAYS OF NOAH

JESUS SAID THAT IN THE END TIMES CONDITIONS ON EARTH WOULD BE LIKE THEY WERE DURING THE TIME OF NOAH.

Luke 17:26-27 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

Matthew 24:37-38 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

IN ORDER TO MORE FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WORLD CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKE IN THE END TIMES, WE WILL LOOK AT HOW THINGS WERE DURING "THE DAYS OF NOAH."

Genesis 5:22-25 & 28-29 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed."

NOAH WAS THE GREAT GRANDSON OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS ENOCH, WHOM GOD TOOK OFF OF THE EARTH BEFORE THE FLOOD OCCURRED. ENOCH BEING TAKEN OFF OF THE EARTH BEFORE THE FLOOD IS A PICTURE OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION, AND NOAH BEING BROUGHT THROUGH THE FLOOD IN THE ARK IS SIMILAR TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR THOUSAND ISRAELITES WHO WILL BE SEALED AND SURVIVE THROUGH THE POURING OUT OF GOD'S WRATH OF ON THE EARTH.

Genesis 6:5-7 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them."

BEFORE THE FLOOD MANKIND TURNED WHOLLY TO EVIL. THE BOOK OF JASHER RECOUNTS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY WERE DOING AT THAT TIME. THE BOOK OF JASHER IS A JEWISH HISTORICAL BOOK THAT IS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE. (See Joshua 10:13 & 2 Samuel 1:18)

Jasher 4:16-20 And all the sons of men departed from the ways of the Lord in those days as they multiplied upon the face of the earth with sons and daughters, and they taught one another their evil practices, and they continued sinning against the Lord. And every man made unto himself a god, and they robbed and plundered every man his neighbor as well as his relative, and they corrupted the earth, and the earth was filled with violence. And their judges and rulers took their wives by force from their husbands according to their choice, and the sons of men in those days took from the cattle of the earth and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and taught the mixture of animals of one species with the other, in order to therewith provoke the Lord; And God saw the whole earth and it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon earth.

ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE OF ANCIENT HISTORY, THE BOOK OF ENOCH, THE PEOPLE BEFORE THE FLOOD WERE ALSO PRACTICING ASTROLOGY, MAKING SWORDS AND KNIVES TO KILL ONE ANOTHER, PRACTICING SORCERY, AND LEARNING ALL FORMS OF EVIL FROM THE FALLEN ANGELS.

THE FLOOD

Genesis 6:8-14 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.

Genesis 6:17-18 & 22 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark--you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Genesis 7:1 & 4 & 7 The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

1 Peter 3:20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

GOD WAITED PATIENTLY WHILE NOAH BUILT THE ARK AND THEN POURED OUT HIS JUDGMENT ON THE EARTH.

Genesis 7:15-16 Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

THE BOOK OF JASHER GIVES A MORE DETAILED ACCOUNT OF NOAH ENTERING THE ARK AND THE REACTION OF THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE ARK.

Jasher 6:15-26 And Noah and his household, and all the living creatures that were with him, came into the ark on account of the waters of the flood, and the Lord shut him in. And all the sons of men that were left upon the earth, became exhausted on account of the rain, for the waters were coming more violently upon the earth, and there were other animals and beasts still surrounding the ark. And the sons of men assembled together, about seven hundred thousand men and women, and they came unto Noah to the ark. And they called to Noah saying, open for us that we may come to thee in the ark, wherefore should we die? And Noah, with a loud voice, answered them from the ark, saying, have you not all rebelled against the Lord, and said that he does not exist? And therefore the Lord brought upon you this evil, to destroy and cut you off from the face of the earth. Is this not the thing that I spoke to you of one hundred and twenty years back, and you would not hearken to the voice of the Lord, and now do you desire to live upon the earth? And they said to Noah, we are ready to return to the Lord; only open for us that we may live and not die. And Noah answered them, saying, behold now that you see the trouble of your souls, you wish to return to the Lord; why did you not return during these hundred and twenty years, which the Lord granted you as the determined period? But now you come and tell me this on account of the troubles of your souls, now also the Lord will not listen to you, neither will he give an ear to you this day, so that you will not succeed in your wishes. And the sons of men approached in order to break into the ark, to come in on account of the rain, for they could not bear the rain upon them. And the Lord sent all the beasts and animals that stood around the ark. And the beasts overpowered them and drove them from that place, and every man went his way.

Genesis 7:20-24 The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished--birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

Genesis 9:18-19 The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth.

THE EARTH WAS REPOPULATED AFTER THE FLOOD BY THE THREE SONS OF NOAH AND THEIR WIVES.

2 Peter 2:4-9 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)--if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

JUST AS HE DID IN NOAH'S DAY, THE LORD IS ABLE TO DELIVER THE GODLY FROM HIS WRATH, AND HE WILL DO SO FOR HIS CHURCH WHEN HE SPARES THEM FROM HIS WRATH DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD.
 
 

CHAPTER 7: THE SIGNS OF THE END OF THE AGE

Matthew 24:3 & 7-8 "As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. `Tell us,' they said, `when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."

MANY STUDENTS OF PROPHECY BELIEVE THAT 1914 WAS A SPECIAL YEAR ON GOD'S PROPHETIC CALENDAR. 1914 WAS THE YEAR THAT WORLD WAR I BEGAN, WHEN NATION ROSE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. THIS TIME PERIOD IS SOMETIMES CALLED "THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS." (THE KJV TRANSLATES "BIRTH PAINS," "SORROWS.") THIS IS INTERESTING BECAUSE GOD HAS REPEATEDLY COMPARED THE TIME OF THE END TO THE "DAYS OF NOAH." IN NOAH'S TIME, GOD GRANTED 120 YEARS FOR NOAH TO BUILD THE ARK AND PREACH TO THE PEOPLE THAT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE EARTH BY WATER WAS IMMINENT. GOD, IN THE BIBLE, USES THE SAME NUMERICAL PATTERNS OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO SIGNIFY CERTAIN THEMES. THEREFORE, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT MANKIND WILL RECEIVE 120 YEARS OF WARNING BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.

Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

1 Peter 3:20 "God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark

was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through

water,"

NOTICE, IN THE VERSE ABOVE, THAT GOD SPARED EIGHT PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOD, HIS NUMBER FOR NEW BEGINNINGS. IN THE BOOK OF JASHER THE 120 YEAR TIME PERIOD ALLOWED FOR REPENTANCE IS EXPLAINED EVEN MORE CLEARLY.

Jasher 5:8 & 11 "For thus saith the Lord, behold I give you a period of one hundred and twenty years; if you will turn to me and forsake your evil ways, then I will also turn away from the evil which I told you, and it shall not exist, saith the Lord. And the Lord granted them a period of one hundred and twenty years, saying, if they will return, then will God repent of the evil, so as not to destroy the earth."

ANOTHER INDICATOR THAT GOD IS GIVING US A SPECIAL TIME PERIOD FOR

REPENTANCE IS THE FACT THAT THE PENTECOSTAL REVIVAL MOVEMENT BEGAN IN THE EARLY 1900'S. GOD ALWAYS SENDS PREACHERS GIVING WARNING BEFORE JUDGMENT COMES.

2 Peter 2:5 "if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of `righteousness, and seven others;"

THE FOLLOWING IS A QUOTE FROM EERDMANS HANDBOOK TO CHRISTIANITY, COPYRIGHT 1977, LIONS PUBLISHING. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.

THE PENTECOSTALS

"But it was the revival which began in Azusa Street, Los Angeles, in 1906, that was the launching pad of twentieth century Pentecostalism. For three years, many hundreds of Christians from all over North America, and then from Europe and the third world, visited Azusa Street and took its message back with them. The fire spread quite rapidly, resulting in the formation of many new churches. "In the seventy years since Azusa Street, Pentecostalism has spread throughout the world."

IN 1906, THE MODERN DAY PENTECOSTAL REVIVAL MOVEMENT WAS BORN. IT APPEARS THAT GOD IS GIVING US 120 YEARS TO REPENT, JUST AS HE DID FOR THE PEOPLE OF NOAH'S DAY. BY ADDING THE 120 YEARS ALLOWED FOR PREACHING AND REPENTANCE TO 1906 WE COME UP WITH THE YEAR 2026. THIS IS NOT VERY FAR FROM THE RESULT OF ADDING THE 30 YEAR ERROR OF THE ROMAN CALENDAR TO THE YEAR 2000, WHICH BRINGS US TO THE YEAR 2030. GOD HAS NOT PROMISED US THAT WE COULD KNOW THE DAY OR THE HOUR OF HIS RETURN, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT WE ARE APPROACHING THE SEASON.

THE SIGN OF THE FIG TREE

THE FIG TREE IS ONE OF THE NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL, IN PARTICULAR, THOSE WHO ARE DESCENDED FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE JEWS.

Jeremiah 24:3-7 Then the Lord asked me, `What do you see, Jeremiah?' `Figs,' I answered. `The good ones are very good, but the poor ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.' Then the word of the Lord came to me: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: `Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Hosea 9:10 "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree."

THESE OLD TESTAMENT VERSES CHARACTERIZING JUDAH AND ISRAEL AS BASKETS OF FIGS, AND FRUIT ON A FIG TREE, ARE ONE OF THE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT TIME PERIOD WE ARE IN AS FAR AS BIBLICAL PROPHECY IS CONCERNED. THE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING NEW TESTAMENT BIBLICAL PROPHECY, ARE FOUND IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. TO UNLOCK THE MYSTERIES OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION ONE MUST FIRST BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT WRITINGS. JESUS TOLD THE DISCIPLES THAT THE SIGN OF THE FIG TREE WOULD BE ONE OF THE INDICATORS THAT THE TIME OF HIS RETURN WAS DRAWING NEAR.

Matthew 24:32-34 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."

Luke 21:29-36 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

GOD HAS PROMISED US IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL THAT IN THE LAST DAYS KNOWLEDGE WILL BE INCREASED. WHILE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL TYPES HAS BEEN INCREASING IN THE WORLD SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD WAS REFERRING TO IN PARTICULAR WAS BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE, THE WORDS OF THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

GOD CAN SUPERNATURALLY INCREASE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THE DIRECT WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHENEVER HE CHOOSES TO DO SO, BUT IN MOST CASES HE DOES IT THROUGH MEANS THAT APPEAR NORMAL TO THE UNBELIEVING WORLD. BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN INCREASING EVERY YEAR SINCE THE 1800'S WHEN ARCHAEOLOGY BECAME A SCIENCE. IN 1947 THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS WERE DISCOVERED, AND THEY ARE STILL CONTINUING TO BE TRANSLATED TO THIS DAY. EACH YEAR NEW DISCOVERIES ARE ADDING TO BIBLICAL BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE, INCREASING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES.

ONE DOCUMENT THAT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED AND TRANSLATED IS KNOWN AS THE APOCALYPSE OF PETER. ACCORDING TO THIS BOOK, PETER AND SOME OF THE DISCIPLES WERE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES AND ASKED THE LORD WHAT WOULD BE THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND THE COMING OF THE END OF THE AGE.

Apocalypse of Peter (Paraphrased)

"And you, learn a parable from the fig tree: As soon as the shoots come forth, and the twigs are grown, the end of the world shall come. And I, Peter answered the Lord and said unto him: Interpret unto me concerning the fig tree, so we may perceive it; for throughout all of its days the fig tree sends forth shoots, and every year it brings forth fruit for its master. What then does the parable of the fig tree mean? We do not understand it. And the Lord answered and said unto me: Don't you understand that the fig tree is the nation of Israel?

IN 1948, ISRAEL BECAME A NATION ONCE MORE, AFTER BEING SCATTERED

THROUGHOUT THE NATIONS SINCE 70 AD WHEN THE ROMANS DESTROYED

JERUSALEM. IN 1967 THEY RECAPTURED JERUSALEM FROM THE ARABS. THE FIG

TREE HAS BUDDED. SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN IN 1948 AND AFTERWARDS WILL LIVE TO SEE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.

Psalms 90:10 "The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT SEVENTY OR EIGHTY YEARS IS THE NORMAL LIFE SPAN FOR HUMAN BEINGS. JESUS SAID THAT THE GENERATION THAT SAW THE BUDDING OF THE FIG TREE, THE RESTORATION OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL, WOULD NOT PASS AWAY BEFORE HIS RETURN. WHEN YOU ADD THE NORMAL LIFE SPAN FOR A HUMAN AS STATED IN THE PSALMS, TO THE YEAR 1948, YOU COME UP WITH A YEAR BETWEEN 2018 AND 2028. THIS IS ALSO VERY CLOSE TO THE DATES WE CALCULATED WITH THE OTHER METHODS OF DETERMINING WHERE WE ARE IN PROPHETIC HISTORY. OCCASIONALLY PEOPLE DO LIVE TO BE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS OF AGE, OR EVEN A LITTLE LONGER. THERE COULD STILL BE PEOPLE ALIVE IN THE YEAR 2070 WHO WERE BORN IN 1948.

THE SIGN OF THE GOSPEL

Mark 13:10 "And the Gospel must first be preached to all nations."

ANOTHER SIGN THAT JESUS GAVE TO HIS DISCIPLES THAT THE END OF THE AGE WAS NEAR IS THAT THE GOSPEL WOULD BE PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS. BIBLE TRANSLATORS HAVE BEEN WORKING FEVERISHLY FOR THE PAST FIFTY YEARS TO TRANSLATE THE SCRIPTURES INTO EVERY LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD. THE INVENTION OF COMPUTERS HAS GREATLY SPEEDED UP THIS WORK, AND THEY ARE NOW VERY CLOSE TO ACCOMPLISHING THIS GOAL. AT THE END OF 1994 AT LEAST ONE BOOK OF THE BIBLE WAS AVAILABLE TO 98% OF THE POPULATION OF THE WORLD. PORTIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO MORE THAN 2000 LANGUAGES. THE GOSPEL IS NOT ONLY BEING DISTRIBUTED BY THE WRITTEN WORD, BUT SINCE THE INVENTION OF RADIO, TELEVISION, AND NOW SATELLITE TELEVISION, THE GOSPEL IS BEING BEAMED AROUND THE WORLD, FOR THE FIRST TIME, SINCE JESUS WALKED THE EARTH.

THE SIGN OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

JUST BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, THERE WILL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE UNEQUALED IN THE ANNALS OF HUMAN HISTORY. THIS IS THE TIME PERIOD KNOWN AS THE "GREAT TRIBULATION," OR THE "TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE."

Matthew 24:21 KJV "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

Jeremiah 30:7 KJV "Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it:

it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."

THE "GREAT TRIBULATION" IS THE TIME PERIOD THAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. IT WILL BE A TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED HORROR FOR THE JEWS, AND NOT MUCH BETTER FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

THE SIGN OF THE ANTICHRIST

THE ANTICHRIST, OR THE MAN OF SIN AS HE IS CALLED, WILL BE SATAN'S IMPERSONATION OF CHRIST. INSTEAD OF GOD IN A HUMAN BODY, HE WILL BE THE DEVIL IN A HUMAN BODY. HE WILL COME ON THE SCENE APPEARING TO BE A MAN OF PEACE, AND WILL MAKE A SEVEN YEAR PEACE TREATY WITH ISRAEL AND MANY OTHER NATIONS. AFTER THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, HE WILL BREAK HIS TREATY AND DEMAND THAT EVERYONE WHO WILL NOT WORSHIP HIM AS GOD, AND TAKE HIS MARK, BE KILLED.

Revelation 13:16-17 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

THIS WILL BE SATAN'S IMITATION OF GOD COMMANDING US TO KEEP HIS

COMMANDMENTS IN OUR MINDS AND IN OUR HEARTS, AND TO PERFORM THEM WITH OUR HANDS.

Deuteronomy 6:6-8 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

THE CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE

ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH DONE BY THE AUTHORS OF "THE CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE," OUR CALENDAR YEAR 2000 IS ACTUALLY ONLY 5974 YEARS FROM THE TIME WHEN GOD CREATED ADAM. SO, IF THEY ARE CORRECT, THE YEAR 2026 WILL BE THE TIME WHEN 6000 YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY HAS TRANSPIRED. IF THIS IS TRUE, WE COULD LOOK FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY, COMMONLY CALLED "THE GREAT TRIBULATION" TO BEGIN, AND THE ANTICHRIST TO COME INTO WORLD POWER, AROUND THE YEAR 2019. BUT, THE TIME OF TROUBLE MAY BEGIN A FEW YEARS EARLIER BECAUSE GOD HAS PROMISED TO SHORTEN THE DAYS, TO STEP IN AND STOP THE DEVASTATION BEFORE THE ELECT AND THE WORLD ARE DESTROYED. THE VERSE BELOW COULD MEAN THAT THE 6000 YEARS WILL NOT BE FULLY COMPLETED BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS.

Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

THERE ARE MANY SIGNS TODAY THAT INDICATE THAT WE ARE NEARING THE END OF THIS PRESENT AGE, AND THAT CHRIST SHOULD RETURN SOMETIME BETWEEN THE YEARS 2000 AND 2070. BUT, EVEN IF THE LORD SHOULD TARRY FOR ANOTHER SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS, OR SEVENTY THOUSAND YEARS, OR EVEN SEVEN MILLION YEARS, GOD HAS PROMISED TO BLESS THOSE WHO STUDY HIS WORD AND LOOK FOR THE 2ND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST.

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching:

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
 
 

CHAPTER 8: THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

THE BOOK OF REVELATION WAS GIVEN BY JESUS CHRIST, TO JOHN THE APOSTLE, TO SHOW US, THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS, THE EVENTS THAT MUST COME TO PASS BEFORE HIS RETURN. BY STUDYING THE PROPHECIES IN IT WE WILL NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE ANTICHRIST OR THE FALSE PROPHET WHEN THEY ARRIVE, OR BE DISTURBED BY THE EVIL TIMES THAT ARE COMING UPON THE WORLD.

Revelation 1:1-3 "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

THERE IS A SPECIAL BLESSING AVAILABLE HERE FOR THOSE THAT READ, HEAR, AND DO WHAT IS RECOMMENDED IN THIS BOOK. JOHN WAS EXILED ON THE ISLE OF PATMOS FOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD WHEN JESUS GAVE HIM THE VISION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Revelation 1:9 "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the Island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."

THE INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION TELLS OF THE VISION BEGINNING WITH A LOUD VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET, AND OF WRITING ON A SCROLL ADDRESSED TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES.

Revelation 1:10-19 "On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.

CHRIST CLEARLY IDENTIFIES HIMSELF HERE AS THE SPEAKER, WHEN HE STATES THAT HE IS THE LIVING ONE, WHO WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE. HE INSTRUCTS JOHN TO WRITE THREE SPECIFIC GROUPS OF THINGS; WHAT HE (JOHN) HAS SEEN, WHAT IS NOW, (WHAT IS HAPPENING IN JOHNS DAY) AND WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER, IN THE FUTURE.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION HAS BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISINTERPRETED EVER SINCE IT WAS GIVEN TO JOHN AND SENT TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. THIS IS BECAUSE THE EVENTS PREDICTED IN THIS BOOK WERE SO FAR OFF IN THE FUTURE, NEARLY 2000 YEARS, THAT MOST OF THE MEANS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THESE PROPHECIES HAD NOT EVEN BEEN INVENTED YET.

TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN BEFORE THE YEAR 1900 AD IT WAS LIKE READING A SCIENCE FICTION STORY. REVELATION TELLS OF CITIES BEING DESTROYED IN ONE HOUR, EVERYONE IN THE WORLD VIEWING AN EVENT AT THE SAME TIME, AND OF ARMIES WITH 200 MILLION SOLDIERS IN THEM.

TO US TODAY, IT IS NOT A PROBLEM TO VISUALIZE THESE THINGS HAPPENING, BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING IN THE TIME PERIOD WHERE THEY ARE ENTIRELY POSSIBLE. TODAY, A CITY CAN BE DESTROYED IN ONE HOUR WITH A NUCLEAR ATTACK. THE WHOLE WORLD CAN VIEW AN EVENT HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE USE OF SATELLITE TELEVISION. CHINA, WITH A POPULATION OF OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE, AND STILL GROWING, CAN EASILY MUSTER AN ARMY OF 200 MILLION PEOPLE. THE BOOK OF REVELATION WAS GIVEN BY JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR GENERATION.
 
 

CHAPTER 9: THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

Revelation 1:20 "The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

UNTIL ABOUT 1900 AD, WHEN ENOUGH TIME IN HISTORY HAD PASSED FOR US TO LOOK BACK AND VIEW THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, IT WAS NOT UNDERSTOOD THAT GOD HAD GIVEN US AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, FROM BEGINNING TO END. EACH CHURCH THAT GOD TOLD JOHN TO WRITE TO HAD CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS ABOUT IT THAT WOULD PORTRAY THE EVOLUTION OF THE CHURCH UNTIL THE TIME OF THE END.

EPHESUS

Revelation 2:1-4 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet, I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love."

WHEN A PERSON FIRST BECOMES A CHRISTIAN THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT STUDYING THE BIBLE AND LEARNING NEW THINGS ABOUT GOD AND HIS WORD. AFTER A WHILE, THE EXCITEMENT WEARS OFF, IF YOU DO NOT CONTINUE TO LEARN NEW THINGS EACH DAY OR EACH WEEK. GOD COMPARES IT HERE TO MARRIAGE, THE FORSAKING OF ONES FIRST LOVE. IF A COUPLE DOESN'T CONTINUE TO WORK AT KEEPING A MARRIAGE ALIVE AND INTERESTING AND EXCITING, LOVE WILL DEPART AND THE MARRIAGE WILL GROW STAGNANT AND COLD. CHRIST IS WARNING US HERE NOT TO LET THIS HAPPEN CONCERNING THE THINGS OF GOD, AS THE EARLY CHURCH WAS DOING IN ABOUT 100 AD.

Revelation 2:5-7 "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS REPRESENTED THE FIRST 100 YEARS OF CHURCH HISTORY. FOR THE FIRST 100 YEARS THE CHURCH AND IT'S DOCTRINES WERE RELATIVELY PURE. AS LONG AS THE APOSTLES WERE ALIVE THEY COULD BE CONSULTED IF A DIFFICULT PROBLEM AROSE, AND GIVEN A CORRECT ANSWER.

AFTER THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLE JOHN, POWER STRUGGLES BEGAN TO DEVELOP BETWEEN THE BISHOPS OF THE LARGER CITIES AS THEY SOUGHT TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE THEIR AREAS OF AUTHORITY. WE WILL SEE WHAT THE NICOLAITANS TAUGHT WHEN WE STUDY THE CHURCH OF PERGAMUM.

SMYRNA

Revelation 2:8-11 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death."

THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA REPRESENTED CHURCH HISTORY FROM ABOUT 100 AD TO 325 AD DURING THIS TIME THE CHURCH ENDURED TEN WAVES OF PERSECUTION FROM THE ROMAN EMPERORS, AND MANY PEOPLE WERE KILLED FOR HOLDING TO THEIR FAITH. DURING THIS TIME IT WAS A CRIME TO BE A CHRISTIAN IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE. IT WAS THE BELIEF DURING THIS TIME THAT THE EMPERORS WERE GODS, AND DESERVED TO BE WORSHIPPED. THE CHRISTIANS REFUSED TO DO THIS AND WERE, ACCORDING TO THE LAW, TRAITORS, A CRIME WHICH WAS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH.

PERGAMUM

Revelation 2:12-15 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans."

FALSE TEACHING, IMMORALITY AND IDOL WORSHIP WAS BEGINNING TO CREEP INTO THE CHURCH. THESE ARE CALLED THE TEACHINGS OF BALAAM, A PROPHET FOR HIRE AND SORCERER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. JEALOUSLY AND STRIFE WERE ALSO ENTERING THE CHURCH THROUGH THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS, WHICH IS THE TEACHING THAT THE CLERGY IS SUPPOSED TO RULE OVER THE LAITY, THE CONGREGATION. THE LITERAL GREEK TRANSLATION OF "NICOLAITANS" IS "CONQUERED LAITY." AFTER THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLES THE BISHOPS BEGAN CONSOLIDATING ALL OF THE POWER IN THE CHURCH INTO THE HANDS OF THE CLERGY. THE PARISHIONERS BECAME SPECTATORS IN THE SERVICE OF GOD, RATHER THAN PARTICIPANTS. GOD SAYS THAT HE HATES THIS DOCTRINE. THE LORD WARNED THE DISCIPLES ABOUT THIS WHEN THEY WERE ARGUING ABOUT WHO WOULD SIT NEAREST TO HIM IN HIS KINGDOM.

Mark 10:42-45 "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH DURING THIS TIME IS THAT IT NOW BECAME POLITICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO BE A CHRISTIAN, BECAUSE THE EMPEROR WAS ONE. ALL KINDS OF UNSCRUPULOUS AND UNSPIRITUAL PEOPLE BEGAN TO JOIN THE CHURCH AND SEEK HIGH OFFICES IN THE CHURCH IN ORDER TO PLEASE THE EMPEROR. THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM THEIR PAGAN CUSTOMS AND DOCTRINES AND INCORPORATED THEM INTO CHURCH DOCTRINE. IN 275 SHORT YEARS, FROM 325 AD UNTIL 600 AD, THE PURE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH WERE RUINED. WHEN CHRISTIANITY BECAME THE STATE RELIGION OF PAGAN ROME, THE STATE, THE ROMAN EMPERORS, AND THE NEW PAGAN MEMBERS CHANGED IT TO MAKE IT RESEMBLE THE TYPE OF RELIGION THEY WERE USED TO. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF THE ANCIENT RELIGION OF MYSTERY BABYLON.

Revelation 2:17 To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

IN SPITE OF THE PROBLEMS IN THIS CHURCH THE LORD PROMISES THAT HE WILL REWARD THOSE WHO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES IN IT. THEY WILL RECEIVE THE HIDDEN MANNA, WHICH IS A REFERENCE CHRIST, WHO IS CALLED THE BREAD OF LIFE IN THE SCRIPTURES. THE WHITE STONE WITH A NEW NAME ON IT IS ANOTHER REFERENCE TO MARRIAGE, A NEW BRIDE RECEIVES A DIAMOND AND HER HUSBANDS LAST NAME, AND THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL IN THIS CHURCH WILL BE PERMITTED TO BE A PART OF THE GROUP KNOWN AS THE "BRIDE OF CHRIST, WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE. "

THIS CHURCH STILL EXISTS TODAY IN THE FORM OF THE EASTERN ORTHODOX GROUP OF CHURCHES. THESE CHURCHES BROKE AWAY FROM THE ROMAN CHURCH AND FROZE THEIR DOCTRINE RIGHT WHERE IT WAS AT WHEN THEY SPLIT. THE DISPUTE BEGAN IN 325 AD WHEN THE ROMAN CHURCH CHANGED THE NAME OF PASSOVER TO "EASTER" IN HONOR OF THE GODDESS ISHTAR, AND CHANGED THE CELEBRATION OF IT TO A DIFFERENT DATE THAN THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE FIRST JEWISH MONTH. YOU CAN LOOK AT THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHES TODAY AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT THE CHURCH WAS LIKE ABOUT 600 AD. THE FORMAL SEPARATION BETWEEN THE EASTERN (CONSTANTINOPLE) AND WESTERN (ROME) CHURCHES OCCURRED IN 879 AD WHEN THE POPE OF ROME AND THE PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE EXCOMMUNICATED EACH OTHER. IN 1054 THE SPLIT BECAME PERMANENT.

THYATIRA

Revelation 2:18-23 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So, I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds."

THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE RUINED CHURCH, FROM ABOUT 600 AD TO 1500 AD THIS WAS THE PAPAL CHURCH, THE CHURCH THAT NOW HAD INCLUDED IN ITS DOCTRINE ALONG WITH THE TEACHINGS OF BALAAM AND THE NICOLAITANS, THE TEACHINGS OF JEZEBEL. THIS IS MORE SPIRITUAL ADULTERY, A DEEPER FORM OF IDOL WORSHIP. THE CHURCH WAS BEGINNING TO VENERATE IDOLS, IMAGES, PAINTINGS, AND SO CALLED "HOLY RELICS." THIS CHURCH CONTINUED ON DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES ADDING FALSE DOCTRINE AFTER FALSE DOCTRINE TO THEIR LIST OF BELIEFS. NOTICE THAT THIS CHURCH HAS CHILDREN. THESE CHILDREN ARE THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH THAT HAD ALREADY BROKEN AWAY, AND THE CHURCHES THAT WOULD BREAK AWAY DURING THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION. THIS CHURCH PERMITTED ALL TYPES OF SIN SO LONG AS IT'S MEMBERS WERE FAITHFUL IN GIVING MONEY. NOTICE THOUGH, THAT THIS CHURCH HAD AND STILL HAS SOME PEOPLE IN IT WHO ARE DOING GOOD WORKS OUT OF LOVE AND FAITH IN CHRIST. THIS CHURCH IS STILL IN EXISTENCE TODAY, IT IS KNOWN AS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE CHILDREN OF THIS CHURCH ARE DESCRIBED IN THE NEXT SET OF VERSES.

SARDIS

Revelation 3:1-3 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars." "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

THIS "DEAD" CHURCH REPRESENTS THE CHURCHES THAT BROKE AWAY FROM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH DURING THE REFORMATION ERA. THIS CHURCH AGE BEGAN IN ABOUT THE YEAR 1500 AND CONTINUES UNTIL TODAY. THE REFORMATION STARTED OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT BY RESTORING THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. WHERE THEY FAILED WAS IN NOT CONTINUING ON AND ROOTING OUT THE REST OF THE FALSE DOCTRINES THAT HAD CREPT INTO THE CHURCH DURING THE PREVIOUS 1500 YEARS. IN ACTUALITY, THEY WERE ALMOST CARBON COPIES OF THEIR MOTHER, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. THEY FROZE THEIR DOCTRINE AS SOON AS THEY WERE FORMED AND HAVE REMAINED THERE UNTIL TODAY. PROTESTANTISM BECAME THE STATE RELIGION IN MANY COUNTRIES. THEY HAD A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT WITHOUT ANY POWER. WHEN EVER A GOVERNMENT CONTROLS THE RELIGION OF A COUNTRY, THAT RELIGION BECOMES A POLITICAL FORCE RATHER THAN A SPIRITUAL FORCE. MOST OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES WILL BE REUNITED WITH THEIR MOTHER BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION. THEY WILL BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE. IT WILL SURPRISE MOST OF THEM LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STUDY OR TEACH ABOUT BIBLICAL PROPHECY.

PHILADELPHIA

Revelation 3:7-9 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you."

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA REPRESENTS THE CHURCH AGE THAT BEGAN WITH THE HOLINESS REVIVAL IN THE 1700'S AND CONTINUES TO THE PRESENT TIME. SOME OF THESE CHURCHES ARE NOW ABOUT AS DEAD AS THE REFORMATION CHURCHES, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. THE HOLINESS REVIVAL OF THE 1700'S WAS THE FOUNDATION FROM WHICH THE MODERN DAY PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT WAS BORN IN 1906. ONCE AGAIN, THE NEW CHURCHES DID NOT INVESTIGATE AND GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH AGE AND RECOVER ALL OF THE TEACHINGS OF THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH. THEY DID HOWEVER, BRING THE CHURCH CLOSER TO THE ORIGINAL DOCTRINES OF THE EARLY CHURCH THAN ANY OF THE PREVIOUS CHURCH AGES AFTER 325 AD. THESE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE JOB OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL DURING THE LAST 120 YEARS OF THE AGE OF GRACE, FROM 1906 UNTIL THE RETURN OF CHRIST. THE LORD HAS GIVEN THIS CHURCH AN OPEN DOOR TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD BEFORE HE SHUTS THE DOOR WHEN HE TAKES THIS CHURCH OUT OF THE WORLD. THIS CHURCH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, BUT IT WILL SPLIT OFF INTO TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WHEN THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARRIVE. THE DEAD BRANCHES WILL MERGE WITH THE LAODICEAN CHURCH, WHILE THE LIVE BRANCHES WILL PRODUCE THOSE FAITHFUL SAINTS WHO WILL BE MARTYRED DURING THE REIGN OF THE ANTICHRIST AND THOSE WHO WILL NEVER DIE, BUT WILL LIVE UNTIL THE FIRST RESURRECTION OCCURS.

Revelation 3:10-12 KJV "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name."

THIS CHURCH WILL BE SPARED FROM THE "HOUR OF TEMPTATION," THE WRATH OF GOD THAT WILL BE POURED OUT ON AN UNBELIEVING WORLD. THEY WILL BE SPARED BECAUSE THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET, AND THEN THE WRATH OF GOD, WILL BE POURED OUT TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH.

LAODICEA

Revelation 3:14-16 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA REPRESENTS THE FINAL CONDITION OF ORGANIZED RELIGION JUST BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST. THE CHURCH OF TODAY IS THE LUKEWARM CHURCH. THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ATTEND CHURCH TODAY, DO SO FOR THE WRONG REASONS. THEY GO TO CHURCH BE CAUSE THEY WERE TAUGHT THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO BAPTIZE, MARRY, AND BURY THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN. MANY OF THE PREACHERS IN THESE DEAD CHURCHES ARE JUST THERE FOR A JOB. THEY CANNOT TEACH FROM THE BIBLE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT, AND WHEN THEY DO QUOTE FROM IT THEY DO SO IN IGNORANCE AND TWIST THE MEANING OF THE SCRIPTURES TO SUIT THEIR OWN PURPOSES. GOD HAS SAID THAT HE WOULD RATHER HAVE PEOPLE HOT OR COLD, LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM, THAN TO BELONG TO A "SO CALLED" CHRISTIAN CHURCH THAT DOES NOT REALLY BELIEVE OR TEACH THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST.

THE LAODICEAN CHURCH BEGAN FORMING ABOUT 100 YEARS AFTER THE HOLINESS CHURCHES. IT BEGAN WITH THE SO CALLED "AGE OF REASON," WHICH WAS THE NAME OF A BOOK PUBLISHED BY THOMAS PAINE IN 1794. FOLLOWING THIS, IN THE EARLY 1800'S, KARL MARX FATHERED ATHEISTIC COMMUNISM AND LATER FREDRICH W. NIETZSCHE PROCLAIMED THAT "GOD IS DEAD." THEIR WRITINGS HAVE INFLUENCED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, AND THEIR HUMANISTIC "MAN IS HIS OWN GOD" TEACHINGS HAVE CREPT INTO MANY DEAD CHURCHES. FROM THE MIDDLE 1800'S AND ONWARD THE LAODICEAN CHURCH HAS BEEN GROWING STEADILY. IT NOW CONSISTS OF ALL OF THE CHURCHES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, THE "NEW AGE" RELIGIONS, AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE ALL SEEKING TO UNITE THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD INTO ONE GLOBAL NEW AGE, HUMANISTIC, IDOL WORSHIPPING ORGANIZATION. ANY AND ALL FALSE RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN INTO THE LAODICEAN

CHURCH. THE ONLY RELIGIONS THAT ARE NOT WELCOME TO JOIN ARE THOSE THAT TEACH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY THAT MANKIND MAY BE RECONCILED TO GOD.

Revelation 3:17 "You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."

THE DEAD CHURCHES OF TODAY ARE RICH WITH MONEY, BUT THEY ARE POOR AND BLIND WHEN IT COMES TO SPIRITUAL THINGS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO GIVE THEIR MEMBERS ANY SPIRITUAL HELP BECAUSE THE LEADERS THEMSELVES ARE BLIND TO THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD. GOD WILL STILL BE DEALING WITH THE PEOPLE IN THESE DEAD CHURCHES ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS UNTIL THE DAY THAT THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE. HE WILL OPEN THE EYES OF THOSE WHO HAVE A LITTLE FAITH TO BRING THEM OUT OF IT BEFORE THE WRATH OF GOD STRIKES THE EARTH. WHEN THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET COME TO POWER THEY WILL COMPLETE THE UNITING OF ALL OF THE DEAD CHURCHES AND RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD INTO ONE WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION. IF YOU ARE IN A DEAD CHURCH THAT DOES NOT TEACH ABOUT JESUS AND PROPHECY, YOU WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO GET OUT OF IT AND JOIN ONE WHERE THE WORD OF GOD IS BEING PREACHED AND TAUGHT.

Revelation 4:1 "After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said," Come in here and I will show you what must take place after this."

THIS VERSE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN ALL OF THE PROPHECIES

CONCERNING THE SUCCESSIVE CHURCH AGES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. THEN, A DOOR WILL BE OPENED IN HEAVEN, AND THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET WILL BE HEARD, AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. THIS VERSE IS ALSO THE PROOF THAT THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES ARE A PROPHECY OF CHURCH HISTORY, AND NOT MERELY LETTERS TO THE SEVEN ANCIENT CHURCHES. NOTICE, THAT THE ANGEL TELLS JOHN TO COME IN HERE, AND THEN THE ANGEL WOULD SHOW JOHN WHAT MUST TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS, AFTER THE SEVEN CHURCH AGES HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. IF THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES WERE SIMPLY LETTERS, AND NOT PROPHECIES, THEN JOHN HASN'T EVEN SEEN ANYTHING YET. BUT, IF THE LETTERS ARE PROPHECIES, THEN WHAT THE ANGEL IS SHOWING JOHN IS WHAT MUST TAKE PLACE AFTER THE LAODICEAN "LUKEWARM DEAD CHURCH," BECOMES THE DOMINANT RELIGIOUS FORCE ON THE WORLD SCENE. WE ARE NEARING THAT POINT IN TIME TODAY.
 
 

CHAPTER 10: THE SEVEN SEALS

THE SEVEN SEALS WILL BE ACTUAL EVENTS THAT WILL BEGIN TO TAKE PLACE WHEN THE ANTICHRIST COMES TO POWER, AND THEY ARE ALSO AN OVERVIEW OF THE ORDER THE REST OF THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. EACH SEAL WILL HAVE A DOUBLE FULFILLMENT, ONE WILL OCCUR EARLY IN THE SEVEN YEAR PERIOD, AND ONE LATER. WE WILL CALL THE SECOND FULFILLMENT THE OVERVIEW FULFILLMENT.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS NOT WRITTEN IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. YOU CANNOT READ IT THROUGH FROM START TO FINISH, AND EXPECT THAT THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN IT WILL COME TO PASS IN THE ORDER THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WRITTEN DOWN. THE BOOK OF REVELATION GIVES US INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE MAJOR PEOPLE AND EVENTS THAT WILL DOMINATE THE WORLD SCENE DURING THE LAST SEVEN YEARS BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST. MANY OF THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION WILL OVERLAP EACH OTHER, AND SOME WILL BE OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME. IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE BOOK OF REVELATION WE HAVE TO TAKE ALL OF THE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE PEOPLE AND EVENTS DESCRIBED THERE AND PLACE THEM IN THE ORDER REVEALED TO US BY THE SEVEN SEALS. ONCE THIS HAS BEEN DONE THE EVENTS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION CAN BE STUDIED IN THE ORDER THAT THEY WILL HAPPEN DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. LISTED BELOW IS THE OVERVIEW ORDER OF THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION AS REVEALED BY THE SEVEN SEALS:

YEAR 1. ANTICHRISTS PEACE PACT WITH ISRAEL AND THE WORLD.

YEAR 2. PEACE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH, THE WARS OF ANTICHRIST.

YEAR 3. FAMINE ON EARTH, THE TWO WITNESSES WITHHOLD THE RAIN.

YEAR 4. DEATH FROM WAR, FAMINE AND DISEASE.

YEAR 5. MARTYRDOM OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS.

YEAR 6. THE TWO WITNESSES DIE, THE FIRST RESURRECTION OCCURS.

YEAR 7. THE WRATH OF GOD AND THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.

Revelation 4:2-3 & 5:1-2 "At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. "Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, `Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?'"

AFTER JOHN HAS SEEN THE HEAVEN OPEN AND HEARD THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET, HE IS IN THE SPIRIT AND IS VIEWING A SCENE IN HEAVEN IN WHICH THE LORD IS SEATED ON A THRONE AND BEING WORSHIPPED BY HEAVENLY BEINGS. A MIGHTY ANGEL IS ASKING THE QUESTION "WHO IS WORTHY TO BREAK THE SEALS AND OPEN THE SCROLL." CHRIST, THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN, IS FOUND TO BE THE ONLY ONE WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL. WHEN THE SCROLL IS OPENED, THE FIRST SET OF JUDGMENTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION WILL BEGIN.

THE ARRIVAL OF ANTICHRIST

Revelation 6:1-2 "I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest."

WHEN THE FIRST SEAL IS OPENED, THE ANTICHRIST WILL APPEAR ON THE WORLD SCENE, AND WILL SEEM TO BE A MAN OF PEACE. THIS IS WHAT THE RIDER ON A WHITE HORSE REPRESENTS, A KING WITH GREAT POWER COMING TO BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD. BUT, THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE A FALSE MESSIAH. IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL WE ARE TOLD THAT HE WILL MAKE A SEVEN YEAR COVENANT WITH ISRAEL AND MANY OTHER NATIONS. THIS PACT WILL PROBABLY INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES.

Daniel 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.'

BEFORE THE TIME ARRIVES WHEN THE SEVEN SEALS BEGIN TO BE OPENED, THE ANTICHRIST WILL ONLY CONTROL EUROPE AND THE NATIONS WHO VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT TO HIM. THE SIGNING OF THE SEVEN YEAR PACT WILL BE THE EVENT THAT WILL INCREASE HIS STATURE AND DOMINION TO WORLD WIDE PROPORTIONS.

WAR

Daniel 7:24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.

AFTER A SHORT TIME OF PEACE, PROBABLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THE ANTICHRIST WILL ATTACK THREE NATIONS, AND SUBDUE THEM. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST FULFILLMENT OF THE SECOND SEAL. LATER, (ABOUT 4 YEARS INTO HIS REIGN) THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES WILL REFUSE TO WORSHIP HIM, AND HE WILL ATTACK US AND TWO OTHER NATIONS. BRITAIN AND ISRAEL MAY BE THE OTHER TWO NATIONS, AS THEY ARE USUALLY OUR ALLIES. THIS WILL BE THE OVERVIEW FULFILLMENT.

FAMINE

Revelation 6:5-6 "When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, `Come!' I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, `A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!'"

FOOD PRICES WILL SKYROCKET WHEN THE THIRD SEAL IS OPENED. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST FULFILLMENT. LATER, THE TWO WITNESSES WILL WITHHOLD THE RAIN AND A WORLDWIDE FAMINE WILL BE THE RESULT. THIS WILL BE THE OVERVIEW (2ND) FULFILLMENT. NOTE: THE REFERENCE TO NOT DAMAGING THE OIL AND WINE MAY MEAN THAT ANTICHRIST WILL PROTECT THE ECONOMIES OF ISRAEL (SYMBOLIZED BY OLIVE OIL) AND OF ITALY AND POSSIBLY FRANCE. (THE WINE MAKING CENTERS OF EUROPE)

DEATH

Revelation 6:7-8 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, `Come!' I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth."

THE NATURAL RESULT OF WAR AND FAMINE IS DEATH AND DISEASE. DURING THE OPENING OF THE SEVEN SEALS IT APPEARS THAT THE FIRST FULFILLMENT WILL FOR THE MOST PART AFFECT EUROPE AND THE MID EAST, THE KINGDOM OF ANTICHRIST. LATER, AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE BEGINNING OF THE TRUMPET JUDGMENTS, THE PLAGUES WILL BE WORLDWIDE.

MARTYRDOM

Revelation 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

THE ANTICHRIST WILL BLAME ALL OF THE WORLDS PROBLEMS ON THE UNCOOPERATIVE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS WHO ARE DENOUNCING HIS POLICIES AND REJECTING HIS CLAIM TO BE THE MESSIAH. FIRST HE WILL PERSECUTE AND MURDER THE BELIEVERS IN EUROPE AND THE MID EAST, AND THEN LATER, AFTER HE DEMANDS TO BE WORSHIPPED, THE PERSECUTION WILL SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD. THE PRICE OF SALVATION WILL BECOME DEATH, EXCEPT FOR THOSE FEW PEOPLE WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN TO LIVE UNTIL THE TIME WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE.

THE WRATH OF THE LAMB

Revelation 6:12-17 "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

THE SIXTH SEAL PRIMARILY LOOKS FORWARD TOWARD THE END OF THE SIXTH YEAR OF THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD, WHEN "THE WRATH OF GOD" WILL BE POURED OUT. EVERYTHING DESCRIBED AFTER VERSE TWELVE UNTIL THE END OF CHAPTER SEVEN PERTAINS TO EVENTS THAT WILL OCCUR JUST BEFORE AND JUST AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION. GOD WILL BEGIN TO SHOW SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS THAT THE TIME OF HIS WRATH HAS COME. THE CHURCH WILL BE SPARED FROM HIS WRATH BECAUSE THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE AS SOON AS THE NEXT EVENT DESCRIBED IS COMPLETED.

THE SEALING OF THE 144,000

Revelation 7:1-4 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

THE 144,000 ISRAELITES WILL BE SEALED TO SUPERNATURALLY PROTECT THEM FROM THE WRATH OF GOD THAT IS ABOUT TO BE POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH. THEY WILL NOT BE TAKEN UP IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION, SO THEY MUST BE PROTECTED SO THEY CAN LIVE THROUGH THE TIME OF "JACOB'S TROUBLE," AND BE ALIVE ON THE EARTH TO WELCOME AND WORSHIP JESUS CHRIST AT HIS RETURN. GOD WILL LEAVE THESE PEOPLE ON EARTH BECAUSE THEY ARE THE DESCENDANTS AND INHERITORS OF THE PROMISES GOD MADE TO ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB, AND DAVID. THAT IS, THE PROMISES OF A KINGDOM ON EARTH IN ISRAEL, WITH THE MESSIAH REIGNING OVER THEM. GOD HAS SWORN BY HIMSELF TO KEEP HIS WORD, AND HE CANNOT LIE. (SEE TITUS 1:2)

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

Revelation 7:9-12 "After this, I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: `Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. 'All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: `Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!'

WHEN THE SEALING OF THE 144,000 ISRAELITES IS COMPLETED, THE FIRST

RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. IT WILL HAPPEN AT THIS POINT IN TIME SO THAT THE CHURCH WILL NOT ENDURE THE "HOUR OF TEMPTATION," THE WRATH OF GOD, THAT IS ABOUT TO BE POURED OUT UPON AN EVIL AND UNBELIEVING WORLD. CHRIST HAS PROMISED THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA THAT THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THE TIME OF GOD'S WRATH. HE TOOK UPON HIMSELF THE WRATH OF GOD AT CALVARY, AND IT WILL NOT BE POURED OUT UPON HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH. THE TWO WITNESSES, THE CHURCH, THE SAVED OF ALL AGES, AND THE LIVING BELIEVERS, WILL ALL BE CAUGHT UP TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. THEY WILL CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB IN HEAVEN FOR ONE YEAR, WHILE THE PEOPLE ON THE EARTH ARE EXPERIENCING THE WRATH OF GOD.

Revelation 7:11-17 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

THOSE BELIEVERS WHO DIE AT THE HAND OF ANTICHRIST DURING THE TIME OF HIS PERSECUTIONS WILL BE SINGLED OUT AND BESTOWED WITH SPECIAL HONORS IN FRONT OF THEIR BRETHREN AT THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. THE VERSES ABOVE ALSO PROVE THAT THE SIXTH SEAL PERTAINS TO THE TIME OF THE END BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT THE PEOPLE BEING DESCRIBED HAVE COME OUT OF THE "GREAT TRIBULATION," MEANING THAT WE ARE SEEING WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING AT THE END OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. THIS PROVES THAT THE SEVEN SEALS ARE AN OVERVIEW OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, JUST LIKE THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES WERE AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Revelation 8:1 "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."

THE SILENCE IS DUE TO A SHORT RESPITE FROM WAR AND PLAGUES, (PROBABLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS) THAT WILL OCCUR WHEN THE TWO WITNESSES ARRIVE ON THE SCENE. THEY WILL PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD, BUT THE WORLD WILL REJECT IT. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST FULFILLMENT, AND THEN THE TRUMPET JUDGMENTS WILL BEGIN. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PAUSE IN THE ACTION WHEN THE SEVENTH TRUMPET SOUNDS AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION IS TAKING PLACE, JUST BEFORE THE WRATH OF GOD BEGINS TO BE POURED OUT. THIS PAUSE WILL BE THE OVERVIEW FULFILLMENT.

THE MILLENNIUM

FOLLOWING THE RETURN OF CHRIST, ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE WILL BEGIN, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE MILLENNIUM. CHRIST WILL RETURN AND DESTROY THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON.

AFTER THE ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE ARE COMPLETED THE LAST JUDGMENT WILL TAKE PLACE. AT THAT TIME, SATAN, HIS ANGELS, AND THE UNBELIEVERS FROM ALL AGES WILL BE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE FOREVER. THEN THE EIGHTH DAY, ETERNITY, WILL BEGIN.

THE SEVEN SEALS HAVE SHOWN US THE FIRST SERIES OF EVENTS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN ANTICHRIST COMES TO POWER, AND THE ORDER OF THE EVENTS OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. THE REST OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION WILL FOCUS IN ON THE PARTICULAR PEOPLE AND EVENTS INDIVIDUALLY, AND WITH GREATER DETAIL. THE LIST BELOW PRESENTS A SIMPLE OUTLINE FOR THE FUTURE EVENTS PREDICTED IN THE BIBLE.

FUTURE EVENTS ACCORDING TO BIBLICAL PROPHECY

1 THE TRUE CHURCH, CALLED "PHILADELPHIA" IN REVELATION, WILL BE REVILED BY THE WORLD. IT MAY BE TAXED.

2. THE FALSE DEAD CHURCH, CALLED "LAODICEA" IN REVELATION WILL BECOME THE DOMINANT CHURCH ON THE WORLD SCENE.

3. THE SEVEN SEALS BEGIN. ANTICHRIST, WAR, FAMINE, AND DISASTERS.

4. THE TWO WITNESSES ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND THE SEVEN TRUMPET

JUDGMENTS BEGIN. THEY WILL PREACH FOR 3 1/2 YEARS.

5. AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS THE TWO WITNESSES WILL BE KILLED.

6.3 1/2 DAYS AFTER THEIR DEATH, THEY WILL BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD, AND THE "FIRST RESURRECTION," WILL TAKE PLACE.

7. THE JEWS WILL REALIZE THAT JESUS IS THE TRUE MESSIAH WHEN THEY MISS THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THEY BEGIN TO PRAY FOR HIM TO RETURN AND RESCUE THEM ALSO.

8. THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB WILL TAKE PLACE IN HEAVEN. THE CHURCH AND THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS WILL CELEBRATE WITH THE LORD IN HIS KINGDOM.

9. THE SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD'S WRATH WILL BE POURED OUT ON THE EARTH FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.

10. THE LORD WILL RETURN WITH HIS ARMIES AND HIS SAINTS AND DESTROY THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON.

11. THE MILLENNIUM BEGINS, 1000 YEARS OF PEACE ON EARTH UNDER THE RULE OF JESUS CHRIST. SATAN IS BOUND FOR 1000 YEARS.

12. SATAN IS RELEASED FOR A SHORT TIME, AND THE FINAL REBELLION OCCURS.

13. SATAN IS DEFEATED. THE 2ND RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE AND THE LAST JUDGMENT OCCURS.

14. ETERNITY BEGINS
 
 

CHAPTER 11: THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY ON EARTH HE EXPLAINED TO HIS DISCIPLES THE MEANING OF MANY PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES CONCERNING HIMSELF FROM MANY DIFFERENT BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. HE TAUGHT THEM FROM THE BOOKS OF MOSES, THE PSALMS, AND THE PROPHETS. IN DOING SO, HE SHOWED US THAT JUST AS THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO AND DURING HIS FIRST COMING WERE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES, SO ALSO THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO HIS SECOND COMING NEED TO BE GATHERED FROM MANY DIFFERENT BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. THE BOOKS OF EZEKIEL, DANIEL, THE PSALMS, THE GOSPELS, THE LETTERS OF PAUL, AND REVELATION CONTAIN THE BULK OF THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING CHRIST'S SECOND COMING.

IN THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL, THERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS THAT WILL OCCUR IN THE END TIMES. THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPINIONS AS TO WHETHER THE PROPHECIES IN EZEKIEL CHAPTERS THIRTY SEVEN THROUGH THIRTY NINE WILL OCCUR BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE GREAT TRIBULATION. DURING THE COURSE OF THIS STUDY WE WILL LOOK AT THESE PROPHECIES WITH THE VIEW THAT THE WAR DESCRIBED IN CHAPTERS THIRTY EIGHT AND THIRTY NINE WILL BEGIN TO BE FULFILLED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER ANTICHRIST MAKES HIS PEACE PACT WITH ISRAEL.

THE FIRST EVENT PREDICTED IN EZEKIEL CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN IS THE REGATHERING OF THE JEWS AND THE ISRAELITES WHO HAVE BEEN SCATTERED OVER THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. THE PROPHECIES BELOW CONCERN BOTH THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND THE RETURN OF THE ISRAELITES TO THEIR OWN LAND.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army. Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'"

IN THE ANCIENT PAST, BEFORE THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST, THE ISRAELITES HAD DIVIDED THEMSELVES INTO TWO NATIONS, AND FOUGHT WARS WITH EACH OTHER. THE NORTHERN NATION WAS CALLED ISRAEL, AND THE SOUTHERN NATION WAS CALLED JUDAH.

THE NORTHERN NATION WAS PUNISHED BY GOD FOR WORSHIPPING IDOLS AND GOD PERMITTED THE KING OF ASSYRIA TO TAKE THEM INTO CAPTIVITY CARRY THEM AWAY TO NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE. FROM THERE THE ISRAELITES MIGRATED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THEIR CAPTIVITY BEGAN IN 721 BC THEY HAVE NEVER RETURNED TO THE LAND OF ISRAEL.

THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM, CALLED JUDAH, ALSO SINNED AGAINST THE LORD, AND HE CAUSED THE KING OF BABYLON TO TAKE THEM INTO CAPTIVITY AND CARRY THEM TO BABYLON. THIS OCCURRED IN 586 BC. IT WAS IN BABYLON THAT THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET DANIEL WAS WRITTEN. AFTER SEVENTY YEARS GOD CAUSED THE KING OF THE PERSIANS, CYRUS, TO ISSUE A DECREE PERMITTING THE JEWS LIVING IN BABYLON TO RETURN TO THEIR OWN LAND. THEY DID SO, AND THEIR DESCENDANTS WERE THOSE JEWS WHO WERE LIVING IN ISRAEL DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST. IN SEVENTY AD, ABOUT THIRTY FIVE YEARS AFTER CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED, THE ROMAN ARMIES DESTROYED JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE AND DROVE THE JEWS OUT OF THE LAND THAT GOD HAD GIVEN THEM. GOD SCATTERED THE JEWS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS. THEY REMAINED SCATTERED WITHOUT A COUNTRY TO COME HOME TO UNTIL 1948 WHEN THE STATE OF ISRAEL WAS REBORN.

Ezekiel 37:15-28 The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, 'Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.' Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, 'Ephraim's stick, belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.' Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand. "When your countrymen ask you, 'Won't you tell us what you mean by this?' say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph-- which is in Ephraim's hand--and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah's stick, making them a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.' Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. "'My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.'"

THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROPHECY IS IN PROGRESS TODAY. THE LORD IS CONTINUOUSLY GATHERING MORE AND MORE JEWS AND ISRAELITES TO THE LAND OF ISRAEL. THE PROPHET JEREMIAH ALSO SPOKE OF THIS EVENT.

Jeremiah 16:14-15 "However, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when men will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' For I will restore them to the land I gave their forefathers.

THE NATION OF ISRAEL TODAY IS A NATION THAT HAS SURVIVED AND RECOVERED FROM FOUR WARS. IN EACH WAR THEY WERE VASTLY OUTNUMBERED AND FROM A HUMAN VIEWPOINT, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEFEATED EACH TIME, BUT INSTEAD GOD GAVE THEM VICTORY AND INCREASED THEIR TERRITORY. THE ARAB-ISRAELI WARS

Since the United Nations partition of Palestine in 1947 and the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948, there have been four major Arab-Israeli wars and numerous intermittent battles.

THE FIRST PALESTINE WAR (1947-49)

The first war began as a civil conflict between Palestinian Jews and Arabs following the United Nations recommendation of Nov. 29, 1947, to partition Palestine, then still under British mandate, into an Arab state and a Jewish state. Fighting quickly spread as Arab guerrillas attacked Jewish settlements to prevent implementation of the UN plan.

After the British had departed and the state of Israel had been established on May 15, 1948, the Palestine Arab forces and foreign volunteers were joined by regular armies of Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, with token support from Saudi Arabia. By January 1949, when the last battles ended, Israel had extended its frontiers by about 1,930 sq. mi. beyond the 4,983 sq. mi. allocated to the Jewish state in the UN partition resolution. It had also secured its independence.

SUEZ-SINAI WAR (1956)

The war began on Oct. 29, 1956, after an announcement that the armies of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan were to be integrated under the Egyptian commander in chief. Israel's Operation Kadesh, commanded by Moshe Dayan, lasted less than a week; its forces reached the eastern bank of the Suez Canal in about 100 hours, seizing the Gaza Strip and nearly all the Sinai Peninsula. The war was halted by a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of all occupying forces from Egyptian territory. Israel, however, delayed withdrawal, insisting that it receive security guarantees against further Egyptian attack. After several additional UN resolutions calling for withdrawal and after pressure from the United States, Israel's forces left in March 1957.

SIX-DAY WAR (1967)

By 1967 the Arab confrontation states--Egypt, Syria, and Jordan-- became impatient with the status quo, the propaganda war with Israel escalated, and border incidents increased dangerously. At the end of May, Egypt and Jordan signed a new defense pact placing Jordan's armed forces under Egyptian command. Efforts to de-escalate the crisis were of no avail. Believing that war was inevitable, Israeli Premier Levi Eshkol, Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan, and Army Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin approved preemptive Israeli strikes at Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian, and Iraqi airfields on June 5, 1967. By the evening of June 6, Israel had destroyed the combat effectiveness of the major Arab air forces, destroying more than 400 planes and losing only 26 of its own. Israel also swept into Sinai, reaching the Suez Canal and occupying most of the peninsula in less than four days.

King Hussein of Jordon rejected an offer of neutrality and opened fire on Israeli forces in Jerusalem on June 5. But a lightning Israeli campaign placed all of Arab Jerusalem and the Jordanian West Bank in Israeli hands by June 8. As the war ended on the Jordanian and Egyptian fronts, Israel opened an attack on Syria in the North. In a little more than two days of fierce fighting, Syrian forces were driven from the Golan Heights, from which they had shelled Jewish settlements across the border. The Six-Day War ended on June 10 when the UN negotiated cease-fire agreements on all fronts.

The Six-Day War increased severalfold the area under Israel's control. Through the occupation of Sinai, Gaza, Arab Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Golan Heights, Israel shortened its land frontiers with Egypt and Jordan, removed the most heavily populated Jewish areas from direct Arab artillery range, and temporarily increased its strategic advantages.

OCTOBER WAR (1973) (ALSO CALLED THE YOM KIPPUR WAR)

Israel was the dominant military power in the region for the next six years. Between 1967 and 1973, Arab leaders repeatedly warned that they would not accept continued Israeli occupation of the lands lost in 1967. After Anwar al-Sadat succeeded Nasser as president of Egypt in 1970, threats about "the year of decision" were more frequent, as was periodic massing of troops along the Suez Canal. Egyptian and Syrian forces underwent massive rearmament with the most sophisticated Soviet equipment. Sadat consolidated war preparations in secret agreements with President Hafez al-Assad of Syria for a joint attack and with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to finance the operations. Egypt and Syria attacked on Oct. 6, 1973, pushing Israeli forces several miles behind the 1967 cease-fire lines. Israel was thrown off guard, partly because the attack came on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), the most sacred Jewish religious day. In counterattacks on the Egyptian front, Israel seized a major bridgehead behind the Egyptian lines on the west bank of the canal. In the North, Israel drove a wedge into the Syrian lines, giving it a foothold a few miles west of Damascus. After 18 days of fighting in the longest Arab-Israeli war since 1948, hostilities were again halted by the UN. The costs were the greatest in any battles fought since World War II. The Arabs lost some 2,000 tanks and more than 500 planes; the Israelis, 804 tanks and 114 planes. The 3-week war cost Egypt and Israel about $7 billion each, in material and losses from declining industrial production or damage.

The political phase of the 1973 war ended with disengagement agreements accepted by Israel, Egypt, and Syria after negotiations in 1974 and 1975 by U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger.

Under the terms of an Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty signed on Mar. 26, 1979, Israel returned the Sinai peninsula to Egypt. Hopes for an expansion of the peace process to include other Arab nations waned, however, when Egypt and Israel were subsequently unable to agree on a formula for Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Software Toolworks Encyclopedia Copyright 1992.

WE CAN SEE FROM HISTORY THAT JUST AS GOD PROMISED, ISRAEL WOULD BE A NATION THAT HAS RECOVERED FROM WAR. THOUGH THEY HAVE RECOVERED FROM FOUR WARS SO FAR, THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE MORE IN THEIR FUTURE. THE WAR DESCRIBED IN EZEKIEL, THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON, AND THE WAR AT THE END OF THE MILLENNIUM.
 
 

CHAPTER 12: THE ATTACK FROM THE NORTH

AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE THE PEOPLE THAT THE LORD HAS GATHERED TO ISRAEL WILL BE ATTACKED BY HOSTILE NEIGHBORS FROM THE NORTH, AND THEIR ALLIES. THE SONS OF JAPHETH, SON OF NOAH, SETTLED IN THE NORTHERN AREAS FROM WHICH THE ATTACK WILL COME.

Genesis 10:1-1 & 5 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

IN THE VERSES THAT FOLLOW, "GOG," IS THE SYMBOLIC NAME OF THE LEADER OF ARMIES THAT INCLUDE THE DESCENDANTS OF MAGOG AND HIS BROTHERS.

Ezekiel 38:1-7 The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army--your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops--the many nations with you. "'Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them.

THE NATIONS MENTIONED ABOVE THAT WILL ATTACK ISRAEL IN THE END TIMES ARE COMMONLY IDENTIFIED AS RUSSIA, (MESHECH AND TUBAL) IRAN, (PERSIA) ETHIOPIA, (CUSH) LIBYA, (PUT) AND TURKEY, (GOMER AND BETH TOGARMAH)

Ezekiel 38:8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.

AS WE READ IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, THE NATION OF ISRAEL TODAY IS A NATION THAT HAS RECOVERED FROM FOUR WARS AND IS DWELLING AT PEACE WITH MOST OF IT'S NEIGHBORS. A PEACE PACT WITH EGYPT WAS MADE IN 1979. IN 1995 ISRAEL HAS MADE PEACE AGREEMENTS WITH THE PALESTINIANS AND THE KINGDOM OF JORDAN. PEACE WITH SYRIA AND IRAQ SHOULD OCCUR IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Ezekiel 38:9-14 You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people--all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land." Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?"' "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it?

THE ATTACK ON THE NATION OF ISRAEL WILL NOT OCCUR UNTIL THEY ARE LIVING IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN THE LAND THEY HAVE RETURNED TO. ISRAEL WILL PROSPER IN TRADE WITH IT'S ARAB NEIGHBORS AND BECOME A RICH NATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ATTACK FROM THE NORTH WILL NOT BE FAR OFF.

Ezekiel 38:15-23 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROPHECY OF THE ATTACK ON ISRAEL BY THE ENEMIES FROM THE NORTH IS STATED ABOVE. GOD HAS GIVEN US THIS GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE SO THAT HIS NAME WILL BE GLORIFIED AND THAT MANY NATIONS WILL BE SHOWN HIS GREATNESS AND HOLINESS. THIS SPECTACULAR RESCUE OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL AND DESTRUCTION OF THE ARMIES FROM THE NORTH WILL STRENGTHEN THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVERS AND CONVERT MANY NEW BELIEVERS TO JESUS CHRIST. IN SHORT, GOD'S PURPOSE IS TO USE THIS EVENT TO PROMOTE A WORLDWIDE CHRISTIAN REVIVAL BEFORE CHRIST'S SECOND COMING.

Ezekiel 39:1-8 "Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD. "'I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel. It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD. This is the day I have spoken of.

THE NORTHERN ARMIES WILL FALL ON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL AND FIRE WILL STRIKE THE COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THE ARMIES CAME. GOD WILL NOT ONLY MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, BUT ALSO TO HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL. THIS WILL BE THE EVENT THAT WILL CAUSE MANY OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL TO TURN BACK TO THE GOD THAT THEY WORSHIPPED WHEN HE LED THEM OUT OF EGYPT. ISRAEL WILL BECOME A VERY RELIGIOUS NATION, WITH MOST OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVING THAT GOD IS THEIR PROTECTOR. THEY WILL NOT YET RECOGNIZE JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR THOUGH, BECAUSE SHORTLY AFTER THIS WAR THEY WILL BE DECEIVED BY THE ANTICHRIST INTO BELIEVING THAT HE IS THE GOD WHO RESCUED THEM FROM THE NORTHERN ARMIES. THE FIRST SEAL OF REVELATION, THE RIDER ON A WHITE HORSE, IS THE ANTICHRIST GUARANTEEING THE SAFETY OF ISRAEL.

John 5:42-47 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? "But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

THOSE WHO REJECT THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS CHRIST WILL ACCEPT THE ANTICHRIST.

Ezekiel 39:9-10 "'Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up--the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Isaiah 9:5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

IT WILL TAKE SEVEN MONTHS TO BURY THE DEAD FROM THE ARMIES THAT INVADED ISRAEL. ISRAEL WILL ALSO BURN THE COMBUSTIBLE ITEMS THAT ARE ABANDONED THERE FOR SEVEN YEARS. BESIDES THE CLOTHING AND SHOES LEFT BY THE DEAD AND FLEEING ARMIES, THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE HUGE FUEL AND AMMUNITION DUMPS THAT WILL BE CONFISCATED AND USED BY THE ISRAELI'S.

Ezekiel 39:11-16 "'On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east toward the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog. "'For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I am glorified will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign LORD. "'Men will be regularly employed to cleanse the land. Some will go throughout the land and, in addition to them, others will bury those that remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search. As they go through the land and one of them sees a human bone, he will set up a marker beside it until the gravediggers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. (Also a town called Hamonah will be there.) And so they will cleanse the land.'

IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS WAR WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST EVENTS OF THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD. THIS WAR IS PROBABLY A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OPENING OF THE 2ND SEAL OF REVELATION, THE RIDER ON A RED HORSE. NOTICE ALSO THAT THERE WILL BE A TOWN CALLED HAMONAH NEARBY. THIS TOWN IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE ISRAELI MAP SO HAMONAH WILL PROBABLY BE BUILT THERE SOON. HAMONAH MEANS "HORDE OR MULTITUDE," SO PERHAPS THIS TOWN WILL NOT BE CALLED "HAMONAH" UNTIL AFTER GOG'S ARMIES ARE DESTROYED NEAR THE SITE.

Ezekiel 39:17 "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: 'Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls--all of them fattened animals from Bashan. At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares the Sovereign LORD. "I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them. From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God. And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.

AGAIN, IN THE VERSES ABOVE IT IS STATED THAT "FROM THAT DAY FORWARD," THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL WILL KNOW THAT THE LORD IS THEIR GOD. THIS IS GOD'S WAY OF GETTING ISRAEL'S ATTENTION AND IS THE FIRST STEP IN OPENING THEIR EYES AND BEGINNING TO LEAD THEM TOWARD FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. IT WILL BE ANOTHER SIX YEARS, AFTER THEY SUFFER UNDER THE PERSECUTION OF ANTICHRIST BEFORE MOST OF THEM RECOGNIZE JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR.

Ezekiel 39:25-29 "Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now bring Jacob back from captivity and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD."

IN SUMMARY, THE THREE CHAPTERS WE HAVE LOOKED AT IN EZEKIEL TELL US OF THE RESTORATION, RESCUE, AND CONVERSION OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. IN ACTUALITY, THE WAR DESCRIBED IN EZEKIEL MAY HAVE A DOUBLE OR TRIPLE FULFILLMENT, LIKE MANY OTHER PROPHECIES. THERE MAY BE A LIMITED WAR AT THE START OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD THAT MEETS THIS DESCRIPTION, THEN A SIMILAR WAR AT THE END OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, AND ANOTHER FULFILLMENT AT THE END OF THE MILLENNIUM. THE NEXT CHAPTER OF EZEKIEL, CHAPTER 40, GIVES THE DIMENSIONS FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE. THIS INDICATES THAT THE TEMPLE WILL BE REBUILT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS WAR. PERHAPS A MISSILE FROM THE INVADING ARMY WILL DESTROY THE MOSLEM MOSQUE THAT NOW STANDS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE TEMPLE WILL BE BUILT ALONGSIDE THE MOSLEM MOSQUE AS A SHOW OF RELIGIOUS UNITY BETWEEN THE MOSLEMS AND THE JEWS.
 
 

CHAPTER 13: THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD

AFTER THE LORD HAD DELIVERED THE ISRAELITES OUT OF SLAVERY IN EGYPT THEY SOJOURNED IN THE WILDERNESS FOR FORTY YEARS. DURING THAT TIME GOD COMMANDED MOSES TO HAVE THE SKILLED PEOPLE BUILD A TABERNACLE, WHICH WAS A TENT LIKE STRUCTURE, TO BE USED FOR SACRIFICE AND WORSHIP.

Exodus 25:8-9 & 39:32 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses.

Hebrews 8:5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

THE TABERNACLE WAS BUILT ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN GIVEN TO MOSES BY THE LORD AND IN IT WAS PLACED THE ARK OF THE COVENANT THAT GOD HAD ALSO COMMAND MOSES TO MAKE. THE FIRST TEMPLE

Acts 7:45-47 Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built the house for him.

DAVID'S SON SOLOMON, BUILT THE FIRST TEMPLE FOR THE LORD AFTER THE ISRAELITES HAD CONQUERED THEIR ENEMIES AND DWELT SECURELY IN THE LAND GOD HAD GIVEN TO ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS.

1 Kings 8:12-13 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever."

1 Kings 8:27-30 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

1 Kings 8:37-40 "When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel--each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple--then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers.

1 Kings 8:44-45 & 62 "When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD.

1 Kings 9:1-9 When Solomon had finished building the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do, the LORD appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. The LORD said to him: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. "As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' "But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And though this temple is now imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them-- that is why the LORD brought all this disaster on them.'"

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GOD HEARD THE PRAYER OF SOLOMON AND PROMISED TO BLESS BOTH THE PEOPLE AND THE TEMPLE AS LONG AS THEY OBEYED HIS LAWS. THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD IN JERUSALEM WAS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE JEWISH RELIGION DURING THE GOLDEN AGE OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY. BECAUSE OF THE GLORIOUS PROMISES THAT WERE GIVEN TO DAVID AND SOLOMON CONCERNING THE TEMPLE, THE ISRAELITES WERE CONFIDENT THAT THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM WOULD NEVER BE DESTROYED AND THAT A DESCENDANT OF DAVID WOULD ALWAYS BE RULING OVER THEM IN JERUSALEM.

Jeremiah 7:1-3 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Stand at the gate of the Lord's house and there proclaim this message: "'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!"

THE JEWS HAD A SAYING THEY WOULD REPEAT OVER AND OVER TO ANY PROPHET WHO WOULD DARE TO SAY THAT GOD WOULD BRING JUDGMENT ON THEM IN JERUSALEM. THEY WOULD CONTINUOUSLY REPEAT IN THAT PROPHETS FACE, "THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD," UNTIL THE PROPHET CEASED SPEAKING WITH THEM. THE MEANING OF THE SAYING WAS THAT, IN THEIR OPINION, THE LORD WOULD NEVER SEND JUDGMENT ON JERUSALEM NO MATTER WHAT EVIL THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE DID, BECAUSE THE TEMPLE WAS THERE. GOD GAVE JEREMIAH A MESSAGE TO PREACH TO THOSE PEOPLE.

Jeremiah 7:5-16 & 23:11 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. "'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"--safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD. "'Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your fathers. "Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness," declares the LORD.

2 Kings 23:27 So the LORD said, "I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, 'There shall my Name be.'"

BECAUSE OF THEIR EVIL DOINGS, GOD PERMITTED THE KING OF BABYLON TO

CONQUER ISRAEL, DESTROY THE TEMPLE, AND TAKE MOST OF THE ISRAELITES WHO WERE NOT KILLED IN THE WAR INTO CAPTIVITY IN BABYLON FOR SEVENTY YEARS.

2 Kings 25:8-12 On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, an official of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. He set fire to the temple of the LORD, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had gone over to the king of Babylon. But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR DESTROYED JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE AND EXILED THE JEWS TO BABYLONIA IN 586 BC. DANIEL WAS ONE OF THE CAPTIVES AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN BABYLON WHERE HE WROTE THE BOOK THAT BEARS HIS NAME.

Jeremiah 51:51 "We are disgraced, for we have been insulted and shame covers our faces, because foreigners have entered the holy places of the Lord's house."

Isaiah 64:11 Our holy and glorious temple, where our fathers praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins.

THE SECOND TEMPLE

SEVENTY YEARS LATER CYRUS THE GREAT OF PERSIA CONQUERED BABYLONIA AND PERMITTED THE JEWS TO RETURN TO JERUSALEM AND REBUILD THEIR TEMPLE.

Ezra 1:1-3 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you--may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.

Ezra 6:14 & 16 So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. Then the people of Israel--the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles--celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

THIS REBUILT TEMPLE WAS THE ONE THAT WAS IN EXISTENCE DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST. IT WAS PROPHESIED THAT THE MESSIAH WOULD SUDDENLY COME TO HIS TEMPLE. THIS WAS FULFILLED WHEN CHRIST WENT TO THE TEMPLE AND READ ISAIAH CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.

Malachi 3:1 "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.

ANTICHRIST WILL SOMEDAY IMITATE THE FULFILLMENT OF THAT PROPHECY AND COME TO THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM AND DECLARE HIMSELF TO BE GOD.

John 2:18-22 Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD ON THE THIRD DAY FULFILLING HIS PROPHECY, BUT IT WILL BE FULFILLED AGAIN WHEN HE RETURNS AND BUILDS A NEW TEMPLE. JESUS PROPHESIED DURING HIS MINISTRY THAT THE TEMPLE WOULD BE DESTROYED, AND IT WAS IN 70 AD.

Matthew 24:1-2 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

While suppressing a major Jewish revolt, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70. In 135, after the failure of another revolt, the Jews were banished from Jerusalem. From the early 4th century, when Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire, Jerusalem developed as a center of Christian pilgrimage. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher and many other Christian shrines were erected. Except for a brief period of Persian rule (614-28) the city remained under Roman (later, Byzantine) control until 638, when the Muslim Arabs took Jerusalem. The Arabs built (688-91) the Dome of the Rock mosque on the site of the Temple. The Software Toolworks Encyclopedia

THE FUTURE TEMPLES

IT IS THE DESIRE OF MANY DEVOUT JEWS TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM. THE TEMPLE MUST BE REBUILT EITHER BEFORE OR DURING THE REIGN OF ANTICHRIST SO THAT HE CAN DESECRATE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. THERE WILL BE A TEMPLE DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, BUT IT WILL BE DESTROYED AND JESUS CHRIST WILL BUILD HIS OWN TEMPLE FROM WHICH HE WILL REIGN DURING THE MILLENNIUM.

Zechariah 6:12-13 Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne.
 
 

CHAPTER 14: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

GOD COMMANDED MOSES AND THE ISRAELITES TO BUILD THE ARK OF THE

COVENANT DURING THEIR SOJOURN IN THE WILDERNESS, AFTER HE HAD DELIVERED THEM FROM SLAVERY IN EGYPT.

Exodus 25:9-11 & 21 "Have them make a chest of acacia wood--two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

The ark of the covenant was originally a portable wooden chest containing the two stone tablets of the ten commandments. In ancient Israel's history it served as a symbol of God's presence and as a military rallying point. It was carried at the head of the column when the Jews fled from Egypt, and before the army in battle.

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Exodus 40:2-3 "Set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the first month. Place the ark of the Testimony in it and shield the ark with the curtain.

GOD COMMANDED MOSES TO HAVE THE MOST SKILLFUL WORKMEN BUILD THE ARK AND TO PLACE INSIDE OF IT THREE ITEMS. THESE ITEMS WERE, AARON'S STAFF, WITH WHICH HE PERFORMED THE MIRACLES IN EGYPT, THE STONE TABLETS ON WHICH WERE WRITTEN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND A JAR OF MANNA. THIS CHEST, WAS KNOWN AS THE "ARK OF THE COVENANT. IT WAS TO BE CARRIED BY THE LEVITES TO LEAD THE ISRAELITES WHEN THEY WENT TO WAR, AND IN TIMES OF PEACE IT WAS TO RESIDE IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE IN THE TABERNACLE, AND LATER IN THE TEMPLE. MOSES HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD SPEAKING TO HIM FROM ABOVE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT.

Hebrews 9:3-4 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Numbers 7:89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him.

BY THE TIME THE TEMPLE WAS BUILT, AARON'S STAFF AND THE JAR OF MANNA HAD DISAPPEARED.

1 Kings 8:1, 6, & 9 King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion, the City of David. The priests then brought the ark of the Lord's covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ARK

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT DISAPPEARED DURING THE TIME OF JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, WHEN THE JEWS WERE CONQUERED AND CARRIED OFF TO BABYLON, AND THE TEMPLE WAS DESTROYED. SOME OF THE JEWS FLED TO EGYPT TO ESCAPE FROM THE BABYLONIAN ARMY, AND THEY FORCED JEREMIAH TO ACCOMPANY THEM.

Jeremiah 43:6-7 They also led away all the men, women and children and the king's daughters whom Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah. So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the LORD and went as far as Tahpanhes.

IN THE 2ND BOOK OF MACCABEES, WHICH IS FOUND IN THE CATHOLIC BIBLE, THERE IS AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ARK OF THE COVENANT.

2 Maccabees 2:4-8 RSV It was also in the writing that the prophet, having received an oracle, ordered that the tent and the ark should follow with him, and that he went out to the mountain where Moses had gone up and had seen the inheritance of God. (Mount Sinai) And Jeremiah came and found a cave, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense, and he sealed up the entrance. Some of those who followed him came up to mark the way, but could not find it. When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared: "the place shall remain unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy. And then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, as they were shown in the case of Moses, and as Solomon asked that the place should be specially consecrated.

THERE IS A PROPHECY IN THE BOOK OF MACCABEES CONCERNING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT. THE PROPHECY STATES THE ARK WILL BE FOUND WHEN GOD GATHERS THE ISRAELITES BACK TO THEIR OWN LAND, IN THE LAST DAYS. THE TWO BOOKS OF THE MACCABEES ARE DISPUTED BOOKS, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INCLUDED THEM IN THEIR BIBLE, WHILE THE PROTESTANTS LEFT THEM OUT. WHETHER INSPIRED OR NOT, THE BOOKS OF THE MACCABEES ARE USEFUL BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN THE FULFILLMENT'S OF THE PROPHECIES OF DANIEL CONCERNING ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE GREEK EMPIRE. THE TRUE TEST OF THE MACCABEAN BOOKS WILL BE TO SEE IF THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE LOST ARK COMES TRUE.

AFTER SEVENTY YEARS IN BABYLON THE ISRAELITES RETURNED TO THEIR OWN LAND AS GOD HAD PROMISED, AND THE TEMPLE WAS REBUILT. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT HOWEVER, WAS NEVER FOUND BY THE PEOPLE WHO RETURNED TO ISRAEL.

THERE IS ALSO A LEGEND THAT THE ARK WAS TAKEN TO ETHIOPIA BEFORE THE BABYLONIAN INVASION BY THE DESCENDANTS OF SOLOMON, AND THAT IT STILL RESIDES IN A CHURCH IN THE CITY OF AKSUM TO THIS DAY.

Aksum is a town in Tigre province of northern Ethiopia. According to Coptic Christians, it is the traditional site of the ark of the covenant, supposedly brought from Jerusalem by the descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

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SOME SAY THAT THERE ARE TWO ARKS, A REAL ONE AND A REPLICA. THEY CLAIM THAT THE DESCENDANTS OF SOLOMON MADE A REPLICA OF THE ARK AND SWITCHED IT WITH THE ONE THAT WAS IN JERUSALEM.

THE REASON FOR STUDYING THE ARK IS BECAUSE THE FINDING OF AN ANCIENT ARK, BE IT THE ORIGINAL OR A REPLICA COULD BE THE CATALYST THAT MOTIVATES THE JEWS TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE. ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF BUILDING THE FIRST TEMPLE WAS TO HOUSE THE ARK.

David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, and Solomon built the first Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant.

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1 Kings 8:20-21 The LORD has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. I have provided a place there for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with our fathers when he brought them out of Egypt."

TO THE JEWS THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IS A SYMBOL OF THEIR GOD, THEIR

HISTORY, AND THEIR NATIONAL HERITAGE.

Today, a holy ark can be found in every synagogue. It is placed in the wall facing Jerusalem (the eastern wall in Europe and America) and contains the Torah scrolls.

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EVERY SYNAGOGUE CONTAINS A REPLICA OF THE ARK. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IS STILL A PROMINENT FEATURE IN THE MINDS OF THE JEWS. BUT, IT WILL NOT BE THAT WAY FOREVER.

Jeremiah 3:12 & 14-16 Go, proclaim this message toward the north:

"'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the LORD, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,' declares the LORD, 'I will not be angry forever. "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I will choose you--one from a town and two from a clan--and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land," declares the LORD, "men will no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.

WHEN JESUS CHRIST RETURNS AND SAVES THE ISRAELITES FROM DESTRUCTION AT THE HANDS OF ANTICHRIST THEY WILL NO LONGER PUT THEIR TRUST IN MAN MADE OBJECTS LIKE TEMPLES AND WOODEN CHESTS. THEN THEY WILL BE SATISFIED TO TRUST ONLY IN THE LORD.

Revelation 11:19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant.

THE LAST MENTION OF AN ARK OF THE COVENANT IN THE BIBLE IS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION, WHERE AN ARK IS SEEN IN HEAVEN BY THE APOSTLE JOHN. THIS ARK MUST BE THE ONE THAT THE ARK WHICH MOSES BUILT WAS PATTERNED AFTER. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH AND SEE IF THE ARK THAT MOSES BUILT, OR A REPLICA OF IT, WILL BE FOUND BEFORE OR DURING THE "GREAT TRIBULATION."
 
 

CHAPTER 15: THE ANTICHRIST

THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE THE PERSONIFICATION OF EVIL. HE WILL IN EFFECT BE, THE DEVIL IN A HUMAN BODY. THE NAME ANTICHRIST COMES FROM THE BOOK OF FIRST JOHN.

1 John 2:18 "Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour."

THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET WILL COME ON THE SCENE WITH THE PROMISE OF BRINGING PEACE TO THE WORLD, BUT THE TIME OF PEACE WILL BE SHORT LIVED.

Jeremiah 14:13 But I said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, the prophets keep

telling them, 'You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will

give you lasting peace in this place.'"

Jeremiah 28:9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true."

Jeremiah 8:11 & 15 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Isaiah 48:22 "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH PEOPLE AND NATIONS BEING AT PEACE WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, IN FACT SCRIPTURES SAY "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS". THE PROBLEM COMES WHEN THE PRICE OF PEACE IS TO WORSHIP A MAN AS IF HE WERE GOD, OR TO WORSHIP IDOLS.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ATTEMPTS BY SATAN IN THE PAST TO BRING INTO BEING A WORLD GOVERNMENT RULED OVER BY ONE MAN, BUT GOD HAS PREVENTED IT FROM HAPPENING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THE PROPER TIME YET. THE ANTICHRIST CANNOT BE PERMITTED TO COME TO POWER UNTIL 5,993 YEARS FROM THE CREATION OF ADAM HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. ONE OF SATAN'S FUTURE ATTEMPTS WILL SUCCEED, WHEN WE ARE SEVEN YEARS AWAY FROM THE 6000 YEARS BEING COMPLETED. (OR SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 6000 YEARS, SEE CHAPTER TWO) (5993+7=6000)

THERE IS A CHAIN OF COMMAND IN HEAVEN, JUST LIKE THERE IS IN ARMIES, BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTS ON EARTH. OUR GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE LAZY. EVERYONE IN HIS KINGDOM HAS THEIR OWN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AND THEIR OWN PARTICULAR JOB TO PERFORM. THE ORDER OF AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN IS; GOD THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST, THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THEN THE GENERAL OF THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN, MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL. IT IS MICHAEL'S JOB TO PREVENT SATAN FROM BRINGING THE ANTICHRIST TO POWER UNTIL THE LORD PERMITS IT. MICHAEL HAS DOMINION OVER SATAN AND HIS ANGELS BECAUSE THE LORD HAS GIVEN HIM DELEGATED AUTHORITY. BUT, THIS DOES NOT PREVENT SATAN FROM RESISTING AND PUTTING UP A FIGHT.

Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

THERE IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE GOING ON CONTINUOUSLY IN THIS WORLD THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE EARTH ARE UNAWARE OF.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

WHEN IT IS THE PROPER TIME, THE LORD WILL COMMAND MICHAEL TO CEASE HIS RESTRAINING WORK AND ALLOW THE DEVIL TO BRING THE ANTICHRIST TO POWER AND WREAK HAVOC ON THE EARTH. GOD WILL ALLOW SATAN TO HAVE A FIELD DAY ON THE EARTH FOR A FEW YEARS BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF MANKIND REFUSES TO BELIEVE THE TRUTH AND SERVE THE LORD, EVEN AFTER THE TRUTH HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THEM. BECAUSE OF THIS GOD WILL ALLOW SATAN TO DECEIVE MANKIND WITH SIGNS, WONDERS, AND COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."

DURING PAUL'S TIME SOME FALSE TEACHERS WERE TROUBLING THE CHURCH BY SAYING THAT THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAD ALREADY TAKEN PLACE. IN ADDRESSING THEIR FEARS PAUL TELLS THEM NOT TO WORRY, THAT THE RESURRECTION CANNOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE ANTICHRIST HAS BEEN REVEALED. PAUL ALSO GIVES US A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL DO WHEN HE COMES TO POWER.

2 Timothy 2:18 Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

AT THE PROPER TIME MICHAEL WILL CEASE HIS RESTRAINING WORK AND ALLOW THE MAN OF SIN TO BE REVEALED.

Daniel 11:36 & 37 (Excerpted) "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard- of-things against the God of gods. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all."

THE ANTICHRIST WILL FALSELY PROCLAIM HIMSELF TO BE THE LORD, THE MOST HIGH GOD. THIS HAS BEEN SATAN'S DESIRE EVER SINCE THE TIME HE REBELLED AGAINST GOD, AND HE WILL TRY TO LIVE OUT HIS DREAM VICARIOUSLY THROUGH THE ANTICHRIST.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

HE WILL NOT SUCCEED FOR LONG THOUGH, HIS PLAN WILL ONLY PROSPER FOR SIX YEARS, AND THEN THE JUDGMENT OF GOD WILL BEGIN TO FALL UPON HIM.

Daniel 11:36 NAB He will prosper only until divine wrath is ready, for what is determined must take place.

THE SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD'S DIVINE WRATH DESCRIBED IN CHAPTER SIXTEEN OF REVELATION, WILL BE POURED OUT ON THE ANTICHRIST, HIS KINGDOM, AND THOSE WHO ARE LEFT ON THE EARTH AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAS TAKEN PLACE. AT GOD'S PRE-DETERMINED TIME IT WILL BE UNLEASHED UPON THE WORLD. NOW THAT WE HAVE SEEN AN OVERVIEW OF THE ANTICHRISTS REIGN, WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUTURE EVENT THAT JESUS AND DANIEL CALLED THE "ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION." IN THE MIDDLE OF ANTICHRISTS SEVEN YEAR PACT, HE WILL GO INTO THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND CLAIM TO BE GOD, AND DEMAND TO BE WORSHIPPED.

Matthew 24:15 So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel, let the reader understand:

JESUS SAID THAT ONE OF THE SIGNS THAT WOULD PRECEDE HIS 2ND COMING WOULD BE THE SIGN OF THE "ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION." PAUL TELLS US CLEARLY WHAT THIS EVENT WILL BE.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

PAUL CALLS THE ANTICHRIST THE "MAN OF LAWLESSNESS," AND TELLS US THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL SET HIMSELF UP IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, PROCLAIM HIMSELF TO BE GOD, AND DEMAND TO BE WORSHIPPED. THIS WILL BE THE EVENT KNOWN AS THE "ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION." AFTER THIS HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEVEN YEAR PACT, CHRISTIANS AND JEWS WILL BE PERSECUTED AND MARTYRED FOR REFUSING TO WORSHIP THE ANTICHRIST.

NOTE: SIGNS AND WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS ACCOMPANIED THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, AND IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING IF SATAN, THE GREAT IMITATOR, PROVIDED SIGNS AND WONDERS IN THE HEAVEN FOR THE BIRTH OF HIS ANTICHRIST. THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN WATCHING SINCE 1973 AND HAS NOT YET DETECTED A SIGN THAT WOULD SIGNIFY THE BIRTH OF ANTICHRIST. THE NEXT SCHEDULED HEAVENLY EVENT IS THE HALE-BOPP COMET IN MARCH OF 1997. IF THIS WERE THE SIGN, ANTICHRIST WOULD REACH 30 YEARS OF AGE IN 2027, AND BEGIN HIS REIGN EITHER AT THAT TIME, OR AT 33 YEARS OF AGE IN 2030.
 
 

CHAPTER 16: ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES: A TYPE OF ANTICHRIST,/A>

THE PROPHET DANIEL WROTE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE END TIMES. THERE HAVE BEEN MINOR FULFILLMENT'S IN THE PAST OF MANY OF DANIEL'S PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE ANTICHRIST IN THE PERSON OF ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES. 175 YEARS BEFORE CHRIST'S FIRST COMING A KING NAMED ANTIOCHUS RULED OVER ISRAEL. HE DESECRATED THE TEMPLE BY PUTTING AN IDOL IN THE HOLY PLACE AND FORCING THE JEWS TO WORSHIP IT. HE SACRIFICED A PIG ON THE HOLY ALTAR, HE TRIED TO FORCE THE JEWS TO ADOPT GREEK CUSTOMS, AND HE KILLED AS MANY AS HE COULD WHO DID NOT OBEY THESE ORDERS. HE ALSO CHANGED HIS NAME TO EPIPHANES 'MEANING "GOD IS MANIFEST". HE DID MANY OF THE THINGS ON A LOCAL SCALE THAT ANTICHRIST WILL DO ON A WORLD WIDE SCALE. WE WILL TAKE A BRIEF LOOK AT THE EXPLOITS OF KING ANTIOCHUS AND THEN BEGIN TO DELVE INTO THE MYSTERIES OF THE FUTURE FULFILLMENT'S OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL

Antiochus lV Epiphanes (meaning "god manifest"), ruled the Seleucid Kingdom from 175 to 164 BC. Born in 215 BC, Antiochus was the third son of Antiochus III the Great. After his father's defeat by the Romans in 190-189, he served as hostage for his father in Rome from 189 to 175, where he learned to admire Roman institutions and policies. His brother, King Seleucus IV, exchanged him for Demetrius, the son of Seleucus; and after Seleucus was murdered by Heliodorus, a usurper, Antiochus in turn ousted him.

Antiochus is probably best remembered for his encouragement of the expansion of Greek culture and Greek institutions. As a result of his vigor in pursuing this Hellenistic policy, he quite inadvertently promoted the creation of the independent Jewish state of the Maccabees, (165-63 BC), which has been a source of influence for modern Zionism and the state of Israel in the 20th century.

Antiochus' hellenizing policies brought him into conflict with the prosperous Oriental temple organizations, and particularly with the Jews. Since Antiochus III's reign the Jews had enjoyed extensive autonomy under their high priest. They were divided into two parties, the orthodox Hasideans ("Pious Ones") and a reform party that favored Hellenism. For financial reasons Antiochus supported the reform party and, in return for a considerable sum, permitted the high priest, Jason, to build a gymnasium in Jerusalem and to introduce the Greek mode of educating young people.

The Greeks and those friendly toward them were united into the community of Antiochians; the worship of Yahweh and all of the Jewish rites were forbidden on pain of death. In the temple an altar to Zeus Olympios was erected, and sacrifices were to be made at the feet of an idol in the image of the king. Against that desecration Judas Maccabeus, leader of the anti-Greek Jews, led the aroused Hasideans in a guerrilla war and several times defeated the generals Antiochus had commissioned to deal with the uprising. Judas refused a partial amnesty, conquered Judea with the exception of the Acra in Jerusalem, and in December 164 was able to tear down the statue of Zeus and reconsecrate the Temple. The fighting spirit of the Jews is the more impressive because at the beginning of their rebellion in 166, Antiochus had just demonstrated his might to the world at Daphne near Antioch with a grand review of his army. Antiochus died of an illness in 164 while looting a Persian temple.

From The Encyclopedia Britannica

THE KING WHO WAS IN POWER BEFORE ANTIOCHUS PUT A HEAVY TAX BURDEN ON HIS SUBJECTS. (Daniel 11:20) THERE MAY BE A KING IN EUROPE BEFORE THE ANTICHRIST COMES TO POWER WHO WILL INSTITUTE A WORLD TAX. THIS PERSON WILL NOT BE THE ANTICHRIST, JUST A FORERUNNER PREPARING THE WAY FOR HIM. THE "HE" IN THE VERSE BELOW REFERS TO THE KING THAT WAS IN POWER BEFORE ANTIOCHUS.

Daniel 11:21 "He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.

AFTER A STRUGGLE WITH OTHER PRETENDERS TO THE THRONE, ANTICHRIST WILL BEGIN TO ESTABLISH AND RULE OVER HIS KINGDOM. THIS WILL BE THE FULFILLMENT OF THE RIDER ON A WHITE HORSE IN REVELATION, A KING COMING TO POWER PROMISING PEACE.

Daniel 11:22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.

THE NORTHERN CONFEDERACY DESCRIBED IN EZEKIEL WILL BE SWEPT AWAY BEFORE HIM. NOTICE THAT IT DOES NOT SAY THAT HE DESTROYED THE OVERWHELMING ARMY. GOD WILL DESTROY THE ARMIES THAT ATTACK ISRAEL, BUT THE ANTICHRIST WILL TAKE THE CREDIT FOR IT. THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE SCRIPTURES WILL BE AWED BY WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE POWER OF ANTICHRIST. THOSE WHO KNOW THE SCRIPTURES WILL HAVE THEIR FAITH STRENGTHENED AS THEY SEE THAT GOD'S PLAN THAT HE HAS REVEALED TO HIS SERVANTS IS UNFOLDING PERFECTLY BEFORE THEIR EYES, JUST AS HE PREDICTED. THIS WILL BE THE FULFILLMENT OF THE RED HORSE OF REVELATION, WAR. THE OTHER HORSES, DEATH, FAMINE, AND DISEASE WILL FOLLOW IN THE WAR TORN AREAS AS IT NORMALLY DOES AFTER WAR. THE JEWISH HIGH PRIEST IS THE PRINCE OF THE COVENANT THAT GOD MADE WITH ABRAHAM. ANTIOCHUS IN HIS TIME, MURDERED THE HIGH PRIEST ONIAS, AND INSTALLED HIS OWN MAN TO THAT OFFICE. ANTICHRIST WILL PROBABLY MURDER THE FUTURE HIGH PRIEST OF JERUSALEM AND INSTALL THE FALSE PROPHET IN HIS PLACE.

Daniel 11:23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.

HE WILL RISE TO POWER WITH ONLY A FEW PEOPLE BEHIND HIM, PROBABLY THE TEN KINGS MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Daniel 11:24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers.

HE WILL INVADE AND PLUNDER THE RICHEST NATIONS. HE WILL TAKE WHATEVER HE WISHES FROM THOSE NATIONS WHOSE ARMIES WERE DESTROYED IN THE EZEKIEL WAR. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM HIM. THE WARS OF ANTICHRIST WILL BE THE CAUSE OF MANY OF THE PLAGUES DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. AFTER TWO WARS WITH EGYPT (DANIEL 11:25-30) AND 3 1/2 YEARS INTO HIS COVENANT WITH ISRAEL HE WILL BREAK HIS AGREEMENT.

Daniel 11:31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

THE ABOMINATION BY ANTIOCHUS OCCURRED 15TH DAY OF KISLEV ON THE JEWISH CALENDAR, WHICH IS IN DECEMBER ON OUR CALENDAR. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH AND SEE IF THE DESECRATION BY ANTICHRIST OCCURS ON THE SAME DAY.

Daniel 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

HE WILL TRY TO CONVINCE THE WORLD TO ALIGN WITH HIM, AND WILL DECEIVE MANY, BUT THOSE WHO KNOW CHRIST WILL STAND FIRMLY AGAINST HIM.

Daniel 11:33-35 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

THOSE WHO RESIST ANTICHRIST WILL SUFFER, AND SOME WILL DIE, SOME WILL BE PURIFIED BY THEIR SUFFERING AND WILL LIVE UNTIL THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE.

Daniel 12:3-4 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

IT IS NO MERE THEORY THAT THESE PROPHECIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL CONCERN THE TIME OF THE END, IT IS FORTHRIGHTLY STATED BY THE ANGEL TO DANIEL THAT THESE PROPHECIES WOULD NOT BE UNDERSTOOD UNTIL THE END TIMES WHEN GOD ALLOWS KNOWLEDGE TO BE INCREASED.

Daniel 12:5-7 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?" The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

A TIME, TIMES AND A HALF A TIME MEANS THREE AND A HALF. IT CAN MEAN 3 1/2 YEARS, AS IT DOES WHEN PERTAINING TO THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE BOOK OF REVELATION SPECIFIES THE PERIOD TALKED ABOUT ALSO AS 42 MONTHS AND 1,260 DAYS. DANIEL HAD ASKED THE ANGEL A DIRECT QUESTION ABOUT HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE EVERYTHING HE HAS SEEN WILL BE COMPLETED, AND THE ANGEL ANSWERS HIM TRUTHFULLY. IN THIS CASE THE ANGEL WAS USING A TIME, TIMES, AND A HALF A TIME TO MEAN, 3,500 YEARS, THREE AND A HALF OF THE LORD'S ONE THOUSAND YEAR DAYS. DANIEL LIVED DURING THE CENTER POINT OF TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY, 3,500 YEARS FROM THE CREATION OF ADAM. ADDING THE 3500 YEARS THAT HAD PASSED AND THE NEXT 3500 YEARS THAT THE ANGEL SPOKE OF TOTALS TO 7000 YEARS. AFTER SUBTRACTING THE 1000 YEARS ALLOTTED FOR THE MILLENNIUM, WE ARE LEFT WITH 6000 YEARS. THIS AGAIN VERIFIES THAT THE SPAN OF TIME FROM THE CREATION OF ADAM UNTIL

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST WILL BE ABOUT 6000 YEARS. IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT LESS IF GOD STEPS IN EARLY TO PREVENT SATAN AND ANTICHRIST FROM DESTROYING THE HUMAN RACE FROM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH WITH THEIR WARS.

CHAPTER 17: THE KINGDOM OF ANTICHRIST

Revelation 13:1 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw the beast coming out of the sea.

THE SEA REPRESENTS THE NATIONS THAT INCLUDE IN THEIR POPULATIONS A LARGE NUMBER OF DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM.

Genesis 22:17 & 32:12 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.

Hebrews 11:12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

THE DRAGON, SATAN, WILL CALL HIS SERVANT, THE ANTICHRIST FROM OUT OF THE SEA OF THE NATIONS WHERE ABRAHAM'S DESCENDANTS ARE LIVING. THIS BEAST IS SYMBOLIC OF THE WORLDWIDE EMPIRE THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL CONTROL.

Revelation 13:1 He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.

THE TEN HORNS ARE TEN KINGS THAT WILL BE IN POWER IN THE WORLD DURING THE REIGN OF ANTICHRIST. THIS IS EXPLAINED TO JOHN IN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. THE SEVEN HEADS MAY REPRESENT SEVEN ECONOMIC ZONES THAT WILL EXIST DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.

Revelation 17:12-13 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.

THE TEN KINGS, OR RULERS, WHO ARE IN POWER DURING THIS TIME PERIOD WILL GIVE THEIR POWER TO THE ANTICHRIST, AND CREATE A NEW WORLD ORDER, A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. THEIR "NEW WORLD ORDER," WILL ONLY LAST FOR A SHORT TIME, SYMBOLICALLY CALLED "ONE HOUR," IN THE PROPHECY ABOVE.

Revelation 13:2 "The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority."

GOD, IN THE BIBLE, USES ANIMALS TO SYMBOLIZE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KINGDOMS AND NATIONS. THEY SHOW WHAT TYPE OF KINGDOM IT WILL BE AND WHAT PERSONALITY IT WILL HAVE. THE LION, THE BEAR AND THE LEOPARD ALL SYMBOLIZE A FIERCE AND VIOLENT KINGDOM, WHICH IS WHAT THE KINGDOM OF ANTICHRIST WILL BE. THE BOOK OF DANIEL DESCRIBES THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT AS BEING LIKE A LEOPARD KINGDOM BECAUSE OF ALEXANDER'S ABILITY TO SWIFTLY ACCOMPLISH HIS MILITARY OBJECTIVES. THE BOOK OF PROVERBS DESCRIBES A RULER WHO IS LIKE A LION OR A BEAR. THIS IS A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF WHAT LIFE UNDER THE RULE OF ANTICHRIST WILL BE LIKE.

Proverbs 28:15 "Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people."

DANIEL ALSO HAD A VISION IN WHICH HE SAW THE FUTURE KINGDOM OF ANTICHRIST PORTRAYED AS A GREAT BEAST, CALLED THE FOURTH BEAST. DANIEL WAS GIVEN THE FOLLOWING EXPLANATION OF THIS BEAST BY THE ANGEL WHO WAS SPEAKING WITH HIM.

Daniel 7:23 "He gave me this explanation: `The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it."

FROM THIS VERSE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ANTICHRISTS DOMINION WILL BE WORLDWIDE. ANY COUNTRY THAT REFUSES TO SUBMIT TO HIS DEMANDS WILL BE ATTACKED AND HAVE WAR MADE UPON THEM. THE KINGDOM OF ANTICHRIST WILL BE THE GREATEST WORLD POWER OF ALL TIME. THE BOOK OF DANIEL STATES THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL OVERTHROW THREE OF THE KINGS OF THE NATIONS HE PRESIDES OVER.

Daniel 7:7-8 & 24 While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully. The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.

THIS LITTLE HORN IS THE ANTICHRIST. HE WILL UPROOT AND SUBDUE THREE KINGS WHO HAVE A DISAGREEMENT WITH HIM. THIS WILL BE THE CAUSE OF THE WAR THAT WE READ ABOUT WHEN THE SECOND SEAL WAS OPENED AND THE RED HORSE CAME OUT TO TAKE PEACE FROM THE EARTH. AFTER THIS WAR THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE THE MOST FEARED AND RESPECTED LEADER THAT HAS EVER COME UPON THE WORLD SCENE. ALMOST EVERYONE WILL BE AFRAID OF HIM AND WILL GIVE HIM THE WORSHIP HE DEMANDS.

Revelation 13:4 They also worshipped the beast and asked, `Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?'"

Daniel 7:25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and a half a time."

Revelation 13:5-6 "The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven."

THE ANTICHRIST WILL PERSECUTE AND KILL THE SAINTS WHO WILL NOT WORSHIP HIM AS GOD ALMIGHTY. A TIME, TIMES AND A HALF A TIME AND FORTY TWO MONTHS BOTH MEAN THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS.
 
 

CHAPTER 18: THE RESURRECTION OF ANTICHRIST

SATAN WILL DECEIVE MOST OF THE WORLD INTO WORSHIPPING THE ANTICHRIST BECAUSE HE WILL USE HIS POWER TO MAKE IT APPEAR THAT THIS KING HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD. THIS WILL BE SATAN'S IMITATION OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS COUNTERFEIT MIRACLE WILL BE PART OF THE STRONG DELUSION THAT WILL CONVINCE THE TRUTH REJECTING WORLD TO WORSHIP THE ANTICHRIST.

Revelation 13:3-4 "One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, `Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?'"

Revelation 13:14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

AT THIS POINT MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY RESISTED THE ANTICHRIST WILL GIVE UP AND SUBMIT TO EVERYTHING THAT HE ASKS, BECAUSE IT WILL APPEAR THAT THIS MAN CANNOT EVEN BE KILLED. ONLY THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE AND ARE FAITHFUL TO JESUS CHRIST WILL STILL RESIST HIM. THERE IS AN OBSCURE PROPHECY IN THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH THAT INDICATES THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ANTICHRIST WITH CERTAINTY AFTER HIS SIMULATED SATANIC RESURRECTION.

Zechariah 11:17 "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"

THE VERSE ABOVE MAY VERY WELL PERTAIN TO THE ANTICHRIST BECAUSE THE VERSES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING IT PERTAIN TO ARMAGEDDON. (READ ZECHARIAH CHAPTER 12) ALSO REMEMBER THAT CHRIST WAS IDENTIFIED AFTER HIS CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION BY "DOUBTING THOMAS," FROM THE MARKS OF HIS WOUNDS. THE FALSE PROPHET MAY CLAIM THAT THE MARKS OF ANTICHRIST'S WOUNDS ARE PROOF THAT HE IS THE MESSIAH. A WITHERED ARM AND A BLIND RIGHT EYE WILL BE PROOF THAT HE IS NOT THE GOOD SHEPHERD, JESUS CHRIST, BUT THAT HE IS THE EVIL SHEPHERD, ANTICHRIST. THE KJV CALLS HIM THE "IDOL" SHEPHERD, WHICH IS WHAT HE WILL BE, A SHEPHERD WHO CAUSES HIS PEOPLE TO WORSHIP IDOLS AND IMAGES.

HE (ANTICHRIST) WILL PROBABLY ATTACK THE UNITED STATES WITHIN A YEAR AFTER HIS COUNTERFEIT RESURRECTION. HE WILL ATTACK US BECAUSE OUT OF ALL THE NATIONS IN THE WORLD WE HAVE THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF CHRISTIAN PEOPLE LIVING HERE. IF THERE IS ANY NATION WHO WILL REJECT HIS CLAIM TO BE JESUS CHRIST, IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE UNITED STATES. BECAUSE OF OUR PAST HISTORY, OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE, OUR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, MORE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES KNOW AND UNDERSTAND FROM BIBLICAL PROPHECY THAT THE ANTICHRIST IS COMING BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, THAN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. WE ALSO HAVE A LARGE JEWISH POPULATION, AND MORE JEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD MAY MIGRATE HERE TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION FROM ANTICHRIST. JUST WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE ALL HOPE IS LOST AND THAT AMERICA WILL BE DEFEATED BY THE ANTICHRIST, AND THE DEVIL WILL RULE THE WORLD FOREVER, THE LORD WILL GIVE THE COMMAND FOR VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL TO BE HEARD, AND THE TRUMPET TO SOUND, AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. THE LORD WILL RESCUE A REMNANT OF HIS PEOPLE AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT.

Jude 1:9 KJV Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Daniel 12:1 KJV & NIV And at that time shall Michael stand up, (KJV) The great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be at time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: (NIV)

JUDE TELLS US THAT MICHAEL IS THE ARCHANGEL. MICHAEL, HAS BEEN SITTING DOWN AND TAKING A SIX YEAR BREAK FROM RESTRAINING SATAN AND THE ANTICHRIST. HE WILL NOW STAND UP AND HIS VOICE WILL BE HEARD, AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. THEN THE LORD WILL POUR OUT HIS WRATH ON THE EARTH FOR ONE YEAR.

NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF ENOCH, GABRIEL IS ALSO AN ARCHANGEL. IT COULD BE HIS VOICE THAT WILL BE HEARD WHEN THE DEAD ARE RAISED. IN THE PAST, GOD HAS USED GABRIEL TO SPEAK GOOD NEWS TO MANKIND.

Luke 1:19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

WHILE THESE THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE, SATAN AND HIS DEMONS WILL BE

GATHERING ALL OF THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD TO THE MID EAST TO DO BATTLE WITH THE LORD AND HIS ANGELS AT HIS RETURN.
 
 

CHAPTER 19: THE FINAL DESTINY OF ANTICHRIST

Revelation 19:19-20 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

THIS IS THE END OF THE VIOLENT SEVEN YEAR CAREER OF THE ANTICHRIST. HE AND HIS COHORT THE FALSE PROPHET WILL BE THROWN ALIVE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE WHERE THEY WILL REMAIN FOR ALL ETERNITY. SATAN WILL BE IMPRISONED FOR ONE THOUSAND YEARS WHILE THE TRUE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST RULES ON THE EARTH.

Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.

THE LORD WILL THEN PUT MICHAEL AND THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN BACK TO WORK. THEY WILL LOCK SATAN AWAY IN THE ABYSS, AND HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DECEIVE MANKIND FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. THE ABYSS IS NOT THE LAKE OF FIRE, IT IS A TEMPORARY PRISON THAT PRESENTLY CONTAINS MANY POWERFUL DEMONS. SOME OF THE DEMONS THAT ARE IMPRISONED THERE NOW, WILL BE RELEASED TO TORMENT UNREPENTANT MANKIND DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, AND TO GATHER THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD TO ARMAGEDDON. AFTER THE ONE THOUSAND YEARS ARE COMPLETED, SATAN WILL BE RELEASED FROM THE ABYSS FOR A SHORT TIME TO TEST THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN DURING THE MILLENNIUM.

Daniel 7:13-14 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Daniel 12:3-4 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

WE ARE TODAY, APPROACHING THE TIME OF THE END, AND GOD IS INCREASING OUR KNOWLEDGE SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BOOKS OF REVELATION, DANIEL, AND ALL UNFULFILLED BIBLICAL PROPHECY. DANIEL WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE THINGS THAT HE HAD SEEN, AND WHEN THEY WOULD HAPPEN, SO HE ASKED THE ANGEL TO EXPLAIN MORE TO HIM. BUT, HE WAS TOLD TO GO HIS WAY BECAUSE THE PROPHECIES WERE FOR A DISTANT GENERATION, FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIVE IN THE LAST DAYS.

Daniel 12:9-10 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?" He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

WE ARE THE LAST GENERATION, AND IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE WISE YOU WILL

UNDERSTAND THESE PROPHECIES AND WILL NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE ANTICHRIST WHEN HE ARRIVES ON THE WORLD SCENE.
 
 

CHAPTER 20: THE FALSE PROPHET

THE ANTICHRIST WILL NOT BE ALONE IN HIS QUEST TO MAKE MEN WORSHIP HIM. THE "FALSE PROPHET" WILL BE SATAN'S IMITATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE FALSE PROPHET WILL WORK MANY MIRACLES, BUT HE WILL GIVE ALL OF THE GLORY TO THE ANTICHRIST. THE FALSE PROPHET WILL BE THE LEADER OF THE ONE WORLD CHURCH THAT WILL DOMINATE THE RELIGIOUS SCENE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE FORERUNNERS OF THIS CHURCH ARE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE.

IN 1948, IN AMSTERDAM, THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES WAS INAUGURATED. THEIR GOAL IS TO UNITE ALL OF THE WORLDS CHURCHES INTO ONE UNIFIED GLOBAL ORGANIZATION. IN 1948, THE SAME YEAR THAT THE FIG TREE (ISRAEL) BEGAN TO BLOOM, THE GENTILE BRANCHES THAT WERE GRAFTED IN BEGAN TO WITHER. ANY CHURCH THAT IS A MEMBER OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS A SPIRITUALLY DEAD CHURCH. IF THEY WERE NOT DEAD THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL PROPHECY AND REALIZE THAT THEY ARE FULFILLING IT BY BECOMING A PART OF THE GREAT HARLOT DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. IN 1962 POPE JOHN XXIII OPENED A COUNCIL CALLED VATICAN II. THE GOAL OF THIS COUNCIL WAS TO BRING UNITY TO ALL OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES UNDER THE DOMINION OF ROME. EVENTUALLY THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD WILL UNITE AND FORM A SUPERCHURCH. THIS NEWLY FORMED CHURCH, WHEN IT COMES INTO BEING, WILL BE THE GREAT PROSTITUTE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Revelation 13:11 "Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth.

He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon."

THE SECOND BEAST IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIRST BEAST WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT RATHER THAN PORTRAYING THE END TIME ALIGNMENT OF THE WORLDS GOVERNMENTS, IT PORTRAYS THE END TIME ALIGNMENT OF THE WORLDS RELIGIONS. THIS BEAST THAT JOHN SAW, RESEMBLES A LAMB, BUT HE SPEAKS THE LIES OF SATAN. HE IS A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, AND HE WILL MAKE THE WORLD WORSHIP THE ANTICHRIST. HE WILL BE THE LEADER OF THE ONE WORLD CHURCH OF THE END TIMES.

Revelation 13:12-15 "He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it would speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed."

THIS MAN WILL BE THE ONE WHO HAS THE POWER TO WORK COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES AND DECEIVE THE WORLD INTO WORSHIPPING THE ANTICHRIST AND THE IMAGE OF ANTICHRIST. HERE AGAIN IT IS EXPLAINED THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL APPEAR TO MEN HAVE BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, AFTER BEING KILLED BY WOUND FROM A SWORD. THE FALSE PROPHET WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO CALL DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN. THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO IDOL WORSHIP OR BE KILLED. THIS COULD BE FULFILLED BY THE FALSE PROPHET REQUIRING A LARGE SCREEN TELEVISION TO BE INSTALLED IN ALL OF THE CHURCHES, AND WHEN ANTICHRIST'S IMAGE APPEARS ON THE SCREEN AND SPEAKS, EVERYONE WHO ATTENDS CHURCH SERVICES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WORSHIP THE ANTICHRIST'S IMAGE AND BOW DOWN BEFORE IT. THE TWO SUBJECTS THAT HAVE CAUSED MORE WARS AND ARGUMENTS THAN ANY OTHERS IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, POLITICS AND RELIGION, WILL FINALLY APPEAR TO HAVE ARRIVED AT A PEACEFUL SOLUTION. THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET WILL PROMOTE THEIR ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT AND ONE WORLD RELIGION SCHEME AS BEING THE VEHICLE THAT WILL FOREVER END THE CONFLICT ABOUT THESE TWO SUBJECTS. BUT, THIS ALLIANCE WILL NOT LAST FOR VERY LONG. TRUE PEACE BETWEEN RELIGION AND POLITICS WILL NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE LORD JESUS CHRIST RULES THE EARTH AS BOTH OUR KING AND OUR HIGH PRIEST DURING THE MILLENNIUM.

THE PROPHECIES OF SAINT MALACHY

ST. MALACHY (1094-1148), WAS AN IRISH ARCHBISHOP. IN 1139 HE LEFT IRELAND TO JOURNEY TO ROME TO VISIT POPE INNOCENT II. DURING THE JOURNEY HE BEHELD A VISION OF THE LONG SUCCESSION OF 112 POPES THAT WERE TO FOLLOW BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST. THE PRESENT POPE, JOHN PAUL II, IS NUMBER 110.

ACCORDING TO SAINT MALACHY THE TITLE OF THE POPE WHO WILL SUCCEED JOHN PAUL II WILL BE "THE GLORY OF THE OLIVE." THIS SHOULD BE A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF THE NEXT POPE IF DURING THE TIME OF HIS REIGN THE CHURCHES ARE UNITED AND THE GREAT HARLOT OF REVELATION IS FORMED. THE OLIVE BRANCH IS A SYMBOL OF PEACE AND UNITY. THIS MAY ALSO BE A REFERENCE TO THE ANTICHRIST, THE MAN WHO BRINGS A TEMPORARY FALSE PEACE TO THE WORLD. AFTER THE POPE OF THE OLIVE BRANCH COMES ONE NAMED "PETER THE ROMAN," ACCORDING TO THE VISION. ST. MALACHY PREDICTS THAT HE WILL BE THE LAST POPE, AND THAT DURING THE TIME OF HIS REIGN, ROME WILL BE DESTROYED.

"During the last persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there shall sit Peter of Rome, who shall feed the sheep amid great tribulations, and when these have passed, the City of the Seven Hills shall be utterly destroyed, and the awful Judge will Judge the people." The prophecies of Saint Malachy, quoted from The Encyclopedia of Prophecy.

NO POPE IN HISTORY HAS EVER HAD THE AUDACITY TO TAKE THE NAME OF PETER, WHO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CLAIMS WAS THE FIRST POPE. WILL THE NAME OF THE LAST POPE BE PETER ALSO? THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT ST. MALACHY'S PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE POPES IS THAT THE TIME FRAME FITS EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE TODAY IN BIBLICAL PROPHETIC TIME. THE TWO MORE MEN THAT ST. MALACHY PREDICTS WILL BECOME BISHOPS OF ROME BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST, SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO BRING US TO THE TIME WHEN THE 6000 YEARS WILL BE COMPLETED. WATCH FOR THE NEXT TWO POPES AND SEE IF THEY MATCH THE DESCRIPTIONS THAT ST. MALACHY SAW IN HIS VISION.
 
 

CHAPTER 21: THE MARK OF THE BEAST

THE MARK OF THE BEAST WILL BE INSTITUTED BY THE FALSE PROPHET. HE WILL FORCE THE WORLD TO TAKE THIS MARK.

Revelation 13:16-17 "He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name."

THIS MARK WILL BE REQUIRED DURING THE REIGN OF ANTICHRIST. IT WILL PROBABLY BE INVISIBLE TO THE NAKED HUMAN EYE. WHENEVER ANYONE WITH THE MARK NEEDS TO MAKE A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION THE NUMBER WILL BE SCANNED AND THEIR BANK ACCOUNT WILL BE CREDITED OR DEBITED AS NEEDED. WE WILL BECOME A CASHLESS SOCIETY. THOSE WHO REFUSE TO TAKE THIS MARK WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE LEGAL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. EVERYONE WHO REFUSES TO TAKE THE MARK WILL HAVE TO LIVE BY THEIR WITS AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD UNTIL THEY ARE KILLED OR UNTIL THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE. DO NOT FEAR THE WRATH OF ANTICHRIST OR SATAN, OR WORRY ABOUT YOUR FAMILY STARVING TO DEATH DURING THIS TIME. THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HIS PEOPLE. (SEE 1 KINGS CHAPTER 17)

Psalms 37:23-29 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

THE MARK OF THE BEAST IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SATAN'S DESIRE TO IMITATE THE WORKS OF GOD. GOD INVISIBLY MARKS HIS SAINTS AND COMMANDS THE ANGELS TO PROTECT THEM DURING TIMES OF TROUBLE OR JUDGMENT. THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL GIVES US AN EXAMPLE OF GOD COMMANDING THE ANGELS TO INVISIBLY MARK HIS PEOPLE FOR PROTECTION DURING A TIME OF PUNISHMENT ON THE NATION OF ISRAEL.

Ezekiel 9:2-5 And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it." As I listened, he said to the others, "Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple.

IN THIS CASE ALL THOSE WHO WERE MARKED BY THE ANGEL WERE SPARED FROM DEATH DURING THIS TIME OF PUNISHMENT. NOTICE ALSO, THAT THE JUDGMENT OF GOD BEGAN AT HIS TEMPLE. SATAN, THROUGH THE ANTICHRIST, WILL PROMISE HIS PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO WILL RECEIVE HIS MARK ON THEIR BODIES, BUT, HIS PROMISE IS A LIE.

Revelation 13:18 "This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666."

SIX IS THE NUMBER OF MAN BECAUSE HE WAS CREATED ON THE SIXTH DAY. THE TRIPLE SIX SYMBOLIZES THE UNHOLY TRINITY; SATAN, THE ANTICHRIST, AND THE FALSE PROPHET.

JESUS SAID THAT THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WOULD BE PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS BEFORE THE END COMES. THOSE WHO REJECT THE GOSPEL WHEN THEY HEAR IT WILL BE WITHOUT AN EXCUSE FOR BEING DECEIVED BY THE FALSE PROPHET AND ACCEPTING THE MARK. IF THEY HAD RECEIVED CHRIST WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY WAS AVAILABLE TO THEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD HAVE MADE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS WRONG TO TAKE THE MARK. ACCEPTING THE MARK OF ANTICHRIST IS TO REJECT JESUS CHRIST PERMANENTLY, WITHOUT REMEDY. THE BIBLE HAS ALREADY WARNED US NOT TO RECEIVE THE MARK. THE PENALTY FOR TAKING THE MARK IS FAR WORSE THAN THE TEMPORARY SUFFERING THAT ONE WILL INCUR BY REFUSING IT.

Revelation 14:9-11 "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."

THE PENALTY FOR TAKING THE MARK WILL BE TO MISS THE FIRST RESURRECTION AND SUFFER GOD'S WRATH WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH. NOTICE, THAT THE WRATH OF GOD IS FIRST POURED INTO A CONTAINER, CALLED HERE A CUP. THE CONTAINERS OF GOD'S WRATH, WHETHER TRANSLATED VIALS, CUPS, OR BOWLS, ALL REFER TO THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES THAT WILL BE POURED OUT WHEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN OF REVELATION IS FULFILLED. ETERNAL DAMNATION WILL FOLLOW DEATH, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED THE MARK. IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL GOD HAS GIVEN US AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE SHOULD REACT WHEN BEING COMMANDED TO WORSHIP AN IDOL OR AN IMAGE.

Daniel 3:14-18 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Revelation 14:13 "`Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. `Yes,' says the Spirit, `they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them'".

DEATH WILL BE A BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE TRUE GOD AND FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE GIVEN IN DANIEL, AND REFUSE TO WORSHIP THE ANTICHRIST. NOT EVERYONE WILL BE KILLED. THERE ARE SOME WHO WILL LIVE AND BE CAUGHT UP IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION WITHOUT EVER EXPERIENCING DEATH.
 
 

CHAPTER 22: CAESAR, TAXES AND TITHES
 
 

ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT ANTICHRIST COULD USE TO IDENTIFY CHRISTIANS AND JEWS WHO WILL REFUSE TO WORSHIP HIM, IS OUR TAX RETURNS. THE CHRISTIAN AND JEWISH RELIGIONS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT TEACH GIVING THE TITHE, (TEN PERCENT) TO GOD.

Leviticus 27:30 "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

SATAN, THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET CAN EASILY IDENTIFY DEVOUT BELIEVERS OF EITHER FAITH BY SEARCHING THE IRS FILES FOR TAX RETURNS THAT CONTAIN TEN PERCENT OR MORE IN DONATIONS TO CHRISTIAN OR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR CHARITABLE GIVING IS ABOUT THREE PERCENT. ANTICHRIST WOULD CONSIDER THE PEOPLE WHO TITHE TO BE POTENTIAL ENEMIES TO HIS GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE SERIOUS ENOUGH ABOUT THEIR BELIEFS TO LET IT TOUCH THEIR POCKETBOOK. THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT PEOPLE WHO TITHE WILL REFUSE TO WORSHIP ANTICHRIST AND TAKE HIS MARK FOR THE SAKE OF MATERIAL GAIN.

ANOTHER REASON THAT SATAN DESIRES CHRISTIANS TO KEEP TRACK OF THEIR TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY, AND REPORT THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT, IS TO ROB CHRISTIANS OF THEIR REWARD FROM GOD.

Matthew 6:1-4 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

JESUS SAID THAT OUR GIVING SHOULD BE DONE IN SECRET, AND THAT WE SHOULD NOT EVEN LET OUR LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT OUR RIGHT HAND IS DOING. THIS IS ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING THAT WE SHOULD NOT KEEP TRACK OF WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN ORDER TO ADD IT UP AND FIND OUT THE TOTAL. THE GOVERNMENT WILL REWARD US FOR DISOBEYING GOD'S WORD AND RETURN TO US ABOUT THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EVERY ONE THOUSAND GIVEN TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. FOR THAT WE GIVE UP GOD'S PROMISED REWARD OF A HUNDRED TIMES MORE FOR MATERIAL THINGS WE HAVE GIVEN UP FOR HIM, BOTH IN THIS LIFE, AND IN THE LIFE TO COME.

Mark 10:29-30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

IF A PERSON REALLY NEEDS THE THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS PER THOUSAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY FOR ONE TO REVEAL THEIR TITHES AND OFFERINGS, IT WOULD BE BETTER JUST TO GIVE SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS IN SECRET, AND SPEND THE OTHER THREE HUNDRED, RATHER THAN REVEAL ONES GIVING TO THE IRS, AND LOSE GOD'S REWARD FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT. IF YOU HAVE IN THE PAST BEEN REVEALING YOUR GIVING TO THE GOVERNMENT, DON'T DESPAIR! GOD DOES NOT HOLD US RESPONSIBLE FOR THINGS DONE IN IGNORANCE.

Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

JESUS TAUGHT THAT WE SHOULD FULFILL OUR DUTIES TOWARD GOD AND GOVERNMENT AND THAT THESE TWO SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE.

Luke 20:20-26 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" He saw through their duplicity and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

WE SHOULD PAY BOTH OUR TAXES TO THE GOVERNMENT AND OUR TITHES TO GOD, WITHOUT INTERMINGLING THE TWO. IF WE FOLLOW CHRIST'S COMMAND, THE ANTICHRIST WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE OUR TAX RETURNS TO SINGLE US OUT FOR PERSECUTION AND DEATH AT THE HAND OF HIS GOVERNMENT AGENTS.

Romans 13:7-8 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

IF THERE ARE ANY TAX DEDUCTIONS AT ALL FOR CHARITY DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, THEY WILL PROBABLY BE PERMITTED ONLY FOR THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE ANTICHRIST.
 
 

CHAPTER 23: THE TWO WITNESSES

Zechariah 4:11 & 13-14 Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said. So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth."

Revelation 11:3-6 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

GOD IS GOING TO SEND TWO WITNESSES TO PREACH TO THE WORLD AND TO WARN MANKIND TO REPENT, AND TO STAND AGAINST THE ANTICHRIST. THEY HAVE POWER TO WORK MIRACLES BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.

Zechariah 4:3-6 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" He answered, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I replied. So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

THE COMMONLY QUOTED VERSE ABOVE, "NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT," IS ACTUALLY A REFERENCE TO THE POWER GOD WILL GIVE TO HIS TWO WITNESSES DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. THESE TWO WITNESSES WILL MOST LIKELY BE THE TWO MEN IN THE BIBLE WHO HAVE NEVER DIED, ENOCH AND ELIJAH. ENOCH

Genesis 5:21-24 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

ENOCH WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN THE BIBLE WHO WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HEAVEN WITHOUT EXPERIENCING DEATH.

ELIJAH

1 Kings 17:1 "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, `As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."

James 5:17-18 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

ELIJAH PRAYED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO RAIN IN ISRAEL FOR 3 1/2 YEARS, AND GOD ANSWERED HIS PRAYER. ELIJAH WILL STILL HAVE THIS POWER WHEN GOD SENDS HIM BACK TO EARTH TO WITHSTAND THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET.

1 Kings 18:36-39 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!"

2 Kings 1:9-10 Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!'" Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.

IN TIMES PAST, GOD GAVE ELIJAH THE POWER TO WITHHOLD THE RAIN AND CALL DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN TO WIN BACK THE HEARTS OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. ELIJAH WILL STILL HAVE THESE ABILITIES WHEN HE RETURNS DURING THE REIGN OF ANTICHRIST.

Malachi 4:5-6 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

2 Kings 2:1 & 11 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

ELIJAH WAS THE SECOND PERSON IN THE BIBLE TO TEMPORARILY ESCAPE DEATH AND SEE HEAVEN BEFORE HE DIED. THE JEWS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR HIM TO RETURN AND ANNOUNCE THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH FOR ALMOST 2400 YEARS. DEVOUT JEWS SET A PLATE FOR ELIJAH EVERY YEAR AT THE PASSOVER MEAL. THE TWO WITNESSES WILL APPEAR ON THE WORLD SCENE IN SOME FUTURE YEAR IN THE SPRING, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE PASSOVER. WE KNOW THEY WILL APPEAR IN THE SPRING BECAUSE THEIR MINISTRY WILL LAST FOR 3 1/2 YEARS, AND IT WILL END IN THE FALL, NEAR THE TIME OF THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS. THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION AMONG PROPHECY STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS AS TO WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES MIGHT BE SOMEONE OTHER THAN ENOCH AND ELIJAH.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

NEITHER ENOCH OR ELIJAH HAS EVER DIED, AND THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE SIGN OF THE FIG TREE GENERATION, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PROMISED THAT SOME OF THEM WILL LIVE TO SEE THE COMING OF THE LORD. THEREFORE, THEY BOTH MUST RETURN AND DIE AT THE HAND OF THE ANTICHRIST BEFORE THE FIRST RESURRECTION CAN TAKE PLACE. THE EARLY CHURCH WRITERS WERE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT THE TWO WITNESSES WOULD BE ENOCH AND ELIJAH.

The Apocalypse of Peter

Verily I say unto you, when the twigs have sprouted forth in the last days, then shall false christs arise and arouse false hopes, saying: I am the Christ, that has now come into the world. But, this deceiver is not the Christ. And those who reject him he shall slay with the sword, and there shall be many martyrs. Enoch and Elijah shall be sent to teach them that this is the Deceiver, which must come into the world, and do signs and wonders to deceive. And therefore, those who die by his hand shall be martyrs, and shall be reckoned among the good and righteous martyrs who have pleased God in their life."

The Gospel of Bartholomew (Greek Text)

"And Satan said: Look carefully at who it is that is coming down, for it is Elijah, or Enoch, or one of the prophets that this man seems to be. But he answered and said: Not yet are the six thousand years accomplished, for the sum of the number is in my hands."

The Gospel of Nicodemus 20:1-4 "Then the Lord after his resurrection, delivered the saints to Michael the archangel; and he led them into paradise. And two very ancient men met them and were asked by the saints, who are you, who have not been with us in Sheol, and have had your bodies placed in Paradise? One of them answering said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God: and this man who is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot. Here we have been, and have not tasted death, but we are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again into the clouds, after three days and a half."

THE APOCALYPSE OF ELIJAH

Paraphrased From The Apocalypse of Elijah

Then when you hear that there is security in Jerusalem, tear your garments O priests of the land, because the Son of Perdition will soon come. In those days the Lawless One will appear in the holy places. He will say to the sun, "fall," and it will fall. he will say, "shine," and it will do it. He will say, "darken," and it will do it. He will say to the moon, "become bloody," and it will do it. He will go forth with them from the sky. he will walk upon the sea and the rivers as upon dry land. He will cause the lame to walk, he will cause the deaf to hear, he will cause the dumb to speak. he will cause the blind to see, the lepers he will cleanse. The ill he will heal, the demons he will cast out. He will multiply his signs and his wonders in the presence of everyone. He will do the works which Christ did, except for the raising of the dead alone. In this you will know that he is the Son of Lawlessness, because he is unable to give life.

When Enoch and Elijah hear that the shameless one has revealed himself in the Holy Places they will come down and fight with him saying, are you indeed not ashamed? You have been hostile to those who belong to heaven. You have acted against those belonging to the earth. You have been hostile to the thrones. You have acted against the angels. You are always a stranger. You have fallen from heaven like the morning stars. You were changed and your nature became dark. But you are not ashamed when you stand firmly against God. You are a devil.

The Shameless One will hear and he will be angry, and he will fight with them in the market place of the great city. He will spend seven days fighting with them and they will spend three and one half days in the market place dead, while all the people see them. Then they will rise up and they will scold him saying, "O Shameless One, O Son of Lawlessness, Are you indeed not ashamed of yourself since you are leading astray the people of God? Do you not know that we live in the Lord. On that day they will shout up to heaven as they shine, and all the world will see them.

The Son of Lawlessness will persecute the saints and the priests, but Christ will pity those who are his own. He will send from heaven his angels, and the sound will move heaven and earth when they give praise and glorify. Now those upon whose forehead the name of Christ is written and upon whose hand is the seal, both the small and the great, will be taken up upon their wings and lifted up before his wrath. Then Gabriel and Uriel will lead them into the Holy Land. They will eat from the tree of life. They will wear white garments, they will not thirst. The angels will watch over them and the Son of Lawlessness will not be able to prevail over them.

Then sinners will groan upon the earth saying, what have you done to us O Son of Lawlessness, saying I am the Christ when you are a devil. You are unable to save yourself, so how can you save us? Woe to us because we listened to you.

IN THE TIME WHEN THESE DOCUMENTS WERE WRITTEN (100-300 AD) THE COMMON BELIEF WAS THAT THE TWO WITNESSES WHO WOULD WITHSTAND THE ANTICHRIST AND LATER BE SLAIN BY HIM, WOULD BE ENOCH AND ELIJAH.

Deuteronomy 17:6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

GOD WILL SEND THE TWO WITNESSES BEFORE HE POURS OUT HIS WRATH ON THE WORLD, IN ORDER TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIS OWN WORD. HE DECREED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE PUT TO DEATH EXCEPT BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.

Revelation 11:7-12 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. "Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. For three and half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth." But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, `Come up here.' And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

WHEN THE ANTICHRIST AND THOSE IN AGREEMENT WITH HIM HAVE KILLED THE TWO WITNESSES, THE WORLD WILL CELEBRATE, THINKING THAT THEY HAVE WON A GREAT VICTORY. THREE AND ONE HALF DAYS LATER THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL OCCUR AND TAKE THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE SAINTS OUT OF THE WORLD. THEN GOD WILL POUR OUT HIS WRATH UPON THE EARTH. DURING THIS TIME OF WRATH BEING POURED OUT, THE CHURCH, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, WILL BE IN HEAVEN CELEBRATING THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. THEY WILL RETURN WITH HIM ONE YEAR LATER AND WATCH HIM DESTROY THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON.

NOTE: ACCORDING TO SOME ANCIENT DOCUMENTS THERE WILL BE A SHORT DELAY, PERHAPS ABOUT FORTY DAYS, BETWEEN THE RAISING OF THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE CATCHING AWAY OF THE LIVING BELIEVERS.
 
 

CHAPTER 24: ISRAEL AND THE DRAGON

Revelation 12:1 "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head"

THE WOMAN DESCRIBED HERE IS THE NATION OF ISRAEL. THE KEY TO INTERPRETING THE SYMBOLISM USED HERE IS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS, WHERE JOSEPH'S DREAM IS INTERPRETED BY HIS FATHER JACOB.

Genesis 37:9-11 Listen, he said, I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me. When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, `What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?'

JACOB'S INTERPRETATION OF JOSEPH'S DREAM IDENTIFIES THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN AS ISRAEL, THE DESCENDANTS OF JACOB. THE SUN IS JACOB, THE MOON IS THE MOTHER OF JOSEPH, AND THE TWELVE STARS ARE JOSEPH AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS. AS FAR AS FUTURE PROPHECY IS CONCERNED THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN IN REVELATION REPRESENTS THE NATION THAT BROUGHT FORTH THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST. AS PAST HISTORY THESE VERSES ALSO APPLY TO MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS.

Revelation 12:3-4 "Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born."

THE RED DRAGON IS CLEARLY SHOWN IN THIS VERSE TO BE SATAN. THE THIRD PART OF THE STARS THAT WERE CAST TO EARTH ARE THE ONE THIRD OF THE ANGELS THAT FOLLOWED SATAN WHEN HE REBELLED AGAINST GOD.

Matthew 2:13-21 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead" So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

SATAN, THROUGH HEROD, KILLED ALL OF THE MALE CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OF AGE SHORTLY AFTER CHRIST'S BIRTH. GOD HAD ALREADY SENT AN ANGEL TO WARN JOSEPH AND MARY TO MOVE TO EGYPT, AND HEROD WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE MURDER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THIS MASSACRE.

Revelation 12:5 "She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne."

THAT THIS CHILD WAS CHRIST IS CLEARLY SHOWN IN THIS VERSE. HE IS THE ONE WHO WILL RULE THE NATIONS WITH A ROD OF IRON DURING THE MILLENNIUM. HE IS ALSO THE ONE WHO WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND ASCENDED TO THE THRONE OF GOD.

Revelation 12:6 "The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days."

JOSEPH AND HIS FAMILY ESCAPED TO EGYPT FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, TO ESCAPE FROM HEROD. IN THE FUTURE 144,000 ISRAELITES WILL FLEE FROM THE STATE ISRAEL FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, TO A PLACE WHERE THE ANTICHRIST CANNOT KILL THEM.

Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

THE DRAGON IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED HERE AS SATAN, AND MICHAEL IS IDENTIFIED AS THE ONE WHO HAS POWER OVER HIM. THIS VERSE WAS FULFILLED THE FIRST TIME WHEN SATAN WAS CAST OUT OF HEAVEN, AFTER HE REBELLED AGAINST THE LORD IN AGES PAST.

Job 1:6-7 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

APPARENTLY THOUGH, UP UNTIL THE TIME WHEN THE SECOND FULFILLMENT OF THIS VERSE IS ACCOMPLISHED, SATAN IS STILL ALLOWED ACCESS TO HEAVEN TO ACCUSE THE SAINTS. DURING THE LAST THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST, SATAN WILL BE BARRED FROM HEAVEN AND CONFINED ONLY TO EARTH, WHERE HE WILL CONTROL THE ANTICHRIST AND PERSECUTE ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH.

Revelation 12:10-13 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

WHEN SATAN IS CAST DOWN TO EARTH HE WILL HAVE GREAT WRATH BECAUSE HE KNOWS HIS TIME TO BE FREE IS SHORT. HE WILL INSPIRE THE ANTICHRIST TO MURDER CHRISTIANS AND JEWS. THE DRAGON WILL PERSECUTE THE NATION FROM WHOM GOD BROUGHT FORTH THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST.

Revelation 12:14 "to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent".

HERE, A TIME, TIMES, AND A HALF A TIME, IS IDENTIFIED AS BEING THE SAME AS THE 1,260 DAYS THAT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER IN REVELATION 12:6. SOME OF THE DESCENDANTS OF JACOB WILL BE PROTECTED FROM SATAN'S WRATH FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS. IT IS A POSSIBILITY THAT "FLYING INTO THE WILDERNESS ON THE WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE" COULD MEAN THAT SOME ISRAELITES WILL BE AIRLIFTED TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN THE UNITED STATES TO ESCAPE THE WRATH OF ANTICHRIST.

Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Luke 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

WHEN THE ANTICHRIST FINDS THAT THE JEWS HE INTENDED TO DESTROY HAVE ESCAPED FROM HIS HAND, HE WILL CONCENTRATE HIS EFFORTS ON THEIR SPIRITUAL COUSINS, THE CHRISTIANS. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND HAVE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST. THE ANTICHRIST WILL ATTACK THE COUNTRIES WITH THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS LIVING IN THEM, WHICH MEANS THE UNITED STATES WILL BE THE NUMBER ONE TARGET ON HIS HIT LIST. JUST AS HE HAS US ON THE VERGE OF DEFEAT AND SURRENDER, THE SECOND FULFILLMENT OF VERSE FIVE WILL TAKE PLACE, WHERE IT SAYS, "HE WAS SNATCHED UP TO GOD AND TO HIS THRONE." CHRIST ASCENDED UP TO GOD, AFTER BEING PERSECUTED FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, AND THEN CRUCIFIED BY SATAN'S FOLLOWERS. SO TOO, WILL THE TWO WITNESSES AND ALL OF THE BELIEVERS, BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, BE TAKEN UP TO THE THRONE OF GOD AFTER THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS OF PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM UNDER THE ANTICHRIST. WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE, THEY WILL ASCEND TO HEAVEN, REMOVING THOSE WHO ARE STILL LIVING FROM THE GRASP OF SATAN.
 
 

CHAPTER 25: THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEMS IN GAZA

ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT SATAN USES TO PERSECUTE ISRAEL IS PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS. GOD PERMITS THIS BECAUSE OF ISRAEL'S PAST DISOBEDIENCE. GOD, IN HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE, SET THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB.

Deuteronomy 32:8 KJV When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Genesis 9:18 The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.)

ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF JUBILEES NOAH DIVIDED THE WORLD INTO THREE PARTS, AND DEALT IT BY LOT TO HIS THREE SONS.

Jubilees (Paraphrased from chapter 8) And Noah divided the land into three parts and he divided the land by lot which his three sons would possess. Shem was assigned the middle of the earth, and to Ham was assigned the south and the Nile river. For Japheth came the portion in the north, the region of Gog. And the sons of Noah divided the land for their children before Noah. And he made them all swear an oath to curse each and every one who seized a portion which did not fall to him by lot. And they all said, so be it, let it be so until the day of judgment when the Lord God will judge them with a sword and with fire.

CANAAN, THE GRANDSON OF HAM PROMPTLY BROKE THE COVENANT AND SETTLED IN THE LAND PROMISED TO SHEM.

Jubilees (Paraphrased from chapter 8) And Ham and his sons went into the land which was his possession in the south. But Canaan saw the land of Lebanon as far as the river of Egypt was very good. And he did not go into the land of his inheritance, but he dwelt in the land of Shem. And Ham his father, and his brothers said to him, you have settled in a land that is not yours and did not come to you by lot. Do not do this because if you do your children will be cursed. Do not dwell in the dwelling place of Shem and his sons. You are cursed and you will be more cursed than all of the sons of Noah by the oath which we swore before God and Noah our father. But he would not Listen to them and he dwelt in the land of Shem, and therefore the land was called Canaan.

GOD CALLED ABRAHAM TO BE THE PROGENITOR OF A PEOPLE SET APART FOR HIM. THESE PEOPLE WOULD INHERIT THE LAND CALLED CANAAN THAT BELONGED TO SHEM'S DESCENDANTS.

Genesis 17:4-5 & 9 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."

GOD TOLD ABRAHAM THAT HIS DESCENDANTS WOULD NOT POSSESS THE LAND UNTIL THEY HAD SERVED AS SLAVES IN EGYPT FOR A LONG TIME. HUNDREDS OF YEARS LATER, THE LORD LED THE ISRAELITES OUT OF EGYPT AND FULFILLED HIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM. HE ORDERED THE ISRAELITES TO DRIVE OUT THE DESCENDANTS OF CANAAN FROM THE LAND, AND TO UTTERLY DESTROY THOSE WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE PEACEFULLY. THIS WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE CURSE THAT THEIR FOREFATHERS HAD AGREED TO. THE ISRAELITES WERE ALSO COMMANDED BY GOD NOT TO MAKE ANY TREATIES, OR INTERMARRY WITH THOSE WHO WERE LIVING IN THE LAND.

Exodus 34:12-16 Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. For when they prostitute themselves to their gods. and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.

Numbers 33:51 & 56 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. "'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. "

IF THE ISRAELITES ALLOWED THE CANAANITES TO REMAIN IN THE LAND THEY WOULD BECOME LIKE BARBS IN THEIR EYES AND THORNS IN THEIR SIDES, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THE GAZA AREA, AND CONTINUES UNTIL THIS PRESENT DAY.

Joshua 11:-22 Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.

JOSHUA CONQUERED MOST OF THE LAND OF CANAAN AND IT WAS RENAMED ISRAEL. THE CANAANITES THAT HE DID NOT CONQUER LIVED IN GAZA AND THE CITIES NEARBY AND THEY BECAME BARBS IN THE ISRAELI'S EYES, AND THORNS IN THEIR SIDES, AS THE LORD HAD SPOKEN.

Judges 3:5-3:8 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel.

NOW THAT WE KNOW HOW THE PROBLEM BEGAN, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS SOME BIBLICAL INDICATIONS ABOUT WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN ISRAEL AND IN THE GAZA STRIP IN THE END TIMES.

THE PROPHET JEREMIAH SPEAKS ABOUT THE END TIMES, WHEN THE LORD WILL POUR OUT HIS WRATH ON THE EARTH. THESE VERSES HAVE HAD PARTIAL FULFILLMENT'S IN THE PAST WHEN VARIOUS EMPIRES CONQUERED ISRAEL AND THE SURROUNDING TERRITORIES, BUT THEIR FUTURE FULFILLMENT PERTAINS TO THE TIME WHEN CHRIST RETURNS AND DESTROYS THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON.

Jeremiah 25:17 & 23 So I took the cup from the Lord's hand and made all the nations to whom he sent me drink it: all the kings of the Philistines (those of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the people left at Ashdod);

Zechariah 9:5 Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.

IT APPEARS THAT THEIR WILL BE SOME TYPE OF AUTONOMOUS PALESTINIAN RULED ZONE IN GAZA AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS WHEN CHRIST RETURNS, BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE A KING OR A LEADER AT THAT TIME.

Zephaniah 2:4 & 6-7 Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted. The land by the sea, where the Kerethites dwell, will be a place for shepherds and sheep pens. It will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The LORD their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes.

EVENTUALLY, AFTER THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, THE ISRAELI'S WILL POSSESS ALL OF THE LAND THAT GOD PROMISED TO THEIR ANCESTORS. BEFORE THAT HAPPENS IT APPEARS THAT THERE WILL BE A PALESTINIAN STATE FORMED IN ISRAEL, BUT EVEN SO, THERE WILL STILL BE TURMOIL IN THE GAZA AREA UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS.

IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE PRESENT DAY PALESTINIANS THAT THEY WERE BORN IN ISRAEL. IT IS THE SIN OF THEIR ANCIENT FOREFATHERS WHO SETTLED IN A LAND THAT WAS NOT THEIR OWN, THAT IS CAUSING AGONY FOR BOTH PALESTINIANS AND JEWS. HOWEVER, ANY PALESTINIAN WHO DESIRES A BETTER LIFESTYLE WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO EMIGRATE FROM ISRAEL TO ANOTHER PLACE, OR RESIGN THEMSELVES TO HAVING A LIFETIME OF STRIFE, A MENIAL JOB, AND EVENTUALLY LOSING THEIR HOME AND PROPERTY TO ISRAEL.

NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE AL-NAJAH UNIVERSITY IN NABULUS, GAZA HAS THE

WORLDS HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, 58%.
 
 

CHAPTER 26: JERUSALEM

GOD CHOSE JERUSALEM, WHICH MEANS "CITY OF PEACE," TO BE THE CAPITAL CITY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM.

2 Chronicles 6:5-6 'Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for my Name to be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be the leader over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.'

ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL, JERUSALEM IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.

Ezekiel 5:5 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.

Jerusalem the capital of Israel, is a holy city of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is situated in the Judaean Hills, 35 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem's history stretches back about 5,000 years. About 2500 BC, the Canaanites inhabited the city. Later, Jerusalem became a Jebusite citadel. When David captured the city (c.1000 BC), and made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom.

For Jews, Jerusalem is the focus of their religious longing, the site of their ancient Temple, and their historical capital; for Christians, the city is the site of many of the events in the life of Jesus Christ; for Muslims, the city is their third holiest as the site from which Muhammad is said to have risen to heaven and the site of important mosques. Jerusalem's religious role makes tourism a major source of income.

Jerusalem is divided into three sections: the Old City, New City (West Jerusalem), and East Jerusalem. The walled Old City, in the center, contains Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Armenian quarters. Many of Jerusalem's religious landmarks are located in the Old City. The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) is a small remaining portion of the original wall of Solomon's Temple. After the Jews were banished from the Temple Mount, the Western Wall became the most sacred place of Judaism.

In 1949, at the end of the First Arab-Israeli War, Jerusalem was partitioned between Israel and Jordan. In 1967, however, Israel took control of the entire city; it officially proclaimed all of Jerusalem the capital of Israel in 1980. These actions were bitterly resented by the Arabs, and most nations refuse to recognize the Israeli claim to sovereignty over all of Jerusalem.

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Zechariah 8:8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

The 1948 United Nations partition plan for Palestine called for the internationalization of the city. The Arabs rejected this resolution, and, from 1949, Jerusalem was divided into an Israeli and a Jordanian sector. The city remained divided until 1967, when Israel took the entire city following the Six Day War. The city is reunited today under Israeli government, which guarantees religious freedom and protection of all holy places. The question of who will ultimately control Jerusalem, however, remains a major obstacle to any lasting peace settlement in the Middle East.

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Zechariah 12:1-3 & 9 This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem

Joel 3:16-17 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 'Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.

Zechariah 8:3 This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."
 
 

CHAPTER 27: THE RESTORATION OF SODOM

JESUS USED THE ILLUSTRATION OF THE CITY OF SODOM AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKE IN THE WORLD JUST BEFORE HE RETURNS.

Luke 17:26-30 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM WE WILL REVIEW THOSE EVENTS RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS.

Genesis 13:5-13 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left." Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

THE PEOPLE IN SODOM WERE ANGERING THE LORD WITH THEIR SORDID LIFESTYLES. THE PEOPLE OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH PRACTICED ADULTERY, INCEST, HOMOSEXUALITY, AND CHILD MOLESTING, PROVOKING THE LORD TO WRATH.

Jude 1:7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

Jasher 18:12-15 And they had in their land a very extensive valley, about half a day's walk, and in it there were fountains of water and a great deal of herbage surrounding the water. And all the people of Sodom and Gomorrah went there four times in the year, with their wives and children and all belonging to them, and they re2joiced there with timbrels and dances. And in the time of rejoicing they would all rise and lay hold of their neighbors wives, and some the virgin daughters of their neighbors, and they enjoyed them, and each man saw his wife and daughter in the hands of his neighbor and did not say a word. And they did so from morning to night, and they afterward returned home each man to his house and each woman to her tent; so they always did four times in the year.

IMMORALITY WAS JUST ONE OF THEIR MANY SINS. ALTHOUGH THEY WERE GREATLY BLESSED BY THE LORD IN FOOD AND GOODS THEY WERE THIEVES AND ROBBERS AND REFUSED TO HELP THE POOR AND NEEDY.

Ezekiel 16:49-50 "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

Jasher 18:16-17 Also when a stranger came into their cities and brought goods which he had purchased to sell there, the people of these cities would assemble, men, women and children, young and old, and go to the man and take his goods by force, giving a little to each man until there was an end to all the goods of the owner which he had brought into the land.

THE BOOK OF JASHER ALSO SAYS THAT IF A POOR MAN CAME INTO THEIR LAND THEY WOULD GIVE HIM GOLD AND SILVER SO THAT HE WAS RICH, BUT THEY WOULD REFUSE TO SELL HIM FOOD OR PERMIT HIM TO LEAVE THE CITY UNTIL HE HAD STARVED TO DEATH IN THEIR TOWN. THEN THEY WOULD RETRIEVE THEIR GOLD AND SILVER AND DIVIDE WHAT LITTLE ELSE HE HAD AMONG THEMSELVES. FOR THESE CAUSES THE CRIES OF THE RIGHTEOUS ASCENDED TO THE LORD IN HEAVEN AND HE DECIDED TO DESTROY THE CITIES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH.

Genesis 18:1-5 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way--now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say."

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND TWO OF HIS ANGELS APPEARED TO ABRAHAM IN THE FORM OF MEN AND ABRAHAM, WITHOUT KNOWING WHO THEY WERE RECEIVED THEM PLEASANTLY, UNLIKE THE PEOPLE OF SODOM WOULD HAVE DONE.

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Genesis 18:16-28 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know." The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?" "If I find forty-five there," he said, "I will not destroy it."

ABRAHAM CONTINUED TO BARGAIN WITH THE LORD UNTIL ABRAHAM HAD GOTTEN THE LORD'S AGREEMENT NOT TO DESTROY THE CITY OF SODOM IF THERE WERE TEN RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE IN IT.

Genesis 18:32-33 Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it." When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

Genesis 19:1-3 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square." But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

LOT, LIKE ABRAHAM, ALSO RECEIVED THE MEN PLEASANTLY, HE TOO BEING UNAWARE THAT THEY WERE ANGELS.

Genesis 19:4-13 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom--both young and old--surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." "Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door. But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door. The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here--sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it."

GOD GAVE LOT AND HIS FAMILY A WARNING AND TIME TO ESCAPE FROM SODOM BEFORE IT WAS TO BE DESTROYED, BUT SOME REJECTED THE WARNING.

Genesis 19:14-23 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished." When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!" But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it--it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared." He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." (That is why the town was called Zoar.) By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land.

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SAID THAT HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL LOT WAS SAFELY OUTSIDE OF THE CITY. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHY THE GOD WILL NOT POUR OUT HIS WRATH ON THE EARTH UNTIL HIS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MOVED TO A PLACE OF SAFETY.

Genesis 19:24-29 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

2 Peter 2:6 he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;

THE CITIES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH WERE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF THE DEAD SEA.

The Dead Sea--also called the "Sea of Lot") and "Salt Sea")--is a salt lake located on the border between Israel and Jordan. Its shoreline is the lowest point on the Earth's surface, averaging 1300 feet below sea level. The lake features prominently in Jewish history. It is associated with Abraham, Lot, David, Solomon, and the defenders of Masada.

The first Dead Sea Scrolls were found at Qumran on the northeastern shore. Some of the water from its major tributary, the Jordan River, has been diverted for irrigation, reducing the flow into the lake and lowering its level.

The Software Toolworks Encyclopedia

WHEN THE CITIES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH WERE DESTROYED THE DEBRIS FROM THE FIRE AND BRIMSTONE RAISED THE LEVEL OF THE DEAD SEA AND COVERED THEM WITH WATER, SO THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DISCOVERED BY ARCHEOLOGISTS TO THIS DAY. SOMEDAY SOON THEY WILL BE DISCOVERED. THE WATER LEVEL OF THE DEAD SEA IS CONTINUOUSLY DROPPING BECAUSE OF WATER SIPHONED OFF FOR IRRIGATION, AND BECAUSE CHEMICALS SUCH AS POTASH, BROMINE AND MAGNESIUM ARE BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE DEAD SEA FOR A PROFIT.

Ezekiel 16:53 & 55 "'However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them, And your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before; and you and your daughters will return to what you were before.

THE CITY OF SODOM AND THE OTHER CITIES THAT WERE NEARBY WILL SOMEDAY BE RESTORED BY THE LORD. IT WILL HAPPEN THE SCRIPTURES SAY, AFTER THE ISRAELITES HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR LAND. THAT IS IN PROCESS TODAY, SO WE CAN EXPECT THE RESTORATION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH TO BEGIN TO OCCUR IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
 
 

CHAPTER 28: THE JUDGMENT OF AMERICA

IT HAS BEEN SAID BY SOME MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL THAT "IF GOD DOES NOT PUNISH AMERICA, HE WILL HAVE TO APOLOGIZE TO SODOM AND GOMMORAH." WE HAVE SEEN THAT GOD IS MERCIFUL AND WILL RESTORE SODOM AND GOMMORAH IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT THEY WERE PUNISHED FOR THEIR SINS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE.

Matthew 10:14-15 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Matthew 11:23-24 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE WITH FOOD AND GOODS AND RICHES AND THE GOSPEL, FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. YET, WE HAVE RESPONDED TO GOD AS A NATION LIKE THE INHABITANTS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO. IMMORALITY, ROBBERY, MURDER AND ALL MANNER OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS ARE THE NORM TODAY IN AMERICA. GOD MAY NOT DESTROY OUR COUNTRY AS A NATION, BUT HE WILL SURELY SEND JUDGMENT ON ALL NATIONS WHO PRACTICE CONTINUED DISOBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD. THERE IS STILL TIME FOR REPENTANCE, SO WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT IT IS THAT GOD REQUIRES OF A NATION AND IT'S PEOPLE TO CONTINUE IN HIS BLESSING.

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION

Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

GOD'S LAWS

Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Deuteronomy 5:1 Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.

Deuteronomy 5:7 "You shall have no other gods before me.

Deuteronomy 5:8-9 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:11 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Deuteronomy 5:12 "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.

Deuteronomy 5:16 "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:17 "You shall not murder.

Deuteronomy 5:18 "You shall not commit adultery.

Deuteronomy 5:19 "You shall not steal.

Deuteronomy 5:20 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Deuteronomy 5:21 "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Deuteronomy 5:22 These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

JESUS AND PAUL SAID THAT ALL OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW COULD BE SUMMED UP IN TWO COMMANDMENTS.

Matthew 22:35-40 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Romans 13:9-10 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND ALL OTHER BIBLICAL LAWS ARE MERELY EXPLANATIONS OF HOW BY OUR ACTIONS TO SHOW LOVE FOR GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOR.

THE BLESSINGS

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

THE CURSES

Deuteronomy 28:15-29 & 34 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. The LORD will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you from the land you are entering to possess. The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish. The sky over your head will be bronze, the ground beneath you iron. The LORD will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed. The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth. Your carcasses will be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores and the itch, from which you cannot be cured. The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. At midday you will grope about like a blind man in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you. A people that you do not know will eat what your land and labor produce, and you will have nothing but cruel oppression all your days. The sights you see will drive you mad

Deuteronomy 28:59 & 61 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name--the LORD your God--the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. The LORD will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed.

GOD'S WORD APPLIES TO ALL NATIONS

Jeremiah 18:5-12 Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' But they will reply, 'It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"
 
 

CHAPTER 29: GOD'S WEAPONS

MAN HAS INVENTED MANY WEAPONS TO USE AGAINST HIS FELLOW MAN DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES. WE HAVE PROGRESSED FROM CLUBS AND SWORDS TO THERMONU22CLEAR BOMBS THAT CAN DESTROY AN ENTIRE CITY IN A FEW MOMENTS. GOD ALSO HAS WEAPONS THAT HE HAS USED DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES TO DIRECT MANS ATTENTION TOWARD HIM.

Ezekiel 14:13, 15,17, 19-20 "Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut22 off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals, "Or if I send wild beasts through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts, "Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, 'Let the sword pass throughout the land,' and I kill its men and their animals, "Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath upon it through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.

GOD'S WEAPONS ARE FAMINES, WARS, WILD ANIMALS, AND PLAGUES AND PESTILENCE'S. HE WILL USE ALL OF HIS WEAPONS AGAINST THE INHABITANTS OF EARTH TO CAUSE AS MANY AS WILL SEEK HIM TO REPENT AND ESCAPE HIS WRATH WHEN IT IS POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH. THE TWO WITNESSES WILL BE HIS VEHICLE TO CALL MANKIND'S ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THEY NEED TO SEEK THE MERCY OF THE LORD BEFORE THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.

Ezekiel 14:21-23 "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments--sword and famine and wild beasts and plague--to kill its men and their animals! Yet there will be some survivors--sons and daughters who will be brought out of it. They will come to you, and when you see their conduct and their actions, you will be consoled regarding the disaster I have brought upon Jerusalem--every disaster I have brought upon it. You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign LORD."

ALTHOUGH THE VERSES ABOVE PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO JERUSALEM, THE LESSON THEY TEACH CAN BE APPLIED TO ALL NATIONS. IT WILL BE SHOWN AFTER ALL THAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THAT GOD WAS MORE THAN FAIR IN BRINGING DESTRUCTION DOWN ON THE NATIONS AND KINGS OF THE EARTH. IF ANYTHING, HIS PLAGUES WILL BE PROVED LENIENT COMPARED TO WHAT WAS DESERVED.
 
 

CHAPTER 30: THE VISION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

THE MAN WHO IS KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY, GEORGE WASHINGTON, REPORTEDLY SAW A VISION THAT SHOWED HIM THREE FUTURE WARS THAT WOULD BE FOUGHT ON OUR OWN SOIL. AT THE TIME OF THE VISION, HE WAS FIGHTING THE WAR FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN.

According to the report, during the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Washington retired to his tent to think and pray and ordered that he not be disturbed under any circumstances. His army was ill fitted to survive that terrible winter. Their shoes needed resoling, what uniforms they had were like rags, and other supplies were running low. When he did have money to pay his troops, the currency he gave them was virtually worthless. Most businesses would not accept it, because it was not backed by the British treasury. Things looked bleak for the American Revolution.

According to Anthony Sherman, an officer in Washington's army, Washington emerged from his tent several hours later, pale and shaken. Taking Sherman aside he told him that while he was seeking divine guidance an angel appeared to him and gave him a vision concerning three great perils that the nation would endure before finally achieving permanent peace.

THE FIRST TWO PORTIONS OF THE VISION PERTAIN TO THE WAR OF 1812 AND TO THE CIVIL WAR, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED. WE WILL LOOK AT ONLY THE THIRD PART OF THE VISION WHICH PERTAINS TO A YET FUTURE WAR.

WORLD WAR THREE

Then, for a third time the angel commanded Washington "Son of the Republic, look and learn," and then the angel raised a trumpet to its lips and blew three distinct blasts, after which it took water from the ocean and sprinkled it on Europe, Asia, and Africa. "Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene," Washington related. From each of the continents, there arose thick black clouds, that joined into one. And through the darkness there gleamed a dark red light, by which I saw hordes of armed men marching by land and sailing by sea to America. And I saw these vast armies devastate the entire nation, and burn the villages, towns, and cities that I had earlier beheld springing up. As I listened to the thunder of the cannon and the clash of swords, I heard the cries of millions in mortal combat.

Again I heard the voice of the angel saying: "Son of the Republic look and learn!" Once more the angel brought the trumpet to its lips and blew a long and forceful blast. "Instantly, a light as of a thousand suns shown down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment, an angel who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens, attended by legions of other bright angels, who took the side of America, and joined them in the fight."

Amid the fearful noise of battle, the supernatural voice again spoke:

"Son of the Republic, look and learn!" And then the angel bearing the flag scooped water from the ocean and sprinkled it on America, and at once, the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.

The scene fades, leaving Washington again gazing upon the first angel, who said, "Son of the Republic what you have seen is thus interpreted, three great perils will come upon the Republic The most fearful is the third; but, after it passes, the whole world united shall not prevail against America. Then the angel vanished, and Washington told Sherman, "I know that I have seen the birth, progress and destiny of the United States.

THE VISION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON APPEARS TO SUPPORT THE THEORY THAT SOMEDAY THE WORLD UNITED UNDER THE ANTICHRIST WILL ATTACK AMERICA. THE ARMIES WHO ATTACK US WITH THE GLOW OF A DARK RED LIGHT COULD VERY WELL BE THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION AS PERTAINING TO ANTICHRIST AND THE KINGS OF THE EAST. HE WILL PROBABLY ALSO COMMAND THE UNITED NATIONS ARMED FORCES, AND WE MAY SOMEDAY FIND OURSELVES FIGHTING AGAINST THE BLUE HELMETS AND WHITE TANKS OF THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE THAT WE (THE UNITED STATES) ARE HELPING TO CREATE TODAY. THE GREAT ANGEL WHO LEADS THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN TO HELP AMERICA AS WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF BEING DEFEATED IS PROBABLY MICHAEL, WHO WILL STAND UP AT THE TIME OF THE END AND DEFEAT SATAN AND THE ANTICHRIST. THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD WILL GO BACK TO THE MID EAST AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE, TO FIGHT WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AT THE TIME OF HIS RETURN ONE YEAR LATER.

PORTIONS OF THE VISION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON WERE QUOTED FROM FUTURE TIMES MAGAZINE, VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1, 1980.

THE VISION OF THE AMERICAN EVANGELIST

IT HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED THAT IN 1954 AN AMERICAN EVANGELIST (A. A. ALLEN) HAD A VISION IN WHICH HE SAW THE RESULTS OF A FUTURE WAR INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AND AN ENEMY ATTACKING US FROM THE NORTHWEST. THIS ENEMY IS PROBABLY EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD UNITED UNDER ANTICHRIST.

IN THIS VISION, THE WEST COAST, THE EASTERN SEABOARD, AND SOME OF THE STATES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AREA ARE DEVASTATED BY A MISSILE ATTACK. THIS ATTACK WAS NOT A NUCLEAR ATTACK, BUT SOME TYPE OF CHEMICAL OR GERM WARFARE WEAPON, POSSIBLY NERVE GAS, THAT KILLED THE PEOPLE IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO SPRAYING INSECTS WITH BUG SPRAY. THE PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS CHOKED, COUGHED, AND DIED, WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS AFTER INHALING THE VAPOR FUMES THAT WERE RELEASED AFTER EACH MISSILE STRUCK IT'S TARGET AND EXPLODED. THE MAJOR CITIES THAT SUFFERED DIRECT HITS DURING THE ATTACK ARE AS FOLLOWS; SEATTLE, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK CITY, ST. LOUIS, KANSAS CITY, AND NEW ORLEANS.

IN THE VISION, ONLY THE GREAT LAKES AREA, THE MIDWEST HEARTLANDS, AND THE SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS OF THE NORTHWEST AND THE SOUTHWEST WERE SPARED FROM DESTRUCTION. PERHAPS THE INVADERS WILL TRY NOT TO CONTAMINATE THE WATER SUPPLY OF THE GREAT LAKES OR DESTROY THE FOOD GROWN IN THE MIDWEST, AS BOTH FOOD AND WATER WILL BE IN SHORT SUPPLY DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. ON A BRIGHTER NOTE, MR. ALLEN SAW THE SAINTS OF GOD PROTECTED DURING THIS HORRIBLE DISASTER.

And then to my ears came a sound of distant singing. There was joyful shouting and the sounds of happy laughter. Immediately I knew it was the rejoicing of the saints of God. I looked, and there, high in the heavens, above the smoke and poisonous gases, above the noise of battle, I saw a huge mountain. It seemed to be of solid rock, and I knew at once that this was the mountain of the Lord. The sounds of music and rejoicing were coming from a cleft, high up in the side of the rock mountain. It was the saints of God who were doing the rejoicing. It was god's own people who were singing and dancing and shouting with joy, safe from all the harm which had come upon the earth, for they were hidden away in the cleft of the rock.

ONLY TIME WILL PROVE WHETHER THE VISIONS REPORTED IN THIS CHAPTER WERE FROM GOD OR FROM THE IMAGINATIONS OF MEN.
 
 

CHAPTER 31: THE TRUMPET JUDGMENTS

AFTER THE WORLD HAS REJECTED THE MESSAGE OF THE TWO WITNESSES, TO REPENT AND WORSHIP THE LORD, THEY (THE TWO WITNESSES) WILL BEGIN TO CALL DOWN THE TRUMPET JUDGMENTS. REMEMBER, THEY WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO WITHHOLD THE RAIN AND CALL DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN, ALONG WITH THE ABILITY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE. THE FALSE PROPHET WILL DUPLICATE MANY OF THE MIRACLES OF THE TWO WITNESSES, AND MOST OF THE WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO BE DECEIVED.

Revelation 8:2-6 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PERSECUTED SAINTS HAVE COME BEFORE THE LORD LIKE INCENSE ON AN ALTER OF WORSHIP. GOD WILL EMPOWER THE TWO WITNESSES AND THEY WILL WITHHOLD THE RAIN FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, AND CALL DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN.

Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE STILL SUFFERING PERSECUTION, THE SAINTS WILL REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT TIME OF THEIR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR.

Luke 21:25-28 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

THE PLAGUES OF THE TWO WITNESSES, THE WARS OF THE ANTICHRIST, AND THE MARTYRDOM OF THE SAINTS, WILL DESTROY ONE THIRD OF THE EARTH'S

POPULATION. THIS TIME PERIOD IS CALLED IN REVELATION, THE TIME OF THE SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS.

THE TRUMPETS SOUND

Revelation 8:7 "The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up."

WHEN THE FIRST TRUMPET IS SOUNDED, FIRE WILL SCORCH ONE THIRD OF THE EARTH. THESE PLAGUES WILL, FOR THE MOST PART, APPEAR TO BE EVENTS THAT ARE THE NORMAL EFFECTS OF WAR, OR SOME OTHER CATASTROPHE. MEN WILL NOT BELIEVE THAT THESE EVENTS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS. THEY WILL HARDEN THEIR HEARTS LIKE THE PHARAOH DID WHEN MOSES AND AARON CALLED DOWN THE PLAGUES ON EGYPT.

Revelation 8:8-9 "The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed."

THE SECOND PLAGUE WILL TURN ONE THIRD OF THE OCEANS RED LIKE BLOOD, SIMILAR TO WHAT MOSES AND AARON DID TO THE NILE RIVER. ONE THIRD OF THE MARINE LIFE WILL DIE, ONE THIRD OF THE WORLDS SHIPS WILL BE DESTROYED. THIS PLAGUE COULD BE CAUSED BY THE EFFECTS OF THE WARS OF ANTICHRIST.

Revelation 8:10-11 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water; the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

WHEN THE THIRD TRUMPET IS SOUNDED THE PLAGUE ON THE WATERS WILL SPREAD TO THE FRESHWATER SOURCES AND GOOD DRINKING WATER WILL BECOME SCARCE. MANY PEOPLE WILL DIE FROM DRINKING THE TAINTED WATER.

Revelation 8:12 "The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night."

THE SMOKE AND DEBRIS FROM THE FIRST THREE PLAGUES WILL NOW BE FLOATING IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND CUT OFF ONE THIRD OF THE LIGHT TO THE EARTH.

Revelation 8:13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

THE NEXT THREE PLAGUES ARE CALLED WOES, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE EVEN WORSE THAN THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE THEM. THE REFERENCE TO AN EAGLE IN THIS VERSE MAY BE A HINT THAT THIS IS THE TIME WHEN THE ANTICHRIST WILL ATTACK THE UNITED STATES, AS THE EAGLE IS ONE OF OUR NATIONAL SYMBOLS.

Revelation 9:1-11 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.

THE STAR THAT HAS FALLEN TO EARTH FROM HEAVEN IS SATAN. NOW THAT HE IS NO LONGER RESTRAINED BY MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, HE IS FREE TO RELEASE FROM THE ABYSS, FALLEN ANGELS, DEMONS, AND STRANGE CREATURES, SOME OF WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED BEFORE THE FLOOD. THERE IS A CITY IN IRAN THAT IS LOCATED WHERE THE EUPHRATES AND THE TIGRIS RIVERS MEET NAMED ABADAN, AND THERE IS A LARGE OIL REFINERY THERE. THE DESTRUCTION OF THAT REFINERY WOULD CERTAINLY SEND CLOUDS OF SMOKE POURING SKYWARD. PERSIA (IRAN) HAS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEEN A HOTBED OF DEMONIC ACTIVITY, AND IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING IF IMPRISONED DEMONS WERE RELEASED FROM ABADAN (ABADDON?) DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD.

TWO OTHER OPINIONS CONCERNING THESE VERSES ARE THAT THIS PLAGUE IS CAUSED BY ONE OF MANKIND'S GENETIC EXPERIMENTS ON ANIMALS AND INSECTS THAT HAS GONE AWRY, OR THAT THESE STRANGE CREATURES ARE SOME FUTURE TYPE OF AIRBORNE ATTACK VEHICLE THAT LOOKS SIMILAR TO A SCORPION. A COMPANY IN ENGLAND IS PRODUCING A NEW ATTACK HELICOPTER CALLED "THE STING," THAT BEARS AN AMAZING RESEMBLANCE TO THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN IN REVELATION. IT EVEN HAS A CURLED BACK TAIL THAT LOOKS LIKE A SCORPIONS. REGARDLESS OF WHAT THESE THINGS ARE, NOTICE THAT THEY CAN ONLY INFLICT THEIR PAIN ON THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE SEAL OF GOD ON THEIR FOREHEAD THE SAINTS WILL BE PROTECTED FROM THIS PLAGUE JUST LIKE THE ISRAELITES WERE PROTECTED FROM THE LAST THREE PLAGUES BEFORE THEIR DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT. THE LORD MAKES A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.

Exodus 8:22-23 "'But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will occur tomorrow.'"

Exodus 9:4 "But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die."

Exodus 11:5 & 7 Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any man or animal. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

CONCERNING THE TIME OF THE END, GOD PROMISES IN MALACHI THAT HE WILL AGAIN MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THOSE WHO SERVE THE LORD AND THE WICKED.

Malachi 3:16-18 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

IN THE SAME MANNER THAT THE LORD PROTECTED THE ISRAELITES FROM THE GRIEVOUS PLAGUES HE BROUGHT UPON EGYPT, JUST BEFORE THE EXODUS, SO TOO, HE WILL PROTECT HIS CHURCH FROM THE LAST THREE TRUMPET JUDGMENTS, BEFORE THEIR EXODUS OUT OF THE WORLD, WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE.

Revelation 9:12-19 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come. The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

THE FOUR ANGELS THAT ARE RELEASED BY SATAN INCITE THE "KINGS OF THE EAST," CHINA, JAPAN, AND THEIR ALLIES TO ENTER THE WAR. CHINA, WITH THEIR POPULATION BEING OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE CAN EASILY CONSCRIPT A TWO HUNDRED MILLION MAN ARMY BY THEMSELVES. THE DESCRIPTION JOHN GIVES OF THE WEAPONS OF THIS ARMY SOUNDS LIKE SOME TYPE OF FUTURISTIC TANK TYPE OF VEHICLE SHOOTING OUT FIRE, SMOKE AND SULFUR OUT OF THE BARRELS OF IT'S GUNS. WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE BEFORE WE FIND OUT FOR SURE WHAT THEY ARE.

Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

EVEN AFTER ALL OF THESE PLAGUES HAVE STRUCK THE EARTH, MANKIND WILL STILL REFUSE TO REPENT AND WORSHIP THE ONE TRUE GOD.
 
 

CHAPTER 32: THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

Revelation 10:1-7 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down." Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

THE VERSES ABOVE HAVE BEEN SHROUDED IN MYSTERY FOR CENTURIES, BECAUSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEM GOD CHANGES THE SUBJECT COMPLETELY. THE REST OF CHAPTER TEN AND PART OF CHAPTER ELEVEN GIVES THE DESCRIPTION OF THE MINISTRY OF THE TWO WITNESSES. THEY MUST DIE BEFORE THE ARCHANGEL SHOUTS, AND THE SEVENTH TRUMPET SOUNDS, SO THEY CAN BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE. REVELATION PICKS UP WITH THE SEVENTH TRUMPET AGAIN AFTER THE 1,260 DAYS OF THEIR TESTIMONY IS FINISHED.

Revelation 11:15-18 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great; and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

WHEN THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDS HIS TRUMPET, THE MYSTERY OF GOD THAT WAS ANNOUNCED TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS WILL OCCUR. THE MYSTERY IS THAT WHEN THE SEVENTH ANGEL BLOWS HIS TRUMPET THE "FIRST RESURRECTION" WILL TAKE PLACE. IT IS THE TIME FOR REWARDING THE PROPHETS AND THE SAINTS, AND EVERYONE WHO HAS SERVED THE LORD DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES. WHILE THE SAINTS ARE BEING REWARDED IN HEAVEN, THE LORD WILL POUR OUT HIS WRATH BELOW AND DESTROY THOSE WHO ARE DESTROYING THE EARTH.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

WE ARE THE GENERATION FOR WHOM THE BOOK OF REVELATION WAS GIVEN. TODAY WE CAN PUT TOGETHER ALL OF THE BITS AND PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US IN THE BIBLE AND LAY THEM OUT IN ORDER AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD REVEALS THEM TO US. THE VICTORY OVER DEATH AND THE RECEIVING OF A NEW IMMORTAL BODY IS ALSO A PART OF THE MYSTERY. THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET IS ALSO A REFERENCE TO A JEWISH FESTIVAL CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR IN THE FALL CALLED "THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS."

CHAPTER 33: THE FEASTS OF THE LORD

ALL OF THE SEVEN FEASTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SIGNIFY AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN GOD'S REDEMPTION PROGRAM FOR MANKIND. THE FIRST THREE FEASTS WERE FULFILLED DURING CHRIST'S FIRST ADVENT WHEN HE WAS SACRIFICED, SUFFERED AND BURIED, AND RESURRECTED.

PASSOVER

Leviticus 23:5 The Lord's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. (The first month on the Hebrew calendar begins in the spring, late March or early April)

1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

John 1:29 KJV The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

THE FEAST OF PASSOVER REPRESENTED THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST. UNLEAVENED BREAD

Leviticus 23:6 On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord's Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.

THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, WHICH IS CELEBRATED THE DAY AFTER THE PASSOVER, SIGNIFIED CHRIST'S SUFFERING, DEATH, BURIAL AND THE THREE DAYS IN THE TOMB

FIRSTFRUITS

Exodus 23:19 "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.

1 Corinthians 15:20 & 23 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS FORESHADOWED THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

PENTECOST

Deuteronomy 16:10 Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.

THE FEAST OF PENTECOST WAS CELEBRATED FIFTY DAYS AFTER PASSOVER, AND WAS A CELEBRATION OF THE GOOD GIFTS THAT GOD HAD GIVEN THE ISRAELITES.

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Acts 2:1 & 4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS POURED OUT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST TO EMPOWER THE DISCIPLES AND THE CHURCH TO BEGIN THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS. THIS WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE FOURTH OLD TESTAMENT FEAST, PENTECOST. THE REST OF THE FEASTS PERTAIN TO HIS SECOND COMING. THREE MORE REMAIN TO BE FULFILLED, AND THE NEXT ONE ON THE LIST IS THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS.
 
 

CHAPTER 34: THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS

THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS IS A FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL. IT IS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH JEWISH MONTH, WHICH IS IN LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER ON THE ROMAN CALENDAR.

Leviticus 23:24-25 "Say to the Israelites: 'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the LORD by fire.'"

Numbers 29:1 "On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets."

Matthew 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air. And so we will be with the lord forever.

Revelation 10:7 "But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

Revelation 20:4 & 6 And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

THE MYSTERY OF GOD CONCERNING THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS, THE SEVENTH TRUMPET, AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION CAN FINALLY BE UNDERSTOOD WHEN ONE LETS THE BIBLE EXPLAIN ITSELF BY READING THE VERSES CONCERNING THE SUBJECT IN ORDER FROM LEVITICUS TO REVELATION. ALSO NOTICE THAT THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS BEGINS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH. ACCORDING TO THE CALENDAR THAT GOD GAVE TO MOSES, APRIL IS THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR, SO THE SEVENTH MONTH ON THE JEWISH CALENDAR OCCURS IN MID SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER ON OUR CALENDAR. IF GOD FOLLOWS HIS PAST PRACTICE WE CAN EXPECT THE FIRST RESURRECTION TO TAKE PLACE IN THE FALL DURING HARVEST TIME IN ISRAEL.

THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS IS THE FIFTH FEAST ON THE LORDS CALENDAR. THERE ARE TWO MORE FEASTS TO BE FULFILLED AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE, THE FEAST OF ATONEMENT AND THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES.

CHAPTER 35: WHEN WILL THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKE PLACE?

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS BY VARIOUS PEOPLE AND DENOMINATIONS AS TO WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. WE WILL TAKE A BRIEF LOOK AT THE SIX MOST COMMON VIEWS OF THE LARGER DENOMINATIONS, AND THEN TAKE A LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE VIEWPOINT.

THE FOLLOWING 3 CHARTS ARE ALL PRE-MILLENNIAL VIEWPOINTS, MEANING THAT THE RESURRECTION WILL OCCUR BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM BEGINS. THE MILLENNIUM IS THE TIME OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE THAT WILL BEGIN WHEN JESUS CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH. THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ARE CAUSED BY DISAGREEMENT ON WHEN THE "WRATH OF GOD" ACTUALLY BEGINS. THE CHURCH HAS BEEN PROMISED TO BE SPARED FROM THE "WRATH OF GOD," BUT NOT FROM THE WRATH OF SATAN, THE ANTICHRIST, OR THE WRATH OF UNREGENERATE MEN. THE TERM "GREAT TRIBULATION," OR "THE TRIBULATION" REFERS TO ALL OR PART OF THE LAST SEVEN YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST.

THE ASTERISKS WITH THE ABBREVIATION (F*R) SHOW THE POINT WHERE EACH GROUP BELIEVES THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE.

THE PRE-TRIBULATION FIRST RESURRECTION

(F*R) <---------7 YEARS OF TRIBULATION---------> RETURN

THIS POINT OF VIEW IS THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF MOST BAPTIST AND

PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE CHURCH WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WORLD FOR THE ENTIRE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD, AND CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB IN HEAVEN FOR SEVEN YEARS. THEY BASE THIS ON THE SUPPOSITION THAT THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS ARE A PART OF THE WRATH OF GOD THAT THE CHURCH WILL BE PROTECTED FROM.

THE MID-TRIBULATION FIRST RESURRECTION

<----3 1/2 YEARS---->(F*R)<-----3 1/2 YEARS----->RETURN

THIS VIEWPOINT IS ALSO PRE-MILLENNIAL, BUT IT IS SOMETIMES CALLED MID-TRIB, FOR SHORT. MID-TRIBULATIONISTS BELIEVE THAT ONLY THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEVEN YEAR PERIOD IS THE "GREAT TRIBULATION," AND THE WRATH OF GOD. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE CHURCH WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WORLD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEVEN YEAR PERIOD, AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS OF PERSECUTION. THIS VIEW IS POPULAR AMONG MANY OF THE LAY MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND BY SOME OF THE SMALLER INDEPENDENT CHURCHES.

THE PRE-MILLENNIAL PRE-WRATH FIRST RESURRECTION

<--7 SEALS--><--7 TRUMPETS-->(F*R)<-7 BOWLS->RETURN

THIS VIEWPOINT IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE "PRE-WRATH" RESURRECTION

CONCEPT. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRE-WRATH AND THE OTHERS IS THAT THE LAST SEVEN YEARS ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE EQUAL TIME PERIOD SEGMENTS, RATHER THAN ONE OR TWO. THERE IS A SEGMENT FOR EACH OF THE THREE SETS OF JUDGMENTS, THE SEVEN SEALS, THE SEVEN TRUMPETS, AND THE SEVEN BOWLS. EACH SEGMENT WOULD BE ABOUT TWO YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS LONG, MEANING THAT THE CHURCH WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WORLD ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS AFTER ANTICHRIST SIGNS HIS PEACE PACT WITH ISRAEL.

THE POST-TRIBULATION FIRST RESURRECTION

<----------7 YEARS OF TRIBULATION---------->(F*R) RETURN

SOME DENOMINATIONS TEACH THAT THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE ENTIRE SEVEN YEAR PERIOD HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH. THEY BELIEVE THAT AT THAT TIME THE SAVED OF ALL AGES WILL BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND LIVE WITH JESUS CHRIST RULING OVER THE EARTH DURING THE MILLENNIUM.

THE POST-MILLENNIAL FIRST RESURRECTION

<-THE TRIBULATION & RETURN-><-THE MILLENNIUM->(F*R)

SOME DENOMINATIONS TEACH THERE WILL BE NO RESURRECTION UNTIL AFTER THE MILLENNIUM HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THEY BELIEVE THAT CHRIST WILL RETURN AND RULE FOR 1000 YEARS AND THEN RAISE ALL OF THE DEAD, BOTH SAVED AND LOST, AND CONVENE THE FINAL JUDGMENT.

THE AMILLENNIAL FIRST RESURRECTION

AMILLENNIAL MEANS "NO MILLENNIUM". SOME CHURCHES TEACH THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND ALL OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN FULFILLED HAS NO FUTURE PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE. THEY TEACH THAT IT IS SIMPLY AN ALLEGORY (LIKE A PARABLE) ABOUT THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FORCES OF GOOD AND EVIL THAT THE CHURCH HAS ENDURED DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES. THEY TEACH THAT THERE WILL BE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OR EVENTS THAT WILL PRECEDE THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, BUT THAT AT SOME UNKNOWN DAY IN THE FUTURE CHRIST WILL RETURN AND JUDGE BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD IN ALL OF THE LAST THREE SCENARIOS THE CHURCH WOULD HAVE TO ENDURE THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE "GREAT TRIBULATION", AND SUFFER THE WRATH OF GOD. NOW THAT WE HAVE EXAMINED THE SIX MOST COMMON OPINIONS CONCERNING WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE, WE WILL LOOK AT A SEVENTH OPINION.

CHAPTER 36: THE SABBATH (7TH) YEAR FIRST RESURRECTION

<--6 YRS. OF TRIB.-->(F*R)<--1 YR. OF WRATH-->RETURN

THIS VIEWPOINT IS BASED ON THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES THAT SHOW HOW GOD ALWAYS GRANTS FREEDOM AND REST ON A SABBATH (SEVENTH) AFTER SIX PERIODS OF WORK OR BONDAGE. THE SEVENTH DAY OR YEAR OR ONE THOUSAND YEARS IS ALWAYS A TIME OF REST, FREEDOM, AND RELEASE FROM BONDAGE. THE OLD TESTAMENT ALSO INDICATES THAT THE MARRIAGE CELEBRATION OF THE LAMB WILL LAST FOR ONE YEAR. THIS THEORY EXPECTS THAT CHRISTIANS WILL HAVE TO ENDURE SIX YEARS OF TRIBULATION AND WILL THEN BE RESCUED BY THE FIRST RESURRECTION TO ESCAPE THE WRATH OF GOD THAT WILL BE POURED OUT ON EARTH DURING THE ENTIRE SEVENTH YEAR OF ANTICHRISTS REIGN.

THIS OPINION APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY ONE THAT PERMITS ALL SCRIPTURES CONCERNING THE GREAT TRIBULATION, THE FIRST RESURRECTION, AND THE WRATH OF GOD, TO BE FULFILLED WITHOUT ANY CONTRADICTIONS. THE SAINTS WILL ENDURE MUCH TRIBULATION AND PERSECUTION, BUT THEY WILL BE SPARED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD. WE WILL LOOK AT SOME OF SCRIPTURES THAT INDICATE THAT THIS IS THE CORRECT VIEWPOINT.

THE ESCAPE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA HAS BEEN PROMISED BY CHRIST THAT THEY WILL BE SPARED FROM THE "HOUR OF TEMPTATION" THAT WILL TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH.

Revelation 3:10-12 KJV "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

TO FIND OUT WHEN THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA WILL BE RESCUED WE AGAIN HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE OLD TESTAMENT AND FIND OUT HOW LONG THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB WILL LAST, OR, HOW MUCH OF OUR TIME WILL ELAPSE FROM THE TIME OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION UNTIL THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST TO EARTH WITH HIS SAINTS.

Deuteronomy 24:5 KJV When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

Deuteronomy 20:7 KJV And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? Let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT GOD DECREED THAT A NEWLY MARRIED MAN COULD NOT BE SENT OUT TO WAR DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS MARRIAGE. GOD MUST BE FAITHFUL TO HIS OWN WORD, SO THEREFORE CHRIST MUST CELEBRATE WITH HIS NEW BRIDE FOR A MINIMUM OF ONE YEAR BEFORE HE CAN RETURN AND GO TO WAR AND DESTROY THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON. HE COULD WAIT MORE THAN ONE YEAR WITHOUT VIOLATING HIS WORD, BUT IN MOST CASES GOD FULFILLS HIS WORD EXACTLY AS HE HAS WRITTEN IT. WHILE THERE IS NO DANGER OF CHRIST DYING IN THE BATTLE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO MARRY THE WIFE HE IS ENGAGED TO, HE STILL MUST FULFILL THIS LAW BECAUSE GOD HAS BOUND HIMSELF TO KEEP HIS OWN WORD. THIS LAW IS A SPIRITUAL PRECEPT, A MYSTERY, WHICH CHRIST HIMSELF BEING PERFECT, WILL KEEP WHEN HE MARRIES HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH AND THE SAVED OF ALL AGES.

Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

Luke 24:44-46 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

JESUS SAID THAT EVERYTHING WRITTEN ABOUT HIM IN THE LAW OF MOSES, IN THE PROPHETS, AND IN THE PSALMS, MUST BE FULFILLED. IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE LAW CONCERNING MARRIAGE, CHRIST MUST WAIT FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION, WHEN HE MARRIES THE CHURCH, BEFORE HE GOES OUT TO WAR WITH THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON.

Ephesians 5:31-32 KJV For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

PAUL ALSO USES MARRIAGE AS AN EXAMPLE, AND SAYS THAT IT IS A GREAT MYSTERY. HUMAN MARRIAGE SYMBOLIZES CHRIST'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS FUTURE BRIDE, THE CHURCH.

Deuteronomy 20:5 KJV And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

GOD ALSO MADE ANOTHER LAW STATING THAT A MAN WHO HAD BUILT A NEW HOUSE WAS NOT TO GO TO WAR UNTIL HE HAD DEDICATED IT.

John 14:2-3 KJV In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

CHRIST IS PREPARING A NEW MANSION FOR HIS BRIDE, AND HE WILL DEDICATE IT WITH HER BEFORE RETURNING TO THE EARTH TO DO BATTLE.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

"THE NEW JERUSALEM", IS THE NAME OF THE CITY THAT THE MANSIONS ARE BEING PREPARED IN, AND IT TOO IS COMPARED TO A BRIDE ADORNED FOR HER HUSBAND. WE WILL CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB WITH CHRIST IN THE NEW JERUSALEM AND DEDICATE THE NEW DWELLING PLACES THAT CHRIST HAS PREPARED FOR US. THERE ARE MORE VERSES THAT INDICATE THAT THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE ONE YEAR BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST TO EARTH.

Exodus 21:2 KJV If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.

WE, (THE SAVED) ARE AT PRESENT THE SERVANTS OF CHRIST, AND IN THE FUTURE WE WILL BECOME HIS BRIDE. THOSE WHO ARE A PART OF THE "FIG TREE" GENERATION WILL UNDERGO SIX YEARS OF HARD LABOR FOR CHRIST, ENDURING THE HATRED OF THE WORLD FOR BEARING HIS NAME, FOR BEING CALLED "CHRISTIANS." IN THE SEVENTH YEAR WE WILL BE FREED AT THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET.

Exodus 23:10-11 "For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused.

Leviticus 25:3-4 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.

THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES GOD USES THE NUMBER SEVEN TO INITIATE A TIME OF REST AND FREEDOM AFTER SIX YEARS OF LABOR OR USE. EVEN THE GROUND WAS TO BE GIVEN A REST IN THE SEVENTH YEAR.
 
 

THE TWO HARVESTS OF REVELATION

Matthew 13:36-43 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age." The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

THE REAL HARVEST OF THE EARTH IS WHEN GOD RAISES THE DEAD AND ALSO CALLS UP THOSE BELIEVERS WHO ARE STILL LIVING INTO HIS KINGDOM. GOD'S PAST DEALINGS WITH MANKIND INDICATE THAT WE CAN EXPECT TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WORLD AFTER SIX YEARS OF HARD TIMES, SIX YEARS OF PERSECUTION DURING THE REIGN OF ANTICHRIST.

Revelation 14:14-16 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION GIVES US THE ORDER OF THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH. THE HARVEST OF THE SAINTS COMES FIRST, WHEN BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD ARE CALLED UP TO MEET CHRIST IN THE AIR. THE ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN SITTING ON A CLOUD, IS OF COURSE CHRIST. THE HARVEST DESCRIBED ABOVE IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THIS HARVEST IS FOLLOWED BY A SECOND HARVEST, THE GATHERING OF THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD TOGETHER TO BE DESTROYED AT ARMAGEDDON, LIKE GRAPES BEING CRUSHED IN A WINEPRESS.

Revelation 14:17-20 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. (180 miles)

THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET IS A TIME FOR JOY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE, BUT IT IS THE HARBINGER OF DOOM FOR THOSE WHO ARE LEFT ON THE EARTH. IT IS THE SIGNAL FOR "THE WRATH OF GOD" TO BE POURED OUT ON THE WORLD. BLOOD WILL FLOW FROM ARMAGEDDON INTO THE JORDAN RIVER FOR 180 MILES, AND EXIT AT THE GULF OF AQUABA, WHICH EMPTIES INTO THE APPROPRIATELY NAMED, "RED SEA."

THE END TIMES DOCTRINE OF THE EARLY CHURCH

A DOCUMENT KNOWN AS THE DIDACHE IN GREEK, OR "THE TEACHING OF THE

TWELVE APOSTLES," WAS BEING CIRCULATED IN THE CHURCH BETWEEN 60 AND 150 AD, AND IS THE OLDEST CHRISTIAN DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE PRESERVED FROM THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH. THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS THE RULES OF THE EARLY CHURCH CONCERNING BAPTISM, THE LORD'S SUPPER, CHRISTIAN LIVING, AND A SECTION ABOUT FUTURE PROPHECY. THE FUTURE ACCORDING TO THE "TEACHING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES"

Watch over your life: do not let your lamps go out, and do not be unprepared, but be ready, for you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming. Gather together frequently, seeking the things that benefit your souls, for all the time you have believed will be of no use to you if you are not found perfect in the last time. For in the last days the false prophets and corrupters will abound, and the sheep will be turned into wolves, and love will be turned into hate. For as lawlessness increases, they will hate and persecute and betray one another.

And then the "Deceiver of the World" will appear as a son of God and will perform signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands, and he will commit abominations the likes of which have never happened before. Then all humankind will come to the fiery test, and many will fall away, and perish; but those who endure to the end in their faith will be saved.

And then there will appear the signs of the truth: First the sign of an opening in heaven, then the sign of the sound of a trumpet, and third, the resurrection of the dead, but not all of the dead, rather as it has been said, "the Lord will come, and all his saints with him."

THE TEACHING CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENT ABOVE APPEARS TO AGREE WITH THE POSITION THAT THE CHURCH WILL HAVE TO ENDURE THE FIERY TEST OF PERSECUTION BY THE ANTICHRIST BEFORE THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET INITIATES THE FIRST RESURRECTION AND DELIVERS THEM FROM HIS HAND.

THE FEAST OF ATONEMENT

AFTER THE FEAST OF THE TRUMPETS COMES THE FEAST OF ATONEMENT. FOR THE JEWS THIS FEAST REPRESENTS A TIME OF SELF EXAMINATION AND MOURNING. THEY WILL MOURN OVER THE FACT THAT THEY REJECTED JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR MESSIAH, AND THAT THEY MISSED THE FIRST RESURRECTION. IT WILL BE A TIME OF SADNESS FOR THEM AND FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFT ALIVE IN THE WORLD. THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT AND ESCAPE THE WRATH OF GOD THAT WILL BE POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH HAS SLIPPED THROUGH THEIR HANDS. NOW THEY WILL HAVE TO PASS THROUGH IT LIKE AN OFFERING MADE TO THE LORD BY FIRE.

Leviticus 23:27 & 29-30 "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. Anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut off from his people."

THE WORDS THAT WERE SPOKEN BY THE PROPHETS JEREMIAH AND ZECHARIAH WILL BE FULFILLED BY THE JEWISH NATION.

Jeremiah 8:20 "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved."

Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

THE WORDS OF JEREMIAH WILL ECHO IN THEIR EARS, THE HARVEST (THE FIRST RESURRECTION) HAS PAST, AND WE WERE NOT SAVED. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU.
 
 

CHAPTER 37: THE MYSTERY OF THE SECOND BEAST

THE FALSE CHURCH IS PORTRAYED AS A WOMAN RIDING ON A BEAST. THIS IS THE CHURCH THAT THE FALSE PROPHET HAS UNITED UNDER THE ANTICHRIST.

Revelation 17:7-8 "I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

THE WOMAN REPRESENTS FALSE RELIGION, THE RELIGION OF MYSTERY BABYLON. THE WOMAN ALSO REPRESENTS THE CITY FROM WHICH THE FALSE RELIGION BEGAN AND HAS FLOWED FROM FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

Revelation 17:18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."

IT WAS IN THE CITY OF BABYLON THAT SATAN THROUGH NIMROD PROMOTED

IDOLATRY SHORTLY AFTER THE FLOOD, AND AT THAT TIME BABYLON WAS THE CAPITAL CITY OF THE WORLD, THAT RULED OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. IT WAS ALSO IN BABYLON THAT NEBUCHADNEZZAR SET UP HIS IMAGE AND DEMANDED THAT ANYONE WHO WOULD NOT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP IT, WOULD BE THROWN INTO A FIERY FURNACE.

Daniel 3:1 & 4-6 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."

NIMROD

Genesis 10:8-10 Cush was the father of Nimrod, who grew to be a mighty warrior on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD." The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Akkad and Clan, in Shinar. (SHINAR IS MODERN DAY IRAQ)

NIMROD'S KINGDOM WAS THE FIRST ATTEMPT BY SATAN AFTER THE FLOOD TO BRING THE WORLD UNDER ONE GOVERNMENT. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL UNTIL GOD STEPPED IN AND CONFUSED THE LANGUAGES AT BABEL. THE BOOK OF JASHER GIVES US SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NIMROD.

Jasher 7:23 & 44-47 And Cush the son of Ham, the son of Noah, took a wife in those days, and she bare a son, and they called his name Nimrod, saying, at that time the sons of men began to rebel and transgress against God. And Nimrod dwelt in Shinar, and he reigned securely, and he fought with his enemies and he subdued them, and he prospered in all his battles, and his kingdom became very great. And Nimrod reigned in the earth over all the sons of Noah, and they were all under his power and counsel. And all of the earth was of one language, but Nimrod did not go in the ways of the Lord, and he was more wicked than all the men that were before him, from the days of the flood until those days. And he made gods of wood and stone, and he bowed down before them, and he rebelled against the lord, and taught all his subjects and the people of the earth his wicked ways. (Nimrod means "Rebel".)

NIMROD LED THE WORLD BACK INTO IDOL WORSHIP AFTER THE FLOOD. ACCORDING TO JOSEPHUS, THE JEWISH HISTORIAN, IT WAS NIMROD WHO CONVINCED THE PEOPLE TO BUILD THE TOWER OF BABEL. THEIR PURPOSE WAS TO BUILD A CITY TOO HIGH TO BE REACHED BY THE WATERS OF ANOTHER FLOOD. THEY ALSO INTENDED TO KILL GOD WHEN THE TOWER REACHED TO HEAVEN, AND PUT THEIR OWN GODS IN HIS PLACE. IDOLATRY IS THE MAIN THEME OF THE RELIGION OF "MYSTERY BABYLON." IDOL WORSHIP, THE WORSHIP OF ANTICHRIST AND HIS IMAGE IS EXACTLY WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS THE FALSE PROPHET WILL COMPEL THE WORLD TO DO DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD.

THE SEVEN HILLS

Revelation 17:9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits." (SEE CHART 3)

THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION OF THIS VERSE IS THAT THE SEVEN HILLS THAT THE WOMAN SITS ON REPRESENT THE CITY OF ROME, AND THAT THE FALSE RELIGION IS ROMAN CATHOLICISM. THIS VIEW IS TOO NARROW, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THE SEVEN HILLS REPRESENT THE SEVEN MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD UNITED UNDER THE FALSE PROPHET.

Revelation 17:15 "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages."

THE FALSE RELIGION WILL BE WORLDWIDE AS INDICATED BY THE VERSE ABOVE, AND ROME WILL OF COURSE BE INCLUDED. BUT, THE RELIGION OF "MYSTERY BABYLON" WILL BE MUCH LARGER THAN JUST ONE CHURCH, DENOMINATION, SECT, OR FALSE RELIGION. THE FALSE PROPHET WILL MAKE ALL THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD WORSHIP THE ANTICHRIST AND HIS IMAGE, AND CAUSE THEM TO COMMIT IDOLATRY. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOK OF ZECHARIAH THERE IS AN INDICATION THAT THE CAPITAL CITY OF THE FALSE RELIGION OF "MYSTERY BABYLON" MAY BE A REBUILT BABYLON.

Zechariah 5:5-11 Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, "Look up and see what this is that is appearing." I asked, "What is it?" He replied, "It is a measuring basket." And he added, "This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land." Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! He said, "This is wickedness," and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed the lead cover down over its mouth. Then I looked up--and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth. "Where are they taking the basket?" I asked the angel who was speaking to me. He replied, "To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When it is ready, the basket will be set there in its place."

IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING IF THE SEAT OF FALSE RELIGION WAS RETURNED TO THE CITY OF ITS ORIGIN IN THE LAST DAYS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE FALSE PROPHET. THE WOMAN CALLED "WICKEDNESS" IN THE BASKET BEING TAKEN TO BABYLON MAY BE SYMBOLIC OF THE WOMAN WHO WILL RIDE ON THE SECOND BEAST. IF SO, THIS INDICATES THAT THE SEAT OF FALSE RELIGION WILL RETURN TO BABYLON IN THE END TIMES.

THE BEAST THAT WAS, IS NOT, AND WILL COME AGAIN

Revelation 17:18 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come."

THE SECOND BEAST, THE ONE THAT THE WOMAN IS RIDING ON, WAS IN THE WORLD AT ONE TIME, WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME THAT JOHN WAS WRITING, AND WILL COME UPON THE SCENE AGAIN AND CAUSE THE UNBELIEVING WORLD TO BE ASTONISHED. THE POWER OF THE SECOND BEAST TO ASTONISH THE WORLD LIES IN THE ABILITY HE GIVES THE FALSE PROPHET TO WORK MIRACLES AND TO APPEAR TO HAVE RAISED THE ANTICHRIST FROM THE DEAD. NOTICE THAT ONLY THOSE WHOSE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WILL BE ASTONISHED.

John 6:39 &10:27-29 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

THERE IS NO DANGER OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN BEING DECEIVED. JESUS WILL NOT LOSE ANY OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO HIM. GOD THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT PERMIT THAT TO HAPPEN.

THIS BEAST THAT HAS COME UP OUT OF THE ABYSS REPRESENTS THE SATANIC AND DEMONIC POWER THAT IS BEHIND THE MIRACLES OF THE FALSE PROPHET. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF DEMONIC POWER BEING MANIFESTED, DURING THE TIME OF MOSES.

Exodus 7:10-11 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts:

Exodus 7:20 & 22 Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:5-7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.'" So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:8-11 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on men and animals throughout the land." So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and animals. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians.

THE MAGICIANS OF EGYPT OPPOSED THE TWO WITNESSES, MOSES AND AARON, AND DUPLICATED THE MIRACLES THEY WERE DOING. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE FALSE PROPHET AND HIS ACCOMPLICES WILL DUPLICATE THE MIRACLES OF THE TWO WITNESSES AND CAUSE THE ANTICHRIST AND THE UNBELIEVING WORLD TO HARDEN THEIR HEARTS, JUST AS THE PHARAOH DID.

2 Timothy 3:8 Just as and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF JASHER, JANNES AND JAMBRES WERE THE SONS OF BALAAM, THAT WAYWARD PROPHET WHO THE LORD SPOKE TO THROUGH THE MOUTH OF A DONKEY WHEN BALAAM WISHED TO CURSE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FOR MONETARY GAIN. WE READ ABOUT BALAAM EARLIER, IN THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES.

Revelation 2:14 "You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

2 Peter 2:15-16 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--a beast without speech--who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

Jasher 79:25-28 & 73:29 And Pharaoh said to Moses, what do you require? And they answered him saying, the Lord God of the Hebrews has sent us to thee, to say, send forth my people that they may serve me. And when they (Moses and Aaron) had gone, Pharaoh sent for Balaam the magician and to Jannes and Jambres his sons. They are the sorcerers and magicians who are mentioned in the book of the law as standing against Moses when the Lord brought the plagues upon Egypt.

SINCE THE TIME OF MOSES UNTIL TODAY SATAN HAS NOT BEEN PERMITTED TO USE THE DEMONS UNDER HIS COMMAND, TO WORK MIRACLES LIKE THOSE THAT JANNES AND JAMBRES PERFORMED IN FRONT OF THE PHARAOH AND THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT. IT APPEARS THAT THE POWER OF THESE DEMONS HAS BEEN RESTRICTED SINCE THE TIME OF THE EXODUS. THE PLAGUE OF FROGS WAS THE LAST PLAGUE THE MAGICIANS OF EGYPT COULD DUPLICATE.

Revelation 16:13-14 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

THIS IS THE EXPLANATION OF THE MYSTERY OF THE SECOND BEAST, THAT SATAN WILL ONCE AGAIN BE PERMITTED TO USE HIS MOST POWERFUL DEMONS TO DECEIVE AN UNREPENTANT AND UNBELIEVING WORLD. THERE IS ALSO A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THE FALSE PROPHET MAY CLAIM TO BE

SOME GREAT BIBLICAL PERSON FROM THE PAST. SINCE THE ANTICHRIST WILL CLAIM TO BE JESUS CHRIST RETURNED TO EARTH, IT WOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE IF THE FALSE PROPHET CLAIMED TO BE MOSES REINCARNATED. SINCE GOD IS SENDING TWO PEOPLE FROM THE PAST TO PREACH TO THE WORLD, AND SATAN ALWAYS TRIES TO IMITATE THE WORKS OF GOD, IT WOULD NOT BE UNLIKELY FOR HIM TO CAUSE THE FALSE PROPHET TO IMPERSONATE MOSES. WE KNOW THAT SATAN HAD BAD INTENTIONS CONCERNING THE BODY OF MOSES, BECAUSE HE CONTENDED WITH MICHAEL ABOUT IT.

Jude 1:9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

WE WERE NOT TOLD WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THIS DISPUTE WAS. PERHAPS SATAN WAS PERMITTED TO PRESERVE THE BODY OF MOSES FOR THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. MOSES WON'T BE NEEDING IT BECAUSE HE WAS SEEN WITH JESUS ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION WITH A MORE GLORIOUS FORM.

Luke 9:30-31 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT ELIJAH APPEARED TO THE DISCIPLES BECAUSE HE HAS NOT DIED YET, BUT, FOR MOSES TO APPEAR IN A GLORIOUS FORM WITH ELIJAH, BEFORE THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAS TAKEN PLACE IS PECULIAR INDEED. THIS MAY BE THE LORD'S WAY OF LETTING US KNOW THAT MOSES AND ELIJAH WILL NOT BE OPPOSING EACH OTHER DURING THE TRIBULATION. IF SOMEONE WORKING MIRACLES CLAIMING TO BE MOSES, BUT REJECTING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST APPEARS ON THE WORLD SCENE, HE IS A DEMONIC IMPOSTOR IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN. GOD WILL REVEAL THE ANSWERS TO THESE MYSTERIES TO HIS PEOPLE BEFORE THE TIME ARRIVES FOR THEM TO HAPPEN.

Matthew 13:10-11 & 13-16 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
 
 

CHAPTER 38: THE TWO BEASTS

IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION THE COMING TO POWER OF THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET IS PORTRAYED AS THE EMERGENCE OF TWO GREAT BEASTS, ONE FROM THE SEA, AND ONE FROM THE EARTH.

Revelation 13:1 & 8 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

Revelation 13:11-13 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.

THE FIRST BEAST, THE BEAST FROM THE SEA REPRESENTS THE ANTICHRIST, AND THE SECOND BEAST, THE BEAST FROM THE EARTH REPRESENTS THE FALSE PROPHET. WE WILL HAVE TO TURN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT AND ALSO LOOK AT SOME APOCRYPHAL LITERATURE TO FIND THE BASIS FOR USING THE TWO BEASTS AS SYMBOLS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CREATION GOD CREATED THE CREATURES THAT LIVE IN THE WATER AND THOSE THAT FLY ABOVE THE EARTH. THIS WAS ONE DAY BEFORE HE CREATED MANKIND, ON THE SIXTH DAY. ACCORDING TO THE 2ND BOOK OF EZRA FROM THE GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE, GOD CREATED TWO SPECIAL CREATURES ON THE FIFTH DAY.

2 Ezra (Esdras) 6:49-52 (Paraphrased) Then thou didst create on the fifth day the two living creatures. The name of one thou called Behemoth, and the other Leviathan. To Behemoth thou gave the land to live on, and to Leviathan thou gave the watery parts.

LEVIATHAN: THE ANTICHRIST

THE LEVIATHAN IS MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS AND THERE IS A LONG DESCRIPTION OF IT IN THE BOOK OF JOB.

Psalms 104:25-26 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number--living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

Job 41:1,2 & 5 & 8-9 "Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope? Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls? If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the struggle and never do it again! Any hope of subduing him is false; the mere sight of him is overpowering.

Job 41:25-26 & 31-34 When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before his thrashing. The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin. He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment. Behind him he leaves a glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair. Nothing on earth is his equal--a creature without fear. He looks down on all that are haughty; he is king over all that are proud."

IN THE VERSES ABOVE WE SEE THAT THE SWORD HAS NO EFFECT ON THIS

CREATURE. THIS IS A REFERENCE TO ANTICHRIST BEING WOUNDED WITH A SWORD BUT HE WILL APPEAR TO RISE FROM THE DEAD ALSO NOTICE THAT HE IS THE KING OVER ALL WHO ARE PROUD. PRIDE AND BOASTING ARE SATAN'S CHARACTERISTICS, AND THEY WILL ALSO BE THE TRAITS OF ANTICHRIST AND HIS SUPPORTERS. NO CREATURE THAT WE KNOW OF TODAY EVEN FAINTLY RESEMBLES THE MONSTER OF THE SEA NAMED LEVIATHAN. THE ONLY THING THAT MIGHT COME CLOSE TO RESEMBLING IT ARE THE REPORTED SIGHTINGS OF THE LOCH NESS MONSTER IN SCOTLAND.

BEHEMOTH: THE FALSE PROPHET

Job 40:15-19 "Look at the behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly! His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are close-knit. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron. He ranks first among the works of God, yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.

ANCIENT WRITERS SAY THAT THE BEHEMOTH WAS A CREATURE THAT WAS SIMILAR TO A HIPPOPOTAMUS, BUT A LITTLE LARGER.

THE PURPOSE OF STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES AND OTHER REFERENCES TO BEHEMOTH AND LEVIATHAN IS NOT PROVE OR DISPROVE THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH CREATURES TODAY. IT IS TO SHOW WHERE THE SYMBOLISM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION FOR THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE DERIVED FROM. ANOTHER REASON IS TO ALERT THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST THAT THESE MONSTERS COULD STILL EXIST, AND IF THEY ARE DISCOVERED IT MAY BE A SIGN FROM GOD TO HIS PEOPLE THAT THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE ABOUT TO APPEAR ON THE WORLD SCENE.

Job 3:8 May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.

JOB INDICATES THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE READY TO ROUSE LEVIATHAN. THIS MAY PERTAIN TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO FORM A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT, WHICH WILL ENABLE THE ANTICHRIST TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE WORLD

Psalms 74:12-14 But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth. It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.

2 Baruch 29:3-4 And it will happen that when all that which should come to pass has been accomplished, the Anointed One will begin to be revealed. And Behemoth will reveal itself from its place, and Leviathan will come from the sea, the two great monsters which I have created on the fifth day of creation and which I have kept until that time. And they will be nourishment for all who are left. The earth will also yield its fruits ten thousand fold.

Isaiah 26:21 & 27:1 See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer. In that day, the LORD will punish with his sword, his fierce, great and powerful sword, Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.

THE LORD WILL SLAY LEVIATHAN, THE MONSTER FROM THE SEA. HE WILL DEFEAT THE ANTICHRIST AND HIS ARMIES AT ARMAGEDDON, AND GIVE THEIR DEAD BODIES AS FOOD TO THE ANIMALS, BIRDS AND INSECTS. ACCORDING TO THE APOCRYPHAL BOOK OF BARUCH (BARUCH WAS JEREMIAH'S SCRIBES NAME) THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ACTUAL LEVIATHAN AND BEHEMOTH THAT THE LORD WILL SLAY AND GIVE FOR FOOD TO THOSE WHO ARE LEFT ALIVE ON THE EARTH WHEN HE RETURNS. NOTE: THE NEXT SIX CHAPTERS ARE BACKGROUND MATERIAL CONCERNING THE ORIGIN OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GOD AND SATAN, AND A REVIEW OF THE MINISTRY, DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST. IF YOU WISH CONTINUE ON IMMEDIATELY WITH THE PROPHETIC STUDY YOU MAY SKIP THESE CHAPTERS FOR NOW AND PROCEED TO CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

CHAPTER 39: THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY

IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE THAT IS RAGING ON EARTH BETWEEN GOD AND THE FORCES OF EVIL, ONE HAS TO HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE BEING WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FORMS OF FALSE RELIGION. THIS MYSTERIOUS BEING IS KNOWN IN THE BIBLE AS SATAN, LUCIFER, AND THE DEVIL. GOD, THROUGH THE PROPHET EZEKIEL, HAS REVEALED TO US SOMETHING ABOUT SATAN WHILE SPEAKING ABOUT THE KING OF TYRE, WHOM SATAN APPARENTLY POSSESSED.

Ezekiel 28:12-17 "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: `This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.'"

SATAN WAS ALSO KNOWN AS THE MORNING STAR, TRANSLATED IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE AS "LUCIFER," MEANING "THE LIGHT BEARER." ISAIAH TELLS US ABOUT THE FALL OF SATAN. THE FOLLOWING PROPHECY PERTAINS TO BOTH SATAN AND THE ANTICHRIST, WHOM SATAN WILL POSSESS DURING THE LAST THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS OF THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD.

Isaiah 14:12-17 "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, `I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: `Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?'

NOTICE THAT ALL OF THE SINS OF SATAN BEGIN WITH "I WILL." THE SINS OF SATAN AND THE SINS OF MANKIND ORIGINATE WITH THE SAME CONCEPT, "I WILL," RATHER THAN "THY WILL BE DONE," MEANING GOD'S WILL. SATAN, ACCORDING TO THE APOCRYPHA AND PSEUDEPIGRAPHA WAS THE FIRST AND MOST POWERFUL ANGEL CREATED BY GOD. MICHAEL WAS THE SECOND AND GABRIEL WAS THE THIRD. EACH OF THESE THREE HAD LEGIONS OF OTHER ANGELS, THAT WERE CREATED AFTER THEM, UNDER THEIR COMMAND.

THE CREATION OF ADAM AND THE FALL OF SATAN

(According to excerpts from the apocryphal gospel of Bartholomew) Now after the resurrection and seven days before the Lord ascended to the father, he took the disciples and brought them to the top of the Mount of Olives. He said to the disciples, ask me what you wish, so I can teach you and show you, for I will soon ascend to the father. Bartholomew said to him, Lord, show us the adversary of men. And the other disciples also said, Lord, we wish to see him. And the lord commanded Michael to bring him up, and Satan came up, held by six hundred and sixty angels. And the Lord said: in my name ask him what you wish. And Bartholomew asked him: Tell me who you are, and what is your name. He replied: If you wish to know my name, I was first called Satanel, which means 'angel of God,' but when I rejected the image of God, I was called Satan, which means 'angel of hell.' And again Bartholomew asked him "how did you come into this condition. And Satan replied: I was the first angel created, for when God made the heavens, he took a handful of fire and formed me first, Michael second, the captain of the hosts above, Gabriel third, and myriad's of other angels to populate each of the seven heavens. And Satan said, I will tell you how I was cast down here and how God made man. I wandered to and fro in the world, and God said to Michael: Bring me earth from the four ends of the world, and water out of the four rivers of Paradise. And when Michael had brought them, he formed Adam in the east, and gave form to the shapeless earth, and stretched sinews and veins, and united everything into a harmonious whole. And when I came from the ends of the world, Michael said to me: "Worship the image of God which he has made in his own likeness." But I said, 'I am fire of fire. I was the first angel to be formed, and shall I worship clay and matter?' And Michael said to me: 'Worship, lest God be angry with you.' I answered, 'God will not be angry with me, but I will set up my throne over against his throne, and I shall be as he is.' Then God was angry with me and cast me down, after he had commanded the windows of heaven to be opened. When I was thrown down, Michael asked those angels under me whether they would worship Adam. They replied, like as we have seen the first angel do, we will not worship that which is less than ourselves, and they were cast down also.

ACCORDING TO THIS APOCRYPHAL BOOK, IT WAS PRIDE THAT LED TO SATAN AND HIS ANGELS FALL. BECAUSE SATAN WAS THE FIRST ANGEL CREATED, AND BECAUSE OF HIS BEAUTY, AND BECAUSE HIS BODY WAS CREATED FROM FIRE, HE FELT THAT HE SHOULD NOT BOW DOWN TO ANYONE, EVEN IF IT MEANT DISOBEYING THE COMMAND OF GOD. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL, AND THIS STATEMENT MAY HAVE ORIGINATED THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, WHEN SATAN FELL.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

SATAN FAILED HIS TEST AND LOST HIS HIGH POSITION IN HEAVEN. GOD MAY HAVE PREVENTED SATAN FROM WORSHIPPING ADAM, IF SATAN HAD AGREED TO DO SO, LIKE HE STOPPED ABRAHAM FROM SACRIFICING ISAAC AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT. SATAN AND HIS ANGELS FELL BECAUSE OF THEIR PRIDE. THE ANGELS BODIES WERE CREATED FROM FIRE, UNLIKE MAN'S BODY WHICH WAS CREATED FROM THE DUST OF THE EARTH. IT IS NOT THE ELEMENT FROM WHICH THE BODY OF A BEING IS FORMED THAT IS IMPORTANT, IT IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT IS PLACED IN THAT BODY THAT GIVES IT LIFE AND VALUE. IT APPEARS THAT THE ANGELS BODIES HAVE FIRE AND AIR AS THEIR BASE ELEMENTS, WHILE A HUMAN'S BODY CONSISTS OF EARTH AND WATER. WHEN A MAN DIES, HIS BODY RETURNS TO THE DUST FROM WHICH HE WAS CREATED, UNTIL THE FIRST OR SECOND RESURRECTION, AND THEN THE JUDGMENT. THE SPIRIT OF A MAN RETURNS TO GOD WHO GAVE IT.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

AFTER THE LAST JUDGMENT, SATAN, AND THE ANGELS WHO FELL WITH HIM WILL RETURN TO THEIR PRIMARY ELEMENT OF CREATION, FIRE, WHEN THEY ARE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.

Psalms 104:4 & Hebrews 1:7 He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

Matthew 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Revelation 20:14-15 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

NOTICE IN THE VERSE FROM MATTHEW, THAT THE LAKE OF FIRE WAS NOT CREATED FOR HUMANS, IT WAS CREATED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS. SATAN AND HIS ANGELS WILL RETURN TO THE FIRE FROM WHICH THEY WERE CREATED, ALONG WITH ALL OF THOSE HUMANS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO REJECT GOD.

SATAN'S OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT

(Paraphrased from the Gospel of Barnabas)

One day as the disciples were with Jesus they asked him about the day of judgment, and about Satan, and why he could not also be forgiven. Jesus replied, "verily I say unto you, I had compassion on Satan knowing how he fell, and I had compassion on mankind whom he tempts to sin. Therefore I called Satan, who came, saying: What must I do for thee, Jesus. I answered: you shall do good for yourself, for I desire not your services. Satan replied: if you do not desire my services, neither do I desire yours, because I am more noble than you, for you are clay, while I am spirit. Let us leave this I said, and tell me if it would not be good that you should return to your former beauty, and your first state. You must know that Michael the archangel will strike you with the sword of God on the day of judgment, and cast you into the lake of fire. Satan replied: We shall see on that day who can do more, certainly I have on my side many mighty angels and most potent idolaters who can trouble God, and he will know how great a mistake he made to banish me for a vile piece of clay. Then I said, "Satan, you are infirm in your mind and you know not what you are saying. Then Satan, in a derisive manner, wagged his head, saying: "come now, let us make this peace between me and God: What do you say must be done Jesus, since you are of a sound mind? I answered: "Two words need only be spoken." Satan replied: "What words?" I answered: "These: I have sinned; have mercy on me." Then Satan said: "I will willingly make peace with God, if God will say those words to me."

WHILE THIS APOCRYPHAL STORY IS NOT IN THE BIBLE, IT DOES SHOW ONE THING IN A TRUE LIGHT, THE ATTITUDE OF SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS CONCERNING GOD. YOU WILL OFTEN FIND THIS TYPE OF ATTITUDE AMONG ATHEISTS AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR IS A GOD BUT HATE HIM, AND AMONG OTHERS WHO HATE EVEN THE THOUGHT THAT THEIR MAY BE A GOD. THIS ATTITUDE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A MISGUIDED SENSE OF SELF IMPORTANCE, AND A FEELING THAT THE UNIVERSE SHOULD REVOLVE AROUND THE DESIRES OF MANKIND, RATHER THAN ACCEPTING THE FACT THAT THE UNIVERSE REVOLVES AROUND THE WILL OF GOD WHO CREATED IT FOR HIS OWN PLEASURE.

Revelation 4:11 KJV Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

EVEN THOUGH THE UNIVERSE AND ALL THAT IS IN IT WAS CREATED BY GOD FOR HIS OWN PLEASURE AND HE CAN DO WITH IT WHATEVER HE DESIRES, HE PROMISES THAT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH AND ARE FOLLOWING HIS PATH FOR THEIR LIVES, ALL THINGS ARE WORKING FOR THEIR FUTURE GOOD.

Romans 8:28 KJV And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
 
 

CHAPTER 40: THE ORIGIN OF DEMONS AND EVIL SPIRITS

THE ORIGIN OF DEMONS

THE ANGELS, JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE HEAVENLY BEINGS AND HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF GOD IN PERSON, ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM THE TEMPTATION TO SIN. ONE THIRD OF THEM FELL WITH SATAN, AND IT APPEARS THAT SOME OF THEM, OR SOME OF THE OTHER ANGELS FELL INTO SIN AGAIN AT A LATER DATE. JOB CONFIRMS THE FACT THAT ANGELS CAN SIN.

Job 4:18 & 15:15 If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay. If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!

Genesis 6:1-2 & 4 KJV And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

SOME OF THE ANGELS OF GOD SAW THAT THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN WERE BEAUTIFUL, AND THEY MARRIED THEM AND HAD CHILDREN. THIS MAY SEEM

IMPOSSIBLE, BUT IF YOU NOTICE IN THE BIBLE, EVERY APPEARANCE OF AN ANGEL IS IN THE FORM OF THE MALE SPECIES. APPARENTLY ANGELS HAVE THE FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES OF A HUMAN MALE, BUT GOD HAS COMMANDED THEM NOT TO USE IT, AS A PART OF THEIR TESTING. SOME MAY OBJECT AND SAY THAT THE VERSES ABOVE PERTAIN TO THE SONS OF SETH MARRYING THE DAUGHTERS OF CAIN, BUT JUDE, QUOTING FROM THE BOOK OF ENOCH, REJECTS THIS INTERPRETATION.

Jude 1:6-7 KJV And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

JUDE COMPARES THE SIN OF THE ANGELS THAT LEFT THEIR FIRST ESTATE TO THE SINS OF SODOM AND GOMORRHA, CALLING IT FORNICATION, AND GOING AFTER STRANGE FLESH, WHICH MEANS ILLICIT SEXUAL UNION. JUDE WAS QUOTING FROM THE BOOK OF ENOCH.

Jude 1:14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; Paraphrased from the book of Enoch: And the Lord said to Michael and Raphael, Bind those angels who sinned and throw them into the darkness: And on the great day of judgment they shall be cast into the abyss of fire.

JUDE AND PETER BOTH QUOTE FROM THE BOOK OF ENOCH. ENOCH WAS RECOGNIZED AS BEING A DEPENDABLE HISTORICAL RECORD AT THE TIME THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS BEING WRITTEN. WE WILL NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THE BOOK OF ENOCH ITSELF, AND SEE WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED WITH THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN, AND THE ORIGIN OF EVIL SPIRITS.

22

THE ORIGIN OF EVIL SPIRITS ACCORDING TO ENOCH

Paraphrased from the book of Enoch

And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days there were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said one to another: Come let us choose wives for ourselves from among the children of men and beget children. And they took unto themselves wives' and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and the women became pregnant, and bare great giants. And the giants consumed all of the food of men. And when this could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. And they began to sin against the birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one anothers flesh, and to drink the blood.

And then Michael, and Uriel, and Raphael, and Gabriel looked down from heaven and saw much blood being shed upon the earth. And they said to the Lord of the ages: Lord of lords, God of gods, King of kings, the throne of thy glory standeth to all generations of the ages! Thou hast made all things, and hast power over all things, and thou seest all things, and nothing can hide itself from thee. Thou seest what thy angels have done, who have gone to the daughters of men on the earth, and have defiled themselves, and revealed to them all kinds of sins, and the women have borne giants, and the whole earth has been filled with blood and unrighteousness. Then the Most High spoke, and sent Uriel to the son of Lamech (Noah) and said to him: Hide thyself! For the whole earth and all that is alive in2 it will be destroyed in a flood. And Uriel instructed Noah in how to build the ark that he and his seed might escape and preserve the generations of the world.

And Gabriel said to the Lord: Proceed against those who are destroying the earth. And the Lord said to Michael and Raphael, Bind those angels who sinned and throw them into the darkness: And on the great day of judgment they shall be cast into the abyss of fire. And now the giants, who are produced from the spirits of flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon the earth, and earth shall be their dwelling. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies, because they are born from men, and from the holy angels. And they shall be evil spirits in the earth. And the spirits of the giants shall afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause trouble: They take no food, but nevertheless hunger, and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and the women, because they proceeded from them. They shall destroy without incurring judgment, until the day of the consummation, the great judgment, in which the age shall be consummated.

DEMONS, ACCORDING TO ENOCH, ARE A MIXED BREED OF BEINGS, PART HUMAN AND PART ANGELIC. THE BODIES OF THESE BEINGS WERE DESTROYED DURING THE FLOOD, BUT THE LORD HAS PERMITTED THEIR SPIRITS TO REMAIN FREE UNTIL THE LAST JUDGMENT. THE DEMONS OF JESUS DAY KNEW AND UND2ERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS A SET TIME THAT THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE FREE BEFORE THEIR PUNISHMENT WOULD BEGIN.

Matthew 8:28-29 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

JESUS ALSO REFERRED TO INFORMATION FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ENOCH.

Matthew 22:23-33 KJV The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

JESUS SCOLDED THE SADDUCEES FOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE POWER OF GOD TO RAISE THE DEAD, AND FOR NOT KNOWING FROM THE SCRIPTURES THAT THE ANGELS ARE NOT SUPPOSED MARRY OR BE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE. NOWHERE IN OUR PRESENT DAY OLD TESTAMENT, WHICH IS ALL THAT THEY HAD DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY, IS IT STATED THAT THE ANGELS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MARRY. ENOCH IS THE ONLY JEWISH WRITING WE KNOW OF THAT WAS AVAILABLE DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY WHICH STATES THAT ANGELS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MARRY.

1 Enoch 15:1-7 And the Lord spoke to Enoch saying: Go and say to the Watchers of heaven, wherefore have ye left the high, holy and eternal heaven, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with them, and have begotten children with the blood of flesh, as the children of men, who die and perish? Therefore I have given them wives that they might impregnate them, and beget children by them, that thus they might replenish the earth. But you, were formerly spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you, for heaven was your dwelling.

WE DO NOT HAVE A RELIABLE HEBREW MANUSCRIPT OF ENOCH FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT TIME PERIOD. PERHAPS ONE WILL BE FOUND IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IF NOT, ENOCH WILL TELL US WHAT HE WROTE DURING HIS 3 1/2 YEAR MINISTRY. DEMONS CAN INHABIT THE BODIES OF MEN AND ANIMALS WHO ARE NOT PROTECTED BY HAVING THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THEM. THEY (DEMONS) STILL HAVE HUMAN DESIRES AND LUSTS, BUT THEY CANNOT FULFILL THEM UNLESS THEY POSSESS A HUMAN BEINGS BODY. WHEN A HUMAN BODY IS NOT AVAILABLE, AN ANIMALS BODY WILL SERVE AS A TEMPORARY HOUSE UNTIL A HUMAN BODY BECOMES AVAILABLE.

Matthew 8:30-32 The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

Acts 19:11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

DEALING WITH DEMONS IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE SOUGHT AFTER, AS THE SEVEN SONS OF SCEVA FOUND OUT. BUT, WE SHOULD NOT WALK AROUND IN FEAR OF THEM EITHER. SATAN, AND FALLEN ANGELS ARE SIMPLY CREATED BEINGS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY STRONGER THAN WE ARE, AND DEMONS ARE A MIXED BREED. ALL OF THEM ARE AS NOTHING COMPARED TO GOD AND HIS POWER, AND HE GIVES AUTHORITY OVER THESE BEINGS TO THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM.

Luke 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them

power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Ephesians 6:11-12 KJV Put on the whole armor of God, that you will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
 
 

CHAPTER 41: MARY MAGDALENE: THE LADY DISCIPLE

BEFORE WE LOOK AT THE SCRIPTURES CONCERNING THE ACTUAL RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST TO EARTH, WE ARE GOING TO REVIEW THE EVENTS SURROUNDING HIS FIRST COMING. WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE BIBLICAL RECORD OF THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MARY MAGDALENE. IT IS THE COMMAND OF CHRIST THAT WHEREVER THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED, THE ACCOUNT OF THE ACTIONS OF MARY MAGDALENE SHOULD BE TOLD. SOME MODERN DAY MOVIES AND BOOKS PERPETRATE THE MYTH THAT MARY WAS JESUS' LOVER OR HUSBAND, AND THAT HE FATHERED CHILDREN BY HER. THE SCRIPTURE IS CLEAR THAT CHRIST WAS WITHOUT SIN, SO THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY THAT ANY OF THOSE THINGS COULD BE TRUE.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.

MARY, ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, WAS ONE OF JESUS' VERY BEST FRIENDS AND AS FAR AS WOMEN GO, WAS THE CLOSEST TO HIM. SHE WAS LIKE A FEMALE DISCIPLE.

Luke 8:1-2 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;

MARY MAGDALENE WAS AT ONE TIME POSSESSED BY SEVEN DEMONS, WHICH JESUS CAST OUT OF HER. AFTER THIS SHE OFTEN TRAVELED WITH JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES. MANY OF THOSE WHOM JESUS HEALED, HELPED TO SUPPORT JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES.

Luke 8:3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

JESUS DID NOT ACTUALLY NEED THE SUPPORT MONEY THEY WERE GIVING TO HIM AND THE DISCIPLES, HE COULD HAVE EASILY PROVIDED EVERYTHING THAT HE AND THE DISCIPLES NEEDED BY HIS POWER. HE ALLOWED MARY AND THE OTHERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO HIS SUPPORT TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN. THE SAME IS TRUE TODAY.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

GOD DOES NOT NEED OUR MONEY OR OUR TIME. HE WILL GET HIS WORK DONE, WITH US, OR WITHOUT US, WHATEVER WE CHOOSE. IT IS TO OUR OWN ADVANTAGE TO SUPPORT GODS WORK AND TO LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN. GOD ALREADY OWNS THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT, ANYTHING WE GIVE OR DO FOR GOD, IS FOR OUR BENEFIT, NOT FOR HIS. HE ALLOWS US TO DO THINGS FOR HIM FOR OUR SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL WELFARE, TO SECURE OURSELVES A GOOD POSITION IN HIS KINGDOM.

Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

MARY AND MARTHA WERE SISTERS, AND THEY HAD A HOME IN BETHANY WHERE JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES WERE ALWAYS WELCOME TO STAY, OR STOP BY FOR A MEAL. MARTHA WAS THE MORE PRACTICAL OF THE TWO, WHILE MARY WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SPIRITUAL THINGS. MARY DESIRED TO LEARN THE TRUTH AND JESUS SAID THAT THE OPPORTUNITY WOULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER.

THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS

John 11:1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

MARY AND MARTHA WERE THE SISTERS OF LAZARUS, THE MAN JESUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

John 11:2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.

THE INCIDENT MENTIONED ABOVE, THE POURING OF PERFUME ON JESUS HAD NOT HAPPENED YET, JOHN MENTIONS IT HERE SO THERE WILL BE NO MISTAKE ABOUT WHICH MARY HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, AS MARY WAS A VERY COMMON NAME IN ISRAEL AT THE TIME, AND THERE ARE MANY MARYS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE.

John 11:3-4 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

MARY AND MARTHA SENT WORD TO JESUS THAT THEIR BROTHER LAZARUS WAS SICK, HOPING THAT HE WOULD HURRY THERE AND HEAL LAZARUS BEFORE HE DIED. JESUS ALREADY KNEW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO, RAISE LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD, SO HE TOOK HIS TIME IN GETTING THERE.

John 11:5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

THE BIBLE STATES THAT JESUS LOVED MARTHA, MARY, AND THEIR BROTHER LAZARUS.

John 11:6-7 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."

John 11:11-15 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

JESUS KNEW THAT LAZARUS HAD ALREADY DIED AND WAS BURIED. THE REASON THAT JESUS LET LAZARUS DIE, WAS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, TO ALLOW JESUS TO SHOW GODS POWER BY RAISING THE DEAD.

John 11:17-19 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.

THE FUNERAL WAS OVER AND LAZARUS HAD BEEN IN THE TOMB FOR FOUR DAYS. MARY AND MARTHA'S NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS WERE STOPPING BY THEIR HOUSE TO CONSOLE THEM ON THE LOSS OF THEIR BROTHER.

John 11:20-22 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

MARTHA ALREADY HAD MUCH FAITH, AND ALREADY BELIEVED THAT JESUS COULD RAISE LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD, IF HE WOULD ASK THE FATHER TO DO IT.

John 11:23 & 25-27 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

MARTHA ALREADY UNDERSTOOD MUCH OF THE GOSPEL, BEFORE CHRIST HAD EVER DIED. THE TWO SISTERS SEEM TO BE FAR AHEAD OF THE DISCIPLES WHEN IT CAME TO UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL THINGS.

John 11:28-29 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.

JESUS THEN ASKED MARTHA TO SEND MARY OUT TO WHERE HE WAS, AT THE

OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE. JESUS STAYED AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE, BECAUSE THIS WAS WHERE THE TOMB OF LAZARUS WAS LOCATED.

John 11:30-33 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

JESUS HAD FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS, JUST LIKE WE DO. HE WAS DEEPLY MOVED, AND COULD FEEL AND UNDERSTAND THE SADNESS FELT BY THOSE WHO HAD KNOWN AND LOVED LAZARUS.

John 11:34-37 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

JESUS WEPT AT THE TOMB OF LAZARUS, BUT NOT FOR LAZARUS. JESUS KNEW WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO DO, HE WAS WEEPING FOR THOSE PRESENT WHO DID NOT BELIEVE, AND HAD NO FAITH. SOME OF THOSE PRESENT WERE QUESTIONING WHY JESUS COULD NOT HAVE HEALED THIS MAN, WHOM HE LOVED, SINCE HE HAD PREVIOUSLY HEALED A MAN WHO WAS BORN BLIND.

John 11:38-39 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

MARTHA, ALWAYS THE PRACTICAL ONE, WAS WORRIED THAT IF THEY REMOVED THE STONE FROM THE TOMB OF HER BROTHER, THERE WOULD BE A FOUL ODOR FROM HER BROTHERS DECAYING BODY.

John 11:40-42 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

JESUS WAITED TO PERFORM THIS MIRACLE UNTIL THOSE FOR WHOM THIS MIRACLE WAS INTENDED FOR WERE WITHIN HEARING DISTANCE, THAT THEY MIGHT SEE, AND HEAR, AND BELIEVE.

John 11:43-45 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

MANY WHO SAW THIS MIRACLE PUT THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST, AND THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD SOME FAITH, LIKE MARTHA AND MARY, HAD THEIR FAITH STRENGTHENED. THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS

John 11:46-48 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES CALLED FOR A MEETING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS MAN WHO WAS DESTROYING THEIR FALSE TRADITIONS, AND ERODING THEIR POWER OVER THE PEOPLE. WHILE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES TO FIND OUT IF JESUS REALLY WAS THE PROMISED MESSIAH, THEY WERE INSTEAD ONLY CONCERNED WITH RETAINING THEIR OWN POSITIONS OF POWER IN THE SYNAGOGUE AND IN THE GOVERNMENT.

John 11:49-53 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

GOD CAN SPEAK THROUGH UNBELIEVERS AS WELL AS BELIEVERS. GOD CAN AND DOES FULFILL HIS PROPHECIES THROUGH PEOPLE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN HIM, AND ARE ACTUALLY FIGHTING AGAINST HIM AND HIS PLAN FOR THE WORLD. GOD SPOKE THROUGH THE HIGH PRIEST, CAIAPHAS, A PROPHECY THAT CHRIST WOULD DIE FOR THE JEWISH NATION AND ALL OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD. CAIAPHAS, WHILE DENYING CHRIST, WAS ACTUALLY PROPHESYING ABOUT HIM. ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORSHIP ANTICHRIST, AND DECLARE THAT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN CHRIST OR GOD, WILL ACTUALLY BE PROVING TO THE WORLD THAT GOD EXISTS, BY FULFILLING THE PROPHECIES OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION. THEY WILL BY THEIR ACTIONS AND WORDS, BE PROVING THE VERY THING THAT THEY DENY, TO BE TRUE.

CHAPTER 42: MARY MAGDALENE: THE ANOINTING OF JESUS

WE NEXT SEE MARY MAGDALENE IN THE SCRIPTURES ANOINTING JESUS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS BURIAL. MARY WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE AT THAT TIME WHO UNDERSTOOD THAT JESUS WOULD DIE AND RISE FROM THE DEAD THE PERFUME SHE USED WAS WORTH A NORMAL YEARS WAGES IN JUDEA AT THE TIME. TODAY IN AMERICA THAT WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF THIRTY OR FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

John 12:1-2 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

MARTHA WAS SERVING AGAIN, DOING ALL OF THE WORK BY HERSELF, WHILE HER BROTHER LAZARUS WAS RELAXING, AND MARY WAS CONCERNED WITH SPIRITUAL THINGS.

John 12:3-6 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

JUDAS OBJECTED TO WHAT MARY HAD DONE, NOT BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED FOR THE POOR, BUT BECAUSE HE LOVED MONEY, AND WAS A THIEF. HE LATER BETRAYED JESUS FOR THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER.

John 12:7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

IT WAS BY THE PLAN OF GOD THAT MARY HAD DONE THIS. THE PERFUME SHE USED WAS VERY VALUABLE AND WAS PROBABLY OLD AND QUITE RARE.

Mark 14:6-9 "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

JESUS MADE A PROPHECY HERE THAT WHEREVER THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WHAT MARY HAD DONE WOULD BE TOLD, IN MEMORY OF HER. WE HAVE JUST FULFILLED THIS PROPHECY BY READING THOSE WORDS. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE ALSO RECORDS THIS INCIDENT AND INCLUDES MORE DETAILS AND A PARABLE OF JESUS AT THE END.

Luke 7:36-38 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

MARY, AFTER SHE HAD ANOINTED JESUS WITH THE PERFUME ON HIS HEAD, THEN WEPT AND WIPED HIS FEET WITH HE HAIR, AND POURED PERFUME ON HIS FEET ALSO. MARY HAD MUCH SPIRITUAL WISDOM, SHE UNDERSTOOD FROM THE TEACHING OF JESUS, THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO DIE, AND PREPARED HIM FOR BURIAL.

Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."

THE OLD PHARISEES, JUST LIKE THE MODERN DAY PHARISEES, ALWAYS THINK THAT THEY ARE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE. JESUS COULD READ THIS MANS THOUGHTS, HE NEW WHAT SIMON WAS THINKING. JESUS THEN TOLD HIM A PARABLE TO HELP HIM UNDERSTAND HOW GOD VIEWS THINGS.

Luke 7:40-43 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

JESUS WAS HERE COMPARING GOD TO A MONEYLENDER, WHO FORGAVE TWO MEN THEIR DEBTS THAT THEY OWED HIM. ONE MAN OWED HIM MUCH MONEY, THE OTHER MAN ONLY A LITTLE. THIS ILLUSTRATION SHOWS THAT GOD IS WILLING TO FORGIVE ALL PEOPLE FOR THEIR SINS, WHETHER THEIR SINS ARE FEW OR MANY.

Luke 7:44-50 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

THE AMOUNT OF A PERSONS SINS ARE NO PROBLEM TO GOD HE CAN AND WILL FORGIVE THEM ALL, PROVIDED YOU LOVE HIM, AND HAVE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

John 12:9-11 " Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

THE CHIEF PRIESTS, EVEN AFTER ALL OF THE MIRACLES THAT JESUS PERFORMED, INCLUDING RAISING THE DEAD, STILL DID NOT BELIEVE, AND NOW THEY WANTED TO KILL LAZARUS ALSO, THE MAN RAISED FROM THE DEAD. THOUGH THEY KNEW THE SCRIPTURES AND WERE EYEWITNESSES OF THE MIRACLES OF JESUS, THEY REJECTED THE TRUTH FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY AND POSITIONS OF POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS POWER.

THE BETRAYAL

SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER, MARY HAD ANOINTED JESUS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS BURIAL. IT WAS NOW THE DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER AND CHRIST CELEBRATED IT WITH HIS DISCIPLES FOR THE LAST TIME.

Mark 14:10-11 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JUDAS WAS STILL IRATE BECAUSE OF THE LOST OPPORTUNITY TO STEAL THE MONEY FROM THE PERFUME HAD IT BEEN SOLD AND THE PROCEEDS GIVEN TO HIM, THE KEEPER OF THE MONEY BAG. JUDAS WAS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS BECAUSE HE HAD HOPED THAT JESUS WOULD BECOME AN EARTHLY KING, AND MAKE HIM (JUDAS) RICH AND POWERFUL. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT JESUS WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH AN EARTHLY KINGDOM, BUT A SPIRITUAL ONE, JUDAS BECAME DISENCHANTED, AND DECIDED TO MAKE WHATEVER MONEY HE COULD FROM THE CHIEF PRIESTS, BY BETRAYING JESUS.

John 13:1-3 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

FOLLOWING THE MEAL, CHRIST WENT WITH HIS DISCIPLES TO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE AND PRAYED, AFTER WHICH HE WAS BETRAYED BY JUDAS AND TURNED OVER TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS, WHO BROUGHT HIM BEFORE PILATE. IT WAS NOW EARLY IN THE MORNING ON THE DAY THAT THE PASSOVER WOULD BEGIN, THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE JEWISH MONTH OF NISAN. THE JEWISH DAYS BEGAN AT SUNSET, AND THIS IS WHEN THE PASSOVER WOULD BEGIN. THE TRIAL

John 18:28-31 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected.

PILATE THEN QUESTIONED JESUS BUT COULD FIND NOTHING IN WHAT HE SAID TO CAUSE HIM TO BE DESERVING OF DEATH. HE THEN BROUGHT CHRIST BACK OUT BEFORE THE JEWS.

John 19:4-12 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him." The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God." When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

THE JEWS INTIMIDATED PILATE WITH THE THREAT OF REPORTING HIM TO CAESAR AS BEING A TRAITOR TO THE ROMAN REALM IF HE DID NOT PERMIT THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST TO TAKE PLACE.

John 19:13-15 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

THE CHIEF PRIESTS DEMANDED THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND PROCLAIMED THAT THEY HAD NO KING BUT CAESAR. THEY LATER SUFFERED FOR THIS SAYING WHEN THE ROMAN EMPEROR DESTROYED JERUSALEM AN LEVELED THEIR TEMPLE. THEY WANTED CAESAR TO BE THEIR KING AND GOD GRANTED THEM THEIR WISH. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW ADDS SOME MORE DETAILS TO THIS SCENE. WE WILL LOOK AT THESE AND THEN PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF WITH JOHNS GOSPEL.

Matthew 27:22-25 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

PILATE WASHED HIS HANDS IN FRONT OF THE JEWS TO SYMBOLIZE THAT HE COULD FIND NO GUILT IN CHRIST. PILATE WAS AFRAID THAT THE MOB SCENE WOULD BECOME A RIOT AND HE WOULD THEN HAVE TO ANSWER TO CAESAR FOR NOT BEING ABLE KEEP THE PEACE IN JUDEA, HIS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. THE JEWS THEN MADE THE PROPHETIC STATEMENT, "LET HIS BLOOD BE UPON US AND UPON OUR CHILDREN," AND IT HAS BEEN, FOR ALMOST 2000 YEARS. 2000 YEARS FROM THE DAY THAT THE JEWS SAID "LET HIS BLOOD BE UPON US AND UPON OUR CHILDREN," THEY WILL BE SAYING THE EXACT OPPOSITE. THEY WILL BE BEGGING GOD TO SEND CHRIST BACK TO RESCUE THEM FROM ANTICHRIST, AND GOD WILL SEND CHRIST BACK TO THEM AND SAVE THEM, AND MAKE THEM THE MOST POWERFUL NATION ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, FOR 1000 YEARS.

THE CRUCIFIXION

John 19:16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.

Mark 15:17-25 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

John 19:23-24 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.

Mark 15:26 It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John 19:19-22 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Mark 15:27-32 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!" In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

ALL OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES PERTAINING TO THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST WERE FULFILLED BY CHRIST DURING THE 3 1/2 YEARS OF HIS MINISTRY, AND DURING THE TIME OF HIS SUFFERING, DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION.

John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

WE NEXT SEE MARY MAGDALENE STANDING NEAR THE CROSS WHERE JESUS WAS DYING.

John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

JESUS THEN ENTRUSTED THE CARE OF HIS MOTHER TO THE DISCIPLE JOHN, THE AUTHOR OF FIVE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE, INCLUDING REVELATION.

John 19:28-30 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Mark 15:37-39 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Mark 15:40-41 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

John 19:31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.

CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED ABOUT 9:00 AM ON THE DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER SABBATH, WHICH WOULD BEGIN AT SUNDOWN THAT SAME DAY. THE JEWS WANTED THOSE WHO WERE CRUCIFIED THAT DAY TO HAVE THEIR LEGS BROKEN, SO THEY WOULD SUFFOCATE AND DIE AND COULD BE BURIED BEFORE THE PASSOVER BEGAN.

John 19:32-37 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

JESUS, BY HIS DEATH, AND THE MANNER OF HIS DEATH FULFILLED ALL OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE FIRST COMING OF THE MESSIAH. THE REASON THE JEWS DID NOT ACCEPT JESUS AS BEING THE CHRIST, IS BECAUSE HE DID NOT USHER IN THE MILLENNIUM. THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND FROM THE SCRIPTURES THAT 2000 YEARS WERE TO SEPARATE THE TWO EVENTS. THE BURIAL

John 19:41-42 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.

Matthew 27:57-58 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

John 19:39-40 With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS, TOOK CHARGE OF THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA WAS A RICH MAN WHO SOUGHT FOR THE TRUTH AND FOUND IT, AND NICODEMUS WAS PHARISEE WHO WAS SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH AND FOUND IT.

Mark 15:46-47 Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
 
 

CHAPTER 43: MARY MAGDALENE: THE RESURRECTION WITNESS

Mark 16:1-7 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.

MARY MAGDALENE, MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, AND SALOME WERE THE FIRST ONES TO VISIT THE TOMB OF CHRIST AFTER THE RESURRECTION. SHE WENT TO THE PLACE WHERE JESUS WAS BURIED AND FOUND THAT HIS BODY WAS MISSING.

John 20:2 So she (Mary Magdalene) came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

Luke 24:10-12 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

John 20:3-10 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead) Then the disciples went back to their homes,

THE DISCIPLES WENT BACK TO THEIR HOMES, BUT MARY WENT BACK ALONE TO THE TOMB AND WEPT.

JESUS APPEARS TO MARY MAGDALENE

MARY WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO WHOM JESUS APPEARED AFTER HIS RESURRECTION.

Mark 16:9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

John 20:11-17 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

MARY NO DOUBT WAS HOPING THAT JESUS WAS BACK ON EARTH TO STAY, BUT HE TOLD HER HE WAS RETURNING TO GOD, HIS FATHER. WHETHER HE DID SO IMMEDIATELY AND THEN RETURNED TO APPEAR TO THE DISCIPLES A FEW HOURS LATER IS NOT CLEARLY SPECIFIED, BUT THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE THE CASE, BECAUSE LATER JESUS ALLOWED THOMAS TO TOUCH HIM AND PUT HIS HANDS IN THE WOUNDS ON JESUS HANDS AND SIDE. JESUS COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN REFERRING TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO BE ON THE EARTH FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE IT ANY HARDER FOR MARY TO ACCEPT HIS DEPARTURE, WHICH WOULD COMING SOON.

John 20:18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Mark 16:10-11 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

MARY THEN FOLLOWED JESUS INSTRUCTIONS, AND WENT AND TOLD THE DISCIPLES WHAT HAD HAPPENED, BUT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE HER, THINKING HER STORY TO BE THE IMAGINATIONS OF A GRIEF STRICKEN WOMAN.
 
 

CHAPTER 44: JESUS APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES

AFTER APPEARING TO MARY FIRST, JESUS APPEARED TO PETER AND ONE OTHER DISCIPLE AS THEY WERE WALKING DOWN THE ROAD TO EMMAUS.

Luke 24:13-32 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

ON THE EVENING OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, WHICH WAS LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JUST BEFORE SUNDOWN, JESUS APPEARED TO ELEVEN OF THE DISCIPLES, WHO WERE IN HIDING IN A LOCKED HOUSE FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS.

John 20:19-20 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

Luke 24:37-45 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

John 20:24-29 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

THOMAS, WHO HAD NOT BEEN WITH THE DISCIPLES AT JESUS FIRST APPEARANCE DID NOT BELIEVE THEIR TESTIMONY. HE PROBABLY THOUGHT BOTH MARY MAGDALENE AND THE DISCIPLES HAD LOST THEIR MINDS. CHRIST THEN APPEARED TO THEM AGAIN, THIS TIME WHEN THOMAS WAS PRESENT AND HE FELT THE WOUNDS IN CHRISTS BODY, AND BELIEVED.

Luke 24:46-48 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

CHRIST THEN PROPHESIED THAT THE GOSPEL WOULD BE PREACHED TO ALL

NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM, WHICH IT WAS, AND IS STILL CONTINUING TO THIS DAY.

Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, CHRIST POURED OUT THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON THEM AND GAVE THEM THE POWER TO BEGIN THE CHRISTIAN ERA, WITH PREACHING AND MIRACLES.

THE ASCENSION

Luke 24:50-53 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

HE THEN DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR SIGHT TO RETURN TO THE PLACE WHERE HE CAME FROM, AND WILL RETURN AGAIN TO EARTH WHEN THE 2000 YEARS ARE COMPLETED.

John 20:30-31 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

JOHN, THE AUTHOR OF THE GOSPEL BEARING HIS NAME AND THE BOOK OF

REVELATION, WROTE DOWN THE THINGS THAT HE HAD SEEN SO THAT WE MIGHT BELIEVE IN CHRIST, NOT HAVING SEEN HIM, BY FAITH. WE ARE NOT TOLD IN THE SCRIPTURES WHAT BECAME OF MARY MAGDALENE, MARTHA, AND THEIR BROTHER LAZARUS. ACCORDING TO ANCIENT LEGEND, THEY WERE BANISHED FROM ISRAEL BY THE JEWS AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND SETTLED NEAR MARSEILLES, FRANCE, WHERE LAZARUS BECAME THE BISHOP OF THAT REGION. WE WILL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MARY, AND ALL OF THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES, WHEN WE MEET THEM IN PERSON, AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THIS SAME JESUS WHO WE READ ABOUT FROM THE SCRIPTURES IS THE ONE WHO WILL BE RETURNING TO EARTH TO DESTROY THE WORK OF SATAN AND SET UP GOD'S KINGDOM.

Acts 1:6-11 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
 
 

CHAPTER 45: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FALSE CHURCH

DURING THE PAST FEW CHAPTERS WE HAVE LEFT THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND TAKEN AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION, SATAN AND DEMONS, AND A REVIEW OF THE GOSPEL AS SEEN BY MARY MAGDALENE. WE NOW RETURN TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION WHERE WE LEFT OFF, JUST MOMENTS AFTER THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET THAT INITIATED THE FIRST RESURRECTION. REVELATION 17:12 BEGINS WITH AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE FALSE CHURCH WILL BE DESTROYED. THE ANTICHRIST AND THE TEN KINGS WHO SUPPORTED HIM WILL TURN AGAINST THE RELIGION THEY FORMERLY EMBRACED.

Revelation 17:12-13 & 16-17 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. "The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled."

AT SOME POINT IN TIME, PERHAPS AFTER THE SORES BREAK OUT ON THOSE WHO HAVE THE MARK, OR AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAS TAKEN PLACE, THE TEN KINGS WHO RULE THE WORLD UNDER THE ANTICHRIST WILL HATE THE FALSE RELIGION THAT DECEIVED THEM AND WILL DESTROY IT'S CAPITAL CITY WITH FIRE. THEY WILL HATE THE FALSE RELIGION THAT THEY FORMERLY LOVED BECAUSE THEY WILL NOW REALIZE THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS TAKEN THE MARK WILL BE CONDEMNED TO THE LAKE OF FIRE FOREVER.

Revelation 18:1-10 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries." Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.' Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!'

THE MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH WILL MOURN OVER THE GREAT CITY THAT THE TEN KINGS HAVE DESTROYED. THEY WILL WEEP BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL LOSS THEY WILL SUFFER BECAUSE OF ITS DESTRUCTION.

Revelation 18:11-20 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more--cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!'" In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.'"

NOTICE IN THE VERSES ABOVE THAT THOSE WHO ARE MOURNING OVER THE CITY OF BABYLON ARE NOT SORROWFUL BECAUSE THE FALSE RELIGION LED THEM TO WORSHIP IDOLS. THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LOSS OF MONETARY GAIN. NOTICE ALSO THAT THE SMOKE FROM THIS BURNING CITY WILL BE VIEWED BY THOSE WHO ARE ON SHIPS. THIS MEANS THAT THIS CITY WILL EITHER BE A SEAPORT CITY, OR ONE THAT IS NOT SITUATED TOO FAR INLAND. BOTH ROME AND BABYLON QUALIFY. SOME THINK THAT IT COULD BE NEW YORK CITY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SEVENTH TRUMPET WILL SOUND AND RESCUE GOD'S PEOPLE EVEN AS THE ANTICHRIST'S MISSILES ARE STREAKING TOWARD ROME, BABYLON, NEW YORK CITY, AND ALL OF THE TARGET CITIES OF AMERICA, AND THE CITIES OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY THAT HAS REFUSED TO WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST. THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS KNOWN FOR DRAMATIC LAST SECOND RESCUES.

Revelation 18: 21-24 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth."

THE RELIGION OF "MYSTERY BABYLON," WHICH HAS PROMOTED THE WORSHIP OF FALSE GODS SINCE BEFORE THE TIME OF THE FLOOD, IS SAID TO BE GUILTY OF ALL THE BLOOD OF THE PROPHETS AND SAINTS THAT HAS BEEN SHED DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES.

Revelation 19:1-7 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!" Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

"Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

THE SAVED OF ALL AGES ARE TOLD TO REJOICE OVER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FALSE CHURCH. THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL HAVE OCCURRED JUST SHORTLY BEFOREHAND AND ALL OF THE SAVED FROM ALL GENERATIONS WILL BE, REJOICING AND WATCHING THIS SCENE FROM ABOVE THE EARTH. AFTER WE VIEW THE PUNISHMENT OF THE FALSE CHURCH, WE WILL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST AND RECEIVE OUR REWARDS FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE ON EARTH.

2 Corinthians 5:8 &10 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Revelation 19:8-9 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear' (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, `Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'"

THE CHURCH IS PORTRAYED AS A VIRGIN BRIDE, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST DRESSED IN WHITE LINEN. THE WHITE LINEN REPRESENTS THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE SAINTS, THE THINGS DONE FOR CHRIST FROM A PURE HEART. AFTER THE AWARDS CEREMONY TAKES PLACE, THE FESTIVITIES WILL BEGIN. WHEN THE LORD CELEBRATED THE PASSOVER WITH HIS DISCIPLES A FEW DAYS BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION HE TOLD THEM THAT HE WOULD NOT DRINK THE FRUIT OF THE VINE AGAIN UNTIL HE DRANK IT WITH THEM IN HIS KINGDOM.

Matthew 26:29 KJV "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

WHILE THE FALSE CHURCH IS BEING DESTROYED, THE SAVED OF ALL AGES WILL BE CELEBRATING WITH CHRIST IN GOD'S KINGDOM, AT THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB.
 
 

CHAPTER 46: THE WRATH OF GOD

AFTER THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAS TAKEN PLACE, THOSE WHO REJECTED THE GOSPEL AND GOD'S MERCY, MUST NOW SUFFER HIS WRATH.

Luke 17:26-30 KJV And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

THE SAME DAY THAT NOAH ENTERED THE ARK, THE RAIN BEGAN TO FALL ON THE EARTH, AND HE WAS IN THE ARK FOR ONE YEAR. THE SAME DAY THAT LOT LEFT SODOM FIRE AND BRIMSTONE BEGAN TO FALL FROM HEAVEN AND DESTROY THOSE CITIES. LIKEWISE, THE SAME DAY THAT THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE, AND THE LORD HAS TAKEN HIS PEOPLE TO SAFETY, HIS WRATH WILL BEGIN TO FALL ON THE WORLD. ON THAT DAY FIRE AND BRIMSTONE WILL RAIN ON THE GREAT CITIES OF THE EARTH. AS HORRIBLE AS THAT IS, IT IS ONLY THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE TERRIBLE CALAMITIES THAT WILL COME UPON THE EARTH BEFORE CHRIST RETURNS WITH HIS SAINTS. AFTER THE HARVEST OF THE RIGHTEOUS AT THE FIRST RESURRECTION, THE ARMIES OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD THAT HATE GOD AND HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, WILL BEGIN TO PREPARE THEMSELVES TO GATHER AT ARMAGEDDON. THEY WILL HAVE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AND TO BRING THEIR BEST WEAPONS OF WAR WITH THEM, TO DO BATTLE WITH THE LORD WHEN HE RETURNS.

Revelation 14:17-20 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. (180 miles)

THE HARVESTING OF THE GRAPES AND THROWING THEM INTO THE WINEPRESS IS REFERRING TO THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD TO THE MID EAST.

Joel 3:9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, 'I am strong!' Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD! Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. (The valley of Jehoshaphat is the same place as Armageddon)

Zephaniah 1:14-15 & 2:1-3 & 8 The great day of the LORD is near-near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them; all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.

JEREMIAH THE PROPHET ALSO WROTE ABOUT DAY OF THE LORDS ANGER AND COMPARED IT TO CUPS OR BOWLS FILLED WITH THE WINE OF GOD'S WRATH. HE PROPHESIED THAT GOD WOULD MAKE ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD DRINK OF IT.

Jeremiah 25:15-17 & 30-33 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: "Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them. "So I took the cup from the Lord's hand and made all the nations to whom he sent me drink it: All the kingdoms on the face of the earth. "'The LORD will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword," declares the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Look! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth. "At that time those slain by the LORD will be everywhere; from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned or gathered up or buried, but will be like refuse lying on the ground.

THE SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD'S WRATH

Revelation 15:1 KJV And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES ARE DESCRIBED AS SEVEN BOWLS, FILLED WITH THE WRATH OF GOD, WHICH ARE ABOUT TO BE POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH.

Revelation 15:5-8 & 16:1 "After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."

THE WHOLE WORLD IS NOW FILLED WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW OF GOD BUT HATE HIM. THEY REJECTED THE GOSPEL WHEN IT WAS PREACHED TO THEM BY THE TWO WITNESSES. THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAS TAKEN PLACE BEFORE THEIR EYES, AND STILL THEY REFUSE TO REPENT. SINCE THEY HAVE REJECTED THE LORD, THEY WILL NOW EXPERIENCE HIS WRATH. THE ONLY EXCEPTION BEING THOSE PEOPLE WHOM GOD HAS SEALED TO LIVE THROUGH THE TIME OF WRATH, UNTIL HIS RETURN.

Revelation 16:2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image.

ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE MARK OF THE BEAST WILL NOW BREAK OUT WITH UGLY AND PAINFUL SORES. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR THEM TO HAVE DIED AT THE HANDS OF ANTICHRIST, THAN TO HAVE ACCEPTED HIS MARK AND SUFFER THESE PLAGUES FROM GOD.

Revelation 16:3-7 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve. "And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."

EARLIER, DURING THE TIME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD TRUMPET JUDGMENTS, ONE THIRD OF THE WORLDS WATER WAS POISONED. DRINKING WATER WAS SCARCE, BUT STILL AVAILABLE. NOW, DURING THE TIME OF THE SECOND AND THIRD BOWL JUDGMENTS, ALL OF THE WORLDS WATER IS POLLUTED. BUT, AS GODS WORD SAYS, IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT THE FALSE CHURCH, THE FALSE PROPHET, AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THEM AND SHED THE BLOOD OF THE SAINTS SHOULD BE GIVEN BLOOD LIKE WATER TO DRINK.

Revelation 16:8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTING THE EARTH IS NOW DESTROYED BECAUSE OF WEAPONS USED DURING THE WARS OF ANTICHRIST. THE INTENSE HEAT FROM THE SUN WILL NOW SCORCH THOSE DWELLING UPON THE EARTH.

Revelation 16:10-11 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

EVEN AFTER ALL OF THIS, THE WORLD STILL REFUSES TO REPENT. AFTER THE PLAGUE OF SCORCHING, SOME OTHER EFFECT WILL HAPPEN THAT WILL PREVENT THE SUNS LIGHT FROM REACHING THE EARTH, PLUNGING THE ANTICHRIST'S KINGDOM INTO DARKNESS.

Exodus 10:21-23 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt; darkness that can be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

BY SPECIFYING THAT THE ANTICHRIST'S KINGDOM WILL BE IN DARKNESS, IT MAY MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE SOME LIGHT IN ISRAEL AND PERHAPS IN THOSE COUNTRIES THAT FOUGHT AGAINST THE ANTICHRIST. THIS WAS THE CASE AT THE TIME WHEN GOD INSTRUCTED MOSES TO CALL FOR A PLAGUE OF DARKNESS ON EGYPT.

Revelation 16:12 "The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East."

THE KINGS OF THE EAST, CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA, AND ALL OF THE ORIENTAL COUNTRIES WILL NOW BEGIN TO MOVE THE 200 MILLION MAN ARMY THAT THEY MUSTERED EARLIER, AT THE SOUNDING OF THE SIXTH TRUMPET, TOWARD JERUSALEM. THEY WILL MARCH ACROSS THE EUPHRATES RIVER WHICH WILL BE DRIED UP FOR THEM. TURKEY HAS ALREADY BUILT A DAM ON THE EUPHRATES RIVER THAT IS CAPABLE OF SHUTTING OFF THE FLOW OF WATER TO THE SOUTH OF THEM AT ANY TIME THEY CHOOSE TO DO SO. THE REUNITING OF THE KINGS OF THE EAST IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS TODAY. THE BRITISH HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO GIVE HONK KONG BACK TO CHINA IN 1997. IN 1992 THE UNITED STATES REMOVED IT'S MILITARY BASES FROM THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Revelation 16:13-14 "Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty."

IT APPEARS THAT THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET WILL DECEIVE THE WORLD ONE MORE TIME. THEY WILL PROBABLY SAY THAT THE WAY TO RID THEMSELVES OF THESE PLAGUES IS TO GATHER ALL OF THEIR ARMIES TO JERUSALEM, AND KILL THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO WILL SOON BE RETURNING THERE. GOD, THROUGH DAVID, PROPHESIED OF THIS EVENT IN THE PSALMS.

Psalms 2:1-3 "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain. The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. `Let us break their chains,' they say, `and throw off their fetters.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them."

GOD, IT SAYS IN THE PSALMS, LAUGHS AT THESE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN DESTROY CHRIST WITH MAN MADE WEAPONS OF WAR. THE KINGS OF THE EARTH AND THEIR ARMIES WILL GATHER TOGETHER IN ISRAEL AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS, AWAITING THE RETURN OF CHRIST.

Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

Isaiah 34:2-3 The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will send up a stench; the mountains will be soaked with their blood.

Joel 3:13-14 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow--so great is their wickedness! Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

WHEN THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD ARE GATHERED TOGETHER AT ARMAGEDDON, THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL BE VERY NEAR.
 
 

CHAPTER 47: THE DAY OF THE LORD

THE TIME PERIOD KNOWN AS THE DAY OF THE LORD IS THE HEAVENLY SABBATH, THE BEGINNING OF THE SEVENTH ONE THOUSAND YEAR DAY. IT IS THE TIME WHEN CHRIST RETURNS AND SETS UP HIS KINGDOM. WHEN THE DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR, THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD WILL BE FILLED WITH TERROR.

Isaiah 13:6-8 "Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man's heart will melt. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame."

WHEN THE DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR THE MIGHTY MEN OF THE EARTH WILL BE IN PAIN LIKE A WOMAN IN LABOR. THERE WILL BE PHYSICAL PAIN BECAUSE OF THE SORES THEY RECEIVED FOR TAKING THE MARK OF THE BEAST. THEY WILL ALSO BE IN MENTAL ANGUISH BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE WRATH OF GOD HAS BEGUN TO COME UPON THEM, AND THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ESCAPE.

Isaiah 13:9-13 See, the day of the LORD is coming; a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. I will make man scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

Zechariah 13:8 & 14:3 & 5 In the whole land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

THE LORD WILL DESTROY TWO THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH WITH THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE ONE FOURTH AND ONE THIRD OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED DURING THE SEVEN SEALS AND THE SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS.

Isaiah 24:1 & 5-6 & 19-20 See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth's inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken. The earth reels like a drunkard,

MANY OF THE EARTH'S INHABITANTS WILL BE BURNED UP, AND THERE WILL BE VERY FEW PEOPLE LEFT ALIVE AFTER GOD FINISHES POURING OUT HIS WRATH ON THE EARTH. ISAIAH GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE EARTH WILL SUFFER CATACLYSMIC EVENTS WHICH WILL LEAVE IT REELING LIKE A DRUNKARD. THERE MAY BE A COLLISION WITH A LARGE ASTEROID JUST BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST THAT WILL KNOCK THE EARTH OFF OF ITS AXIS AND CAUSE THIS EFFECT. TO THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL AND ANYONE WHO HAS NOT TAKEN THE MARK OF THE BEAST BUT WAS NOT TAKEN UP IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION, GOD HAS SOME GOOD ADVICE.

Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins.

Zephaniah 2:1-3 Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation, before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's wrath comes upon you. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.

THERE WILL BE PEOPLE FROM ALL NATIONS WHO DID NOT TAKE THE MARK, BUT WERE NOT CHRISTIANS AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION, AND SO THEY REMAINED ON EARTH WHILE THE WRATH OF GOD WAS BEING POURED OUT. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WILL SURVIVE THE TIME OF GOD'S WRATH, AND REMAIN ALIVE TO REPOPULATE THE EARTH DURING THE MILLENNIUM. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE WHO MISS THE FIRST RESURRECTION, TAKE THE ADVICE GIVEN IN THE SCRIPTURES ABOVE, STAY IN YOUR HOUSE AND PRAY. PERHAPS THE LORD WILL LET YOU LIVE THROUGH HIS WRATH AND INTO THE MILLENNIUM.

THE SEVENTH BOWL

Revelation 16:17-21 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

GREAT EARTHQUAKES WILL STRIKE THE EARTH WHEN THE SEVENTH BOWL IS POURED OUT. NOTICE HERE THAT THE JUDGMENT GOD IS GIVING BABYLON IS THE CUP FILLED WITH THE WINE OF THE FURY OF HIS WRATH. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE TERMINOLOGY THAT JEREMIAH USED. THE HUGE HAILSTONES COULD BE CHUNKS OF DEBRIS THROWN INTO THE AIR BY THE EARTHQUAKE, OR PERHAPS THEY WILL BE ACTUAL GIANT ICE CHUNKS THAT HAVE FORMED BECAUSE OF THE DRASTIC CHANGES TO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE FROM THE PREVIOUS PLAGUES.

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

Revelation 19:11-13 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

Isaiah 63:2-3 & 6 Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground."

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US, WILL RETURN TO EARTH AND FULFILL THE PROPHECIES IN ISAIAH JUDE, AND REVELATION. HE NEEDS NO HELP TO ACCOMPLISH THESE TASKS, BUT WE WILL ACCOMPANY HIM AND BE WITNESSES OF HIS POWER.

Revelation 19:14-16 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

CHRIST WILL RETURN TO EARTH WITH THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN FOLLOWING HIM. THIS ARMY INCLUDES BOTH THE ANGELS, AND THE SAINTS, (THE CHURCH) AND THE SAVED OF ALL AGES WHO WERE RAISED FROM THE DEAD AT THE FIRST RESURRECTION. THE ANGELS OF GOD AND THE DEMONS WHO WERE RELEASED FROM THE RIVER EUPHRATES HAVE GATHERED THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD TO ARMAGEDDON. THEY DID THE GATHERING, BUT NOW CHRIST WILL DO THE TREADING AND WILL CRUSH THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD IN THE WINEPRESS OF GOD'S WRATH.

Revelation 19:17-18 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."

GOD IS GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER GREAT FEAST FOR THE BIRDS. SEVEN YEARS EARLIER THEY FEASTED AFTER THE EZEKIEL WAR, AND NOW THEY WILL FEAST AGAIN. EVERY YEAR IN THE FALL, THE BIRDS OF PREY FROM EUROPE AND RUSSIA MIGRATE TO AFRICA. AT LEAST SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND OF THEM FLY OVER ISRAEL EACH YEAR. THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES, WHICH SIGNIFIES THE RETURN OF CHRIST, IS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER, THE SAME TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN THE BUZZARDS, THE STORKS, AND OTHER LARGE BIRDS OF PREY FLY OVER ISRAEL. THE SAVED WILL HAVE CELEBRATED WITH CHRIST IN HEAVEN AT THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. NOW THE LORD WILL PROVIDE A GREAT SUPPER FOR THE BIRDS, AT THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST. IF THERE ARE STILL ANY ISRAELITES WHO DOUBT THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH, THEY WILL DOUBT NO MORE AFTER THE LORD DESTROYS THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD THAT HAVE GATHERED IN ISRAEL.

Revelation 19:19-21 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET WILL BE THROWN ALIVE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. THE BIRDS WILL ENJOY MUCH FEASTING AND CELEBRATION BEFORE THEY CONTINUE ON WITH THEIR JOURNEY TO AFRICA. THE ARMIES OF THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE KILLED WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. APPARENTLY AFTER DEFEATING HIS ENEMIES CHRIST WILL DISMOUNT AND DESCEND FROM THE SKY UNTO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, FULFILLING THE PROPHECY THAT HE WOULD RETURN TO EARTH IN THE SAME MANNER AS WHEN HE LEFT.

Acts 1:10-12 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city.

Zechariah 14:1-5 & 12-16 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected-- great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps. Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

SATAN IMPRISONED

Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

SATAN WILL BE IMPRISONED FOR ONE THOUSAND YEARS, AND THE MILLENNIUM WILL BEGIN.
 
 

CHAPTER 48: THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES

Deuteronomy 16:13 Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress.

THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES THAT GOD COMMANDED THE ISRAELITES TO CELEBRATE WAS TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THE HARVEST HAD BEEN GATHERED AND THE GRAPES HAD BEEN CRUSHED IN THE WINEPRESS.

Deuteronomy 16:14 & 15 Be joyful at your Feast--you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the Feast to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will choose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.

Deuteronomy 14:24-26 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.

IT WAS TO BE A JOYFUL FEAST CELEBRATING THE BOUNTIFUL HARVEST THAT THE LORD HAD GIVEN HIS PEOPLE FOR ALL THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS. IT IS COMPARABLE TO OUR HOLIDAY CALLED "THANKSGIVING."

Leviticus 23:39 & 42 "So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the LORD for seven days; the first day is a day of rest, and the eighth day also is a day of rest. Live in booths for seven days: All the native born Israelites are to live in booths."

THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES IS CELEBRATED IN THE SEVENTH JEWISH MONTH, WHICH IS IN LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER ON OUR CALENDAR. THE MODERN WORD FOR TABERNACLE OR BOOTH IS TENT. IN THE VERSE BELOW THE WORD "TENT" IS TRANSLATED "TABERNACLE" IN THE KING JAMES VERSION.

2 Corinthians 5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

DURING THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES THE ISRAELITES WERE TO CAMP

OUTSIDE, SLEEPING IN TENT LIKE STRUCTURES MADE FROM BRANCHES AND STALKS LEFTOVER FROM THE HARVEST.

Nehemiah 8:13-17 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law. They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths"--as it is written. So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES IS A PROPHETIC PICTURE OF THE TIME WHEN GOD WILL MAKE HIS DWELLING PLACE WITH MEN AND IT WILL BE CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR FOR A THOUSAND YEARS DURING THE MILLENNIUM.

Zechariah 14:16-19 Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

THE FIRST FULFILLMENT OF THIS FEAST WAS WHEN GOD TOOK ON A TENT OR TABERNACLE OF HUMAN FLESH AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. CHRIST CAME THE FIRST TIME AS A SUFFERING SERVANT. THE NEXT FULFILLMENT WILL BE WHEN CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH AS THE LORD OF LORDS, AND THE KING OF KINGS, AND RULES AND REIGNS ON THE EARTH. THE SAVED OF ALL AGES WILL LIVE AND REIGN WITH CHRIST FOR 1000 YEARS.

2 Timothy 2:11-12 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;

Revelation 20:4-6 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

THE PLACEMENT OF THESE VERSES IN CHAPTER TWENTY CONCERNING THE FIRST RESURRECTION HAS CAUSED CONFUSION FOR SOME WHO STUDY PROPHECY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKING PLACE AFTER THE RETURN OF CHRIST, NOR IS IT A SPECIAL RESURRECTION FOR THE TRIBULATION SAINTS. JOHN IS EXPLAINING TO US WHAT THE SAINTS WHO WERE RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND THOSE WHO WERE CAUGHT UP ALIVE TO MEET CHRIST IN THE AIR, WILL BE DOING DURING THE MILLENNIUM