Close Encounters of the Fake Kind –

A Short Reflection on Terry James’ Skywatch article “Alien Deception”

by Ed Wood

July 2, 2021

I just read Terry’s article “Alien Deception” in Skywatch that was featured at Rapture Ready on July 1, 2021. I think he has it absolutely right. I, too, would like to share some thoughts on this topic.

Right up front, since I consider the Bible as the most reliable witness of all, then intelligent entities are either:

A) God, the ultimate intelligence of all.

B ) Angels (good or evil)

C) Humans

Now if there really were sentient ET’s out there, I believe such a thing would be important enough to be mentioned in the Bible. I can’t think of a single instance of that, so that takes care of D), as far as I’m concerned.

Also, in the Bible, God or the angels never appear as coming to Earth in some kind of vehicle, though some people have considered Ezekiel’s exotic visions as UFO accounts. Seems to me more like a case of the prophet describe a vision of heaven which simply cannot encompassed by mere words. It is unreasonable to think that God or that angels sent by him need some kind of machinery to make an appearance. They just appear in a manner and at a time that’s the most appropriate when required.

So, that leaves the source of UAP/UFO’s as either human or demonic.

In the first case, I think it’s possible that there is top-secret human-based research which could be the source of some of these sightings. I’ve seen the B2 in flight and, if I didn’t know humans built it, I sure wouldn’t exclude the possibility that it was extraterrestrial. 

If some of these weird sightings aren’t of human origin, then that leaves only the second case.

The Bible tells us that the Antichrist and False Prophet will tap into Satan’s dark treasure chest to help fool humanity during the Tribulation. We also know that when people play around with the occult, it opens them up to the works of the devil and his demonic allies – hence the biblical prohibitions against such activity. Since deception is Satan’s accustomed and biggest weapon, why not create the UAP/UFO phenomena we now see to lead people astray?

What does puzzle me is this:  Why has everything released to the public so far been such a lousy job of special effects? I have yet to see a really clear picture of a supposed alien spaceship or someone producing a piece of exotic hardware that could never have been made on Earth. Could such things be successfully hidden from the public for decades, at least?

I just done see how this sort of thing could be suppressed for this long. I mean, Nixon finally got caught concerning Watergate and this would be an exponentially bigger story. What about that recent report that just came out? Doesn’t seem to tell us much more than “Well, we don’t know what these things are.” It a   big “Much ado about nothing” deal, as I see it. It reminds me a lot of the current Covid-19 situation which has shown us just how many people can be led astray on pretty flimsy and contradictory “evidence.”

That being said, imagine how these same people would react if the devil decides to deliver up some serious “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” special effects in the days ahead. But maybe he can’t while believers are still around, his ability to do so being inhibited by the presence of the Holy Spirit which indwells them.

What about after the Rapture?

Using the Book of Revelation as our guide, it would not surprise me at all for something exactly like this to happen along with all the other false miracles the”Man of sin” and False Prophet will produce to make most of the human race fall on their knees before them.

Luckily, those of us who have accepted Jesus won’t be here for those last terrible years.

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Early Warning: A “Head’s Up” Before the Rapture?

By Ed Wood

May 6, 2021

 

Amos {3:7} Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 

In the Left Behind series, as well as in many other similar works of both fiction and non-fiction, the Rapture occurs totally by surprise. As a result, airplanes, ships, cars, trains end up being uncontrolled with horrendous results. Of course, this is just the beginning of the terror that sweeps over humanity as millions of people and all of the children before the age of accountability suddenly vanish in the manner that Paul described as such:

1 Corinthians {15:51-52} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

The word rendered as “twinkling” in English is from the Greek “rhipe” (pronounced “hree-pay”) according to Strong’s Concordance. It compares it to “a jerk of the eye” in the sense of its rapidity.

Taking a quick look through the internet gives various estimates as to how fast that is, all come in at less than a second. At the time Paul wrote his letter, there were no devices capable of measuring small amounts of time accurately as the ones we have today, so it might actually be instantaneous.

Needless to say, the sudden disappearance of millions will be the most universally frightening event humankind has ever experienced up to that point. But will some people be given an early warning shortly before this happens? That’s the possibility we’ll consider in this article. From the opening quote from Amos, I believe it might be the case.

Adam and Eve

From the very beginning of the Bible, God always let someone know what he had in mind. Adam and Eve were told to be the stewards of his creation and to procreate (Genesis 1:28). He also gave them more details including the rule regarding the Tree of Knowledge and the consequences if they did. Well, we all know what happened, right? Adam and Eve could not plead ignorance of the rules. This made their acts those of willful rebellion.

Noah 

Genesis {6:5-8} And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

As we reflect on God’s interactions with the human race, he always let someone know what the deal was before dramatically stepping into history. Let’s take a look at Noah and the Flood. Noah was somewhere between 500 (Genesis 5:32) and just over 600 years old (Genesis 7:11) when God told him to begin working on the Ark. If we consider just how big this ship was (450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall), how much construction material required, and the very basic nature of the tools available, the time required to complete it must have been great. Add to this a steep learning curve because it is unlikely Noah, or any member of his family were professional shipbuilders so this project could have taken decades.

Perhaps just as difficult as the task at hand was dealing with the neighbors. Recall that the society at that time was so bad that God determined it was necessary to wipe it out and start over. I suspect that it was even worse than today, although it seems we are well on the way toward replicating those conditions. Noah and his kin must have had a truly dreadful time dealing with the taunts, maybe even occasional sabotage of this project. (You can get something of the idea by seeing how the world deals with believers today.)

In this instance, God let Noah know what was coming a long time before the Flood was to occur and it seems certain Noah passed the message on, rejection of it notwithstanding. Significantly, God also followed it up with a final alert right before the Deluge was to come. (Genesis 7:1-10) Let’s keep that in mind.

Abraham 

Genesis {18:17, 20-21} And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do . . . And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

The Genesis narrative which follows the above quotation recounts the discussion between Abraham and God concerning the latter’s decision to destroy those two cities. That the Lord would consider sparing them if only ten “righteous” people were found in them is a clear demonstration of his mercy and reluctance to inflict a “scorched earth” policy (literally, in this case) even upon people who so richly deserved it. Yet he also knew, in his omniscience, that there was one man and his immediate family who would not roll over for the evil of their society. Out of all the people in those desperately wicked cities, only four were found to be worth saving.

Lot

Genesis {19:15-16} And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 

Lot and his family got advanced notice about the destruction God was about to send on Sodom and Gomorrah, just a matter of hours ahead of time. Lot even warned his sons-in-law, but it appears they had the same attitude about it that Noah’s contemporaries did. As a result, only Lot, his wife, and their two daughters got out. Unfortunately, only three were to ultimately survive because Lot’s wife paused to look back upon the destruction and was killed in the process. Once again, there was a warning right before the event. 

The Israelites in Egypt

Exodus {11:1} And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague [more] upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let [you] go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. 

For over 400 years, the Israelites had resided in Egypt, initially as a small family of refugees welcomed by its pharaoh because of his high regard for Joseph, Jacob’s son who had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Over the centuries, their descendants “lived long and prospered” to such an extent as to cause great fear concerning them to arise in the mind of the increasingly hostile Egyptian ruler of Moses’ time. To deal with this perceived threat, this pharaoh imposed harsh labor upon the Israelites for beginners, culminating in infanticide as his paranoia grew.

Moses miraculously escaped the pharaoh’s edict and was adopted into his household. After learning of his heritage and killing an Egyptian in defense of a fellow Hebrew, he escaped into the desert and ended up in a land where he received his assignment from God to return and free his people – a task he only reluctantly accepted. I’m sure his reticence was further reinforced when he found that even his own people didn’t initially believe him when he got back to Egypt. (Exodus 5:20-23).

Nevertheless, he persisted with them and, at the same time, warned the pharaoh what would happen if he refused to let the people go – backing it up with unmistakable supernatural signs as evidence. Now if one wants to find fault with the Egyptian leader’s obstinacy, recall that such stubbornness was to be a recurring theme on the part of his own people as Moses led his people for forty years across the wilderness.

Oh, by the way, don’t forget that God did give Moses a final “heads up” in Genesis 11, telling him that after one final plague (the one that would kill all the first-born in Egypt, human and animal) the pharaoh would at last yield and let his people go.

A Pattern of Disclosure

The Bible itself is an on-going revelation of God, first to the Jews, and then to the rest of the human race. It words and warnings have persisted across thousands of years of history. But it doesn’t stop there because it also shows us what’s ahead of our own time. We’ve already seen the God provide long- term warnings and often short-term ones in the examples above. The Bible contains many more such occurrences, but I think these fairly disclose the pattern. Regarding the way the world will be in the Last Days, we’ve already been given a long-term look ahead in both the Old and New Testaments, but will there also be a more immediate warning just before the Rapture itself?

The Big Question 

Joel {2:28} And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

This exact line was quoted by Peter at the very beginning of the Church (Acts 2:14-17), and I am certain this has continued in the intervening 2000 years. Will our “sons and daughters” prophesy and our old men “dream dreams” to a much greater degree as we watch our world slipping ever faster into the darkness which promises to intensify into the worst time in human history (Matthew 24:21)? Will extraordinary times produce extraordinary experiences? It is my belief that they very well might.

It seems that, for the most part, the world rolls along in a manner of “sameness” much as wise King Solomon described in Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes {1:5-9} The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea [is] not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things [are] full of labour; man cannot utter [it:] the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.  The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun.

Except for changes in technology and specifics, we humans pretty much travel the same route across the centuries. People are born, live their lives, have families, and die. Their descendants do the same thing. Yet every once in a while, we see something unprecedented during which God needs to directly intervene and make possible the “impossible,” such as in the examples given earlier.

Yet those events all pale in comparison to that one-time God literally stepped onto our world as one of us in the man, Jesus Christ. From that miraculous event, the world has never been the same. I think it is very possible that in the very near future, the world will again be profoundly changed when Jesus himself steps into history again to take his own off this disintegrating planet when he calls us to meet him up in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Once we are safely gone, God will initiate on those left behind the kind of judgment and justice this fallen race has earned by continually ignoring all the warnings God has provided by those chosen across the ages to be his messengers.

Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

End-of-the-world predictions have probably been going on since the first humans encountered something drastic occurring in their environment. Volumes could be written on these alone. Limiting our range to “end of the world” date predictions, here are just three examples of “fake prophetic news:”

William Miller: October 22, 1844 (Nope!)

Harold Camping: End of 1994, May 5, 2011 (Sorry, Mr. C. – wrong on both counts!)

Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses): 1925 (Obviously not!)

Jesus himself warned us of this sort of thing in the Olivet Discourse. False prophecy and prophets were the first items he listed. Some of these deceivers would even claim to be him:

Matthew {24:4} And Jesus answered and said unto them*, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [*His followers.] 

Mark {13:5} And Jesus answering them* began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: For

many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ;] and shall deceive many. [*His followers.]

Luke {21:8} And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ;] and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

How, then, do we determine which, if any, modern messages and those delivering them concerning the coming of the Rapture itself will be valid? Here is my own two-step litmus test:

1) Does the prediction go against anything Scriptural? If it does, then it fails the ultimate test. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). In this regard, be a Berean! (Acts 17:10-11)

2) Has the person or organization made an inaccurate prediction before? If it does, then he, she, or it is unreliable. Pay no attention. (Deuteronomy 18:22)

Feel free to add more qualifiers to your own list, but I suggest that the two above are a good place to starting. 

Conclusion 

As we can see, God always makes sure that his messages and warnings find their way to those to whom he intended. Whether or not they are accepted by the general populace, and, tragically, often they are not, is totally up to each individual.

Significantly for us, Jesus specifically warned that the condition of the world again be like those of Noe (Noah) and Lot (Luke 17:26-29). The growing and accelerating immersion of society into evil echoes the former, and its acceptance of sexual deviancy replicates that of the latter. Furthermore, research into the genetic manipulation of living organisms brings forth a very real potential of replicating the kind of Nephilim hybrids which lived on Earth just prior to the Flood (Genesis 6:1-4).

Does this mean that we are presently on the verge of a time when God will find it necessary to once again intervene? If this is so, isn’t it possible, more than that – probable – that he will choose modern-day messengers to receive and disseminate a final warning just before the that intervention, namely, the Rapture?

Jesus said:

Luke {21:28} And when these things* begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. *Refers to all the signs he himself and the Bible told us about the Last Days.

Last Question 

Are you ready to receive and accept such a message today?

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Israel, Egypt, the United States and the Approaching Apocalypse

By Michael Hile

May 5, 2021

The Story of Joseph

The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis occupies a significant part of the first book in the Bible and provides the foundation for the birth of the nation of Israel some 430 years after Jacob and his family entered Egypt (Gen. chapters 37-50, Ex. 12:40-41).  After being thrown into a pit by Joseph’s ten brothers and later sold to some Ishmaelites (also Midianites) going to Egypt, Joseph was sold again to “Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard” (Gen. 37:18-36, 39:1).

While Joseph was enslaved in Egypt, the Lord prospered him, and Potiphar made him “overseer over his house, and all that he had, he put into his hand” (Gen. 39:2-6). For Joseph’s sake, the Lord greatly blessed Potiphar and his house and all that he had in the field.  Through no fault of his own, Joseph was thrown into prison due to false accusations from Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:7-20). While Joseph was in prison, the Lord blessed him and helped him interpret the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker, who had been thrown into the king’s prison, after they had offended Pharaoh (Gen. 39:21-23, 40:1-23).

From Prospering in Prison to Divine Providence with Pharaoh

Two years passed after Joseph’s interpretation of the chief butler’s dream, and one night after going to bed, Pharaoh experienced two vivid dreams that greatly troubled his spirit. So Pharaoh called for his magicians and wise men to see if they could interpret them, but after listening to Pharaoh’s dreams, no one was able to explain their meaning. The chief butler then remembered when Joseph, the Hebrew, had interpreted his dream after he and the chief baker were thrown in prison. Since Joseph’s interpretation of the chief butler’s dream came true, just as Joseph had predicted, the chief butler decided to tell Pharaoh about his dream while in prison with Joseph.

After Pharaoh heard from the chief butler that there was a Hebrew slave who had the ability to interpret dreams, Pharaoh sent for Joseph (Gen. 41:1-13).  Pharaoh’s servants then went to the prison where Joseph was held and brought him out of the dungeon.  Joseph cleaned himself up and changed his clothes. Then Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to see if he could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams (Gen. 41:14). Pharaoh then told Joseph that the magicians and wise men were not able to interpret his dreams, but he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams.  Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Gen. 41:15-16).

After Pharaoh had told Joseph the two dreams (Gen. 41:17-24), Joseph gave God the glory for the interpretation, and then he told their meaning to Pharaoh (Gen. 41:25-32).  Both dreams referred to the same event, and having two dreams meant that the dreams were certain and would happen soon.  The seven fat cows and the seven good ears of corn represented seven good years where Egypt would have an abundance of crops. The seven good years would then be followed by seven bad years of famine where no food would be grown in the land (Gen. 41:26-32).

Joseph’s Advice to Pharaoh

Joseph told Pharaoh to find a prudent and wise man and put him in charge of gathering an abundant supply of food for the next seven years that would help them get through the seven years of famine (Gen. 41:33-36).  Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and his advice to Pharaoh “was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants,” and Pharaoh said:  “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God” (Gen. 41:37-38)?  Pharaoh then told Joseph:  “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (Gen. 41:39-41).

Then Pharaoh took off his ring and put it upon Joseph’s hand, had him arrayed in fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.  Joseph then rode in the second chariot behind Pharaoh, and was made “ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 41:42-46). So Joseph was put in charge of setting up a program to store up food for the next seven years, so the land of Egypt would be prepared when the seven years of famine arrived (Gen. 41:46-49).

After Pharaoh promoted Joseph to second in command in Egypt and gave him authority over the agricultural crops, in order to prepare for the seven years of famine that was coming in the future, Joseph put in place a program that required all farmers to give one fifth (20%) of their crops to Pharaoh (Gen. 41:33-46).  With God’s blessings, the crops were overly productive, and the Egyptians had a substantial amount of food grown during the seven years of plenty (Gen. 41:47-49).

Are Pharaoh’s Dreams a Picture of the Coming 70^th Week of Daniel?

Are the seven years of plenty that the Egyptians enjoyed, before the seven years of famine decimated their crops, a harbinger of the time that will precede the future, seven-year tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th week)?  Are we in transition between “the sevens” like Egypt experienced?  To put it another way; will the world enjoy a time of wealth and prosperity just before the future, seven-year tribulation that will be comparable in some ways to the abundance experienced by the Egyptians before the seven years of famine overtook their land?

Although we are not currently experiencing a seven-year time cycle like God revealed to Joseph through Pharaoh’s dreams, the world has enjoyed increasing prosperity for over seventy years, since Israel became a nation in 1948 and Jerusalem was seized from Jordan in 1967.  Perhaps the “peace” and “prosperity” of the United States, which greatly affects the whole world, has been a direct result of heeding the Psalmist: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces’ ” (Psalm 122:6-7).

After coming out of the Great Depression during the decade of the 1930s, the United States rebounded and had a strong economy during World War II (1939-1945), which saw three years of double-digit growth.  Following three years of recession at the end of WWII (1945-1947), the United States began to recover economically in 1948 with over 4% GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that year.  Today, the world economy consists of 193 national economies, with the United States being the largest (GDP: $21.43 trillion). [1]

The total world GDP for the year 2019 was nearly $88 trillion ($87.80). The United States and China alone control over one-third (40.75%) of the total world GDP ($35.77 trillion). [2]   Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many small businesses, local governments, churches, institutions and organizations were coerced by governors, mayors and other governmental leaders to close or greatly limit their operation. With all of the many closings and restrictions adversely affecting the global economy (GDP), what long-term effects will these economic, religious, educational and social disruptions have on society?

Before Covid-19, the global economy was at $88 trillion.  The projected global growth from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook was (- 4.9%) for 2020, with many of the world’s biggest economies in recession. “In 2021, global growth is projected at 5.4 percent. Overall, this would leave 2021 GDP some 6½ percentage points lower than in the pre-COVID-19 projections of January 2020.” [3] The economic damage from Covid-19 for businesses and their employees will have serious repercussions for years to come.

Will a Time of Prosperity Precede Daniel’s 70th week?

Is the world beginning to transition from the “good times,” relatively speaking, where we experienced a record breaking period of growth and  prosperity in the United States, Israel and throughout the world to the “bad times,” which will usher in a global, totalitarian government with a surveillance society and a closely monitored, digital currency?  Are the prophetic scriptures in the Bible aligning as the prophets predicted (Dan. 12:4, 9-10)?

For some time, international bureaucrats have been positioning themselves (The Great Reset) to install a “one world government” with open borders, restrictions on buying and selling (trade), limitations on travel, curbs on free speech and religious liberty, restrictions on the right to own and bear arms, future, quantum dot vaccinations and other nefarious activities.

How close are we to some of the apocalyptic events described in the books of Daniel and Revelation that will one day catch the world off guard, like a trap that closes quickly on its unsuspecting prey (Luke 21:28-36, Rev. 3:3, 10-11)?  What does today’s prosperity have to do with the future, seven-year tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week)?  How does the seven years of prosperity experienced in Egypt over 3,500 years ago, during the days of Joseph and Pharaoh, relate to the seventy plus years of prosperity we have enjoyed since the end of World War II?

Just as God prospered Egypt because of Joseph, Jacob (Israel) and the children of Israel and for “blessing” the future descendants of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), the Lord has prospered the United States because of her “blessings” to Israel (Gen. 12:1-3). The many “blessings” bestowed upon the nation of Israel in recent years by the United States, including recognizing Jerusalem as the Capitol of Israel and moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, has not been forgotten by the Creator of the universe Who watches over Israel (Psalm 121:1-8).

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth…Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4).

The prosperity of the world’s major superpower, the United States (like Egypt during Joseph’s days), combined with the economic prosperity of the rest of the world, from the middle of the last century up through recent years, reveals that the world has experienced (and is still experiencing) a time of wealth and prosperity that greatly exceeds the seven good years that came before the seven bad years during the days of Joseph’s reign in Egypt.

As the prosperity of the world today is much greater than the prosperity the Egyptians experienced, the future, seven-year tribulation period will be worldwide and much greater in scope and severity than the seven-year famine the Egyptians suffered through. The “great tribulation” (last half) will be a time such as the world has never experienced “since the beginning of the world,” with “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” (Matt. 24:21-22, Luke 21:25-26, 35-36, Rev. 3:10, 6:1-19:21).

The Generation of His Coming

The Lord told His apostles, as recorded in Acts 1:6-7, that it was not for them “…to know the times or the seasons…” for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. The mystery of “the times and seasons” of the kingdom’s restoration to Israel was not for the apostles to know, but it was to be concealed and later revealed to a future generation that Jesus described in “the parable of the fig tree” (Matt. 24:32-34, Mark 13: 28-30, Luke 21:29-32).

The official return to life of the fig tree (the nation of Israel) took place when Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel’s Independence “on May 14, 1948, in Tel Aviv on behalf of the Provisional Government of Israel.” [4]   Israel’s rebirth as a nation (Isaiah 66:8-10) is linked directly with the generation (Luke 21:28-36) that will witness the second coming of Christ back to earth.

The specific generation Christ was talking about, that “will not pass away” until after the kingdom of God is established on earth, is alive today and is currently between 70 and 80 years of age.  Since the rapture of the saints, the seven-year tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th Week) and Christ’s physical return back to earth must all take place before the generation Christ was talking about dies off, we must be getting close to the inception (beginning) of these three events. That is because the generation that began (was born) when Israel became a nation over 70 years ago, is rapidly approaching the final years of its existence and will soon “pass away” (Matt. 24:33-34).

The Times and Seasons of His Coming

The “Day of the Lord” will begin when the words “peace and security” and “peace and safety” are commonplace among the global elite (1 Thess. 5:1-3). Use of the specific words “peace, security and safety,” both oral and written, in speeches, treaties and negotiations by world leaders and the global media, in reference to the Middle East peace process, has increased in recent years with “many” new participants seeking peace (Dan. 9:27).

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thess. 5:1-3). ESV

This “last days” prophecy about “peace and security,” given by the Apostle Paul nearly 2000 years ago, uniquely fits today’s scenario that has been slowly unfolding with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The “times and seasons” of the rapture (catching up) of the “bride of Christ” is a mystery (1 Cor. 15:51-52) that is linked with the scriptures about “peace and security” and the “day of the Lord,” almost as if they are contiguous or will occur at approximately the same time.

”For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18). ESV

The timing of the rapture, also called the “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13, will be as “a thief in the night” to those not watching, but “the times and seasons” of the rapture will not be a surprise to those who are looking for His return (1 Thess. 5:4-6, Matt. 25:1-13, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:3). Are you watching the many “signs” heralding Christ’s soon return, as we begin to “see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25, Eph. 4:30, Luke 21:28)?

Prepare for Lift Off

With many prophecies, that will be fulfilled during the future, seven-year tribulation period (Day of the Lord), beginning to converge on the world stage and cast their shadows backward into today’s headlines, are we beginning to transition from a time of unparalleled prosperity to a time of declining affluence, where fresh food and water will become scarce (dearth), and the events of Daniel’s 70^th week begin to unfold (Dan. 9:27, Rev. 6:1-8)?

When Jesus Christ returns “in the air” for His saints “at his appearing,” make sure you have already made your reservation to go to Heaven and are following the Lord’s plan for your life (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Titus 2:11-13;  Heb. 9:28).  Before His wrath is poured out on this wicked and God rejecting world (John 1:11), make “your calling and election sure” (1 Thess. 1:10, 5:4-11, 2 Peter 1:10-11, 1 Cor. 15:51-58).

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Whatever your priorities in this life may be, reevaluate them now, and make sure God is at the top of your priority list. The things of this world will not matter one minute after the “trumpet” blows, and the bride of Christ is removed, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” to meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor. 15:51-58, 1 Thess. 4:16-17, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-18).  The “Day of the Lord” will be a time when literally, “all hell breaks loose” on the earth (Rev. 9:1-21).  Don’t be one of the many unfortunate souls who ignore the “signs” and will be left behind!

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

♦♦♦

Endnotes

[1]   GDP (current US$), World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files, Year 2019,  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true

[2]   Ibid.

[3]   World Economic Outlook Update, January 2021: Policy Support and Vaccines Expected to Lift Activity,   https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO, January 20, 2021

[4]   Israel’s Declaration of Independence — May 14, 1948, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-declaration-of-independence-may-14-1948/

(Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

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The Coming Calm

By Ed Wood

March, 2021

 

Hidden in Plain Sight

Ever read something more times than you can count and still not have it totally sink in? Consider this:

Luke {12:40} Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. [Jesus is the speaker.]

Matthew {24:36-39} But of that day and hour knoweth no [man,] no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe [were,] so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [Jesus is the speaker.]

From this we see that Jesus’ return will be unexpected. That’s certainly clear enough, isn’t it? But all these years, I believe I missed a significant aspect of what the Lord was trying to convey. As a result, I always figured he would come back in the midst of a really bad time – perhaps during a year of major natural disasters or one of an unusual level of human conflict of some kind, such as during the Gulf wars. Of course, he still could, but recently I’ve begun to think that it might be more likely he’ll return in a time of relative calm.

Or, perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a time of “apparent calm” only.

What is meant here is a time when things are seeming to be relatively tranquil on the surface but quite the opposite underneath. Think of it as the iceberg effect – it’s what’s under the surface that’s more likely to cause a shipwreck than the 10% sticking above the water. Think of it as a case where ignorance it not bliss and what you don’t know can hurt you!

Happy Days are (Almost) Here Again . . . or Are They?

Let’s take a look at the world of March 2021, the time this article was written.

The most obvious sign that we may be finally coming out of the very dark tunnel of Covid-19 which has cost many lives, livelihoods, and, worst of all, individual freedoms in nations that were considered democracies up until now. Maybe they still are, but in my mind, when any country or state is ruled by “Executive Orders” which have short-circuited their normal systems of checks and balances, they don’t seem much different than societies where autocratic rule has been Standard Operating Procedure all along.

With the advent of several vaccines in the past few weeks which are reportedly effective in reducing the transmission and symptoms of Covid, there is now gradual reduction in the restrictions that were placed on the people of the United States and other nations. Doing a quick Web search will give you plenty of examples too numerous to mention here.

Even President Biden alludes to a more “normal” time by July 4th of this year. In addition to his more hopeful pronouncements, there has been the passage of another economic package of direct cash to individuals, state and businesses which has no doubt lifted some of the gloom. Restaurants, hotels, theme parks and travel-based businesses are looking for a return to normalcy

I think this is all just the tip of that iceberg. Let’s see some of what’s lurking beneath the waves.

The Underlying Darkness

False Prophets

Matthew  {24:11} And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [Jesus is the speaker.]

We are all aware of blatantly false prophets such as Joseph Smith, Sun Myung Moon, and Jim Jones but the most insidious of these are the ones who purport to be Christians and then deny the teaching and the authority of the Bible in the same breath. Perhaps the most prominent of all these days is Pope Francis’ recent pronouncements, two of which go in direct opposition to what the Bible teaches regarding belief in Jesus as the only means of salvation and human sexuality. So “over the top” have been his statements that even other prominent Roman Catholics have called him to task for them.

The pope is not the only one “going soft” on a lifestyle clearly denounced by not only the Bible but human physiology itself. Acceptance of this deviant sexual behavior is now growing across the world. Recently, he did say that the church would not bless same-sex marriages because it was “sinful.” Seems to me he can’t have it both ways.

Let’s see how this all ties in to our next topic.

Jesus said the last days would be like those of Noah and Lot.

Luke {17:26-30} 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. [Jesus is the speaker.]

What do we know about Noah’s era? Well, for one, we know that it was a time when the growth of evil on Earth was so bad that the only remedy left was for God to wash it all away and start over.

Genesis {6:11-13} The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Lot’s environment was more localized, but it, too, was so bad that it was necessary for God to totally destroy it (Genesis 18:16-19:23). It appears that among its many sins, the acceptance of homosexuality was particularly rampant and that conclusion can be inferred from these three passages:

Genesis {19:4-5} But before they lay down, the men of the city, [even] the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where [are] the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. [The term “know” here refers to having sex with Lot’s visitors.]

Deuteronomy{23:17} There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

1 Kings {14:24} And there were also sodomites in the land: [and] they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 

Racial and Ethnic Strife

Matthew {24:7-10} For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [Jesus is the speaker.]

The passage above applies not only to nations warring against nations, but includes increasing tensions between different ethnic groups. In America alone, racial tensions have reached the boiling point with rioting in the streets of many of our cities, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the 1960’s. To be fair, many of the grievances have merit and the United States has certainly not become the kind of society where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s  hope of a person being  judged by the content of his or her character rather than the color of his or her skin has come to pass.

In this era of Covid, Asians also have often been targets of attacks simply because the evidence is that this disease had its origins in China. Jews have also found incidents of anti-Semitism increasing not only in America, but across the world. the examples of racial hostility certainly don’t end here and tragically, it is an aspect of  something Jesus said would come to pass in the “beginning of sorrows” period which will precede the Tribulation:

Matthew{24:12} And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [Jesus is the speaker.]

This “dehumanizing” of humanity as it increasingly turns away from God is likewise addressed by Paul:

2 Timothy {3:2-5} For men shall be lovers of their own  selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Middle East Peace

After deciding to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, the Trump administration made unprecedented moves in the Middle East which have brought about a major thawing of the icy relations between Israel and its neighbors which are continuing today. Of course, Mr. Trump got little credit for it in the media. Nevertheless as a direct result of those efforts it appears that some of the Arab nations are becoming more receptive to the idea of a new Jewish Temple on the temple mount where the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque currently reside. The prophetical significance of these developments are monumental, as we shall see next.

Daniel {9:27} And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This requires a place for the offerings to be presented, most likely a rebuilt Jewish temple. Also notice that the peace and safety mentioned above won’t last because the Antichrist who initially “confirms” what might very well be a comprehensive Middle East Peace Treaty will break this accord half-way into its seven-year tenure.

We’ve now seen that what was once completely dismissed as impossible concerning a time of peace and the construction of a new temple is now more likely than ever. In fact, I believe both are a certainty, based on the Daniel passage above. There will be a comprehensive peace treaty and enough of the temple rebuilt to permit the restoration of the Mosaic sacrifices once again, all of which will be enabled and then scuttled by the world’s last and worst dictator.

Conclusion

At the time of this writing, it seems like a period of relative normalcy will soon ensue. Of course, Covid-19 could flare up again in the wake of loosening restrictions, but if the vaccines work as well as they are supposed to, it should only be a temporary setback. It’s also possible that some other emergency, either real or contrived, could drop in on us unexpectedly as well. Nevertheless, I think it is more likely than not that we’ll soon be entering a time analogous to one experienced when a hurricane makes a direct hit. There is first a gradual intensification as it approaches until the winds and rains are raging, then a precipitous drop-off as the eye passes over, followed by a return of storm conditions on the other side.

The Covid crisis has certainly given us the strong winds of the storm that I believe is already here. It’s subsequent diminishing may represent a short time of relative calm within its eye to be precipitously followed by even worse conditions on the other side, perhaps the start of the Tribulation, which in turn may be triggered by the sudden disappearance of millions instantly and inexplicably from the face of the Earth in the Rapture.

The “Coming Calm” may soon be here.

1 Thessalonians {5:1-6} But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.

References

Travel industry gearing up.

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-transportation/2020/05/05/hopeful-travel-industry-planning-for-return-787342

Pope Francis’ heretical views.

https://www.newsweek.com/archbishop-accuses-pope-heresy-over-legitimization-homosexuality1521825 : Archbishop Accuses Pope of Heresy Over ‘Legitimization of Homosexuality’

https://www.newsweek.com/pope-francis-denounced-heretic-and-accused-1412580 : Pope is a Heretic Because of Views on Homosexuality and Abortion, Catholic Group Says

Homosexuality gaining acceptance.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2020-06-25/lgbtq-acceptance-growing-in-us-and-other-countries-over-time

Racism.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/25/asian-hate-crime-attack-patrol/?arc404=true :Anti-Asian attacks: Chinatown patrols, guns and racial strife

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_incidents_of_civil_unrest_in_the_United_States: List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States

Seismic and volcanic activity increasing.

https://www.israel365news.com/187985/2021-on-track-to-become-record-breaking-year-of-major-earthquakes-volcanoes/: 2021 ON TRACK TO BECOME RECORD-BREAKING YEAR OF MAJOR EARTHQUAKES, VOLCANOES

Extreme weather.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/winter-storm-weather-live-updates-2-18-2021 LIVE UPDATES: Texas reeling from extreme winter weather as another major storm heads east

Tropical Cyclone Niran rapidly intensifies to Cat 5 in South Pacific

Persecution of Christians and the ADF which defends their rights.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/13/christian-persecution-rises-as-people-refused-aid-in-covid-crisis-report: Christian persecution rises as people refused aid in Covid crisis – report

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_Defending_Freedom : An organization which defends Christians  to freely proclaim and live out their beliefs.

Middle East Peace

https://nypost.com/2020/08/13/trump-announces-peace-deal-between-israel-united-arab-emirates/

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Do You Choose Liberty Or Tyranny?

By Mark Levin

October 14, 2020

For most of us there are few if any opportunities to demonstrate our devotion to this great nation. Those among us who join the military or law enforcement to protect us from foes foreign and domestic are small in number. Yet we have the power to determine our own fate, and the fate of our nation by the simple act of voting. And in a precious few days, we, the people, will decide for ourselves, our progeny, and for the rest of time if America will remain a vibrant and free Constitutional Republic the likes of which the world has never known or whether America will become just another nation in decline, going the way of Athens or Rome, but in a shorter time.

This election will decide — WE will decide — if we wish to live in freedom or tyranny, in sunlight or darkness, in prosperity or poverty. The choice could not be starker, and the choice is ours. We must ask ourselves, what will our children and grandchildren think of us? How will history judge us? What would our ancestors say of us if we so casually, and without duress, turn aside mankind’s greatest achievement and vote for a thousand years of decline, gloom, and doom?

Each successive generation must commit to ensuring that the next generation lives free. We must reflect on the selflessness with which Americans have sacrificed and died on battlefields throughout the world and in our own revolutionary and civil wars so that we might appreciate what we have inherited, a country in which we live and flourish and a civil and open society.

As I explained in Liberty And Tyranny too often liberty’s permeance makes its manifestations elusive or invisible to those born into it. Even if liberty is acknowledged, it is often taken for granted and its permanence assumed. Under these conditions, the Statist’s agenda, that is the Democratic Party’s diabolical plans can be alluring.

It is not recognized as an increasingly corrosive threat to liberty, but rather coexisting with it. But all liberty-loving citizens should know better, and be alarmed by the ascent of tyranny, not only in the Democrat Party but throughout the culture. Nor should we be confused or taken by the various nomenclatures designed by the Democrat Party to deceive us into believing that their movement is some kind of a Peoples’ Movement, such as Democratic Socialism. Like all such movements, they ultimately rely on the iron fist to control the people, not serve them.

As I have noted before, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, Joe Biden, has perfected the politics of deceit and manipulation, veils his pursuits in moral indignation, intoning in high dudgeon the injustices and inequities of liberty and life itself for which only he and his party can provide justice and bring a righteous resolution. And when the resolution proves elusive, as it has during his forty-seven-year political career, he demands ever more political authority to wring out the imperfections in mankind’s existence. Hence his 110-page Marxist manifesto.

Unconstrained by constitutional prohibitions, what is left but Biden’s own moral compass which has already led him astray? He is never circumspect about his own shortcomings. Failure is not a product of his beliefs but merely want of power and resources. Thus are born endless rationalizations for seizing ever-more governmental authority. So the Democrat Party’s intention to destroy the Supreme Court by packing it with kindred ideologues, the expansion of the US Senate to create a super-majority one-party Democrat rule, the elimination of the filibuster rule to crush any opposition to the Democrat Party’s lawmaking agenda, and the elimination of the Electoral College in order to prevent millions of Americans outside of the big cities and most populated states from participating in the electoral and governing system, thereby ensuring Democrat Party dominance for decades. In short, the fundamental transformation of America from a Constitutional Republic to a Democrat Party leviathan.

We must never accede to the terms of our economic and political surrender and servitude. We must never abandon our children and grandchildren to a dark and bleak future. We must never accept a fate that is alien to the legacy we have inherited from our ancestors. We must never accept social engineering from politicians and bureaucrats who treat us like lab rats, rather than self-sufficient human beings. For those who choose tyranny over liberty and vote for Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, they do not speak for the tens of millions of us who revere the principles undergirding our society and appreciate the fruits of our economic system. Nor do they get to dictate the terms of our existence as they contort the Constitution and the Law to accommodate their political ends. We must not be compliant to their demands and designs. We must vote. Vote for President Trump and the Republicans and rally our families, friends, and coworkers and neighbors to vote for President Trump and the Republicans. And we must — like our forefathers who founded this magnificent country — become active in our own survival.

If you agree with these words, please consider making copies of this essay, written in the early hours of this morning, and consider sharing it with family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.

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Suddenly – In the Twinkling of An Eye!

By Jan Markell

September 29, 2020

“For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’, then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a women with child, and they will not escape.” I Thessalonians 5:2-3

 

Last days’ events happen quickly. Even suddenly. The word “quickly” (Greek word: tachos) is used eight times in Revelation. Think of an automobile tachometer which measures the working speed of an engine typically in revolutions per minute. And it revs up.

We often see sudden destruction falling upon the wicked in the Bible. The unrepentant living during Noah’s time, experienced a sudden and catastrophic flood (Gen. 6-9). They had 120 years to repent as Noah preached to them, but they chose to ignore him and judgment suddenly fell (Gen. 6:3-7).

Have you noticed that in 2020, everything has happened suddenly?

• Our fairly ordinary world suddenly vanished.
• Stores sold out
• Fear gripped America—and the world—suddenly
• People were ordered tosuddenly totally change their lifestyles.
• People lost businesses of a lifetime
• A U.S. President went from popular to “the cause of it all”
• Reality became surreal suddenly.
• Cities turned into ghost towns
• Mankind became lovers of self, treacherous, and without self-control
• Cries for global government transpired suddenly,as only a one-world system could slow down the wreckage.
• Virtual became the new way of doing all things
• The U.S. economy went from best ever to horrible suddenly.
• Church went from essential to irrelevant in the eyes of the world
• Hollywood suddenlystopped making sick movies as theaters suddenly
• Order turned to chaos suddenlywith racial tension.
• That tension suddenly turnedto lawlessness.
• Lawlessness turned to anarchy
• The cry for police protection suddenly turnedto “abolish the police.”
• Common sense simply turned suddenly to strong delusion.

Is there a message in all of this? Something else will happen suddenly—the Rapture of the Church. It will take place in the twinkling of an eye . That is so fast it can hardly even be measured.

When God begins to move, He doesn’t waste a moment. But He does take time to warn before He judges. And He seems to be telling us that things are going to change for Eternity suddenly via the Rapture of the Church.

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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE in Prophecy

By Bill Salus 

September 19, 2020

“Saudi Arabia Opens Airspace to Israel” (NYT – 9/2/20)“After UAE, Bahrain deals signed, Trump says 7-9 countries seek peace with Israel”“Soon after historic Abraham Accords ceremony at the White House, US president includes Saudi Arabia among those nations also now ready to normalize ties with Jewish state.” (Times of Israel – 9/15/20)

            Saudi Arabia is back in the news again and that has some Bible prophecy pundits warning that a 2600-year old biblical prediction could be about to happen! In one of his most detailed apocalyptic writings, the prophet Ezekiel identifies the nation of Saudi Arabia in his 38^th chapter.

This ancient prophecy informs of a forthcoming massive invasion of Israel in the last days. It identifies an invading coalition that appears to be led by Russia and includes Turkey, Iran and nine populations in total.

In addition to this intimidating list of invaders, Ezekiel identifies a group of nations that appear to be contesting the evil intentions of this coalition. The verse below explains the sinister motives of the invaders and identifies the concerned protesters.

“Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you, (Russia), gathered your (coalition) army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’” (Ezekiel 38:13, NKJV; emphasis added)

This passage identifies Saudi Arabia under the banner of Dedan. The Saudis are assembled alongside Sheba, (Yemen), Tarshish, (UK), and their Young Lions, (USA, and maybe Canada and Australia). This grouping of countries appear to be actively protesting, rather than militarily preventing this invasion of Israel.

The concerns of these sideline spectators are lodged in several questions, which help us to recognize that the primary goal of these invaders is to conquer Israel for their own capital gains. These belligerents intend to seize control over all aspects of Israel’s economy.

Due to the budding relationships between Russia, Turkey and Iran, several Bible prophecy teachers believe that Ezekiel 38 could be the next event to find fulfillment on the end times prophetic calendar. But is it?

Saudi Arabia is actually identified in at least four unfulfilled prophecies and when they are laid out sequentially, it turns out that Ezekiel 38:13 is seemingly the last of the four to find fulfillment. In addition to Ezekiel 38, Saudi Arabia, as Dedan, is the subject of biblical predictions in Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 25. Moreover, the Saudis appear to be represented as the Ishmaelites in the 3000-year old prophecy foretold in Psalm 83.         These prophecies will be presented in their apparent chronological order, but beforehand it is important to connect the ancient territory of Dedan and the Ishmaelite peoples of the past with modern-day Saudi Arabia.

Where is Dedan?

 Historic Mideast maps locate Dedan in Northwestern Saudi Arabia. Some Bible scholars, such as Gary Stearman of Prophecy Watchers,[i] suggest that in the Old Testament, Dedan might even extend beyond Saudi Arabia to also include the modern-day Gulf Cooperation Council, (GCC), countries of Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the UAE. If Dedan represents the entirety of the GCC Arab states, this could be prophetically relevant in light of recent events.

“Israel signs accords with United Arab Emirates and Bahrain at White House ceremony” (USA Today – 9/15/20)

Presently, the UAE and Bahrain are in the process of normalizing national relations with Israel as part of the “Peace to Prosperity” aspect of Donald Trump’s, “Deal of the Century” Mideast peace plan. This economic part of Trump’s plan was introduced by White House adviser Jared Kushner in Bahrain on June 25, 2019.

“In Bahrain, U.S. Tries to Promote Mideast Peace Through Prosperity” (NY Times – 6/25/19)

In the process of achieving peace with the UAE and Bahrain, which are two Arab nations that never posed a real threat to the Jewish state, Israel has agreed to temporarily postpone its plans to annex territory in the West Bank. The annexation of this land was part of the political aspect of Trump’s Mideast peace plan.

“UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan: “I thank Netanyahu for choosing to stop annexation of Palestinian land.”” (Times of Israel – 9/15/20)

It’s interesting to note that UAE’s Foreign Minister considers the territory in question “Palestinian land.” In the cosmic CHESS MATCH between good and evil, it appears that evil moved two PAWNS, the UAE and Bahrain, forward and successfully put Israel into CHECK when it comes to the “Chosen People” expanding further into the “Promised Land.” How this newly formed alignment between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain may have prophetic implications will be explored near the end of this article.

Whether or not Dedan includes all of the GCC countries, most biblical scholars would agree that at least it identifies Saudi Arabia.

Who are the Ishmaelites?

Some suggest that Ishmael, the patriarch of the Ishmaelites, was the father of the Arabs and that he settled in Arabia. Ancient Arabia is now often alluded to as the Arabian Peninsula, and it is mostly encompassed by Saudi Arabia. The map and quote below it, reinforces these understandings.

“The Book of Genesis and Islamic traditions consider Ishmael to be the ancestor of the Ishmaelites/Arabians and patriarch of Qaydār. According to Muslim tradition, Ishmael the Patriarch and his mother Hagar are buried next to the Kaaba in Mecca… Ishmael is recognized as an important prophet and patriarch of Islam. Muslims believe that Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham, born to him from his wife Sarah’s slave, Hagar. Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of several prominent Arab tribes and the forefather of Muhammad.”[ii]

The Four Unfulfilled Saudi Arabia Bible Prophecies

SAUDI PROPHECY #1

“Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, The time that I will punish him.” (Jeremiah 49:8)

This often-overlooked Jeremiah foretelling concerning Dedan was penned approximately two decades prior to Ezekiel’s issuance of his 38^th chapter. Jeremiah issues a stern admonition to the inhabitants dwelling in Dedan to,  “Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths.” This forewarning is given because “the calamity of Esau” is coming.

Apparently, when this future prediction happens, the Saudis will have joined forces with Esau’s descendants, and in so doing, will become positioned in the line of fire. The Lord is going to punish Esau severely, and for Saudi Arabia’s own protection, Jeremiah warns them to flee and turn back to the depths of their homeland. This infers that at the time of Esau’s calamity, that Saudi armed forces are involved in a military operation that is taking place on foreign soil.

The fifty-million-dollar question is, “what is Esau’s Calamity?” This topic will be addressed further down in this article, but beforehand it’s important to note what Jeremiah says happens to Esau’s neighbors as a result of the calamity.

And he, (Esau), shall not be able to hide himself. His descendants, (the Edomites), are plundered, His brethren and his neighbors, And he is no more. (Jer. 49:9–10, NKJV; emphasis added)

Esau’s neighbors are plundered. This would include Saudi Arabia, if they don’t heed the warning to, “flee, turn back, dwell in the depths.” In other words, back off and go back home or else be plundered alongside of Esau’s descendants.

SAUDI PROPHECY #2

“‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because of what (the) Edom(ites) did against the house of Judah (Israelis) by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,” therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword. I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance,” says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 25:12-14, NKJV; emphasis added)

About two decades after Jeremiah pens his warning for the Saudis to disengage from their alignment with Esau, Ezekiel prophesies that the Saudis will fail to do so. As such, “Dedan shall fall by the sword.” In the Bible, “the sword” is often used as a typology for a war. Thus, this identifies the Saudis as one of the neighbors that get plundered in the related war when Esau’s Calamity comes.

This Ezekiel passage also explains why Esau’s Calamity comes and how this calamitous campaign is carried out. The Edomite descendants of Esau will be guilty of attempting to bring harm against the Jews, and in retaliation, the Lord will empower the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to execute His anger, fury and vengeance.

This curse for curse in kind response comes directly out of the Genesis 12:3 playbook. This verse represents God’s foreign policy to the Gentile nations. Those countries that do good to Israel will be blessed, but those that do harm will be cursed. The Edomites seek to harm the Jews, so in turn, God lifts up the IDF to eliminate all of Esau’s descendants! Yes, I said ELIMINATE ESAU’S DESCENDANTS. The prophet Obadiah foretells it this way:

““The house of Jacob, (the IDF), shall be a fire, And the house of Joseph, (the IDF), a flame; But the house of Esau shall be stubble; They shall kindle them and devour them, And no survivor, (descendant), shall remain of the house of Esau,” For the Lord has spoken.” (Obadiah 1:18, NKJV; emphasis added)

Understanding the size and scope of Esau’s calamity, it’s understandable why Jeremiah previously warns the Saudis to back off and go back home before this war happens.

SAUDI PROPHECY #3 

“They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You:  The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites;  Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;  Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:4-8)

Saudi Arabia’s third unfulfilled prophecy is encapsulated in Psalm 83. I have covered Psalm 83 extensively in my book and associated DVD entitled, Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed, How Israel Becomes the Next Mideast Superpower. In those prior works, I explain the connections between the three Saudi prophecies identified thus far.

ESAU’S CALAMITY

In my book I explain how Esau’s Calamity is described in Psalm 83 and the related peripheral prophecies provided below. This is not an exhaustive list; all told there are nearly 150 verses that chronicle this calamitous event. Within these passages we find out that the IDF is God’s tool to defend Israel when these prophecies happen.

• Psalm 83:1-18………………………………….                (18 verses)
• Jeremiah 49:1-29, 12:14-17………………….             (32 verses)
• Ezekiel 25:12-17, 28:24-26, 35:1-36:7, 37:10       (32 verses)
• Isaiah 17:1-14, 19:1-18, 11:14……………….              (35 verses)
• Obadiah 1:1-21…………………………………                (21 verses)
• Zephaniah 2:4-11………………………………               (8 verses)
• Zechariah 12:2, 5-6……………………………              (3 verses)

So who are Esau’s descendants today? They are the “Tents of Edom” in Psalm 83:6. Esau fathered the Edomites as per Genesis 36:1. In my Psalm 83 book I point out that the Edomites have an ethnical representation within the Palestinians. Not all Palestinians have an Edomite heritage, but many of them do.

The fact that they are identified as the “Tents of Edom,” infers that at the time of Esau’s Calamity, they are classified as refugees. In the Bible the “tents of” typically represents either military encampments or refugee scenarios. I believe that the Psalm describes the Palestinian refugees of today.

These Edomites are enjoined in the ten-member confederacy of Psalm 83:6-8 that wants to destroy Israel in Psalm 83:5. Below is a map that identifies the modern-day equivalents of these ancient populations. Observe that Saudi Arabia is included.

SAUDI PROPHECY #4

This fourth Saudi prophecy takes us back to the top of the article and Ezekiel 38:13. If the sequence of prophetic events presented thus far is correct, then by this future time Saudi Arabia has been plundered severely with the Palestinian refugees and their Psalm 83:6-8 confederacy.

Apparently, after being plundered, the Saudis decide to align themselves with the protesters, rather than the invaders in Ezekiel 38. Perhaps at this future point, when there is no further Palestinian plight to banner, the Saudis will abandon their Arab (Saudi) Peace Initiative in favor of normalized relations with Israel.

The Prophetic Implications of Israel’s peace with Bahrain and the UAE

If the first two prophecies about Dedan extend beyond Saudi Arabia to also include Bahrain and the UAE, then this current peace will be temporary. Those two predictions point out that Dedan gets plundered at the time of Esau’s Calamity. The IDF wouldn’t plunder Bahrain or the UAE if these peace deals were still in place.

However, there is another possible prophetic scenario to watch for that might include Bahrain and the UAE. Jeremiah 49:34-39 informs of an end times war with Iran. I write about this war in my book entitled, “Nuclear Showdown in Iran, Revealing the Ancient Prophecy of Elam.”

In a nutshell, this prophecy declares that Iran will experience a disaster, probably nuclear, and it appears that this results from a military attack by the enemies of Iran. The key verse is below.

“For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies And before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, My fierce anger,’ says the Lord; ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them.’” (Jeremiah 49:37)

Unfortunately, this verse does not specify who Iran’s enemies are, but it’s highly likely that if this prophecy were to happen soon, that Iran’s enemies would at least include Israel, the USA, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It’s common knowledge that a primary reason that Bahrain and the UAE are normalizing relations with Israel is to gain America and Israel as allies in the event of a future war with Iran.

If a war with Iran is forthcoming in the near future, these current peace deals between Israel with the UAE and Bahrain, could make it easier for an American, Israel and GCC Arab coalition to form and fight against Iran in fulfillment of this prophecy.

[i] Visit Prophecy Watchers website at:  (www.prophecywatchers.com),

[ii] Ishmael quote taken from this web link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmael#:~:text=Islam,-See%20also%3A%20Ishmael&text=Ishmael%20is%20recognized%20as%20an,and%20the%20forefather%20of%20Muhammad.

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THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

By Bill Pierce

June 5, 2020

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The Season of His Coming

By Michael Hile

May 11, 2020

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Song of Solomon talks about the bridegroom (my beloved) coming for His bride (my love, my fair one) after “winter is past” and when “the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell” (SOS 2:10-13). The book of Luke tells us that “the kingdom of God is near at hand” when “the fig tree, and all the trees…shoot forth” and “summer is near at hand” (Luke 21:29-32).

The statement “winter is past” lets us know that summer has probably not yet arrived, while “summer is near at hand” implies that winter has passed, and summer is close, but has not yet arrived. After winter but before summer is a period called “seedtime” in the Bible but is referred to as spring in modern usage. Spring is generally regarded as beginning in the month of March and ending in the month of June, depending upon the calendar system used.

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22

As summer draws near, the first three spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits) have passed, and the fourth feast, Pentecost, is quickly approaching. Christ’s ascension into Heaven (Ascension Day) was forty days after He rose from the grave on the feast of Firstfruits (resurrection day, traditionally called Easter). The feast of Pentecost, which is ten days after Ascension Day, occurs during the months of May or June each year, and is always fifty days after resurrection day. The anniversary of Christ’s ascension and the feast of Pentecost occur during spring time; after winter but before summer.

Spring is the season when Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of mankind, buried in a borrowed tomb and rose from the grave. His death, burial and resurrection were on the feast days, and He literally fulfilled the first three feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:1-44). Spring is the season when Christ ascended into Heaven and “two men…in white apparel” (angels) standing near, asked the apostles: “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus…shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). Spring is the season when “the day of Pentecost was fully come,” and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4).

Spring is the season when the bridegroom, in the Song of Solomon, says to his future bride:  “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” (SOS 2:10-13). Spring is the season when “the fig tree putteth forth her green figs,” “her branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves,” “summer is near” and “the kingdom of God is near at hand” (SOS 2:10-13, Mark 13:28-29, Luke 21:29-31). We are told, “when ye shall see all these things,” you are to “know that it (the bridegroom and the kingdom of God) is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:32-33).

Modern day Israel, sometimes symbolized by the fig tree in the scriptures, was absent from its land for nearly 2000 years before beginning to come back from its dispersion throughout the world (the Diaspora) in the mid 1800s. Then, through several miraculous events, the Jewish people acquired national status (statehood) on May 14, 1948.  Is it coincidental that the season (spring) of Israel’s birth date, over seventy years ago, corresponds with the season in which the fig tree buds, puts forth green leaves and begins to develop green figs? Is it pure happenstance that spring is also the season that the bridegroom comes for His bride, as pictured in the Song of Solomon?

Although no one knows the “day and hour” the Lord will return; will the bridegroom arrive at some future date in the spring to whisk away His ecstatic bride to the ultimate, consummate, wedding ceremony, as hinted at in the Song of Solomon?  Is spring the season, before summer arrives, when the Lord will return to earth, in some future year, to set up His kingdom on earth?  The Lord has not given us concrete evidence for the time of His return; however, spring is the season for new life and new beginnings, and the Lord fulfilled much of His redemption plan for mankind during the spring season.  Although we do not know what time of the year the Lord will return in the air for His saints, spring, after winter but before summer, is an important season to be watching!

Is the Day of His Return Approaching?

Although no clue is given in the Scriptures concerning the precise time of the Lord’s return, some believe Hebrews 10:25 implies that we will be able to see the day of His coming (the rapture) approaching:

“…Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.”

Knowing “the times and seasons” of the Lord’s return is similar to knowing the Thanksgiving season is near when the merchants start putting up their Christmas decorations. The appearance of Christmas lights and ornaments in the marketplace several months prior to Christmas, heralds the coming of the Christmas season; however, we also know the arrival of the Thanksgiving holidays is even closer than the advent of Christmas day.

In like manner, when we see the prophecies that will take place during “the day of the Lord” approaching and beginning to assemble themselves on the world scene, we can be confident that “the day of redemption” (rapture) (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30; Luke 21:28; Romans 8:22-23) is even closer, and the season for the “catching away” of the ‘bride of Christ” has finally arrived. Believers would not be excited to see “the day of the Lord” (judgment) approaching, unless they were confident “the day of redemption” would occur before “the day of the Lord.”

Anticipation of the approaching rapture of God’s saints also seems to be implied in the book of Luke as “the day of redemption” draws near, and the generation that will usher in the kingdom of God is revealed:

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled” (Luke 21:28-32).

A Thief in the Night

The Lord told His apostles, as recorded in Acts 1:6-7, that it was not for them “…to know the times or the seasons…” for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. The mystery of “the times and seasons” of the kingdom’s restoration was not for the apostles to know, but it was to be reserved for and revealed to a future generation. The timing of the rapture, also called the “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13, will be as “a thief in the night” to those not watching, but “the times and seasons” of the rapture will not be a surprise to those who are looking for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:3).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

Jesus told His disciples that the judgments coming on the earth would happen suddenly, like a trap that closes quickly on its prey.  He predicted that many would be caught off-guard, and cautioned them not to be distracted by overindulgence, desires of the flesh and the daily cares of this life. Jesus’ advice to the terminal generation living at the close of this age was to watch for “the signs of the times” pointing to His return and pray continuously that they would be “kept from the hour of Temptation” that would “come upon all the world” (Rev. 3:10).

“… take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Those Taken and Those Left Behind

When the Lord returns in the air for His saints, there will be two categories of people on the earth: the saved and unsaved; also called believers and nonbelievers. All of the nonbelievers will be caught off guard when the Lord returns for His saints “as a thief in the night.” Those “left behind” will not immediately know when “the great theft” takes place, unless they see believers disappear on a TV screen or happen to be near those who are taken. Those “caught up” (raptured) will immediately know they have been removed from the earth to “stand before the son of man” and will “escape” the coming judgments (Matt. 24:21, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:10-11, Rev. 22:12-14).

Those “caught up” will also receive their glorified body and complete the glorification salvation process (Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Cor. 15:51-58). The raptured saints will be rewarded for their faithfulness and will receive a “crown of righteousness” given to “all…that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). On the other hand, there are many nonbelievers who are “scoffers” that mock and make fun of those who are watching the gathering signs of the Lord’s return. Even among believers, there are some “not watching” but “scoffing” (2 Peter 3:3-18, Jude 14-19).

Professing believers, who are “not watching,” may be going to church, but they are “spiritually asleep” and not following the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-28). They are in love with this world and the things of this world and don’t realize they have deceived themselves. We are to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves” (James 1:21-22). If your focus is on the “world” and “the things in the world,” the scriptures boldly and bluntly state that the love of God is not in you.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

What are Your Priorities in Life?

People many times set priorities early in their life that include education, sports, recreation and leisure time.  As we get older and more mature, our goals may become more focused on higher education, career goals and technical skills that help us become productive members of society.  At some point, hopefully earlier rather than later, we should establish spiritual priorities and cultivate a relationship with God, the creator and sustainer of all things.

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things…for in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:24-28).

If you have developed a relationship with the God of the Bible, your focus should not only be on the current world we live in but also on the world to come. In fact, as we serve the Lord on the earth in our career and through some ministry He has given us, our main focus should be on making preparations for our Heavenly home.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-3).

That is why Jesus and His disciples exhorted the saints over a dozen times to “watch” for the signs of his return and commanded them to be “ready” when the “son of man cometh.” If you are not watching for the return of the Lord, you are ignoring Christ’s commandments and will miss out on many rewards and crowns. The danger you risk by not “watching,” as he commands us, is to be left behind “in the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).

“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:3). “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.  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:10-11).

Charles H. Spurgeon, famous pastor (1834-1892) of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, described the spiritual mindset that should be present in those who are seriously watching for the Lord’s return:

“While I am at work, my Master may come. Before I get weary, my Master may return.  While others are mocking at me, my Master may appear; and whether they mock or applaud, is nothing to me, I live before the great Task-master’s eye, and do my service knowing that He sees me, and expecting that by-and-by He will reveal Himself to me, and then He will reveal me and my right intention to misrepresenting men. May the Lord keep you waiting, working, watching…” 1 

In the Twinkling of an Eye

When the time of His coming arrives, “…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

After laying out the events of the resurrection and rapture, the Apostle Paul states boldly that his brothers in Christ were not in darkness, and the day of the Lord would not include them (children of light and the day) as it would the nonbelievers (children of the night and darkness), who would be overtaken as a thief in the night. Rather, Paul’s brothers in Christ were told to be spiritually awake and to watch and be sober, while continuing to grow in faith and love, knowing they had the hope of salvation.

“But of the times and the seasons (of the resurrection and rapture), brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you…But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day (the day of the Lord) should overtake you as a thief (they would not be part of the day of the Lord).  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober…For God hath not appointed us to wrath (during the day of the Lord), but to obtain salvation (be caught up) by our Lord Jesus Christ…Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thess. 5:1-11).

Paul told his brethren to be comforted and to comfort one another concerning both “the day of redemption” (rapture) and “the day of the Lord” (judgment). Being comforted and comforting others, knowing “the day of the Lord” was coming, would only make sense if they (Paul’s listeners) knew they were going to be “caught up” (raptured) before “the day of the Lord,” and they were confident and assured they would escape God’s wrath that would be poured out during “the day of the Lord” (Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:10).

That is exactly the scenario set forth by the Apostle Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11), with the “resurrection” and “catching up” of the saints preceding “the day of the Lord,” and both events surprising those left behind as “a thief in the night” (Matthew 24:43-44, Rev. 3:3, 16:15; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:10).  The description given by the Apostle Paul is also the order of events that seems to be emerging today, with the leaders of the future Gog and Magog war (Russia, Iran and Turkey) meeting regularly, and the leaders of the Israel/Palestinian peace process (U.S. and other nations) using the prophesied code words “peace and security” in their speeches and formal documents (Ezekiel 38:1-39:29, 1 Thess. 5:1-3).

Prophecies that will take place during “the day of the Lord” are beginning to assemble themselves on the world stage and cast their shadows backward into today’s news headlines.  As the day of our redemption draws near, each of us should be asking ourselves: Am I “watching” for the Lord’s return, and will I “be ready” when He returns “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (Luke 21:34-36, 1 Cor. 15:52, Rev. 3:3)?

Those who are wise in the prophetic scriptures (Dan. 12:9-10), know the evidence is overwhelming that we are living in “the times and seasons” of the Lord’s return. Whatever your priorities may be, make sure you are ready to go (Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:3) and not one of those who will be left behind (John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-13, James 4:7-10). Don’t wait until tomorrow to take care of your eternal destiny (Prov. 27:1, James 4:13-15). Eternity is way too long to be wrong. Make your reservation for Heaven today!

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1) The Second Coming of Christ, Charles H. Spurgeon, Chicago, Illinois:  Fleming H. Revell Company, Moody Press, 1896, 117, 118

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Who and What are the Beasts in the Bible? 

(Part 2 of 2)

By Michael Hile

May 9, 2020

Modern Day Beast Nations

An example of a modern day “beast” nation using its power to expand territorial control was exhibited when Russia, in early 2014, under the direction of President Putin, used its military might to capture the Crimean Peninsula, which is located south of Ukraine on the Black Sea. Russia’s “beast” leader, President Vladimir V. Putin, has also been active in the Syrian civil war and has built and/or upgraded two of their naval and air bases in Syria (Tartus and Khmeimim). Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in late 2017 stated, concerning Syria, “We have started to form a permanent presence there.”

Iran, Turkey and Russia are all actively competing for Syria’s oil fields and to establish hegemony in Syria, which just happens to be next door (adjacent) to the Golan Heights. The United States, under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, became the first country to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel by issuing a Presidential Proclamation on March 25, 2019.

The Golan Heights was captured by Israel from Syria in the Six-Day war of 1967, and has been considered part of Israel since 1981. In December of 2014, Afek Oil and Gas began round-the-clock drilling in the Golan Heights and found large reserves of oil at three drilling sites in the southern part of the region.

“We are talking about a layer which is 350 meters thick,” Dr. Yuval Bartov, the chief geologist of Afek Oil and Gas told Channel 2 News. “On average in the world, strata are 20-30 meters thick, so this is 10 times as large as that, so we are talking about significant quantities.” ‘Afek, a subsidiary of American company, Genie Energy, estimates that oil production at the site could potentially reach billions of barrels. Currently Israel consumes 270,000 barrels of oil a day.’ ” ⁴

Russian President Putin’s close association with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, Iran’s Spirtual Leader Khamenei and Iran’s President Rouhani portend troublesome times ahead in the Middle East, especially concerning Israel, which all three nations strongly disdain.  In recent years, the Russian “bear” has been meeting frequently with Turkey (Grey Wolf) and Iran (formerly Persia—Ram), which most assuredly will generate nefarious plans concerning the land of Israel. The frequent meetings of this trio of nations in recent years is a harbinger of the Gog/Magog battle (Ezek. 38:1-23-39:1-29), where God intervenes on Israel’s behalf and decimates most of Russia, Iran and Turkey’s armies on the mountains of Israel.

The Rise and Fall of a Future Beast Nation

President Vladimir Putin’s current prime minister and former president, Dmitry Medvedev, along with the Russian Parliament leaders, recently resigned (January 22, 2020) in order to allow Putin to revise and consolidate his constitutional powers. Restructuring the Russian government will help Putin maintain control and stay in power after his term of office expires in 2024. Russia’s aggressive posture is like the bear described in Daniel 7:5 that is told to “Arise, devour much flesh.” Having the demeanor (outward behavior, conduct) of a bear which “devours much flesh” implies invading and conquering other “beast” nations, overthrowing their leaders and subjugating their citizens.

Russia’s offensive and hostile action in taking over the Crimean Peninsula, projecting its naval and air force military might into Syria and developing long-term strategic partnerships with many nations in northern Africa and the Middle East, most assuredly, qualifies Russia as a “beast kingdom/nation,” like those described by Daniel (7:1-7, 8:1-27). Russia’s provocative behavior throughout the Middle East is what would be expected from a “beast nation” that behaved like a hungry bear on the prowl, similar to the one described by Daniel (7:5).

Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 lay out in great detail, a future prophecy about a nation “Gog, of the land of Magog” (38:1-3) which is north of Israel (38:15, 39:2) that God puts “hooks in its jaws” (38:4) and brings down into the land of Israel (38:16-17) to show God’s power and might to the nations and the “house of Israel” (38:23, 39:25-29). For God to “put hooks into the jaws” of a nation and drag it down into the Middle East to the mountains of Israel, implies that it must represent a large beast that exhibits “beast-like” behavior. Many Bible scholars believe Russia “the bear” is the best candidate for the “beast” God is talking about in Ezekiel’s prophecy (38:2).

Although we do not know when the Gog/Magog war will occur or who “Gog” will be, the leader from “the land of Magog” who currently represents “Gog” is Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The rapid development of the Russian, Iranian and Turkish alliance in recent years, coupled with the more recent unveiling of  “The Deal of the Century” peace initiative by the Trump administration, should be a “wake up” call to those “watching” for Christ’s return in the air for his saints (Heb. 10:25, Luke 21:28). The prophetic “code words” given by the Apostle Paul, that were to be recognized by a future generation (Matt. 24:32-34, Mark 13:28-30, Luke 21:28-36), when the “day of the Lord” (God’s judgment) was near, are the words “peace and security” (also peace and safety).

Frequent use of the words “peace” and “security” in recent speeches, concerning the on-going Israel/Palestinian peace process, is unmistakable evidence of Bible prophecy that is currently in the process (happening now) of being fulfilled (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11). The code words “peace and security” (5::3) are closely linked with “the times and seasons” (5:1) of the resurrection (4:14-16), rapture (4:17) and beginning of “the day of the Lord” (5:2).  The Apostle Paul did not want his brothers in Christ (and future disciples) to be “ignorant” (4:13) of the order in which the “resurrection,” “catching up” of the saints and “day of the Lord” would occur.

Believers would not be “comforted” (4:18, 5:11) or excited to see “the day of the Lord” approaching (Heb. 10:25), unless they were confident “the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30, Luke 21:28) would occur before “the day of the Lord,” and they would not be left here on the earth when “the day of the Lord” was taking place. That is exactly the apocalyptic portrayal put forth by Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11) with the “resurrection” and “catching up” of the saints preceding “the day of the Lord,” and both events surprising those left behind as “a thief in the night” (Matt. 24:43-44, 25:1-13; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 3:3, 10-11, 16:15).  The prophecy of the rapture, resurrection and “day of the Lord,” given by the Apostle Paul (5:3), is also the scenario we see unfolding in the world today, along with many other converging, prophetic harbingers.

Two Future Beasts that Control the World

The most famous “beast” combination in the bible is the coming Antichrist and False Prophet (first and second beast), that will reign over the earth for a brief season (time, times, half a time—Rev. 12:14) at the end of the age.  This final “beast” kingdom, which is described cryptically in Daniel and Revelation, will be the most ruthless dictatorship to ever exist on earth. (Dan. 7:7-12, 15-27; Rev.13:1-18).

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.  Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.  And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.  So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.  Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.  All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:1-8).

Revelation chapter 13 describes the kingdom the Antichrist and his partner, the False Prophet, will rule over during the last half of Daniel’s 70^th week, which will be three and one-half years (also 1260 days; 42 months; time, times and a half time). In Daniel, this kingdom is called the “fourth beast” (7:7), but in Revelation (13:1-2), it is described as a leopard with the mouth of a lion and the feet of a bear. In Daniel chapter two, this same, final Gentile kingdom is represented by the ten toes of the great metallic image (statue) that was part of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2:42).

The first beast (man of sin, wicked one, Antichrist) will “be revealed” after “the departure” of the saints ⁵ on the “day of redemption” when the Holy Spirit (He who now restrains) and the saints (who are sealed) will be removed from the earth (2 Thess. 2:3, 7-8; Eph.1:13-14, 4:30; Luke 21:28). After “the departure” of the saints, the Antichrist rises to power, confirms “the covenant with many for one week” and begins his sinister plan to take over and control the whole world (2 Thess. 2:4, Dan. 9:27). He is assisted by the second beast (False Prophet) who becomes the first beast’s chief enforcer, miracle worker, worship leader and propaganda publicist.  He requires all to “receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead” in order to buy or sell and forces everyone to worship “the image of the beast” or be killed (Rev. 13:11-18).

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.  And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.  He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.  He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,  and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666 (Rev. 13:11-18).

The scriptures tell us that the last half of the seven-year tribulation, when Antichrist and the False Prophet are active, will be a time of  “great tribulation,” and it will also be a time “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21-22). At the end of the seven-year period (Daniel’s 70^th Week), the Lord Jesus Christ will return from Heaven with all His saints to the earth and establish His millennial reign (1000 years—Rev. 19:11-21, Zech. 14:5). It will also be at this time that the Antichrist (first beast) and False Prophet (second beast) will be cast into the lake of fire.

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.  Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev. 19:19-20).

Satan: The Beast Master, His Master Plan and His Demise

We know that Satan, who is “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), has the ability to take control of an animal’s cognitive functions and behavior when he desires. He can also possess the minds and bodies of people and greatly influence their behavior in certain circumstances. A couple examples in the New Testament are when Satan entered Judas before betraying Christ (Luke 22:3, John 13:27), and when Jesus cast out demons from two men, who were possessed, into a herd of swine (Matt. 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39).

According to the scriptures, the beast of choice Satan indwelt after Adam and Eve were created was the serpent, which tempted Eve to sin against God. “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’” (Gen. 3:1)?  The serpent was considered to be the most subtle and deceitful (sly, crafty) of the creatures God had created.

Due to the serpent’s cunning and manipulative nature, which the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees also exhibited (beastly nature), Jesus and His predecessor, John the Baptist, called the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers,” and “serpents.” After openly rebuking them in public about their “beastly” behavior, Jesus asked them: “How can you escape the condemnation of hell” (Matt. 3:5-8, 23:29, 33)?

Although Satan’s demons take advantage of people given over to alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography and other sins of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-21, Eph. 2:1-3, 1 Jo. 2:15-17), they especially operate in the corporate, political and religious world to influence wealthy business owners, people in positions of authority and other unsuspecting victims. When Satan and his demons influence or possess these high level leaders, they many times take on the characteristics of domineering and oppressive “beasts” (Rev. 17:1-18), rather than thoughtful, compassionate human beings.  God not only views many high level leaders in positions of authority as “beasts,” He views Satan as the supreme “beast,” who manipulates and controls all of the other beast-like personalities on earth (owners, bosses, presidents, prime ministers, kings, etc.).

Satan’s ultimate goal is to establish his own kingdom on the earth (the beast master) in order to rule and reign in place of Jesus during the millennium (1000-years, Rev. 20:6).  The description of Satan in the book of Revelation (12:1-17) is as a dragon who seeks to destroy Jesus after He is born, and then persecutes the Jewish people (the woman) who were responsible for bringing the “Savior” into the world.

When Jesus Christ returns back to earth, Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (20:1-3). For the first time in history, people living on the earth will not be tempted or influenced by Satan and his demonic horde.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;  and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (Rev. 20:1-3). 

The king over the human “beasts” on earth, Satan, will be defeated by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords when He (Jesus Christ) returns with all of His holy angels and saints, and sets up His kingdom on earth.  At that time, all of the “beast” nations on earth will be subordinated to Christ (Rev. 19:15-21), and they will be judged, according to their behavior, at the judgment of nations where Christ sits on “the throne of His glory” (Matt. 25:31-46, Dan. 7:9-12). The Antichrist (first beast) and False Prophet (second beast)  will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone before the millennial reign of Christ begins (Rev. 19:20), and Satan (the dragon, that old serpent, the devil) will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone at the end of the millennial reign (Rev. 20:10).

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.  They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.  The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:7-10).

Just as those who dwell in the heavens were told to “rejoice” after Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:10-12) at the middle of Daniel’s 70^th week (7-year period), the people living on earth during the millennial reign, and all those in heaven will also “rejoice” when Satan (accuser of the brethren) is permanently expelled from the earth and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.  The inhabitants of heaven and the earth will “rejoice” together when Satan (the beast master) is banished forever and will never again tempt, trick, torment, torture, vilify, slander or falsely accuse those on the earth and in heaven.  After the millennial reign, the first heaven and first earth will be replaced, and “the holy city, New Jerusalem” will come down to earth.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:1-4).

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Resources:

1)  Amplified Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.

2)  Torture chamber, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture_chamber

3)  From Stalin to Hitler, the most murderous regimes in the world, Nigel Jones for MailOnline https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2091670/Hitler-Stalin-The-murderous-regimes-world.html

4) Major reserves of oil found on Golan Heights,  Nicky Blackburn October 8, 2015, https://www.israel21c.org/major-reserves-of-oil-found-on-golan-heights/

5)  The “Departure” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Thomas Ice,  https://www.pre-trib.org/pretribfiles/pdfs/Ice-TheDepartureIn2Thess2-3.pdf

(Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are taken from the New King James Version.)

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Who and What are the Beasts in the Bible?

(Part 1 of 2)

By Michael Hile

May 7, 2020

 The Beasts of the Earth

 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good (Gen. 1:24-25).

There are many different types of “beasts” mentioned in the Bible.  There are beasts (living creatures) in Heaven (Rev. 4:6-9), beasts that live on the earth (Gen. 1:24-25) and beasts that come up from the bottomless pit to torment men on the earth (Rev. 9:1-11, 11:7).  On the earth, there are beasts that are used for work, especially in underdeveloped countries (horses, mules and oxen), beasts that are raised for food (cattle, hogs and chickens) and beasts that are domesticated for pets (dogs, cats and birds).

There are wild beasts and creeping things that live in the forests, jungles and deserts that are carnivores (meat eaters), herbivores (plant eaters), omnivores (meat and plant eaters) and scavengers that eat dead and decaying organic matter (Gen. 1:30-31). There are also small, microscopic organisms, sometimes referred to as micro-beasts, such as germs, viruses, fungi and parasites that cause sickness, disease and death.

So I looked, and behold, an ashen (pale greenish gray) horse [like a corpse, representing death and pestilence]; and its rider’s name was Death; and Hades (the realm of the dead) was following with him. They were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague (pestilence, disease) and by the wild beasts of the earth (Rev. 6:8).1

A Different Kind of Beast

There are several places in the prophetic scriptures where the term “beast” is used, but the description and context let us know that it is not talking about traditional animals and creatures that inhabit the earth (Gen. 2:19-20).  The term “beast” was originally used to describe any animal (living organism) that was not a human being. Later, the word “beast” was expanded to describe “a person who is gross, brutal, vile, etc.” When a “beast” is described in the scriptures, and it is not an animal in the normal sense of the word, it is probably a king or ruler on the earth who acts like a “wild beast” and rules over his “beast kingdom.”

The word “beast” is used in apocalyptic writings, especially the books of Daniel and Revelation, to refer to kings and kingdoms whose behavior is more like a wild beast from the wilderness than a human being created in God’s image (Dan. 7:17, 23; Titus 1:12). Carnivorous animals that live in the wild are aggressive, vicious, and predatory in their quest for survival. Their beastly nature and habits are self serving, and they have no regard for the life of other creatures. They prey upon other unsuspecting animals, sometimes to the point of devouring their own offspring.

Animals on the earth (beasts) do not know they are going to die. God has given them instincts to run, fly or swim in order to escape predators (beasts) that want to devour them.  Somewhat resembling the voracious behavior of predatory animals, people in positions of high leadership (kings, dictators, despots) sometimes develop “delusions of grandeur,” thinking they are god-like, immune to death and not accountable to anyone, including God.  They then begin to act like ravenous animals (beasts) and seek to destroy or maim anyone (even their own children) who might challenge their authority or get in the way of their quest for power and control.

A “beast” from God’s point of view, as described in Daniel and Revelation, is a person (and the kingdom he rules over) who has decided to live like a wild animal, who ignores and disregards God, takes advantage of other people, is only interested in themselves or those close to them, and does not regard the lives of other people, unless it furthers their own selfish, self-centered goals (Dan. 7:1-8:27, Rev. 13:1-18, 17:1-18, 19:11-21). Due to the temptations associated with their position, power, prestige, and possessions, it is rare that a “beast” leader sees the error of their way and turns to God for the redemption of their sins (1 Cor. 1:25-29). Rather, they operate as if there is no God and sometimes foolishly believe they are God (Psalm 14:1). The ultimate example of man thinking he is God will someday be exhibited by “the man of sin” (Antichrist).

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God  (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

Motivation, Methods and Manners of the Beasts

Beastly rulers do not usually implement their evil plans by themselves, but use surrogates and subordinates to carry out torture, mayhem and carnage in order to advance their position, power and possessions. Death camps (gulags—political labor camps) and the accompanying starvation, deprivation, medical experimentation and execution are many times the products of wicked “beast” rulers. Numerous means of torturing the victims of evil, “beast” leaders have been devised and specifically designed to induce “horror, dread and despair” to those who have challenged or opposed their wicked plans. Torture chambers have been around for centuries and were used frequently during the Middle Ages for religious, social and political persecution.

Historically, torture chambers were located in royal palaces, in castles of the nobility and even buildings belonging to the church. The medieval torture chamber was windowless and often built underground, was lit by a few candles and featured secret trap-doors which could be activated to throw victims into dark dungeons where they remained and eventually died.²  A notable torture chamber mentioned in the Bible was the lion’s den that the Medo-Persians maintained for their enemies (Dan. 6:16). The depravity (moral corruption; wickedness) of mankind towards other human beings appears to have no limit when evil men are given an excessive amount of money, power and authority.

Although dictators and despots have been around since the days of Noah (Nimrod, et al), the twentieth century saw more enslavement, torture and death under “beast” rulers than all the previous centuries combined. People who have accomplished much on this earth in business, sports, agriculture and other endeavors are sometimes inducted into a “Hall of Fame” for outstanding achievement in their chosen field. If recognition was given to the many evil “beast” rulers that have lived on the planet, and they were voted into a “Hall of Shame,” some of the top candidates, who have tortured, maimed and killed the most people in the world include: ³

• MAO ZEDONG, China (1949-76), Regime: Communist, Victims: Over 60 million
• JOSEPH STALIN, Soviet Union (1929-53), Regime: Communist, Victims: c. 40 million
• ADOLF HITLER, Germany (1933-45), Regime: Nazi dictatorship, Victims: c. 30 million
• KING LEOPOLD II, Belgium (1886-1908), Regime: Colonial Empire in Congo, Victims: 8 million
• HIDEKI TOJO, Japan (1941-45), Regime: Military dictatorship, Victims: 5 million
• ISMAIL E. PASHA, Ottoman Turkey (1915-20), Regime: Military dictatorship, Victims: 2 million
• POL POT, Cambodia (1975-79), Regime: Communist (Khmer Rouge), Victims: At least 1.7 million
• KIM ILSUNG, North Korea (1948-94), Regime: Communist, Victims: At least 1.6 million
• SADDAM HUSSEIN, Iraq (1979-2003), Regime: Ba’ath Party dictatorship, Victims: 600,000
• JOSIP BROZ TITO, Yugoslavia (1945-80), Regime: Communist, Victims: 570,000

Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.  They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we?  Have you become like us?  Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, and worms cover you.’  (Isa. 14:9-11).

Who are some of the Beasts?

In addition to the infamous bunch of “beast” leaders, who created havoc (widespread destruction) during the twentieth century, many of today’s religious and political leaders, including kings, presidents, prime ministers, and high level government officials are considered “beasts” from God’s perspective. Deception and intrigue is prevalent among today’s politicians and will be a major trait of the Antichrist (Dan. 8:24-25, 11:21 23, 27, 32).

Rich and famous people, terrorists, murderers, thieves, liars, and ordinary humans who forsake God, and take advantage of others, are also referred to as “beasts” in the scriptures (2 Peter 2:12, Jude 10, Titus 1:12).

Some beast-like personalities in the ancient world include King Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 634-562 BC—Daniel 3:1-30), Antiochus IV Epiphanes (c. 215-164 BC—1 Maccabees, Josephus), Herod the Great (c. 73-4 BC—Luke 1:5), Attila the Hun (c. 406-453 AD), Genghis Khan (c. 1162-1227 AD) and many others. The four, great beasts (7:3-7), described in Daniel’s dream/visions, during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign (553 BC), are “four kings” (beast kings) “which shall arise out of the earth” and rule over their kingdoms (Dan. 7:17-23).

One example of God giving a “beast” king “a taste of his own medicine” and changing his thinking and behavior into that of a beast (insanity, madness), so that he acted like a beast and ate grass with the oxen (boanthropy) for seven years, was Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (4:1-37). Nebuchadnezzar was very fortunate, unlike many leaders with “beast” personalities, in that his punishment to eat grass and behave like an oxen for seven years caused him to awaken spiritually, experience God’s grace, perceive God’s sovereign rule over creation, realize that he had a haughty spirit and was full of pride, understand that his accomplishments were really God’s blessings and that he was not as important and autonomous as he once thought himself to be.

And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.  All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”  At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.  Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down (Dan. 4:34-37).

Examples of Beast Kingdoms in the Bible

Daniel’s writings contain examples of dreams and visions he had about future “beast” kingdoms that would rise to power and battle with other “beast’ kingdoms for dominance.  The vision Daniel received of a “ram” and “goat” during the third year of King Belshazzar’s rule (551 BC) was so traumatic emotionally, that he fainted and was sick several days (Dan. 8:27). In Daniel’s vision, the Medo-Persian Empire was referred to as a “ram which had two horns,” and all the surrounding kingdoms were referred to as “beasts” (8:3-4, 20). The Grecian kingdom (8:21) of Alexander the Great was referred to as a “he goat with a notable horn between his eyes” (8:5-7).  The implication is that God views kingdoms and nations in the world as “beasts” (8:4), and their rulers (horns) and accomplices are also considered “beasts” (Dan. 7:17, Rev. 13:3-8, 11-18).

One rare exception, revealed to Daniel, is the lion with eagle’s wings, whose wings were plucked from the lion (7:4). Although the lion is the major component of the first beast, the eagle’s wings are also part of the first beast.  After the eagle’s wings are painfully removed from the lion, the offspring of the lion (the eagle) appears to become independent of the lion (a separate beast), is made to stand up like a man and is given a man’s heart. It remains an eagle, but its beast like behavior changes, so that it acts like a human being rather than a beast.

Modern day examples of world powers (beast kingdoms/nations) that have adopted animal symbols include England (lion), France (rooster), Spain (bull), Germany (black eagle), United States (bald eagle), Russia (bear) and China (dragon).

Rarely do kingdoms or nations give their citizens personal, political and religious freedom like the United States.  Rather, most “beast kingdoms/nations” in the world today, that have socialist/communist/Islamic governments, use military force and intimidation to oppress and limit freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, expression and access to a fair judicial system (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, et al).

Modern Day Beast Leaders 

Some famous dictator “beasts” in recent history include Lenin and Stalin (Russia), Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Hirohito (Japan), Castro (Cuba), Amin (Uganda), Hussein (Iraq), Gadaffi (Libya), Chavez (Venezuela), Kim Jong-un (North Korea) and many others. Two notorious examples of human “beasts” that will rise to power in the future at “the time of the end” (Dan. 12:4-13) are the Antichrist (First Beast—Rev. 13:4-8, 19:20) and the False Prophet (Second Beast—Rev. 13:11-18, 19:20).

“Beast” leaders have goals and behaviors that are self-serving, and they are usually arrogant, boastful, charismatic leaders with narcissist personalities. They frequently have statues and pictures of themselves placed in public places for everyone to see, and they control the news markets so that they receive positive media coverage. “Beast” leaders are good at misleading and deceiving those they rule over through carefully crafted lies, distortion and propaganda.

Sometimes, “Beast” leaders suffer violent and tragic deaths when the populace revolts or stronger “beast” nations remove them from power. Examples include Belshazzar (Babylon—Dan. 5:30-31), Adolf Hitler (Germany), Nicolae Ceaușescu (Romania), Saddam Hussein (Iraq) and Muammar Gaddafi (Libya). God directly intervened to save the children of Israel when He took out the “beast-like” Pharaoh and his army by drowning them in the Red Sea following Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:5-15:19, Psalm 136:15).       

“Beast” leaders sometimes come to power by overthrowing an existing government (coup d’ état). They many times solidify their power base through corrupt elections or by taking advantage of an ignorant voter population through control of the media and using various propaganda schemes. “Beast” leaders sometimes build their military strength until they feel confident enough to overtake their neighbor(s). “Beast” leaders, especially the more powerful and aggressive types, follow their “beast like” nature and “devour” (conquer) other less powerful countries or provinces.

Before the advent of television and the modern-day news media, world leaders were not as concerned about their public image, since they could control what was released and what was withheld from public scrutiny. All that has changed with the 24-hour news cycle, where saying or doing the wrong thing can expose you to mockery or public (national and international) condemnation. It may seem unnatural to think of current world leaders as “beasts,” since they are usually seen in the public arena at international conferences with other “beast” leaders, wearing expensive clothing and taking advantage of photo opportunities.

Modern Day “beast” leaders are frequently seen smiling and shaking hands with other world leaders, especially when the cameras are on. However, if you look at their actions off camera when no one is watching and observe how their citizens, religious groups and political opponents are treated when they are back in their home country, it is no wonder God refers to these ruthless, wicked tyrants as “beasts.”

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The Times of the Signs – Part Four

(Conclusion of the Four-Part Series)

By Ed Wood

October 13, 2019

Armageddon’s End

There is only one event that will keep humanity from destroying itself, something the devil has always wanted to achieve as he has sought for ages to displace God – and that is the return of Jesus himself. Here are two accounts, the first from the Old Testament, the second from the New Testament:

Isaiah {11:1-4} And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and  understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Revelation {19:13-21} And he* [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven** followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast*** was taken, and with him the false prophet**** that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. * Jesus. ** The resurrected saints from all ages, perhaps angels as well. See also Zechariah 14:5. *** Antichrist. ****The Antichrist’s second-in-command and minister of propaganda.

Millennium

After seven years of literal hell on Earth, it is finally over. What is left is a smoking ruin, greatly depopulated. Had Jesus not come back when he did, Earth might have become a complete wasteland, perhaps only inhabited by insects, primitive plants, and microbes (Matthew 24:22). However, the Bible reveals that there will be survivors and despite the carnage, when Jesus comes back to take his place as King of Kings on Earth, everything will begin to change. Once again, Isaiah gives us a preview:

Isaiah {11:5-9} And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah {35:1-2,7; 41:18-20} The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. . . . And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes. . . I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, [and] the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

It is my guess that this will happen very quickly and the survivors of the human race, plus the resurrected saints, both from the Rapture (who had been part of the armies that accompanied Jesus for his second coming) and the Tribulation (Revelation 20:4b; Daniel 7:18), will play a part in putting the world back together, Jesus being the ultimate source and director of this restoration. At this time, the Jews, who have at last recognized him as the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7), will now fulfill the role God intended for them all along in leading the world to worship him in Jerusalem, perhaps led by the 144,000 that had been sealed by God during the Tribulation (Revelation 7:1-8).

In this time of global healing, even the life span of human beings will be increased:

Isaiah {65:20} There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed.

But the restored world, as magnificent as it will be, will still not be perfect. From the passage above, we see the great hope the mortals who follow Jesus will have, but also the fate of those who resist. But unlike today, where it seems the “good die young and the evil live on, this, too will be reversed. In a time when the life spans of the righteous may very well last the 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom, those of evil people may only last one-tenth of that.

Here is another piece of evidence that there still will be rebellious people left on Earth:

Zechariah {14:16-19} And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, [that] whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain;] there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

This was an autumn feast whose purpose was for the Israelites to celebrate not only their harvest but to remind them of the forty years they were homeless nomads after they’d left Egypt. When Jesus comes back, its celebration will become mandatory for the entire world. It certainly seems to be most appropriate for the Tribulation survivors and their descendants to reflect back on the horror they endured during the worst seven years in history and to give thanks for now living on a planet that has been restored to a nearly Eden-like state by the one through whom all things were created (John 1:3-10).

As we’ve seen above and as hard as it may be to imagine, there will still be “stiff-necked” people in the world who will not accept Jesus’ rule. It is my own personal belief that at the beginning of the Millennium, there may be virtually none of these rebellious types. Those who are left are will forget living through Earth’s worst years nor dismiss the Messiah who saved and now sustains them.

But what about the kids . . . ?

Since the Kingdom Age is ten centuries long, this is plenty of time for the survivors to produce many descendants who will not have first-hand experience of the bad times. It seems reasonable to assume that they are more likely to fall away than their predecessors. The number of them appears quite significant by the time Satan is released and gets one more shot to oppose God at the Millennium’s conclusion:

Revelation {20:7-9a} And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city . . . 

This time God the Father will deal with these rebels immediately – and finally – along with Satan and his newly-recruited rebel followers:

Revelation {20:9b-10} . . . and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are,] and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

At this point, one may wonder why Satan was only locked away and not destroyed after the battle of Armageddon. As far as I can tell the Bible doesn’t give a direct answer, but perhaps it can be found if we look at its very beginning. In the first two chapters of Genesis, as God created the cosmos (which, of course, includes Earth) notice at the end of each step, he pronounces each part as “good.” Since we know that God is perfect, then anything he says is “good” is likely just perfect, too. It was into this flawless world that he placed the first two humans. But what happened? In chapter three, we see that despite being given every advantage, Adam and Eve were tempted – and gave into it.

Let’s spin the clock ahead to the end of time. Humanity will once more have the advantage of living in a world almost as perfect as Eden but remember what happens: A considerable number of people will succumb to the devil’s temptation once again at his release. It is at this point in time when Satan and his followers, both demonic and human, will be dealt with accordingly. This time it will be forever (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:11-15).

Perhaps the Millennium is God’s way of showing us that the only way to really make things right is to “make all things new.” This sin-tainted world and universe will pass away to be replaced by something entirely new.

Eternity

Isaiah {65:17-18} For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever [in that] which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

Daniel {12:3} And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Revelation {21:1} And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Into this perfected new creation God literally brings heaven, and himself, to Earth:

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.

Here’s just one thing I’d like to mention. Though some have considered New Jerusalem to be the “bride,” I believe this is incorrect. Here is what Paul said of the bride’s identity:

Ephesians {5:23,31} For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body . . . 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.

The solution to what appears to be a contradiction, I believe, is cleared up with this quote from Jesus himself:

John {14:1-3} Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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.

If we think about this a little, I think we can conclude that the bride is actually the church and that Jesus is preparing a place for this bride in the New Jerusalem. Therefore, in the Revelation passage above, perhaps John wasn’t saying that the New Jerusalem was actually the bride, but only that it looked as beautiful as once would expect a bride to appear. The true bride – the church, composed of all of God’s followers from the beginning of time, is actually living inside.

New Jerusalem on the New Earth

That this city is beautiful beyond comprehension is certainly clear, but also is, is that it is immense – a cube 1500 miles per side.

Now let’s look at a little science.

By the physical rules of our present universe, the Earth, which is 8000 miles in diameter could never accommodate something some 70% the size of the moon landing on it, though a planet the size of Jupiter (88,700 miles in diameter) wouldn’t have a problem with it.

What this strongly suggests is that the New Heaven and New Earth will operate on totally different laws. Maybe the New Earth will simply be enormous. Maybe gravity, as it operates here, will be totally different there. After all, we do know that time will certainly be different, because nothing lasts forever here. Barring Divine Intervention, our sun, all the stars in this galaxy, all the stars in every galaxy, will one day exhaust themselves. In fact, because of the universe’s continuing and accelerating expansion, all matter itself may come apart and every bit of usable energy will be gone. What will be left is . . . nothing!

We can take comfort because based on what the Bible tells us, this grim future is not what lies ahead. Instead of a dark, empty void, Jesus, the Carpenter, already has the building of our new residences well under way in an eternal city which will always be filled with light.

Based on the signs of these times, I’d say he’s putting on the final touches right now and moving-in day for us is just around the next corner!

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The Times of the Signs – Part Three

By Ed Wood

August 16, 2019

By way of a review, here are the prophecies from the Olivet Discourse already occurring that we looked at in Part One of this series:

1) The appearance of False Prophets.

2) Wars and rumors of wars (The Twentieth Century was the worst so far.)

3) Famine.

4) Earthquakes.

5) Natural Disasters.

6) People getting worse.

7) Christians being persecuted.

8) The access and preaching of the Gospel to virtually every part of the world.

9) Strife among families.

The second article covered what we can expect before the Tribulation:

10) The Rapture

After the Rapture, the Tribulation will begin with the pouring out of God’s Judgments upon the earth as listed in the Book of Revelation. As conditions become increasingly worse for those not taken in the Rapture, it is likely that these desperate people will be looking for an “Answer Man” in much the same way the post World War 1 Germans ultimately chose Adolf Hitler. This next time, though, the range and demonic power of the future leader will reach beyond a single country. This “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) will ultimately end up ruling the entire world. A major act of his will be the ratifying of a seven-year “covenant with many,” (Daniel 9:27). It will be a treaty he will also break after three and a half years.

The Great Tribulation Begins

THE ANTICHRIST MOVES INTO THE TEMPLE AND CLAIMS TO BE GOD

After the “son of perdition,” breaks the seven-year covenant “with many” he will move himself into the restored Jewish temple (Daniel 11:45) proclaiming the he is actually God in human form – the “messiah. He will be backed up in this outrageous lie by his henchman, the false prophet (Revelation 13:1-18). The “abomination of desolation” will set up in the temple and the last, worst years of the Tribulation period will begin.

The Jews, who have re-instituted the Mosaic system of the Old Testament in the rebuilt temple, will discover to their dismay that they have been betrayed and no doubt actively resist his claim of deity. Except for resistance from “the east,” the Antichrist would have probably moved immediately to crush the Jews with a Final Solution of his own (Daniel 11:44). The delay buys time for Israel to seek refuge in the wilderness at Petra and with the assistance of the descendants of Moab:

Isaiah {16:1-5} Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela* to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. For it shall be, [that,] as a wandering bird cast out of  the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the Outcasts**; bewray*** not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler****: for the extortioner**** is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he***** shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. *Petra, ** Israelite refugees, *** “betray”, **** The Antichrist, ***** Jesus – who has returned. (We will look at this in greater detail shortly.)

From the New Testament, we have what is appears to be Jesus’ warning to the Jews of when to make their move:

Matthew {24:15-21} When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 

Mark 13:14-19 gives us this same account but Luke’s version, though similar, has important differences:

Luke {21:20-24} And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Note that the “abomination of desolation” is not mentioned and that the Israelites either be cut down with the sword or dispersed across the world while their territory is taken over by the Gentiles. This sounds much more like the account of the invasion of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 A.D. and its aftermath. The temple at that time was also not desecrated by a false messiah and his image. Instead, it was totally destroyed.

Today, the Jews are still dispersed and until 1948 had no country to call their own. In Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts, Israel has to be a nation because this is a necessary precondition for the temple to exist once more because the Antichrist cannot defile it if it isn’t there.

THE END OF THE TRIBULATION

The last three and a half years will see an increase of the severity of the judgments being poured out upon the earth by God. The Antichrist has usurped the temple and is dealing with opposition from “the east.” During that time, it appears that not all the Jews have sought refuge in the wilderness, that some have managed to hang on in Jerusalem. Perhaps it will be the Israeli army supported by willing civilians. By the end of the Tribulation, the situation will become completely desperate as the Antichrist, with demonic help, gathers together troops from the rulers of the whole world, including those from the east who have now become his allies.

Revelation {16:12-14} And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Here is a description of the invasion of Jerusalem:

Zechariah {14:1-2} Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

The Antichrist’s victory would be inevitable except that:

Zechariah {14:3} Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Revelation {19:11-16} And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Jesus will banish the Antichrist and the False Prophet to the lake of fire and slay their troops (Revelation 19:17-21). Satan will be locked away for 1000 years and Jesus will reclaim the temple and begin his millennial reign.

Now there will be signs immediately before these events and the return of Jesus.

11) SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

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

It is quite clear from this and from Mark 13:24-25 that the phenomena in the skies will be universal and terrifying to the people who have managed to survive up until this point.

The gospel of Luke provides another look into what is coming.

Luke {21:25-28} And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Once again, Matthew’s and Mark’s versions seem to be totally directed to the time immediately preceding Jesus’ Second coming while the final sentence in Luke’s account suggests that there might be earlier indications as well. Let’s look at verses 27 and 28 again:

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

It’s true that those survivors who come to accept Jesus during the seven years of tribulation can expect their “redemption” when they see the signs listed above, but could it also be a warning to believers before the Tribulation even begins?

Could they be for us?

We’ve already seen the reasons in our past articles why the Rapture and the Second Coming are two distinctly different events. Remember that the former requires no prior conditions and is therefore unable to be fixed in time, while the latter must occur at the end of the seven-year Tribulation. The unexpected nature of the Rapture is consistent with what Jesus said here:

Luke {13:34-37} [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

We are directed to be on “watch” and that suggests that there will be specific things that will occur even prior to the Rapture.

What kinds of early signs might we expect?

We’ve seen that Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24-25 provide us with several specific ones prior to the Second Coming:

The sun and moon darkened (also indicated in Revelation 18:12)

Stars falling from the sky.

The first sounds very much like what is commonly called “nuclear winter,” where the smoke and material ejected into the atmosphere by even a limited nuclear exchange obscures the light coming in from luminous objects in space along with the tainting of the water. A catastrophic asteroid impact or a huge meteor storm (stars falling from the sky) would have very similar effects, differing only in that the fallout from the latter would not be radioactive. This account from Revelation gives us an accurate description of what the results of either of these catastrophes would be like:

Revelation {8:7-12} The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. and the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Looking at Luke’s passage, we see many other signs in addition to those from the sky which already have an eerie ring of familiarity to our Twenty-First Century world. Nations are increasingly in distress, racial tension is at an all-time high, and our seas are literally roaring with more storms and, earthquakes, and the resulting tsunamis with every passing year.

What we have not seen yet are any pronounced signs in the heavens. If Luke’s account is telling us to expect them in our own time along with those that are already happening, these should show up next. Exactly what they will be is open to speculation, but I think when they do begin to occur, they will be unmistakable. They will indicate that our time to be gathered together in the clouds with Jesus will be very near  (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)!

Those signs that will occur at the end of the seven years will followed by:

Matthew {24:30-31} And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Bible does not tell us exactly what it will be, but it is clear that it will be so spectacular and unmistakable (Matthew 24:27) that the whole Earth will recognize it for what it is.

In Part Four of this series, we’ll look at what is to follow after Jesus comes back.

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The Times of the Signs – Part Two

By Ed Wood

July 2, 2019

In Part One of our exploration of the prophecies Jesus gave in the Olivet Discourse, we discovered that one had been fulfilled, namely the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., and that the following are already under way:

1) The appearance of  False Prophets.

2) Wars (and rumors of wars) of which the Twentieth Century was the worst in that regard so far.

3) Famine.

4) Earthquakes.

5) Natural Disasters.

6) People getting worse.

7) Christians being persecuted.

8) The access and preaching of the Gospel to virtually every part of the world.

9) Strife among families.

We will now look at the next two events in the prophetic timeline.

The final prophecy to be fulfilled before the Tribulation begins.

THE RAPTURE

Matthew  {24:37-41} But as the days of Noe [were,] so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Jesus is the speaker.)

It’s likely that the people of Noah’s time, much like today, were becoming increasingly desensitized to the evil growing around them. Like now, they were also unaware that their own “End Times” would soon be upon them. Though the Bible doesn’t provide details of Noah’s interactions with the people around him, common sense dictates that they must have wondered about his seemingly irrational activity of building a huge ship in a place where none was obviously needed. As if that wasn’t enough, he eventually started collecting pairs of animals to load aboard. It seems reasonable to assume they asked him about all this. Obviously, they didn’t take him seriously or else they would have been making their own preparations to survive. It seems safe to assume that they regarded him as a raving lunatic.

So what about today?

In the passage above, the Bible tells us that Jesus said the conditions at the end of the age would parallel those of Noah’s time, and, indeed, they are doing just that. The presence of evil is growing and, as was the case with the Flood, most of the world, even much of the modern church, doesn’t expect the return of Jesus for his followers, either. When it does happen, it’ll be just as big a surprise as the Flood. The only difference is that Noah’s society didn’t have time to speculate about the Deluge afterwards as today’s will after the Rapture.

Now the problem some have in accepting the passage above as a true Rapture verse is the 50/50 ratio of those taken and those left behind. I suggest that it might not refer to a literal 50% division, but may be a figure of speech to illustrate the point of people being taken away from their daily routines quite unexpectedly while the others left behind are totally baffled. This theme of  “unexpectedness” appears several times in Matthew, chapters 24 and 25.

If we consider that everything the Bible has to say is important, it follows that the more often something is repeated, the more we should pay attention. A good example of this occurred regarding Joseph’s interpretation of the repetitive aspects of pharaoh’s dream in Genesis, chapter 41.

Now let’s see what Paul describes in an unambiguous Rapture passage:

1 Corinthians {15:51-54} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Much has already been written about the Rapture, pro and con, some of the adherents to the latter doing so vehemently and, quite frankly, unpleasantly. Just to make it clear, I am of the former persuasion because only the occurrence of the the Rapture can reconcile the passages like those above which indicate an initial time when Jesus’ return coming as a complete surprise with believers being gathered to him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) which will mystify those left behind and a second which will be his unmistakable return that the whole world see and which will conclude the seventh year of the Tribulation:

Matthew {24:27} For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Jesus is the speaker.)

The specific timeline for Jesus’ Second Coming to Earth can be found in Daniel 9:24 – 27. The concluding verse reveals that the time of the Antichrist’s “covenant with many” would last one week (seven years), based on the 360 day length of a Jewish year. Though the entire Tribulation, which will certainly mark a dreadful time for the world, begins when the Antichrist ratifies his “covenant” and lasts seven years,  the final half will be even worse. It will finish when Jesus personally comes to put an end to the most horrific despot that has ever lived and destroy his armies at Armageddon (Daniel 7:11-14; Revelation 19:7-21).

From the halfway point, when the Antichrist abrogates the covenant, the exact time of the Second Coming of Jesus is given as 1260 days (symbolically described in Revelation 12:1-7. See also Genesis 37:1-9 which identifies the parties in the Revelation passage), which is also the amount of time Israel is given supernatural refuge by God in the wilderness after the treaty is broken.

We now have two definite markers in time for Jesus’ Second Coming. The Rapture has none. The only way to explain this is that they are two different events.

We also do not know is how soon after the Rapture the Tribulation will begin. It may follow closely, since the sudden and unexplained disappearance of millions of those who have accepted Jesus will send unprecedented shock waves across our planet. I have no doubt that Satan will exploit this time of global fear and confusion to bring his “man of sin” onto the world stage and ultimately into a position of authority that no other human being has ever attained before.

The Beginning of the Tribulation

Let’s look at a possible scenario of how these last seven years might begin.

The Rapture has come and gone, millions of people have vanished. Theories are rampant as to what has happened as the human race reels in fear. How will people react? Looking at post-World War 1 Germany may give us valuable insight into that question.

It was a time when that nation was a complete mess on every level. It’s economy was ruin, unemployment was high, and its people demoralized. Into this scene appeared a young, intense, charismatic man, whom some described as having literally a spellbinding effect on his associates and, ultimately, on the masses of Germans looking for someone who could give them the answers and a hope for the future that they could not find anywhere else.

I’m sure you already recognize this description of Adolf Hitler,  the German Chancellor whose wickedness cost the lives of millions in his mad dash for global domination.

History has shown that desperate people do desperate things and I believe that the Antichrist will come to power following this dark blueprint from the past. Since humanity never seems to learn from history, the Antichrist, like Hitler, will be welcomed with open arms.

Into the Dark Times

It may very well be that with the along with ascent of the Antichrist to power, people will buy into his promises that a golden age is just ahead. I expect he’ll come up with a multi-spectrumed plan to stabilize the global economy and to attempt to deal with the increasing distresses that Bible Prophecy has told us will characterize the Tribulation. Perhaps his most significant action will be his confirmation of a Middle East peace treaty which had already been mapped out before his ascent to world leadership. It will initially succeed where previous peace plans have failed. It will also start the seven-year  Tribulation countdown clock.

Paradoxically, despite an overall deterioration of conditions on Earth as God’s judgments are being poured out, the Middle East, Israel in particular, may experience relative “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) for the next three and a half years.

The reason the Antichrist gives his approval to this peace treaty may be twofold: First, to raise his stature in the eyes of the world. Second, to get as many Jews back to Israel so he can get most of them into one place for future extermination (Zechariah 14:1-2; Revelation 16:13-14).

The confirmed covenant may possibly include a provision that allows for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on its original site, yet another powerful incentive to get the Jews to come home. That the temple must exist at some level of completion is a necessary element in the prophetic timeline and integral to the Antichrist’s plans when he goes there to declare himself “God” three and a half years later, as we will soon see.

Most people, excepting those who come to believe in Jesus after the Rapture, Jews and Gentiles alike, will apparently believe in this “Answer Man” so much that they’ll embrace his ultimate claims of deity without resistance. That will initiate the final three and a half year countdown when world conditions get a lot worse. As far as Israel goes, it, along with the Tribulation Christians, will become the prime targets of his retaliation.

Into the Darkest Times

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

Matthew {24:15, 21} When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)  . .  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Jesus is the speaker.)

What is this “Abomination of Desolation?”

In order to set the stage for that, here is what must happen first:

Daniel {9:27} And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

2 Thessalonians  {2:3-4} Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come,] except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition*; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. *The Antichrist

Without the temple being rebuilt, these prophecies could not be fulfilled because it is needed for the Mosaic system to be reinstituted – and then disrupted. The next prophecy after the Antichrist’s usurpation of the temple is the creation of the “Abomination of Desolation.”

Daniel actually mentions two instances of this taking place:

Daniel {8:13-14} Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice,] and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

This first incident involved the desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 168 B.C. At that time, he installed in it his own altar, a statue of Zeus with his face on it and offered up swine – an animal declared by God as unclean. Three years later,  the Maccabees successfully regained control of the temple and purified it. Chanukah annually celebrates this victory and the miracle of a one-day supply of sanctified lamp oil lasting instead for eight days.

Concerning the apparent discrepancy of the length of time noted by Daniel as being  twice as long as the actual length between the defilement (Kislev 25, 168 B.C.) and purification of the temple (Kislev 25, 165 B.C.),  according to the Zondervan Study Bible (copyright 2002), the term “days,” as used by Daniel, was actually the total of mornings and evenings. That brings us to 1150 twenty-four hour days, or about 3 years and two months. The extra two months are attributed to the interval between Antiochus’ removal of the Jewish altar and replacing it with his own.

Now here is the account of the future version, first from Daniel, then from Revelation:

Daniel 9:27 {9:27} And he* shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week** he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of  abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. *The Antichrist. ** Note that the length of time Daniel gives for this second desecration is three and a half years. Here we  have one week equaling seven years, four months longer than the amount of time regarding the first “abomination” by Antiochus IV.

Revelation {13:14-15} And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he* had power to do in the sight of the beast**; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  *The False Prophet, the Antichrist’s second in command and spokesman. **Antichrist

Where Antiochus had placed an ordinary statue in the temple, the passage above indicates that his “abomination” will be animated somehow by the False Prophet. With the level of electronic technology available today, this does not at all sound far-fetched. There may be even more to it than mere technology, perhaps a supernatural component, at which we can only guess now. Whatever the nature of this “abomination” is, I suspect that most of the world will willingly worship it, especially after the miraculous “pseudo-resurrection” of the Antichrist himself by the devil himself (Revelation 13:3).

This will begin the time at which things get indescribably worse.

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The Times of the Signs – Part One

By Ed Wood

May 14, 2019

The phrase, “Signs of the Times,” is no doubt familiar to anyone who visits this blog, but can we turn this round and use the sequence of them to give us a clue as to how far along we are on the prophetic timeline?  Using the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21), let’s do a “status check” on the signs Jesus told us would be coming to the world after his Ascension.

Fulfilled

TEMPLE DESTROYED

This sign was completed within forty years of Jesus’ prediction when the Roman General Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70. Though Jerusalem exists once again and is under Israeli jurisdiction, the Temple Mount is under control of the Muslim Waqf and the site is presently occupied by the Dome of the Rock and the Al – Aqsa Mosque.

In  Progress

FALSE PROPHETS

It’s important to bear in mind that “prophecy” is not limited to the disclosing of future events, but anything presented as being messages from God. Naturally, there are those who have taken it upon themselves to pass along lies in God’s name. They’ve been around a long time. The passage below from the Old Testament provides the way to recognize a false prophet :

Deuteronomy {13:1-3} If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and  giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

In Jesus’ time we have:

Matthew {7:15-20} Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Jesus is the speaker).

Many of the Epistles were written to combat false doctrine presented by lying prophets as well:

1 Timothy {4:1} Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

1 John {2:18-19, 2:22-23} Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many  antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. . . . Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

That this kind of activity is increasing and is evident in the falling away of what comprises much of “organized religion” today. Much of Protestantism in the Western World has denied Jesus (sometimes, even his gender!) as the only means of salvation. Many have accepted homosexual lifestyles, even among their clergy which the Bible clearly opposes. These false teachings are nothing less than the “doctrines of devils” being promoted by lying prophets.

The worst of these deceivers appears at the end of the age during the Tribulation, namely the Antichrist and his henchman, the False Prophet:

Revelation {13:11-12} And I beheld another beast* coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast** before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. *The False Prophet (Revelation 19:20); **the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:2)

Multiple Signs – One Verse

Matthew {24:7} For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

WAR

The Twentieth Century was the deadliest in terms of casualties due to warfare, the First and Second World Wars alone accounting for millions. Along with these, there were more major military conflicts in that century than any which preceded it and the warlike tendencies of this past century appear  not to have abated in the Twenty-First.

Indeed, it will be a war of an unprecedented scale that if allowed to continue would very likely be the end of the human race entirely, were it not for the direct intervention of Jesus himself (Revelation 16:12-14; 19:11-21).

FAMINE

This is unmistakably increasing, especially in Third World countries as the result in overpopulation accompanied by a deterioration in the ability of the land itself to produce food. Part of the reason can be attributed to yet another sign, that of natural disasters, which we will shortly see. Even in the industrialized countries such as the U.S., though there are not the extremes of hunger of the magnitude we see in other parts of the world, a significant percentage of their populations go to bed hungry every day.

PESTILENCE

Disease is increasing across the world and there are many reasons. In no particular order, here are the main reasons, in my opinion. Poverty is getting worse world-wide which deprives people of healthy living conditions ans access to medical care. Pathogens are adapting and becoming resistant to pharmaceuticals that formerly were effective. The relative ease, speed, and modest cost of travel and transport has provided an accelerated mechanism for the transmission of diseases quicker and over wider areas than ever before.

EARTHQUAKES AND NATURAL DISASTERS

United States Geological Survey data clearly indicates that seismic activity has ramped up considerably since the turn of the century for reasons that are not understood. Accompanying these, hardly a day goes by when extreme weather stories do not appear in the news. This year (2019), vast areas of the United States alone have hit with major flooding and unusually powerful spring snowstorms. Formerly record breaking meteorological events have now become commonplace.

The Human Condition in the Last Days

PEOPLE GET WORSE

Look at how people are acting of the opening decades of this century and see if it squares up with what the Bible predicts. Ask yourself: Do these nearly 2000 year-old passages sound very familiar in our own time?

Matthew {24:12} And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Jesus is the speaker.)

2 Timothy {3:1-4} This know also, that in the last days perilous times  shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

Let’s face it, unless you’ve been marooned on a desert island for the past half a century, you know that the answer is a definite “Yes!” It seems like every day we are encountering blatant examples of all of the above. The behavior ranges for the more subtle instances of people just looking for pleasure above all else to the extremes of sociopaths committing crimes on a frequency and magnitude hitherto unprecedented. It’s becoming increasingly easier to believe that the inmates are in firm control of the asylum.

CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED

Matthew {24:9-10} Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended,  and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (Jesus is the speaker.)

Jesus was the first to die for the truth that he was not only the Son of God, but God himself and he made it clear that those who also believed this would likewise subject to persecution – up to, and including death. Of all his original apostles, except for Judas Iscariot who betrayed him and subsequently committed suicide, only John died of natural causes at an advanced age.

In the intervening centuries, history records the many accounts of those persecuted even up to the point of death for their Christian beliefs. There are probably even more whose did so whose names are known to God alone. The persecution continues today, notable in atheistic and Muslim societies where proclaiming that one is a Christian will subject a person to prison or death.

It is certainly not limited to these extremes because even in a free nation like the United States, those who believe in Jesus are increasingly subject to discrimination. For example, in our public schools, Jesus and God have been effectively banned by the Supreme Court since 1963. That this obvious infringement on our First Amendment rights and freedoms has been allowed to stand for 56 years is, to me, even more distressing that this unjust ruling itself. Perhaps what it reveals is that in the United States, God’s opponents are more dedicated to their cause than those who call themselves followers of Christ.

Perhaps even more telling is that those who believe in the Jesus of Scripture often find themselves unwelcome in the congregations of most of the liberal denominations of the church today. It seems these organizations have an open mind toward just about everything except those things revealed as truth in the Bible and the people who maintain that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority.

GOSPEL PREACHED WORLDWIDE

Matthew {24:14} And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Jesus is the speaker.)

With the invention of the Gutenberg printing press in the Fifteenth Century, the age began in which printed material could be mass-produced, ultimately making it affordable by the general public. (Interestingly, the Bible was the most notable product of his press.) From that beginning, the Bible remains the best-selling book in the world.

No longer limited to only a physical document, the Bible is now freely available in a multitude of languages on the Internet, accessible anywhere on the planet where one has a laptop, power supply, and a satellite link. We presently see Jesus’ words on this subject fulfilled on a level surpassing any other time in history. Yet, the dissemination of the Bible will go beyond technology into the supernatural during the Tribulation:

Revelation {14:6-7} And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

It seems that in our present time and the turbulent years of the Tribulation, God is still giving people the chance to make the choice of whether to accept or reject him. It certainly makes a defense of ignorance a lot less tenable, doesn’t it?

FAMILIES IN STRIFE

Mark {13:12} Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

In totalitarian societies, the situation was (and remains) grim. For example, the betrayal of a family member to the Gestapo in Hitler’s Germany was considered the duty of a loyal citizen. This outrageous sort of practice continued in Soviet Russia and no doubt has been replicated in many authoritarian regimes past and present. There continue to be beheadings by those who have converted from Islam to Christianity, some betrayed by family members in fundamentalist Muslim nations where such conversions are considered a capital offense.

Free nations, such as the U.S., are not immune to family problems. Even in the instances where an intact family exists, too often economic necessity requires the income of both mother and father to support the household which leaves the rearing of the children, even in infancy, in the hands of a daycare center. Now this is not in any way meant to malign these dedicated and often underpaid individuals who provide this service, but one must wonder if anyone other than a parent can be as committed to the child’s best interests.

Complicating these matters is the growing number of  single-parent families where what should be a shared responsibility is now shouldered by only one person – a situation which is, at best, a lot tougher economically and emotionally on both parent and child.

Finally, in a direct threat to the traditional family, as I see it, is the legalization of “gay” marriage and allowing same-sex couples to adopt children, thus exposing them to a lifestyle which not only the Bible declares as objectively wrong, but, up until very recent times, so has secular society. As to where this will lead in the years ahead, one can only guess. My personal guess is that it will not lead to anything good.

Conclusion

Of all the signs given here, one has been fulfilled, the others are already in progress. Now where do we stand in the prophetic timeline at this point? I believe we’ve arrived at the point where NO additional prophecies, except the Rapture, need to be fulfilled before the Tribulation period begins. The signs that remain will only come to pass until the last seven years of this age have begun. We’ll look at them in the second part of this article. Now, more than ever, let’s remember the words Jesus told his disciples concerning the Last Days:

“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37

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After Winter, Before Summer

By Michael Hile

April 28, 2019

 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Song of Solomon talks about the bridegroom (my beloved) coming for His bride (my love, my fair one) after “winter is past” and when “the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell” (SOS 2:10-13). The book of Luke tells us that “the kingdom of God is near at hand” when “the fig tree, and all the trees…shoot forth” and “summer is near at hand” (Luke 21:29-32).

The Season of His Coming

The statement “winter is past” lets us know that summer has probably not yet arrived, while “summer is near at hand” implies that winter has passed, and summer is close, but has not yet arrived. After winter but before summer is a period called “seedtime” in the Bible but is referred to as spring in modern usage. Spring is generally regarded as beginning in the month of March and ending in the month of June, depending upon the calendar system used.

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”  Genesis 8:22

As summer draws near, the first three spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits) have passed, and the fourth feast, Pentecost, is quickly approaching. Christ’s ascension into Heaven was forty days after He rose from the grave on the feast of Firstfruits (resurrection day, traditionally called Easter). The feast of Pentecost, which is ten days after Ascension Day, occurs during the months of May and June each year, and is always fifty days after resurrection day. The anniversary of Christ’s ascension and the feast of Pentecost occur during spring time; after winter but before summer.

Spring is the season when Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of mankind, buried in a borrowed tomb and rose from the grave. His death, burial and resurrection were on the feast days, and He literally fulfilled the first three feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:1-44). Spring is the season when Christ ascended into Heaven and “two men…in white apparel” (angels) standing near, asked the apostles: “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus…shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). Spring is the season when “the day of Pentecost was fully come,” and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4).

Spring is the season when the bridegroom, in the Song of Solomon, says to his future bride:  “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” (SOS 2:10-13). Spring is the season when “the fig tree putteth forth her green figs,” “her branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves,” “summer is near” and “the kingdom of God is near at hand” (SOS 2:10-13, Mark 13:28-29, Luke 21:29-31). We are told, “when ye shall see all these things,” you are to “know that it (the bridegroom and the kingdom of God) is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:32-33).

Modern-day Israel, sometimes symbolized by the fig tree in the scriptures, was absent from its land for nearly 2000 years before beginning to come back from its dispersion throughout the world (the Diaspora) in the mid 1800s. Then, through several miraculous events, the Jewish people acquired national status (statehood) on May 14, 1948.  Is it coincidental that the season (spring) of Israel’s birth date, over seventy years ago, corresponds with the season in which the fig tree buds, puts forth green leaves and begins to develop green figs? Is it pure happenstance that spring is also the season that the bridegroom comes for His bride, as pictured in the Song of Solomon?

Although no one knows the “day and hour” the Lord will return, will the bridegroom arrive at some future date in the spring to whisk away His ecstatic bride to the ultimate, consummate, wedding ceremony, as hinted at in the Song of Solomon?  Is spring the season, before summer arrives, when the Lord will return to earth, in some future year, to set up His kingdom on earth?

The Lord has not given us concrete evidence of the time of His return; however, spring is the season for new life and new beginnings, and the Lord fulfilled much of His redemption plan for mankind during the spring season. Spring, after winter but before summer, is an important season to be watching!

Is the Day of His Return Approaching?

Although no sign is given in the Scriptures concerning the time of the Lord’s return, some believe Hebrews 10:25 implies that we will be able to see the day of His coming (the rapture) approaching:

“…Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.”

Believers would not be excited to see “the day of the Lord” (judgment) approaching, unless they were confident “the day of redemption” (rapture) would occur before “the day of the Lord” began, and they would not be present here on the earth when “the day of the Lord” was taking place.

That is exactly the scenario set forth by the Apostle Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11), with the “resurrection” and “catching up” of the saints preceding “the day of the Lord,” and both events surprising the unbelievers as “a thief in the night” (Matthew 24:43-44, Rev. 3:3, 16:15; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10).  The description given by the Apostle Paul is also the order of events that we may see emerging today.

Prophecies that will take place during “the day of the Lord” are beginning to assemble themselves on the world stage and cast their shadows backward into today’s news headlines. Anticipation of the approaching rapture of God’s saints seems to be implied in Luke 21:28 as the day of redemption nears: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

The Times and Seasons of His Return

Christ told His apostles, as recorded in Acts 1:6-7, that it was not for them “…to know the times or the seasons…” for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Understanding the mystery of “the times and seasons” of the kingdom’s restoration was not for the apostles to know, but it was to be reserved for and revealed to a future generation. However; Christ called the Pharisees and Scribes hypocrites for not being able to “discern the signs of the times” and for not recognizing “the time of their visitation” (Matthew 16:1-4, Luke 19:41-44).

 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:34,35).

Knowing “the times and seasons” of the Lord’s return is similar to knowing Thanksgiving is near when the merchants start putting up their Christmas decorations. The appearance of Christmas lights and ornaments in the marketplace prior to Christmas, heralds the time and coming of the Christmas season and signals the approach of Christmas day; however, we know that the arrival of the Thanksgiving holidays is even closer than the advent of Christmas day.

In like manner, when we see the prophecies that will take place during “the day of the Lord” beginning to assemble themselves on the world scene, we can know confidently that “the day of redemption” is even closer, and the season for the “catching away” of the ‘bride of Christ” has finally arrived. Christ told us “when these things begin to come to pass,” we are to “look up and lift up your heads,” for the day of our redemption is almost here (Ephesians 4:30, Luke 21:1-28).

Are You Awake or Asleep?

When the Lord returns for His saints, many will be distracted by the daily routines and pleasures of this world and will not be watching the signs that point to His soon return. Jesus told His disciples to be watchful and pray that they be accounted worthy to escape the judgment coming on the earth, for it will happen suddenly, like a trap that closes quickly on its prey.

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34-36).

The Apostle Paul admonished the saints in Rome to “wake up” because the time of their salvation (glorification at the rapture) was closer than when they first believed (justification salvation). The sanctification salvation process, which begins immediately after we confess our sins and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (justification), includes our daily walk with the Lord and is a work in progress until our death or the Lord returns in the air for his saints (glorification).

“…now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and…put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day… and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:11-14).

The guidance given by the Apostle Paul “to awake out of sleep” was an admonition “to set your house in order” and start watching “the signs of the times.” Do not fall asleep spiritually, but stay awake, be alert and pay attention to the signs. Paul’s reason for wanting the saints to wake up was because their salvation (glorification) was getting closer, and they would soon be standing in the presence of the Lord to give an account of their life.

A Thief in the Night

The timing of the rapture, also called the “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13, will be as “a thief in the night” to those not watching, but “the times and seasons” of the rapture will not be a surprise to those who are looking for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:3). Those who are “caught up,” or raptured, will receive their glorified body and complete the glorification salvation process (Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Cor. 15:51-58).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

When the Lord returns in the air for His saints, there will be two categories of people on the earth: the saved and unsaved; also called believers and nonbelievers. All of the nonbelievers will be caught off guard when the Lord returns for His saints “as a thief in the night.” Some of the nonbelievers are also “scoffers” who mock and make fun of those who are watching the gathering signs of the Lord’s return. Even among the believers, there will be those “watching,” “those not watching,” and a few “not watching but scoffing” (2 Peter 3:3-18, Jude 14-19).

“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:3). “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.  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:10-11).

Those who are watching will be “caught up” and will know when the Lord returns. Those who are not watching will be “left behind,’ as when a thief comes unexpectedly and takes the valuable treasure, but leaves behind that which is worthless in value to him

Those “left behind” will not know when “the great theft” takes place, unless they are near believers who are taken, while those “caught up” will immediately “stand before the son of man” and know they have been removed from the earth and have “escaped” the coming judgments (Matt. 24:21, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:10-11, Rev. 22:12-14).

That is why Jesus and His disciples exhorted the saints over a dozen times to “watch” for the signs of his return and commanded them to “watch” and be “ready” when the “son of man cometh.” Those who are watching will be rewarded for their faithfulness and will receive a “crown of righteousness” given to “all…that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Whatever your priorities may be,  make sure you are ready and not one of those left behind, like the five foolish virgins whose lamps went out, and they lacked oil (Holy Spirit) in their vessels (Matt. 25:1-13).

In the Twinkling of an Eye

When the time of His coming arrives, “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

After laying out the events of the resurrection and rapture, the Apostle Paul states boldly that his brothers in Christ were not in darkness, and the day of the Lord would not include them (children of light and the day) as it would the nonbelievers (children of the night and darkness), who would be overtaken as a thief in the night. Rather, Paul’s brothers in Christ were told to be spiritually awake and to watch and be sober, while continuing to grow in faith and love, knowing they had the hope of salvation.

“But of the times and the seasons (of the resurrection and rapture), brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you…But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day (the day of the Lord) should overtake you as a thief (they would not be part of the day of the Lord).  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober…For God hath not appointed us to wrath (during the day of the Lord), but to obtain salvation (be caught up) by our Lord Jesus Christ…Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thess. 5:1-11).

Paul told his brethren to be comforted and to comfort one another concerning both “the day of redemption” and “the day of the Lord.”  Being comforted and comforting others, knowing “the day of the Lord” was coming, would only make sense if they (Paul’s listeners) knew they were going to be “caught up” (raptured) before “the day of the Lord,” and they were confident and assured they would escape God’s wrath that would be poured out during “the day of the Lord” (Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:10).

The evidence is overwhelming that we are living in “the times and seasons” of the Lord’s return, when they (U.S. and other Gentile nations) are saying “peace and security,” in reference to the Israel/Palestinian peace process (1 Thess. 5:1-3). As the day of our redemption draws near, each of us should be asking ourselves: Are we “watching” for the Lord’s return, and will we “be ready” when He returns “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (Luke 21:34-36, 1 Cor. 15:52, Rev. 3:3)?  Don’t be like one of the “foolish virgins” and be left behind. Make your reservation today!

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My dear friend Jack Kinsella, now in Heaven, wrote the following article in 2004. Like all of his writings, they are timeless and right on the mark, Biblically speaking.

The article speaks to me, personally, as a Christian, and I hope it will do so to you, also.

–Terry

Real Christianity – By Jack Kinsella

August 14, 2018

For most Christians, there are two kinds of Christianity.  There is the kind of Christianity everybody else should embody — and there is the kind of Christian that they are.

Generally speaking, one bears little or no resemblance to the other.

The kind of Christianity we expect from other Christians is one of sinless perfection; a person who explodes into profanity when he hits his finger with a hammer is not a ‘real Christian’ or he would have been able to check his language.

A Christian who drinks or goes out for a drink in a restaurant or bar isn’t a real Christian.  Christians don’t drink.  A Christian who is going through a divorce isn’t a real Christian.  A real Christian would tough it out, remembering Christ’s admonition about divorce.

A Christian who still smokes isn’t a real Christian.  A real Christian would have been delivered from that nasty habit by the saving power of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

There are Christians who think other Christians shouldn’t have a weight problem — ‘gluttony’ is one of the few besetting sins actually named in Scripture, together with drunkeness and adultery.

(In general, other fat Christians don’t see obesity as a sin — it is a ‘disease’ or it ‘runs in the family’ or it just isn’t as bad as smoking or drinking.)

Still, a fat Christian going through a divorce, who turns to the bottle to drown his sorrows isn’t a real Christian.

Real Christians are never out of fellowship with the Father.  If they are, then they are ‘lost’.  That begs the question, were they ever ‘found’ in the first place?

There are two sides the question of eternal security.  One school of thought is that one can lose one’s salvation through sin and must be reborn again.

The other school of thought says ‘once saved, always saved’.  The latter view says that if someone continues to sin after salvation, then they probably weren’t really saved in the first place.

A quick look at the former view and how that stacks up to Scripture: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Those who believe one can lose one’s salvation through wilfull sin point to this verse, focusing on the “if they sin wilfully” part as evidence that it IS possible to ‘fall away’ and be condemned to ‘certain’ ‘judgment and fiery indignation’ in hell.

But Hebrews 6:4-6 says, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)

The other side points out that it is ‘impossible for those who were once enlightened’ TO fall away.  Both miss the message.

What this Scripture teaches is that it is impossible, if one DID ‘fall away’ to ‘renew them again to repentance’, since that would mean crucifying’ to themselves the Son of God afresh,’ putting Him ‘to an open shame’.

Renewing AGAIN to repentance would mean that the first Sacrifice was insufficient, and His Power to save is subordinate to our power to sin.

As Hebrews 10:10-11 tells us, “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right Hand of God; From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool.”

Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe, assumed the form of sinful man so that He could pay the penalty for sin forever.  On the Cross, He was reviled, beaten, crucified naked, and bore in His Body the sins of all mankind on their behalf.

If His one sacrifice for sins was ‘forever’ but was insufficient to keep those Whom He had saved, then His shame at the Cross is not over.  He must continually be ‘sacrificed’ for sin.

Moreover, if it is impossible, having once been saved, to be renewed unto repentance, then the lost Christian is in much worse condition than the lost sinner.  The lost sinner still has a chance to be saved.

The lost Christian is, on the authority of Scripture, lost forever.

He had his chance, he blew it, and now there remains ‘no more sacrifice for sins’.

He might as well continue in sin for all he is worth. He has no hope of further redemption.  Or Hebrews 6:4-6 is meaningless.

Something cannot be simultaneously possible and impossible — things that are different are NOT the same.

Assessment:

Often, I am accused of preaching a ‘license to sin’ — usually by the ‘temporary security’ crowd, but also sometimes by those who believe their eternal security is eternal and cannot be lost.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  There is no ‘license’ to sin, and all sin will be judged by God.  But that doesn’t mean Christians DON’T sin.

Now the questions grow more confusing.  If a Christian can sin his way out of being saved, which sin is the one that constitutes ‘falling away’?  Is it murder?  Rape?  Lustful thoughts?  Drinking?  Smoking?  Drug abuse?

I know of Christians who became addicted to prescription drugs.  Are they lost?  At what point did they slide across the line?  When they doubled up their Valium prescription, or when they started buying them on the street?  Should Christians even TAKE Valium?

Is taking a prescription tranquilizer the start of the slide — or evidence the slide has already occurred?  Is your doctor contributing to your sin by practicing medicine?  Should you avoid doctors?  Or just ignore their advice?  Why even go SEE a doctor?

What IS sin?  James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

If a Christian ‘knoweth to do good’ but doesn’t do it, Scripture says that to him, that is sin.  Christians, therefore, either ALWAYS do good, or they sin.

Do you know anybody who ALWAYS does good?  Do you?

If not, then are you lost, condemned forever to hell, since you blew your only chance? (Hebrews 6:4-6)

There are two kinds of Christianity, as I noted at the outset.  The kind of Christian you expect your pastor to be, and the kind of Christian that YOU know you are — while despairing your shortcomings.

But only one of them is real.

Your pastor will NEVER live up to the standard of Christianity you expect of him.  You just don’t know his secret sins.  But you can bet they exist..

Just like yours do.

How many sins does it take to get out of fellowship with God?  The answer is one.

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)

How much obedience does it take to get right with God?  The obedience of One is sufficient to make us righteous, if we trust Him for our salvation.

Of the two kinds of Christianity, there is only one that is real.

Yours.

Not your pastor’s — or your perception of your pastor, or his perception of you.  Or your Christian friends who continually point out your need to ‘put away your besetting sins’.  They have their own.

(How many of them are walking advertisements for the sin of gluttony?  Do they have a ‘license’ for that sin that you don’t have for yours?  Is John Hagee forever lost?  Sure, he can lose weight.  And YOU can quit smoking, drinking, or whatever.  But he is still fat, and you still smoke)

There is no ‘license’ to sin.  There is only sin.  Our natural state is that of a sinner.  Evil is the absence of good.  Note that the default position in this world is that there is first evil.  Evil is dispelled by good — not the other way around.

Consider a totally dark room.  Darkness is the absence of light.  The default is darkness, not light.  It takes energy to make light to dispell the darkness.

Absent the energy given off by light, it remains dark, and not the other way around.

You cannot shine a beam of darkness into a lighted room.

Jesus said that we are ‘children of the light’ that is, we are energized by the inherent goodness of His indwelling Holy Spirit.  His Presence in the life of a believer dispells the darkness by shining through the clear Light of truth.

It is that Light that exposes the darkness of sin — a lost person sees sin as his natural and inevitable state — how many times has somebody told you that they actually would RATHER go to hell where he will feel comfortable around his friends?

On the other hand, a saved person, indwelt by the Light, wants nothing more than to be in the Presence of Christ for eternity.  Even as he struggles with his sin nature.

The worst thing about hell to a Christian isn’t the torment so much as the eternal separation from Christ — “Having once tasted the heavenly gift” — the writer of Hebrews puts it.

Sin has consequences — their is no ‘license to sin’ in Scripture.  Smokers get lung cancer.  Alcoholics get liver disease.  Drug abusers overdose.  Divorce brings its own misery.  Getting saved eternally doesn’t mean you are exempt from the earthly consequences of your sinful actions.

There is only one REAL Christianity.  And it isn’t your pastor’s, or that person who seems to have conquered sin in their life, or Bill Graham’s kind of Christianity, or Hal Lindsey’s or mine.

There is only one kind of REAL Christianity.

Yours.

You know whether or not you sincerely try to do good, whether you always make it or not.  So does the One Who went to the Cross for you because He KNEW you wouldn’t always make it.  That’s why He did it.

Your relationship with Jesus is unique; it isn’t like anybody else’s. Jesus saves us individually.  He loves us individually.  He answers our individual prayers.

He walks with us as individuals, He talks with us as individuals.  His Spirit indwells us individually, and guides us through our individual trials and tribulations.

Paul wrote to the Phillipians; “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (2:12)

“Work out your OWN salvation” with the Individual with Whom you have a personal relationship.  Through His Spirit, Jesus will guide you into all truth, but it takes time.

For some, it takes more time than others. Like the fat guy who criticizes you for smoking — he clearly hasn’t gotten it yet.

He misses the fact that when he points a finger at you, there are three pointing back at him.

Jesus was crucified, arms outstretched and palms up.

The biggest besetting sin of all is the one that keeps you from doing ‘good’.  In this life, the Scripture says that the only time we do good is when we obey God’s will.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9)

Our purpose in this life is to lead others to Christ — according to God’s will that none should perish.

Be grateful that He accounted you worthy of salvation.  Put your life and your sin nature in His nail-scarred Hands.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

You will never be ‘good enough’ — but He is.

Trust Him to make the changes in your life that He sees fit.  Know that you are a work in progress and that your life is ordered according to a Divine Plan — one God has for YOU.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath BEGUN a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6)

The only REAL Christianity is the kind that brings victory, not defeat.  Leave defeat in the world it was designed for.

Pray instead that God will, “Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His Sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21)

That is NOT a license to sin.  It is a license to persevere, getting back up when you fall, doing God’s Will — despite the trials of this world — none of which are news to Jesus.

Don’t let the enemy steal your victory.

It came at too high a Price.

This Letter was written by Jack Kinsella on November 14, 2004

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If There is No God . . . Part Two

By Ed Wood

If There is No God . . . Part Two

By Ed Wood

Suppose your friend remains unconvinced by the arguments we examined in the first article that the odds that life could have come into existence by chance are so fleetingly small as to be impossible. Now what? Let’s therefore regroup and come at the problem from another direction.

For the sake of argument, let’s assume that there is no God and see what that premise does to the things most people take for granted in everyday life.

I went to college way back in the 1970’s majoring in Earth Science, a time still characterized by the uncertainty and turmoil of the decade preceding it. Though the unrest was on the wane, it was still a time of questioning many pillars of our society such as how the government was being run, capitalism in general, and whether or not God was dead or even if he ever existed at all.

I remember as if it were yesterday when an upperclassman told me in my first freshman weeks something to the effect of, “By the time you’re done here, you won’t believe in God.” I disagreed with him but I can’t for the life of me remember whether I made a good case for my point of view or not. As it turned out, college did not turn me into an atheist and I’m hoping that over the course of the intervening decades I can better defend my beliefs.

Where Science Leaves Off

I’ve always been fascinated by science, ever since the day my mother had sent away for a map of the solar system back in 1959 (I know the date because I discovered its copyright year on the Internet). The sun, planets, and other celestial objects were presented in full, vivid color, and totally captured my attention. From there I went on to getting books on astronomy and the other sciences, an activity that has lasted up through today! Truth is, not being the scholarly type by nature, science is about the only subject I consistently “aced” in school.

I came to appreciate the ability of science to explain how things were put together and how they work, from atoms to stars, single cells to people. I’ve also learned its limitations, the things it couldn’t explain. There are two categories of the latter: things presently unknown which the future likely would resolve and those that are unquantifiable that which will forever lie outside its grasp. Let’s take a look at some of those of those “immeasurables.”

A Pound of Trust

Ever trust anyone or anything? At some point in your life you must have, though a lot of people would strongly deny they ever did. Here are some simple examples: When you go to the grocery store every week and buy a can of soup, aren’t you trusting that what’s inside isn’t actually a lethal poison?

How about when you got into your car to go to the store in the first place? Didn’t you trust that your vehicle was designed in such a way that it would get you there without falling apart en route? Or that the guy with the red light wasn’t going to T-bone you when you drove through the intersection when you had the green?

Admittedly, it gets more complicated when it comes to trusting in any kind of relationship because you’ve probably noticed by now that no one is perfect – including the owner of the face that looks back at you in the mirror every day. Unless you have some level of trust, life pretty much becomes impossible. You might not realize it, but you trusted the total strangers who filled the soup can and those who designed and assembled your car.

Trust is not something science can handle because it can’t be measured or seen. Show me a pound of trust, or any other emotion, for that matter, but it exists all the same. Science is even more at a loss to demonstrate where it came from in the first place.

It’s time now to explore some other “immeasurables” in the context of a universe with or without God.

Why Get Upset?

Unless someone is a sociopath, just about everyone in every culture has a capacity for outrage under some pretty universal circumstances. For example, harm coming to a family member or friend at the hands of someone else. Little kids getting horrible diseases and having to suffer through no fault of their own. Watching a hardened criminal get released on a technicality to commit crimes again. Grappling with someone close to us dying. I’m sure you can make your own list.

The question here is, what is it that gets us so upset about these things? Is it just a matter of self-interest in hoping that the bad things we see happening to others won’t happen to us or is there something more that we can’t quite put our fingers on but is an integral part of our natures? If it is, why is it so?

Putting God into the picture makes the answer a lot easier because we who believe humans are made in his image. The Bible shows us the same sorts of things also outrage God. The evidence of this lies in what Jesus did when he was here. He cured the sick, stood up for the downtrodden, raised the dead, and finally in the greatest of all miracles, was raised from death himself. God makes the concepts of “good” and “evil” genuine because he was the one who defined them in the first place.

Removing God from the equation nullifies everything the Bible teaches as well as the reason we should be indignant about anything because from the atheistic point of view whatever happens is nothing more than a roll of the dice.

Isn’t it therefore interesting that most atheists will still be just as upset over the same things that believers are? Their problem is, unlike those who accept the existence of God, they have no logical reason for their dismay because whatever happens is all the product of random chance.

Morality

One’s point of view regarding the existence of God means everything when it comes to good or evil, right or wrong. For the believer, God is the ultimate lawgiver who defined these things in absolute terms even before he made the universe. These standards are clearly seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), Jesus’ summary of the moral law expressed in the Commandments (Matthew 22:34-40), and his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7). Since believers accept that God made the absolutes of the physical laws on which the cosmos operates, absolutes of morality are certainly consistent with his character.

But what do we have if there is no God?

In this case, the concepts of right or wrong are totally in the eye of the beholder. The problem is that if everyone freely “did their own thing,” no stable society could ever exist. Since it was necessary for people to be able to live together cooperatively, they had to come up with some rules to make it possible, some means of governing. Across the span of history right into the present, we see all manner of variations of government ranging from reasonably free kinds where its citizens have a voice in how they are governed to rigid autocracies like North Korea where only the voice of the guy on top matters.

For a country like the United States which was founded by men who believed in God (despite what the modern historical revisionists would have you believe) many of the biblical principles of right and wrong found expression in its original founding principles and laws, a legacy which reaches up into the present, yet is no doubt under challenge in our present times. Even so, we are still a lot better off than those atheistic dictatorships where one man and his underlings call the shots. One need look no further than Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Russia, or Kim’s North Korea to find examples of a state-defined morality those of us in free countries find totally repulsive.

If God does not exist, however, none of these systems or societies is better or worse than any other in absolute terms because right and wrong are defined by whatever the respective society says they are. If one decides that killing some of its residents simply because they are of a certain ethnic group is okay while another society finds this abhorrent, so what? Nothing is intrinsically evil or good because there is no ultimate “Lawgiver” to define these terms in the first place.

Despite this, I would wager to say that most people, even atheists, function as if there really are some kind of universal standards that operate at a level beyond civil law and at times supersede it. That was certainly Dr. Martin Luther King’s premise in his letter from a Birmingham jail in 1963:

“One may well ask: “How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?” The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that ‘an unjust law is no law at all.’ “

As we all well know, his premise was based entirely on his belief in God who defined what was just and unjust in absolute terms right from the start – or, in our case, before the universe ever came to exist.

But Dr. King is only right if his premise of God’s existence is correct. Otherwise, his views on racism being evil are nothing more than his personal opinions, not better or worse than the opinions of a leader of the KKK or neo-Nazi group.

To sum it up, a believer in God can logically argue what is right and wrong based on his or her premise that he established the standards. An atheist lacking this basic premise cannot logically claim anything being intrinsically good or bad, even though most of them go through life acting as if this is the case.

Explaining Awe

Ever watch a particularly striking sunrise or sunset? Or see the arch of a rainbow in the summer sky after a thunderstorm? Or gaze up into a perfectly clear night at a sky speckled with thousands of stars?

How did it make you feel?

If you’re like most of us you experienced a sense of awe, even if you know the science behind what you were seeing. There is just “something” about experiencing such things that touches one in a way that words cannot describe. We don’t know if other creatures we consider to have a reasonably high order of intelligence are also capable of feeling what we call “awe,” but we know for certain that we can.

Why do we have this ability? It certainly isn’t required to help us find food, shelter, or to procreate. Could it be related to the universal tendency of humans throughout history to develop some kind of religion which goes beyond just an attempt to understand or perhaps even control aspects of nature that are at the time unexplainable and uncontrollable?

It seems that for some reason we humans seem to have wired into our being some kind of impulse to seek out something much greater than ourselves. I might be wrong but I’m of the opinion that it takes a real struggle for someone to turn into an atheist because they have to make a concerted effort to go against this basic drive all humans seem to have.

Perhaps the best evidence of that is just how vehemently atheists defend their point of view when challenged by someone who does believe in God. Why is that? After all, if God doesn’t exist, aren’t they making much ado over . . . nothing? Seems like an atheist has to work awfully hard at denying God, as if trying to shut out a persistent inner voice that keeps telling them that they are completely wrong! (See 1 Kings 19:9-12)

Bigger than Us

According to Genesis, the first two people knew right from the start that there was “someone” else besides themselves who was much greater than they were. It is likely in their sinless beginning that this relationship with God was on a level far beyond any which was possible after separation caused by the Fall, although there are many incidents of “close encounters” of various kinds afterward throughout the Bible (e.g. Genesis 28:10-17; 18:1; Exodus 3:1-4:16; Ezekiel 1:26-28). When Jesus came to live among us, mortal humans once again could talk to God face to face but even then only Peter, James, and John, got to behold the merest a glimpse of his true glory (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8 ).

However, for most of history since the expulsion from Eden, our knowledge of the one True God has been limited (1 Corinthians 13:11-12) which led to just about every society developing some kind of religion. The earliest were usually some kind of nature worship. In the midst of something like a powerful storm, a total solar eclipse, or the aurora borealis (or australis in the southern hemisphere), this is perfectly understandable. Most of the things in the natural world are much bigger than we are and still remain beyond our ability to control even with the technology of the Twenty-first Century. Nature-religions such as Wicca still exist today and are even finding “scientific” incarnations in the more extreme elements of the environmental movement.

Generally, though, many cultures moved from worship of nature to the “deities” they believed to be controlling it. Only comparatively recently has the idea of “one God” become predominant, with variations amongst them. The one true God has repeatedly made himself known directly across early history to men such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, to name but a few, right up into modern times, most clearly as Jesus of Nazareth, the record of these encounters faithfully preserved across the millennia in what we now call the Bible.

If we accept the existence of God as revealed in this Bible, then it makes a lot of sense that he would instill a trait to seek him out in every human who has ever lived. Unfortunately this quest has all too often led to what in some cases have become bloody confrontations among peoples of varying views across the ages, right up to the present.

Even conflicts which are not overtly termed as “religious wars” have religious underpinnings. In the Twentieth Century, World Wars 1 and 2, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War were between free societies based on Judeo-Christian principles against those in which the “state” (or its respective leader) was the object of worship, as was the Cold War of the century just past.

Today, the increasing rise of Islamic terrorism against Jews and Christians is a particularly ugly, escalating and clearly religious conflict, though it seems that the politicians and media just aren’t seeing it in these terms. I have no doubt the inability to see this reality is but one component of our age that will ultimately bring about the war of Armageddon as the Antichrist tries to take over the world claiming to be “God” and demanding worship as such. With that in mind, it’s time to consider what may be the most important question of all.

A Plan for Humanity?

From the perspective of the pure evolutionist, humans, whales, trees, or algae evolve only in response to their respective environments. If they fail to adapt successfully, they become extinct. There’s no “plan” for any of them, no predetermined destiny. If something ends up going extinct, then it either failed to adapt or was at the wrong place at the wrong time like the dinosaurs when the asteroid hit Earth 65 million years ago and killed off most of them.

If it happens again while we’re still here, we could share their fate. We could even do it to ourselves in a global nuclear war or in developing and turning loose a lethal virus into the environment. An Armageddon is now a real possibility. But if the atheists are right, it doesn’t matter because nothing – including us – has any real purpose anyway. We’re only here as the product of totally random chance

Yet if one instead subscribes to a universe designed and run by God, then humans were created in his image and he has an overall plan for them. Many religions of the world have their own concepts of where we will eventually end up, but for our purposes, we’ll stick to the one that the Bible reveals since it is, in my opinion, reliable to a much higher degree than any of its competitors (a vast subject of study and commentary in itself). That plan is to bring those who believe in him into his presence for all eternity by the atoning sacrifice of his Son Jesus and to one day recreate the entire universe and come to dwell among us in the New Jerusalem on a new Earth.

Without God, there is no plan. On an individual level, once one takes his or her last breath, as far as they are concerned, it’s the end of the line. As a species, our future would continue to unfold in a random manner until it ceases to exist just like the countless other species that came before us Barring divine intervention even if we manage to hang on for a long haul, our sun’s increasing output will one day make life on Earth impossible, evaporating our oceans and turning our planet into a second Venus. But it gets worse because billions of years from now the sun will expand into a red giant and swallow up Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth itself.

We might be smart enough by then to figure out how to make a mass exodus to Mars to escape the solar fires, but even that will be temporary. Presupposing we did manage to survive the flames, the sun will eventually contract and cool off. The problem will then become one of dealing with the intense cold instead of the searing heat.

If we are then advanced enough technologically to travel to another star system to escape our dead one, it will only delay the inevitable once again because no star lasts forever, nor will the universe itself. There are even some theories that matter itself will be torn apart as the fabric of space continues to expand leaving only an unimaginably cold, dark, nothingness behind.

Just as death is an inescapable fact of life for the individual, so it will be eventually be for everything if there is no God to intervene. (Personally, I like the ending of Revelation 21 and 22 a whole lot better!)

Conclusion

I hope this article and its predecessor have provided something for both believers and non-believers to ponder and hopefully discuss, should the opportunity arise. If you, like me, are a believer, then you have real reason to hope for the future. Perhaps the arguments here may help in convincing others that our hope is a genuine one and one in which they, too, can share.

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If There is No God . . . Part One

By Ed Wood

It’s probably safe to say that 40 years ago most Americans took the existence of God as a given, and even more than that most of them believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Of that majority, most of them were Christians, and of this set, going to church on Sunday was just what one did on a Sunday morning. Fast forward to the second decade of the Twenty-first Century and all of the above are in a dwindling minority. With the denigrating assaults both subtle and overt from those who claim God doesn’t exist, those of us who remain have every reason to feel like a threatened species. Furthermore, those of us who consider ourselves Christians and still believe in the authority of the Bible can probably be categorized as positively endangered. (It certainly feels that way at any rate.) To quote Bob Dylan, “The times, they are a changin.’” To quote yours truly, “They are changin’ all right, but not for the better!”

If you’re reading this article, odds are you are a member of the last group I mentioned and the odds are also good you know at least a few people who think all this stuff about God is a lot of nonsense. The intent here is to give you some questions and thoughts you might bring up the next time the topic of whether there is a God or not comes up in the conversation.

Let’s start by defining two important terms. First, we have “atheists,” which adamantly claim that there is no God. Second, we have “agnostics” which aren’t sure there is one. Either way, these are the people you might want to discuss some of the things we’ll explore together, bearing in mind that what you see here is by no means comprehensive. That’s another way of saying that you should feel free to add topics of your own.

With this introduction now presented, let’s begin!

A Universe Tuned for Life

Before we look into some of the intricacies of life itself, it would probably be a good idea to see what kind of conditions have to exist for any reasonable amount of time. By the way, I’m only going to deal with carbon-based life mainly because it’s the only kind we know definitely exists. Given, there might be some exotic forms based on other elements out there somewhere, but until we find an example of it, anything we say in this regard would be pure speculation.

To the best of our knowledge all carbon-based life needs liquid water somewhere along the line. Water is about the closest thing to a universal solvent that we know. From its simplest to its most advanced forms, water plays a vital role somewhere along the line. Whether immersed in it or carrying around its own personal supply, only liquid water allows the incredibly complex biochemistry of life to take place. Even in creatures or plants which can survive extended periods of inactivity on times of drought, they all had to have water with which to start out and to recover their activity and ability to procreate.

Interestingly, the Bible itself alludes to the importance of water in the creation:

Genesis {1:1-2} In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 2 Peter {3:5} For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.

Our astronomers looking into the heavens have seen the presence of water in primarily its gaseous and solid forms not only in many of the worlds and satellites orbiting them in our own solar system, but many light years off into deep space in interstellar clouds. Finding it in its liquid state, the prime requirement of life, is comparatively rare and fleeting, Earth being the only exception with its vast quantities, and, not so coincidentally, Earth being the only place where life is known to exist.

There’s a good reason for water being rarely found in its liquid form anywhere but here because it requires a very narrow temperature range and certain density of atmosphere to exist. Under the pressure of one Earth atmosphere, liquid water exists only in a range of 100° Celsius or 180° Fahrenheit. It is possible to raise the boiling point past 212° F. by boosting the atmospheric pressure, but at a certain point things just get far too hot for the organic molecules life requires to stay intact. Lowering the pressure in turn lowers the boiling point, but the limit here is that going too low brings it below the freezing point. This is the condition we have with Mars today where the atmosphere is too far thin for liquid water to persist on the surface.

However, considering that temperatures in the universe range from just above -273° C (-459.4° F) in certain interstellar clouds to many millions of degrees (the temperature scale in these extremes no longer being significant) within the interiors of stars and their outer coronas, finding the “Goldilocks” conditions where the environment is “just right” for life is a rare thing, indeed..

But there’s more! If any of the fundamental physical laws of the universe were just slightly different than they are now, “rare” would easily become altogether “impossible.” Against an infinite amount of possibilities, the laws which govern the operation of the universe are “just right” to permit the existence of life.

In another fascinating example of the Bible being far ahead of its time, Isaiah (circa Eighth Century B.C.) recognized this very thing:

Isaiah {45:18} For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.

Oh, well, maybe it’s just luck that our universe “just happens” to be one in which life can exist at all someplace within it, after all. But can luck accommodate what we will look at next?

Abiogenesis – Life from Lifelessness

According to modern science, the fact that life arose on Earth is the result of the chance meetings of atoms and molecules at the right place at the right time. Now there are 92 naturally occurring elements available to create chemical compounds and of them only hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous are needed to build the molecules on which life as we know it depends.

Well, if we assume there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy each with at least one planet where liquid water is possible, and 100 billion galaxies in our universe, plus some 13.7 billion years of time, it seems the abiogenesis people have a lot going for them. That sure is a lot of time and places for atoms to form all kinds of molecules. Is even that all enough?

All life on earth depends on molecules of RNA and DNA to exist and reproduce. These, in turn are made of proteins which are in turn made of amino acids. There are some 300 of these amino acids, twenty of which are needed to build the proteins. There are two types of these, left and right-handed, based on how their molecules are formed and as far as we know, only the former are used. Next step is to get the correct ones into the right order to makes the proteins which in turn also have to be the right ones in the right order to make the RNA and DNA needed for life. Again, these two very complex molecules are just components.   A lot more is needed to make even the very simplest form of life – and don’t forget that liquid water, either!

If this all sounds complicated, it is, especially to a layperson such as myself. I’ve have read various  estimates that life occurred by “accident” would take a lot more time than the universe has existed for everything to come together in the right order for life to come to exist. Perhaps even more convincing than this is there is not a single bit of evidence of life ever arising from inanimate sources, not one, even when attempts are made to do it artificially in the lab. And here’s the kicker – if some scientist ever did succeed, the premise that mere random events could create life are shot to pieces because it required the scientist’s active intelligent intervention to make I happen!

Here’s something you can try on an agnostic or atheistic acquaintance. Next time he or she is over at your house and asks you where you got your TV, stereo, or computer, tell them these things spontaneously came into existence in your back yard out of the mulch pile. If they don’t believe you, you might then ask them how then they can believe life which is, as we have seen is immeasurably more complicated, could come to exist in the same manner.

Really, could we be that lucky?

A Controversy

Let’s take on the subject of evolution verses creationism, because I believe there are elements of both that play into the story of how our universe came to be.

I agree with the Creationist view that God is in fact the Creator of everything just as the Bible claims. Furthermore, I believe he still is actively directing its course across the ages and will continue to do so until the end of time as we know it.

To my mind, part of that direction incorporates what we call evolution. The essential truth of this theory is that life adapts to changing circumstances in varying degrees. The evidence of this seems beyond contradiction as we look at how life adapts to fill in virtually all of Earth’s multiplicity of biomes from its frozen polar regions, to the steaming tropics and scorching deserts, and even to the depth of the sea near geothermal vents where water temperatures soar beyond water’s boiling point with only the immense pressure of the overlying ocean keeping the water in a liquid form.

This evidence appears in the Bible itself in Genesis 3:17-19 where life changed markedly to a changing Earth which was a direct consequence of Adam and Eve’s rebellion in allowing Satan into our world and his subsequent actions to corrupt the perfection Earth and universe formerly had. Weeds sprang into being where none had ever exited before and some animals became carnivorous, not to mention that humans and every living thing becoming subject to age and death.

Another characteristic of evolution is to cause a diversification of species. This is clearly evident in that for most any species of plant or animal we can imagine, there are many different variations. For example, there isn’t a single kind of bird. There are crows, woodpeckers, ostriches, hummingbirds, etc. Same goes for just about everything else. Perhaps this characteristic to create such diversity over time explains how Moses could fit all the land species of his era into the Ark, something that would clearly be impossible to do today.

Perhaps the biggest bone of contention between pure evolutionist and creationist thought is the controversy over the origin of human beings. The former insists that humans are nothing more than very sophisticated ape-relatives (making us being a monkey’s uncle a real possibility?)  while the latter maintains God created us independently from the very soil of the ground itself. Though our genetic makeup is indeed very close to that of the primates, there has never been found in the fossil evidence the proverbial missing link which would establish that ancestral connection. Never!

The sharing of similar physical characteristics between humans and primates seems perfectly reasonable in that a bipedal humanoid form with hands which had opposable thumbs works out very well to the surrounding environment, so that’s what God used in both cases.

But it doesn’t end there, as we’ll see next.

No Intelligence Required

Survival for plants is a pretty straight-forward affair. Provide liquid water, the necessary elements from the soil, sunlight (for most plants), and a method of reproduction, and you’re in business. For animals, you again need liquid water, a method to reproduce, and plants, other animals or both and the basic needs for species survival are met.

Of course to achieve these ends for animals requires one more condition: being able to avoid being eaten by other animals and being able to outrun any other animals you might want to eat if you happen to be a omnivore or carnivore. Bottom line it need not take a lot of smarts to do any of these things as the life comprising most of Earth’s readily proves. Viruses and bacteria are not at all Mensa candidates and do very well, right?

This being said, the question for strict evolutionists becomes: “Why intelligence?” The routine answer is that our pre-human ancestors being physically weaker probably slower than the animals they wanted to eat or that wanted to eat them caused them to become smart enough to plan strategies and weapons to overcome this disadvantage. But why go to all that trouble when they could have just “evolved” to become stronger and faster with a lot less effort?

The truth is, the major reason the human race is in such a precarious spot today is because of our supposedly evolution-derived high intelligence. If the direction of said evolution is to increase the odds of the survival of a species, how can this be explained?

In my view, the reason our unique intelligence exists is that for some reason God wanted us to have it. Contrary to the evolutionist view, it did not slowly come to pass as humans developed from an off-shoot of a common ancestor shared with the apes, but was present in the very first people God created, as the book of Genesis tells us.

Conclusion

In this article we’ve endeavored to take a look at the reasons that the creation of the universe, our world and all the life upon it requires a lot more than just random chance to the end that should this subject come up with an acquaintance who adheres to a “no God” creation you’ll have some points to make that might just cause them to consider the weakness of their position.

To be sure, some will never be convinced, but it is possible that it might just cause a few to consider the possibility that you might be onto something here. If that does happen, you will have at least opened a door that they considered walking through before and beginning a journey that might just one day lead them into the gates of heaven itself!

Next time, we’ll explore how the some of the very basic premises of our society are affected if one subtracts God from the equation.

Stay tuned!

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Thy Kingdom Come . . . .

By Ed Wood

Matthew {6:9-13} After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (The speaker here is Jesus.)

It is probably safe to say that all Christians, and perhaps a large number of non-Christians as well, recognize the words above which have since become known universally known as the “Lord’s Prayer.” In this article we’ll focus specifically on the ones which concern God’s coming kingdom. Strangely enough, Christians don’t entirely agree on when it will come, or how it will come, or even what it is! Let’s see if we can sort out some of these mysteries.

Let’s see first if there is an equivalence between the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven. In the following passage, Jesus relates how one must enter the former and some of those who will be there:

Luke {13:24-30} Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all [ye] workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and [from] the west, and from the north, and [from] the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Concerning the manner of entering the kingdom of heaven we have Jesus saying:

Matthew {7:21-23; 8:11} Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity . . . And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

With these passages, it appears that the kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are clearly one and the same. Let’s see now if we can determine whether this kingdom already exists or is something yet to come. From the Old Testament we have:

Genesis {28:10-12} And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and [put] them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Ezekiel {1:1} Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth [month,] in the fifth [day] of the month, as I [was] among the captives by the river of Chebar, [that] the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Daniel {7:9} I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire.

Luke {2:13} And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  (This is a verse from the account of the appearance of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds who were tending their flocks in the night.)

This evidence clearly shows this magnificent kingdom is already in existence “someplace” in a realm quite distinct from our own. However, from what we see below, it also appears to be closer than we might think:

Matthew {3:1-2} In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew {4:17} From that time* Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. *The time after John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod..

Matthew {10:5-7} These twelve* Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. *The twelve apostles

Matthew {12:27} And if I * by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast [them] out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. *Jesus

 “The kingdom of heaven is at hand . . . the kingdom of heaven is come unto you.” From what Jesus said and did above, something of God’s kingdom is already here, ushered in by the Lord himself. Yet one must remember that the Bible has to be taken in its entire context, not just by selected passages. What then, are we to make of this?

Revelation {21:1-5} And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

Clearly the kind of world we are living in now is nothing if not a direct opposite of what God’s kingdom is like. The explanation for this seeming contradiction might be resolved in the verses below:

Matthew {13:31-32} Another parable put he* forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.. *Jesus.

With this passage, we introduce the added element of time. Just like the grain of mustard seed in the parable above, I believe that though Jesus initiated the coming of the kingdom of God during his First Advent, it will only arrive upon Earth in its full maturity after the conclusion of the Millennium with all the characteristics described in the Revelation account.

In the three years of his public ministry, Jesus gave other tantalizing “previews” of this kingdom by his words and deeds. Some appear in the Beatitudes (Matthew chapters 5-7) and show us quite profoundly just how different the standards of this kingdom are compared to those upon which the world has operated ever since Adam and Eve lost Eden. Jesus also healed the incurable, somehow multiplied a few fish and loaves of bread to feed thousands, calmed a raging storm in the Sea of Galilee, and brought the dead back to life just by his word. These actions demonstrated that he had truly initiated the kingdom of God on Earth.

Two Conflicting Kingdom Views

There are two primary differences of thought about the nature of this kingdom in the present world. One says the full benefits of the kingdom are already available while the other maintains that while began with the arrival of Jesus, we do not have access to all of them yet. So, which one is right? The answer is obvious enough, found just by looking at the world around us.

We certainly do not see the paradise described in Revelation, but a sin-damaged planet that’s getting worse by the hour. Even so, it is not totally divorced from God’s Presence or influence. Perhaps the best way to look at it is how things were during Jesus’ ministry. To be sure, the world was far from an idyllic place while he walked among us that first time, but as we have seen he did introduce aspects of the kingdom of heaven into our world. Yes, it’s true that there were miraculous events recorded in the Bible prior to Jesus’ life, but with the arrival of God in human form, the veil was drawn back more than ever before. His teachings, miracles, and, most of all, his resurrection and ascension were unmistakable revelations of a coming age will be totally different from the one we and our ancestors have experienced since the Fall.

At this point, I think we can agree that the kingdom of God, though initiated nearly 2000 years ago has yet to arrive in its completeness. The next logical question we should address is how that’s going to happen. Again, there are two basic and opposite views.

How the Kingdom of God Will Arrive:  Two More Conflicting Views

The first is called “dominionism” and its adherents claim that the church will slowly transform this world into the kingdom. Once that’s done, Jesus will return to rule and that will be that. Think of it as culminating into a universal Christian theocracy, if you will.

Dominionism, whether overtly expressed or not, has influenced much of the modern church today. For example, from the Book of Common Prayer used by the Episcopal Church we have in this prayer for peace:

O Almighty God, kindle, we beseech thee, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with thy wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity thy dominion may increase till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (BCP page 207).

The petition in the prayer is for God to guide those who lead the nations with the “wisdom” to “in tranquility” turn our troubled planet into a utopia Of course, anyone who is familiar with Bible prophecy is keenly aware that the Last Days will be characterized by anything but tranquility. All human government falls far short of God’s standards, even the best of them. In his God’s eyes they all look “beastly” (Daniel, chapter 7). The worst “beast government” of all will be controlled by the worst beast of all, the Antichrist (Daniel, chapter 7; Revelation, chapter 13).

Here’s a thought: If Christians are to ultimately take over the world, what does the condition of Twenty-first Century Earth say about the kind of job they’ve been doing for the last 2000 years? Shouldn’t things be a whole lot better by now if Christians are supposed to be moving humanity toward utopia through their own efforts?

A final proof of the error of the dominionist viewpoint is that the Bible tells us unambiguously that believers (or saints) will most certainly not prevail by their own methods to establish the kingdom of God on Earth:

Daniel {7:21} I beheld, and the same horn* made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. *The Antichrist.

Revelation {13:6-7} And he* opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. *The beast, referring to the Antichrist.

The rule of the Antichrist, aided and abetted by a second beast known as the false prophet (Revelation 13:11-18), will only end by the return of Jesus, not by anything even the saints of that day can do:

Revelation {19:19-20} And I saw the beast*, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet** that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. *The Antichrist ** The second beast.

Interestingly, this idea of a world take-over by some type of human government is not a new idea, nor is it limited to dominionism. It has parallels to the Islamic belief that it a Muslim theocracy will one day rule the world under the “mahdi.” It can also be found in Hitler’s assertion that his Third Reich would rule the planet for a thousand years and Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s claim that Communism would one day “bury us” (the capitalist countries comprising the free world) in a speech he gave in the 1960’s.

I think what we see here is Satan’s tendency to repeat one of his strategies with only the details and faces being changed. It seems safe to conclude therefore that Dominionism is nothing but a rehashing of an old tactic that has failed every time throughout history because it is nothing more than a lie. The devil is merely exploiting once again the classic human inability to learn much from history.

The alternative to this, for lack of a specific name, we can call “Anti-dominionism” and define it as the course of history being totally under God’s control with the ultimate result of “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). It is only into this new reality, free from the sin that poisoned our universe in the dim past, that God’s Kingdom will finally at long last arrive and only at his direction and timing, not ours!

Concluding Thoughts

Does this mean that we as believers are to just sit back placidly and wait for it to happen? I think not because Jesus said:

Luke {12:35-37} Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Matthew {28:19-20} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world.

We are to be watching continuously for his return and to be getting out his message while we watch because it is only by the truth that we can stand against the evil that is growing exponentially in our End-Times World. By doing so we will add to the count of citizens who will enter that promised kingdom of God and live forever where:

Revelation {21:4} God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

From all indications, the time is short, maybe even shorter than we can imagine. So, we would be wise to remember Paul’s words as he quoted Isaiah (Isaiah 49:8):

2 Corinthians 6:2} For he* saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation. *God

It’s time to get busy, don’t you think?

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Isaiah’s End -Times Earth: The Human Condition

By Ed Wood

In the previous article, we took a look at the physical conditions that would characterize the planet as history comes to its inevitable conclusion. It seems that to get a more complete picture, we should take a look at what kind of people will populate this disintegrating world.

Where it Began

Isaiah {5:20-21} Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Human beings are great at self-justification ever since the Fall in the distant past. Way back when, God gave the first two people an entire world, perfect in every way. Death, hardship, disease, and pain was unknown. They needed only to reach out their hands to get fruit from the trees which God had caused to grow in Eden. Only one thing was off-limits – the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

I’ve often wondered about why God would have even put this tree in the garden in the first place. Wouldn’t the subsequent history of the human race been so much better if it hadn’t been there in the first place? To be sure, it would be presumptuous for me to give you a definitive answer, but I can’t help to speculate all the same. I believe it has everything to do with free will. It would have been easy enough for God to hard-wire his first pair of creation to always follow his dictates. But he did not. Perhaps the reason for this is that forced devotion is nothing but a lie and the Bible teaches us that Satan is the father of all lies (John 8:44), not the God of All Creation. God wanted people to be able to make a choice – to genuinely choose him or not. But more often than not, we still don’t and the world and society we wake up to every day is the sad result.

Adam and Eve made the first bad choice in human history and immediately tried to justify it:

Genesis {3:6} And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and ave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

It’s even better if there we can find someone else to blame, as Adam and Eve did when God caught them:

Genesis {3:12-14} And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Adam blamed Eve for giving him the fruit, no to mention God for giving him Eve in the first place.  Eve blamed the serpent. Any of this reasoning sound familiar? It should in a time where standard procedure is to blame someone else for messing up, rather than ourselves.

The results of our initial fall have plagued the human race making much of its history the dark tale that it is. Over and over empires have risen and fallen in a process that has hitherto been inescapable. The United States which was founded on Judaeo-Christian values is certainly on its way to collapse as it increasingly turns away from God and his biblical principles. Behaviors and lifestyles which were once considered aberrant are either now embraced as a new norm or excused by reclassifying them as a psychological or physical disorder, thus relieving those who perform them of personal responsibility.

Let’s look at some particulars which apply to the fall of societies of the past:

Moral Inversion

Of course, we already have seen Isaiah’s short but profound assessment of End-Times society. The kind of world he saw in the future is hauntingly familiar to those which  preceded him in the distant past. Genesis, chapters 6-10 gives us an account of the status of the kind of society that existed during the time of Noah:

Genesis {6:5-6} And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

The dire situation of those days was no doubt aided and abetted by the half-human, half demonic giants (Nephilim) that existed at that time (Genesis 6:1-4). Apparently Earth itself was affected, as we have seen in a previous article:

Genesis {6:11-12} The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

In fact, it was so bad that the only remedy was for God to totally erase it and start over with Noah and his family. Interestingly Jesus said:

Matthew {24:36-37} But of that day and hour knoweth no [man,] no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe [were,] so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Since we can rely on the absolute certainty of Jesus’ words, this kind of society will exist once again at the end of history. Let’s see where we already are in reference to those of the past.

The Acceptance of “Alternate Lifestyles”

Perhaps one of the most glaring examples of morality gone awry today is the growing acceptance of homosexual behavior in most of western civilization. For example, in the United States alone homosexuals are being accorded hate crimes protection which heterosexuals do not have, being allowed to marry and adopt children, serve in the military, and in many protestant denominations be ordained clergy people.

Though not speaking specifically of the acceptance of same-sex relations, this has indeed been a problem throughout the human race’s tenure on Earth, and the Bible has many references to it and its eventual results of a moral reversal upon any civilization, the most prominent being the account of the conditions characterizing Sodom and Gomorrah:

Genesis {13:13} But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

It is very likely this wickedness was broad-spectrum, not confined to any one failing, but rather to a multitude of evils. Peter once said:

2 Peter {3:9} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God is a God of patience, holding back on judgment in hopes that a person, or collectively, a society, will turn back onto the right path. He’ll also spare it to save a righteous remnant as we can see in this discourse:

Genesis {18:23-32} And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that [are] therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the  righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for [lack of] five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy [it. ] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do [it] for forty’s sake.  And he said [unto him,] Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do [it,] if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten’s sake.

We all know how this turned out. God couldn’t find any righteous souls in these ancient twin cities of evil other than Lot and his family. In an exchange between Lot wishing to protect the visiting angels the Lord had sent to survey the situation from his neighbors we discover one specific evil which afflicted this society:

Genesis {19:4-5} But before they lay down, the men of the city, [even] the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where [are] the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know *them.* The term “know” here is used in the same context as in Matthew 1:25, which means have sexual intercourse.

It is sad, but true, that this same acceptance of perverted behavior prevalent in Sodom and Gomorrah, and such great empires of the past as Greece and Rome is now being repeated in Europe and the Americas. It is certainly not occurring in a vacuum, but rather is but one symptom of many. For the two cities of Abraham’s time its end came as a result of direct divine intervention once Lot and his family were told to depart:

Genesis {19:24-25} Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Sometimes God employs the tools at hand as we see him use the Hebrews to execute judgment on the evil original inhabitants of Canaan, of the Assyrians to bring it to the northern kingdom if Israel which had become corrupted, and Babylonians to do the same thing to the southern kingdom of Judah for the same reason. If powerful empires like those of the past can fall, there is no reason to think the even one as strong as the United States is immune. The common denominator is that no society can call “evil good and good evil” forever, be it from thousands of years in the past or right outside the door today.

Genetic and Electronic Manipulation

Technology has reached the point where the separation between the organic and inorganic is quickly fading. Implantable devices to aid failing ears, eyes, and hearts are already commonplace. Advances in genetics are creating modifications to existing life. Though many of these have positive benefits, as with any technology they can be misused for evil purposes. Adolf Hitler engaged in research to create a master race and it may not be long before the first trans-humans created by mechanical and genetic means walk the Earth in a terrifying replication of the Nephilim super beings of Genesis, adding yet another element to the scenario Jesus himself revealed which we mentioned in the beginning of this article – that of the days of Noah revisited. Now we’ll look at more examples from the New Testament.

1) Idolatry and Apostasy

Luke {21:8} And he* said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ;] and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 

I Timothy {4:1} Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.  *This is now the case in much of Western Protestantism. Such departures from biblical doctrine such as pluralistic salvation, acceptance of homosexual behavior even among the clergy, and even the incorporation of pagan practices have become commonplace in many of the mainstream denominations today.

2) Persecution of Christians

Matthew {24:9} Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and yeshall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.  

3) Family conflicts

Luke {21:16} And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death.  Jesus is the speaker here. 

4) Wars

Luke {21:9-10}But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 

5) People become heartless:

Matthew {24:10,12}And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. . .  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

The words above are all from Jesus himself. Below, we get Paul’s words:

6) The increase of the acceptance of homosexual behavior and the reason for it:

Romans {1:21, 26-27}Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

7) A summary of end-times humanity:

Romans {1:29-32} Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

2 Timothy {3:1-5} This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Concluding Thoughts

When we read all these words written thousands of years ago, it is both striking and chilling just how familiar they sound to we who reside in the Twenty-first Century. One cannot pick up a newspaper or listen to the news on radio or television and not know that something is clearly wrong. Attending this realization is another that it all appears to be totally out of our control, and on a large scale that’s certainly true. Those of us who read and believe the Bible know the path history must inevitably follow – and we are seeing it happen before our eyes.

On a personal level the situation is very different. God created each of us with a free will, giving each one of us the ability to decide where we will spend eternity. This all depends on whether we accept Jesus’ offer of salvation or not. As he explained to the apostle Thomas, he is the only way to achieve it:

John {14:6} Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

But be warned – the Bible tells us that this opportunity will not last forever:

Isaiah {55:6} Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

2 Corinthians {6:2b} . . . behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.

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Isaiah’s  End-Times Earth

By Ed Wood

A Ravaged World

            Of all the ancient prophets of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament in the Christian version, Isaiah (circa 8^th Century B.C.) was clearly the most prolific. Some of what he had written has already come to pass, perhaps the most spectacular example being this:

Isaiah {44:28 – 45:4} That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

When one realizes that what he related here was not to happen until the 6^th Century B.C., his incredibly accurate account, even to the actual naming of the Persian king Cyrus the Great, certainly gives him credibility. That being said, it is probably safe to assume that what he said about events in advance of our own time over 2700 years later will be similarly reliable – and remarkable!

Since the mid 1960’s the environmental movement has flourished, its premise being that the earth and its resources are finite. The images from space of our fragile world seen at a distance floating alone in the blackness of space have no doubt reinforced that reality. (Along those lines, take a look at Isaiah 40:21-23 and Job 26: 7-10 for a “modern view” of Earth.) All the indications are pointing to the reality that this is true and that our unwise use of our world is having increasingly pronounced consequences on all levels. Did Isaiah see this coming as well? Judge for yourself:

Isaiah {24:1-3} Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.

In the passage above, Isaiah details a wholesale wasting of the earth that ultimately will affect everything and everyone, regardless of location or economic status. He is not alone because even a cursory reading of the book of Revelation affirms this repeatedly with graphic clarity depicting the earth as being subject to great upheavals, some due to our own actions, most, however, due to God’s direct intervention as a kind of last-ditch effort to get wayward humankind’s attention.

But at this point most of our problems seems to be the result of our own actions. God called upon us humans to take care of the planet he had made and blessed with life in all its diverse forms (Genesis 1:26-29). Quite frankly, based on the alarming rates of species extinctions in this time, we’ve done a lousy job of it. The next verse is clear enough about that:

Isaiah {24:4} The earth mourneth [and] fadeth away, the world languisheth [and] fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

            The passage above goes far beyond the idea of just breaking the physical laws God set forth under which our living world functions to a more fundamental concept – we have broken God’s moral rules as well and it is no doubt that this is the prime and underlying reason we are in trouble environmentally. Isaiah says as much below:

Isaiah {24:6-12, 17-20} Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh. The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in. [There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction . . . Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [are] upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

            You’ll notice there is a gap in the above. The reason for that is that the intervening verses jump ahead in time before Isaiah returns to his theme of a ruined Earth. Also, note the concluding references to the earth being “shaken.” According to USGS data, earthquakes have increased dramatically in both frequency and intensity worldwide since 2002.

Since the Bible follows its own rules of evidence (two or more witnesses – see Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; John 8:17), we see repeated confirmations of the world being damaged in the Book of Revelation. Some of this again is no doubt done by our own hands, up to and including what might be the deployment of a nuclear device (Revelation 8:10-11), while such “natural” disasters such as earthquakes might truly be “Acts of God” in response to evil. Jesus has said that the last days of earth would be as the “days of Noe (Noah),” [Matthew 24:37]. Then, as it will also be in the future, there was just no other remedy to human sin but God’s profound intervention.

Right now, God is restraining himself from drastic actions, but this will not last indefinitely:

Isaiah {42:14-15} I* have long time holden my peace; I have been still, [and] refrained myself: [now] will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. * God.

Why such restraint? The answers may be found here:

2 Peter {3:9} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Thessalonians {2:7} For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he* who now letteth** [will let***,] until he**** be taken out of the way. * God ; ** withholds; *** withhold (from the Greek word katecho, Strong’s Concordance);  **** the Holy Spirit. The reasoning here is that every believer is a temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16) and in the removing all believers from the earth at the Rapture, God also removes the Spirit’s present restraining influence of evil, allowing the Antichrist to come to power.

It is important to realize once again that God sent the warnings to Isaiah sometime during the Eighth Century B.C. Here we are over 2700 years later and for the most part his message has been ignored.

Yet despite the inevitability of the deterioration of Earth, I believe that we still have a responsibility to do whatever we can not to make the situation worse. God gave us this marvelous world as a gift, the only one we know for sure is capable of supporting life in this entire universe. To purposely abuse it even at this late stage in history is, to my mind, showing ingratitude. This is certainly not to say we should buy into the “new world order” philosophy that the more extreme segments of the environmental movement are currently pushing to usurp national sovereignty for their own purposes of gaining influence and power. It is more a case of having the common-sense attitude of not trashing our own “living room.”

I believe we have arrived at a unique time when the convergence of stresses in the political, religious, economic, and environmental conditions of our present day are unprecedented in human history. Yet Jesus told his disciples that what we are experiencing today is but the “beginning of sorrows:”

Matthew {24:3-8} And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom*: and there shall be  famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. *Military conflicts in the 20^th Century killed more people and caused more damage than any other time in history. Revelation reveals that warfare will continue ultimately culminating at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-14; 19:11-16).

            The Lord also told us what we should be doing right now:

Luke {21:28, 36} And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh .  .  . Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

The Light in the Darkness

As bleak as things look right now, it will soon get a lot worse. However, this is not the end of the story because with the physical return of the King of Kings, everything will begin to change:

Isaiah {11:1-9} And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

When Jesus, the Word of God through whom all things were made (John (1:10), comes back with his saints (Daniel 7:18-22; Jude 1:14-15) to put an end to the Battle of Aramageddon and initiate his rule upon the earth (Revelation, chapter 19), not only will those mortals that remain alive after the Tribulation experience true and pure justice for the first time since the Fall of Man (Genesis, chapter 3), but the planet itself will be restored to a near-Eden state. Isaiah reveals more of what life will be like on Millennial Earth:

Isaiah {35:3-10} Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein. ] No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there:] And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

             Isaiah {55:10-13} For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.

             As wonderful as life will be during Jesus’ 1000 reign on a renewed Earth, even this will pale in magnificence compared the eternal realm to follow:

Isaiah {65:17} For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Revelation {21:1-4} And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  

Conclusion

             It seems as if the philosophical battle between faith and science has always been a part of human culture. Until Jesus returns it is likely to remain this way. Perhaps the basic reason is the rigidity of the most zealous proponents of each viewpoint. Neither side willing to consider that maybe, just maybe, the other might have some valid points.

I have personally found that, more often than not, agreements between what the Bible teaches and what modern science expresses are much more common than one would think. Science accurately points to the incredible order and design of the universe, the Bible accurately points to the One who caused it to exist in the first place.

In short, science tells us the “How,” the Bible tells us the “Who.”

In our brief study of Isaiah’s prediction of the kind of world that will exist at the end of this present age, it seems that one indeed does complement the other. But unlike the fearful and dark future science envisions, the Bible tells us that ultimately the best is yet to come!

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Mind Games

By Camilla Smith

Question.  How much time to you give to your Beloved Heavenly Father?

Another question.  How much time are you spending watching videos about giants, fallen angels and CERN?   How many hours are you worrying about politics and making America great again? Reality shows?   Celebrity stories?   Video games?   How’s that working for you?   How does it make you feel?   Sad?  Depressed?   A little nervous and anxious?   Can you still function?

The internet is chock full of stuff of legend (or what we were told were legends—guess the jokes on us—it’s all real).  All this “stuff” is really fascinating and unfortunately, it’s part of the reality that we know now, and will help keep ourselves and others from being deceived.

But does it get into our heads?   What is it doing to us emotionally, psychologically, spiritually….physically?    I’ve worked in the medical field for 36 years.   If ever there was a definition of epidemic…it’s a psychological epidemic these days.   Millions are living in a constant state of FEAR!

Here is truth.   You do not HAVE to go down the path of anxiety and depression.   It’s not necessary to let anyone label you with panic disorder, anxiety attacks, or PTSD.  If you are told you have it, and if you believe it, you have a good chance of becoming it.   You don’t HAVE to own it.  You don’t have to take that shiny spanking new “psychological ID card” and put it in your wallet and let that be your identity.   You don’t have to become that person they’ve just diagnosed you as being.   Don’t let yourself become “Hi, I’m Susie and I have anxiety.”

“”And who of you, by being worried, can add a single hour to his life?”  Matthew 6:27.

Anxiety, depression and panic are of the devil.   Our enemy, ha’shatan (satan), loves a worried and frenzied mind.  He lurks around you, waiting for that worry to begin and he pounces on it, sending you into a Tasmanian tailspin.  He’s a master deceiver and he loves to confuse and distract us.  He’s our adversary and he loves to keep us going at such a whirlwind pace that we have no time to connect to our Savior.   I have to say—by what I see every day in my work, he’s doing an awesome job of keeping people in a state of fearfulness and panic.   What good is worry?   It’s wasteful and frankly, doesn’t it make you MAD that a demon could get in your mind and make you worry?   Worry will not solve any problem you have…it is actually like a form of worship–worshipping a problem (and sometimes a “problem” that doesn’t even exist).   You have the Power of the Blood of your Mashiach, Yahshua, for taking down strongholds!   These are demonic strongholds, plain and simple.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (strongholds).”   2 Corinthians 10:4.

Coming from a “former” chronic worrier—it took me 52 years to figure out that I can’t fix other people.   I can’t fix their problems, I can’t fix their illnesses.  I can’t make others happy.   I can’t fix the world’s problems.  I can’t end hunger, cure disease or stop crime.   I can’t make people not worry.   Yahshua tells us NOT TO WORRY!   Why do we continue to do it?   Stop!   Pray!   Stop and Pray!!

What are you filling your mind with?   What are you watching?  Do you watch TV shows, movies or the news (sad but true) that make you feel combative, irritable or angry?   What are you reading and who are you talking to?   How much time do you spend on social media that might be agitating and yes, frankly, depressing you?

Or, are you making Your Father in Heaven your primary focus—are you yoked to Him?   Do you stay in constant communication with Him all day, every day?   When something happens, do you immediately think, “What am I to learn from this, Father?”  Is He your All In All?   For Your Father’s Mighty Arms is where your peace lies, my friends. 

The internet and its hot topics have drawn us in.   We know more now than we ever really wanted to know, don’t we?   I certainly don’t like knowing that much of the history we were taught is a “gigantic” coverup.   No pun intended there.

But I firmly believe YHWH is telling us, “Enough.  It’s enough now.  You know what you need to know—now come back to Me.”  

It’s time to stop the madness, saints.   Disconnect from the world and tune in to your Master.   It’s time to walk and talk with Him and pray us Home.

Enoch was taken Home.   He was walking with YHWH and then he “was not”, for he was taken.   Gee, do you suppose there is a message in Enoch’s story for us who are waiting for Yahshua to call us up?

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WHAT DOES “WATCH” REALLY MEAN?

By Camilla Smith

My heart is heavy today. I will try to put in words what I’m feeling the Father is impressing on me to share.

We “watchmen on the wall” have been blessed with such a network of technological wonder. Social media, the internet, face-time, blogs, tweets, and twitters to name a few.   We have access to every piece of information we could ever ask for (that in and of itself is a mystery to me—just who IS the internet?). Much of that information, these days, is false.  We know that now. We think we’re getting correct information from our sources, and in many cases, we are. But, is it bogging us down—sorting it all out?

What I’m saying is…with all our efforts at piecing together this mystery called the Rapture of the Church, are we neglecting our relationship with our Almighty Father? Are we leaving Him on the back burner while we feverishly pour through, sift, investigate, navigate, post, un-post, comment, un-comment, agree, disagree, and agree to disagree? To what end, my fellow watchmen? When do we stop our endless search for the “key,” and turn to our Father and say simply, “Father—we’re at the end of it all here. We can’t possibly know Your thoughts, Your ways, Your timing…You’ve told us that Yourself!   Father, is it now time for us, Your servants, to stop looking for clues, and start hitting our knees?”

Or maybe this, “Father, we’ve tried and tried to do Your will, keep ourselves and our fellow brothers and sisters informed, stay apprised of the news, tie events to Scripture, and rightly divide Your word. Is it time, Father, to leave this in Your hands and realize that You desire US? Are we focused more on YouTube than on You?”

I’m so guilty, completely guilty…. countless hours. And there my Bible sits. Waiting for me to pick it up. I utter prayers, short ones, repetitive, not always wholehearted ones.   And there His Word sits. It hurts my heart to say these words.

And, let me make it very clear. I LOVE our prophecy community. I LOVE our leaders and teachers whose due diligence is incomparable. I LOVE that each and every one of us who loves Bible prophecy can’t get enough of end times updates. I LOVE and am so GRATEFUL for our prophecy experts who keep us informed—the hours, the sweat, the blood, the tears, they put into their messages, I can’t even imagine. They’re living their call. They’re feeding their flocks. The Father must be well pleased with their dedication as they combat the daily ravages and assaults launched upon them (this is NOT one of those).   We’re so grateful. We soak in their every word! We are consumed by it. I imagine the Father must find great joy, knowing that we want to be with HIM! And yes—there are fantastic and valuable teachings on Youtube. I’m so grateful for online sermons and teachings and have benefited greatly from them.

But are we WITH HIM while we’re still here? He’s calling for us soon…but He hasn’t YET. Are we making Him NUMBER ONE in these waning weeks, days, or hours that we have left? Maybe He’s waiting on us, my dear brothers and sisters. Maybe, He wants us to cut the ties. Separate out. Leave our gadgets alone and spend that time in His Word, in His presence…pitching our tents with Him and Him alone. And maybe He just wants to hear, finally, exhaustively, “Father, Your Will Be Done. Father, Your Kingdom Come.”

 “It is the glory of the Father to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter.”   Proverbs 25:2

“O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of YHWH!   How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!”   Romans 11:33

“The secret things belong to the Father, our Elohim, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.”   Deuteronomy 29:29.”        

Indeed, it is a conundrum. There is a fine line. We have an excitement that is palpable in our souls and we yearn for revelation and insight. We long for Yahshua’s calling for us in that glorious day—The Rapture! More now than ever, we must pray for discernment and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as to the perfect balance. We must always watch and heed the signs. We’re watchmen—that’s what we do. My brothers and sisters, we’ve left “normal” and there’s no turning back. We’re in uncharted waters here. We’re being purified. We’re being readied. We’re being drawn to the Heart of our Elohim. We’re almost Home.

Beloved Abba Father,

We thank You for the blessings You give us each day. Father, we ask that You forgive our shortcomings and convict us where we need to improve. Father, we ask that You help us, Your servants, to maintain focus in these final hours of history. Abba, we pray that You help us grow and be washed in Your Word, and that You remind us and keep us trained on Your Promise, Your precious Son, Yahshua, Your Holy City, Yerushalayim, and the Apple of Your Eye, Israel. Father, we beseech You to bring Your Kingdom to fruition and bring judgement on the evil that surrounds us more and more each day. And Father, please fill us with Your Holy Spirit—Your Ruach Ha’Qodesh, and grant us strength and grace to seek Your will in our lives, and the desire to have the Mind of Yahshua. Remind us to pray Your Word to You and share it with those whom you give us opportunity. Thank You, Father. Until we see You face to Face, we come before You humbly and expectantly.

Ah-Mein.

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ARE YOU PESTERING GOD? (The Father’s Importunity)

By Camilla Smith

We live in an environment of endless pursuit of answers.    Many of us are getting feverishly excited as we try to figure out the nearness of the Rapture, study the order of the Father’s “appointed times” (Jewish Feast dates), look for answers to historical mysteries that are being uncovered, and try to pinpoint Bible prophecy and the end game of the wars and final events.   We’re watching harbingers, looking at cycles, crunching numbers, and searching skies and the Scriptures–all of this is necessary and edifying.   Prophecy teachers have put in hundreds, probably thousands of hours trying to help us all put the puzzle together and to their credit, many of them have taught us remarkable things.   We seek answers and signs from our Heavenly Father, but what if He is waiting on us?

What is our call as watchmen on the wall?   Here it is, plainly in Scripture:  Isaiah 62:6-7 tells us “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, all the day and all the night, continually, who are not silent.  You who remember YHWH, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

Obviously, He wants us to pray unceasingly about this.   He wants us to come to Him about bringing in His Kingdom.   We’re waiting on Him, while He’s waiting on us!   Watchmen, it is time to start a revolution of approaching our Father respectfully, yet expectantly, in asking for our Marriage to Yahshua to take place.  A Kingdom Come Revolution, if you will.

First, we need to come BOLDLY to the throne rather than being so willy-nilly.  We seldom recognize the authority that we possess as a result of our love for Jesus.  I’ve kicked it into high-gear prayer mode, a step short of demanding (maybe beseech sounds better) that He bring our marriage to the Lamb to a real-time fact rather than our whining and begging every day.  Yes, many God-fearing men came BOLDLY before the throne.  It’s time for our marriage, inheritance, and eternal life with Christ to begin.

God being God will accomplish all of his salvations whether this side of the Rapture or during the Tribulation.   We lovers of Jesus say that it’s high time that our Messiah be elevated throughout the world and that every knee bow to the King of Kings.  Just like the fellow who pounded on his neighbor’s door for bread because of his importunity, we pound our prayers before the throne of God to ACT in our behalf.  Jesus tires of our repenting—we know that we are sinners, but if He can forget our sins, then we must also.

Think about this:  When satan was approaching the throne having to ‘ask’ God if he could put Job thru the ringer, God, knowing Job’s heart and faith, said OK to satans ‘requests’. Now if God allowed satan to test Job, His desire for us is to get serious about ‘demanding that our marriage take place’ may be the very thing holding Him back (tarrying)!   If we pray like that, God will have the legal right to answer us now instead of tarrying. He needs to tell satan that He is obliged to complete His program because the prayers of the saints have reached His Throne.  “The effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much.”  James 5:16  

While we scramble with day-to-day living, seeking Him, learning, listening and watching, are we earnestly, humbly, yet boldly approaching our Father, asking Him to perform His will?   Are we praying multiple times a day, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”, or are we mumbling our memorized prayers as we drift off?   I’m guilty of this myself–but NO MORE.   From here on out, (and if He sends Jesus for us today, even better),  I resolve to continue to boldly, precisely and specifically importune the Father and give Him NO REST, asking that He fulfill His will, send Yahshua Ha’Mashiach for us, and begin the transformation to eternity with Him.

So where is your heart—here, or Up There?   If it is with Him, in His Kingdom, then let the “petitioning” begin.   He’s given us His permission, even instruction, to do so.   Put this PRAYER INTO PRACTICE every day!  Give Him no rest…No rest.

As I concluded writing this, I had a strong urgency about Jerusalem, and how MUCH the Father loves His Qodesh City.   Saints, it is imperative that we pray for Yerushalayim at this critical time in history.   “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.”  Hebrews 13:14.   It is also imperative that we understand how MUCH He loves Her, “The bride, the wife of the Lamb” Revelation 21:9.

Dear Abba Father, my Master, my Adon, please hasten the day when you put your government in place. Those days will see Egypt, Israel, and Syria as friends. Yahshua, we, the world need this, and it is obvious that it can only come through judgment, just like you said. Let the Day of the Lord arrive.  Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done.  Father, we pray Your words for Yerushalayim, “We pray for the peace of Yerushalayim; may they prosper who love you.  Peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.”  Father, we pray this in Your Son’s Mighty Name, Yahshua ha’ Mashiach.       

 Your servant(s)

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The Seven Churches of Revelation – Part Two

by Ed Wood

The Church at Thyatira

Revelation {2:18-29} And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The next church, represented by the ancient one of Thyatira, was the one which came to exist as a direct result of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. By the end of the Fourth Century, it was ironically the dominant faith in the Roman Empire, which had once done its worst to eradicate it. Over the course of time it split into eastern and western factions, namely the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches which still exist today.

Jesus praised the original church at Thyatira and by inference, its present incarnation in the two churches mentioned above, for its “works, and charity, and service, and faith,” patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first.” Clearly both have excelled at both in spreading the word across the globe, stepping in to aid in charitable ways, and persisting in these efforts across the centuries, right up until the present time.

But along with commendation there is condemnation, namely its association with “Jezebel.” As is the case with apocalyptic writings, our task is to try to determine the meaning of its symbolic references. In this case, it would seem that a strong case could be made that this is a reference to the wife of Ahab, king of Israel circa 919 – 897 B.C. According the account in 1 Kings, Jezebel was the daughter of King Ethbaal of Tyre and an ardent worshiper of the pagan god Baal. Ahab was very accommodating to his wife’s idolatrous worship and promoted its practice in his kingdom and in the persecution of God’s prophets such as the most prominent of that time, Elijah.

Though neither the Roman Catholic nor Orthodox Churches promote “Baal worship” both have unfortunately incorporated into their beliefs the practice of praying to Mary, the mother of Jesus and other assorted saints. In the Roman Catholic Church the term “saints” has evolved from the biblical meaning which applies it to all believers to someone in whose name a miracle has been accomplished due to prayers made to them. It is hard to imagine how everyone who is familiar with the First and Second Commandments can in good conscience accept a practice of praying to anyone other than God or enlisting the aid of any “intercessor” other than Jesus Christ himself when the Bible is quite clear on both of these matters:

Exodus {20:1-5} And God spake all these words, saying, I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.

1 Timothy {2:5} For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

A simple question I’ve always had is: Since we already have access to God through his Son, why would we need a “second stringer?” I’ve never gotten an answer from anyone who endorses this practice.

Another form of idolatry is the concept of church tradition being put on an equal or even superior basis as Scripture because here we have the exact situation experienced by Peter and the apostles shortly after the birth of the church:

Acts {5:28-29} Did not we* straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. *Members of the Sanhedrin are speaking here.

In this case the Jewish religious authorities were arrogating to themselves the “final word,” when that actually belongs to God alone.

Church “tradition” across denominations has too often darkened its history with such excesses as the Inquisitions, anti-Semitism, the condoning of slavery and racism, making a mockery of what Jesus actually taught.

The message from Jesus to the church of Thyatira, and, we may assume its future representatives, does indicate that its members which do not subscribe to these serious errors but regard Scripture, “rather than men,” to be the ultimate authority regarding doctrine, will be duly rewarded in the life to come, being part of Jesus’ government on Earth when he returns.

To be fair, by virtue of their being so many diverse versions of the Christian Church today, it is probably fair to say most of them have doctrinal problems, except the Church of Smyrna which we explored in the last article and has since disappeared into history and the Church of Philadelphia, along with its present incarnation, which we will examine a little later. Both of them received only praise from Jesus.

Before we move on, it is important to mention that we have arrived at a significant point in our exploration. Remember that in the last article it was mentioned that the first three churches have disappeared into the past? Let’s take a moment to look at how the message to each of them concluded:

For Ephesus:

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

For Smyrna:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

For Pergamos

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it.]     

Contrast this passage in the conclusion of the message to the church at Thyatira:

But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come.

In this case the indication is that this church will still exist in some form – at the time Jesus returns! As we look at the remaining three addressed in Revelation, we see the same indications. This may yet be one more sign that his return may be very soon indeed. That being said, let’s continue with our next church.

The Church at Sardis

Revelation {3:1-6} And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee*. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. * This is just one example of an unexpected return of Jesus (only for his followers, in this case) in complete contrast to the time when it is unmistakable to the whole world (Revelation 19:11-16). In order for both accounts to be true, they must be referring to two different events.

This is thought to represent the churches broke away from the Roman Church as it existed during the Reformation. Its most prominent feature is that it emphasized the doctrine of salvation through grace, not works and was likewise critical of what was considered corruption and other doctrinal errors of the Roman Catholic Church.

However, when reading the passage concerning it, it appears that though it might have started out on the right path, it quickly lost its way and was therefore admonished to “strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die.” Could this be reflective of the manner in which the majority of the Protestant denominations today have embraced biblically contrary doctrines such as the acceptance of active homosexual behavior, a denial that Jesus himself as being the only way of salvation, a rejection of his physical resurrection and the reality of a literal afterlife at all, and refusal to believe in his return to this planet to establish his everlasting Kingdom?

Verse 3b of this chapter also clearly indicates that most of this church won’t be ready for the Lord’s return. In other words, it will be just as big a surprise to it as to the non-Christian world alike because there is scant attention given to Bible Prophecy in most of the church today, regardless of denomination. But all is not lost because there is the hopeful mention of those who “have not defiled their garments” by accepting the “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1) and will one day literally walk with Jesus in his kingdom to come.

 

The Church at Philadelphia

 Revelation {3:7-13} And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David*, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 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.** Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name***. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. * Perhaps this means that As David was a conquering king over his adversaries, so Jesus is likewise over his. Of course, we are clearly not yet at the point where the results of his victory is fully realized, any more than David’s were immediate in his age, but the Bible teaches that one day they will be (Revelation, chapters 21 & 22).

** The indication here is that this church will be here on Earth in the present time and will be removed from the “hour of temptation (trial),” a good interpretation meaning the rapture, after which the Tribulation years will begin.”

*** Just as the false prophet will lead people to be marked with the name of the beast (antichrist), so God will cause his own to be marked as described above. Revelation 14:1 shows a partial fulfillment of this as regards to Israel.

As with the church as Smyrna, Jesus has only praise for the one at Philadelphia. In this case, it does not represent any single denomination but is comprised of all believers no matter which one (or even none at all) to which they belong. I suppose it would be safe to say that in many churches these days they adhere to the authority of Scriptural teachings in spite of what’s being preached in their pulpits. Why they choose to remain in some of them rather than leave is complex. Some, no doubt, stay in the hopes of changing them and getting them back on course. Others stay because they’ve gone to the same parish all their lives and don’t want to be uprooted. It’s probably safe to say the former are “Philadelphians” because having the courage of one’s convictions and bucking the tide is not an easy thing. As for the latter, the quality of their faith and is only something that God can decide.

Now it does not mean these individuals are perfect when it comes to doctrine because all of us are subject to what Paul said so well due to our human limitations:

1 Corinthians {13:11-12} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

What is does say is that to the best of his or her ability, each defends the faith using the Bible as the standard, regardless of the opposition or immediate consequences. As far as the Western world is concerned, this church is sadly losing ground in the Western world, something Jesus no doubt saw coming 2000 years ago:

From the passage above we have:

Revelation 3:8 . . . . for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word . . .

And from Luke 18:8, Jesus said: Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

This is certainly not reflective of the quality of faith of its constituents. If anything, persecution, whether it be comparatively mild as in the U.S. (so far, at any rate!) or openly violent as in the recent cases of Muslim attacks on the Copts in Egypt, it has only served to strengthen their resolve to stand by their faith.

Smyrna and Philadelphia represents the church at its best. Now it’s time to look at it at its worst!

The Church at Laodicea

Revelation {3:14-22} And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.* He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

* Again, this is suggestive of this church being around in the present and those who do not follow its error will be saved.

It is probably no accident that the Laodicean Church shows up last, because this is indeed the state of affairs we increasingly have today. Jesus has nothing to commend in this one. We can look at it as being comprised of what I call “Comfortable Christians.” They show up each week, listen to latest non-judgmental the humanistic doctrine which pretty much teaches “anything goes.” Here’s an example from Pew Research (May 12, 2015) regarding the acceptance of homosexual behavior:

Denomination                                 Year 2007                             Year 2015

Roman Catholic                                    58%                                       70%

Mainline Protestants                             56%                                       66%

Orthodox Christian                               48%                                        62%

All Christians                                        44%                                        54%

Historically Black Protestants               39%                                        51%

Evangelical Protestants                       28%                                        36%

Mormon                                                24%                                       36%

Jehovah’s Witnesses                           12%                                        16%

If this one example of biblical doctrine being rejected in the church is representative of an overall erosion of the following scriptural precepts in today’s church, it is affecting all of them. Interestingly, the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, despite their other serious doctrinal errors, are doing better in this particular case than all the rest of them.

As a former life-long member of the Episcopal Church, I’ve personally seen this denomination fall apart doctrinally. Though the decline was decades in coming, in 2003 its decline into error became most evident as its triennial convention gave its assent to ordaining an open homosexual to the office of bishop. Now actively homosexual clergy people are no longer the uncommon. In the case of TEC, this was just the beginning of its descent into apostasy.

Former presiding bishop Kathryn Schori preached a “mother Jesus,” pluralistic salvation” (meaning that Jesus is not the only way to salvation (TIME Magazine, July 10, 2006), and that “confessional Christianity,” (i.e. that an individual can be saved by confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) was a “great Western heresy” (opening remarks to TEC’s 76th Convention in July 2009). In the case of the Episcopal Church, there has been a ruthlessness exercised in any member parish not willing to “roll over” for these errors – the loss of its funds and property under the Dennis Canon which states that the church buildings and funds are only held in trust for their respective dioceses, not owned by their members. How this unjust principle ever got ratified into canon law seems positively devilish. The sad part about all this is that TEC is not unique because such heresy would find a welcome in most of the major protestant churches in Europe and North America.

Perhaps the biggest reason heresy has been so easy to foist on members of these denominations is that “Comfortable Christians” are also “lazy Christians” who never bothered to pick up their Bibles and read for themselves.

If one doesn’t know the truth, how can one possibly reject the lie?

Concluding Thoughts

From the best to the worst, the churches of Revelation present the whole spectrum. It seems fairly obvious where we must be in history based on where the church is now and where it is increasingly headed. I’ve personally watched the death spiral of the Episcopal Church from the inside and must admit I was amazed not only at the magnitude of its descent but the speed at which it occurred. I’ve watched many of the other Protestant denominations on the very same trajectory. If allowed to continue unabated, how long would it take before the percentages above top out at 100%? Based on the aforementioned acceleration into acceptance of the “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:2), it indicates that it will not be allowed to continue much longer.

For we who believe, this is just one more sign for us along with so many others that the time of our redemption must be very, very, near!

It has never been more vital than right now to keep looking up!

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Are We Rapidly Approaching the End of the Age?

By Michael Hile

Jesus’ disciples came to him privately while He sat upon the Mount of Olives and asked Him three questions (Matthew 24:1-3).  One question dealt with the time of the destruction of the temple. The other two questions were concerned with the end of the age. “…What will be the sign of your coming…?” and what will be the sign of “…the end of the age?”  The “end of the age” question was answered by Christ at the beginning of His Olivet discourse.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:9-14

Producing Good Fruit

Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees that they needed to produce good fruit (righteous works) like a tree that brings forth good fruit. If they did not produce good fruit, worthy for repentance, they were spiritually worthless to God. As a tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire, so would their destiny be if they did not produce good works that were worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:7-10, 7:15-20; Luke 3:7-9, 6:43-45).

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:8-10

The principle that a tree should bring forth good fruit was taught by Jesus on several occasions. In the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus used a fig tree (symbolic of Israel) that had not produced fruit for three years to represent the nation of Israel. The fig tree in the parable had not produced any good fruit (ripe figs) during the three years of Christ’s ministry to the Jewish people. Jesus was telling the Jewish nation that His ministry with them was drawing to a close, and if they did not produce fruit within the next year, their opportunity to repent and accept Jesus as their Messiah would soon pass.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’  And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

Since Israel did not produce good fruit (ripe figs) at Jesus’ first coming, the nation was cut down, as a tree, in A.D. 70 by the Roman army, and the Jewish house of worship, the temple, was destroyed.  Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the temple, with not one stone left upon another, was accurately fulfilled (Matthew 24:2). As King Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was cut down like a tree, taken from him and later restored, the nation of Israel, represented by the fig tree, was cut down for failing to recognize Jesus as their Messiah and not recognizing “the time of their visitation” (Daniel 4:1-37, Job 14:7-9, Luke 19:41-44). The Kingdom of God was taken away from Israel but will be restored after the Lord refines them “as silver is refined,” and tests them “as gold is tested” at the end of the age (Matthew 21:42-43, Zechariah 13:7-9, 14:1-16).

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him. Matthew 21:43-44

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

Figs are symbolic of the Jewish people in several places in the Scriptures (Jeremiah 24:1-10, Hosea 9:8-10).  When Israel did not produce good figs at Christ’s first coming, He cursed the fig tree, which is symbolic of the Jewish nation of Israel (Matthew 21:17-20; Mark 11:11-14, 19-22).

And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it… And when evening came they went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”  And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.”  Mark 11:11-22

The question posed earlier in Matthew concerning “What will be the sign of your coming?” is answered by Jesus with a parable (Matthew 24:32-34, Mark 13:28-30, Luke 21:29-32).  The importance placed on this particular parable, as distinguished from the other parables, is magnified by its appearance in three of the gospels. In Matthew and Mark’s versions of the parable of the fig tree, Christ tells us to “learn a parable of the fig tree” while Luke’s version instructs us to “look at the fig tree and all the trees” (“look,” “watch,” or “behold”).

Matthew’s Version of the Fig Tree Parable

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:32-34

The practical application Jesus gave was to be learned from observing the fig tree. When you see a (literal) fig tree with branches full of sap (becoming tender), and producing new leaves, these signs meant that summer was near.  The spiritual application, hidden to many, teaches when the fig tree (symbolic of Israel) comes back to life, we are to know that Christ’s return is near. The generation that sees Israel come back to life will not die off until all the events involved with the second coming of Christ take place. All current and future generations were to watch the fig tree (Israel) for signs of new life. This parable could not be properly understood until after Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans, and the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world.

Luke’s Version of the Fig Tree Parable

Luke’s version of the parable of the fig tree gives additional insight into what to watch for in order to understand when Christ will return (i.e., “the sign of your coming”).

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Luke 21:29-32

We are told by Jesus in many Scriptures to “watch” for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:42-43, 25:13, Mark 13:33-37, Luke 12:37-40, 21:36, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 3:3, 16:15).

What are we to watch for? Several signs and indicators are given in the aforementioned Scriptures for the general time of Christ’s return, and we are to watch for them as the Scriptures command. In the parable of the fig tree, Luke records Jesus’ specific words where He said to “Watch the fig tree and all the trees” (Luke 21:29). (1)

1. Watch the fig tree (Israel)
2. Watch all the trees (Gentile nations)
3. Watch for leaves sprouting on the fig tree (signs of life)
4. Watch for leaves sprouting on all the trees (signs of life)

When the fig tree (Israel) and all the trees (Gentile nations) come to life, the parable of the fig tree, which is a date specific and generation specific prophecy, begins its countdown to the return of Christ and the setting up of the Kingdom of God.

Has the Fig Tree (Israel) Put Forth Leaves (come to life)?

The Jewish people, displaced from their homeland for centuries, began showing signs of life during the second half of the 19th century (1850-1900) when waves of Jews (aliyah) started coming back to the land of Israel. Theodor Herzl (1860-1904), the “Father of Zionism,” was the visionary behind the modern return of the Jewish people and reestablishment of a Jewish homeland. (2)

Herzl organized the first world congress of Zionism that met in Basel, Switzerland, in August 1897 and became the first president of the World Zionist Organization. (3) The goals of the organization were set forth in the Basle Program: “Zionism seeks to establish a home for the Jewish people in Palestine, secured under public law.” (4)

The Balfour Declaration, dated November 2, 1917, paved the way for the United Nations partition resolution for Palestine on November 29, 1947 and the subsequent formation of the state of Israel on May 14-15, 1948. The fig tree (Israel) came back to life during the first half of the 20th century (1900-1950), and Israel is now producing young figs (potential Jewish believers) that will be harvested at the end of the age.

Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the Lord; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:7-9

For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.  Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant. Job 14:7-9

In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. Isaiah 27:6

And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. 2 Samuel 7:8-10

Have All the Trees (Gentile nations) Put Forth Leaves (come to life)?

Trees are symbolic of nations, kingdoms, and empires in several places in the Bible (Daniel 4:10-26; Ezekiel 17:22-24, 31:3-18; Judges 9:7-21).  In Luke’s version of the fig tree parable, many trees are pictured as coming to life around the same time as the fig tree (Luke 21:29-32).  Jesus said to “watch the fig tree and all the trees.” When they begin to show signs of life, by producing leaves, you are to “know” that the generation that sees this take place will also be the generation that sees the Kingdom of God established on earth.

So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Matthew 24:33 NASB

So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Mark 13:29 ESV

So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the Kingdom of God is near. Luke 21:31 ESV

The parable of the fig tree does not say that “we might know,” or “we should know,” that “the Kingdom of God is near.” Christ proclaimed in all three gospels; Matthew, Mark, and Luke, that when “the fig tree and all the trees” put forth leaves, we were to definitely and emphatically “know” and “recognize” that “the Kingdom of God is near.” The generation that witnesses “the fig tree (Israel) and all the trees (Gentile nations)” come to life was specifically chosen by Christ to usher in the Kingdom of God at the end of the age. When the fig tree (Israel) puts forth leaves, the generation that sees this take place is to “know” and “recognize” that His coming was “near, at the very gates.”

The Proliferation of Nations

The growth of nations in the world is a long, evolutionary process where the date of a country’s “formation” cannot always be objectively determined.  England and France, for instance, were sovereign kingdoms during the medieval period, however England is not now a sovereign state (having passed sovereignty to the UK in 1707), and France is a republic founded in 1792 but refers to itself as the French Fifth Republic, formed in 1958. (5)

Independence dates for widely recognized states prior to 1919 should be treated with caution, since prior to the founding of the League of Nations, there was no international body to recognize nationhood, and independence had no meaning beyond self-recognition from the sovereign state itself (the role of the League of Nations was taken over by the United Nations after the Second World War). (6)

Since the formation, expansion, division, dissolving and reorganizing of nations is subject to wars, internal conflicts (coup d’état) and changes in leadership and governing bodies, the number of independent, sovereign states (also nations, countries) in the world has been subject to change. Factors for determining statehood have included independence dates, dates of constitutions, symbolic foundation dates and, more recently, international recognition from the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations. Dates of national formation vary slightly among varied sources, however the total number of independent, sovereign nations in the world today is considered to be 195-197 by several sources. (7), (8), (9), (10)

Before the 20th century (1899 and earlier), there were 44 countries that had achieved statehood. The 20th century saw 147 new sovereign states added, with many splitting off from the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Soviet Union. The first half of the 20th century (1900-1950) saw 38 new states created while the second half (1950-2000) experienced an unprecedented addition of 109 new, sovereign states. Only five nations have been recognized as sovereign states in the 21st century (2000 to date). (11)

The number of new nations in the world multiplied quickly after World War II (1945) and continued at a rapid pace for the next 50 years. This proliferation of new nations during the second half of the 20th century (1950-2000) abruptly ended on October 1, 1994 after Palau became a nation. Only five nations have become sovereign states since 1994 with the last, South Sudan, receiving statehood on July 9, 2011.

Creation of the League of Nations and United Nations

The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in similar circumstances during the first World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles “to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security.” The League of Nations ceased its activities after failing to prevent the Second World War. (12) The name “United Nations” was coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was first used in the “Declaration by United Nations” on January 1, 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter.

The charter was signed on June 26, 1945 by representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 member states. The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, after the charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24th of each year. (13)

The Growth in Membership of the United Nations

Only independent, sovereign states can become members of the United Nations (UN). There are currently 193 member states in the UN, with the last member, South Sudan, joining on July 14, 2011. The main functioning bodies of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat.  All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded. (14)

The growth of membership in the United Nations was rapid during the second half of the 20th century (1950-2000).  At its inception in 1945, 51 countries (original members) joined the organization. By 1950 there were 60 members, 80 in 1956, 135 in 1973, 185 in 1994, and 193 in 2011. (15) There are 54 countries and territories not currently in the United Nations. (16) On November 29, 2012, Palestine was granted the status of “Non-member observer state” but hasn’t yet been admitted to the UN as a full member. (17) As of 2015, there are two permanent non-member observer states at the United Nations: The Holy See and Palestine. (18)

The Judgment of Nations

The judgment of nations and peoples at the end of the age (the harvest) is found throughout the Old and New Testaments and in corresponding passages in the book of Matthew (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; 25:31-46, Zephaniah 3:8, Zechariah 14:1-19). Jesus’ description of the end of the age after His return involves the gathering of all nations together by His angels, who will separate the people, as the sheep and goats are divided. The saved (sheep) will inherit the Kingdom of God and eternal life, and the unsaved (goats) will suffer the same fate as the devil and his angels.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’  Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels… And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.  Matthew 25:31-46

Because the nations of the world have scattered the Jewish people throughout the world for nearly 2000 years (A.D. 70 to present) and have been, since Israel became a nation in 1948 till now, persistently harassing Israel to give up their land to obtain “peace and security,” God will, at the end of the age, take vengeance on those who have been afflicting and oppressing His people (Deuteronomy 32:35-36).

For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it. Joel 3:1-3

The Peace and Security Agreement

While the nations of the world, with the United States taking the lead, have been involved with on-going negotiations in Middle East peace talks to force Israel to accept a diabolical peace agreement, these unwitting persecutors of Israel do not realize they are setting a trap for themselves that will lead to their “sudden destruction” (Luke 21:34-36, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, Revelation 3:10).

This judgment from God upon the global leaders, who are continuously pressing Israel to accept a false peace covenant (Isaiah 28:18, Daniel 9:27), will come upon them in the same manner as a woman having birth pangs. The implication is an increase both in frequency and intensity of warnings that will end abruptly with their “sudden destruction.”

The four main participants pushing the Israel-Palestinian peace process, referred to as the Quartet (US, Russia, EU, UN), who use the words “peace and security” on a regular basis in their speeches and formal documents, send veiled signals to those who are watching for signs of Christ’s return, that we are living in the “times and seasons” of the rapture and the day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:1-11).

The words “peace and safety” or “peace and security” are ancient code words used by the apostle Paul, in his essay to the Thessalonians, that could not be fully understood until Israel had been restored to their land and the Israel-Palestinian peace process had become a major concern of all the nations in the world.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

The Day of the Lord and the Day of Redemption

The code words “peace and security,” that are used frequently in the ongoing Israel-Palestinian peace process, signal the imminent arrival of “the times and seasons” of the catching up of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  The repetitive use of the words “peace and security” by the globalists is also a harbinger of the “sudden destruction” linked to “the day of the Lord” that follows the translation of the saints (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).

The rapture of the saints, which comes as a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-44, Luke 12:35-40, Revelation 3:3, 16:15), and the day of the Lord, which also comes as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10), may well be describing events that are closely connected (contiguous). (Rapture—1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, John 14:1-3, Titus 2:11-14; Day of the Lord—1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Joel 1:15-20, 2:1-11, Amos 5:18-20, Zephaniah 1:7-18)

The apostle Paul describes two types of people: Those who are caught off guard by “the day of the Lord” and those who escape “the day of the Lord.” There are those who are in darkness, and those who are not; those who are overtaken, and those not overtaken; children of the light and day and those of the night and darkness; some who are awake and others who are asleep; some who are watching and are sober and others who do not watch or remain sober; those who receive wrath, and those who receive salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:4-9).

The day of the Lord brings wrath to some (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, 9; Luke 21:34-35, 2 Peter 3:10), and the day of redemption brings salvation to others (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, Romans 8:19-23, Luke 21:28, 36, 2 Peter 3:9). For those living just prior to “the day of the Lord,” the only way to escape “the day of the Lord” will be removal before it begins, which will be accomplished by the catching up of the saints on “the day of redemption” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day (the day of the Lord) come on you unexpectedly. For it (the day of the Lord) will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things (the day of redemption) that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV

The Parable of the Net

The coming to life of many nations during the 20th century also lends additional support and meaning to the Parable of the Net (also dragnet) where many people (also nations) are gathered together for judgment at the end of the age. Is there solid, Scriptural proof in the Bible that confirms we are nearing “the end of the age,” and the generation that is now present on earth will see the return of Christ and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom?

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:47-50

Are we living in the “times and seasons” just before “…the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus?” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, 9-10, 2 Peter 3:3-14, Jude 14-18).

The prophet Daniel was not given understanding of events that would take place at the time of the end; however, he did understand that God would give wisdom to those living in the end times who knew the Scriptures, especially the prophetic Scriptures, and understood “the times and seasons” of the coming of the Lord (Daniel 2:20-23, 2 Timothy 3:14-16, 1 Chronicles 12:32, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-5:1-11).

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase… but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. Daniel 12:4, 10

World Government and the Rise of Antichrist

The total number of sovereign, independent nations present in the world grew from 44 at the end of the 19th century (1900) to around 195 nations in just over 100 years.  Nearly all the nations of the world (193) have agreed to the United Nations Charter and have become members since its formation in 1945. Since the growth of new nations in the world appears to have reached its climax, and the majority of nations now belong to a world order (UN) that wants to eliminate national borders and form a one world government, are “all the trees” (Gentile nations) alluded to in Luke’s parable now in place for the rise of Antichrist and implementation of global government? Are we approaching the end of the age where one global ruler will create a surveillance society and control all commercial transactions involving buying and selling? (Daniel 7:15-27, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Revelation 13:1-18).

And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.  

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain… And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. Revelation 13:6-18 NASB

Watch the Fig Tree and All the Trees

Does conclusive evidence exist in the Scriptures and today’s headlines that reveal the “times and seasons” of Christ’s return? (Acts 1:7-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Hebrews 10:23-25, Luke 21:28-32). Are we seeing prophetic stage setting take place in the Middle East with Russia (Magog), Iran (Persia) and Turkey (Togarmah) forming alliances that will come against Israel as predicted by the prophet Ezekiel over 2500 years ago? (Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39).

A significant, but concealed indicator of the approaching end of the age is contained in Luke’s version of the Parable of the Fig Tree. Jesus said to “Watch the fig tree and all the trees.” Watching “all the trees,” as we now know, meant watching all the nations as they come alive in conjunction with Israel before the end of the age. The proliferation of new nations during the 20th century gave new meaning to “watch…all the trees.”

“The fig tree” (Israel) officially came back to life in 1948, and “all the trees” (Gentile nations) have come alive, some before, and more after Israel became a nation in 1948. There were seventy-five nations present in the world when Israel became a nation on May 14-15, 1948. After Israel’s rebirth as a nation, 120 nations have been recognized as independent, sovereign states. (19)

Jesus told His apostles before His ascension that it was not for them “to know the times or the seasons” when the Kingdom of God would be established on earth (Acts 1:6-7). Rather, Christ reserved the understanding of this mystery about “the times and seasons’ of His return for the generation that would see “the fig tree and all the trees” come to life (Luke 21:29-32, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-5:1-11).

The Pharisees and Sadducees were spiritually blind to the signs of Christ’s first coming (Matthew 16:1-3). When they asked Him for a sign, Jesus acknowledged their ability to interpret the weather, based upon the appearance of the sky, but they failed to grasp “the signs of the times” present everywhere. How much more are many of the religious leaders of this generation blind to the “signs of the times” that are heralding Christ’s second coming?

After observing the coming to life of “the fig tree and all the trees” after World War II and during the second half of the 20th century (1950-2000), we can be assured, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the events that take place just before Christ’s return are nearing fulfillment. This means His coming is “near, right at the door.”

According to Christ’s words, when “the fig tree and all the trees” put forth leaves (come alive), we are to absolutely and confidently “know” the Kingdom of God is near, and the generation that is living at that time “will not pass away until all is fulfilled.” The preponderance of Scriptural and global evidence is overwhelming that we are the generation Christ was talking about.

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Endnotes

(1) A Literal Translation of the Bible, Jay P. Green, Sr., The Interlinear Bible—Hebrew, Greek, English,  Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts, copyright 1976

(2) http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/theodor-binyamin-ze-rsquo-ev-herzl

(3) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodor-Herzl

(4) http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/world-zionist-organization-wzo

(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_date_of_formation

(6) ibid

(7) LeParisienhttp://dictionnaire.sensagent.leparisien.fr/list+of+countries+in+chronological+order+of+achievin     g+statehood/en-en/

(8) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2088.html

(9) http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/countries_of_the_world.htm

(10) https://www.countries-ofthe-world.com/all-countries.html

(11) LeParisien

(12)  http://www.un.org/en/sections/history/history-united-nations/index.html

(13) ibid

(14)  ibid

(15)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlargement_of_the_United_Nations

(16)  https://www.quora.com/United-Nations-What-countries-are-not-part-of-the-UN

(17)  http://www.worldometers.info/united-nations/

(18)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly_observers

(19) LeParisien

Unless specified otherwise, all scripture quotes are from the English Standard Version (ESV), NASB—New American Standard Version, or NKJV—New King James Version.

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The Seven Churches of Revelation – Part One

By Ed Wood

In the second and third chapters of Revelation, Jesus had messages for the seven churches which existed in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) at the end of the first century A.D. This was the time at what would ultimately become the last book of the Bible was given to the apostle John, the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 20:2), while he was exiled on the island of Patmos.

A reasonable question for us would be: “How does it apply to us now almost 20 centuries later?” Were Jesus’ words intended only for those churches at that time, or do they have significance for the present day?

The answer is that many Bible scholars believe that every one of those ancient churches were also prefigurements of churches which were to follow. Let’s look at each one of them and see if this is a valid claim. First, the introduction:

Revelation {1:12-16} And I* turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man**, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.

*John ** Jesus

This is followed by an explanation by Jesus of what the candlesticks and stars represent:

Revelation {1:19-20} Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels* of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. * From the Greek aggelos which means “messenger” (Strong’s Concordance). It can refer to a heavenly messenger or a human one. In this case and in the passages to the churches which follow, it is most likely directed to their respective human chief pastors who served as “messengers of the Word.” It wouldn’t have been necessary to give the message to John had God chosen to employ heavenly angels as he did to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the fields (Luke 2).

Now we will look at each one of the churches in turn.

The Church at Ephesus

Revelation {2:1-7} Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

This church bears many parallels to the first which began on the day of Pentecost in which the apostles received the initial and permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). It is commended for its stance against evil and false doctrine, yet, as time went by, it, too, became subject to error. In fact, many of Paul’s letters were meant to address various errors and conflicts which had sprung up. Its members had left their “first love” of proclaiming the Gospel without distortion and of not living in harmony with each other.

One of the several characteristics which earned them praise, however, was their rejection of the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes.” there are two possibilities regarding this reference. The first is that it is referring to the followers of Nicolaus, a heretic (Strong’s Concordance). It may be the same Nicolas, a pagan convert from Antioch Syria, who became one of the initial deacons (Acts 6:5) but later reverted again to paganism.

A second other possibility is that there were church leaders who ran roughshod over their adherents since the term “Nicolaitan” translates as “victorious over the people” (Strong’s). There have been plenty of examples of religious leaders doing just that throughout history, a sorry trend that when practiced to its extreme even brings death.

Perhaps both characteristics were in play at the time Jesus related his words to John.. The Lord then concluded by saying anyone belonging to this church who overcame all the failings he indicated would be live on eternally in paradise.

The Church at Smyrna

Revelation {2:8-11} And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Jesus had much earlier told his disciples:

John {15:18-19} If the world hate you, ye know that [it hated] me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The Lord became the first object lesson of that hate at the hands of the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government. This persecution continued with vigor upon his followers. If there was one person who personified all those trying to crush them it had to be Saul of Tarsus, a Roman citizen and Pharisaic Jew whose self-chosen role was to track them all down and deliver them up in chains. Armed with the appropriate letters and the power from the religious authorities, he headed for Damascus to do just that – until his encounter with the post-ascendant Jesus changed his whole life. Saul became Paul, the writer of most of the epistles comprising the New Testament and the greatest evangelist of the gentile world of his time. Though Simon Peter played some part in that outreach (Acts, chapter 10), his mission was primarily to his Jewish kinsmen (Galatians 2:8).

Unlike the church at Ephesus, Jesus found no fault within it and the “overcoming” he spoke of was not against any error on its part, but against the outside forces opposing it. Those who did resist, even to the point of death, would be given the “crown of life” and not be subject to the “second death” described in Revelation 20:14-15 where the unsaved would be condemned to the lake of fire forever. Instead, they would be “blessed and holy,” (Revelation 20:6) and reign with Jesus during his Millennial Kingdom. In fact, except for John, all the apostles, including Paul, were martyred for the faith.

The Church at Pergamos

Revelation {2:12-17} And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges*; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan’s seat [is:] and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas **[was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam***, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. {He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the  churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone****, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it.]

* See Hebrews 4:12.

** Probably the Bishop of Pergamos who was killed by being thrown into a brass bull statue which had been heated to a lethal temperature.

*** Balaam – a fortuneteller hired by the Midianite Balac [Balak] to curse the Israelites but who refused, (Numbers, chapters 22-24). Balaam was later killed by them (Joshua 13:22). A negative comment about him shows up in 2 Peter 2:11-15 and the historian Josephus (Antiquities, Book 4, chapter 6) suggests that though he would not curse the Hebrews outright, he advised Balak to use the Midianite women to tempt the men and lead them into idolatry. This account supports Peter’s contention quite well.

**** The “white stone” analogy may have a double meaning. First, at the conclusion of a trial, those deciding on the accused’s fate would either cast a white stone for acquittal or a black stone for condemnation. Second, it was also the custom for one giving a party to send a personalized greeting – a white stone- to those invited with a message on it intended specifically for them. I believe this is telling us that those who did as Jesus directed would receive both acquittal for their sins and a new home tailored precisely for them in the world to come (John 14:2-3).

            Many Roman emperors made it their business to exterminate the new faith. If Nero (A.D. 54 – 68) wasn’t the worst, he was certainly on the short list for being so. In the year 64 the city was devastated by a fire and he promptly blamed to the Christians, having them put to death in his own garden. Peter and Paul met their ends during his reign – Paul was likely beheaded, since he was a Roman citizen and Peter crucified upside-down because he was not.

Despite the ongoing persecutions of many the Roman emperors, the Christian faith still grew for the next two centuries. In the year 312, there was a turn-around. Emperor Constantine the Great had a vision described by his son’s tutor Lactantius which directed him to put the sign of the cross on his soldiers’ shields and go into what is called the battle of Milvian Bridge at which he was successful. From that point on Christianity became an accepted religion and was now intertwined with Constantine’s government itself.

The church of Pergamos has been compared with this “state church.” The original church existed right in the midst of “Satan’s seat,” and the description describes the stresses it was under in that pagan city. It is easy to imagine the “state church” was subject to many of the same stresses producing idolatry and apparently including a “victory over the people” approach practiced by its leaders. A combination of church and state, i.e. a theocracy, has historically never worked out in the long run. Ancient Egypt had its pharaohs, Rome had its supposed “divine” emperors. The Roman Catholic Church had its share of supposedly “infallible” popes who were clearly corrupt, insane, or both and whose “Nicolaitan” approach taken to extremes resulted in the Inquisitions at its worst, or simply keeping its members in check with the threats of damnation for failing to adhere to church doctrine, even if it was scripturally unsound.

Protestant sects were and currently not immune to such abuses when they are tightly enmeshed with the civil government as witnessed by such tragic events the Salem Witch Trials, the unopposed disgrace of racism by nominally Christian churches in the United States right into the Twentieth Century, and the “Reich Church” of the Nazis in the last century. This list, sadly, like the number of demons in the possessed Gergasene demoniac, are legion (Mark 5:1-20).

Though I believe that a separation of church and state is a necessity for the reasons above, this is not to say the biblical standards of morality and justice should be excluded from civil authority. In America, I believe our government was at its best when this was the case. The founding fathers certainly believed that, too, and it is only in the last few decades that this principle has become increasingly abandoned.

In my view, the government also crossed the separation principle of the First amendment when in 1963 the Supreme Court presumed to tell Americans when and where they may or may not pray – in our schools, for example.

In the face of this, I present these two questions: Where was and is the opposition of Christian Church to this blatant intrusion on our freedoms and as a society are we better off now for it?

Concluding Thoughts

This is a good stopping point in our exploration of the seven churches of Revelation because despite their differences, these first three have one thing in common – all have slipped away into the pages of history.

The Ephesian Church came to an end when the last of the original apostles died (once again including Paul,) which was followed by the persecuted church of Smyrna. This is not, by any means, to say true Christians are no longer subject to persecution. For over 2000 years Jesus’ words of John 16:33 have been confirmed repeatedly.

It finds its harshest extremes in autocratic nations today which are officially atheistic or under fundamental Islamic rule and in more subtle forms where Bible-believing and affirming Christians find themselves excluded from the established denominations which have “gone rogue” and fallen into apostasy.

The difference, I believe, is a question of magnitude. In its time, the Smyrnan church was the target of what was essentially a world government as far as the Mediterranean region of the world is concerned. We are not likely to encounter anything like this again until the Antichrist appears and proclaims himself as “God.” in which the entire planet will be involved, though the trend away from a Christian world view is already well under way in Western civilization.

Nor does there presently exist any neo-Pergamos Church in which a fusion between civil government and a Christian church comparable to what existed in Constantine’s time. This, however, will likely be replicated in the Tribulation as well with a “one-world religion” operating in concert with a “one-world government” under the control of the aforementioned Antichrist.

Now this is not to say that modern churches may not still have shared characteristics with these historical ones, because they certainly might. However as entities in and of themselves, the three we have examined so far have ceased to exist.

But what of the final four? Have they all disappeared into the past as well?

That’s just one of the questions we’ll examine in the next article.

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New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem

By Ed Wood

March 4, 2017

Matthew {6:10} Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. *The speaker here is Jesus, responding to his disciples’ request on teaching them how to pray. 

Isaiah {64:4} For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 

1 Corinthians {2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Revelation {21:10} And he* carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. *An angel. The narrator is John the apostle, also author of the Gospel of John. 

I began this article right after taking my usual predawn walk. It’s February in New England. The day is warmer than normal, but was still in the mid-thirties, the air crisp and refreshing. I was surrounded by the sounds of birds greeting the arrival of the new day, each with his or her own song. A waning crescent moon hung to the south in a blue sky punctuated by high cirrus and lower alto-cumulus clouds, all of which promised a gorgeous sunrise. It did not disappoint when the still-hidden sun touched the clouds with an orange glow which changed to yellow and then white as it cleared the horizon.

My thought was, “How can it get better than this?”

The answer is, as we’ll see, it’s going to get a lot better! (But the road to that time will be rough, to be sure, as we’ve seen in my Olivet Series.)

The fact of the matter is that this small space and time of personal tranquility is becoming increasingly rare in a world that is, quite frankly, falling apart on every level you can imagine. You have only to watch the TV, listen to the radio, or read the newspaper to have that unceasing message driven home that the human race is one messed-up species.

Added to the mixture are the increase of stresses on Earth itself. Earthquakes, extremes of weather, and the global temperature rising as the planet’s atmospheric greenhouse gases increase. Yes, I realize many think the latter is a bogus claim, but for me the science is unmistakable. Carbon dioxide levels are now at 400 parts per million which are historically high.  Since this gas is transparent to visible light and opaque to infra-red (heat), the visible sunlight gets through to hit the ground and the re-radiated heat gets trapped in. Now a modest greenhouse effect is good. In fact, without it, Earth would be a frozen ice world like Hoth of Star Wars fame. But too much of a good thing is not necessarily better. Now we can reasonably debate over how much of this is due to human activity and how much is due to natural causes, but from all the evidence, global warming is a real deal.

That being said, we must be on particular guard for those who would use this issue as an excuse to consolidate political or economic power for themselves in the promotion of global authority verses national sovereignty. My biggest problem with the green movement is that there is virtually no mention nor serious effort on its part to push development of the one technology that would drastically curtail carbon emissions from fossil fuels which is nuclear fusion. This is seven times more efficient than our current fission technology and the fuel source is hydrogen, one of the two components of plain water. Hydrogen fusion is also safer, cannot cause a melt- down, and does not produce the tons of spent nuclear fuel which has to be stored away for millennia in a containment system which does not current even exist. What are they waiting for?

The Bible does tell us though a one-world government is ultimately coming under the Antichrist, there is no reason for us to not to resist the any impetus toward global government by any faction as best as we can for as long as we can. However, let’s concentrate on the purpose of this article which is to look ahead to a future so stunningly magnificent that we can only imagine it in a very partial manner. I’m sure John himself found himself quite limited in his description of the Ne Jerusalem and the new universe which will one day exist having only words available to describe it. Nevertheless, his account is still compelling and wondrous.

John’s first impression of the New Jerusalem was one of a “bride adorned for her husband, (Revelation 21:2) and follows it in Revelation 21:10 as filled with light, the source of which is God himself, shining throughout its crystalline structure. Throughout the Bible there are many references to God and Jesus and light. Interestingly, even in our present universe, light always travels 186,000 miles per second in a vacuum, no matter where you happen to be or how fast you’re moving. If we expand the definition of light to include all forms of it above and below that which is perceptible to the human eye, it is omnipresent, even existing as a faint background radiation from the very fabric of space itself. In Einstein’s famous equation of E = mc2, the conversion of matter to energy and vice-versa is based on the speed of light. Life needs heat so the molecular activity necessary for life can exist, plants need it for photosynthesis, and animals need the plants. It’s that simple.

Now this is not to say God is a beam of sunlight or the hiss of that ancient background radiation, but for some reason he chose to apply the term light to a description of himself for us to ponder, appreciate, and wonder upon. Like the light he created, he is omnipresent and very necessary for all life anywhere it might be in all its many forms. We have here a tantalizing mystery the fullness of which may have to wait for the new life to come. How very appropriate that John describes the New Jerusalem is a brilliant city of divine light!

Next we learn of some more of its physical characteristics:

Revelation {21:23} And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a  chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;  The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

From the description we see God’s City is “foursquare,” or cubical, each side measuring “twelve thousand furlongs.” A furlong is 660 feet so 12,000 of them equals 7,920,000 feet or 1500 miles exactly. Now stop and think about that a moment – the New Jerusalem is a cube 1500 miles per side! To put this into perspective, it would cover about half the United States. Each side is about 70% the size of the moon, or about the size of Pluto! So, we are talking about a city of planetary dimensions!

We see it has twelve foundations of precious and semi-precious stones inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles, twelve gates made of single pearl with twelve angels bearing the names of the tribes of Israel, three per side of the city, which are inserted into a 216 foot high jasper wall. The latter, when you think about it, is actually tiny compared to the overall size of the city, but the fact that it exists must have some significance. The streets within are made of transparent gold.

In our modern age, cities artificially lit with bright lighting is commonplace, but in John’s day light was limited to dim flickering lamps, torches, or the like.  Imagine how the apostle must have wondered at the steady brilliance of God’s heavenly city! Even to us I am sure it would be a stunning sight since the source of this light is not electrical in nature but, as we’ve already seen,  a radiance emanating from God himself!

Before we see what comes next, let’s consider the implications of a city of this immense size being able to land on Earth. From what we know about the physical laws of our present-day universe, it’s not possible.

The Roche Limit

I’m sure just about everyone has seen pictures of Saturn. If you’re fortunate enough to have or know someone with a telescope, odds are you gotten direct a look at it yourself. The first time I saw it in the days of my youth, I couldn’t believe it was real. There it was, a small yellow disk encircled with marvelous rings just floating up in the sky. Saturn is not alone with a ring system, but the ones it has are the most impressive of the lot, easily seen in even a small telescope. In subsequent years we’ve gotten a much closer look, most recently by the wildly successful Cassini mission and its wonderful images sent back to our small world across anywhere from three-quarters to over a billion miles away, depending on its orbital location relative to Earth. The next likely question one would ask is, why do they exist at all?

There is something called the Roche limit which states that a moon or other sizeable celestial body can’t remain intact should it drift to close to a planet (or anything else with a large gravity field like a star or black hole). The limit is around 1.22 times the primary’s diameter and for Saturn with a diameter or 75,000 miles it works out to be about 92,000 from its center or 54,000 miles from its surface. Get any closer than that and you would not want to be living in an outpost on that object because it would start coming apart under your feet. Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration because in most cases it’d take quite a while for the disintegration. (Probably wouldn’t be a good idea to invest in real estate there at any rate!) Scientists believe this is already happening to Mars’ inner moon Phobos which displays strange grooves across its surface and is very near the Roche limit of 5000 miles from the planet. Given sufficient time it will one day break up into rings, or ring arcs.

The reason for this is actually not hard to comprehend if we observe how things behave in orbit. For example, the International Space Station, which is only about 250 miles up, goes around the Earth in 90 minutes. Weather satellites which are in geosynchronous orbits that keep them over the same spot relative to the Earth’s surface are 22,300 miles up, completing one revolution in 23 hours and 56 minutes, same as one rotation. The moon takes roughly a month and is about 238,000 miles away. The rule is, the higher the orbit, the slower an object will go.

For small things like artificial satellites, spacecraft, small asteroids, and meteors, the Roche effect is too small to be a problem. For something really big, it’s a whole new story. Bring the moon within 6000 miles of the Earth’s surface and the parts of it which are on the side farther away will try to go into orbit at a slower rate than those parts on the nearer Earth. Ultimately would successfully go their separate ways because the tidal stresses would be stronger than the molecular forces which holds the moon together. The result would be a huge and respectably sized-ring around Earth.

If you think this is bad news for the moon, it is also bad news for the Earth because the increasing effects of the moon’s gravity as it approaches would play havoc. We’re not just talking about super-high sea tides, but land tides as well. Our planet would be subject to earthquakes beyond anything we have ever known since humans have walked upon it. It would not surprise me if the frictional forces generated liquefied Earth’s surface into molten lava. Depending on the moon’s trajectory, impact is a possibility and the results of that are easily imagined.

Since we already know the New Jerusalem is a huge object, it is probably safe to assume that even if present-day Earth’s gravity didn’t pull it apart and if it has a gravity field of some type of its own, the consequences to our planet would be similarly catastrophic. This problem doesn’t even consider the problem of trying to land a 1500 mile tall object on a planet only 8000 miles in diameter. The top of the city would reach 1500 miles up, far past our atmosphere, except for its lower levels, and beyond the orbits of the space station and low-Earth orbiting satellites.

In my opinion, John’s vision of the New Jerusalem coming to Earth require a whole new set of rules. This appears to be exactly what God has promised to do.

And he* that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. (*God) (Revelation 21:5a)

After the seven year Tribulation time, Earth is brought back to a near-Eden condition (Isaiah 35:1-10). The desert will bloom, people will experience miraculous healing (something that was prefigured prominently during Jesus’ first coming). In this passage we see an interesting account of there being some kind of “highway” called the “way of holiness” where only the “redeemed” and “ransomed of the Lord” will have access to Zion with “everlasting joy upon their heads.” Is this yet another prefigurement of what we see in below?

Revelation {21:24-27} And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither  whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Or is the ancient prophet actually giving us a look ahead to the new existence in the new realm? We know that there will be redeemed saints on Earth during the Millennium from Revelation 21 and they will reign as “kings and priests” with the Lord during that time (Revelation 1:4-6). No doubt they will also enter into the age of the new heaven and new Earth, thus making their joy truly everlasting.

One may rightly ask why will it be necessary for the complete transformation of Millennial Earth into Eternal Earth because the former certainly sounds grand enough. The answer is – sin. The beautiful and bountiful Earth of the 1000 year rule of Christ will still bear the taint of sin introduced by Adam and Eve’s initial rebellion which opened the door for the devil to walk in. The evidence of this is found in Zechariah 14:16-19 and most notably in Revelation 20:7-15. In order for creation to be totally rid of this curse, a repair job isn’t enough and a complete rebuild must occur. Sin and its author must be eliminated because primary effect of sin is death (Romans 6:23). I think that death actually extends far beyond that of the individual right across the entire universe.

Think about it – nothing we know of last forever in our present cosmos. Plants die. Animals die. We die. Even stars and galaxies eventually die. Hot things cool off, cold things warm up. Our present realm is losing the amount of its usable energy and there is nothing that can reverse the process. The scientists give this a fancy name calling it increasing entropy or growing disorder in the universe. Barring divine intervention, it will eventually turn into a cold, dark nothingness. No stars, no planets, no life. Even matter itself may cease to exist entirely.

Yet we know from the Bible that all that the originator of evil and all that has fallen under his sway will be dealt with forever and the final enemy to be defeated will be death itself when sin is purged once and for all from existence.

1 Corinthians {15:26} The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.

Only then can eternity come and only then will John’s marvelous account of what Jesus revealed to him with God coming to live with us forever in his glorious city come to pass, a place of indescribable beauty where the very river of life itself flows from the Lord himself. Best part of all? It’s where Jesus even now is building the mansions that believers will inhabit for all eternity and where we will see God face to face (Job 19:25-27;1 Corinthians 13:9-12).

Final Thoughts

In the new life in the new creation to come, the Bible tells us that the New Jerusalem will one day arrive on Earth, albeit a totally different Earth than the one that exists today. We know people will come to it from outside, which indicates that there must be a place from which they will come. That may sound fairly obvious, but it’s significant because it leads us to wonder what kind of “place” it might be. For that, we can only speculate.

Personally I envision something unlimited magnitudes above in magnitude and size of what we once had in Eden before our original parents opened the door to Satan and sin. Eden must have been absolutely stunning in its own right – no violent storms, no noxious plants or animals, and no death. It seems certain enough that all the best of Eden will be retained on New Earth and greatly improved upon. Whereas Eden had only two people to accommodate, New Earth will be host to billions of believers at least.

All of their time will be spent in God’s Presence and light, whether in the New Jerualem or out in the countryside. I imagine there will be a great deal of time spent just celebrating and rejoicing with God in New Jerusalem. When not there, perhaps the now-immortal saints will explore their new world, walk through its forests, climb its mountains, swim in its waters, and enjoy an everlasting fellowship with every other saint.

Perhaps we’ll get to meet the greats of the Bible like Moses, Abraham, David, Ruth, Esther, and the apostles as well as those whose faith was known only to God and themselves while they lived their mortal lives. But I’m sure the dream we all share is to see our loved ones and fellow believers, young, immortal, and radiant and to know that we will never be separated from them again.

After our sojourn on this world which has never been kind to those who have put their trust in God, often making us strangers in a strange and often unfriendly land, we will at last be welcome and know without doubt that were are home at last!

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Olivet Overview – Part 6

By Ed Wood

January 24, 2016

Jesus Returns – With Lots of Company

Psalm {149:5 -9} Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. [Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, [and] punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Daniel {7:18} But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Mark {13:26} And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Luke {21:27} And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

1 Thessalonians {4:14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

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 to execute judgment upon all . . .

Revelation {19:11-14} And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

If a believer wonders at all about what the future holds for him or her, I hope the passages above will clear up that mystery. Anytime the Bible tells us something, it is significant. Anytime it repeats itself as extensively as it does in this case, we can rest assured that it is of great importance. The bottom line, as I’m sure you’ve already seen, is that when Jesus returns in great power and glory, he will not be alone. Every believer who has ever lived since humans walked the Earth will be accompanying him in the skies above. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews spoke of a “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) and I suspect that he might have been given a glimpse of this very thing.

The Resurrection Body

            Let’s take a few moments now to explore first just what those who are believers  will be like when this wondrous day comes. Odds are that if you are reading this, it includes you. If not, then it would be worth your while to examine all the historical evidence of how Jesus lived his life, the things he did, and what he said for yourself. Bear in mind that the gospels of Matthew and John were written by actual eyewitnesses. Mark’s gospel was probably based on Simon Peter’s recollections, Luke’s gospel is a methodical presentation based on the accounts of the apostles and no doubt other eyewitnesses as well. The manner in which they are written does not suggest mythology or legend, but the presentation of factual, historical places and events. The balance of the New Testament follows the same rule being written by eyewitnesses or people that knew them.

So, what does Paul, one of the writers of the epistles say?

1 Corinthians {15:51-52} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Here we see that believers will be “changed,” both those who have died in the past and those caught up in what is commonly called the Rapture, which in itself has been and remains a topic upon which there exists exhaustive evidence and commentary. What we’ll focus on here is the nature of that change. Again, let us go to the best source of information we have:

Psalm {17:15} As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Palm {71:20} [Thou,] which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

Job {19:26-27} And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body,] yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; [though] my reins be consumed within me.

Daniel {12:2-3} And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

1 John {3:2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

            This is by no means an exhaustive list, but provides some tantalizing clues as to what the new life has in store for us.           

John suggests we will be like Jesus, though I am sure that does not include omniscience or omnipotence, qualities which only God will ever have. If we look at Jesus after the Resurrection, we find that Jesus had the ability to change his appearance in some manner at will (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-25; John 20:11-18). Whether this was an actual physical alteration or a lack of belief on the part of those involved which prevented them from recognizing him is subject to debate. What we do know is that at the conclusion of these encounters, he did have the ability to make himself recognized.

This fascinating “recognition” quality was seen previously in the various Transfiguration accounts (Matthew 17:1-5; Mark 9, 2-8; Luke :9:28-36) where Peter, James and John recognized Elijah and Moses even though they had never met them – and because of the prohibition against graven images given in the Commandments, never saw a picture or statue of them. It is therefore well within the realm of possibility that everyone who is part of the cloud of witnesses who returns with Jesus will recognize all the others as well, not just those they’ve known in this life.

Jesus also had the ability to appear at any place at any time (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36; John 2:19). Perhaps we will have this intriguing power as well. I’ve often wondered if it will be limited only to locations on Earth, or will it be in the truest sense of the word, universal. As someone who was always interested in astronomy, the possibility of being able to visit in person the far corners of the cosmos is particularly appealing. I have often wondered why in a universe is so vast, our scientists have yet to detect one solid bit of evidence that intelligent life exists out there despite the trillions of stars composing billions of galaxies. Paul said:

1 Corinthians {2:9} But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Is traveling through the Creation part of God’s plan for his people?

Of course, this is all pure speculation on my part and I probably am missing the mark by a wide margin. What I do know for certain is that the plans God has for us are better than we can dare to hope for or imagine.

            Finally, I think we’ll all get a lot more intelligent, something I personally wouldn’t mind one bit:

1 Corinthians {13:11-12} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Not only will we learn new things, but we’ll have the ability to do so which very likely transcends present-day abilities.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Matthew {6:10}

            We’ve taken a brief look at how our new lives might be in the age to come. Now, let’s take a look at Millennial Earth:

Isaiah  {65:20-25} There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them;] and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree [are] the days of my people, and

mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Isaiah {35:4-10} Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes.  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein. ] No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there: ]And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Not only are our the futures of resurrected believers  bright beyond all measuring, the lives of the mortal survivors of Armageddon will be rich beyond anything this planet has known since the Fall of Man. Earth will become a near-Eden paradise. It is even possible that most of them will live the entire 1000 years of the Millennial Age, watching their children grow and have their own families right up until the complete “re-creation” of all things (Revelation, chapters 21 & 22).

As we have seen in earlier articles, it seems that the apostles will be in charge of governing Israel, the Gentiles probably in charge of everything else, under Jesus’s direction, of course. For the first time since human walked the Earth, there will exist a government that actually works and is fair to every resident on Earth. It will not be a party to special interests or corrupted by those seeking power for their own personal enrichment.

At this point one might ask: “Why will this only last 1000 years?” That’s a good question and my personal opinion is that is beautiful and prosperous as Earth becomes, it still has the taint of sin from Adam and Eve’s ancient transgression of God’s command. We read in Revelation that Satan is merely confined for those 1000 years only to be released upon the Earth once more.

Revelation {20:1-3} And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

In the ten centuries between the return of Jesus and the end of the Millennium, no doubt there will come many generations of people who did not live through the horror of the Tribulation. As we have seen, growing up in on a paradise-planet is no guarantee for good behavior. There will still be those with criminal tendencies. The only difference between now and then is that they will be dealt with immediately and not have their trials delayed for years upon years before justice is served. And what goes for the individual will apply to entire nations (Revelation 19:15-16).

When Satan is released, those who still reject God and rise up with the devil will be dealt with finally and forever (Revelation 20:7-15), including the evil dead from across human history. They will all be condemned forever to the Lake of Fire after which God will make a new heaven and new Earth where sin never contaminated after which he and his city, the New Jerusalem will descend to be with humanity forever.

One might be tempted to call this the closing of history, but in reality it is only the beginning of a creation more glorious than we can ever imagine. The best part of all is that every person has choice to be part of it. If you believe in Jesus and what he did for us on the Cross, you already are a part of it. If you haven’t accepted him yet, indications are that time is running short, so this is too important to delay. He could return tomorrow. (He could return today!!)

Isaiah {55:6} Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

2 Corinthians {6:2} (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

With these words from Paul I conclude this articles and this Olivet Series. I hope it has been informative and encourages you to do your own research into not only this subject, but into all of the Bible because I am definitely not the final word!

God bless!

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Olivet Overview – Part 5

By Ed Wood

December 29, 2016

The Sign of Jesus

Matthew {24:29-30} Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.     

The next event on the Olivet calendar concerns Jesus’ Second Coming. Now this is not to be confused with his earlier coming to collect his believers seven years earlier to spare them from the “wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10), those who by faith were “accounted worthy” to escape the Tribulation (Luke 21:26). The Bible tells before his Second Advent, he’ll be preceded by his own sign.

Now what exactly that will be, no one really knows. The most popular view is that it’ll be the sign of the cross and since this is the most universal symbol of Christianity that makes a good deal of sense. Even non-Christians recognize that. It certainly might be something else but whatever it is, it’ll be visible in the sky by the whole world and understood to such a degree that “all the tribes of the earth mourn” when they see it. When we remember that at this time most of the world has followed the Antichrist and taken his mark that makes a lot of sense because the Bible reveals that they are irrevocably doomed. (Revelation 14:9-11)

What precipitates the sign of Jesus’ return is quite clear. Satan’s goal has always been to take God’s place. One way to accomplish the task is to make Israel cease to exist because by so doing, the promises God made to it in various places in the Hebrew section of Scripture (Genesis 12:1-3; 28:10-15; Isaiah 2:1-4; 4:2-6) can’t come to pass. That would mean that God made an error and is therefore not omniscient, not omnipotent, something the devil would certainly exploit to his advantage. From the pharaoh of Egypt in Moses’ time, through Haman in the book of Esther all the way up to Adolf Hitler and today’s militant Muslims, Satan has always found someone more than willing to try to make this happen. He has always failed but in a last-ditch effort, Satan will turn loose three demonic spirits to draw all the world’s military forces together at Armageddon:

Revelation {16:13-16} And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Zechariah {14:2} For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

In the past 68 years, there have been many more times when it looked as if Israel’s enemies would wipe out this nation. Indeed, at its restoration in 1948, it looked like it would not last for a day. Greatly outnumbered by its Arab foes, the odds were completely against it. And yet it has not only survived but prospered during the nearly seven decades of its existence. It is probably safe to say that when the Battle of Armageddon does occur, it will be the first, only, and last time Israel is losing a war in the modern age. As Zechariah relates, the incursion into Israel is so deep that half of Jerusalem itself falls to enemy forces.

I have often wondered about this in considering that there are presently Arab, Jewish, Christian, and Armenian sections in this city. Will this remain the case right up to the end? If so it seems likely the Arabs would actually assist the aggressors. Since we see that the conditions are already here for this to happen, the time for the last years of history as we know it may be very close indeed. And since the Rapture is likely to occur no less than seven years sooner than the events which lead to Jesus’ Second Coming, its time is that much closer!

One may wonder at this point where the bulk of the Jews will be when the invasion occurs. There Bible evidence suggests they are safely being supernaturally protected in the ancient city of Petra:

Isaiah {16:1-5} Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela* to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. For it shall be, [that,] as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. *Petra.

Revelation {12:1-6} And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: * And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon**, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child***, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness,**** where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days. *Israel (see Genesis 37:5-11). ** Satan (see Revelation 20:2). *** The Messiah – Jesus. **** Probably refers to the place where Petra, now a ruin in the wilderness, exists. Note the length of time of this protection amazingly turns out to be 3.5 years – the last half of the total seven year Tribulation time, just as Daniel (Daniel 9:27) predicted, a week representing seven years and the Antichrist breaking his seven-year deal with Israel half way into it!

Life on Earth will be truly hellish, especially at the end of the last seven years of the Tribulation as the planet will be battered by natural – and supernatural – forces. Disease will be rampant along with lawlessness on a level beyond comprehension even compared to the worst places on Earth today. A large percentage of human life will be lost and that which remains will be comprised of people who are either willing allies of the world’s last demonic monarch or in hiding from them, unable to access the global economy because they have refused to take his mark (Revelation 13:1-18). The relative few who had accepted Jesus during this time will be rounded up and executed wherever possible, betrayed by their own families and friends. (Micah 7:5-6; Matthew 10:34-36)

But suddenly in the midst of this when the misery is the greatest, suddenly there will appear the sign of the Son of Man in the heavens and just about everyone who sees it will mourn, except those surviving new Christians who will no doubt rejoice and know for a fact that their redemption is near at last.

Jesus Returns: The Beginning

The Bible does not provide many details about what happens when the sign comes but in my mind’s eye I picture just about everything in the world coming to a halt. I imagine it to be surpassing more awesome than that which those shepherds of long ago beheld as the angels announced the birth of the Savior at his First Coming over 2000 years ago. This will mark the return of Jesus to Earth for the second time, not as a helpless infant or suffering servant, but as the omnipotent King of Kings and Lord of Lords! And if this were not enough, he won’t be returning alone:

Psalm 149

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his

praise in the congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of

Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises

unto him with the timbrel and harp.

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify

the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon

their beds.

[Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a

twoedged sword in their hand;

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, [and] punishments upon

the people;

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters

of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all

his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Daniel {7:13-18} I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed. I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of [my] body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, [are] four kings, [which] shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even for ever and ever.

Luke {22:28-30} Ye* are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. *Note that Jesus is addressing his apostles here, telling them of their specific destiny to be in charge of judging the tribes of Israel. Judas Iscariot forfeited this honor when he betrayed Christ, his place being filled by Matthias (Acts 1:15-26).

Other Jewish and Gentile believers apparently will have many other responsibilities as Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 below.

1 Corinthians {6:2-3} Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

1 Thessalonians {3:13} To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Revelation {19:11-16} And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Lord will be accompanied by every believer whoever lived, from the saints of the Old Testament, Christians from the time between Jesus’ life on Earth and the Rapture, and finally the Tribulation saints who were killed by the forces of the Antichrist. When they appear, the first thing Jesus will do it is to put a stop to the war, save the Jews from total destruction, and deal with the Antichrist and his false prophet once and for all:

Revelation {19:19-21} And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

There is another fate reserved for Satan himself:

Revelation {20:1-3} And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Why the devil is not immediately tossed into the burning lake is not known, however, we’ll look at a possible reason in our next article in this series when we examine the kind of world that will exist when the King of Kings assumes his rightful place at long last on Earth.

Next time we’ll look at what this wondrous new age might be like and the roles each of those who believe will get to play in it.

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Olivet Overview – Part 4

By Ed Wood

November 5, 2016

The next event on our Olivet list concerns signs which will appear in the skies above. There are a whole host of possibilities in this category ranging from local phenomena, local meaning confined to Earth’s atmosphere, or exotic, which would cover everything else beyond. Quite literally, the sky is the limit, as we will now see.

Signs in the heavens (Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; 21:11, 25-26)

Though one can speculate almost endlessly about what these signs might include, the Bible does have some specific ones which we can explore, in no particular order from the book of Revelation next.

Revelation {6:12-14} And I beheld when he* had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. *The Lamb – Jesus

Though earthquakes generally don’t generally affect the appearance of the sky by themselves, there can be a tie-in between them and volcanic activity. As we have all seen, volcanoes can eject huge plumes of material into the atmosphere, blackening the sky totally in their worst extremes, to lesser effects such as reddening the light of the sun, moon, and stars. The sixth seal apparently produces both during the judgment released by its opening. There is, at least for a time, a complete obscuring of the sun. It is safe to assume that whatever the cause, it is probably severe enough to affect the entire planet since we are told “every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” Beyond the untold immediate havoc such an event would cause, its long-term effects such as the negative impact on crops due to lack of sunlight, acid rain produced by the introduction of sulfurous gases into the atmosphere, and damage to the Earth’s ozone layer are also distinct possibilities.

This catastrophic event is attended by falling stars, perhaps the fiery re-entry of rocks and material initially blasted upward by earthquake-activated volcanoes and the rolling up of heaven, which might represent the mushroom clouds of volcanic plumes rising high into the sky. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus also mentions the specific signs of the sun and moon being darkened and the falling stars, as well as increased quake activity. Yet these profound and distressing changes in the skies are not limited to only seismic or volcanic events as we see next:

Revelation {8:7-9} The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded, and as it were, a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

It has only been within the past two centuries or so that the idea of rocks falling from the sky (unless an active volcano was nearby) were seriously entertained. The heavens were pretty much considered perfect. Where could rocks possibly originate out there anyway? The age of modern science has, of course, shown us that there are plenty of places for them to come, the asteroid belt and wandering comets being the two leading contributors. The various meteor showers which appear regularly during the year are from the latter, the random small and big meteors come from the asteroid belt which exists between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The sizes of those from the belt can range from specks to those the size of dwarf planets. Luckily for Earth, the planet-sized ones are in stable orbits. Not so for the rest because our planet bears the scars of city-sized ones that have stuck over geologic time and caused some very severe damage and pronounced effects on our climate and the life that existed at the time. Further evidence of huge past collisions are plainly visible on the moon’s surface which does not have the benefit of an atmosphere to burn up small meteors or to produce the weathering Earth possesses to erase the craters of meteoric impacts. (I do believe in an old universe and an old Earth because the Bible itself allows for a day to be other than twenty four hours long – see Joshua 10:12-14; 2 Kings 20:8-11; Psalm 90:4; and 2 Peter 3:8. Furthermore, the national atomic clock which is precise in its timekeeping ability is routinely readjusted to account for variations in Earth rotation.) Here in the phenomenon of rocks falling from heaven we have but one example of information being revealed in the Bible well ahead of its time of general acceptance.

Now we know large meteors the size of mountains are common in our solar system even though they rarely strike our planet over the course of time civilization has existed. If it were to happen now all the conditions described in the Revelation passage above would be the result. We can be also assured that a third of everything living on Earth is going to be badly affected – not to mention the ruin of a third of the world’s shipping capacity. Beyond the immediate effects of a calamity of this magnitude, try to imagine the long-term consequences on our environment and world economy.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, it might actually be the trigger for what happens next on our battered planet and its desperate survivors:

Revelation {8:10-12} And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood*: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

According to an impeccable source (Terry James!), the term “wormwood” when rendered in the Ukrainian language becomes “chornobyl.” And yes, the Ukraine is the site of the disastrous nuclear reactor meltdown in 1986. The immediate area is still uninhabitable having been contaminated with nuclear fallout.

I bring this up because of what I believe is a direct connection between the Revelation account and the nature of the radioactive accident at Chernobyl. To do this, let’s take a look at little bit of nuclear science. In the realm of nuclear reactions we have two basic types – fission and fusion. Fission involves the breakdown of heavy elements into lighter ones; fusion the combining of lighter elements into heavy ones. The common element to both is that in each process an extremely tiny amount of mass is lost. But the term “lost” isn’t entirely true either, but rather “converted” into energy according to Albert Einstein’s famous formula:  E = mc² where m = mass, c = the velocity of light, and E = energy. In each of the above cases, you take how much mass you lost in the nuclear transformation, multiply it be the velocity of light times itself (an enormous number, by the way) and that’ll give you how much energy you will get. Without getting too technical, suffice it to say that a little bit of mass makes a whole lot of energy. This is why the generation of electricity by use of fission reactors has proven so appealing, despite the inherent drawbacks of the fission process, namely the possibility of serious accidents with decades-long consequences and the problem of dealing with spent fuel rods which still remain lethally radioactive for millennia.

Unfortunately this same principle is also the basis of atomic (fission) and thermonuclear (fusion) bombs and this brings us to the connection I mentioned in the last paragraph. We note above: “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp.” Every star you see in the night sky, and the great bright one you see during the day, is also powered by nuclear fusion. The reaction starts out with plain hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, and finally ends up with helium, the second most abundant element. The same process powers a thermonuclear bomb, which, by the way, uses a fission device as a detonator in order to create the high temperatures needed to initiate the fusion reaction. So, when John reveals this “star” falling and burning from heaven, I think the choice of words was a deliberate attempt by the Lord to reveal exactly what was coming and only now in the nuclear age would a generation come that could properly understand it. I don’t know about you, but I got chills when I first made this observation. The rest of the passage describes a situation that looks very much like the aftereffects of a nuclear strike: contaminated water with “many men” dying as a result, and smoke and particulates emitted into the atmosphere with their attendant dulling effect on the light from celestial bodies.

In fact, decades ago scientists by observing the effects of a planet-wide dust storms on Mars from the Viking program noticed a precipitous drop in surface temperature and postulated that a nuclear exchange could by the smoke coming from fires and material lofted into the air could produce the same kind of chilling effect on Earth. With that, the term “nuclear winter” came into our lives. Personally, I do not see this in our future because if a large scale nuclear exchange were to take place, civilization, and probably most life as we know it, would rapidly come to an end. Though Revelation reveals that Earth will be severely damaged and a large percent of the population killed off, there will still be enough people left to provide the 200 million troops which will gather in the valley of Esdraelon, the site of the Armageddon conflict in Satan’s last effort to impose his own version of the “final solution” upon the Jews. To transport such a huge number of troops will no doubt require a high level of sophisticated technology to still exist as well. After all, if the world was blasted back into the Stone Age, how could that be accomplished?

We must also not rule out direct supernatural intervention when it comes to things falling from the sky:

Revelation {8:3-5} And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Final Thoughts

At this point, it is important to realize that all the bad things that have always been a part of life on Earth are merely the shadows cast upon it by something going on that Paul was keenly aware of in his own time:

Ephesians {6:12} 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 one considers the rapid advance of evil now under way on Planet Earth, the barrier between us and the spiritual realm will very likely be greatly attenuated and the war between God and Satan will be there for all to see, even if most of the remaining population still remains clueless as to what is going on, its collective mind clouded by the Antichrist (the “Even him” reference below):

2 Thessalonians {2:9-12} Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Next time, we’ll explore the very end of the seven year Tribulation and give some thoughts as to what happens during the thousand year Millennial Age and the Eternal Age which will follow it.

 

Olivet Overview – Part 3

By Ed Wood

September 28, 2016

We’ll pick up this third article in our Olivet series with the next item on our list of events yet to come.

Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20; Luke 21:25-26)

This will be a time worse than anything else in history as Jesus said:

Matthew {24:21-22} For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Remember that we are now in the post-Rapture world where, quite literally, all hell has begun to break loose. The reason for this can be found in the following passage from Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians, written to dispel a false notion that the “day of the Lord” had already come:

2 Thess {2:1-9} Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come,] except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let,] until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [Even him,] whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders . . .       

Now there is a lot of information here so it is well worth our time to explore this passage in greater detail. Let’s begin with the phrase “except there come a falling away first.” I’ve heard two interpretations of it, each with its own merit. The first says this refers to the Rapture, when all believers are rescued from Planet Earth to meet Jesus in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The second says it refers to a falling away from the faith. In other words, apostasy, something which is occurring in a widespread manner among the church in Europe and North America in particular, something we already discussed under “False Prophets” and “Christians Persecuted” in the initial article of this series. The original Greek term rendered as “falling away” in the above is “apostasia,” from which “apostasy” clearly comes. Therefore, in my opinion, this second interpretation has the most merit. If you think it’s bad now, during the Tribulation it will get a lot worse – along with everything else.

The reason for this is that “he (the Holy Spirit) who not letteth (wherein ‘letteth’ is translated from the Greek word ‘katecho’ which itself means ‘restrains’ in modern English)” will be gone, since those believers in whom he had taken up residence have been removed from the Earth during the Rapture. It is only then that the “man of sin” and “son of perdition (damnation)” otherwise known to us as the Antichrist is revealed and given power to ultimately bring the human race to the very brink of extinction. We also learn that this man will be imbued with satanic powers making him virtually irresistible to most of the planet’s population. Judging by just how much traction lies get over the truth these days, it isn’t difficult to believe the triumph of falsehood and evil for the last seven years of history, is it?

Many of those who study prophecy have applied the terms “Great Tribulation” to the last 3 1/2 years of the entire seven year Tribulation period and there is every reason to believe the this last half of it will truly be the worst. It will be the time after the Antichrist has suffered a fatal head wound, returned to life (Revelation 13:2-4), and invaded the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and claimed to be “God.”

Paradoxically, when this demonic figure first appears on the scene, I envision him gaining wide appeal in a very short time as the “Answer Man” appearing just as Earth thrown into turmoil by the sudden unexpected disappearance of believers (1 Corinthians 15:51-54) coupled with an intensification of all the present economic, political, social, and natural upheavals we are already experiencing today. In fact, the beginning of the Trib period might look just great.

For example, a long sought-after Middle East Peace Accord will likely come into effect with a seven year treaty that the Antichrist will confirm (Daniel 9:27), possibly averting, though only temporarily, the outbreak of a regional nuclear war that would have the prospect of growing into a worldwide cataclysm. Since we already see in our time that whatever happens in the Middle East has widespread implications, I also envision with the tensions relieved there a short-lived global economic boom. For the human race, it will undoubtedly look like Utopia is just around the corner – making it ripe for the Antichrist to exploit for his own sinister plans.

It probably won’t be very long before the euphoria begins to wear thin as Earth continues to be plagued by natural disasters and civic unrest begin to sprout up again as a result of their effects on food production and transportation. The general reaction of governments to such matters is generally one of tightening restrictions on individual liberty. If you think the population of United States would be immune from such a scenario, here is a small sample of what could happen here right from the Office of the Press Secretary of the White House as to who would control our resources in the event of an emergency:

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

March 16, 2012

Executive Order — National Defense Resources Preparedness

EXECUTIVE ORDER

NATIONAL DEFENSE RESOURCES PREPAREDNESS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows . . .

Sec. 201.  Priorities and Allocations Authorities.  (a)  The authority of the President conferred by section 101 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071, to require acceptance and priority performance of contracts or orders (other than contracts of employment) to promote the national defense over performance of any other contracts or orders, and to allocate materials, services, and facilities as deemed necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense, is delegated to the following agency heads:

(1)  the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to food resources, food resource facilities, livestock resources, veterinary resources, plant health resources, and the domestic distribution of farm equipment and commercial fertilizer;

(2)  the Secretary of Energy with respect to all forms of energy;

(3)  the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to health resources;

(4)  the Secretary of Transportation with respect to all forms of civil transportation;

(5)  the Secretary of Defense with respect to water resources; and

(6)  the Secretary of Commerce with respect to all other materials, services, and facilities, including construction materials.

(b)  The Secretary of each agency delegated authority under subsection (a) of this section (resource departments) shall plan for and issue regulations to prioritize and allocate resources and establish standards and procedures by which the authority shall be used to promote the national defense, under both emergency and non-emergency conditions.  Each Secretary shall authorize the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, to place priority ratings on contracts and orders for materials, services, and facilities needed in support of programs approved under section 202 of this order.

By virtue of this being an Executive Order which bypasses Congress, we have a declaration that puts every vital resource of this country put under the absolute control of individuals who were never elected by the voters of the United States. I am also left wondering just who it is that determines what an “emergency” is. Now if such a thing can happen in America, the land of the free and the brave, it can happen anywhere! People will characteristically give up a lot of their freedom for “peace and safety.” An examination of Hitler’s rise to power and the kind of Germany he created in his image proves this point in dreadful detail. The Antichrist will institute a government based on the total control of everything on a planetary basis. One major way to accomplish this is by controlling the economy. Let’s take a look at the specific way it’ll be done.

Revelation {13:15-18} And he* had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six. *The false prophet.

This is a subject which we covered in some length in “Prophetic Tech – Part 3″ but is worth a review. There is probably nothing else that affects an individual more than that which affects his or her personal finances. After all, what you eat, where you live, and what you wear, are the essential basics that are common to every single human being on Earth regardless of who and where they are. Control the purse strings, and you control the person. As we have seen before, those who don’t play ball with the Antichrist don’t get access to his economy. There may develop a black market of some type to circumvent the restrictions – a possibility that would explain how some post-Rapture believers will manage to survive to the very end of the Tribulation, but I have a hunch that there will be very few of them since those who refuse the mark will be systematically hunted down.  One must remember that the Antichrist government will not only have advanced technology but the dark power of Satan himself on its side to do just that. In fact, the Bible tells us quite plainly that he will for a time, “prevail against the saints” until Jesus himself returns to establish the Millennial Kingdom upon a decimated and greatly depopulated planet:

Daniel {7:20-22} And of the ten horns that [were] in his head, and [of] the other which came up*, and before whom three fell; even [of] that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look [was] more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. {7:22} Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. *The Antichrist – the “horn” or leader which eventually takes over the whole world from the other “horns” who ruled previously in some manner of global government. (See Daniel 7:24-25.)

Make no mistake: this will be the worst time in the history of humankind upon the Earth so terrible that if it had not been shortened by direct Divine Intervention not even the relatively few remaining righteous souls would survive, just as Jesus said:

Matthew {24:21-22} For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

If allowed to continue unabated, the Bible makes it clear that no one, not even the “elect” (probably referring mainly to the Jewish race and including post-Trib people who had come to believe in Jesus) would survive. The extinction of the human race would be total.

The implications of this are terrifying – it would mean that Satan wins in a scorched Earth policy from which none would be exempt. Why do I say this? Because if this came to pass, all the promises the Bible records that God made to the Hebrews in the Old Testament and true Christians in the New could never come to pass. Since it is our conviction that the Bible is 100% accurate, this would make it in error. Logically it would follow that God himself is likewise capable of error and therefore fallible.

It has always been the devil’s goal to thwart God’s plan from the very beginning (Genesis, chapter 3) all along. He has tried to destroy the Hebrews throughout history, he tried to do the same to Jesus himself and to his followers after the Ascension. The demonic persecution continues unabated even to this day and, as prophecy reveals, will intensify as we approach the close of this age.

Next time we’ll begin with looking toward the skies and examine what we might expect is coming from above.

***************************************

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE – WHAT JESUS TOLD US TO EXPECT – UPDATED

Status	EVENT		BIBLE REFERENCE
		Matthew	Mark	Luke
D	TEMPLE DESTROYED	24:1-2	13:1-2	21:5-6
I	FALSE PROPHETS	24:4-5,11,23-28	13:5-6; 21-23	21:8
I	WARS	24:6-7	13:7-8a	21:9-10
I	FAMINE	24:7	13:8b	21:11
I	EARTHQUAKES &NATURAL DISASTERS	24:7	13:8b	21:11,25b
I	PEOPLE GET WORSE	24:12
I	CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED	24:9-10	13:9-13	21:12-15
I	GOSPEL PREACHED WORLDWIDE	24:14	13:10
I	FAMILIES IN STRIFE		13:12	21:16
DURING THE TRIBULATION
F	ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION *	24:15-22	13:14-16	(See ** below)
F	JERUSALEM SURROUNDED **	24:15-20	13:14-18	21:20-24
F	GREAT TRIBULATION	24:21-22	13: 19-20	21:25-26
F	SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS	24:29	13: 24-25	21:11, 25-26
F	SIGN OF JESUS	24: 30
THE MILLENNIUM BEGINS
F	JESUS RETURNS		13: 26	21:27
F	ELECT GATHERED	24: 31	13: 27

NOTES:

D = DONE

I = IN PROGRESS (But we can expect all of these to intensify as time goes by.)

F = FUTURE EVENT

* Jesus told us here that the antichrist will desecrate the temple as did Antiochus IV Epiphanes as related in Daniel 8:9-14. In Daniel 9:27, the prophet describes a second similar desecration of the temple in the midst of the antichrist’s one “week” (seven years) reign.

** Luke’s version omits the mention of the Abomination. Perhaps it relates the siege of Titus in 70 A.D., while Matthew and Mark’s versions refer to that second event that Jesus mentioned which will occur during the Tribulation.

Olivet Overview – Part 2

By Ed Wood

August 23, 2016

Last time we looked at the events Jesus foretold in his last public address to his followers just before his crucifixion. As we have seen, the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple he revealed took place exactly as he described it some forty years later (70 A.D.) By the Roman army led by Titus, the Emperor Vespasian’s son. We have already seen here an example of prophecy fulfilled. Twenty centuries have passed since Jesus spoke of the time yet to come before he would return in a manner so awe-inspiring and unmistakable that at long last the world would be unable to deny that he is exactly whom he said he was so long ago – Son of God and Messiah.

In the first article in this series we took a look our present time and it seems that only willful stubbornness would prevent a person from acknowledging that much more of what the Lord disclosed as already well under way and likely to intensify during the last seven years of history as we know it – a time often referred to the Tribulation, and that with good reason:

Matthew {24:22} [Jesus said] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. [Here, as in the following Bible references, bracketed sections have been added.]

Since Jesus was not only the Son of God in the flesh twenty centuries ago, but indeed God himself who exists beyond all time and space as we perceive it, we should not be surprised as to accuracy. The truth is that despite what all too many of the inspirational self-help crowd and even some preachers are peddling, the days ahead are going to get a LOT WORSE! But believers in Jesus Christ can take hope in that before the worst of it comes, they’ll be long gone:

1 Corinthians {15:51-53} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

1 Thessalonians {1:9-10} For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

These are but two passages supporting the Pretribulation Rapture in which true followers of Christ will be supernaturally removed from the Earth so as not to be subject to the “wrath” that is to come. There are precedents, notably Enoch (Genesis 5:24); Noah and his family (Genesis 6:9 – 9:17), and Lot and his family (Genesis 18:16 – 19:28). It is not my intention at this time to go into an extensive defense of this subject since so many have already done so over the years. For example, an excellent and comprehensive treatment is to be found in Terry James’ new book Rapture Ready…Or Not? which I strongly recommend to everyone as they expectantly await Jesus’ return.

Nevertheless, it is important that those of us who believe in the certain truth of God’s Word to be informed of what will soon come to pass not only to increase our Bible knowledge, but to relate it to whoever else we many encounter who thirsts for accurate answers in a world which is so lacking in them today. But be cautioned – there will definitely be resistance from those who only what they want to hear. And even this is a sign of these times:

2 Peter {3:3-7} Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

             Sadly, you may find the greatest opposition from the clergy of the major denominations of organized religion since many of such institutions have already fallen deeply into apostasy, embracing the “doctrines of devils,” just as the apostle Paul said they would in the last days:

1 Timothy {4:1-2} Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

2 Timothy {4:2-4} Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But now, let us continue our Olivet exploration and see where it takes us.

Just Around the Corner

1) The Abomination of Desolation {Matt. 24:15-22; Mark 13:14-16}

In his discourse, Jesus mentioned an “Abomination of Desolation” being set up in the “holy place as mentioned by Daniel. Here are Daniel’s own words:

Daniel {11:31} And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice,] and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

            Antiochus IV Epiphanes fits the bill above by putting a statue of Zeus with his face on it and by sacrificing pigs in that “holy place” within the temple’s inner section, circa 170 B.C. This makes sense in that though it was a future event to Daniel, it was already an accomplished event by the time Jesus walked the earth. (See the apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees and Josephus’ history, Antiquities Book 12, chapters 5-11 for more details about all of this.)

Interestingly, Daniel also mentioned the following which does describe a second desecration:

Daniel {9:26-27} And after threescore and two weeks [Seven weeks (49 years) – Time it took from Artaxerxes order to rebuild Jerusalem until it was finished. (Neh. 2) and sixty-two weeks (434 years) – time from completion of Jerusalem to Jesus’ crucifixion] shall Messiah [Jesus] be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince [the Roman army, under the command of Titus in 70 A.D.] that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood [See Jeremiah 46:8 where the term “flood” is actually referring to an army, as it is here], and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

            How we know this is not referring to Antiochus is that the desecration described here occurs after the Messiah (Jesus) was cut off, not before. Remember, the first violation of the temple’s holy place was over 170 years earlier. Revelation further confirms what Jesus said:

Revelation {13-11, 13-15 } And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy [Antichrist]. . . And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Again, it looks like another defiling statue imbued with some manner of “pseudo-life” (either by technology, supernatural means or both) will be erected in the “holy place.” This was something well beyond Antiochus’ abilities, but certainly not those of Satan’s ultimate henchman of the future. What this also tells us is in order for this prophecy to come to pass, the holy place has to exist once again, either in a partially or completely restored temple. This has not happened yet however most prophecy scholars think it will rise again atop the Temple Mount once again despite the fact the Muslim Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque are presently there. An organization named the Temple Institute has already prepared the implements that will be used in this restored temple and descendants of the Levitical priesthood are being trained to resume the Mosaic sacrifice system – see http://www.templeinstitute.org for more information. Personally, I agree that a third temple is guaranteed because with God, nothing is impossible.

2) Jerusalem surrounded. (Matt. 24:15-20; Mark 13:14-18, Luke 21:20-40)

Jerusalem threatened by enemies is by no means a unique event. Notable examples are its sack by the forces of Shishak, pharaoh of Egypt (1 Kings 14:25-26), threatened invasion but divinely thwarted invasion by Sennacherib, king of Assyria (2 Kings 18:13-19:36); its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-25:30) and, once again, a similar carnage by the Romans that we have already mentioned.

An important difference between Luke’s account and those of Matthew and Mark should be mentioned. Luke does not mention the “abomination of desolation” while both Mark and Matthew do. Why? Could it be that Luke somehow missed it in his research, something which seem doubtful considering the obvious care he took in compiling what would one day become the gospel that bears his name and the subsequent Book of Acts. Or was Luke describing the Roman invasion which resulted not in a profaning or occupation of the temple, but its complete destruction whereas Mark and Luke are revealing an event yet to come even in our time initiated by the Antichrist? I do not pretend to have a definitive answer to this question and offer this possible explanation as a possibility only.

What we do know is that at the very end of the Tribulation, Jerusalem gets surrounded and invaded yet again, the details of which come from a source about 2500 years ago from the Old Testament (Zechariah 14:1-21) and how the whole matter concludes – and who it is that intervenes! The last three chapters of Revelation provide an even more detailed account of this very same events.

In summary, at the end of the most terrible time in human history, Israel’s last defenders make a stand against the 200 million man (and no doubt woman) army as it begins its assault on the city the Jews have vowed never to surrender again, no matter what the cost! In their very last extremity, these besieged defenders call out to God for help – and get an answer that causes them to weep as they recognize at long last the Messiah that their ancestors rejected 2000 years ago to save them, and him accompanied by every saint that has ever lived. And from that fateful Last Day, life on Earth changes forever!

Next time, we’ll go back just a little bit time to look at some of the things which precede this culmination of history, following as we have the sequence of the Olivet Discourse. In the meantime – Keep looking up!

 

Olivet Overview – Part 1

By Ed Wood

August 2, 2016

Many years ago I had the privilege of conducting a monthly Bible Prophecy study with a group of about half a dozen people. I had even then been long interested in this subject, but in order to do a credible job I really had to do some further studying. As I did I came to the conclusion that even though what has become the Olivet Discourse, detailed in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 came much later than the prophetic texts of the Old Testament, it forms a unifying foundation for all of them plus the Book of Revelation which was written some sixty years later.

In this increasingly turbulent time when it seems that the entire world is rapidly heading toward a very grim future, it seems that the opportunity to examine what Jesus himself revealed about the days immediately prior to his return would be prudent. I would first suggest to the reader that he or she read the gospel passages listed above in order to get the most out of this series of articles. Let’s begin!

An Already Completed Prophecy

1) THE TEMPLE IS DESTROYED [Matt. 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6]

In 70 A.D. the temple was totally destroyed by the Roman soldiers led by Titus, the emperor Vespasian’s son. Jesus had said that the destruction would be total; “There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

This occurred in 70 A.D. in exactly the way Jesus described almost 40 years earlier by the Roman soldiers under command of Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian. The devastation was indeed total, and it is quite likely that the stones themselves were pulled apart from each other to get the gold from the temple treasury that had melted in the heat of the fire which was set to destroy the entire complex.

The noted historian Josephus’ account from War of the Jews, Book 6, chapter 5, verse 2 lends credence to this supposition:

And now the Romans, judging that it was in vain to spare what was round about the holy house, burnt all those places, as also the remains of the cloisters and the gates, two excepted; the one on the east side, and the other on the south; both which, however, they burnt afterward. They also burnt down the treasury chambers, in which was an immense quantity of money, and an immense number of garments, and other precious goods there reposited; and, to speak all in a few words, there it was that the entire riches of the Jews were heaped up together, while the rich people had there built themselves chambers [to contain such furniture].

Prophecies in Progress

2) FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE DOCTRINE [Matt. 24:4-5,11,23-28; Mark 13:6,21-23; Luke

21:8]: This is not confined to the false religions or cults today, though there are multitudes of these, but most disturbing has been the corruption of doctrine now under way in many of the large denominations of the nominally Christian church in Europe and North America. Heresy was always a problem in even Paul’s time, as many of his epistles demonstrate, but today it is pandemic. The sad fact is that perhaps most of the Western Church has abandoned the authority of the Bible and its fundamental precepts such as Jesus being the only means of salvation, heterosexual relations between married people as the only ones acceptable to God, and even the masculine gender of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3) WARS [Matt. 24:6-7; Mark 13:7-8a; Luke 21:9-10]: The Twentieth Century produced more casualties due to war than any time previously and the Twenty-First Century now sees a rapid and increasing instability in the Middle East. The increase in Islamic terrorism with such new and militant entities such as ISIS is now reaching across the planet even to the United States and Europe.

4) FAMINE [Matt. 24:7b; Mark 13:8b; Luke 21:11] According to the latest figures, the world’s reserve food supplies are dwindling and the prices are increasing, due in no small past to weather factors. The effect is that more people are going hungry and this in itself has led to civil unrest.

5) NATURAL DISASTERS [Matt. 24:7b; Mark 13:8b; Luke 21:11,25b]: The horrendous series of earthquakes in Japan half a decade ago and overall increase in seismic activity from 2002 onward clearly demonstrate that geologically speaking, something unprecedented has begun and though the counts have decreased in the past few years, the trend shows no signs of returning to the relatively quiescent levels of the past. Additionally, we are seeing extremes in weather all across the planet almost on a daily basis more profound than any humanity has experienced in historical times.

6) PEOPLE BECOMING MORE HOSTILE [Matt. 24:12]: For everyone who watches TV or reads the newspapers, the increase in violence and horrific crime is unmistakable. Most recently we’ve seen more violence in our schools and universities, tragic shootings of civilians and police officers, and the increase of Islamic terrorism with ISIS becoming a major factor in this.

7) CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED [Matt. 24:9-10; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-17]: In officially atheistic countries and those in which Islam predominates, more and more Christians are being targeted with violence and even death. For example in countries such as Iran, the population of Christians is in serious decline. We may not realize it here in America, but there really are places in the world where standing up for Jesus can still be a cause for martyrdom.

Yet even in regions which are still considered predominantly Christian, those who hold to the authority of the Bible and its moral standards are finding themselves increasingly marginalized. In the United States it became “official on June, 17 1963 when the Supreme Court in the case of Murray v Vitale decided in an 8 to 1 vote to effectively kick prayer out of our public schools. Now just about any time there is some public event in which the name of Jesus Christ is raised in prayer, there tends to be a big noise from those who’ve obviously decided that the First Amendment applies only to themselves and not to Christians. This nationally increasing departure from Judeo-Christian principles was tragically demonstrated again by the Supreme Court in the Roe v Wade case in which gave its approval to what I believe can only be called legalized  infanticide of  the unborn.

Unfortunately the attack against biblical standards has not confined itself to the secular world but has also invaded the major branches of Protestantism not only in the United States, but Canada and Europe as well. For example, the Episcopal Church has not only given approval to homosexual behavior but allows actively homosexual clergy. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church are but two more examples of major denominations which have embraced what the Bible clearly relates is an aberrant and sinful lifestyle. Yet this is but one symptom of the overall descent of these churches into heresy and apostasy as many reject even the core belief in Jesus and him alone as being the only means of salvation.

8) GOSPEL PREACHED WORLDWIDE [Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10]: When Gutenberg first invented a printing press with movable type, it was the beginning of a revolution when books could be reproduced at a cost which put them into the price range that common people could afford. A major step toward the realization of Jesus’ prophecy began in 1456 with the production of a Latin Bible from his device. Now the Bible in its various version and languages are available across the world. With the advent of computer and communications technology it is literally possible for anyone on the planet to read or hear God’s Word. (Which means that when the Lord does return there will be little excuse for someone’s protestation of ignorance!)

9) FAMILIES IN STRIFE [Mark 13:12; Luke 21:16]: Once the solid bedrock of any society, the conventional family is becoming increasingly dysfunctional on many levels with the children generally showing the greatest adverse effects. In many families even in the U.S., kids are being raised in single-parent households. One parent is then called upon to do the job that God intended for two, especially when the other biological parent is disinterested and indifferent. One can easily imagine how the children in such circumstances can have trust issues – after all if I can’t trust Dad or Mom, how can I trust a stranger? This situation can also be profound if one or both parents are abusive. How many times are we seeing “adult-level” crimes now being perpetrated by “children” now? Too many, I would say.

Another factor damaging the traditional family, in my opinion, is the increasing acceptance by the more affluent countries of homosexual behavior to the point where same-sex couples are routinely allowed to adopt children. One can only wonder what the long-term effects of being raised in an environment might lead? Lately we have seen “gender identity” issues rise to at a level that they are being noticed by the media. Personally, I find it alarming in that it seems like more and more people have become so confused that as far as gender goes, they don’t know what they are anymore! It is a sad commentary on any society whose moral decline only exacerbates such confusion and if one looks at the great powers of the past which likewise did so did not retain their status.

I believe Jesus was saying such conditions of moral decay would be widespread  in the times just before his return:

Luke {17:28-30} 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. 

            During the Tribulation, one can only expect that this will worsen as family members turn against each other, reporting “subversive” actions not in accord with the One World Government ruled by the worst despot in history. (Daniel 8:9 – 12); Revelation chapter 13) We can look toward Nazi Germany and Communist Russia as infamous examples of this very thing. Perhaps we can look at those Mark and Luke passages which present family strife as a transitional phase, already partially fulfilled but well on the way to becoming a lot worse in the days ahead.

Next time we’ll look at what may be just up ahead for a world rapidly heading for the most grim time in history.

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE – WHAT JESUS TOLD US TO EXPECT

		by Ed Wood
Status	EVENT		BIBLE REFERENCE
		Matthew	Mark	Luke
D	TEMPLE DESTROYED	24:1-2	13:1-2	21:5-6
I	FALSE PROPHETS	24:4-5,11,23-28	13:5-6; 21-23	21:8
I	WARS	24:6-7	13:7-8a	21:9-10
I	FAMINE	24:7	13:8b	21:11
I	EARTHQUAKES &   NATURAL DISASTERS	24:7	13:8b	21:11,25b
I	PEOPLE GET WORSE	24:12
I	CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED	24:9-10	13:9-13	21:12-15
I	GOSPEL PREACHED WORLDWIDE	24:14	13:10
I	FAMILIES IN STRIFE		13:12	21:16
		DURING THE TRIBULATION
F	ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION *	24:15-22                   13:14-16		(See ** below)
F	JERUSALEM SURROUNDED **	24:15-20                   13:14-18		21:20-24
F	GREAT TRIBULATION	24:21-25                   13:19-20		21:25-26
F	SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS	24:29                     13:24 -25		21:11,25-26
F	SIGN OF JESUS	24:30   THE MILLENNIUM BEGINS
F	JESUS RETURNS	13:26		21:27
F	ELECT GATHERED	24:31                        13:27   NOTES:

D = DONE

I = IN PROGRESS (But we can expect all of these to intensify as time goes by.) F = FUTURE EVENT

* Jesus told us here that the antichrist will desecrate the temple as did Antiochus IV Epiphanes as related in Daniel 8:9-14. In Daniel 9:27, the prophet describes a second similar desecration of the temple in the midst of the antichrist’s one “week” (seven years) reign.

** Luke’s version omits the mention of the Abomination. Perhaps it relates the siege of Titus in 70 A.D.

while Matthew and Mark’s versions refer to that second event that Jesus mentioned which will occur during the Tribulation.

**********************************************************************************

Prophetic Tech Part Five

Return of the Nephilim?

By Ed Wood

April 16, 2016

Genesis{6:1-5} 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. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 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. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

In the passage above the term “giants” actually comes from the Hebrew word “Naphíl.” Strong’s Concordance simply defines it as a “feller,” that is, a bully or tyrant. It also refers to the term “naphal” which among many definitions includes “cast down,” and “lost.” In the singular form “giant” reference is given to the term “raphah,” once again referring to a giant.

How are we to make sense of all this? I believe these two passages can help:

Jude {1:6} 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.

Revelation {12:7-9} And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Now let’s see if we can come up with a theory that will put all of this information together. First, the Revelation passage gives us an account of Satan and his angels being cast out of heaven. Second, we see that for a time anyway, the “sons of God” interbred with human females. According to Job 1:6, these are angels, some of which are the fallen ones that had been cast out. From the passage from Jude, it appears that this freedom of them to move about the earth was only temporary and that they are now imprisoned in hell (Sheol) waiting for final judgment.

What we are interested in here is what can we say about the hybrid offspring that resulted from the merging of human women and these cast out angels? From our first passage they are called “mighty men, men of renown.” On an initial reading of this description, it sounds as if they were praiseworthy, but what happened shortly after their appearance was the descent of the world into a moral abyss so deep that it took the wholesale destruction of everything that lived on the dry land of the Earth’s surface to remedy the situation, save for Noah’s family and the living cargo that he saved aboard the ark. Yet an even more fundamental reason might have been to prevent the contamination of the human gene pool. Had this been allowed to continue, it would have made the eventual appearance of the Messiah an impossibility. Remember, in the Mosaic system, a sin offering had to be unblemished and even this was merely a stopgap. Jesus was the only “perfect and complete sacrifice” which could once and for all adequately atone for the world’s sin – a requirement which could not have been met if his family line had been contaminated by non-human genes.

I have often wondered if the distant tales of superhuman beings recorded in the texts and mythologies of so many ancient cultures might have actually had their roots in the exploits of these beyond-human creatures. But more importantly, has there ever been a serious attempt to actually enhance human life beyond that which we have come to know? I believe than answer is “Yes” on many levels, some of which we will explore here.

Improving the Human Condition

This may sound like stating the obvious but all ancient cultures began as technologically immature. As far as we know there is not one example of a civilization suddenly appearing with an inordinately high level of scientific progress, despite what those who believe in extraterrestrial influence would have us believe. As far as I know, we have no solid evidence that a human society from the past suddenly showed up with electric lights, transistor radios, or starships. What we do have are plenty of examples of initial hunter-gatherer groups, probably starting out from immediate families and slowly incorporating others into bands or tribes. If left in a reasonably benign and stable environment, this is as far as they ever got. Indeed there are some isolated tribes living exactly the way just as their ancestors did thousands of years ago. It is, however, very likely that the inevitable contact with the outside world will soon change all that.

If, on the other hand, there comes a situation where the adverse pressures come to bear such as population growth or climate change, the old adage about “necessity being the mother of invention” is repeatedly seen in the advent of new technologies to deal with these challenges – or else extinction is inevitable. If hunting and gathering no longer can provide a reliable food supply, the development of agriculture and the corresponding trade of a nomadic lifestyle is exchanged for a more stable one, leading to the development of villages, towns, and eventually cities is the next step. This in turn leads to a greater capacity to solve even more difficult problems. If, for example, the water supply becomes insufficient, the community learns how to dig wells, create irrigation systems, aqueducts, and sophisticated plumbing systems to deal with it. Need to increase the food supply further? Then new farming techniques and even selective breeding of food crops and livestock will soon appear.

One of the most fascinating things about the human race to me is that if something need something be done, someone will generally figure out how to do it. In this process we’ve built machines that multiply our physical strength and our five senses to unbelievable levels. For better or worse, we’ve come from figuring out how to make fire to sending probes across the solar system. In America, most of even the less affluent of us has access to modern marvels that would have been considered miraculous only a couple centuries ago. But the improvement in the “machinery” can only take us so far. What about “improving” the inventors themselves?

Back in the 1960’s ago a particularly brilliant episode of the Star Trek TV series explored this very thing. Of the many memorable and astute lines of dialogue in that show, one by Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically enhanced human being from the late Twentieth Century, to Captain James Kirk was:

“Nothing ever changes, except man. Your technical accomplishments? Improve a mechanical device and you may double productivity, but improve man and you gain a thousand fold. I am such a man.”

We are now coming into a time where technology may allow this level of “improvement” at a level never seen before. The results of our expanding technology have even provided the means to counteract to some degree the natural declines of age and accidents to the human body. For centuries artificial limbs and even teeth have been used. In our modern age the process has become nearly miraculous. Cataract surgery which replaces cloudy lenses in the eye with new ones made of plastic is now commonplace. The same is true for people walking around with devices to help their failing hearts to pump and artificial joints to replace worn out ones. These are but a few of the ways we have enhanced our human condition on an individual level.

Increasingly we are seeing a fusion of the artificial with the natural. Cochlear implants completely bypass the ear and its associated components and connect directly into the auditory center in the brain allowing people who were once irrevocably deaf to hear. On a more limited scale visual implants directly into the brain have also provided limited perceptions of light and basic shapes to the blind. In a very real way these advances could one day produce for real the cyborg (cybernetic organism) composed of both mechanical and organic components.

Yet there exists a branch of science that can achieve even more direct results and this is in the field of genetics. The truth is, indirect genetic manipulation has already been going on for centuries as humans sought to improve existing plants and animals for their own uses by selective breeding. The idea here is to take a male and female with the desired characteristics and cause them to produce offspring that will carry the strain forward. It is a proven technique which has worked with plants and animals for thousands of years. Hitler envisioned using this process to eventually produce his “Aryan” race of ideal humans which would rule the planet while those people considered “inferior” would either be enslaved or killed.

Now we are at the verge of significant and direct genetic alteration where the very “instruction set” of life can be changed. If you think of this as a computer scientist changing lines of code in a program to alter the way it works, I think that will give you the idea of what it happening in the field of genetics. The time of “designer” life forms is already upon us in the form of genetically modified organisms. As I write, the debate over whether genetically modified food products should be labeled as such so consumers can decide whether or not to purchase them is already under way. Another new development has appeared to make the process even easier.

CRISPER Critters

The acronym stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. According to the on-line article which appeared in Nature on December 3, 2013, among other things, this technology can perform genetic “cuts and pastes” with an ease not achieved before. An example would be for a patient to opt for “genetic surgery” to fix a pre-existing condition, rather than take a medication all their lives. I can envision a diabetic receiving a genetic correction to permanently fix a failing pancreas so it will once again produce the insulin the person needs. This technology is not limited to any particular species and can be applied to plants and animals alike. Certainly if used wisely, it could prove to be a boon to life on Earth. CRISPER creations also have the ability to pass their modifications on to their offspring, good or bad opening up yet another Pandora’s box we may be ill-equipped to handle even under the best of circumstances.

A deliberate misuse of such technology could produce a whole new realm of biological warfare as far advanced of anything we may now have as nuclear technology is above conventional conflict. It would become a fairly simple matter to custom-design and disperse the products of this endeavor that could easily decimate entire population’s food supply, or perhaps the population itself. But this would be just the beginning.

The “perfect soldier” envisioned in science fiction could become a reality. Enhanced beings capable of surviving conditions that would kill the average person could become commonplace. The leaders of such armies might themselves be the recipients of expanded intellect and perhaps even boosts in the basic five senses as well. Imagine beings whose hearing extends beyond the 20 kilohertz range of human hearing, or whose vision capable of picking up infrared and ultraviolet radiation. And who is to say that what we now call extrasensory perception could not one day become a bona fide sixth sense.

From the Bible, we learned that the nephilim of the pre-flood world were products of interbreeding between human women and supernatural beings. It could very well be that the nephilim of our age will be the products of the laboratory. Once this particular genie is out of the bottle is there anything we could do to stuff him back into it? History tends to demonstrate that the answer is generally a negative but is that the final word? The answer to that, I believe, is also found in the Bible.

When God says “Enough!”

From the story of Noah we read:

Genesis  {6:13} And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the  earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

From the account of the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah we read:

Genesis {19:12-13} And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring [them] out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

At the culmination of time itself we discover:

Revelation {20:11-15} And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from those face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Yet of all the accounts of God’s previous and future intervention there was, in my opinion, none has affected the path of history more than this:

Mark {16:1-6} And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

From the moment that Jesus overcame death and emerged from Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb, nothing has ever been the same.

What Can we Soon Expect in these Last Days?

One of the warnings Jesus gave us concerning the end of this age was this:

Matthew {24:37-39} But as the days of Noe* [were,] so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. *Noah

The ramping up of evil and the obliviousness of those who lived in Noah’s age to this acceleration of evil’s influence are being replicated today. For those who have rejected God entirely or sought to create him in their own image as has much of the modern church, the spiritual blindness clearly exists. Less obvious, but by no means out of the question, may be the appearance of enhanced human beings playing their roles in the prophetic events soon to come.

Notice how popular fictional “super heroes” are becoming in our culture today? We have them generating impressive revenues for the comic book and movie producers. I myself confess that I’ve always enjoyed such super heroes as Superman, Spider-Man, realizing that these are completely imaginary. How much more of an appeal would a real being with “super powers” be especially in an age of growing hopelessness. From the Bible we see that the Antichrist and False Prophet who will be his spokesman are themselves likely to possess superhuman characteristics. The cause may be technology, biology, or supernatural influence from Satan himself. It maybe even a combination of all of these factors. (Revelation 16:13-14; 19:20).

If the end of this age is as close as all the other signs seem to indicate, we may not have long to wait before the first of the “New Nephilim” shows up in the evening news.

 

Prophetic Tech Part Four

By Ed Wood

March 1, 2016

Revelation {13:16-18} And he* causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six. * the false prophet

I open this article with the same passage I used in its predecessor because there is still more to cover on this topic – that of the Antichrist’s absolute control of the future world. One of the best ways to control someone is to control his or her personal finances. Let’s face it, throughout history, and probably even before written history existed, this has always been the case. The people who had greater resources, or were believed to have them, have always called the shots over those who didn’t. The tribe that could hunt better either because it had access to the best hunting areas, or had better weapons or prowess, or even simply outnumbered a neighboring tribe could easily tell the latter what to do. It might even get to the point of the second becoming the vassals of the first.

With the passage of time this principle has been a constant. Even the modern system of employer and employee is based on one having greater economic resources than the latter. In fact, until the Twentieth Century when workers began to organize, the relationship could be extremely one-sided. However the shadows of those pre-union times were starting to reappear in the closing two decades of the previous century up and continue even in a country as sophisticated as the United States up to this very day. Now please understand, I am not a socialist pushing to redistribute wealth by legislation. Yet in recent years we have seen corporate greed push good jobs overseas to the detriment of the employees of those companies that helped them prosper in the first place. Tax legislation has actually helped them do just that, making it more economically attractive to move their operations out of the country. It seems to be a very basic unfairness in having the very people being forced out of work by such actions actually having to subsidize it by their own annual tax burdens.

The condemnation of the exploitation of workers even shows up in the Bible!

Jeremiah {22:13} Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by  wrong; [that] useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Malachi {3:5} And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right,] and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Of course, in the U.S. the situation today in no way approaches the deplorable state of virtual (and actual) slavery that widely exists in some other nations, even to the trafficking of human beings, something the Bible clearly states that God will handle in his own way in the future to those doing such loathsome things to their fellows.

This is but one more demonstration of just how powerful a role economics has always played in shaping the course of our lives and those of our ancestors – a principle that the coming world dictator will exploit as no one ever has been able to do before, thanks to modern technology.

Cash or Charge?

An Efficient Medium if Exchange. Before the idea of currency became dominant, barter was the only way to conduct business. If you had extra livestock, you could trade with neighbor for his extra grain. Or head into the village and swap a cow for some tools. He, in turn, could swap the cow for ore to process into more tools, etc. It was simple enough, but obviously limited. After all, cows are pretty large animals and not easily portable. (And how would make change??) Even if they walk by themselves it’s still a pretty slow process. If the deal fell through, a person would have to walk the creature all the way back home.

The answer is to use some kind medium both parties agree has a value to “do the deal.” Some Native Americans used seashells. Gold and silver were ideal and until the last century the U.S. and many other countries based its paper currency on physical deposits of both. Concerning coins, they could be made out of metals themselves such as gold, silver, or in the case of pennies, copper. A long time ago, America issued paper “silver certificates.” The paper note was a really “bill” that said the government owed you a dollar’s worth of silver for your note. A person could actually turn it in and get the silver. Now our paper money is labeled merely as a Federal Reserve Note, no longer backed up by silver at all. If you think about it, the only reason this works is because everyone using dollars agrees that they’ll accept them for payment for goods and services. The important concept here is that as long as all parties accept on a medium of exchange, business can go on.

Another feature of currency is that it is a “bearer instrument.” Whoever has it in his or her pocket has the right to spend it any way her or she wishes. This is different than writing or receiving a bank draft – i.e. a check. This is intended only to be useable from a specific party to a specific party. Get caught issuing or cashing one of these documents fraudulently and you could find yourself in prison. Credit cards work on the same principle.

The last feature of cash verses a check or credit card is that for all intents and purposes, the transaction is anonymous. With the latter two, an electronic record is produced containing the name of the purchaser, the merchant, and even what was bought. For the most part, this is very beneficial for all concerned because such records allow everyone to keep track of their finances. However for those involved in less than legitimate activities, these records can be used to prosecute them. Of course, catching criminals is an activity we can all support and as long as the system isn’t abused, there isn’t a problem. More on this later!

One more important point I’d like to make is that there is a definite trend worldwide toward what is called a “cashless society,” one in which currency becomes totally supplanted by electronic banking. This means that more and more every person’s financial dealings will be recorded in a computer someplace. If this kind of system becomes universal, then without a credit card or other medium of electronic access, you won’t be able to buy or sell a thing! Is any of this starting to sound familiar?

The Mark of the Beast – Frightening Possibilities

In the last article we’ve seen that the implantation of small, self-contained electronic circuits into pets and people is already a reality. We’ve also seen external devices such as smart cards and speed passes and their almost magical properties already being used to electronically perform financial functions. The fusion of these technologies on a large scale seems only a matter of time and if underway before the Antichrist actually shows up will no doubt be co-opted by him and his False Prophet henchman.

If a tiny electronic chip can be imbedded into a credit card, or speed-pass device, or even a pet, then why not into human beings? Guess what? It has already been done! From the Daily Mail we have:

Australian man who’s had a microchip inserted into his hand so that he can do more with the iPhone 6…maybe

By Louise Cheer for Daily Mail Australia      Updated: 02:12 EST, 8 September 2014

• Advertising director Ben Slater had the microchip inserted two weeks ago
• It was implanted in the webbing of his hand at a Melbourne tattoo parlour
• Mr. Slater hopes the new generation iPhone will be able to read the chip
• He is able to open doors and switch on lights without touching anything

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746648/Australian-man-microchip-inserted-hand-use-iPhone-6.html#ixzz3yXbnhsbg )

I suspect that the longer this technology exists, the more it will become a part of every- day life, just like the cell phone is presently. I can imagine a sales pitch for such a device for a financial access chip going like this:

“Stop worrying about losing your credit card or having it stolen! With ‘BankChip’ you’ll never have to worry about that again. And how about convenience? Why, just walk into the store of a participating merchant, make your selection, and simply walk out the door. Our electronic inventory systems will automatically record your purchases and debit your account. No more waiting in long, annoying lines! Sign up today and receive a special bonus. Log on to our website for further details.”

I am quite sure it will start out as a completely voluntary offer and that a lot of people will be eager to be among the first to sign up. So when the Antichrist and False Prophet appear on the scene a lot of their work in this regard will already have been done for them. But the Revelation passage concerning this appears to indicate that there will be hold-outs that’ll need some arm twisting to get them on board. Those that still refuse will be effectively shut out of the economy. How they’ll survive, if they do, is anyone’s guess.

But this is only part of the story. It will get a lot worse for those who do enroll!

No Hope, No Escape

Revelation {14:9-10} And the third angel followed them *, saying with a loud

 voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. *Two other angels who were mentioned in the verses preceding this passage.

Not only will people be required to get marked to participate in the economy, but they will have to worship this coming “man of sin” as well. The reason is that three and a half years into the seven year Tribulation he will occupy the rebuilt Holy of Holies and proclaim himself as “God.” Here are the two relevant passages that describe this:

Daniel {11:36} And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

Revelation {13:11-15} And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

We see from the passages above that in order to be able to “buy and sell” people will have to get marked in some way on (or perhaps “in”) the forehead or forearm. But before they can receive this “mark of the beast,” they’ll have to worship him first. What we also learn is that once this all takes place, there is no tuning back. For these people there are no second chances, no way to ever make things right.

For me, I’ve always had a hard time trying to make this fit in the account of God’s Son who forgave even those who’d condemned him to the most appalling and horrible kind of death one can ever imagine and even in his agony did the same to one of the criminals crucified with him. Yet there is one unforgivable sin that I can point to in the Bible, as explained by Jesus himself:

Mark {3:28-29} Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

This in itself is puzzling and I cannot say with certainly exactly what “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” is. The best answer I can come up with is a refusal to believe in Jesus, who was empowered by that self-same Holy Spirit:

John {1:32-33} And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. * John the Baptist      

Furthermore, this neatly ties in with something that Paul also said:

Romans {8:14-17} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons

 of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified together.

Without the operation of the Holy Ghost, one can never accept God. Without that, one is lost. Therefore, it would seem to me that those who accept the mark of the beast lose their ability to ever change their minds and repent. Since we are exploring the role that technology might play in the days to come, is there anything that exists today that could possibly be involved? What about this procedure described by staff members of the Mayo Clinic in a web posting?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation may be tried when other depression treatments haven’t worked. With TMS, a large electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet used in TMS creates electric currents that stimulate nerve cells in the region of your brain involved in mood control and depression.

Presently this procedure is administered via an external magnetic coil placed near the forehead, but who is to say that it could not be done via some manner of implanted device? Maybe even inside the forehead? Isn’t it interesting that this is also one of two locations for the “beast mark?” One can also wonder just how far this “mood control” function can be pushed. It seems to me that electronic mind control would be the perfect means of controlling entire populations, right down the Antichrist’s alley, don’t you think? It is also easy to imagine that once a person is “chipped” with some manner of internal TMS device losing his or her free will – including the ability to ever change one’s mind! Among the choices lost would be the paramount one of ever turning back to God!

Electromagnetic mind control might be supplemented with implants that deliver measured amount of drugs directly into the bloodstream. We don’t have to wait for such devices to be invented yet, either because, like the implantable microchip, they also already exist! From Kurzweil AI | Accelerating Intelligence News we have:

MIT spinoff Microchips Biotech has partnered with Teva Pharmaceutical, the world’s

largest producer of generic drugs, to commercialize its wirelessly controlled, implantable, microchip-based devices that store and release drugs inside the body over a period of years.

Concluding Thoughts

As with our past explorations into the role technology may play in making the nightmare world of the Antichrist a reality, we now have added an economic system so rigidly controlled by electronics that virtually no one will be exempt. Couple this with devices that can literally control one’s very thoughts by remote control and even the very word “freedom” may no longer be remembered.

I do not pretend that the technologies I’ve described will cause the nightmare world of the Antichrist to come to pass exactly in the ways I’ve described them, but it is clear that we have reached a time when they could at any time!

Paradoxically at a time when human technological prowess has reached unprecedented heights, it has in its arrogance become dismissive of God and subsequently increasingly ignorant of what he has revealed of the days to come in the pages of his Word. As such, when the Antichrist and his False Prophet walk onto the world stage, most of humanity will welcome them both with open arms, never realizing just how badly they have been deceived. The human race won’t be able to say it was never warned, will it?

Next time we’ll look at how technology may be used to change the very nature of life itself.

 

Prophetic Tech Part Three

By Ed Wood

January 27, 2016

Revelation {13:16-18} And he* causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six. * the false prophet

Ever go to a retailer, make your purchases, get out the credit card and have it declined when you know it’s completely valid? For some reason a technical glitch or a human error has caused you to be shut out of the system. Have you ever gotten a glaring late payment notice in the mail because somehow the postal service misplaced the remittance you sent a month ago? Or found that your checking account was debited for a large check someone else with a similar name wrote? How about getting a scam phone call supposedly from the IRS that you are getting sued (I’ve been there!). If you have, you know exactly what a sinking feeling it causes.

Usually these problems can be solved by using another credit card, contacting the creditor who sent the late notice, or in the case of the phony IRS call, a simple hanging up of the phone. Still, in cases where identity theft is involved, the process to make things right can be prolonged and torturous.

Let’s now take this to the extreme. Suppose a system is devised that can be used to deliberately cut off your access to your finances unless you “play ball” with whoever is running it, making you totally subject to their whims. Suppose further that it becomes universal leaving you with no recourse. Now imagine completely ruthless individuals controlling it all. According to the Bible there will come a time when this nightmarish scenario becomes a hard and fast reality when the last world ruler and his henchman known as the false prophet establish absolute rule over the planet.

Before we look at the “Antichrist Economy” described above, we should first take a look at the man that will be its enforcer. To do this, we’ll need to back up a little in chapter 13 of Revelation:

Revelation {13:11-15} And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

It would seem reasonable to assume that this second beast (the Antichrist being the first) will come across as a benign and gentle individual, like a lamb, and yet having the speech of a dragon. When we think of a dragon, we often think of the fearsome reptilian beast of mythology breathing fire. But the real dragon is much worse. Maybe we need to take a look at two interesting passages from the Bible which at first glance appear contradictory. We have Revelation 12:9 where we learn “the great dragon” is a real entity:

Revelation {20:1-3} And I* saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.  *John, the apostle and writer of Revelation.

This passage from the apostle Paul shows that the “old serpent” can appear to be something other than what he actually is:

2 Corinthians {11:14} And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of  light.

This particular dragon, the devil, doesn’t necessarily look like a monster at all. Quite the opposite. In fact, if we look just one verse further we see this ability is common to Satan’s minions as well:

2 Corinthians {11:15} Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Therefore since both Antichrist and false prophet are working for the devil, it would make perfect sense that they do not at all appear to be the evil beings that they really are. As for the “speech of a dragon” what’s that all about? An important clue is found in what Jesus told revealed about Satan as he was excoriating the Pharisees for their hypocrisy:

John {8:44} Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of [your] father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Considering all this, having charismatic individuals who can appear  to be pillars of virtue and yet convincingly lie through their teeth really isn’t a surprise at all because history is full of them. Many have been elected to public office right here in America. That’s unfortunate enough in itself, but I think the most insidious of these are those that have found homes in the organized religion. I can think of any number of “televangelists”  who are pushing a “prosperity gospel” that taps into human greed to support their extravagant lifestyles. Then there are those who are the leaders of any number of modern denominations today preaching such false doctrines as pluralistic salvation claiming Jesus is not the only way to be saved (which refutes John 3:16-18; 14:6, Acts 4:10-12), acceptance of homosexual behavior even within their own clergy, and the portrayal of the Bible in these modern times as outdated and irrelevant. Some have even gone as far as the incorporating paganism into their services. Jesus himself warned his disciples of these deceivers:

Matthew {10:16} Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

If anything, deceptive clergy have increased to such levels that they are becoming the norms rather than the exceptions populating the pulpits of today’s increasingly liberal churches in North America and Europe. I see this all as a “softening up” process of the masses, getting both the religious and secular worlds ready for the man who will one day rule them both.

The Antichrist and his spokesman will have persuasive abilities beyond anything the Earth has ever seen. Add to this mix the supernatural powers described above in Revelation 13:11-15. This coming False Prophet will even have the ability to call fire from the sky. The significance of this particular ability is that with this counterfeit miracle I believe the False Prophet will delude people into thinking that he is Elijah (Kings 1:5-12), whom the Bible said must precede the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6; Mark 9:11-13). The “False Christ” therefore will have his own “False Elijah” to help usher him into power – one more huge and successful deception made possible because most of humanity will be totally unaware of the biblical warnings regarding both of these men. Sadly, this is already true, even by those attending church every Sunday.

These two, according to Revelation 13:16-18, will ultimately be in charge of virtually every financial activity on Earth. However, until the advent of modern technology, such absolute economic control over a global scale was simply not possible. That is no longer the case because the resources available today can be used to make it a reality!

Today’s Technology for Tomorrow’s Economy

E-banking. We all are involved in this one way or another. Swipe a credit card, have direct deposit and direct withdrawals from your bank account, and you are already a part of electronic banking. And even if you could somehow sidestep all of this, the bank uses electronic means to move cash around as standard operating procedure. They can do all of this without touching one piece of legal tender just by sending a bunch of ones and zeros electronically from one data storage system to another at virtually the speed of light.

Credit cards. In the “old days” a merchant would take your card, put it in a mechanical device, pull a slider across it to make a copy of its embossed numbers and letters onto a paper slip for you to sign. These got physically sent to the credit card issuer who would charge your account appropriately and send you a paper invoice every month. The next step was to create credit card readers that would collect this information from a magnetically coded strip on the card and process it instantly and electronically. Now it has moved even beyond this.

Smart Cards and Speed Passes. About six months back I received my first “smart” credit card as a renewal. There’s a little chip inside that stores all the relevant information and can be read remotely by a radio-frequency device. Speed passes work the same way and have become popular on the roads for automatically paying tolls. You don’t have to stop to toss in the change. You don’t even have to slow down because the fastest car is nothing when it comes to the light velocity of the electromagnetic energy used to activate the speed pass. I’ve seen this capability on self-serve gas pumps as well.

Chipped products. In order to cut down on theft and automate inventory and shipping, many products now are being embedded with chips that work on the same principles as the smart cards and speed passes. A product comes into the warehouse, the system knows it has and where it’s stored. When it leaves, it knows that, too. Once in the truck (or ship, railroad, airplane, etc.) the vendor knows where it is and when it finally reaches its destination. It is becoming increasingly more common for a customer to be able to track his or her own package via the Internet via this capability.

But tracking merchandise is only part of the story. Pets are commonly becoming “chipped” with names, owner’s names, medical history, just about any other pertinent information. The same technology is already being used today to chip people. The uses are many. Some grant easy access to employer’s facilities and allow a log on to company computers. But this was not all. Back as far as December 2004 the FDA produced the following document entitled:

Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff – Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Implantable Radio frequency Transponder System for Patient Identification and Health

It opens with the following introduction:

1. Background

This guidance document was developed as a special control guidance to support the classification of the implantable radiofrequency transponder system for patient identification and health information into class II(special controls). The device is intended to enable access to secure patient identification and corresponding health information in humans. This guidance is issued in conjunction with a Federal Register notice announcing the classification of implantable radio frequency transponder system for patient identification and health information.

There is even a provision in the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) on page 1014 to establish a registry for implantable devices:

The Secretary shall establish a national medical device registry (in this subsection referred to as the ‘registry’ to facilitate analysis of postmarket safety and outcomes data on each device that – (A) is or has been used in or on a patient; and (B) is a class III device; or  a class II device that is implantable,  life-supporting, or life-sustaining.

As we can see, this legislation can apply to both medium risk (Class 2) devices such as hearing aids, or the more involved Class 3 high-risk ones such as heart valves and pacemakers, but it doesn’t take much of a stretch of the imagination to see this one day include the implantable RFID devices which already exist and more sophisticated ones likely to be developed.

At the present time, such devices can be accessed only at short range. To make them capable of long range use, such as the GPS tracking abilities cell phones and high-end automobiles now have, requires a power source which is at present too bulky to be practically implanted. However, it would not be unexpected to find this problem remedied in the near future as technology continues to produce smaller and more efficient batteries.

Concluding Thoughts

We cannot know for certain just what kind of “mark” people will receive as part of the “666 Economy.” It may have more than one component, say, an implantable chip and a visible tattoo on the forehead, right hand or all of the above. Magnetic ink already exists which could be employed in the latter and here is an excerpt about this ink from the eHow website:

(http://www.ehow.com/facts_6813216_magnetic-ink_.html)

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Technology

• Magnetic ink contains particles, usually iron oxide, which are magnetized and read with special equipment compatible with Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology. Because there is a unique signature associated with each magnetized character, MICR equipment identifies each character very quickly and with a very high degree of accuracy, even if the characters are visually obscured by other marks or have been altered with ordinary ink.

Commercial Uses of MICR

• Financial institutions worldwide use MICR equipment and protocols to accurately and quickly process vast quantities of personal checks and other financial documents. MICR technology, comparatively speaking, has a very low instance of misread characters.

Interesting how the first use it mentions is for financial purposes, don’t you think?

Next time we’ll explore in greater detail how various economic systems have evolved over time and even some more alarming possibilities that may be used to “control the masses” in the not-too-distant future.

 

Prophetic Tech Part Two

By Ed Wood

January 7, 2016

Daniel {12:4} But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

“Many shall run to and fro.”

            As we saw in the last article, the speed at which information can travel from one place to another has grown exponentially from Daniel’s time until now. The time it takes to physically get from one place to another has also greatly decreased, however it is still not as fast as the speed at which data can be transmitted (the Star Trek Transporter is still science fiction, after all) but it is still a huge leap above that which was possible to Daniel and his contemporaries. Back then, traveling to the next village might take the better part of a day, maybe more. Crossing continents or seas took months, or even years. One can now fly across the U.S. in five hours, a journey that took six months to the westward-bound settlers of the early 1800’s. The International Space Station circles the entire planet in an hour and a half! We’ve come a long way particularly in the past two centuries, running “to and fro,” faster than anyone could possibly imagined two and a half thousand years ago when Daniel wrote the prophetic book that bears his name.

“Knowledge will be increased.”

            I think it’s safe to say the Twentieth Century was the largest age of discovery the human race has ever known in almost every field of knowledge. Einstein gave us a look at the universe, energy, and matter in a whole new way. Edwin Hubble discovered that our Milky Way Galaxy was not the only one, but merely one of billions of “island universes” spread out across billions of light years of space. The biological sciences have delved into the genetic instruction sets which control how life operates and has begun manipulating it to alter its characteristics. Medical science, despite its continuing inability to cure the major and persistent life-threatening diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and ALS, still has come up with amazing surgical procedures which have restored sight, repaired damaged hearts, and reattached severed limbs.

In about a century, the field of electronics has expanded from the era of vacuum tubes to semiconductors, a technology which has made possible not only the reach of humanity into space, but also moved into our driveways and homes residing in devices and machinery we now take totally for granted.

Computing technology has advanced almost beyond belief. Gordon E. Moore, the co-founder of Intel and Fairchild Semiconductor, described a doubling every year in the number of components per integrated circuit back in 1965, and then revised this estimate to every two years. That’s still very impressive. This has become commonly known as “Moore’s Law.”

The “brains” or CPU’s of computers, their memories, and their assorted peripherals have made full use of these advances allowing devices that you can easily carry around with you perform wonders whole rooms full of machinery couldn’t have approached only a few decades ago. For example, my first PC didn’t even have a hard drive, running only on 1.44 megabyte floppies. A couple years later I upgraded it with a “huge” 20 megabyte hard drive which set me back over $100. New PC’s have hard drives capable of storing multiple terabytes of information. (1 terabyte = 1000 gigabytes = 1,000,000 megabytes!) As we further explore “Prophetic Tech,” we’ll be seeing just how this all figures in making the Bible prophecies of the comprehensive control that the Antichrist will have over Earth’s population literally achievable.

            In the realm of the physics, scientists have come to understand much about the nature of matter and energy, this knowledge in a very real sense becoming a double-edged sword. It’s safe to say that our technological grasp has far exceeded our wisdom to use it consistently to better ourselves. We can, for example, use the atom to produce electrical power to make our lives easier or use it to construct bombs capable of sending our civilization back to the Stone Age . . . or worse!

Certainly one can find many more examples of ways our knowledge has increased besides these few examples, but there is one main underlying principle for this to be possible – the ability to both store and transmit this knowledge. We looked at this somewhat in the previous article, but a review at this time seems appropriate.

We do not know how long the human race has had language, but I think it’s safe to say it’s been a very long time. By it one person could communicate his or her ideas to another individual or group. Probably the first kinds of information shared were such topics as where the edible plants and animals were and how to get them. Language also allowed humans to work together in teams to do these things and was the means of passing on their experiences to their kids.

Along with this was the sharing of new technology. Now we might not think a rock or a stick is very sophisticated, but when it comes to the multiplying the ability over just using one’s hands and feet alone to dispatch an animal and bring it back to the camp cooking fire (another early huge milestone of technology), it became a very big deal! The human with the rock or the stick will be a lot more successful than one that lacks either.  It probably didn’t take very long to figure out how to modify these first tools to make them more effective. A simple stick became a spear. A rock was modified to give it sharp edges, and, no doubt in flashes of Paleolithic genius, came the idea to combine these inventions to make spears with stone points and to create cutting tools with handles. These skills could be easily passed on via language to the next generations, who in time would add their own knowledge to the verbal archive.

The problem with this type of information transmission, though, is that it required direct contact from person to person, or person to group. There was also the problem of “data fade.” It was not a big problem with making tools and weapons because the verbal information was supplemented by a practical demonstration. The artifacts themselves became their own “hard copies!”

But when it came to accounts such as the history of the tribe or group, the oral accounts, despite the best efforts to maintain their fidelity, they could change over the years. The events and even the names of the participants could within relatively few generations become unrecognizable.

Enter into the picture a way to record things in a permanent manner and a revolutionary new way to store and transmit knowledge began. Starting with basic drawings and paintings on cave walls or the faces of stone outcrops, someone finally figured out ways to do it quicker with the development of writing. The Egyptians created hieroglyphs, a combination of images and symbols. The Sumerians developed cuneiform, true writing where specific symbols represented a spoken language, numbers, pretty much any information one wanted to preserve. As a testament to the effectiveness and lasting power of these technologies, archeologists are still collecting and reading these ancient messages to this very day. The development of papyrus and parchment scrolls, culminating in codex form (bound, multi-leaf books with which we are familiar) made the records more readily portable and easier to distribute over wide areas. The printing press was a giant leap toward this end and until the advent of electrical forms of data transmission back in the early 1800’s, the printed word was the fastest and most reliable game in town.

So enter the telegraph. With this device, messages could for the first time be sent at virtually the speed of light to any place its wires were run. They still had to be deciphered and recorded by hand by a human, but for the first time the speed of communication was no longer dependent on how fast a person could walk, or how quickly his or her animal could gallop, or how long it took a ship or train go from Point A to Point B. In a relatively short time, the range of electrical communications would extend not only across a continent, but across oceans.

Our unique time and place in history.

            If one looks back across the course of human history, can anyone point to a time remotely similar to ours? True, there have been great civilizations of antiquity whose secrets still elude us, but none of them have reached the level of knowledge, nor the ease of widely disseminating it that we currently possess. A very long time ago, King Solomon wrote:

Ecclesiastes {1:9} The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun.

             I think the wise old monarch might change his mind if he could see the things that exist today. If this is indeed the unique time and place that I think it is another passage from the Bible comes to mind as to what might be just up ahead. This time the speaker is Jesus Christ himself:

Matthew {24:21-22} For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

            This you might recognize as coming from Jesus’ last address in public to his disciples a few days before his arrest. We are talking about what has come to be known as the Olivet Discourse, so named because the Mount of Olives was the place he gave it. He spoke of a time so dire and terrible that if allowed to continue, the human race would not survive it, not even the elect. Over the course of history we have seen numerous tragic and terrible events hard to imagine, but they will all pale when compared to the time Jesus told his followers would surely come at the end of this age, something revealed in stark detail in the Book of Revelation. The question now is just how close might we be to this time right now.

The Modern Media

            One of the capabilities our current level of technology gives us is something mentioned in the last article – the ability to experience in real time events in audio and video that are happening half a world away. Shortly before starting this article a disgusting and cowardly attack in Paris by Muslim extremists purportedly working for ISIS resulted in the deaths of over 120 innocent people hit the airwaves here in America on the evening news. Just days ago, two Muslim extremists fired on people at a Christmas party in San Bernardino, California. Who can forget that on September 11, 2001, the world watched the twin trade towers collapse into smoking rubble as the result once again of Muslim hatred directed at a free nation? We saw it all on our television sets within minutes. The reach and power of the modern communications systems is unprecedented.

If it were used only to provide unbiased news coverage, that would be impressive enough, but we have also seen it manipulated to sway the masses more often than once. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini used it to seize power in Iran in 1979 and to preach hate against the western democracies, the U.S. in particular, holding our diplomats hostage for over a year. Before and after him have been others, but the greatest manipulator of them all was Adolf Hitler.

Even today as one watches films of his speeches and the mesmerizing affect this man had on the German people is chilling. It is difficult not to believe that this power flowed from Satan himself. I have always believed that as powerful as the devil is, he does not have the ability to look into the future or else he would have already seen that his plan to become displace God was doomed to failure from the very start. Because of this limitation, I believe he has throughout history always had someone “waiting in the wings,” a latent antichrist, prepared to step into the role of the final Antichrist. Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Khomeini, and all the despots we have seen in our history books and have encountered in the news certainly qualify as would-be antichrists. One of these days, you can be sure that someone will rise from obscurity and fulfill the role of the last ruler who will bring the human race to the very edge of extinction. I would not be surprised if the “man of sin” is alive right now. If the hour is as late as all the signs indicate, he is already an adult being groomed for the job.

Another common denominator which all historical dictators exploited were conditions of public unrest and turmoil. Hitler exploited the ravaged economy of post- World War 2 Germany, Khomeini the misery caused by Shah Reza Pahlavi’s personal excesses while he oppressed and impoverished his people. If you look across history, you’ll find this often to be the case.

But as bad as these situations were, they were limited in scope. Though admittedly, a large amount of territory can be involved, the tyrants of the past and present have never taken over the entire planet. In the Twentieth Century, the fascists of Europe and imperialists of Japan had free nations to oppose and finally defeat them militarily. The Soviet Union was essentially bankrupted in the late 1980’s. Now imagine a world in which there are no such countering forces. This is precisely what the Bible tells us the case will be near the end of this age:

Daniel {7:23} Thus he* said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.  * A heavenly messenger, the exact nature of whom is not known.

There are many details in both the Old and New Testament concerning about the ruler of this global dictatorship. Here are just a few:

Daniel {7:24-25} And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

2 Thessalonians {2:3-4} Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come,] except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; {2:4} Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 

Revelation {13:1-2} And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Revelation {6:2} And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.   

Many who study Bible Prophecy believe the reference in the last passage to the man who sits on the white horse with the bow, but lacking arrows, suggests that this ruler will not achieve his initial prominence militarily. A much earlier passage from Daniel appears to support this supposition:

Daniel {11:32} And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits. ] 

We learn that this man will be a great orator, but those few people who do come to believe in Jesus post-Rapture will not be taken in by his “flatteries.” Most of the world certainly will. Even now in the secular world people no longer have a problem with politicians who habitually lie. Even worse, people have no qualms about attending any number of church denominations where the doctrine of  “political correctness” and “anything goes” has overwhelmingly been accepted in the place of what the Bible teaches regarding God’s intent on such things as human sexuality to be within a committed heterosexual relationship only, Jesus as the only means of salvation, and the reality that there will be a day of judgment and that hell is a very real destination for those who have rejected God – and specifically for those of the church age, those who have refused  Jesus’ offer of himself for their sins. Paul said as much would be the case almost 2000 years ago:

2 Timothy {4:3 – 4} For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

This makes a situation already ripe today for the ultimate deceiver known as Satan to put his man in place by completely peaceful means. But once that happens and the Antichrist’s grip on power becomes established, any and all means, including force, will be applied to maintain it. It will ultimately lead to the worse war in human history at Armageddon, a conflict so terrible that it will require divine intervention to stop it in the bodily return of Jesus Christ to Earth, accompanied by all the saints (believers) who have ever lived.

Revelation {19:19-21} And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his* mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. *Jesus (See Revelation 19:11-16)

But we are getting somewhat ahead of ourselves. We have to look further at how humanity will get to this terrible state. Next time, we’ll look at more ways this future world despot might exploit the technology of our “knowledge will be increased” age to bring the world to its knees before him.

*Public Domain Source of Bible Quotations *

All Bible references are from http://www.davince.com/bible and are copied intact from that

source.

 

Prophetic Tech Part One

By Ed Wood

November 21, 2015

If you are reading this, odds are that not only do you have more than a passing acquaintance with the Bible, but that you also take it seriously. Odds also are that it makes you a growing anomaly in the Christian world as it exists today. Indeed, in much of the modern church here in the United States, it might even make you unwelcome. That’s not the case here because I know Terry James does take God’s Word as, well, God’s Word along with everything that follows along with such a belief.

Though I have never met Terry in person, I feel that over the many years we have corresponded, that I have gained a loyal friend. From my first contact with him via Rapture Ready, he has gone out of his way to encourage me in my study of the Bible, especially in the realm of Bible Prophecy, and has graciously provided me a venue to share my thoughts by way of various articles I’d written on this subject over nearly ten years for Rapture Ready. Now, he has invited me to once again share some of my thoughts on his new website and I am singularly honored to participate. Thank you very much, Terry. I will try very hard to rise to the occasion! So, that being said, let’s begin from a passage first from the Book of Revelation: (Note: Asterisks have been inserted to further explain the text as needed. Please see notation at the end of this article regarding the source for King James Bible passages used here.)

Revelation {11:3-12} And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a  thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

A much earlier passage found in Zechariah may be referring to these mysterious figures as well:

Zechariah {4:11-14} Then answered I*, and said unto him**, What [are] these two olive trees upon the right [side] of the candlestick and upon the left [side] thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What [be these] two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden [oil] out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be?] And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth. * Zechariah ** an angel

Exactly who these two witnesses are continues to be a source of speculation, but three possibilities top the list.  They are Enoch, Elijah, and Moses. The first two are unique in that they never died but were taken directly off the earth by God:

Genesis {5:24} And Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.

2 Kings {2:11-12} And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw [it,] and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

As for Moses, the Bible tells us that he died after seeing the Promised Land and after commissioning Joshua to take over as leader of the Israelites after their forty year journey from Egypt:

Deuteronomy {34:1-6} And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that [is] over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. And the LORD said unto him, This [is] the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see [it] with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he* buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. *Joshua (Hoshea)

Though Moses did die while Enoch and Elijah did not, he does in fact show up again in person with Elijah during the Transfiguration:

Matthew {17:1-3} And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias* talking with him. *Elijah

Additionally, there are also accounts concerning Elijah in which he called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-38, 2 Kings 1:1-15) making him a particularly strong candidate.

Perhaps the idea that the witnesses will represent the “Law and the Prophets” also gives a nod once again to Elijah, being a prophet, and to Moses, the giver of the Law. Or it may be two other people entirely. Nevertheless, what we do know is that they will appear, withstand all manner of attacks from their enemies, until the final one the Antichrist unleashes on them  kills them – something the world will celebrate. But the jubilation will be short-lived as they are miraculously resurrected.

With this background now established, let’s take a look at what happens after they are killed and think about what it suggests:

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Not only do these witnesses get killed, but it seems very clear that the entire world knows about it just about in real time. This is nothing out of the ordinary in the Twenty-first Century, but one must remember that when the book of Revelation was written in the end of the First, the speed that news could be transmitted was limited by how fast one (or his or her animal) could walk, or cross by ship to a distant shore. And yet John sees the whole world instantly knowing what has happened and celebrating their demise. But the party doesn’t last very long because in the same manner it sees these once-dead men resurrected and bodily taken into heaven:

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

The closest thing to instant communication that existed for centuries was restricted to such primitive forms as smoke signals, drum beats, signal fires, or the sounding of various types of horns such as your basic shofars or more technically refined trumpets. Out of sight or out of earshot meant that one was out of luck. It has really only been within the last 200 years that anything resembling actual long-range instantaneous communication has existed, the first being the telegraph perfected by Samuel B. Morse and Alfred Vail in 1837. This in itself required advances in the use, storage and generation of electricity, which up until the 19^th Century was little more than a curiosity.

Two decades and a year later the first trans-Atlantic cable was laid between Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Valenica, Ireland, but it failed in three weeks. A replacement was laid in1866. (Only in 1956 would a telephone transmission finally cross the Atlantic Ocean to Europe via cable.)

A huge development in the field of communications would follow Marconi’s successful wireless telegraph system in December 1901 from St. John’s Newfoundland to Cornwall, England. No longer was it necessary to run a physical connection between sender and receiver, and from this point on radio technology exploded across the globe. Using shortwave radio, it became possible even for amateur radio operators to communicate across the planet, marking the first time in human history that instant communication not only became possible, but commonplace.

With the advent of television and the space program, sophisticated communication satellites beginning with Telstar 1 in 1962 provided the means not only to transmit audio, but video as well in real-time. With the advent of the Information Age of the past few decades, the ease an accessibility of more and more people to instant communication has exploded. Now we take it all pretty much for granted – unless, of course, something prevents our devices from working!

What fascinates me personally about all of this is that for the Revelation passage above to become literally possible, all of the technological progress above had to take place first. It’s taken about 1900 years for that to happen, but here we are. We see from John’s description that what will transpire will no doubt be seen and heard by virtually the entire world – as it happens – and I have no doubt will be replayed over and over again on the global news media and Internet sites, all of them most likely under the direct control of the future world despot we have come to know as the Antichrist. I can certainly understand him splashing what he thinks is his victory over the two witnesses all over the media to further exalt himself on the world stage but that the resurrection of these two (the last thing he would want displayed) also manages to hit the airwaves shows it to be something so completely sudden and unexpected he does not have time to censor it.

As we can see, we have reached a point where our current state of technological development has made everything we’ve read about the world witnessing the events of Revelation 11:3-12 in actual time completely and literally possible for the first time in human history. It has been my personal belief that the Antichrist will not only use the supernatural abilities given to him by Satan himself, but will avail himself of the “tools at hand” to increasingly tighten his grip on a turbulent planet that will initially receive him with open arms. Next time, we’ll look at another facet of modern technology which will help him take over the world.

*Public Domain Source of Bible Quotations *

All Bible references are from http://www.davince.com/bible and are copied intact from that source.