Jesus said Come,
Follow Me!
Chapter 10 - The End,
The
Revelation of Jesus Christ
Much of the church has become
filled with traditions and doctrines of men. It is worldly and rich, having need
of nothing. The lukewarm prevail and do not see the shame of their nakedness (sin)
due to blindness (deception). Much of
the church thinks of itself as alive, but is mostly dead. False doctrines
dominate. Many churches have simply become a reflection of the world around them
(ineffective). This may not be manifested in rhetoric, but mainly in
deed. Even so, there are a few (remnant)
that have not defiled their garments and have kept the Word of God. Many more
are waking up as the end of the age fast approaches (Eph 2:1-6, Joel
2:32
). Jesus’ message to the end time churches is
to repent (forsake your sinfulness),
holdfast (to the Gospel) and overcome
(the flesh, the world and sin – through Christ). 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever
is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith.” To overcome is to become Christ like, to walk as He
walked – this is where our faith will take us. Conforming to Christ’s image
can only be accomplished by being led of His Spirit. The power comes from God
and not from man, his ability or his direction (Jn
1:12
-13, Eph
2:18
,
3:20
). Those who seem as the world have been overcome
by it and must quickly repent. Those walking by the Spirit are being transformed
by God into His image.
Great
tribulation is coming and the church will go through it as a refining fire of
God to make ready the Bride of Christ (glorious
and holy – without spot, blemish or wrinkle). The wheat will be separated
from the tares (weeds), but even so,
much deception will abound, - the wise will understand. Daniel
12:10
, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and
tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand.” The tares (just
religious) look just like the wheat (those
serving Christ through faith) until the fruit appears (Mt
13:26
, 30).
The fruit is how you will know (Mt
7:20
). God in His great mercy is going to pull many
from their worldliness (perhaps initially
kicking and screaming) during this time. Many soiled and filthy garments
will be washed and made white. The persecution and tribulation are truly
necessary and will accomplish God’s purposes. This will be the removing of
those things that can be shaken (Heb
12:27
). This will be a time of affliction and great trial. God’s wrath will
fall upon the wicked. The righteous will be tried and purified. This will be
such a time of trouble that if it were not cut short, no one would survive. When
we see our wrongful ways and doings, we will know that God has not done this
without a cause (Ez
14:23
,
17:20
,
20:43
, 36:31, Hos
5:15
).
Many
are expecting a pre-tribulation rapture or great persecution of churches. I dare
say that many religious organizations, associations and movements will enter
into the tribulation relatively unscathed. The Lord said that the antichrist
will make war with those who keep the Word of God (
Rev 12:17
). This is a very significant point. The world is
mostly religious, seeking man’s way (will) to reach God. In other
words, man’s will over God’s will. They have God serving them. These assume
they are keeping the will of God – but they love not the truth. The true
application of God’s Word is a reproach to them and they have no delight in it
(Jer
6:10
). Following the path of the cross was fine when
it was Christ doing it, but the religious have no such desire. They define death
to self as mental agreement or acceptance. The beast (false prophet) will
be a religious leader who comes as a lamb (religious, phony believer),
but speaks as a dragon (
Rev 13:11
). He will do great signs and wonders and will
deceive and seduce them that dwell upon the earth (
Rev 13:13
-14, Mk
13:22
). The world will wonder after the beast (Rev 13:3). There will be
great deception. The beast will be the ultimate in rebellious man (666)
and those who seek God through the flesh are going to want to hear what he has
to say. Many religious will align with the beast. The religious leader will even
call fire down from heaven in the sight of men (
Rev 13:13
). Those who actually keep the Word of God will
be persecuted by these religious ones – just like Christ was (Mt
10:21
-22).
The religious system will have form; the true believer will have heart – big
difference! This chapter will show when the Lord will come back (not
the day nor hour, but after what events). One must keep in mind that even
so, this day your life may be required of you. Let us be faithful.
Beginnings
In
order to understand the tribulation and the end of the age, you must first
understand the beginning. God created the world in six literal 24 hour days and
rested on the seventh. God repeats this pattern throughout His historical
dealings with mankind. God created man on the sixth day and six is the number of
man. God rested from His labors on the seventh day and seven is the number of
completion. Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from
ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all my pleasure.” Each of the six creation days represent a one
thousand year period (for a thousand years
is as a day with God) that man will labor upon the earth for six thousand
years total. The seventh creation day, Sabbath, represents a thousand year
period of rest known as the millennial reign of Christ (instituted
upon the return of Christ – Rev 20:4, Zech 14:9, 16-17). Christ will be
the focus in the millennial reign just as He should be on the Sabbath. Although
no one is exactly sure where we are in God’s time table, we are certainly very
close to the end of the six thousand years of man (self
rule). The tribulation will soon occur followed by the return of Christ.
Romans
9:28
, “For he will finish the work, and cut it
short in righteousness: because a short work
will the Lord make upon the earth. (Ps
90:4)”
Why
Tribulation?
This
chapter will detail the horrible events of the coming tribulation upon the
earth. Many will ask how a loving God could allow such a thing (Dan
4:35
). The very question itself is a judgment upon
God’s character and fairness. The hidden realities belong to God alone (Deut
29:29, also Rm
11:33
). How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out (Rm
11:33
)? The reason for tribulation parallels
Israel
’s and
Judah
’s unfaithfulness to God. They forsook the Lord
and sought the world like a whores/harlots unfaithfulness to her lover (read
Ezekiel Chap 16). Today, many have forsaken Christ for the things of the
world (they would never see it this way, but neither did Israel/Judah).
Tribulation is the culmination of man’s rebellion against the will of God (Is
24:20, Joel
3:13
) – pride has blossomed. Rebellious
man has sought to exalt himself from the very beginning. Just as Adam’s
disobedience brought sin, death and untold suffering upon the earth it will all
come to a pinnacle at the end of the age. Daniel 8:23-24, “And in the latter
time of their kingdom, when the transgressors
are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark
sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own
power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and
shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.” Death, suffering and confusion
will reign as man seeks his ultimate will. Jeremiah
23:20
, “The anger of the LORD shall not return,
until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in
the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.” Man chose to follow the devil
in the Garden of Eden and the devil’s son will be manifested to and accepted
as Messiah by a rebellious mankind (Christ
was rejected, Jn 5:43). This will be a time of judgment upon man’s
wickedness. Man will receive the fruit of his own way (Pv
1:31
, Jer
6:19
,
17:10
,
21:14
, 32:19,
Micah
7:13
, Zech 1:6).
All creation will see the results of what rebellion against God has produced (Rm
9:22
-23). All creation will see the
hell on earth that is manifested when Satan is allowed to rule for a short
period of time according to his way (nature). Jesus Christ will put an
end to the chaos, confusion, suffering, wickedness and death and will set up His
kingdom to show the world how things could have and should have been from the
beginning. The wicked will receive judgment.
Beware:
God’s four sore judgments are coming, the sword (war),
famine (lack), noisome beast (opposed
to man), and pestilence (plague,
contagious disease) – Jer 15:2-3, Ez
5:8-12, 6:10-14, 7:15, 14:21. These judgments were used extensively prior to
Judah
’s fall and
exile (Jeremiah and Ezekiel).
We live in a fallen world. Death is just as common as life and it is
relentless. Animals kill each other. Animals kill man. Man kills animals. Man
kills man (Gen 9:5-6, Eccl 1:4,
3:19
,
4:16
). This cycle will continue in this fallen world
until God’s purposes are complete (Gen
8:22
, Ps 49:15, Eccl
3:19
). What shall be said of this: Ecclesiastes 12:7, “Then shall the dust
return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave
it.” AND Psalms 89:48, “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?
shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.” Jesus came to
bring truth and eternal life. Christ paid a debt that we could not and
reconciles fallen man back under God’s authority. We are to put aside our
hostilities and take up the banner of love (Song
of Solomon 2:4). Love is God’s nature and we best comply. We must relish God’s
authority with all respect and worship and come out of our rebellion. Your image
must be reconciled (through Jesus) with that of God. Your image will be
that of God or that of SELF. Those who worship self will have no place with God.
The
antichrist spirit is in the world. The generation born just after the second
world war known as the “baby boomers” has been referred to as the “ME”
generation (see Chapter 7, Rock and Roll).
It has been characterized by selfishness and rebellion. This generation
paralleled the establishment of the United Nations and the re-establishment of
Israel
as a recognized nation with sovereign borders.
The self-centeredness and rebellion has accelerated since (abortion, sexual revolution, the pill, feminism, rebellious music forms,
television, Sodomites, etc.) and has become the norm for modern society and
for most of the established religious institutions that claim to follow God (confusion).
This is the antichrist generation (paves
the way). The rebellion is now so complete in the world that those who truly
follow Christ have become exceedingly bright lights (due
to the surrounding darkness).
God
has pleaded with His people on many prior occasions due to their rebellion,
disobedience, lack of faith, sinfulness and worldliness, namely in the
wilderness for forty years and in the captivity of Babylon (Ex
17:20). Ezekiel 20:35-36, 38, “And I will bring you into the wilderness of
the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with
your fathers in the wilderness of the
land
of
Egypt
, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against
me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they
shall not enter into the
land
of
Israel
: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” Those
who identify with God are to be set apart and under His authority. Many desire
to be like the world around them and seek such pleasures. Jeremiah
2:35
, “Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent,
surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because
thou sayest, I have not sinned.” For what purpose did God plead? Ezekiel
20:43-44, “And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein
ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all
your evils that ye have committed. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I
have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways,
nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of
Israel
, saith the Lord GOD.” The great tribulation
will be such a time. So many who “profess Christ” live worldly lives far
from His will. Most are seeking their own will and not God’s. God is going to
purge the rebels and purify the remnant by humbling them and causing them to see
their trespasses and great need for Jesus. Once you see your sin and depravity
and seek God, then: Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon
you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols,
will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I
put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I
will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause
you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
God’s purpose is to reconcile through Christ, but we must see our need for
this to be accomplished. Those who are living as the world do not see such a
need, irregardless of their profession. Galatians 1:4-5, “Who gave himself for
our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to
the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Many do not desire deliverance, they love the darkness.
Much
of the religious world does not see their sin and depravity and great need for
Jesus: Revelation 3:17-19, “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.” These think they are rich, but
Jesus says they are poor. However, Jesus told another group (
Smyrna
) who were poor and suffering tribulation that
they were actually rich (Rev 2:9).
There seems to be a disconnect between many religious and the truth. These
religious do not see their need. They are living in the flesh, prospering and
believe all is well. Huge religious buildings are going up and membership growth
is being realized. They are purpose driven, but unfortunately not Spirit led.
Jesus says they have nothing of eternal value (spiritually lacking), are
sinful and deceived. Their reliance is on self and human ingenuity. Christ has
not given up on them. Jesus says buy of me gold tried in the fire (1 Pt 1:7). What does this mean? The fire is the tribulation that we
suffer to refine us for the Master’s use. This is what the church at
Smyrna
was going through when Jesus told them they were
rich. 1 Corinthians 3:11-14, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is
laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what
sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall
receive a reward.” We must build our lives on a correct foundation of faith in
Jesus Christ and serve Him – this is true riches. The trial of our
faith is more precious than gold -
it will be tried in fire (1 Pt 1:7, Zech
13:9). Job
23:10
, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he
hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Christ searcheth the reins and
hearts (
Rev 2:23
). We must have white raiment, which is purity
from sin. We purify our souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit (1
Pt
1:22
). The nakedness represents our sinfulness (Adam
and Eve sinned and realized their nakedness, Gen 3:7;
Israel
made false gods and defiled themselves –
the people were naked, Ex 32:25 – also 2 Cor 5:3, Ez 15:8).
The blindness is deception and confusion given to those who love not the truth
of God’s Word. Does this not describe much of the modern religious world? They
build ministry empires and television networks - they are rich and think they
need nothing – yet they live as the world. They do not see their sin and filth
– they wallow in it. Most of these religious feel they have license (a
covering) to live as the world and in sin, namely Jesus Christ, yet they
feel the lost (those who do not profess)
do not have such freedom - confusion. This notion may not be manifested in
rhetoric, but in deeds – lifestyle, thoughts, actions.
God’s Four Sore Judgments
When
Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land, he was told to utterly
destroy the peoples (Deut 7:2, 24, 9:3),
their writings (Num 33:52, Deut 18:9,
20:17-18) and their idols (Ex 34:13,
Deut 7:5, 12:2-3, Josh 23:7). These people, through their actions, were
wicked (accursed) before God and this
was His judgment upon them (Gen
15:16
, Deut 9:4-5,
18:12
, 31:3).
Israel
was not to be as these peoples because they did
all the things which were abominable to God (Lev
18:1-30, Deut 18:9-12).
Israel
went on to become more wicked than the nations
whose land they possessed (2 Kg 21:9),
because they transgressed God’s will by seeking their “own way” (Jer
32:30). They disregarded God’s commandments and sought after idols, and
lived in the manner of the wicked peoples around them (Deut
31:16, 32:16-19, Ps 78:56-58, Josh 2:8-13, Jer 32:33-35).
Israel
even exceeded the wickedness of the peoples they
dispossessed (2 Kg 21:9, 11)! God sent
Judges (Jdg
2:18
-19) to deliver the people and later provided kings. Yet the people
continually did evil in the sight of God, constantly provoking Him with their
vanities (Jdg 10:6). The kings of
Israel
were a foreshadowing of “The King” that God
would later send. The people were to be submitted and obedient to the king’s
direction (Jdg 17:6,
21:25
), and this was an object lesson (an
allegory). The kings were suppose to be submitted to God and execute
righteous judgment, but this was not always the case. God also sent prophets who
spoke His Words. In all cases the messages of the prophets were for the people
to turn from (forsake) their
wickedness and rebellion (Jer 18:8, 2 Chr
7:14
), and come back to God, who would have mercy (Is
55:7). Jeremiah 25:4-5, “And the LORD hath sent unto you all his
servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened,
nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again now every one from his
evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD
hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever.” Turn ye, turn ye
from “your” wicked ways – from your path (Ez
33:11). God said: Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day
unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good; after their
own thoughts.” The Lord also said, “Yea, they have chosen their own ways,
and their soul delighteth in their abominations. They did not hear: but they did
evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not (Is
66:3-4).” The Lord said they had a revolting and rebellious heart (Jer
5:23
) and would not walk in the good path (Jer
6:16
). God has been very consistent in His
expectations of man from the beginning: Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now,
Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy
God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God
with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD,
and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” - to cleave to
Him in obedience (Deut 13:4, Jer
7:23
)! This is the first great commandment (Mk
12:29
-30).
The message is to surrender to God’s authority. God’s prophets were “not
received” and were mistreated (beaten, cast into prison) and killed (Mt
21:35
). 2 Chronicles 36:16, “But they mocked the
messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the
wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till
there was no remedy.” God told them over and over that judgment was
coming. Jeremiah 29:17, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send
upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like
vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.” Jeremiah 25:7, “Yet ye
have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger
with the works of your hands to your own hurt.” AND Jeremiah 26:13,
“Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD
your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced
against you.” All the time they were committing evil against the Lord they maintained a
form of godliness worshipping in the temple (Jer 7:1-12, Ez
23:37
-39).
They plowed wickedness, reaped iniquity; ate the fruit of lies (the
forbidden fruit, the devil’s lie): because they didst trust
in their own way (Hos
10:13
). Drastic measures were taken by God to get
Israel
’s attention (Jer
32:23). God said he would destroy His people because they turned not from
“their ways” (Jer 15:7,
18:11
-12). Ezekiel 6:10-11, “And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I
have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them. Thus saith the Lord
GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the
evil abominations of the house of
Israel
! for they shall fall by the sword, by the
famine, and by the pestilence.” God sent His four sore judgments of the sword,
famine, pestilence and noisome beasts (Jer
15:2-3, 34:17, Ez 5:8-12, 16-17, 6:10-14, 7:15, 14:21). Those who survived
were carried off into Babylonian exile (Jer
4:18
,
5:13
,
16:12
-13). Lamentations
3:42
, “We have transgressed
and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.” This was intended to get
Israel
’s full attention. Jeremiah
2:35
, “Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent,
surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because
thou sayest, I have not sinned.”
Israel
had not been able to see their iniquity or self
seeking ways in anything they did (Jer
4:22
). They were not submitted to God, but thought they were in “their
way.” In
Babylon
, they would have frame of mind to ponder such
things (see things as they are).
Ezekiel 20:43-44, “And there shall ye remember your
ways, and all your doings, wherein ye
have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for
all your evils that ye have committed. And ye shall know that I am the
LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your
wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt
doings, O ye house of
Israel
, saith the Lord GOD (also Ez 36:31).” AND Ezekiel
20:35
-38, “And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and
there will I plead with you face to face.
Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the
land
of
Egypt
, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond
of the covenant: And I will purge out from among
you the rebels (those who rebelliously
walk in their own way), and them that
transgress against me (those who
follow the devil’s lie): I will bring them forth out of the country where
they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall
know that I am the LORD.” Jeremiah 24:7, “And I will give
them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people,
and I will be their God: for they shall return
unto me with their whole heart” (also
Ez
11:19
-20).
The four sore judgments was God’s mercy in turning, at least a remnant, back
to Himself. Otherwise all would be lost.
The
way in which God dealt with rebellious
Israel
and
Judah
are a foreshadowing of what is on the horizon (Great
Tribulation). God is extremely merciful and forgiving to those who will
forsake their wickedness and turn to Him with a perfect heart of love. The
popular gospel in the modern world has become one of the flesh. This is a gospel
that allows men to transgress the will of God supposedly with Christ’s
understanding (ye shall not surely die) and to seek their own way (ye
shall be as gods). In other words, this is a sugar coated version of the
devil’s original and continuing “Lie.” Most who profess Christ now live as
the world and have mostly been overcome. Jesus has been reduced to a spiritual
covering for all manner of self seeking, and worldliness. God has been
longsuffering till there be no remedy. The horsemen are mounting their steeds as
the four sore judgments are looming. Revelation 6:2-8, “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. And when he had opened the second
seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another
horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace
from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto
him a great sword (The sword). And when he had
opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld,
and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for
a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil
and the wine (The
famine). And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of
the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and
his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was
given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill
with sword, and with hunger (The Famine),
and with death (The
pestilence), and with the beasts of the earth (The noisome beasts).” The
false prophets are crying peace, peace (rapture,
rapture), but Great Tribulation is coming. God will bring judgment – for
He is righteous and He delights in truth and judgment (Jer 4: 2,
9:24
, Ps 19:9,
33:4-5, Ps 86:11, 119:42). This is the
character of God and He is true to His being. This will get the attention of all
as God pleads one last time with a most rebellious people – impudent and
stiffnecked (Ez 2:3-4).
Purification
To
be pure, your inner life (heart) is as pure as the outward (visible)
life per God’s expectations.
Israel
was instructed to make the various implements for the Lord’s Tabernacle,
and later for the temple, from pure gold (e.g. Ex 25:11, 17, 24, 29, 31, 36,
38, 39). Gold naturally has some impurities in it. When you put the gold to
the flame, the impurities are burnt away (tried
in the furnace) leaving a pure substance of value. The impurities represent
sin. Pure gold does not stain or corrode. The pure gold represents holiness and
righteousness. The flame represents those persecutions and tribulations that one
endures to bring about a pureness. Being in the flame is necessary to obtain the
purity, but is not appealing to the flesh (Heb
12:11
). We are to become as pure gold. Proverb 17:3,
“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth
the hearts.” The fact that these instruments in the Lord’s earthly dwelling
(tabernacle, temple) were pure gold represents God’s absolute holiness
and righteousness – free from impurity (iniquity).
1 Peter 1:5, 7, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time. That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1
Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another
with a pure heart fervently.”
We are tried by God for purification (Zech
13:9, Mal 3:2-3). The tribulation and suffering we endure on earth purifies
us. We would never choose this, but it is absolutely necessary. Physically dying
for Christ (martyrdom) is the ultimate “dying to SELF” and
accomplishes God’s will, thus bringing purity (freedom from sin, Dan
11:35
). This will become evident in this chapter.
The Bride and the Harlot
Revelation 17:1-2, “And there came one of the seven
angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come
hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon
many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and
the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her
fornication.” To be drunk is to lose self-control (opposite
of the fruit of the Spirit – temperance); to become less inhibited (reserved, subdued, self conscious); to have less judgment (certainly
not righteous judgment); to not have clarity of mind or reaction (dulled
senses); and loss of vision (blindness).
Fornication represents unfaithfulness to God. Fornication with the whore is
forsaking God for the sensuality of another. Sensuality is the preoccupation
with the gratification of physical appetites and especially the sexual appetite.
This is saying that the leaders and the inhabitants of the earth have lost self
control, inhibitions, judgment, clarity of mind and are blinded in their lusts
for the pleasures, entertainments, worldliness, fleshly fulfillments, and
general materialism of the whore (
Babylon
). These are the things that she offers. She
seduces wonderfully! This whore has corrupted the whole earth (Rev 19:2). The flesh dominates in seeking it’s will. This has
always been the devil’s ploy. To lure men through their own lusts to seek
their own will (thereby transgressing
God’s will) to be as gods (Gen 3:5).
Many do this with a Christian covering (sheep
skin) and believe “ye shall surely not die” (Gen 3:4). This keeps men in the rebellion against God. This is how
the devil eternally separates men from God – and always has been. You die in
your own rebellion seeking temporal gratifying lusts of the flesh. God pleads
for those to come out of this evil (Rev
18:4). You must renounce your rebellion against God and surrender to Him
with a whole heart of faith in obedience to His will. Those who do not come out
of such unfaithfulness will experience God’s original promise (thou shalt surely die, Gen
2:17
).
The
body of Christ is represented as the “bride” in scripture. The false
religion mixed with worldliness represents the “harlot” in scripture. This
false religion represents all of man’s religious efforts and idolatry through
the ages and cultures, but particularly tries to convey a twisted gospel (another
Jesus). This idolatry and seeking of other gods is spiritual fornication.
The bride is led of the Spirit, seeks Christ’s will and says, “Father,
glorify thy name,” and “thy will be done.” The harlot, who lives for self
says, “Father, glorify my name,” and “my will be done.” The harlot seeks
her own and wants to save her flesh. The bride wears white, which is simple,
unpretentious and innocent (Rev 19:7-9) representing cleanliness, purity and outward
righteousness (Zech 3:1-7). She is
clothed with God’s nature and has a robe of righteousness (Is 61:10). Let us examine how the harlot religious system is
arrayed: Revelation 17:3-5, “So he carried me away in the spirit into the
wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names
of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in
purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,
having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE
GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Babylon
had once been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand
(Jer 51:7). The harlot (false
religious) wears purple and scarlet colors and is decked with gold and
precious stones and pearls, (the dainties
of the world, Ps 141:4).
Babylon
desires to deck herself with the glory and
things of this world (Hos
2:13
, Nahum 3:4). She seeks self
satisfaction, yet assumes she is the image of God. She has lived deliciously and
lusted after the good things of the world (Rev 18:7, 14).
Babylon
is a mystery to many people, because she claims
to follow Jesus. Can’t you just hear her say, you can’t out-sin God? Or God
accepts you no matter what you do! – such filthiness. We must ask ourselves:
Do we reflect Christ or the world in our thoughts, deeds, actions, likes, and
dislikes? – Where is the majority of your time spent? This is a true indicator
– don’t be self deceived or fooled. Don’t compare yourself to others. What
if Noah had compared himself to others (everybody’s doing it)? Compare
yourself to God’s Word. 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye
be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Ask God to examine you:
Psalm 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts:” We must set our heart to understand and chasten ourselves before
God and He will hear us (Dan
10:12
). The harlot fornicates with the world. The beast that the harlot rides
upon is the World’s government/economic system (Is 23:8, merchants
Rev 18:23
). The harlot is great whereas the bride is holy.
Babylon
may be interested in evangelism, religious
ceremony, buildings, social work, popularity and big crowds – she seeks
greatness and worldly honor - but she has no interest in righteousness and
holiness (denying the flesh). We are told to cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God –
this is what it’s all about (2 Cor 7:1).
What men esteem highly is an abomination to God (Lk
16:15) – possessions, wealth, education, societal position, big
cathedrals, programs, influence, traditions, musical talent, self-righteousness,
creeds, religiosity, ceremony, donations, authority, control (Mk
12:38-40, Lk 18:11, Mt 6:1-2, 5-7, 16-18).
We must come out of
Babylon
(Rev 18:4).
Babylon
is any system that would come between Christ and
us in any way including priests and religiosity.
Babylon
wants to put us under her control and keep us
there by making us fear that she alone is where salvation and right standing
before God is found and that we must partake of her fellowship and sacraments.
Babylon
says we must assemble with her and support her
needs, build her palaces and perform her good (?)
works.
Babylon
is destined to make war with the lamb and His
chosen ones (
Rev 12:17
).
Babylon
does not take correction very well and would
rather put out the light than come to it (Ps
37:12, 32, Gal
4:29
). Proverb 29:27, “…and he that is upright in
the way is abomination to the wicked.” AND Galatians
4:29
, “But as then he that was born after the flesh
persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.”
Babylon
is self-centered: Isaiah 47:10, “For thou hast
trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy
knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and
none else beside me (also Zeph
2:15
).” Notice that she trusts in her wisdom and knowledge (tree of)
and was corrupted. This is in keeping with Satan and his rebellion (See
Chapter One). This system leads multitudes away from the One True God into
eternal damnation and thus corrupts the world with her fornication (seeking
of other gods - idolatry, Rev 19:2).
Revelation
17:6, “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the
blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great
admiration.”
Babylon
opposes Christ, but seduces
wonderfully. This harlot had killed the saints, yet the apostle John wondered (be
in awe) and marvelled with great admiration when he saw this whore – but
there is hidden truth about this woman (Rev
17:7). Many are fixated upon the eyes of this serpent as it slowly swallows
them and chokes their life out. Throughout the centuries, millions of true
saints of God have been persecuted and killed by religious organizations of all
denominations. Did you know that even John Calvin (revered
by many) had a rival named Michael Servetus burned at the stake? His crime
was that he disagreed with Calvin’s theology and he was judged a heretic (I’m
not defending Servetus’ theology). Martin Luther encouraged civil
authorities to take up arms and put down those who disagreed with his theology.
Martin Luther also wrote a pamphlet titled, “On the Jews and their Lies”
which advocated Christians to set synagogues on fire, to destroy Jewish houses
and to put Jews in stables, and it advised rulers to banish Jews from their
countries. Nowhere in New Testament scripture can violence against another be
justified, especially in the cause of Christ. These men were zealous, but for
who? - God or self. Jesus said that some would kill and think they do God a
service – how misguided (Jn 16:2). Who knows how many saints that the Roman Catholic Church
and the Orthodox Church have killed (physically
and spiritually)? Even today, many saints are being slain by their
“fellow-professed Christians” by their tongues and their writings for
preaching the whole counsel of God (that of repentance and righteousness).
This is character assassination – misrepresentation (straight from the devil’s toolbox). If one can be demonized (as
the religious attempted with Christ – Mt
12:24
), then their witness becomes
less effective.
Babylon
and her daughters are indeed
drunk with the blood of the true witnesses of Jesus.
Babylon
’s immorality is seen in the
fact that she claims to represent Christ and yet lives by the principles of the
world and seeks to be great in the world. That is how her cup becomes full of
abominations. Churches that build impressive facilities, emphasize money (tithe/support),
or are concerned with church growth – membership/decisions rather than changed
lives are surely
Babylon
. The true church prepares for
Christ’s coming through purity (righteousness)
and faithfulness to God that is expressed in biblically correct attitudes,
motives, thoughts, and actions. These are demonstrated in a daily walk to become
like Christ.
Consider
this carefully: 1 Corinthians 6:15-17, 19-20, “Know ye not that your bodies
are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ (bride),
and make them the members of an harlot (world)?
God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?
for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is
one spirit. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God’s.” When we follow the world and our desire is for the things
of the world, we become one with the world. This makes you an enemy of God (Js 4:4). Your walk will speak much louder than your words.
Israel
and
Judah
went whoring after the world and God gave them
over to their lovers (the ungodly).
Only a small remnant of
Judah
was saved. Psalm 73:27, “ For, lo, they that are far from thee shall
perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring (are unfaithful)
from thee.” Please consider the whole account of
Israel
’s worldly whoredoms written in Ezekiel Chapter
23 and throughout the prophets. What was the result of
Israel
’s whoredoms: Romans 9:27, “Esaias also
crieth concerning
Israel
, Though the number of the children of
Israel
be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be
saved.” Seeking after the things of the world? – idolatry is a very serious
thing. If this is something you do not think about or actively fight then you
are spiritually blinded and most likely idolatrous. God will give those who
choose the world over to the world during tribulation. Those who follow the
beast for the things of the world or selfish benefit (save
your own skin) will be eternally lost. When Jesus returns all the kindreds
of the earth shall wail (Loud weeping;
violent lamentation, great sorrow) because of Him; most are in rebellion –
Even so, Amen (Rev 1:7).
Beware of Leaven
In scripture “leaven” is used as a symbol of self-exaltation, hypocrisy (Lk
12:1, Lev
2:11
,
6:17
) and sin (Ex
34:25). For example, Jesus said: Mark 8:15, “And
he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and
of the leaven of Herod.” His disciples did not understand what He meant so
Jesus provided clarification: Matthew
16: 11
-12, “How is it that ye do not understand that
I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them
not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of
the Sadducees.” These religious sought to exalt their will (self)
rather than God’s (Lk 12:1). Leaven causes the lump to rise and these
“raise” their will above God’s. The leaven of King Herod (ruler)
was later visible as he was struck dead for receiving glory that should have
went to God. The people called him a god and he accepted their praise (Acts
12:20
-23).
Seven days prior to the Jewish celebration of Passover all leavened bread
was required to be removed from one’s home (Ex
12:15
-20). This was symbolic of humbling one’s self and removing all
sin. Unleavened bread was to be eaten for the Passover meal (Ex 12:8).
This was highly symbolic of Jesus. Christ is the bread sent from heaven (Jn
6:32
-37). Jesus never exalted self and only did the Father’s will
and had no sin (Jn
6:38
). We must beware of
exalting ourselves and our purposes rather than God’s. 1
Corinthian 5:6-8, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a
new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for
us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and
truth.” We are to become humble (die to self) and conform to Christ in
authenticity and genuineness. If we do not crucify the old life then nothing has
changed.
We are warned throughout the New Testament to beware of deception. Luke
13:20-21, “And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the
kingdom
of
God
? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid
in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” The parable is
explained as follows: The leaven is man seeking his will (self-exaltation)
and man’s sinfulness and transgressions against God – and gloating in such.
The meal represents those who are professing Christ. Leavened dough is equate
with spiritual adultery in scriptures (Hos
7:4). The woman is the great harlot described in Revelation Chapter 17 (for clarification read Ezekiel Chapter 16). The woman is composed of
those who claim to represent Christ, but actually are exalting self and their
real love is the things of the world – hence, a sinful harlot. Notice the
woman hid the leaven in the meal. This is descriptive of deception – it is
there, but not obvious to the undiscerning. In the course of time (since
Pentecost), this seeking of man’s will (self-exaltation) and
sinfulness, works its way through the whole body corrupting all. We are told in
scripture: Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Why
three measures of meal? There has existed for some time three main visible
groups (institutionalized) who claim to exclusively represent Christ (It
should be noted that Jesus in actuality represents Himself). These groups
are the Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, and the
Protest-ant
Church
. If you honestly look (using the Bible as
your reference) at where each of these institutions is headed (or are
already there) through all their organizations and associations, it is
toward apostasy or “being leavened.” These groups have set themselves
between the believer and Christ. These groups are following the doctrines and
traditions of men and are calling it God’s will. Most will identify themselves
as one of these groups (or their offspring; where do you go to church? I’m
a…?), rather than a follower of Christ.
Luke
13:18-19, “Then said he, Unto what is the
kingdom
of
God
like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is
like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it
grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of
it.” Those who profess to follow Christ (Christians)
have multiplied across the earth into an exceedingly great multitude. Fowls of
the air have always been representative of demons (Lk
8:5, 12). Man has developed vast religious systems in which the demons of
the air find shelter. This is representative of the religious who serve through
the flesh rather than the Spirit. This also reveals great deception. When we die
to SELF (and the world) as we have
been instructed to do, we will be like our Lord and the devil and his demons
will have no place in us (Jn
14:30
). Please note that Jesus defined “fowls of the air” in His parable of
the seeds: Mark 4:4, “And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way
side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.” Jesus later clarified
the meaning in His explanation of the parable: Mark
4:15
, “And these are they by the way side, where
the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh
away the word that was sown in their hearts.”
The Issue of Sin
The
devil continues to peddle his original deception (lie) to mankind - you
can sin against God and not die (ye shall surely not die). Sin is
trivialized (made light of, played down – Pv 14:9) and Christ is made a
minister of sin. His sacrifice being some sort of covering or transference of
righteousness such that God overlooks continued willful wickedness under the
guise of forgiveness and grace (Gal
2:17
). As in the days of Noah, the world is becoming increasingly wicked.
Genesis 6:12, “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for
all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Many of the religious
institutions have allied with the world and are following suit. To face the
issue of sin means that one will have to make hard choices in coming to the
light. The condemnation is that many choose the darkness. Ignoring (rejecting)
the light is choosing the darkness. Justifying your sinful actions is rejecting the light. Those
(I’m talking religious here) who
love darkness, hate the light and will condemn those in the light as legalists,
extremists, fanatics, and self righteous – maybe even cults. They want to turn
off the light. Those in darkness will only become darker – it’s a slippery
slope of ever darker shades of gray. Those in darkness will continually stumble
and so will their followers – confusion will reign. The devil’s original lie
takes on many different forms. Some think all things will just work out for
their benefit in the end. Some feel if they are a good person (by their/SELF
definition) that they will be in right standing before God. Some think that
everyone (even after spending some rehabilitation time in hell) will
ultimately be reconciled to God. The list could go on and on, but the point is
that most rely/cling on their rebellious pertinacious opinions/sentiment rather
than the truth plainly stated in God’s Word. They exalt their opinions as
eternal truths. Man just refuses to humble himself and submit to God – and
this is to his own condemnation. This has been the issue since the beginning!
Proverb
30:12, “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not
washed from their filthiness.” That generation is here and now! This
is a generation that accepts the fact that they have sin and require
forgiveness. They
believe that Christ has forgiven them of
their sins – and He will. The problem is that they wish to remain in the
darkness not forsaking their sins, yet want to be continually forgiven of them.
Christ becomes their minister of sin (Gal
2:17
). They have no victory because they will not
release the darkness. They have not been washed from their filthiness and do not
necessarily want to be. They will use God’s love to justify the wicked (Ex
34:7, Is
5:23
, Nahum 1:3).
They are still serving sin and are thus unregenerate. These are not following
Christ’s example or continuing in His Word, yet believe they are in His will (Jn
8:31-32). They do not love the truth. Satan knew the truth, but he did not
abide in it (Jn
8:44
). To love the truth is to live your life within
it. One message of the book of Revelation is that during the tribulation, many
will be purified. These must come to see their hypocrisy and the need to lay
down their will and rebellion and be cleansed from their sin (and desire for).
This may come about under increasing pressure as God is truly merciful.
Deuteronomy 4:30-31, “When thou art in tribulation, and all these things
are come upon thee, even in the latter days,
if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the
LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee,
nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” The children
of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of promise (faith)
are counted for the seed (spiritual
Israel
– Rm 9:8).
Many will continue to serve the flesh and their self interest assuming that
Christ will bless them regardless. We read in Chapter One that the very essence
of sin is man’s desire to live out his will rather than God’s. To be
cleansed from filthiness or sin, Christ must conquer our self-will and rebellion
and bring it into subjection to His purposes, and thus we are saved from the
power of sin. Psalms 24:3-5, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or
who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity (Pride in ourselves), nor
sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and
righteousness from the God of his salvation.” If we do not have a clean heart
to do God’s will then salvation will not be ours. Psalm 5:4, “For thou art
not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with
thee.”
Rewards
Many
folks think of heaven in terms of what they will get (mansions, crowns, gold,
precious stones, privilege, etc.). God shows that what man thinks as
important are merely road paving and building materials in heaven. Man still
wants God to serve him – even in heaven! The book of Revelation reveals heaven
to be a place where God is greatly praised and exalted, and His perfect will is
flawlessly accomplished. If you do not perform God’s will now on earth (putting
yours aside), don’t think God doesn’t realize that you will have no
interest in doing so in heaven (Mt
6:10
). God is not gathering more
rebellious ones. When some religious organizations teach of obedience and
holiness, it is usually in the context of receiving rewards (or not losing
any) and this is fleshly and flawed – without love or sacrifice. Do not
assume that one will have the same fleshly lusts and desires in heaven. Dwelling
in God’s presence will be paradise, but our outlook will be different than on
earth. We will be in glorified bodies, purified and bearing the image of the
heavenly (1 Cor
15:40
-44, 49).
Recall what happened to Lucifer when his desires rose within him. 1 Corinthians
15:53, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality.” When Christ shall appear, we shall be like Him (1 Jn
3:2). There will be much to enjoy, but the covetous will not be there. We
will dwell with God and that is paradise.
Many
people want to go to heaven – an eternal life of bliss! Do these want to love
and obey God such that His will is performed even if it requires immediate (and
sustained) suffering, tribulation, reproach or self denial on their part (Job
13:15)? Are these willing to justify God to their own detriment (loss,
disadvantage, injury)? I dare say that many just want to seize upon the
inheritance (Mt
21:38
). We must live in the Spirit (deny
flesh) to gain the inheritance. We must have a heart of love for God and
delight in His Will if we want to dwell with Him (Is
66:2). We must desire to be endeared (to
make beloved) to our creator, Lord and Savior and not seek selfish benefit.
The
End of the Age
Prophecy
concerning the end of the age is located throughout the books of the Bible. The
bulk is located in Matthew (Chap. 24),
Mark (Chap. 13), Luke (Chap. 21), Daniel (particularly
Chap 12), Ezekiel, Joel, and the book of Revelation. In Daniel we are told,
Daniel 12:9, “And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and
sealed till the time of the end.” In Revelation we are told, Revelation
22:10
, “And he saith unto me, Seal
not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” We are
also told, Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that
keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” When the prophecies were
given to Daniel (who was very wise),
he was greatly perplexed and deeply troubled, but was not given the meaning.
These things have now been unsealed and we can understand them and are blessed
in it. The Coming of Christ is preceded by a period of time known as the Great
Tribulation. This will be a time of affliction and great trial. God’s wrath
will fall upon the wicked. The righteous will be tried and purified. This will
be such a time of trouble that if it were not cut short, no one would survive.
That which is holding back Satan will be removed and the devil will be given
much more leverage to afflict the world (as
he was granted with Job) as God’s protective hedge is lessoned. He will
bring forth his son the antichrist, together with a false religious system and
will rule the earth for a short period of time. God is still in control! Even
so, the saints will suffer and be purified. Hebrews 12:26-27, “Whose voice
then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake
not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth
the removing of those things that are shaken,
as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may
remain.” The things which can be shaken are those things which you (man)
have produced. The things which cannot be shaken are those things which God has
wrought in you. The saints will triumph over the world in their sacrifice of
self for God’s purposes. Christ will then return and destroy the devil’s
works and take dominion of the earth.
The
book of Revelation opens with Christ’s message to the seven churches (types
of called out ones, assemblies).
Ephesus
is has religious works, but is
without love, having lost her first love, Jesus Christ. They labor in Christ’s
name, but do not KNOW Him (Rev 2:3-4).
They are rebuked and told to repent (Rev
2:5) and overcome (Rev 2:7).
Smyrna
is suffering persecution (trial,
testing) and is poor (humble) and is not rebuked. Jesus equates their
suffering and poverty to being rich (Rev
2:9, in eternal merit) – such a paradox to the flesh. They are told to be
faithful unto death (
Rev
2:10
) and overcome (
Rev
2:11
). Pergamos is worldly and holds
to the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes (those who want to
rule/lord-over the people). They are rebuked and told to repent (
Rev
2:16
) and overcome (
Rev
2:17
). Thyatira is adulterous (loves
the things of the world) and has received false teaching. They are rebuked
and told to repent (
Rev
2:21
) and overcome (holdfast,
Rev 2:25
).
Sardis
is hypocritical, but a few have been faithful and are worthy.
This group believes they are “alive” and doing great things. God sees them
as otherwise (Rev 3:1-2). They are
rebuked and told to repent (holdfast, Rev
3:3) and overcome (Rev 3:5).
Philadelphia
is faithful and is not rebuked.
They are told, Revelation
3:10
, “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.” This
refers to the great tribulation. Notice that the whole world will be tried. They
are also told to overcome (can’t let up,
Rev 3:7). The Laodicean church is proud and self-sufficient and thinks she
needs nothing. They are rebuked and told they are wretched, miserable, naked,
poor, and blind. Christ tells the lukewarm that He will vomit them out of His
mouth. They are further instructed to repent (
Rev 3:19
) and overcome (
Rev 3:21
). The overwhelming message to the churches is to repent and overcome
(sin and the world). To be an
overcomer (conqueror)
you must be faithful to Jesus and enduring (2 Tim 2:3). Matthew
10:22
, “And ye shall be hated of
all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Hebrews
3:14
, “For we are made partakers
of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”
Although these churches are mostly rebuked, Christ does acknowledge any good and
gives encouragement for those who will repent and overcome. It’s not too late,
but time is running out.
Romans
12:21, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Revelation 3:21, “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.” Christ overcame and we are expected to do the same (through Him).
Overcoming is victory. If you continue to sin, and you live for self and the
world, then you have no victory. If the battle were won at
Calvary
for those who “just
believe” yet continue to sin, then the messages to the churches would be
unnecessary. Remember that Christ overcame by dying to self and absolutely
performing the will of the Father in all things. Christ humbled (submission) Himself to accomplish this, and now the Father has
greatly exalted Him to the throne. Jesus is our example (Jn
16:33
). When we die to self (man’s will) and become
humbled, then God’s will can be manifested in our lives and He will exalt in
due time. Revelation 21:6-7, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the
fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all
things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” This fountain is the
Holy Ghost and we must have Him dwelling within us (Jn
7:38
-39, 1 Jn
4:13
). If we do not then we are not Christ’s (Rm 8:9).
Are you athirst?
Notice that the churches of
Smyrna
and
Philadelphia
are
the only ones Christ finds no fault with.
Smyrna
is
persecuted, and persecution brings purity – they are tried (
Rev
2:10
).
Dying (martyrdom) for Christ is equated to overcoming sin and the world,
and these are given white robes that represent purity (see Revelation 6:9-11,
Zech 3:1-7).
Philadelphia
has
kept Jesus’ Word (doers, Js
1:22
) and
not denied His name, so Christ promises to keep them from the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon the whole world (the
great tribulation). This
does not mean that Christ will take
Philadelphia
out of
the world, but will sustain them within it (like
Noah). John
17:15
, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them
out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” If you
want to be taken out of the world prior to Christ’s Second Coming in some
supposed pre-tribulation rapture then there is only one way – death by way of
the beast (Dan 7:21, 25, 8:10, 24-25,
11:33, 12:7, Rev 6:9-11, 7:13-14, 12:17, 13:7, 14:13, 15:2, 20:4).
Christ says of the church at Ephesus: Revelation 2:2-3, “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. They did some good things making
converts and lots of good works, but were so caught up in the effort that they
lost sight of why and for whom. They left their first love (v.
4) and were endanger of totally being removed. Jesus notes that Pergamos
follows the doctrines of Balaam: Revelation 2:14 , “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 (partake of
idolatry such as television), and to commit fornication (love
the things of the world).” These sins at Peor (Num 31:6, Josh
22:17
) were
grievous because those who called themselves God’s became one with the things
of the world (those things that oppose Him). Woe to those who profess Christ and
do the same. This is also what Thyatira is doing: Revelation 2:20,
“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 (worldliness),
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols (partake
of idolatry, benefit, become corrupted).” Christ says of the church at
Thyatira which is worldly (doctrines of
Balaam) that if they do not repent they will be cast into the great
tribulation (
Rev 2:22
). Those who are worldly and adulteress (eyes
off of Christ and onto the dainties of the world) must be purged or
separated – and so it shall be. The tribulation forces a choice – the world
(flesh) or God (spirit) – and a choice will be made - fence
sitters.
Christ says to Sardis: Revelation 3:1-3, “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.”
Sardis
is
deceived. This group believes they are living for God and all is well. Jesus
thinks they are mostly dead and dying. This is quite a disconnect with eternal
implications. Those who are deceived are blinded to the truth and rarely receive
correction well. Jesus gives them a serious warning when He says he will (future
tense) come as a thief (see paragraphs
on “vials” and Armageddon” this chapter). Christ will come soon and
take their last chance at eternal life. Jesus tells them to be watchful (Mt
24:42-43, Lk
12:38
,
21:36
). This
is an indication that they are living for self and the world with their hearts
and minds on other things. Luke 12:45-47, “But and if that servant say in his heart, My
lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the
menservants and maidens, and to eat
and drink, and to be drunken;
The lord of that servant will come
in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will
appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which
knew his lord's will, and prepared
not himself,
neither
did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” The
Lord goes on to say that they are in danger of having their name blotted out of
His book of life (Rev 3:5).
Great Tribulation
Jesus
was asked, what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mark 13:19-20, “For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from
the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall
be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”
There will be great uncertainty, war, famine, plagues, death, and persecution.
Affliction is continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, calamity,
adversity, persecution, distress, or grief. The “elect” are the only body of
Christ (not those “Left Behind”). They are chosen or set apart;
designated by God to salvation through the act of God’s grace (through
Jesus Christ) by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from
sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God. This will be a
difficult time: Luke
21:26
, “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.” The world through all it’s wars, famines, holocausts, and suffering
has yet to see anything to compare. 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.” Jesus
said, John
16:33
, “…In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We
must also be overcomers through Christ (
Rev 2:26
). Jesus is our example! Only through faith in Christ
will one be saved.
It is important to note that all men have breaking points. There is only so
much anyone can take mentally or physically. Our strength and power must not
come from within (human effort), but
rather through Christ. The Lord can give us the supernatural ability to face
whatever comes our way. Often this ability will only manifest itself “just in
time” as we are required to have faith and trust in Christ and not look at
circumstances (consider Peter’s walking on water experience, Mt
14:26
-32). Throughout the ages believers have faced death for Christ.
In many cases these believers have given signs (hand gestures) to others
that Christ did in fact give the needed strength in the midst of their
surrendering their lives (those burned at the stake, etc.). God leads –
we must obediently and lovingly follow.
Jeremiah
30:7-9, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it:
it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. For
it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck,
and will burst thy bonds,
and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the
LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.” The
yoke and bonds come from Satan.
The whole world will be in turmoil. Daniel 12:1, “And at that time shall
Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy
people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was
a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered,
every one that shall be found written in the book.” Come out of her!
The
Devil wants to be worshipped as God. Man has accepted him as such. Revelation
12:12
, “…Woe to the inhabiters of
the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great
wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” We live in a time of
much deception and temptation. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:” God will remove some restraints, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8, “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.” For a short period of time the Devil will control the world
through the beast. Revelation 13:2, 4, “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. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and
they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to
make war with him?” You think Job had it bad! During this time, God’s true
church will emerge and become victorious – this is God’s purpose. One
purpose of the Great Tribulation is for dealing with the rebellious Bride who
continues to sin and chase the world. The true bride will come forth - emerge.
Foreshadowing
The
Book of Daniel has many accounts that are a foreshadowing of things to come. In
one account, King Darius places Daniel as chief over two presidents and one
hundred and twenty princes. These were to report to Daniel so that the King
would suffer no damage throughout his kingdom. They were jealous of Daniel and
wanted him out of the way. Daniel 6:4-5, “Then the presidents and princes
sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could
find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there
any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any
occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law
of his God.” So these men tricked the King into signing an irreversible
decree. Daniel 6:7, “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the
princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish
a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition
of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into
the den of lions.” This would mean Daniel could not pray legally. How did he
respond? Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he
went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem,
he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before
his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel feared God not man! In the Tribulation,
the Antichrist and False Prophet will seek to trap God’s people through their
mark and image. During the persecution of Christians by
Rome
, believers were identified by being asked to
burn incense to Caesar (looked upon as a
god) or one of the Roman gods. This was equated to worship. A true believer
could never violate their Lord in doing such a thing. They were entrapped by
their own honest and sincere devotion. This may not seem like a big thing to
today’s compromising religious man. They sort of burn incense to the world all
the time. They would say, what's wrong with a little incense burning if we could
live another day – to uhmm win somebody to Christ, of course?”
Israel
’s bondage to
Egypt
has many similarities
to the description of the coming Great tribulation.
Egypt
’s Pharaoh was a type
of antichrist. He held God’s people in bondage and mistreated them. Exodus
1:11, 14, “Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with
their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and
in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them
serve, was with rigour.” In a similar manner God’s people today are held in
bondage to the world and its many systems that are man-centered (financial,
education, labor, entertainment, information, etc.). A true follower will
grieve over much of this and separate from it. In both cases, the cultures have
had very negative impacts on the people. The world persecutes those who truly
stand for God. God’s message to the Pharaoh was, “Let My people go” (Ex
5:1). God
sent two witnesses to Pharaoh (Moses and Aaron) and will send two
witnesses during tribulation (
Rev 11:13
). God was doing two things in
Egypt
. The first was to
deliver His people out of bondage and bring them to the Promised Land as per the
covenant with Abraham. The second was to judge the wickedness of
Egypt
by destroying
confidence in their false Gods one by one. Exodus
12:12, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite
all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against
all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.” Every affliction (wrath) God put on
Egypt
judged a specific
Egyptian God (Num 33:4). God’s wrath will be poured out on the
wickedness of the world during the great tribulation. The plagues have some
similarities (water/blood, hail, darkness, etc.). The plagues God put on
Egypt
did not affect God’s
people. God’s people were sealed during the last and most deadly plague.
Similarly, during the tribulation God will be sealing and separating His people
from the world and it’s systems for the purpose of preparing them for the
Promised Land, that being the millennial reign of Christ on earth. God’s
people will be sealed from the wrath He sends upon the wicked world.
God destroyed
Egypt
as He will destroy the
kingdom of the antichrist.
When God’s people were delivered from the Pharaoh, it soon became apparent
that even though they had been mistreated and abused, many looked back at their
leaving with regret (Lk 9:62, Gen
19:26
). They were very
rebellious toward God (Deut 9:7, 24, Ez 20:8) and never satisfied. They
called themselves Hebrews (Israelis), but their hearts were Egyptian (Acts
7:39
). Even though they grieved at what went on around them,
they had become comfortable in it. Many today will cry out concerning all the
sin around them, but they themselves have become quite accustom to it and often
reject God’s deliverance. The children of Israel even made a false Egyptian
God (Calf, Lev 18:3, 19:4) and worshipped it and continually reminisced
about the food or safety back in Egypt (Num 11:5-6, 18). They constantly
whined and complained and provoked God (Num 11:1, 10, 33,
14:37
). They wanted to return to
Egypt
and their bondage (Num
14:4, Neh
9:17
). For this reason many
did not enter into the Promised Land (symbolic of the rebellious not entering
into eternal life). For this reason many died in plagues and judgments from
God. Similarly today, many confess Christ with their mouth, but their hearts are
very much aligned with the world. These are suppose to have forsaken their old
sinful lives, yet continually look back with thoughts (or actions) of returning to many aspects of sin and self (they
are comfortable in it). The tribulation period will be a time of trial and
sorting. The true Church will emerge in the midst of great affliction and
become totally dependant upon God, having been wrenched from the world. This
wrenching is God’s mercy on those who will yield (Gen
19:16
). This one body will be
led and gifted of the Spirit and will support one another as described in First
Corinthians Chapter Twelve. When the Hebrews left
Egypt
, they were totally
dependant upon God for their every need. God provided their food and water (Neh
9:15, 19, water – Ex 17:6, manna - Ex 16:15, Num 11:7-9, quails – Num 11:18,
31, etc). God even told them when, where and how long to camp (Num
9:15
-23, this required obedience).
Even their clothes and shoes did not wax old after forty years (Deut 29:5,
Num
11:23
, Neh
9:21
). In the tribulation,
those who confess Christ will be totally separated from this world’s system
and will depend upon God for their every need. Psalm 119:71, “It is good for
me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” God may again
provide manna from heaven and water from rocks (
Rev 2:17
)! But then again He has…in Jesus! We must learn to
“follow” Jesus. The rebellious ones want to do the leading and have God
follow them to serve their selfish wants (constantly
asking for blessings – no sacrifice). The greatest blessing any of us
could have is for God to break our prideful rebellious spirit and humble us to
obedience in Him. This is greatly needful, but not what the flesh desires in any
form. Is it any wonder those seeking God through the flesh will never find Him?
– they are blind!
God took the Hebrews out of
Egypt
by His strong hand, but
how did God take
Egypt
out of the Hebrew’s
hearts? Deuteronomy 8:2-8, “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD
thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to
prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his
commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed
thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he
might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed
not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt
also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy
God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy
God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee
into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring
out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees,
and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey.” The issues are faith, trust
and reliance upon God! Man was to
learn to live by every Word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Jesus is the
Word (Jn 1:1)! We are to esteem the
Word more than our necessary meat (Job
23:12
). God said he would
rain bread from heaven (bread symbolic of Christ), but the children of
Israel
called it manna, which
means, “What is it?” (Ex 16:4, 15). What God provided was different
than what they expected (unbelief) – to prove them (Ex 16:4). They rebelled and constantly wanted other (dainties of
Egypt
). Numbers 11:5-6, “We
remember the fish, which we did eat in
Egypt
freely; the cucumbers,
and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul
is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.”
Can you see their rebellious nature in those verses? Manna was for leanness of
Spirit, yet they wanted fatness of flesh (Ps
106:14-15). We will either deny the flesh to seek the Spirit or deny the
Spirit to seek the flesh. They looked at the provision, but should have been
looking to the provider. Many who profess Christ have become comfortable in the
world and rebellious toward God. They profess, but do not follow. The
tribulation will be a great trial to prove the heart and will determine who
fears God – its coming! We are to learn first hand that man does not live by
bread alone, but by total trust (faith) in God and His Eternal Word –
for God’s Words are better than our necessary food (Job 23:12). Many do not consider such things now and thus not much
will change for them. Some have knowledge, but do not “follow.” Consider the
parable of the seeds: Mark 4:16-17, “And
these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have
heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in
themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or
persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.” There
will be much persecution and deception at the end of the age. Matthew 24:9-11,
“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. And many
false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” The false prophets will
tell us
Egypt
is not such a bad place; and those seeking
fatness of flesh will find agreement.
The
Promised Land is symbolic of eternal life. The wilderness is symbolic of the
path leading to eternal life – many obstacles. We must be led of God (Holy Spirit) through the wilderness (life) to reach our inheritance (eternal
life) – Deut
8:15
-16. Numbers 32:11-12, “Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt,
from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham,
unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and
Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.” Notice the
separation was determined by “wholly following” God or not. The majority did
not follow (those twenty years old and
upward) and the minority (Caleb and
Joshua, Deut
1:35
-38)
did. The majority does not enter into the promised land, but the minority does.
God tries our hearts in the wilderness (trials,
persecution, suffering, circumstances, etc.) to test our faithfulness to
Him. What we put in our hearts will be manifested under pressure. There will be
two types of people. The first group is in the flesh and are rebellious and
self-seeking – they vex His Holy Spirit (Is
63:10). They want to return to their bondages (Egypt,
from which they had been delivered – Num 14:4, Neh 9:17), are idolatrous (golden
calf, Neh 9:18, Ps 106:19-20), stiff-necked (constantly
whining, no faith – bad reports, Neh 9:16-17, Ps 78:8, 40-41), insincere (want
to return to the old life, Num 14:4) and hard-hearted (no
real love for God, just needs and wants). These consider that it is better
to serve
Egypt
(known,
familiar) than venture into the wilderness with God (Ex
14:12
). They are much discouraged by the way (Num
21:4). This group is also the majority and never actually enters into the
Promised Land (Num
14:22
-23, 1 Cor
10:5, Heb
3:11
, 18, 4:1,
Jude 1:5). However, their
children do enter into the Promised Land (Num
14:31, Deut 1:39, Jesus said you must receive Him as a child to enter into
eternal life – Mt 18:3, 19:14, Lk 9:48, 18:17). They are consumed by wars,
plagues, poisonous snake bites (sin, Num
21:6), and misdirection through life (wandering
forty years until they drop dead, Deut 2:15-16, Num 32:13) due to their own
actions of unbelief. We must learn from their lesson (1
Cor 10:6-12). The second group is in the Spirit (represented by Caleb and Joshua). They have a great love for God and
put their trust in Him. These will put their lives on the line – they live
their faith. These will also suffer due to the actions of the first group (Num
14:33
). The second group is in the minority – a
remnant! God desires all to enter into the Promised Land, but most will not due
to their unbelief. This minority does enter into God’s rest (Heb 4:3, 9-11). The wilderness is not a path for the flesh, but it
accomplishes God’s purposes. The wilderness is full of hardship and much
leanness – by intent (Ps 106:14-15).
Those seeking the flesh will always be looking back to
Egypt
(world)
and most likely will be following a god (of
their own making, Ex 32:4) that will take them there. These are interested
in what God can do for SELF (Heaven,
blessings, rewards, possessions, health, prosperity, ministries, needful things,
abundance, security, etc.). Those who love God are interested in what they
can do for Him (perform His will, at the
expense of ME). Those who love God seek Him first. This is what God said to
those who would enter the promised land: Deuteronomy 4:4, “But ye that did
cleave (follow in obedience) unto the
LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.”
Just
before the children of
Israel
entered into the Promised Land, there was one last great trial/test. They
were entering their inheritance through the land of the Moabites. Balak (the
king) called for/hired Balaam (soothsayer,
Josh
13:22
) to curse them. God would not allow this because He had blessed
Israel
(Num
22:12
, Josh 24:9-10).
Therefore, Balaam advised Balak that the children of
Israel
could not be overcome through strength because
God was on their side. The way to overcome would be to corrupt the object of
God’s blessings (Num 31:16) such
that God Himself would fight against them (doctrine
of Balaam,
Rev 2:14
). The Moabites corrupted
Israel
through their idolatry and fornication. This was
chasing after the things of the world (participating
in the evil cultures around them) rather than obeying God. Many of the
children of
Israel
died in the ensuing plagues (1 Cor
10:8). In these last days, just prior to Christ’s return (entering
into the Promised Land), many of those who profess Christ are now seeking (fornicating with) the world (and
through forms of religiosity) rather than living obedient abiding faith in
Jesus. Many are idolatrous (see Chapter
Three – A Tremendous Idol and Chapter Seven – Christ (Mass) A Worldly
Celebration for examples). For this reason, many will not enter into the
Promised Land.
One
group of the children of
Israel
did not enter into the promised land because of their unbelief (Deut
1:26
-28).
The second group (remnant and the children) did enter in because of their faith and
trust in God. This second group did not enter in because of merit. They did not
earn it nor deserve it (Deut 9:6). God
kept His promises and honored their faith (Deut 9:5). These were required to be obedient and not to do as the
evil nations around them (Deut 7:2-5, 25,
12:2-3, 30, 18:9-13, 30:17-18). God told them if they did evil that He would
destroy them (Deut
8:19
-20). We are also required to have faith (trust,
obedience) and not partake of the evils around us. We will never be
justified soley on our own actions.
The
devil is opposite of God through his rebellious nature.
Israel
’s bondage to
Egypt
(Pharoah)
is similar (yet opposite) to the
antichrist’s end time reign during the great tribulation. God sent Moses (as
a god) and Aaron (as a prophet) to
represent Himself in delivering His people out of bondage (Ex
7:1,
9:16
). The devil will send the beast (as a god) and the false prophet (as a prophet) to represent himself in bringing the world (people)
into bondage (
Rev 13:12
, 15-17).
God performed miracles through Moses to bring
Israel
out of bondage (Exodus
Chapters 7–12). The devil will perform miracles through the false prophet
to bring (deceive) people into bondage
(
Rev 13:13
-14).
God (via Moses) caused Pharoah and the
Egyptians to suffer and die (many) in
order to deliver Israel out of bondage (Ex
7:21, 8:8, 14, 17, 24, 9:3, 6, 8-11, 23-25, 10:12-15, 22-23, 12:29-30, 14:26-30,
Deut 11:4). The devil (via antichrist)
will cause followers of Christ to suffer and die (many)
during the tribulation in an attempt to bring them into bondage (Rev
13:7,
12:17
, Dan
7:21
, 25).
Egypt
(world)
suffered at the hands of God’s two prophets (Book of Exodus). In the
tribulation, God’s two prophets will suffer at the hands of the world (Rev
11:7-10). In both cases God says, “let my people go” and judges
righteously (condemning the wicked, Ex
6:1, 11,
7:16
, 10:3)
– God always prevails! In all of this God is in total control and the devil
can do only what he is allowed to do – Revelation
14:12
, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are
they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus (also
Rev 3:10
).” The trying of your faith worketh patience (Js
1:3-4, Heb
10:36
-37). Luke 21:19, “In your patience possess ye your souls.” God desires to
set free, and the devil desires to enslave. A time of choosing and separation is
coming (with much deception). Those
who reject God will be separated eternally (Rev 14:9-11). We must endure temptations and trials such that we may
receive a crown of life (Js
1:12
,
Rev 2:10
).
What
are the Signs?
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.” We must look at the condition
of the world during Noah’s time, prior to the flood (Gen
6:12
).
Genesis 6:5, “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.” A close
comparison with this would be
Sodom
and
Gomorrah
. Genesis
13:13
, “But the men of
Sodom
were wicked and sinners before
the LORD exceedingly.” What caused such wickedness? Ezekiel 16:49-50,
“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread,
and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she
strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed
abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Does this
not sound like today in this country (
USA
) and the world?
There
will be false prophets, famines, wars and rumors of war, kingdom will rise
against kingdom, Nation against nation, pestilence, earthquakes in diverse
places, sorrows, iniquity (sin) shall abound, and the love of many will
wax cold (Mt 24, Mk 13, Lk 21). Never has such existed to such a degree
as today.
America
must surely be Mystery Babylon and now pursues
war all over the globe. Only
America
fulfills all the prophecies regarding this
physical manifestation of Mystery Babylon. Mystery
Babylon
(
America
) has had her eye on ancient
Babylon
(
Iraq
) and has taken it (occupies) for herself. There was a prize in so doing – the oil;
and thus control over the world. A leader shall soon arise, the son of
perdition. Physical
Babylon
will most certainly have the same
characteristics (nature) as the god of
this world. Babylon will be rebellious; proud; arrogant; violent; lustful and
covetous; greedy; given to pleasures; controlling; enthralled with her own
beauty; manipulative; self-centered and seeking; independent, freedom loving and
desiring liberty (sexual freedom, its my
body, Me, Me, Me); deceptive; unrepentant; seeking to unite the world for
her own purposes; taking captive at will; dominant and exceedingly fierce;
culturally seductive; and the leader of the world (Lk 4:6). Her nature
will be masked by a seemingly outward righteous appearance – she will be
hated, yet loved by the world. She (
America
) corrupts the earth (Rev 19:2).
Consider
Lot
Lot
dwelt in
Sodom
, but grieved over the sin. 2
Peter 2:7-8, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation (lifestyle)
of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and
hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful
deeds;).” When we cease to grieve over the sin, we have strayed far and have
surely become a part of it. We just read how
Sodom
was exceedingly wicked (Gen
13:13
). God sent angels to assess the
wickedness and deliver
Lot
and whosoever would leave (representing repentance and forsaking the world for God). Even
Lot
had trouble leaving: Genesis
19:16
, “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.” God mercifully dragged him out of the doomed
circumstance. Many will linger and delay parting with the things of this world.
God will force a decision. Jesus once told a gathering of believers in an end
time discussion: Luke 17:32-33, “Remember
Lot
's wife. Whosoever shall seek to
save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve
it.” Jesus was referring to what Lot’s wife did just after they left Sodom
as God was raining fire and brimstone down upon it (Gen
19:24). They were told: Genesis 19:17, “And it came to pass, when they had
brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind
thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be
consumed.”
Lot
’s wife ignored the warning:
Genesis
19:26
, “But his wife looked back
from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Lot
’s wife still had an
attachment to the wicked place and she looked back with regret in having to
leave. She was bemoaning her loss of the wickedness she had taken some pleasure
in. Thus she was judged with all the other wicked. We must grieve over all the
wickedness that vexes us day by day. Many today will “profess Christ” but
then look back at aspects of they’re old sinful life with envy and regret of
no longer being able to participate. They want to hold on to wickedness. Not
perfect just forgiven – right? Nobody’s perfect – We all sin. God will
understand, won’t He? These will enjoy facets of the sinfulness around them (Job 24:13). This is why Jesus said he who shall save his life (those
who want to retain their will) shall lose it (damnation),
but whosoever shall lose his life (die to
self and seek God’s will only) shall preserve it (be with God eternally). This is a warning for us for this coming
tribulation. To choose to retain the things of this world will certainly result
in damnation.
A
New World
System
Genesis 11:1,4-9, “And the
whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And they
said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto
heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of
the whole earth. And
the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men
builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one
language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from
them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound
their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD
scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left
off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called
Babel
; because the LORD did
there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD
scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” God had just flooded the
earth because all men had become wicked. Now (just after) the world was
coming together with another wicked intent to exalt their will even to reach God
(man’s way – by force of will). They were also trying to rise above (tower)
the ability for God to flood them again in judgment – such rebellion. God had
made a covenant with man never to flood the world again (Gen 9:8-16), yet man did not trust God to honor His Word. God
scattered them and created nations with checks and balances. This is how God has
dealt with man. God intended to bless all nations through the nation He
established -
Israel
.
Babel
is again rising. The devil, through manipulation
of mankind, has now brought the world together again with one primary language (English).
Everything is now merging into a worldwide system. Communication systems have
vastly accelerated this possibility (internet, phone, television, financial
systems, etc). The Bible says there will be a type of world government and a
type of world religion with Satan in control (for a very short time). It
will not take long for Satan to devastate the earth through wickedness and evil
and the fruit thereof. Man thinks he is in control, but is no more than a
willing pawn (sap). One day all will see this devil, Isaiah 14:16-17,
“They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying,
Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That
made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened
not the house of his prisoners?” Most will join him in the lake of fire and
consider for eternity what they lost by following their selfish lusts, as
enticed by him (Is
14:15
).
Deception
The
Lord said that those who put their faith and confidence in idols (money,
careers, possessions, worldly things, doctrines) would become like them:
Psalms 115:4-8, “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They
have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have
hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak
they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every
one that trusteth in them.” The same is true for those who are rebellious
toward God (seeking their own way). Ezekiel 12:2, “Son of man, thou
dwellest in the midst of a rebellious
house, which have eyes to see, and see
not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.”
Jesus said the same when he ministered on the earth, Matthew 13:14-15, “And in
them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For
this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be
converted, and I should heal them.” This is what happens when one is full of
darkness. Jesus came to a people that had built a great religious system which
demanded the letter of the law, but whose hearts were far from God in that they
were totally indifferent to the human suffering around them (no love or
compassion). This religious system did not even recognize their anticipated
Savior when He came and worse; they despised him and
eventually killed him (as they did the prophets). They did not hear the smooth
sayings that they were after. Jesus
exposed their hypocrisy and they hated him.
When
we seek after the things of the world to fulfill our fleshly wills or even
fleshly religious doctrines, then our minds become clouded with all manner of
deception and confusion (Jer 3:25).
Let the reader beware!
2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them.” Those that believe the truth live
within it and they build their lives around it. The truth of God’s Word
becomes their foundation. Those that do not are deceived of their own beliefs
regardless of confession. The only way to gain sight and hearing is to intently
seek God and perform His will (actions). When one seeks to perform
God’s purposes then the spiritual blindness and dumbness will lift, but not
until then. Isaiah 66:4, “I also will choose their delusions, and
will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I
spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in
which I delighted not.” We must seek after our God. Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto
me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God and there is none
else.” Everything else man makes into a god is phony, temporal and will have
no power to deliver them when needed (read 1 Kg
18:17
-40).
The gods of money will not deliver the wicked on the Day of the Lord.
Jesus
said there would be great deception regarding this time – Take heed! (He that hath an ear to hear). When asked about the end of the age,
Jesus said an unprecedented three times within the context of the end time
discussion to beware of deception and false prophets. Mark
13:23
, “But take ye heed: behold, I
have foretold you all things.” You will have no excuse. Matthew
24:4-5, “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.” They’ll come saying they believe in Jesus. They’ll quote scripture
just as the Devil did and it will seem correct. Those that do not read and study
God’s Word and be led of His Spirit will be led astray. Matthew 24:11, “And
many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” This will be
supernatural deception for those who fear self-sacrifice and denial, seeking
self-preservation. Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it
were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Many who “profess” will
be deceived (as they are now, 2
Thess 2:9-12). Those who “follow” will have to look to Christ for
wisdom. God allows these false prophets to test you. Deuteronomy 13:3, “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.”
How
will we know these false prophets if they are deceiving us? By definition to be
deceived is to think you are right even when you’re wrong. The Lord said we
will know them by their fruits (Mt
7:16
-20). Anytime anyone comes by way of the flesh or things of the flesh (worldliness),
they should be considered an immediate suspect. If they come wanting
money/offerings (for the Lord’s work of
course), glory/fame (for themselves or
their ministry), seek followers or want to start big religious works (buildings,
television networks, Christian universities, taking care of the world’s
hungry, etc.), and have teachings that comfort or sooth the flesh. Some
ministers even name their ministries after themselves and this should be a red
flag. Not all is bad and there are some good works, but be discerning. Much of
what is out there (however good the intentions) is fraud and self
serving. We minister to people, not to/through institutions.
They’ll
have big churches, ministries, and television networks. They’ll use Jesus’
name often, but you will know them by their fruits (Mt
15:16
-20).
All things examined in the light of God’s Word as we seek to do His will and
not our own. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.” Does it surprise you that the
devil himself hangs out in religious organizations? The lost he already has. To
catch the big trophy fish, you’ve got to go to the places where they hang out
and keep them deceived there. Matthew 7:15-16, “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.” They wear sheep’s clothing to blend in
with the sheep and become as them. They will talk like the sheep. Their
intentions are evil. 2 Peter 2:21, “But there were false prophets also among
the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction.” They will attempt to conquer from within.
They’ll be smooth talking and likeable. False prophets always have doctrines
that appeal to the flesh. There will be no self denial or death to the things of
this world. They won’t be leading toward holiness and righteousness. They will
be self serving, but fun to be around if your eyes and hearts are on things
temporal. God is against the false prophets: Jeremiah 23:31-32, “Behold, I am
against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do
tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet
I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people
at all, saith the LORD.”
Fables
Christendom
in the Western World has been without persecution and hardship for so long that
this is considered by them to be the Christian norm. However, this is far from
what the scriptures say and actually is the sign of an ineffective church (2
Thess 1:4-5). To many who “profess Christ,” the thought of dying for
Christ is so distressful & distasteful and causes so much anxiety, that they
cling to totally un-scriptural fables of pre-tribulation escapes (raptures)
which is tantamount to dereliction of duty. They see those who are less worthy
than themselves as “Left Behind” to take up Christ’s banner and persevere
& endure during the church’s greatest hour in the coming Great
Tribulation. It is during this time period that Satan will be defeated. Those
that come out of great tribulation, have washed their robes, and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb (
Rev 7:14
). They have cumulatively become a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but holy and without
blemish (Eph
5:27
). The bride has been purified through the fires
of tribulation. The religious folks will have patriotic services/ banners/flags
in their religious institutions to greatly honor those who fight in their
country’s military forces (Mt 26:52).
Somehow dying for one’s country is deemed a noble worthy deed, even though
they are killing men - those very enemies that Jesus said we are to love (Mt
5:43-45)! They’ll die for a King, but not for the King of Kings!
Revelation 15:2, “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and
them (Who were “Left Behind”) that had gotten the victory
over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of
his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Revelation
12:11
, “And they overcame him (Satan) by the
blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved
not their lives unto
the death.” This is the point
in history when God’s greatest spiritual army is needed. This generation is
being called upon to stand! Those whom God calls, God will equip. Will you heed
the call? Those who cannot lay down their lives for God do not truly know Him
– they are holding onto (trusting in)
something else (i.e. self, world).
God
did not equip His earthly body with wings to fly away from the evil. God did
equip us with armor and weapons to stand and spiritually fight. Ephesians
6:11-13, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.” This is the nature of the fight and we must endure
and overcome. These are our weapons: Ephesians 6:14-17, “Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints.” We are to love the truth, live righteousness and
holy, conform to Christ’s image, be strong (rooted)
in our faith, and recognizing that our salvation is in Jesus and none other (
Col
3:10
). We are to be led of the Spirit and must be doers of the Word (Lk
6:47
-48).
The Spirit and the water (Word) give us access to the kingdom (Jn 3:5). The sword is our offensive weapon. Jesus responded to the
devil’s temptations with the Word of God. Our victory is found in God’s
knowledge and not ours (tree of). We
are to seek God in prayer (communication -
relationship). 2 Corinthians 6:7, “By the word of truth, by the power of
God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” The
only way to be strong in faith is to live it daily. As with anything, one learns
through experience and builds such through practice. You use your faith or lose
your faith. To him who has, more will be given (Mt
13:12
).
Woe
to the false prophets who speak of their own ideas (contrary
to scriptures – See “When Will Christ Return” - below) and say “thus
saith the Lord!” God says they have seen nothing and follow their own spirit -
God is against them (Ez 13:2-3, 8).
Many write books and sell videos and make a substantial living (gain) off such notions as “a great escape” (Pre-trib rapture). The leisure walk they seek is on the broad path
and in no way resembles the trials and struggles associated with the narrow path
that every true pilgrim must endure. Their visions are vain (Ez
13:6-7) - Ezekiel 13:6, “They have seen vanity and lying divination,
saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made
others to hope that they would confirm the word.” This may appeal to the flesh
(as evidenced by the popularity), but
brings glory only to self rather than Christ. These have made no provision to stand
in the battle in the day of the Lord (Ez
13:5). Do we stand and endure or desire to flee away pre-maturely to avoid
any personal suffering (Rm
8:17
)? Escape? – there is no escape (Ez
13:10
). If your concern is for self, then your desire
is for the flesh – your glory.
Jesus
told the church at
Smyrna
: Revelation 2:11, “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.” Notice that Christ said “second death.” The
church at
Smyrna
had been suffering tribulation and death. They
were standing for Christ in the midst of significant trials. The predominant
message of the religious of today is that God is here to bless. These believe
they have God’s guarantee not to suffer or die for His name sake. This is the
foundation of the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. One thing is certain, our
faith will be tested. Those that equate God’s love with continual blessings
are in for a shock. Those who are not walking the narrow path in the way of the
cross will be overcome.
The
Devil is setting folks up to destroy their faith and have them spiritually
unprepared to face the tribulation when he takes control (God
allows) for a short period of time. This time is going to be spiritually
intense and one cannot carry along the resentment or feeling of betrayal that a
never having materialized pre-tribulation rapture will bring. We do not need any
spiritual spoiled cry babies. Let us all grow up in spiritual maturity (discernment
of right and wrong). Many adherents to this notion are living worldly under
a cloak of religiousness (blindness)
and would not be prepared even if there were a pre-tribulation rapture. God in
His mercy will allow circumstances (working
within your will) to prevail that will hopefully separate the lukewarm from
the world and preserve their eternal lives. The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance (Rm
2:4). The choice will be yours as God graciously allows. 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.” These folks want to hear what appeals to the flesh (SELF)
– this is what they buy books and videos to hear and be placated (pacified, soothed, mollified) by. These need clothing, need eye
salve - need rebuke! The pre-tribulation
rapture appeals to those who live in the flesh for their (man’s) purposes and not God’s. The harlot wants to save her
flesh, whereas the Bride says, “Father, glorify thy name.” The harlot wants;
the bride gives. The harlot brings religious works and glories; the bride brings
a heart toward God as evidenced through a walk of faith in humbleness and
reliance upon God.
Will You be Prepared?
When Jesus was apprehended in the garden, those who were with Him forsook
Him (Mk
14:50
). Mark 14:51-52, “And there followed him a certain young man, having a
linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And
he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” The linen cloth
represented the justification from sin (covering) that only Christ
provides as we abide in Him (Rev 3:5, 18, 4:4, 6:11, 7:9, 7:13, 19:8, 14).
2 Corinthians 5:3, “If so be that being clothed we shall not be found
naked.” The nakedness is the sin (Gen 3:7, Ex 32:25, Lk
8:27
, 2 Cor 5:3,
Rev 3:17
). Jesus desires that we put on white linen as we hunger and thirst after
righteousness in faith through Him. This young man denied Jesus in his moment of
testing and cast aside Christ’s covering and fled in sin and shame (Lk
9:26, 12:9, 2 Tim 2:12, 1 Jn 2:23). He should have held on to his linen
cloth, even to his own demise. We are to keep our garments, but this man allowed
his to be cast away. Jesus said: Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I come as a thief.
Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and
they see his shame.” Jesus had described this type of follower in His parable
of the seeds (Mt 13:3-9, 18-23, Mk 4:3-8, 14-20, Lk 8:5-8, 11-15).
Matthew 13:20-21, “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same
is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not
root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution
ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” This young man had no
root in himself and quickly fell away during this tribulation/persecution. We
must root ourselves in Christ through a loving obedient walk of faith.
Having defined clothed/nakedness, consider the meaning of clothes in Luke
8:27-35.
Professed
Believers Deceived?
Matthew
7:22, “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 (sin).”
A mere profession will not save. Religious works of man will not save (e.g.
perfect church attendance, building donations, being a Sunday school teacher,
etc.). A religious exterior or outward appearance will not save. Being good
and moral will not save. An enduring and demonstrated life of loving faith of
abiding in Jesus Christ as led by His Spirit will save you. A whole heart toward
God will save you – a clean inside. You must look solely to God and not to man
or all his religious trappings.
Well,
I’m not Appointed unto God’s Wrath
You
are not appointed unto God’s wrath if you are living (abiding)
in and “following” Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:9, Rev 7:3). Are you so
sure you are? What is God’s wrath? 1 Samuel
2:10
, “The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken
to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the
ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn
of his anointed.” Zephaniah 1:15, “That day is a day of wrath, a day of
trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and
gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm
against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.” This is a time of
great indignation (Dan
8:19
). Indignation is
anger or extreme anger, mingled with contempt,
disgust or abhorrence - the wrath of God against sinful men for their
ingratitude and rebellion. Revelation 6:15-17,
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the
chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid
themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the
mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth
on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is
come; and who shall be able to stand (also Lk 23:30)?” At His wrath the
earth shall tremble (Jer
10:10
) – the earth shall wail because of Him (Rev 1:7). This is what should scare one, not giving up your life for
Jesus (Zeph 3:8). Isaiah 13:6, 9, 11,
13, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a
destruction from the Almighty. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both
with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the
sinners thereof out of it. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the
wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease,
and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. Therefore I will shake the
heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD
of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” Who shall abide the day of
Christ’s coming (Mal 3:2)? That day
shall burn the wicked up (Mal 4:1)!
Nahum 1:6, “Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the
fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are
thrown down by him.” Jeremiah 23:19-20,
“Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous
whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of
the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed
the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.”
This, my friend, is what true believers will be spared from. Those that spent
their time on this earth seeking self and rebuking (discouraging)
the righteous will regret: Isaiah 26:21, “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of
his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth
also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Jesus was
very upfront in saying that followers would generally suffer and have
persecution and tribulation all their lives (refining fires). We have all heard of God’s love; the rebellious
world will now taste His anger. Who will God’s wrath be poured out upon? 2
Thessalonians 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not
God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” Notice that Christ’s
wrath is reserved for those who do not know Him nor obey. Knowing and obeying is
called faith and this is the relationship we must have with Christ. This will
keep us in that day. Many religious people (prideful) will be subject to God’s wrath. The proud and arrogant
are those who would not humble themselves, repent and turn to the Lord with
their full heart. The proud and arrogant serve themselves in this world with
disregard for Christ and the world to come. They just do not see. The lofty
looks of man will be utterly cast down – humbled (Is
2:11
). Remember this above all: Nahum 1:7, “The
LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that
trust in him.” AND Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the
earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it
may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.” AND 1 John
2:28
, “And now, little children, abide in him;
that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before
him at his coming.”
Rebellious
man will attempt war with Christ (Zech
14:3): Revelation
17:14
, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the
Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they
that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Notice that the ones
(came out of tribulation,
Rev 7:14
, 20:4 or
are caught up, 1 Thess
4:17
) with Jesus are “faithful.” To be faithful is to be obedient to
Christ’s gospel and to be led of His Spirit in conforming to His image. These
are “called” for when Christ said, “come follow me” they responded and
were thus chosen. Those who live for self and the things of the world are
definitely NOT faithful – these are the rebellious ones, religious or not.
These rejected Jesus’ calling to seek their own path. To seek your own
authority is to reject Christ’s authority and Lordship over you.
I’m
Really Scared!
There is no fear in Christ Jesus. 1 John
4:18
, “There is no fear in love; but perfect
love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made
perfect in love.” Consider: 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the
spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Consider:
Luke 12:4-5, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill
the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you
whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into
hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” This is not doom and gloom – examine
your life. What has a hold on you that you would not want to go to the King if
called? Unbelief? Things of this world? Would you not trust yourself totally to
God who careth for you (1 Pt 5:7)?
Consider this true account: Corrie Ten Boom (Christian who survived Nazi concentration camps – her family was murdered): When I was a little girl, I went to my father and said, Daddy, I
am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.
Tell me, said Father, When you take a train trip to
Amsterdam
,
when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before? No,
Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.
That is right, my father said, and so it is with God’s strength. Our
Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus
Christ. He will supply all you need – just in time. In Chapter Three we
learned how Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, was able to boldly face his
persecutors. Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
This will be a really exciting time. The “real” church (body)
will emerge. These are those individuals who love the Lord more than self and
are ready to suffer, sacrifice and die for their Lord (Rm
8:17
). Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” This will not be
the phony institutionalized religious system of very worldly fair-weather
professed believers that we now see so openly manifested. These will not be
crying over a never-having-materialized pre-tribulation rapture. This body of
Christ will not be orchestrated by man and his religious denominations or
devices. Man will receive no glory. No, No, No! This will be the patient fruit
of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of countless individuals that will be
openly discernible for all to see – to God be the glory! This will be the
beginning of the great separation! If you suffer, then you will be in good
company (that of the prophets and Christ
Himself). Rather to suffer, be persecuted and die with the righteous than to
live a short time longer with the self seeking and very worldly cowards who seek
to save their own skin and are following man’s rebellion against God. True
believers will put it all on the line due to their love and devotion for the
King! – the King of Kings! Oh, to be in that number! Take your eyes off of
self and put them squarely on Jesus – what more can I say? Time to be for
real. Sunday morning pretension is over.
Consider the great
tribulation. Rebellious man will have reached his peak and the devil will lead.
Much of Christianity wants to run away (pre-tribulation
rapture). Where is the glory in that? God receives glory when we stand
against the evil and refuse to bend the knee to rebellious man’s system.
Consider Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They demonstrated their faith
and refused to bow the knee in the face of death (firey furnaces and lion’s dens) and God received glory (Heb
11:33
-34).
Jesus said: John
17:15
, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out
of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” How did God
receive glory from Satan’s dealings with Job? Job stood for God even in his
own demise. Job lost all his possessions and health but did not curse God. Job
didn’t seek self as Satan had done. If he had then Satan would have held it up
as a victory before God and claimed that he (devil)
was justified in what he did. God would have been dishonored (debased).
We are not going to break camp and run.
Persecution
Persecution
is not easy no matter what form it comes in. This author understands the
separation, loneliness, loss, anguish and rejection it brings. You must be
strong in the Lord, by putting His Word in your heart, establishing a
relationship and following daily. Without preparation there is no way you will
endure when faced with great loss, imprisonment or death. Talk is cheap! Peter
walked with Jesus during His entire earthly ministry and loved Him. Peter told
Jesus he would die for him (Mk
14:22
). When the time of testing came, Peter was not ready and forsook Christ (Mk
14:50
). Peter did worse than just running away. He
later denied Christ on three separate occasions and on the last he cursed and
swore for emphasis (Mt 26:73-75). We
must be prepared and strong in the Lord. Jesus said the spirit is willing but
the flesh is weak, we must pray for strength (Mt
26:41). As we are led by the Spirit to conform to Christ’s image we are
made perfect in suffering (Heb
2:10
).
Job faced tremendous persecution: Job
1:21
, “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's
womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken
away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job recognized that all he had (including
himself) belonged to God and that God had the right to give or take back,
for God is sovereign (Eccl 5:15-16, 1 Tim
6:7)! This displays an attitude of dying to self (2 Cor
5:15
). We must totally abandoning our will and
control of things and submitting to God and walk in His spirit (Eph
4:22
-24).
John 12:24-26, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall
into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much
fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in
this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow
me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him
will my Father honour.” Our focus must be on Christ.
When you boldly profess Christ as you are told to do in scripture, then you
will be persecuted (Mt
10:32
).
Jesus was killed, as were eleven of the twelve apostles. Paul, Stephen and
Antipas were killed. Countless others have followed in persecutions throughout
the last two thousand years. Followers of Christ have also been despised, hated,
imprisoned, and mistreated. They bear the light in a world of darkness. If you
are a true follower of Christ, persecution will be the norm for you. Jesus said
the world hated him because he testified that the works thereof are evil (Jn
7:7). If we are lifting up God’s truth and professing Christ boldly, then
the world is equally convicted by us. Jesus said, John 15:18, “If the world
hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” We are not to give
thought, 1 John 3:13, “Marvel not, my
brethren, if the world hate you.” Light shines bright in darkness and darkness
hates the light. 2
Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.” When you truly live for God it exposes the hypocrisy and
sinfulness in others. You must never be self-righteous, but often you will be
viewed that way. Less than whole-hearted believers will look at you as extreme
or fanatical. Rest assured heaven is filled with such fanatics. Those who were
less than zealous will bear their shame. Many talk about religious things, but
when the flesh is denied (or under conviction) the true character comes
out. The religious hated Jesus and ultimately killed him. He exposed their
hypocrisy and traditions of men and this was a great affront to them.
Matthew 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines
the commandments of men.” Jesus even referred to their esteemed religious
scholars as vipers, serpents and children of the devil (Mt
23:33
, Jn
8:44
).
Jesus said, Luke 12:51-53, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on
earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be
five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father
shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother
against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law
against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in
law.” Following Christ brings separation (light/darkness). Those that
know you best are usually the quickest to criticize you (Lk
4:24
) – Some may even
profess Christ, but not really know him! The lukewarm will be offended by one
that is hot. The lukewarm want to dissipate and equalize the temperature of the
hot (make lukewarm). The natural tendency is for the lukewarm to become
colder rather than hotter. What did Jesus say about His family: Luke
8:21, “And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these
which hear the word of God, and do it.”
Ultimately and eternally the same will be a true follower’s family. All others
will perish.
During the tribulation, lost loved ones or those who are not truly following
Christ may disappoint you: Luke 21:16-17, “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. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's
sake.” Mark 13:11-13, “But when they
shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall
speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that
hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 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.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved.” These scriptures are referring to
betrayal to a physical death (Mt 24:9-10, Lk
21:12
-13).
They are also referring to character assassination. The essence of who you are
as a believer in Christ will be defamed, ridiculed, misrepresented, slandered,
mocked, belittled and this is akin to murder.
This is something true followers will experience often from strangers,
supposed friends, and family relations. When you walk in the light and others
walk in darkness there will be conviction and rebuttal. Always remember that
Christ suffered the same and we can expect no different. Religious men accused
Jesus, the very Son of God, of having a demon (Mt
9:34
,
10:25
,
12:24
). Jesus was mocked and belittled by the
religious throughout His life and right up to His death. We must apply
Christ’s Words to these situations, “Father, forgive them, for they no not
what they do” (Lk
23:34
). We must always forgive and not allow bitterness to take hold in our
lives. Matthew 5:44-45, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
We
are kept in the midst of tribulation. John 17:14-15, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath
hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I
pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil.” In the midst of all this, we are to remain as
God’s witnesses on this earth. The only way you will leave prior to the
tribulation is through death (no pre-tribulation rapture). John 17:14,
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are
not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” We are to endure with full
faith and confidence in God.
Mark
13: 13
, “And ye shall be
hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved.” (Repeated in Mt 10:22). We endure until the end
and not until a premature supposed rapture. God keeps His own Word, the sentence
of death is established at the mouth of two witnesses (Deut
17:6,
19:15
, Mt
18:16
). We are the witnesses.
Do you suffer persecution regarding your walk with Christ? Does your
religious institution? If you are not experiencing this then perhaps you are
either ineffective or deceived about your condition. Does your religious
institution encourage you to walk righteously before God (dying to self and
sin) conforming to Christ’s image? Do men speak well of your religious
organization or pastor? Luke
6:26
, “Woe unto you, when
all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false
prophets.” Are the messages emotionally good or do they make you feel
uncomfortable in your flesh (convict)?
Do you or your religious affiliation fit in a little to well with the world?
Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain
deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ.” Being spoken well of and following the rudiments of the world
is compromise. Philosophy, vain deceit, and traditions of men refer to smooth
messages of fleshly deception.
We
will suffer if we are standing for Christ and following Him, but will triumph in
Him (Ps 34:19). 2 Corinthians 1:5-7,
“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and
salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we
also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and
salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of
the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” We endure as our Lord
endured with all humbleness and meekness.
Jesus was judged as unworthy by the religious. Man always presumes to judge
God and His Word. Matthew 10:25, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as
his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” Jesus
came speaking only the Father’s Words. The religious accused Him of having a
demon. This is a serious disconnect between God and those who claimed to
represent Him! By accusing Jesus of having a demon, they were blaspheming the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwelt within Christ’s body (temple) as He
does with all true believers. This is such a serious offense that it cannot be
forgiven. Matthew
12:31
, “Wherefore
I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but
the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” The
religious of today will say the same about a true follower. They’ll call you a
heretic, cultist, legalist, etc. They will say you must fit into their majority
message, yet the majority is on the broad path to destruction. The religious may
be seeking unity at the expense of the truth – after all, God is love, right?
We must fit in with the Word of God and only this eternal Word. Psalm 12:6,
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times.” Seven is the number of completion. God’s Word has
been completely tried and is pure (Is 40:8)!
We are
Blessed in Persecution
Everything that a follower of Christ endures will be worth it. Matthew
5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are
persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for
great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.” True men of God are mostly ridiculed, criticized, and their messages are
rejected. A false teacher will come with flattering and popular speech. They
will defend the darkness and lead you opposite from God (worldliness).
They always bring good news to the flesh. Isaiah 30:9-10, “That
this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law
of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not
unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” 1 Peter
3:14
, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness'
sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.”
Most will seek comfort in the flesh. The flesh must die to gain that which is
eternal. There is only one way to approach the Lord and that is taking up the
cross, crucifying the flesh and everything that comes between you and God. Your
every desire must be crucified is not the typical “smooth message.”
There
is joy in suffering for our Master. Luke 6:22, “Blessed are ye, when men shall
hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall
reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.” When
there is light, the darkness will flee. Do not be surprised if friends abandon
you and demean you. Sometimes you will feel all alone. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9,
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” You
must seek God during these times, ask Him to fill you with His joy. 1 Peter
4:14
, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ,
happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part
he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” We bring glory to God
by standing and enduring as His witnesses. One day men will be judged on how
they responded to the witness that we are to portray (1 Pt
3:12
-13).
A
Great Falling Away
There
is a great falling away that has been going on for some time and is
accelerating. Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity (sin)
shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” God defines “love” in a
few ways that are most applicable here: obedience; sacrifice for God and others;
and holding to the truth of His Word. John
14:21
, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and
will manifest myself to him.” Our love grows cold when we obey our own will,
lusts and selfish wants. 2 Thessalonians
2:10
, “And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved.” Compromise is a great enemy of truth and a
victory for the flesh (and Satan). John
3:19
, “And this is the condemnation, that light is
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil.” Many have already fallen from the truth. Sin is trivialized
and Christ’s great sacrifice and God’s forgiveness is used as a covering for
continued sinfulness and wicked behavior. Many who profess Christ are not
following and worse, they more closely resemble the world. Christ’s
commandments are not heeded or obeyed. There are many hearers of the Word, but
few doers. 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.” Many of those who teach
doctrines of pre-tribulation rapture (left
behind) reveal their error and deceit by falsely prophesying that Christians
will be taken out of the world prior to the son of perdition being revealed and
thus invoking the “let no man deceive you” clause in this verse. Notice what
the antichrist does, he exalts himself above all that is called God and sits in
the
temple
of
God
. We are the
temple
of
God
(1 Cor
3:16
). When we chase after the flesh and things of the world, then we (man)
places himself in God’s throne within our temple and exalts his will above
God’s. Instead of looking for the antichrist, you may want to look inward and
decide if you have exalted yourself above God in the spirit of the antichrist (1
Cor
3:17
).
Those
who have no use for the truth will be answered by the multitude of their idols
– with the lies they want to hear. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “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.” Most can sit in front of the television or go to the movies
and take great pleasure in iniquity and never give it a second thought.
The falling away will not be from the organized religious institutions
and not necessarily the denying of Christ. The religious are quickly becoming
much more representative of the world than the Jesus described in the Bible.
They are pursuing church growth and do not want to lose any “broad path”
members. Many religious organizations will be going strong during tribulation
and will most likely be involved in persecuting the true believers as part of
some One World Religion. Many churches now accept all sorts of Biblical error
such as homosexuality, abortion, divorce, open sinfulness, worldliness,
hirelings (including women),
psychology, fleshly entertainment, etc. Some who have been lukewarm will repent
and turn to Christ, but these will probably be the exception rather than the
rule.
Those
who do not seek God and His truth will be given over to a delusion to believe a
lie. Many want to hear and believe what is right in their eyes (concerning
the scriptures). If you have no use for the truth then even that which you
have will be given to another (Lk
8:18
, Mt 25:29, Mk
4:25
). The religious community of Jesus’ time did
not even recognize the Son of God in their midst – and worse they killed him!
Their religious teachers had studied the scriptures concerning His coming. They
wanted a fleshly King and deliverer, not spiritual. Man never understands
God’s purposes when he seeks his own. How can a man’s heart be for God when
it is for himself? Do not be so arrogant to suppose the same is not true now!
Jesus Words are rarely preached now much less followed – deny self, forsake
all, take up your cross, repent, love not the world, die to self, obey
Christ’s commandments, confess Him, overcome, and sin no more.
A Separation
In previous chapters, the issue of worldliness was addressed. Many
people’s lives are firmly entrenched in the things of this world. Examples
might be the desire for constant distractions such as television, music,
entertainments, activities, careers, etc. God, in His mercy, is going to
separate the true church from the world during the great tribulation. Many may
initially go reluctantly (as
Lot
from
Sodom
and
Gomorrah
), but a separation will
be forced. God’s chastening is for our profit that we might be partakers of
His holiness (Heb
12:10
-11). The Bride (church)
will become glorious and holy – spotless without wrinkle or blemish during
this period. Daniel
11:35
, “And some of them of understanding shall
fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the
end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Those of understanding have
knowledge of Christ.
How should followers of Christ approach this separation? 1 Peter 4:12-13,
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may
be glad also with exceeding joy.” We continue to follow the path of the cross
as Jesus did.
How
Will the Separation Occur?
Revelation
13:11
,16-17, “And I beheld another beast (False
Prophet – religious leader) coming up out of the earth; and he had two
horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 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.” He comes as a lamb
- Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Revelation
13:12
, “And he exerciseth
all the power of the first beast (world
leader) before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” To accept the mark is
to give total allegiance to the world leader and/or religious system and reject
the One True God. Those that accept this mark are damned for eternity! This is
to choose the things of the world over Christ. The money, homes, cars,
possessions, entertainments, comforts, etc. This is an exaltation of self over
God. This is judging God as unworthy in the face of personal sacrifice. Has
anything changed with man since
Eden
?
Revelation 13:18, “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.” Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. There
are only two other places in the bible that has the number six hundred
threescore and six and both (different
books) describe the same account of Solomon. 1 Kings
10:14
, “Now the weight of
gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents
of gold (and 2 Chr
9:13
).” What is the
message? Solomon represents man’s wisdom. Solomon determined that after doing
all that was in his heart that everything (man’s
way) is vanity and only a heart toward God matters (book of Ecclesiastes, Ecc
12:14). We also know from scriptures that Solomon did not heed his own
advice. 1 Kings 11:4, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his
wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with
the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” The gold that came to
Solomon is money or things of the world for the purpose of satisfying self. This
then is the message: At the end of the age, man will seek after worldly things (money)
and be self centered. Man will follow after his idolatry rather than seek God.
The mark of the beast will be the separation between those who will choose the
world and all its idolatry to satisfy self (Satan’s nature – rebellion)
or those who will choose to follow God and loose all the things of the world and
its idolatries. Six is the number of man. Thrice six is the ultimate in man
exalting himself through his knowledge and self seeking idolatries (things
of the world) against the purposes of the one true God. The mark may be
literal or the essence of whom you are. Either way you choose it by your own
actions, “self and the things of the world” or “God.”
If you do not obey man’s law, you will be totally separated from the
world’s system. God in His mercy does for you what you may never do for
yourself. He separates you from the things of the world. To reject the mark is
to give up all your savings, home, 401K accounts, cars, friends, career,
entertainments, medical care, popularity, and quite possibly your physical life.
You will now have to rely totally upon God for your very life. In other words
you must die to your will and control of things and absolutely perform and
depend upon God’s will – you must trust in God! Followers of Christ will
finally understand what Jesus meant when he said, Luke 9:23, “And he said to
them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily, and follow me.” The way of the cross has always been death to
self. John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Live to self and
die, die to self and live (Mt
10:39
,
16:25
, Mk
8:35
, Lk
9:24
,
17:33
, Jn
12:25
). There is such a biblical emphasis on this that the
wise must take note. When we are weak, then God can show Himself strong (2
Cor 12:9). When you think you can do it all (self-sufficient), God lets you – to your own demise. We must die
daily to self (1 Cor
15:31
, 2 Cor 4:9-11).
The flesh will rise up in contention. You’ve worked to hard for the things
of the world. Much of the religious world will say it is OK. Many a false
prophet will be on television (which most
will be watching) trying to convince you that it’s OK to take this
particular mark. After all, the rapture hasn’t occurred. They don’t want to
lose their love (money) either. You will not be hard to convince given
all you stand to lose. They’ll justify it somehow. It’s all about deception.
God will send a strong delusion and they will believe a lie (1 Thess
2:11
). So, what will prevail in your life? The worldly things or
love and devotion for God – the path of the cross. A true follower is a dead
man anyway. He has been crucified with Christ and the choice is easy. God will
provide whatever strength one requires, even unto death. Most lukewarm will
fold, because their flesh has ruled to long. How can one suddenly die for that
which he could never live? After all, God loves us so much it will all work out
anyway – Right (Zeph
1:12
)? Recall from Chapter
One (The Condemnation) that when man
chose the flesh over God, he became servant to the flesh. The flesh will rise up
in what many term “self-preservation” and will seek its will over God’s.
The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak. Peter found this to be all too
real in a time of testing (Chapter Three,
A Bold Statement). Our authorities must be changed. God must change our
nature to come out from under the authority of the flesh and be willfully and
lovingly subject to His authority. The Spirit leads us to overcome the flesh.
Just remember this warning: when pressure comes to bear this flesh is capable of
all manner of atrocities (Jer 17:9 –
desperately wicked). Women in
Israel
ate their own children
when their flesh was denied food for a period of time (Deut 28:53-57, 2 Kg
6:28
-30).
Revelation 14:9, “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: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for
ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and
his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” This is what you
will be trading eternity with God for in getting a few very miserable years
extension on your mortal life. Chances are that what time is left will be a
living hell anyway. The punishment will be just for those who deny such a great
King of Kings, choosing self just as Adam did.
Many
are expecting the mark of the beast to be some physical mark, and it probably is
literal, but it seems that our hearts are already marked. Where is your
devotion? What are the things you think about? Enjoy? Have you every voluntarily
given up anything because you did not think it would be pleasing to God (maybe
something you really liked)? Is your very life structured upon the
foundation of His Word? Do you seek Him? Our bodies are the
temple
of
God
(1 Cor
3:16
,
6:19
). What if the antichrist is purely a spirit,
which rises up within you such that you exalt self over God (2 Cor
6:16
, 2 Thess
2:4)? In other words, when you seek
the pollutions of the world, you drive the Holy Spirit out and seat yourself as
God over your life (1 Cor
3:17
). Hmmm.
My
son asked me one night: “What if I am forced to receive the mark of the beast
against my will?” Scripture says that this cannot be the case. The mark will
signify willful disobedience and rebellion against God and His authority. If the
mark were just a physical tattoo or implanted chip, why wouldn’t an evil
antichrist system force this upon those who profess Christ? What better way to
lash out against God’s elect – give them the very thing they dread most.
Perhaps the answer is that the mark is something we give ourselves through our
own actions. Thus it could not be forced upon us, we would have willingly chose
it. Marks are not necessarily physical, but the essence of one’s nature. This
could manifest in many ways. Our agreement with the world and all it stands for;
our tolerance and acceptance of iniquity (sin);
selfish actions whereby we seat ourselves in the Holy Spirit’s place in the
temple of our bodies; denial of Christ by mere profession and association rather
than following and living for; seeking God through religious efforts of man
rather than true faith from a heart of love toward God (as
revealed through our daily actions); mixing our opinions with God’s Word
to form belief, etc. Do you have the antichrist spirit? One simple way to find
out is to honestly examine your heart. What do you find pleasure in – the
things you enjoy doing most? How does your life reflect a daily following of
Christ – is there any evidence? Sincerely make a list arranged in priority of
the things you do most, think about, enjoy, strive for and see where Christ
rates in your life. Personally examine your life now or wait and have it
examined for you in front of all creation when the outcome will be unchangeable.
Satan
will attempt to enslave the world with the things of the world. The Bible says,
1 Timothy
6:10
, “For the love of money is the root of all
evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The Bible has nothing good to
say about money. It is an idol that men lust after, yet is eternally worthless.
Money will become a snare to many - they just won’t be able to part with it.
The devil’s system is that no one may buy or sell without going through him.
Jesus said for us not to be deceived. Those that chase after idols (such as
money) become like them. They have eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but
cannot hear. They have no discernment (knowing right from wrong) – they
do not grieve over sin. They will be given over to a strong delusion to believe
a lie (most are deluded now). A false
prophet will arise showing great signs and wonders (miracles) and the
world will wonder after him. The mark of the beast may not be as obvious as most
suppose. Those that do not want to part with their worldly comforts for sure
persecution, imprisonment and death will certainly be looking for those to tell
them everything is OK – the key is DECEPTION. Government and religious leaders
(many that are now trusted) will lead them astray. People will follow
because of their own lusts. This is how the devil overcomes man. Even now, most
people are asking their false prophets to prophesy lies (pre-tribulation
raptures, once saved always saved), they are saying, tell us smooth things.
Tell us everything will be all right – of peace and goodwill. The false
prophets never say the hard truths of scripture - that would be unpopular. That
would not sell books or fill huge Church buildings. Tithing would decrease to
the institution, and rather, giving would go to the poor and needy. You see,
running a big religious work is like a business. The customer is always right or
the ears begin to itch (2 Tim 4:3). If not, they go to a different
religious organization. Come out of her lest ye share in her plagues!
Who is the Antichrist?
Revelation
9:2, 3, 11, “And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of
the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened
by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon
the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have
power. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit,
whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his
name Apollyon.” Abaddon is the destroyer, and has been confined to the
bottomless pit for just such a reason. This is the first “Woe.” God’s two
witnesses will testify and then the antichrist (spirit
from the pit) destroys: Revelation 11:7, “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.” This
spirit will possess a man, but no one knows who at this time. It is a mystery
for now: Revelation 17:8, “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and
shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that
dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of
life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and
is not, and yet is.” The beast is the antichrist (eighth
king) and his fate is already sealed: Revelation
17:11
, “And the beast that was, and is not, even he
is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” Revelation
19:20
, “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” (also
Rev 20:10
).
Revised
Roman Empire
?
Many
are looking for a revised
Roman empire
to be re-born geographically (in
Europe
). In doing so they have totally missed the fact that they are actually
living the ideals of
Rome
. The
United States of America
is all that the
Roman Empire
was - the modern seat of
Rome
. Consider: Ancient
Rome
was known for its system of roads; the
US
is known for its interstate road system. The
pillar of roman law was the right to face your accusers and answer for yourself
concerning the accused crime (Acts 25:16);
the same is true in
US
law.
Rome
was obsessed with a love of violence; the
US
is also obsessed (fixated/gripped)
with a love of violence.
Rome
was obsessed with sensuality through their art,
erotic dances and orgies; the
US
is obsessed with sensuality through their art,
risqué television/movies, pornography, and prostitution.
Rome
was preoccupied with sports and entertainment;
the
US
is preoccupied with sports and entertainment.
Americans must be constantly entertained – televisions are now being installed
in most restaurants and public places. Televisions (DVD) are even being installed in new cars.
Rome
dominated the world militarily; the
US
absolutely dominates the world militarily.
Rome
dominated the world economically; the
US
absolutely dominates the world economically –
and makes the world’s merchants rich (
Rev 18:15
, 19, 23).
Roman citizenship was highly sought after in its day;
US
citizenship is also highly sought after in this
era. The US Congress is an evolution of the Roman Senate.
Rome
made slaves of the poor through debt; the
US
makes slaves of the poor through very
sophisticated debt. One may be able to somewhat choose one’s servitude (i.e. career), but the benefits still go to another (cost
deferred/debt incurred).
Rome
also made slaves of the citizens of defeated
countries; the
US
makes slaves of the third world through debt and the resulting slave labor
(sweat shops, etc.).
Rome
extensively employed taxation; the
US
taxes everything. No doubt this list could
continue at length. Now consider the following prophecy given to Daniel
concerning this last great empire: Daniel
2:43
, “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry
clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not
cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” The
US
is a melting pot for the world’s peoples and
ideals. People differ culturally and thus do not cleave. People also differ
idealistically. Consider all the movements or special interests: environmental,
save the whatever, religious, peace, racial, political, sexual, gender,
economic, etc. These movements polarize (divide,
separate) and thus people do not cleave. Therefore, the
US
is an exceedingly strong country, yet partly
broken (Dan
2:42
) – iron and clay. The iron represents the
country’s might/strength and the clay represents its people (man came from clay/dust). The
US
has the military capability to dominate the
world through devastation (devour, brake
in pieces, stamp the residue, subdueth all things, breaks into pieces – Dan
2:40
,
7:19
, 23),
yet its people have thus far lacked the resolve. This is changing before our
eyes….
Many
do not realize this but the whole world is ruled from a city. The seat of
government for the
United States of America
is in a city known as
Washington
. It is not located in a State as all other US
cities are, but rather a district – it is unique. This city is the seat of
authority for the
US
(the most
powerful nation) and thus the world (Rev
14:8,
17:18
,
18:10
, 18, 21).
A Religious Leader will Arise
Revelation
13:13-14, “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.” This “professing Christian”
religious leader will imitate the prophet Elijah. All of this is directed at
those who have some sort of profession or identification with Jesus. This end
time event is the separating of the true wheat from the tares of those who
profess belief in Christ (Mt 24:24).
All other religions are inconsequential. He will attempt to legitimize himself
and the antichrist through these miracles and wonders. There are
many in the religious world chasing after signs and wonders now. They ask God to
show them a sign. Matthew 16:4, “A
wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign
be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and
departed.” The City of
Nineveh
is an example of repentance. The prophet Jonah
was told to go and preach to
Nineveh
, Jonah 1:2, “Arise, go to
Nineveh
, that great city, and cry against it; for their
wickedness is come up before me.” Jonah’s message to the city was to repent
or perish. The people of
Nineveh
believed God! Everyone from the greatest to the
least fasted (neither eating nor drinking),
they cried mightily unto God, and everyone turned from their evil way and
violence. Jonah 3:10, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their
evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto
them; and he did it not.” They humbled themselves, confessed their sin, and
forsook their evil. Jesus said: Luke
11:30
, “For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites,
so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.” Jesus came to call
sinners to repentance (Lk 5:32). Jesus
has called for repentance – to turn, forsake, let go of all our wicked ways.
The issue of repentance will be prevalent in the tribulation. The true gospel
will finally be preached in all the world. 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.” This will not be the
“unconditional love god” message that is being taught in religious
institutions today. The true message of God in no way will justify the wicked as
so many now do (and call it God). The religious institutions of the world
have been teaching “another gospel” of the flesh. Jesus said the end times
would be characterized by false prophets and deception (See Chapter Ten, Deception, paragraph three). God will send His true
gospel across the globe.
God is merciful now, but
He will next come in judgment.” The question – Will you follow the gospel?
How
does the proud nation of
America
respond to God’s call to repentance? There are
American flags everywhere and stickers that say, “Proud to be an American.”
Everywhere one looks there are billboards, signs, bumper stickers, and banners
that read, “God bless
America
.” Americans surely want God’s blessings,
they feel they deserve them (Pv 30:13).
Does this prideful country want to repent before God and become truly humble? Is
there any evidence that Americans have humbled themselves, fasted, put on sack
cloth and ashes, repented and turned from their evil ways? Oh Mystery Babylon,
your sins have reached to heaven and God hath surely noted your iniquities (Rev
18:5). Do the religious institutions or their members’ pause from their
patriotic celebrations long enough to note that guns, bombs and flag waving are
not a sign of repentance nor does such show love or sacrifice (Jer
18:7-8, 10)? Do
America
’s warplanes deliver the “Good News?” Do
the soldiers love their enemies (Mt
5:44
-48)? Have the religious noted in their prayers that he who lives by the sword
will die by the sword (Gen 9:6,
Rev 13:10
)? God said it from the beginning: Genesis 9:6,
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the
image of God made he man.” What did Christ say? Matthew 26:52, “Then said
Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take
the sword shall perish with the sword.” The only exceptions in scripture are
when God specifically directs warfare as with
Israel
and the wicked peoples in the promised land (God’s
judgment on the wicked). Of course, nations always assume divine purpose as
did even Adolf Hitler (War time phrase:
Gott Mit Uns – God with us). Recall that Jesus’ name, Emmanuel means
“God with us” (Mt
1:23
). Prayers of grief and fear are not demonstrated
repentance. Warfare is so uncharacteristic of the message and life of Christ;
one must wonder how it has found its way into the religious institutions. It
should also be noted that followers of Christ are pilgrims on this earth, just
passing through. Pride or patriotism in one’s country can easily become an
attachment to things of this world and traditions of man can have a tremendous
hold. Is your love and reverence of
America
an idol before God? We must become the image of
God (who sends rain on the good and the
evil) and love our enemies. Those who reject God’s Word will say, BUT….
Please
consider carefully what is about to be said. Jesus said, John,
14:15
, “If ye love
me, keep my commandments.”
1 John 5:3, “For this is the love
of God, that we keep his commandments:
and his commandments are not
grievous.” These commandments are worth repeating once again: Mark
12:30
-31, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater
than these.” Jesus took the Ten Commandments and condensed them into two. Upon
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Mt
22:40
) and these are more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk
12:33
-34).
This means that every thing God has ever required of man, as conveyed to man,
through commandments, prophets and Son, is to be found in these two
commandments. The first one says we totally surrender to God in love, humbleness
and obedience. The second says that we love our neighbors as ourselves. One man
asked Jesus who his neighbor was and Christ answered with the story of the Good
Samaritan (Lk
10:29
-37). The Jews hated and despised Samaritans and it turns out that they
represented the neighbors (fellow man)
he should love. Now mankind, and Americans in particular, will always justify
hatred for their enemies (Lk
6:35
). Therefore, Jesus emphasized the point: Matthew 5:43-45, “Ye have heard
that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and
on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Notice how some
tried to bypass (find loophole) in the
second commandment through the use of the term “enemy.” Jesus said you are
to “love” enemies if you want to be a child of God; and couldn’t have been
more specific and clear. Luke 6:31-33, “And as ye would that men should
do to you, do ye also to them likewise (the
second commandment). For if ye love
them which love you, what thank have ye? for
sinners also love
those that love them. And if ye
do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do
even the same.” Consider the case of the American Civil War. Brother hated
brother in a brutal war. The religious men on both sides were sure that their
side’s cause was right and God was on their side. They held religious services
and prayed for their troops, yet their very endorsement of such things (the war), violated Christ’s commandment (which they knew) – did that matter? Christians “voluntarily”
send their sons and daughters off to war today to fight for
America
. Jesus said, if you love me (first commandment), then keep the second commandment – does this
matter? What do your actions say? Many will say: “But we are defending our
nation?” Go back and ponder the verses you just read – you’re seeking your
way. My “sentiment (opinions mixed with
strong feelings)” will be like the most High. God’s way is not nullified
with what seems reasonable and justifiable to the flesh. No one goes off to war
without having hatred and unforgiveness in their heart. How could you kill
otherwise? 1 John
3:10
, 15, “In this the children of God are
manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth
not righteousness is not of God, neither he
that loveth not his brother (we
are all brothers going back to Noah, family of man, brotherly love). Whosoever
hateth his brother is a murderer: and
ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him.” Jesus said we cannot seek revenge either (Mt
5:38
-42).
What is the Image of the Beast?
We have discussed throughout
this book how man was created in the image of God. Man disobeyed God and took on
the image of the devil. Satan’s image is rebellion to God. The image of the
beast will be rebellion to God. The beast’s nature is blasphemy (Rev 13:1)
– speaking evil against God (Lev
19:12
). This has always been a
serious transgression to God (Lev 24:15-16).
Revelation 13:5-6, “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things
and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his
tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven (also Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25,
11:36
-37).” This is total rebellion against all that God is. Men will be required
to reverence (worship) this image (nature/characteristic/trait) of
the beast. They will live in opposition to God. Blasphemy is an injury offered
to God by denying Him that which is due and belonging to Him – not submitting
to His authority. Consider this manifested nature as detailed in scripture when
God sends judgment: Revelation 16:8-11, “And the fourth angel poured out his
vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men
were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath
power over these plagues: and they repented not
to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the
beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for
pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their
sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
Notice that rather than repenting and acknowledging their wrongs and giving God
due glory, they blasphemed God in arrogance, total rebellion and defiance (also
Rev 16:21
). Blasphemy is also
attributing to God that which is not agreeable to His nature (perhaps
being religious, yet teaching/practicing doctrines opposed to God’s truth).
The antichrist will be as his father (devil)
– he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god and shall speak
marvellous things against the God of gods (Dan
11:36
-37). This will be the mark of those who follow the beast. Jesus said that
blasphemies proceed out of the heart of a man and this defiles the man (Mt
15:19
-20). This is a heart far from God! Revelation
13:17, “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.” So what is
the name of the beast? Revelation 13:1, “…and upon his heads the
name of blasphemy.” This is also revealed in Revelation 17:3, “So he
carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a
scarlet coloured beast, full of names of
blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” The number of his name was
discussed earlier in this chapter (How will the Separation Occur?). These
cannot be saved because they are in total rebellion to God – they will not
even seek God’s mercy through repentance (
Rev 14:11
). No one can be saved unless they repent! Jesus came to call sinners to
repentance (Mt
9:13
). These will drink of God’s
wrath – full strength (Rev 14:9-10). In the old covenant, blasphemy was
punishable by death: Leviticus 24:16, “And he that blasphemeth the name of the
LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly
stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he
blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death (also Deut 5:11).” In the new covenant (testament, Mt 26:28, Mk
14:24
, Lk
22:20
, Heb
9:15
) there is provision for
mercy and forgiveness for some types of blasphemy (Mt
12:23
, Mk
3:28
, Lk
12:10
). However: Matthew
12:31
, “Wherefore I say
unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men (also Mk
3:29
).” In order to obtain
forgiveness for certain types of blasphemy (those
not directed toward the Holy Spirit), one must repent. Those who follow the
beast will be like him and refuse God’s mercy in their own rebellion and self
seeking. Not only have they rejected God’s authority and will, but have also
rejected God’s great sacrifice – Jesus’ death to reconcile all men to the
Father. Those who are saved are the ones who conform to the image of Christ.
These first repent and renounce all rebellion against God and then walk in faith
and obedience to God – as Christ walked (Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6, 2 Jn 1:4,
6, Ps 119:3, Pv 8:36). These live such that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt
6:10
) and that God’s is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever (Mt
6:13
). These will not accept such a mark of rebellion (Rev 20:4). They
have victory over the beast’s image (Rev 15:2), because they have
conformed to the image of Christ. The life you now live has a mark or nature to
it – defined by decisions you make – living for God or for SELF (rebellion
to God). The evidences are fruit that you bear - good or bad. Good fruit
results from following the Spirit. Bad fruit results from following self. Jesus
said those that are good hear the Word, receive it (yield) and bring forth fruit (Mk
4:20
).
Revelation 13:15, “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.” This one-mindedness (solidarity, unity, team player, cohesion,
unified diversity) of the image seems to be propagated (assisted, taught, instilled, nurtured)
through something akin to television or computers that most are instructed
through now. This image will portray the beast’s nature which is opposite of
God’s – that being rebellion, pride, blasphemy, self-seeking, power,
control, greed, etc. Consider that television is an inanimate object (image)
that reveals/portrays the nature of mankind. The television is certainly
worshipped and held in high regard. The programming reflects what is important
to man (humanism) – his ideals,
entertainments, learning, fallen nature, etc. Most freely watch TV because they
identify with man’s principles, rather than God’s will – the two are
opposed. The
requirement for worship of the beast’s image will be a very similar situation
to the one Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced with King Nebuchadnezzar’s
image (Dan, Chap 3). Most will comply (and
see no problem), but very few will resist. The punishment for not
worshipping this particular image was death in the fiery furnace. Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego would not submit. Everyone else was bowing their knee (majorities
always favor evil). How did these men respond to the King? Daniel 3:17-18,
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning
fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be
it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up.” We also must have such faith. One must
face death with full faith and confidence in God, being spiritually prepared.
What if you were rounded up and sent to some hellish concentration camp or sent
for an immediate extermination – it happened in
Germany
? Would you be prepared
to go? If we are not cleaving to God now, our flesh will rise up later for
self-preservation. The flesh will always justify its actions. We must be able to
spiritually over-rule the flesh to the point of death due to our love of God and
for that reason only. Peter thought he was strong – Christ told him to pray,
but he slept just before his hour of need – Peter’s spirit was willing, but
his flesh was weak (Mt 26:41-75). We must be prepared to say, not my will
but thy will be done. Unfortunately death camps have had their place in human
history - most recently in Nazi Germany,
Russia
, and
China
. The great tribulation
will only be different in that it will be much worse and global. Man will not
save you in the tribulation – only God.
Some see the signs of tribulation approaching and out of fear have started
stocking up on food, supplies, guns and survival literature. Some may have even
bought land out in the wilderness to flee to. This is mostly depending on self
for purposes of self and not upon God. Our preparation must be spiritual. If God
specifically directs us to prepare physically in some way, then we may be
obedient in that regard – be very careful that you are not hearing from your
flesh. Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in
chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our
God.” AND Jeremiah 17:5, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that
trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the
LORD.” We
must ask ourselves where our trust is? Will our reliance be in self and the
things of man or God (Ps 44:3, 5-6,
147:10-11)? For in God do we boast all the day long (Ps
44:8). 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose
heart is perfect toward him…” AND Jeremiah 17:7, “Blessed is the man that
trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Most likely, God will
supernaturally provide for those who have been faithfully living for Him. These
are those mentioned as the
church
of
Philadelphia
and possibly some from
Smyrna
. God’s provision may
be similar to the way He provided for the children of
Israel
in the wilderness. The
point is that throughout the bible, God has consistently and frequently said
that man must depend upon Him (life, being, sustenance, health, salvation,
deliverance, protection, provision, victory, understanding, etc.). Only
through God do we prevail in our battles (Num 10:9, 35, Deut 1:30, 9:3, 20:4,
Josh 23:3, 10, Ps 44:3, 6-8, 60:12, 2 Cor 1:9, 3:5). Isaiah 31:1 , “Woe to
them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots,
because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they
look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” Depending upon
self is choosing man’s will and is the opposite of being “poor in spirit.”
If God allows the circumstances to prevail (mark of the beast) that
prohibit you from buying food, then He will provide for your needs. This is not
tempting God, but realizing that He knows what you have need of (Mt 6:8,
25-34). Consider: Jeremiah 17:7-8, “Blessed
is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall
be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the
river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and
shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding
fruit.” Consider these two verses: Luke 11:21-22, “When a strong man armed
keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall
come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein
he trusted, and divideth his spoils.” When you trust in God, no strongman
can possibly overcome you (Unless it is
God’s will) – as long as you are trusting in God. This is why the devil
always attempts to make you an enemy of God (through your own lusts) such
that you can be overcome. Anything else you trust in (Self, provisions,
money, friends, etc.) is subject to the implications of these two verses.
You will be overcome. No
Christian should even consider the use of guns. We are specifically told to love
and pray for our enemies (Mt
5:44
). We are not just to
love those who love us (Lk
6:32
-35, Mt
5:46
). Whenever you get into a disagreement with folks concerning
this and start defining who are enemies (and justification for hating them),
you find that they come down to just loving those who love them. These still
want an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Mt
5:38
-39, Pv 24:29). The religious will insert their own “self-defense”
clause as a means of usurping God’s Word about loving our enemies. So if we
cannot be out shooting people (obviously), then we must be looking to the
Lord for His defense
and protection. Which
do you suppose is nobler: dying with a gun in your hand and three or four you
killed laying about –OR- silently and non-resistantly going as a lamb to the
slaughter for Christ’s namesake – putting all faith in God to determine
justice at a later time (Rm 12:19)?
The meek shall inherit the earth.
Consider
how Christ reacted when they (those
opposed to God – religious or not) came for Him: John
18:11
, “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup
which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” Peter was ready to fight
(survive), but Jesus committed Himself
fully to God’s will. Should not we, who “follow” Christ, also drink from
whatever cup that God gives us? Is not judgement totally in God’s hands? Will
the flesh or the Spirit prevail in your life?
Will
all the Saints Perish?
Absolutely
not! Many will be alive and remain when Christ returns (1 Thess
4:17
). Jesus tells the church at
Philadelphia
: Revelation
3:10
, “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.” Notice that the
tribulation is a temptation to try (trial)
all who dwell on the earth – Choose whom you will serve. “…Be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (
Rev 2:10
).” This is laying it all on the line; choose
God or Satan – actions not lip service. This is one last huge trial before
Christ returns. Sheep to the right and goats to the left – no one will be
stuck in the middle. Notice that keeping God’s commands (obeying) is
the key indicator that God will keep you (although
there will certainly be exceptions). Those who now live openly for God can
expect persecutions and tribulations because they are the threat to Satan’s
devices. Luke 21:36, “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.” We are to pray that God will keep us. We become
worthy when we die to self and live a life of faith in Jesus pleasing to God.
There
are two groups of believers acknowledged in Revelation Chapter 7. Those who are
sealed and those who lose their lives in the great tribulation. The implication
is that the ones who are sealed are
Philadelphia
. We must all be prepared to stand regardless.
There is good news for those who perish: Revelation
7:14
, “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And
he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
If
I don’t accept the mark I’ll starve! The Bible is full of examples of God
keeping His servants during extreme trials. Consider Noah and the ark. Noah was
kept by God as the whole world perished in his midst. Noah was righteous; the
whole world was wicked. It’s really not a numbers thing, more quality than
quantity. Daniel was kept safe after being thrown in a lion’s den. Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego were kept safe in the midst of a fiery furnace. God was in
there with them and their clothes did not even so much as smell of smoke. God
sustained Israel in the desert for 40 years providing for all their needs, their
food, water, even their clothes did not wax old (we are taking over a million
people). God provided for Elijah when there was no rain for 3.5 years by
sending ravens to bring him food. God also provided food for Elijah and the
widow woman (i.e. The barrel of meal shall
not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail). It would be nothing for God
to provide during the tribulation for those who have faith in Him and obey when
the world’s system denies those without the mark, basic necessities. God
provides for those who trust in Him and not themselves! God may direct you to
make some provision, but you should be sure you are hearing from Him and not the
flesh. If you try and prepare for yourself, God will most likely leave you to
your own devises until you recognize your need for Him. You may find that
depending on yourself is a frustrating process and that it is impossible to
prepare for everything especially since you have no idea what will happen. The
message of the Bible is to forsake your control of things and totally yield to
God. There is no scripture that says God helps those who help themselves:
Jeremiah 17:5, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,
and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Matthew
6:31-33, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall
we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do
the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things. But seek ye first the
kingdom
of
God
, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.” This verse will take on new meaning during the
tribulation.
God’s
Seal
God
will seal His servants at the
beginning of tribulation. Revelation 7:2-4, “And I saw another angel ascending
from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice
to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying,
Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the
servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which
were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all
the tribes of the children of
Israel
. This number may be literal or
figurative. Many suppose that the hundred and forty and four thousand are Jews,
but this cannot be the case (Jn
10:16
, Rm
2:28
-30, 9:6-8,
10:12
-13,
Col
3:11
). First of all: Galatians 3:27-29, “For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there
is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one
in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.” All true believers are the seed of Abraham and
heirs to the promise. Galatians 3:7, “Know ye therefore that they which are of
faith, the same are the children of Abraham (also see Gal 3:9, 14).”
Jesus (the Shepherd) only has one fold (Jn
10:16
). Secondly, they are referred to as firstfruits (Rm
8:23
). That would be those that ripen first on the vine. Matthew
20:16
, “So the last shall be first,
and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” In this case, those
who are alive at the start of tribulation that have lived for God and kept His
commandments – they are without fault! If these were Jews, they would have a
major fault – not having accepted Christ as Lord nor lived for Him. Followers
of Christ are referred to as firstfruits (Js
1:18
). Revelation 14:1, 4-5, “And
I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty
and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. These
are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they
which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among
men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was
found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
Virginity is symbolic of purity. These initially represent a small number. Think
about it – how many pure people do you know? James
1:18
, Of his own will begat he us
with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his
creatures.” The religious institutions by and large do not presently see the
need to be pure (holy) before God and
obey Him and the love of many has grown cold. There is another place in
scripture where God sealed His people in their foreheads.
Ezekiel 9:4, “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the
city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the
men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst
thereof.” Noticed that these grieved over the sin and were not part of it.
Everyone in the city (starting with God’s sanctuary) was to be slain
except those with God’s mark (Ez 9:5-6).
This
144,000 surely must be the Church at
Philadelphia
– “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.”
AND “hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” There may also be some
from the other churches such as the church at
Sardis
, “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.” Recall,
Luke 21:26, “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.” Many others will wake up during tribulation, but must be
purified through fire. We must overcome, Revelation
2:26
, “And he that overcometh, and
keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”
Will
I Die if I do not Accept the Beast’s Mark?
When
we follow Christ, we are following the path of the cross. This is a path of self
denial and sacrifice to God. Mark
10:38
-39, “But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of
the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized
with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed
drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal
shall ye be baptized.” Let us consider what this cup and baptism represented:
This is total commitment to God - death to self. Jesus died literally for you,
and many followers have and will die literally for Christ. The saints of God
begin dying right after the giving of the mark of the beast noted in Revelation
Chapter 14. Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith
the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow
them.” Christ’s angel is assuring us that we are eternally secure and this
is very comforting.
Will
I die for Christ in this end of the age? Possibly, a follower must always be
spiritually prepared to give all for Christ. Revelation 6:9, 11, “And when he
had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were
slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And white
robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they
should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their
brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” You should
never fear laying it all down for Jesus. Luke 12:4, “And I say unto you my
friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more
that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which
after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear
him.” Some will die and some will be preserved. John
21:22
, “Jesus saith unto him (Peter),
If I will that he (John) tarry
(is not killed) till I come, what is
that to thee? follow thou me.” We are to follow Jesus and be confident that
whatever He determines for us will be for His glory. Romans 8:36, “As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep
for the slaughter.” At the time of the end, the people that do know their God
shall be strong, and do exploits (Dan
11:32
). Daniel
11:33
, “And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet
they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many
days.”
The
Sea
of
Glass
At
the beginning of the book of Revelation, we are given a glimpse into the Throne
Room of God. Revelation 4:6, “And before the throne there was a sea of glass
like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” This sea of glass is
initially empty before the events of the Seals, Trumpets, and Vials. Just after
the mark of the beast is revealed, we are told a third angel flying in the midst
of heaven proclaims (in a loud voice)
a warning to those on earth not to accept the mark and then the following
proclamation: Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto
me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea,
saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do
follow them.” This is the Lord assuring those about to die. God will guide –
even unto death (Ps 48:14). They are
blessed and their sacrifice will be rewarded. Later, toward the end of the book
of Revelation, we are given another glimpse of this sea of glass which reveals:
Revelation 15:2, “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and
them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over
his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the
harps of God.” The sea of glass is now filling up for the glory of God. This
is an honored group. What are they singing? Revelation 15:3, “…Great and
marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou
King of saints.” To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2
Cor 5:8).
The
Beast is Given Power
God
allows it! God is in control – He has a purpose in all this. Revelation
13:1,4-5, “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 they worshipped the dragon which gave
power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto
the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a
mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to
continue forty and two months.” The beast will seize power in the earth and
has been foreordained for three and one half years. The beast is strong and
dominates militarily (
USA
, Dan 7:7,
19, 23). This event occurs at
mid-tribulation. Revelation 13:7, “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 saints are the followers of Christ. No one has been
raptured away (Jn
17:15
). Daniel 7:20, “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;” The beast overcomes the saints. Daniel
8:24
, “And his power shall be mighty, but not by
his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise,
and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.” Most will not be prepared
or willing for all this. This will be a great time of testing, to try, purge and
make white (Dan
11:35
). Revelation
12:17
, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the
remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony
of Jesus Christ.” Yes, we are talking about followers of Christ. There is
victory in death; Jesus proved it. We need to wake up, forsake the world and
cleave to our Lord in faith. Revelation 20:4, “And I saw thrones, and they sat
upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that
were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had
not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon
their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years.” They refused the beast’s mark and his intimidation. They
loved not their lives unto death. Our Lord is able to deliver us from your hand,
but if not, we will not take your mark (Dan
3:17
-18). Revelation
13:10
, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that
killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and
the faith of the saints.”
Why?
Romans
11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how
unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” The
overwhelming scripture in Daniel and Revelation reveal that many followers of
Christ will lose their lives to the beast system. God has a higher purpose that
we do not fully understand, although tribulation does serve the purpose of
purifying His church. God’s plan transcends death, our mortal lives and our
will. Job (book of Job) found out how
unqualified he was to question God’s purposes (Job 42:1-6).
When
Jesus was born, King Herod sought to take his life. Herod did not know who Jesus
was so: Matthew 2:16, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise
men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”
Jeremiah 31:15, “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation,
and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for
her children, because they were not.” We could ponder why such a blessed event
as the Lord Jesus’ early childhood would also produce a vast slaughter of
innocent children. Why would God allow it? Similar questions could be posed
about the slaughter of early Christians at the hands of the Romans (they
were thrown to lions and burned on stakes) and throughout history. We must
be very careful not to pass judgment on God. God’s ways and thoughts are
higher than ours (Is 55:9). God is
righteous and will judge appropriately. This requires our patience and our faith
(Lk
21:19
, Rm
5:13
, Js 1:3-4,
5:10
).
Patience
You
must have patience. God is building a final case against the devil, his fallen
angels and rebellious man for all creation to see God’s righteous judgment.
Those that lead the saints into imprisonment will be put into captivity. Those
that kill the saints will be killed. God will re-pay in His timing! Luke 21:19,
“In your patience possess ye your souls.” Do not question the Lord’s
motives. James 5:10-11, “Take, my
brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example
of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which
endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord;
that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” Many have suffered before
us and we are not alone in this respect. Hebrews 11:35-38, “Women received
their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial
of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted,
tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews
10:36
, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of
God, ye might receive the promise.” The Lord will accomplish all things in His timing and we must
wait upon Him in trust and faith.” Notice that God’s will must be done.
Those that take the beast’s mark will suffer immeasurably (Rev
14:9-11). Revelation
14:12
, “Here is the
patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus.” Those who are patient and endure through their faith prevail,
but they may loose their life (v. 13).
Romans 12:12, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant
in prayer.” We are told to be patient in our tribulations, they will have a
glorious end (Lk
21:19
). Tribulation refines
us as through fire to produce a good work. James 1:3-4, “Knowing this, that
the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect
work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Romans 5:3-5, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and
experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Also
2 Thess 1:4, Acts
14:22
, Heb
6:12
)”
When will Christ Return?
Matthew 24:29-31, “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. 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. He that has an ear to hear, Christ
returns after the tribulation. Luke 21:26-28, “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.”
These verses say that we (believers)
will see these things come to pass and then our redemption draws nigh with the
coming of the Son of man. Those that survive the tribulation will see it. These
weren’t just “Left Behind” because they were disobedient; they are
followers waiting for reconciliation. The truth of God’s Word does not appeal
to the flesh. False teachers have come up with doctrines of man that do. They
will comfort you with false teachings of a pre-tribulation rapture –saying,
don’t be concerned you won’t be here! These are Satan’s messengers.
They’ll sell you books and tapes and make merchandise of you (2 Pt 2:3).
When considering the events of the end times, the author sought the Lord for
wisdom. The Lord directly revealed to the author the following understanding of
the final events before His return as detailed in the sections on trumpets,
seals, vials and Armageddon. I didn’t have it in me, and the Lord miraculously
put this on my heart. I can recall writing it all down on a napkin in the car.
Seek the Lord and see if these things be not so.
Trumpets
There are seven last trumpet blasts detail in the Book of Revelation. 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.” This verse
is linked to another verse: Revelation 10:7, “But in the days of the voice of
the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be
finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” The seventh
trumpet is the last trumpet. Notice that both verses refer to a mystery that
shall be finished at the last trumpet. This mystery is that the dead will be
raised and we who are alive shall be changed at Christ’s coming. Now examine
what actually happens after the seventh trumpet is sounded. Revelation
11:15
, “And the seventh
angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of
this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall
reign for ever and ever (linked to 1 Cor
15:24
).” Christ takes
possession of the earth at His second coming. The seventh trumpet does not sound
until after the tribulation. What does it matter? Because we must be spiritually
prepared to face the horrible things the tribulation will bring. Many Saints
will suffer or die unjust deaths at the hands of the world’s system (but
will be purified) – a great separation. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For
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.”
We may now conclude that Christ will return after the seventh trumpet. Seven is
God’s number of completion in scripture.
The
body (church) of Christ goes up to meet Him in the air and escort Him
back to earth. 1 Thessalonians
4:17
, “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.” We come back to a new heavens and earth of
righteousness since the former are burned up (2
Pt
3:10
-14).
The Lord is coming to earth to rule and reign for one thousand years (Rev
20:4). Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be
priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” This
is akin to a wedding. The groom is met and escorted to the wedding. Revelation
19:9, “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of
God.” The rapture (word not in scriptures) is not a “great escape.”
The catching up is to welcome the King!
Seals
Acts 2:20, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.” Recall (above)
that immediately after the tribulation the sun is darkened and the moon shall
not give her light (Mt 24:29). The sun turning to darkness and the moon
changes are another indicator and this happens after the 6th seal:
Revelation
6:12
, “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.” Isaiah
prophesied that just before the Lord cometh (Is 24:23): Isaiah
13:10
, “For the stars of
heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall
be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to
shine.” After the sixth seal an angel proclaims “there should be time no
longer” (Rev 10:6). This sets the
stage for the seventh seal, which is the last seal. Joel 2:31, “The sun shall
be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the
terrible day of the LORD come.” All eyes will be upon the heavens. Jesus
returns triumphantly after the opening of seventh seal. Once again, seven is
God’s number for completion.
Vials
Jesus will return unexpectedly. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, “For yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
The phrase “thief in the night” does not mean secretly – it means
suddenly, when not expected – as a snare (Lk
21:35
). Many who have put off
getting their life right before God will realize it is too late and their chance
at eternal life is stolen from them. Luke
21:34
, “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. Many are caught up in life’s pleasures instead of
living totally for God, even those waiting for rapture. Notice the verse says
“cometh” as a thief in the night. This is a future expectation. Examine this
very similar verse: 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will
come as a
thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up.” Here the verse also uses future tense,
“will come.” Notice that as this happens it is the end of all things we know
on this earth, “shall melt with fervent heat.” Now please follow along for
this next verse. When does Christ come as a thief? Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is
he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his
shame.” Jesus makes the pronouncement, “I come,” and this is present
tense. Jesus says this right after the pouring of the sixth vial. He is
preparing everyone for the seventh and last vial. What happens after the pouring
of the seventh vial? Revelation
16:17
, “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came
a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It
is done.” God the Father says, “It is done.” This means finished –
over! Jesus comes after the seventh vial! Remember, seven is God’s number for
completion. Christ comes as a thief for what purpose? To steal His bride (church)
from the house of Satan – Let my people go.
In
the verse above (
Rev 16:15
), Jesus said, blessed is he that, “keepeth his
garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Clearly
soiled garments and nakedness is the sin (iniquity, transgressions,
rebellion, self-centeredness) in one’s life. Jesus said, Matthew 24:42-44,
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know
this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would
come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken
up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh.” Will we be watching (Lk
21:34
-35)? Will our garments be soiled and filthy or cleansed and ready?
Trumpets, Seals, Vials
Putting it all together we find that Jesus returns at the conclusion of the
seventh trumpet (last), seventh seal, and seventh vial. Jesus returns at
thrice seven (777). Seven is completion and thrice seven is ultimate
completion, set in stone (corner), it is done, finished, Amen. The exact
timing no man knows. Matthew 24:36, “But
of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father
only.” We will know when it is close to the end due to the signs (Mt
24, Mk 13, Lk 17, 21, Revelation). Does this description not also agree with
Matthew 24:29-31 and Mark 13:24-27 (consider
the sun and moon changes that precede
Christ’s coming)? The Word is in
agreement – how about you? There are also three other sets of sevens in the
book of Revelation. There are seven Spirits (Rev
5:6), seven thunders (Rev 10:3-4)
and seven angels (Rev 15:6). Seven is
completion!
Compare this with the number of the beast, thrice six (666). Six is
the number of man (created on the sixth day). Thrice is the ultimate in
man attempting to exalt himself above God. This plays out when the military
forces of man attempt war with Christ when He returns. Revelation
19:19
, “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.”
God’s
first judgment of the earth (flood)
was also preceded by three sevens. Genesis 7:1-4, “And the LORD said unto
Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous
before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by
sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the
male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the
female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days,
and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and
every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the
earth.” Seven of the clean beast, seven of the clean fowls and seven days (777). The forty days and forty nights represented the bearing of
iniquity. It is also interesting to note that Noah’s father died just before
the flood: Genesis
5:31
, “And all the days of Lamech were seven
hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.”
Armageddon
Another indicator for when the Lord returns is the Battle of Armageddon. The
beast starts gathering his armies for the battle just after the sixth - Seal,
Trumpet, and Vial. Revelation
9:13
-16, “And the sixth
angel sounded…Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river
Euphrates
. And the four angels
were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a
year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the
horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
This event takes place after the blowing of the sixth trumpet. Please take note
of the word, “
Euphrates
.”
Revelation 16:12-15, 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. 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.” This event takes place at the “
Euphrates
” after the pouring of
the sixth vial. Jesus makes His proclamation that He is coming (
Rev
16:15
).
Revelation 6:12-17, “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; 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. And the kings of the earth, and the great
men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every
bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the
mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the
face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the
great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” After the
opening of the sixth seal there is a tremendous earthquake, the sun darkens and
the moon becomes as blood. The armies of men seek to hide. Jesus returns in
great wrath!
Compare the preceding with this verse: Isaiah 13:9-10, 13, “Behold,
the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the
land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall
not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon
shall not cause her light to shine. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and
the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and
in the day of his fierce anger.” Woe, Woe, Woe!
Therefore, After the three sixes (666 - Seal, Trumpet, Vial), The
Euphrates
river dries up and the
Beast and False Prophet begin assembling the armies of the world at Armageddon.
Suddenly, there are great signs in the heavens (Sun, Moon, Stars), there
is a great earthquake (after the sixes,
Rev
6:12
, 13). Everyone tries to hide themselves. Jesus proclaims, “I
come as a thief.” Jesus comes in conjunction with the three sevens (777 –
Seal, Trumpet, Vial) in great wrath! Victory is the Lord’s. Amen.
They’ll
want the rocks to fall on them and hide them. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, “And to
you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that
know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall
be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from
the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to
be admired in all them that believe (because
our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” Their gold and silver
(money) will not be able to save them
(Ez
7:19
). Proverb 11:4, “Riches profit not in the day
of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” The wrath is for those who
do not obey Christ’s gospel! Obedience to God is not a work (Legalism).
No one will be saved lacking obedience! Hebrews 5:9, “And being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Woe to
them who lead the sheep astray.
Jesus
is Coming for His Bride
Ephesians
5:27
, “That he might present it to himself a glorious
church (Bride), not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish.” Spots, wrinkles, and blemishes are the sin, worldliness and
rebellion in our lives. These are the undesirable effects of man’s will.
Overcomers will conquer the sin in their lives (through
Jesus) by their faith in God and shall be clothed in white signifying their
purity. The bride says: “I will love, honor
and obey!” – For there is no other way – until death or His coming
when we be united. The tribulation will purify many. Revelation 3:5, “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.” For those who hold to eternal security doctrines, your
name can be blotted out of the book of life. Christ’s audience here is His
body (church). Jesus is not coming back for a pretend church with out
spot, wrinkle, or blemish. He’s coming back for the real thing! Many suppose
that little white spots on a soiled garment are good enough – Woe to you! For
there will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth for those who see no need to
overcome. Jesus is certainly not coming for an adulterous harlot soiled with
sin, filth and worldliness. He’s coming in victory, not defeat. The
tribulation will serve to prepare the bride and make her ready to receive her
King. Revelation 3:4, “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.” Most have defiled their
garments and they are not ready. A few have walked in purity (faith, love devotion) and they are worthy. Examine your Heart!
The
Bride of Christ Emerges
Why
would God allow his saints to endure the suffering and death of tribulation? 1
Peter 4:1-2, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh
hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the
flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” We become like Jesus –
conformed to His image. It’s a time of sorting and a time of purifying.
Revelation 7:9, 13-14, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which
no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,
stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and
palms in their hands. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are
these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto
him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of
great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood
of the Lamb.” Do you see the result of tribulation? Their robes were washed
and they are now free from sin and worldliness!!! Daniel 12:9-10, “And he
said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time
of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked
shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand.” Do you see? Many will be made white (Purity) and tried
during tribulation. This is definitely not the false pre-tribulation message
that so many have bought into seeking the comfort of the flesh (self).
1 John 3:3, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even
as he is pure.” Those who follow Christ, follow His example. Notice “they
washed their robes and made them white” and “purifieth himself.” This is
done through Christ’s strength but requires effort on our part. Those who obey
through their sacrifices and suffering will be vindicated!
Notice
the indictment, the wicked will continue to be wicked. Most reading this book
will not change one little bit. They cease not from their own doings, nor from
their stubborn way (Judges
2:19
)! They will continue to seek the flesh and there are many false teachers
out there that will tell them what they want to hear. This is a sad fact. They
will consider this book extreme because it does not sooth the flesh. What does
Jesus say in the very last chapter of the Bible? Revelation 22:11-12, “He that
is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy
still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is
holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Most after being warned
over and over will continue to pursue their own will over God’s as slaves to
this flesh and its lusts and desires. Acts
13:41
, “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and
perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise
believe, though a man declare it unto you.” It comes down to this: you sought
your will or you sought God’s will (faith). These may even be very
religious. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the
wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him (Ez
18:20
). He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong (
Col
3:10
). Jesus will definitely give to each as his work deserves. What will your
life’s story reveal? Even the secret things will be known (Lk
8:17
). God’s grace will not cover your rebellion or
continued wickedness. There are only two types, those who rebel and those who
submit, and they are known through their actions (fruit). So the implication is that if you don’t get it by now, you
never will (blind, unconverted) –
even if one came back from the dead (Lk
16:27
-30).
The
Bride is Victorious
Those
that profess Christ will be tested (trial)
in a most meaningful way, choose light or darkness. A choice for God will bring
a separation from the darkness and will require suffering on your part (and
death for many). Revelation 15:2, “And I saw as it were a sea of glass
mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over
his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea
of glass, having the harps of God.” Those that died received victory just as
our Lord Jesus. This is the way of the cross. Look, here comes the Bride!
Revelation 19:7-8, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for
the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to
her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for
the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” By the end of tribulation the
church has made herself ready and is purified from the things of the world. The
bride is loyal and dedicated to God alone (through
Christ Jesus). Persecution and tribulation will separate those who are false
and will strengthen and mature the remnant that are true. Recall, the Lord had
to exile a remnant of
Judah
to
Babylon
to get their attention due to their idolatry.
God will not violate your free will; your choice will determine your eternal
destination. God in His mercy will arrange circumstances (persecution/tribulation) to separate you from the sin and
worldliness that you are comfortable in. In other words God will give you one
last chance prior to Christ’s return to choose to follow Him – however it
will require much of you! Revelation 19:9, “And he saith unto me, Write,
Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he
saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
All
Things Point to the End
The
great tribulation and the return of Christ mark the climax of man’s rebellion
and the beginning of Jesus’ earthly reign. All the great accounts in the bible
point to this great event. The following are examples: The creation days reveal
the six thousand years of man and one thousand year millennial reign (Sabbath).
The tower of Babel represents the coming one world government/religion and man
exalting himself. Noah’s ark and the flood judgment show that God will destroy
the wicked from the earth and the righteous will be preserved. Moses and Pharaoh
reveal God will afflict the beast with judgments while preserving His people.
Saying: “Let My People Go” from the bondage of sin. Nebuchadnezzar’s image
represents worshipping the beast’s image or dying – we stand for God to our
own demise. We are to be faithful unto death while boldly professing God for all
men and authorities to see. The Holy Spirit will teach us what to say. Israel in
the wilderness reveals God protects, provides and purifies His people in
tribulation. We must learn to trust in God. The Promised Land is also symbolic
of Christ’s millennial reign. David and Goliath represent the weak overcoming,
through God’s strength, the strong. We must stand up for God and give God the
glory for the victory. The story of Gideon shows we are to depend upon God’s
strength, not ours. God gets glory, not man. Jeroboam, Son of Nebat and the two
idolatrous golden calves he set up and priests and feasts he appointed
represents man inventing a religion to suit self (1 Kg 12:26-33). The
Babylonian captivity represents God reasoning with you (getting your attention) concerning your relationship with Him.
Daniel in the lion’s den reveals that one day worship of the true God will be
illegal and warrant death, yet we must openly stand for God (no
compromise). Jonah and the great fish reveals that God will severely
inconvenience you to get your attention in the tribulation and that repentance
will bring mercy – we must have a heart to do God’s will and preach (speak)
what He commands. Nineveh is an example of corporate repentance whereby everyone
sorrows with godly sorrow and everyone turns from their wicked way (forsakes)
in great humbleness – God then shows mercy. Jezebel reveals that evil will
rule the land and they have slain God’s servants and seek your life. However,
God still has many who have not bowed the knee. Samson shows that the greatest
victories are achieved in death. Abraham shows a willingness to forsake all for
God regardless of the circumstances. The account of the battle of Jericho has
seven priests with seven trumpets marching around Jericho on the seventh day (seven
times around the city). Thrice seven (777)
is ultimate completion (with a great shout of victory) and them walls
came a tumbling down! To God be the victory and glory! All these accounts are
foreshadows of the future. Take heed Oh man!
Beware
Revelation
21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death.” The fearful are people who are afraid of the opinions of man. They
choose man’s will over God’s will. The unbelieving are those who do not
trust God and those that are unfaithful in their lives. Unbelief is rebellion in
the heart whereby one refuses to submit to Christ. The abominable are those with
sexual perversions and filthy things. These have been given over to their impure
affections. The murderers are everyone who hates his brother. The whoremongers
are those who seek the dainties of the world rather be faithful to God. They are
those who do not eliminate sinful lusts from their lives. The sorcerers are
those who practice witchcraft such as rebellion against God’s will, and
seeking to control and manipulate others for selfish reasons. This also includes
those who practice magic, astrology, fortune telling, occult, witchcraft, drugs,
tarot card, automatic writing, and ouija boards. The idolaters are those who
allow anything other than God priority in your heart such as money, television,
possessions, etc. All liars have their place, those considered innocent, bad and
stretching of the truth.
Isaiah
65:12-14, “Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down
to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did
not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted
not. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye
shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty:
behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: Behold, my servants
shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall
howl for vexation of spirit.”
The
Second Coming
John
14:3, “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.” Any delay in
Christ’s coming is certainly for your benefit. The Father is longsuffering not
wanting any to perish, but desiring all to repent (2
Pt 3:9). We are to serve God and be watchful.
Jesus
had a phrase he used often for unprofitable servants who would not be prepared
for His coming: “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into
outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mt 8:12, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30). Some religious groups say there will
be no hell and that God will somehow reconcile everyone back to Himself. To say
this, you have to make God a liar and that’s what the devil attempts to do.
Such is the fruit of this doctrine. Luke 12:42-48, “And the Lord said, Who
then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his
household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that
servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto
you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant
say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the
menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of
that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when
he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion
with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared
not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many
stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be
beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much
required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
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.” Christ smites the armies of the world with His spoken Word. The sword
is His Word. The world has had two thousand years of God’s grace and mercy.
Now the world will know His full wrath and judgment. Psalm 75:8, “For in the
hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and
he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth
shall wring them out, and drink them.”
The
prideful shall be abased:
Isaiah
2:12
, 17-18, 20-21, “For the day of the LORD of
hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that
is lifted up; and he shall be brought low. And
the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be
made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he
shall utterly abolish. In that day a
man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each
one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts
of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and
for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”
Their money will not save (Ez
7:19
).
Throughout
all the plagues that are sent upon a rebellious mankind in tribulation, he still
will not repent. Revelation 9:20, “And the rest of the men which were not
killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they
should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone,
and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk” (Also Rev 9:21). Self seeking man will continue to lash out at God:
Revelation 16:9, “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the
name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give
him glory.” AND Revelation
16:11
, “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their
sores, and repented not of their deeds.” Some wonder why there is eternal
damnation (Hell – lake of fire -
punishment). A magnificent righteous wonderful Holy God will not surround
Himself with such rebellious ones throughout eternity (
Rev 21:27
,
22:15
). Those faithful from the earth who have
suffered much from these rebellious ones do not want to be in their company for
eternity either. Those destined for damnation will be there by choice – their
actions!
Restoration
and Reconciliation
Jesus came to restore all things to the Father. Acts
3:20
-21, “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which
before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of
restitution (restoration) of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began.” God has labored on this earth and awaits the fruit of His crop.
Does not He who digs, sows, fertilizes, waters, weeds, prunes and harvests have
an expectation of the reward of His labors? The Father patiently waits for the
harvest. Revelation 14:14-16, “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and
upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden
crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple,
crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and
reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is
ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the
earth was reaped.”
Revelation 22:7, 14, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth
the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Blessed are they that do his
commandments, that they may have right to the
tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Those who
kept God’s commands and had faith through Jesus Christ will be restored to the
tree of life. Man regains what Adam lost through our conquering Lord, Christ
Jesus, who alone is worthy of all things. To Him be glory, honor, praises,
dominion, and power forever. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Man has
restoration through his humbleness and submission before God. Jesus Christ is
the righteous conquering King who came and led by example. Through Christ we are
more than conquerors (Rm
8:37
).
For
those who were rebellious to God and sought their own way: Revelation 14:17-20,
“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a
sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over
fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust
in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her
grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and
gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the
wrath of God.
And the winepress was
trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the
horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
Oh,
What a Day!
Revelation
20:11, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for
them.” What a truly awesome God we serve (Ps
9:7-8). We cannot conceive of His true Magnificence. Revelation
20:12
, “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.” Its all recorded and will be reviewed (Ps
96:13). All the great kings of the earth and mighty corporate VIPs (the
merchants of the earth) will be greatly humbled before the throne just like
the poor that they often persecuted and took advantage of (Is 24:21, 49:23, Rev 6:15, 18:3). There will be nothing more
important in the universe than to have your name in the book of life on that
day. Have you no fear? Revelation 20:13-15, “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.” I plead
with you: Cry out to God in true repentance (Ps
20:9). Forsake your sinfulness – hold onto nothing. Die completely to
yourself. Sin no more. Ask God to change your very heart (give you His nature) and create you anew. Serve Him from the love of
your heart, obeying His perfect will. There is no formula – just total
commitment. Your chances are fast running out. God will not be mocked and you
will reap what you sow even if after death. Deuteronomy
7:10
, “And repayeth them that hate him to their
face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will
repay him to his face.” - Woe, woe, woe! Daniel 7:9-10, “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. A fiery stream issued and came
forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand
times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were
opened (also
Rev 5:11
, Is 11:3-4).”
We cannot comprehend such Majesty. You cannot imagine how fearful you will be if
your name is not in the book of life. We are talking about your fate for all
eternity, based upon your actions of less than one hundred years in this
temporal fallen world. This life is not about you! This life is about humbling
and subjecting yourself to the will of God and bringing Him worship and glory
– honoring Him. God’s glory will not be diminished one bit based upon your
decision to continue in your will – you are the one who will lose all, oh
rebellious one. You need God, but God will certainly be highly exalted and
exceedingly glorified without you. God will have your praise in the end, but you
will then be separated forever (Php
2:10
-11). Fall on your knees and cry out for mercy. God’s kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom (Ps 145:13).
Christ’s dominion endureth forever.
Revelation
22:17
, “And the Spirit and the bride say,
Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And
whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Jesus says, “Come,
follow me
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