Devotional, Devotion, Prophecy, Bible Study, Bible discussion, End of Days, End Times, Enter Ministry, Underground Church, Church, Fellowship, Tribulation, Salvation, Ordained, Love, Heaven, Miracles
Author: Michael Young, Sr.
I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me.
I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians.
I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments.
I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.
There is a lot of interest and conversation and controversy about an event called “The Rapture”, both inside and outside Christian Circles. Scores of books, articles and movies have been written and produced on the subject, so many in fact, that one internet search returned over 1,500,000 hits on the subject.
The “Rapture”, as it is called, is an eschatological (study on matters of end times) theological position held by some Christians, of an end-time event when all Christian believers who are alive, along with resurrected believers, will rise “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”[1] The idea of a rapture as it is currently defined is not found in historic Christianity, and the term “rapture” is not found in the Bible.
The doctrine of a rapture is a relatively recent idea of Evangelical Protestantism, introduce by John Nelson Darby, a British pastor, writer and educator in the mid 1800s. Darby formulated the idea of the rapture from the book of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:13-17, specifically from verse 17, “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
The words “caught up” translate from the Greek verb “harpazō”. The Latin Vulgate translates the Greek as “rapiemur” meaning “we are caught up” or “we are taken away” from the Latin verb rapio, where we get the English word, rapture.
For the sake of brevity on this posting, I will leave you with this PDF presentation comparing the Words of Jesus in the Book of Matthew, chapter 24 and the book of the Revelation, taken from chapters six and seven. (click on the image above or the text below here. You can also listen to the audio version – see audio player above – while you read the PDF version).
This ministry’s position is a definitive “Pre-Wrath Rapture“. There are four Zions’ Hope videos which follow, and one video by The Fuel Project on this matter.
“RAPTURE AND WRATH: READY OR NOT?”
“RAPTURE AND WRATH: READY OR NOT? PART 2 B – A SCROLL”
“RAPTURE AND WRATH: READY OR NOT? PART 2 A – THE 7 SEALS”
“THE FUEL PROJECT GUIDE TO THE 6TH TRIBULATION SEAL”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
More material on the Tribulation and The Rapture by The Whitestone Fellowship:
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
A study in sociology is not necessary to know that here have been thousands, if not millions, of social constructs since mankind was placed on this earth. The variations are mind boggling. Some have been successful and others have been abject failures when measured by the standard of human benefit.
The various outcomes of the myriad of social systems have been affected by many conditions ranging from the natural phenomenon to self-indulgence. But no condition has had a greater impact on our world than what the Bible calls ‘sin’.
A careful reading and study on the creation of man, ‘the fall of mankind’ and his descent into chaos must lead the reader to recognize that most, if not all of our social ills, ensuing dilemmas and human tragedies emanate from this condition called ‘sin’.
The origins, the etymology, of the word ‘sin’, is as instructive as it is interesting. Old Testament Hebrew, defines the word ‘sin’ as ‘chata’, pronounced, ‘khaw-taw’, and means “to miss or to go wrong, to sin”.
The New Testament Greek word for ‘sin’ is ‘hamartia’, pronounced, ‘ham-ar-tee’-ah’, and means, to sin, a forfeiture because of missing the mark; it is the brand of sin that emphasizes its self-originated, self-empowered nature.
Both definitions and usages of the word, include the phrase, ‘to miss the mark’. In other words, sin is to miss the mark of God’s planned perfection.
The Christian Apostle Saint Paul, as recorded in Romans chapter 7, realized that sin, or evil, is present within all of us and causes all of us to ‘miss the mark’ of God’s Perfection, or to fail. Most, if not all of our social ills and ensuing dilemma emanate from this condition.
Man was made with a ‘dubious character’ with an inclination to sin. This was part of God’s grand design in the creation of mankind. Paul realized that this sin was ‘holding him prisoner’ and that he was in desperate need of help and to be set free. (See Romans 7:21-24)
So, we have seen that, according to the Biblical record, God created mankind with the proclivity to fail, that is, to sin. On the other hand, the Bible tells us that God’s plan is for perfection.
I said at the beginning of this book, I am not a philosopher, I am not superstitious and I know little-to-nothing about existentialism. So, I cannot even imagine why God’s Grand Design reflects any concept of Dualism, a theory that considers reality to consist of two irreducible elements or modes or the quality or state of being dual or of having a dual nature. A view of that human beings, are constituted of two irreducible elements such as matter and spirit, good and evil.
The concept of Dualism is that that there are two separate entities, good and evil, which are equally powerful, “Christian” dualism, God represents the good entity and Satan represents the evil entity.
However, in Christianity, the truth is that even though Satan has some power, he is no equal to God Almighty, for he was created by God as an angel before he rebelled. Good, represented by God Almighty, is the most powerful force in the universe without exception. Evil, represented by Satan, is a lesser force that is no match for good. Evil will be defeated every time in any head-to-head match with good, for God Almighty, the essence of good, is all-powerful, whereas evil, represented by Satan, is not.
Whenever any doctrine portrays good and evil as two equal opposing forces, that doctrine contradicts the Biblical scriptural position that good, represented by God Almighty, is the dominant power in the universe. Since Satan was not, and never will be, equal to God, any doctrine that says he is can be marked as a false doctrine. (The fact that Satan was thrown out of heaven for trying to rise above God does not mean Satan has given up trying to be equal or superior to God, as evidenced by the basic tenets of “dualism” that have come down largely through the philosophical stem of human wisdom.)
There can be no true ‘dualism’ existing in any corner of our universe. There is only one power that is overriding, and that power is God Almighty as revealed to us in the Bible. According to the scriptural evidence, there is only one power that is omnipotent, not two. Thus, any doctrine of dualism which contends that there are two equal powers opposing each other (good and evil) is false.
THE CONFLICT
Absent “true dualism in nature”, there is, however, a self-evident conflict. A tension and a struggle between good and evil, life and death and a conflict between God and Satan.
(Again, I say, I will not debate the philosophers about the meaning of ‘good and evil’ or ‘life and death’. Those things are self-evident and any further discussion about them are nothing but a tangled web of confusion and personal opinions by the high-minded. Lies and deceit.)
This on-going conflict can be seen from the time of creation, in the Garden of Eden, through the casting down of Lucifer and his rebellious angels from heaven, to the conflicts between the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. We read about Angelic and demonic conflicts in the spiritual realms manifesting in earthly terms and we read about the great Crusades, a conflict between Christianity and Islamic forces. These types of conflicts continue and exist today.
Chapter 6 of the book of Ephesians tells us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” These struggles then manifest in our natural bodies.
The Bible tells us that the complexity, the frequency and the intensity of this conflict and struggle will increase as we approach the climax of “The Last Days” and the “End of This Age”.
The two choices are becoming clear: God’s way or man’s ways.
One of man’s ways of organizing a society goes by the name of Socialism. It is a system in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies. It is a system of society or group living in which there is no private property and is a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. Finally, and in brief, it is a stage of society in Marxist theory, that is, the principles of class division of society and class struggle where society has ‘oppressors’ and ‘the oppressed’. The oppressed are eventually bound to revolt and build a new society and economy.
Socialism is the transitional point between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done
According to Marx, socialism is a stage on the way to communism, which is the more advanced stage of human organization not yet achieved in China or the Soviet Union, even according to Lenin, Stalin and Mao. Many calling themselves socialist would like to stop with the nationalization of the means of production and not move on to communism. They also often oppose the “dictatorship of the proletariat” in the name of democracy.
SOCIALISM and Communism
The quick ‘n’ easy way to remember the difference between Socialism and Communism is: Socialism is “from each according to their ability, to each according to their DEEDS,” whereas Communism is “from each according to their ability to each according to their NEEDS.”
Socialism is the stage between Capitalism and Communism. It builds upon the previous system (Capitalism) by nationalizing the “means of production” (i.e., corporations, resources, banks, etc.), but not by making everyone equal.
The Social Gospel: The 21st Century
In the United States, the Social Gospel is still influential in mainline Protestant denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church; it seems to be growing in the Episcopal Church as well, especially with that church’s effort to support the ONE Campaign. In Canada, it is widely present in the United Church and in the Anglican Church. Social Gospel elements can also be found in many service and relief agencies associated with Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church in the United States. It also remains influential among Christian socialist circles in Britain in the Church of England, Methodist and Calvinist movements. In Catholicism, liberation theology has similarities to the Social Gospel. In the Anglican Church, the social gospel has found expression in pacifism.
Christian socialism generally refers to those on the Christian left whose politics are both Christian and socialist and who see these two philosophies as being interrelated. This category can include Liberation theology and the doctrine of the social gospel. The term “Christian Socialism” is used in this sense by organizations such as the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM), a specifically Christian grouping affiliated with the BritishLabor Party.
Christian socialists draw parallels between what some have characterized as the egalitarian and anti-establishment message of Jesus, who — according to Christian Gospel — spoke against the religious authorities of his time, and the egalitarian, anti-establishment, and sometimes anti-clerical message of most contemporary socialisms. Some Christian Socialists have gone as far as to become active Communists(see Christian communism).
Let us now examine the question of the relationship of Christianity with Communism more precisely, to that particular form of communism which has now appeared as an attempt to realize the ideas of socialism. This form of communism emerged in history as a sworn and bitter enemy of Christianity. For its part, Christianity recognizes it as completely alien and inimical with itself. (from Orthodoxphotos.com)
The history of the Church in apostolic times reveals that, in those times, it had its own Christian form of ‘communism’, which was actually ‘communalism’. The faithful held everything common, as the Acts of the Apostles says. Even now, this Christian communalism exists in the form of Koenobitic monasticism. Both the concept and reality of communal property is a bright, idealistically elevated type of Christian inter-relationship, examples of which have always existed in the Orthodox Church.
How great is the difference between such Christian communalism and Soviet communism! One is as far from the other as the heavens are from the earth. Christian communalism is not an independent self-motivated goal to which Christianity might strive. Rather, it is an inheritance bred of that spirit of love by which the Church has breathed from the first. Moreover, Christian communalism is totally voluntary. No one says, “Give us what is yours, it belongs to us,” rather, Christians themselves sacrificed so that “none of them considered any of their possessions to be their own.”
The communalism of property in Soviet communism is a self-motivated goal which must be attained no matter what the consequences and regardless of any considerations. The builders of this type of communism are attaining it by purely violent means, not balking at any measure, even the slaughter of all those who do not agree… The bases of this communism are not freedom, as in Christian communism, but force; not sacrificial love, but envy and hatred.
In its struggle against religion, Soviet communism goes to such excesses that it excludes even that most elementary justice which is recognized by everyone. In its class ideology, Soviet communism tramples on all justice. The object of its work is not the common weal of all the citizens of the state, but only the interests of a single class. All the remaining state and social groupings of citizens are “thrown overboard,” outside the care and protection of the communist government. The ruling class has no concern for them.
Socialism and Communism are the anathema of Christianity. The two cannot coexist with the third. They are incompatible. One must survive and the other must cease to exist.
The Christian doctrine of eschatology teaches the complete eradication of Socialism, Communism and their adherents.
Quotes on Communism by influential people:
“Communism has never come to power in a country that was not disrupted by war or corruption, or both.” – John F. Kennedy
“Communism is inequality, but not as property is. Property is exploitation of the weak by the strong. Communism is exploitation of the strong by the weak.” – Pierre Joseph Proudhon
“A common danger tends to concord. Communism is the exploitation of the strong by the weak. In Communism, inequality comes from placing mediocrity on a level with excellence.” – Pierre Joseph Proudhon
For us in Russia communism is a dead dog. For many people in the West, it is still a living lion.” – Alexander Solzhenitsyn
“When we hang the capitalists, they will sell us the rope we use.” – Joseph Stalin
“Let’s not talk about Communism. Communism was just an idea, just pie in the sky.” – Boris Yeltsin
“Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy.” – Mao Zedong
“I am a communist because I believe that the Communist idea is a state form of Christianity.” – Alexander Zhuravlyov
During his 1945 election campaign Winston Churchill stated that:
…a socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the object worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely. No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance.
…a socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom.
Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and
the object worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and
what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely.
No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance
“Communism emerged in history as a sworn and bitter enemy of Christianity. For its part, Christianity recognizes it as completely alien and inimical with itself.”
A FINAL NOTE: When addressing the outcomes of the two sides of perceived dualism, I prefer to use the standard as outlined in the Bible and reflected in the American Declaration of Independence to describe the ‘Good’. To Wit:
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness. (for the full text and the entire document, click this link: The Declaration of Independence.)
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE, CONSTRUCT AND PROGESSION OF THE SOCIAL ORDER, OF AS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE AND CONSTRATED WITH HUMANISM, SOCIALISM AND ALL ITS VARIANTS, YOU WILL BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE JESUS RETURNS, USHERING IN THE “GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD”.
(You can listen by audio; pause the audio to follow page links, then, when you are ready, resume the audio. Please note: I use page links for important details in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Half of Christians say casual sex – defined in the survey as sex between consenting adults who are not in a committed romantic relationship – is sometimes or always acceptable.
Six-in-ten Catholics (62%) take this view, as do 56% of Protestants in the historically Black tradition, 54% of mainline Protestants and 36% of evangelical Protestants.
Among those who are religiously unaffiliated, meanwhile, the vast majority (84%) say casual sex is sometimes or always acceptable,
including roughly nine-in-ten atheists (94%) and
agnostics (95%) who say this.
The religiously unaffiliated, also known as “nones,” are those who describe themselves, religiously, as atheist, agnostic or as “nothing in particular.”
Today, 176 million Americans claim to be Christians—69% of the population. Yet, only 6% of U.S. adults—which is 9% of those identifying as Christians—possess a biblical worldview, believing the Bible to be accurate and reliable, among other convictions.
That’s according to a new study by researcher George Barna and the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona.
Large majorities of self-identified Christians also report many beliefs “not in harmony with biblical teaching,” according to the survey. These include:
72% argue that people are basically good
66% say that ‘having faith’ matters more than which faith you pursue
64% say that all religious faiths are of equal value
58% believe that if a person is good enough, or does enough good things, they can earn their way into Heaven
57% believe in karma
By contrast, the survey cohort termed as Integrated Disciples—a small subset of those claiming to be Christians—are noted as being consistent in their beliefs and integrating those convictions into their behaviors.
99+% believe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful and just Creator of the universe who still rules the universe today
99+% believe that the Bible is the accurate and reliable words of God
96% claim that every moral choice either honors of dishonors God
However, Barna’s survey finds that even some believers classified as part of this highly discipled cohort hold to some views that “challenge biblical principles.” Those “shocking” beliefs of Integrated Disciples include:
52% argue that people are basically good
39% contend that the Holy Spirit is not a real, living being but is merely a symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity
33% believe in karma
“There is a remarkable level of self-deception (even among) born-again Christians,” said Barna, commenting on his recent worldview research. “It represents a huge educational challenge for those responsible for biblical worldview development.”
Many postmodern churches are teaching a type of gospel that does not conform to the Bible and, in fact, reveals many of the traits and teachings of Paganism. Likewise, a majority of people claiming the name of Christian may not be Christians at all. Many postmodern Christians don’t fully believe the Bible and practice aspects of Paganism.
Pagan comes from the Latin word paganus, which means “country dweller”; paganism can refer to polytheism, (the belief in many gods), or the worship of more than one god, such as in ancient Rome. A pagan is also considered to be one who, for the most part, has no religion and indulges in worldly delights and material possessions; someone who revels in sensual pleasures; a hedonistic or self-indulgent individual. Another, more modern term is neo-paganism, which refers to some of the contemporary forms of paganism such as Wicca, Druidry, and Gwyddon.
Modern “pagan” practices are actually similar to their ancient counterparts in that they rely heavily on hedonism—sensual gratification and self-indulgence and the pursuit of happiness and pleasure to the exclusion of everything else. In ancient times, sexual ceremonies were a major part of pagan religions. The Old Testament references these perverted religions in such passages as Deuteronomy 23:17, Amos 2:7–8, and Isaiah 57:7–8.
Though they are numerous and varied in their practices and beliefs, pagans do hold to some similar beliefs. For example:
• The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone.
• Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth.
• Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world.
• Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such, all are gods and goddess.
• Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs.
• Doctrine is superseded by one’s own responsibility.
• Solar and lunar cycles are significant in pagan worship.
From a Christian viewpoint, pagans are generally characterized as those who are caught up in any religious ceremony, act, or practice that is not distinctly Christian. Correspondingly, Jews and Muslims also use the term pagans to describe those outside their religion. Others define the term paganism as any religion outside of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity; whereas some argue that a pagan is anyone with no religion at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Furthermore, since they, (pagans), did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28).
In spite of common assumptions, most pagan worshipers claim they don’t believe in Satan. However, there’s no question that Satan is their chief source of influence and control. Though they will deny it, they deify him in their worldly and sensual practices. Paul tells us plainly how Satan works in the lives of people without God, through his power, his signs, his deceit, and his lies:
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12).
That Satan is alive and well is powerfully evidenced in these pagan practices. This was not only clear in the times of the first-century church, but also in today’s postmodern world. To the faithful believers who know the Lord, pagan worship is what it appears to be—the power and deceit of the prince of this world, Satan (1 John 5:19), who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). As such, paganism should be avoided.
CHRISTIANITY
According to Wikipedia, Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world’s largest religion, with about 2.5 billion followers. Its adherents, known as Christians, make up a majority of the population in 157 countries and territories, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, whose coming as the messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (called the Old Testament in Christianity) and chronicled in the New Testament.
According to CARM (Christian Apologetics And Research Ministry), Christianity is a religion based upon the teachings and miracles of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ. The word “Christ” means anointed one. Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Jesus is the anointed one from God the Father who came to this world, fulfilled the Old Testament laws and prophecies, died on the cross, and rose from the dead physically. He performed many miracles that were recorded in the Gospels by the eyewitnesses. He is divine in nature as well as human. Thus, He has two natures and is worthy of worship and prayer.
According to GotQuestions.Org,, the term Christianity seems to imply a religious system in the same way that Islam and Buddhism are religious systems. Within religious systems are core beliefs, along with codes, rules, and standards that must be mastered in order to achieve a desired end. Christianity does not fit that definition and therefore the term can be slightly misleading.
Jesus did not come into the world to start another religion. There were already plenty of religions (see Acts 17:22–23), including Judaism, which had begun as a relationship with Almighty God (Leviticus 20:12) but had deteriorated into another religious system on par with idol worship (Matthew 15:8). Jesus came to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37), to seek and to save the lost—those separated from God by their sin (Luke 19:10)—and to “give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:32). With that said, those who follow Christ do share some core beliefs.
Biblically speaking, Christians are those who are forgiven of their sins and who have entered a personal relationship with Almighty God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9–10). In order to become a Christian, a person must fully accept as part of his or her own personal worldview the following core beliefs:
The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone.
The physical world is fallen and, for now, is ruled by Satan. (1 John 5:19)
There is pleasure to be found in the world, but as Christians we are strangers to this world, scattered about, being distressed by various trials for the proving of our faith until Jesus returns. (1 Peter 1:1-9, Matthew 24:29-31)
Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth.
Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun. (Psalms 19:1-4), but the Bible says we are to worship only God, and not to worship His creation (Romans 1:25).
Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such, all are gods and goddess.
We are made in the image of God but with a flaw and afflicted by the curse of sin and condemned to eternal damnation. It is only by being born again by the Spirit of God by His grace and great mercy and through our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are we to be saved from destruction.
Some false religions and cults teach that we are ‘made in his image’ and that we become like gods. This is a twisting, a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the Bible which says ‘we will become like Him’.
Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs.
Again, scriptures say, “There is a way that seems right to a person, but ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12).
The Apostle Paul emphasizes “the whole counsel of God” as a way to affirm the completion of his duties toward the Ephesians and to remind them of the Truth, WHICH IS ALSO OURS TO AFFIRM TO THE WORLD AROUND US. Paul warns, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” (Acts 20:29–31).
The whole counsel of God includes some things that are difficult to hear—the fact that we are dead in sin and deserving of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1–3) and the fact that we cannot save ourselves through works (Ephesians 2:8–9). The gospel is a call to repentance and faith. Believers will face persecution (John 16:33) and likely be considered foolish. But none of these things can dissuade us.
We should follow Paul’s example and also preach and live the whole counsel of God. All Scripture is inspired, and all of it is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). We must preach it and live it in its entirety and allow the Holy Spirit to use His sword as He sees fit (Ephesians 6:17). Paul did not share half-truths or only parts of the gospel; rather, he shared all of what God has revealed. We must do the same. (see GotQuestions.Org)
The Bible warns us of this ‘Deluding Influence’,“the mystery of lawlessness which is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He, (The Holy Spirit), is removed.Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders,and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (2 Thesslonians 2:7-12)
In these Last Days, as the Bible says, the spirit of antichrist is present. False christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, eventheelect. We must hold fast to the example of sound words which we have heard and in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus says, “Iamthe way, and thetruth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
Let’s not forget to pray for one another as the Day of our Lord draws near.
(You can listen by audio; pause the audio to follow page links, then, when you are ready, resume the audio. Please note: I use page links for important details in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Prosperity begins here – A Biblical Perspective
We are told to make a choice:
Choose Life and Prosperity or Death and Adversity.
What is true Biblical Prosperity?
(Please note: I have made separation in paragraphs and used bold type for emphasis).
This is a Prophetic Word
It seems that we, Christians, pastors, teachers, evangelists and followers alike, have forgotten the clear message of God regarding Prosperity and Adversity.
I have been in churches and I hear preachers warning Christians against believing these clear words of the Bible. So, Christians will suffer from want and lack, poverty and disease, fear and loneliness, adversity and meaningless death without the Hope of His Promises.
It is His Promises which both bless us and strengthen us to endure the difficult times. When we obey God and observe all His commandments which are command this day, the LORD our God will prosper us abundantly. (Deuteronomy 30:8, 9)
Prosperity and Adversity are inextricably linked.
We have seen that the Bible says we must choose between ‘;Life and Prosperity, or Death and Adversity’. We cannot escape this Word.
Again, Deuteronomy 30:8 prophetically states“And you shall again obey the LORD, and observe all His commandments which I command you today.
Verse 9. “Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers;
Verse 10. “if you obey the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.
Verse 11. “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.
Verse 12. “It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’
Verse 13. “Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’
Verse 14. “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.
Verse 15. “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;
Verse 16. “in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.”
Deuteronomy 28:15 “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
Conclusion: I pray that we can see that Biblical Prosperity is NOT just about having money or things. It is not a spiritual ‘grab bag’ just for our indulgence.
Biblical Prosperity, is both a Prophetic Promise and a Prophetic Warning.
Let’s conclude with these verses:
Deuteronomy 29:1, “These are the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the sons of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He had made with them at Horeb.
Verse 2. “And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and all his servants and all his land;
Verse 3. “the great trials which your eyes have seen, those great signs and wonders.
Verse 4. “Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear.
Verse 5. “I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot.
Verse 6. “You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or strong drink, in order that you might know that I am the LORD your God.
Verse 7. “When you reached this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out to meet us for battle, but we defeated them;
Verse 8. “and we took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites.
Verse 9. “So keep the words of this covenant to do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”
It is my sincere prayer that this has been helpful and that I have not distorted or misused these Chapters and verses from God’s Word.
I also pray that we will get on with the call of God on our lives, and He will permit and lead all of us to into His fields which are ripe for harvest to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
“And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”Matthew 21:21-22
(You can listen by audio; pause the audio to follow page links, then, when you are ready, resume the audio. Please note: I use page links for important details in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Prosperity Begins Here – A Biblical Perspective
We are told to make a choice:
Choose Life and Prosperity, or choose Death and Adversity.
I hold to a Reformed view of scriptures. (Yeah. Let’s get that out of the way, upfront.) Reformed theology includes any system of belief that traces its roots back to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century. Of course, the Reformers themselves traced their doctrine to Scripture, as indicated by their credo of “sola scriptura,” so Reformed theology is not a “new” belief system but one that seeks to continue apostolic doctrine.
Generally, Reformed theology holds to the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace through Christ, and the necessity of evangelism. It is sometimes called Covenant theology because of its emphasis on the covenant God made with Adam and the new covenant which came through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20). I guess you could say, ‘that is an educated way of putting it’.
It sounds funny to me to hear myself say that I hold a Reformed view of scriptures. First, because the Bible tells us that, at one point, that “the Sadducees, rulers, scribes, Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent, observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, and were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus”. And secondly, because I find myself hoping to see God do, in my life, the amazing things He did with those disciples.
So, I find myself clinging to both a Reformed theological view because it is a dependable framework for understanding and following sound Biblical principles, sound doctrine as the Bible guides me in the matters of life, and to a belief of the miraculous, because that, too, is in the Bible.
The Bible teaches that it is God Who initiates salvation; it is God Who initiates sanctification; it is God who makes us holy, and it is God Who works miracles. He does these things around us, to us, with us, within us and sometimes, through us. We participate with God in what He is doing through our faith, submission and obedience in action. It is never about us.
Secondly, I need to be clear, that any prayer which says, “I take authority over…”, or “I command this or that…” unless it is framed within the context of the ‘Giver of authority’ which is Jesus, it is folly. The Bible says, “Jesus called the twelve together, andHe gave themthe power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases.”
An example of that authority and power is found in Acts 3:6 when “Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Did you catch that? “IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WALK”!
Presuming, or assuming, that you own or can make God’s power and authority your own, is preposterous in the least, and is an affront to the authority and sovereignty of God and foolish at the worst. Still, I hear some Christians foolishly say that they have ‘appropriated’ this blessing or that authority, that is, they have ‘taken exclusive possession’ which is without the authority or right.
It is better viewed as,“I am being blessed by God”, or “God used me to feed the hungry”, or perhaps even, “God worked a miracle as I prayed and laid hands on someone”. These are not matters of semantics, it is a matter of ego and of attitude.
Now, with that said, let’s please move on to “Biblical Prosperity”.
(Please note: The Hebrew word for ‘Blessings’ is Bᵉrakah which, roughly translated, means that ‘God is the source of blessings which are the types and kinds of prosperity which flow from the praise of God; they are a gift and a present; they are a treaty of peace with God. Also, I am using bold lettering for emphasis.)
Deuteronomy 28:1 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
Verse 2. “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:
Verse 3. “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
Verse 4. “Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.
Verse 5. “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
Verse 6. “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
Verse 7. “The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.
Verse 8. “The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Verse 9. “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.
Verse 10. “So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you.
Verse 11. “The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.
Verse 12. “The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
Verse 13. “The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully,
Verse 14. “and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
1. ‘Diligent Obedience and doing all His Commandments’, is what is missing from much of the “Prosperity gospel message” by many of the Word of Faith movement preachers.
‘Recognizing that it is The LORD Who will command the blessings upon you and not of yourself’, is what is missing in the “Prosperity gospel message” by many of the Word of Faith movement preachers.
2. ‘Diligent Obedience, doing all His Commandments’,is what is missing from the practice by many of the “Post-modern and traditional Westernized American Christians”.
‘The failure to recognize, understand and knowing’ how to place yourself under The Blessings and prosperity promised by God.
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Part 2. THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST
“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:3.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 1:7.
First comes the ‘spirit of antichrist’, and 1 John 4:3 tells us this has occurred in the first century A.D., and 2 John 1:7 tells us how this continues to this day.
But, there is one coming who is the Antichrist, himself. No one knows who the Antichrist, as a person, will be, but we do know that when he is revealed, he will not be a frightening figure. In fact, he will be just the opposite until he has gained power.
There is a reference in Daniel 11:21 comparing Antiochus Epiphanes to a type of Antichrist, who is one of the most brutal rulers known in history, easily eclipsing the horrors of Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich.
But, the horrors of Antiochus Epiphanes will pale in comparison to the brutality and horror of the coming Antichrist.
Traits of the Antichrist Described in the Bible
Intelligent: Revelation 13:18; Daniel 7:8.
Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8 Revelation 13:5.
Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
Military Genius: Revelation 4; 17:14; 19:19.
Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
Blasphemer: Revelation 13:6.
Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
Controlling: Daniel 7:25.
Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.
What is the purpose of the Antichrist?
His purpose is to deceive. The Antichrist is a person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Christ and substitute himself in Christ’s place before the Second Coming.
What will the Antichrist do?
Revelation 13:11 says, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.”
He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.
And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” Revelation 13:11-18.
He will doom anyone who receives his “Mark” and worshipshim, to suffer God’s Wrath. “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.”Revelation 16:2
“Those which he deceived, those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image, are thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20
WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST
No one knows what ‘the mark’ will actually look like. There is speculation that it could be an image, (an icon), or a microchip or a tattooed type of barcode used in place of money or credit cards for tracking, commerce and trade. But, from scriptures we do know…
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.Revelation 13:11-18.
WHEN WILL THIS BEAST GIVE HIS MARK?
The popular idea in many church denominations is that
the Antichrist will give his “Mark of the Beast” before The Tribulation period, but that,
he will not be revealed until after the rapture of the Church.
the Antichrist will be revealed BEFORE the rapture of the church and
he will give his Mark of the Beast AFTER the rapture of the Church.
I. Anti-Christ is revealed before the rapture
The Apostle Paul informs us, in 2 Thessalonians1:4 that,“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.“
The Great Apostasy and the persecution of the saints occurs sometime during the 5th Tribulation Seal, or just at the beginning of the 6th Tribulation Seal. (Compare Matthew 24: 9-10 with Revelation 6:9-122 and you will see the great persecution of Believers and accompanied by the Great Apostasy).
We are seeing the 5th Tribulation Seal being opened in our lifetime, the great apostasy or falling away from the faith, false messiahs, great deceptions, also known as, the ‘deluding influence’ and alienation from one another, and it is to become more pronounced as time passes.
Verse 2. “Do not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Verse 3. “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and
the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, Verse 4. who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
II. The Mark of the Beast comes AFTER the Rapture
And according to the Bible, the Antichrist gives his ‘Mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment and at the advent of 7th Trumpet Judgment,which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.
The placement of Mark of the Beast, as mentioned in the scriptures, also tells us it is immediately following the 6th Judgment Trumpet:
Seven trumpets are sounded (Seen in Revelation Chapters 8, 9, and 12).
First Trumpet: Hail and fire, mingled with blood, are thrown to the earth burning up a third of the trees and green grass. (Revelation 8:6–7)
Second Trumpet: Something that resembles a great mountain, burning with fire, falls from the sky and lands in the ocean. It kills a third of the sea creatures and destroys a third of the ships at sea. (Revelation 8:8–9)
Third Trumpet: A great star, named Wormwood, falls from heaven and poisons a third of the rivers and springs of water. (Revelation 8:10–11)
Fourth Trumpet: A third of the sun, the moon, and the stars are darkened creating complete darkness for a third of the day and the night. (Revelation 8:12–13)
Fifth Trumpet: The First Woe, (Revelation 9:1–12)
A “star” falls from the sky, (Revelation 9:1).
This “star” is given “the key to the bottomless pit”, (Revelation 9:1).
The “star” then opens the bottomless pit. When this happens, “smoke [rises] from [the Abyss] like smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky [are] darkened by the smoke from the Abyss” (Revelation 9:2).
From out of the smoke, locusts who are “given power like that of scorpions of the earth”. (Revelation 9:3),
who are commanded not to harm anyone or anything except for people who were not given the “seal of God” on their foreheads, (from chapter Revelation chapter 7, and Revelation 9:4).
The “locusts” are described as having a human appearance (faces and hair) but with lion’s teeth, and wearing “breastplates of iron”; the sound of their wings resembles “the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle”, (found in Revelation 9:7–9).
Sixth Trumpet: The Second Woe, (found in Revelation 9:13–21).
The four angelsbound to the great river Euphrates are released to prepare two hundred million horsemen.
These armies kill a third of mankind by plagues of fire, smoke, and brimstone.
Interlude: The little scroll. (found in Revelation 10:1–11)
An angel appears, with one foot on the sea and one foot on the land, having an opened little book in his hand.
Upon the cry of the angel, seven thunders utter mysteries and secrets that are not to be written down by John.
John is instructed to eat the little scroll that happens to be sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach, and to prophesy.
John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
Outside the temple, at the court of the holy city, it is trod by the nations for forty-two months (which is 3 and 1⁄2 years).
Two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:1–14)
The Beast gives his ‘MARK’. so that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the ‘Mark of the Beast’.
The temple of God opens in heaven, where the ark of His covenant can be seen. There are lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
What Does This Mean to You?
What this means to you and to me is that some will have the opportunity to suffer awhile before the Rapture. But, no Christian will suffer The Wrath of God, following the 6th Tribulation Seal.
Before the Rapture
Other names for the the tribulation Seals 1 through 5 is the ‘times of distress’ or ‘the beginning of birth pangs’. Christians may suffer during this time. How do we know this? The Bible says so:
1 Peter1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
verse 4 . to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
verse 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
verse 6. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7. so that the proof of your faith, beingmore precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
Revelation 6:9 tells us that, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal,
I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; verse 10. and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Verse 11. And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been,would be completed also.”
After the Rapture
The Great Tribulation also known as The Wrath of God, that is, the Wrath of the Lamb, begins with the breaking or opening of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation.
NOTE:The final 7 years of Daniel’s 70 Weeks, also known as the 7 Years of the Great Tribulation, will begin with the Breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal. It will reach the mid-point (after 3 1/2 years) at the Blowing of the 7th Trumpet Judgment and will conclude with the pouring out of the 7th Bowl Judgment.
Contrary to popular denomination beliefs of some, NO ONE WILL BE SAVED AFTER THE SIXTH TRUMPET JUDGEMENT.(Revelation 9:20-21, “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands so as not to worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders, nor of their witchcraft, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.” Also, Revelation 16:10-11warns, “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.”
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18.
These words were written by John of Patmos, (John the Apostle), in or around 85 to 95 A.D. This is significant because John is telling us two important things:
#1. John is telling us that the Last Days or the End of Time had already begun in or around A.D. 85. “From this we know that it is the last hour”. The term, “the last hour”, in the Greek language, ésxatos, means “future things”; it is the root of “eschatology” which is “the study of last things“. This includes future Bible prophecy, the end-times..
#2.John is not referring to the person of the Antichrist, also known as the ‘son of perdition’, ‘the man of lawlessness’, ‘the son of destruction’, when he wrote “Now many antichrists have appeared”. He is referring to the spirit of antichrist,
“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:3.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 1:7
I am breaking this study into 2 parts. The first part is about “The Last Hour”, so we can understand the timing and placement of John’s comments about the ‘spirit of antichrist’ and the coming day of ‘the antichrist’. The second part is about the appearing of the Antichrist and what that means for this world.
Part 1. THE LAST HOUR
There is a general misconception about John’s comments about “The Last Hour”. While I was in Bible college, the prevailing teaching was that John said these things based on his perspective at the time. John had seen and experienced persecution by the Jewish Pharisees and had seen his friends, the other Apostles, murdered by the Roman government and that his isolation on the remote island of Patmos had led John to see these as the “Last Days”.
However, Jesus and his disciples, (the Apostles), had been talking about and referring to the period, from as early as A.D. 1, as the “Last Days”.
Hebrews 1:2, “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
Hebrews 9:26, “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
This was written Around A.D. 60.
Acts 2:14, “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; verse 16, but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;”
This was written Around AD 60.
2 Timothy 3:1, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Verse 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, verse 5, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
This was written Around AD 60.
1 Peter 1:20, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”.
1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Verse 8. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.Verse 9. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
This was written Around AD 60.
2 Peter 3:3, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
This was written Around AD 60.
Matthew 24:3, tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:11, tells us, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
However, as we draw nearer to the “The Last Days”, and as we continue to closely examine and re-examine the Bible’s Eschatological teachings in light of the concurrence and convergence of events, the matters of The Tribulation period and The Last Days come into clearer focus.
Matthew 24:32-33 tells us, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: likewise, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Knowing about and watching for “the season of the tribulation” which is the fulfillment or the end of these things, can help you know when the tribulation period began and when the “Great Tribulation” also known as the “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord” will begin, so you can be ready.
I realize these distinctions have been obscured by past misconceptions and that this can be considered as a great mystery, but, it need not be. I am providing a summery Biblical Tribulation Time line and a videos to assist you:
Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, up until this day. We are now standing at the precipice of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.
A.2. With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, (also known as the beginning of the Great Tribulation or The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord), we will see that THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 & Revelation 6:12-16)
A.3. Sometime after the rapture of the church, which occurs at the 6th Seal, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.
A.4. At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.
A.5. At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.
A.6. During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.
A.7. During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
A.8. The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).
(Below here is a more complete description of the Tribulation timeline. Concern yourself with the first SIX SEALS.)
the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies.
The 1st Seal of the tribulation was being broken just after the death and resurrection of Christ and the succeeding seals (Seals 2 – 5) have been broken at various periods of time since AD 1 and that we have now entered the time of the breaking 5th Tribulation Seal. Jesus refers to this period, the breaking of the tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE as “the beginning of the birth pangs”, and He points out that “this is not yet the end”.
As witnessed by, Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Verse 31. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
B.3.The “7 years of Great Tribulation” , (aka Daniel’s 70th week), begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.
B.4. Then, the Great Tribulation will end with the pouring out of the 7 Bowls of Wrath.
The Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age. (This article concerns the first 6 Seals).
Here is a comparison between Jesus’ Words in Matthew and Revelation regarding the first 6 Tribulation Seals:
the 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
the 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
the 4th Tribulation Seal – Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)
The 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun.(The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is yet to come. It is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.)
The Sounding of a Trumpet.
The Rapture.
Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God.
Sealing of the 144,000.
Watch each of the 5 videos on this page, which explain the Pre-Wrath Rapture and teaching commentary on this subject by Pastor John Piper. Please watch, listen, pray and think.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 1:7
Video series below:
6 Proofs of a Pre-Wrath Rapture.
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 1 – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 2A – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 2B – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Read or Not – Part 3 – Zion’s Hope-
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 4C – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 4B – Zion’s Hope –
The 6th Tribulation Seal: Transition from tribulation to Wrath – The Fuel Project –
(You can listen by audio; pause the audio to follow page links, then, when you are ready, resume the audio. Please note: I use page links for important details in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Many of the goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030, being promoted through the World Economic Forum, are good-sounding and seemingly well-intentioned. The problem is deception. They are masking their ideology, their methodology and their end-game intentions which are purely Communist-Marxist.
I trust and hope you can grasp the magnitude of what has happened over the last 76 years in America and around the world: This may be the establishment of the long anticipated and prophesied One World Government. (also see GotQuestions.org and The End Time Prophecy Report)
Hydra of Lerna
HYDRA was a mythical gigantic, nine-headed water-serpent in Greek and Roman mythology which haunted the swamps of Lerna. Heracles was sent to destroy her as one of his twelve labors, but for each of her heads that he decapitated, two more sprang forth. Its lair was the lake of Lerna was reputed to be an entrance to the Underworld, The Hydra had many parallels in ancient Near Eastern religions.
So it is with the United Nations organization and all the affiliated entities which makes for a stranger-than-truth parallel to the mythological Hydra.
I would be remiss if I did not also mention the odd similarity between the United Nations structure and its perverse nature when contrasted to a Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 12:12,”For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” Recognizing that the United Nations is employing Socialist-Marxist tactics, methodologies and ideologies which advocates for the eradication of Christianity or a transformation into a godless atheism that worships the state.
Karl Marx, for example, stated that “Christianity preaches cowardice, self-contempt, abasement, submission, humility. The social principles of Christianity are hypocritical”, and that “Communism begins precisely where atheism begins”.
Communist-Marxist atheism embodies the spirit of Antichrist which is a counterfeit and antithesis of Christianity. Communism and Marxism cannot coexist with Christianity.
It is the same with the:
The American Democrat Party.
Saul Alinsky and his book, ‘Rules for Radicals’.
Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”.
U.S. Sustainable Development Goals.
The Communist Constitution and Program 2015 and .
The United Nations Agenda 2030 .
The World Economic Forum.
All these are programs and organizations have been developed using methods from Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” and were created with the same ideologies of Communism and its variants, such as Socialism, Marxism, Leninism, and Globalism, all organized under or through the United Nations.
Another way of viewing this is that the American democrat party has the same objectives, the same ideologies and uses the same methods as the Rules for Radicals. Likewise, Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals has the same objectives, the same ideologies and uses the same methods as Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”. And so is goes for the U.S. Sustainable Goals, the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the World Economic Forum. They all have the same objectives, the same ideologies and employ the same methods. “For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body.”Or, perhaps a better description is “it is one body with many tentacles”!
IDENTICAL in their plans, programs and purposes, these entities are working in concert, professing and practicing Socialist-Marxist Utopian goals. They are simply agents for the Globalist Marxist Agenda and a means to restrict your personal freedoms, and to gain absolute control over international financial systems, educational systems, health care, food production and environmental controls.
Here are some detailed examples of several of these entities’ objectives, ideologies and methods:
Example #1: The methods used by radical Leftists as taught in Saul Alinsky’s book, are demonstrably and ostensibly used by the American Democrat Party, by Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, within the U.S. Sustainable Development Goals, within the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, by the United Nations Agenda 2030 and by the World Economic Forum.
Here is a list of the ’12 Rules for Radicals’ from Alinsky’s book:
Rule #1. “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.
Rule #2. “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
Rule #3. “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
Rule #4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
Rule #5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.
Rule #6. “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
Rule #7. “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news. Rule #8. “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.
Rule #9. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.
Rule #10. “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.” It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign. If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.
Rule #11. “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.
12. “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
Example #2: The United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Goals (see chart link) has the same principals and goals as The American Democrat Party, as Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, as the U.S. Sustainable Development Goals, as the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, and the World Economic Forum and uses the methods of Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for Radicals’,
Example #4 : The list and graphics for the “U.S. National Statistics for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals” (graphics below), demonstrates and expounds the same principals and goals as The American Democrat Party, and as Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, The United Nations Agenda 2030 and the World Economic Forum and uses the methods of Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for Radicals’,
(This is an official website of the United States government )
U.S. National Statistics for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
Click on each goal in the graphics below, to search for corresponding U.S. statistics for U.N. Sustainable Development Goal global indicators.
Example #5 : A table of contents from Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, demonstrates the same principals and goals as The American Democrat Party, the U.S. Sustainable Development Goals, the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, The United Nations Agenda 2030 and the World Economic Forum and uses the methods of Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for Radicals’,
The inescapable conclusion for anyone who will take the time to see the truth and read the facts: Marxism through the Democrat Party and the United Nations has seized the United States Government from within!
A quote from The Communist Party USA Program Documents: “The great wealth of the U.S. will for the first time be used to benefit all people.”
The first Director-General of the U.N., Julian Huxley, in 1946, said, “The task before the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizationis “the emergence of a single world culture” by transferring full sovereignty from separate nations to a world organization. This new world order will be a socialist, authoritarian global government and court with global rule of law and a one-world economy”, according to the Commission for Global Governance.
The Obama Administration, (2009 – 2017), provided a living example of leftist globalists in action. Bankrolled by billionaire George Soros, and using the radical social-manipulation “rules” of Obama’s mentor, Saul Alinsky, the Left exploits groups like Black Lives Matter as “agents of change” to help usher in their new world order. They funded and directed radical groups to sow chaos and division by politicizing leftist targets such as police by labeling them as “racist. The black community is in a grave situation and they are being exploited and manipulated by the liberal left,” said African-American Vanderbilt University law professor Carol Swain. In the same way, UN globalists manipulate the Palestinians. They play the “racism” card to incite chaos, division and attacks against Israeli police and soldiers—just like in Ferguson, Missouri. Their strategy: foment societal disruption so as to undermine democratic foundations — then step in and take over. The Globalist agenda also includes the establishment of a one-world religion which means the political globalists have a religious arm. The UN is riddled with New Agers, occultists and others who consider freedom of religion hostile to New Age global harmony.” (taken from The Jerusalem Post)
Hence, the name change of The United Nations Agenda-21, (meaning their objectives were to be completed by the 21st Century), to Agenda 2030, (meaning their main objectives will have been completed by the year 2030).
I trust and hope you can grasp the magnitude of what has happened over the last 76 years and is now happening in America and around the world. This may be the establishment of the long anticipated and prophesied One World Government.
WHAT NOW?
There are two major obstacles the Globalists must still overcome which are the United States Government current system of government and the U.S. Constitution and Christianity.
Donald Trump may be the last very real political threat to the Globalist-Marxists and the Marxist-American-Democrat party, (et al), who are, as of this writing, attempting to silence and overwhelm his time and efforts by using various activities such as mounting numbers of frivolous but costly and time consuming lawsuits, defamation, questionable-to-illegal search an seizure activities and other threats to his person.
This leaves Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the final major barrier between a free world and a godless Socialist-Marxist One World Government; and the Church has been under a relentless attack from within and from without for decades, and has either been replaced by institutions of religious humanism, (falsely using the name of the Christian Church), or is being transformed into a religious ecclesiastical hierarchy void of the Christian Gospel by forces inside the Church, at an alarming rate.
The Church in America and around the world is in a serious state of decay and apostasy. This, according to the Bible, is a sign of the 5th Tribulation Seal. The next great event to occur is the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, the Rapture and tribulation such as the world has never seen, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
A One World church is emerging that is antithetical to the God of Christians and Jews and to The Christ of the Bible. (See, “The One World Church” and “The False Church Emerges”).
Someplace along the way, over the last two thousand years, it seems that many of the people calling themselves Christians, have come to assume that Jesus was either some kind of a ‘progressive left-wing ideologue’ or a pacifist and have modeled their lives as such. Let’s be crystal clear: Both assumptions are wrong. Dead wrong!
Unfortunately, much of the current day Church leadership in America has bought into the Leftist propaganda that the Church should stay out of politics. The problem with that assertion is two-fold:
#1. This has created confusion within the church regarding its mission and methods. The mission and methods of Jesus were never political but they were both clear and confrontational. Jesus said, “For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance in these Last Days!
TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
In John 18:37, “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance in these Last Days!
TO BRING A SWORD
In Matthew 10:34, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse35 For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; Verse 36 and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.” This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance in these Last Days!
TO FULFILL THE LAW
In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus said, “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance in these Last Days!
TO CALL SINNERS
Mark 2:17 says, “And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”This, too, is our calling in these Last Days!
TO SAVE THE WORLD
In John 12:47 , Jesus says, “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” In a very real sense, This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance in these Last Days, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him
TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH
In Luke 12:49 , Jesus says, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!Verse 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!Verse 51Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division;”This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance in these Last Days!
#2.The Church through the teachings of the Bible explains and defines politics. It is true that the Church should not become political nor should it let the contemporary politics influence or become the message of the Church. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, His life, His teachings, His work of salvation by His death and His resurrection are the core message of the Bible and the Church. But when the Gospel is correctly understood and the life and message of Jesus is correctly lived out with conviction, politics are defined within the framework of the Judeo-Christian ethos. (also see The American civil war is over Judeo-Christian values.)
“WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”
In John 14:12, Jesus says, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
I have heard so many preachers and bible teachers try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited. These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12. They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.
Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said. We need to get over it and get on with it.
Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and resolve we are to assume.
Ephesians 6:10-17, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firmagainst the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
P.S.: Let’s please remember that ‘God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back’. Let’s boldly advance the message of the Gospel and speak the Truth in the face of the opposition! Resist the devil, and he will flee from you! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Chapter 13
COME REASON WITH ME
We have discussed the creation of the heavens and the earth, the existence of God, the Bible, Bible prophecy, three types of historical timelines to the present day and clues in the Bible about the purpose and significance of The Great Deluge, (a.k.a., Noah’s Flood), the Tower of Babel and God’s Covenant Promises.
I have tried to point out that all these and other events in the Bible, and in history, show that we are moving inexorably toward some kind of epic event, a conclusion of this age. All major events in our current day and in the days to come, are being affected in dramatic ways by this evolution in time. Some of these events are perplexing, some are dangerous, bordering on catastrophic. In any case, the world is changing in ways many would never expect.
It would seem possible that our world is being transformed, changed or, ‘evolving’ to a new stage or level of existence. Whether it is a new age of technology, discovery and enlightenment or, as the Bible states, ‘God will create a new heaven and a new earth without evil, eternally good and in the presence of God’, is yet to be seen. It seems that for now, however, the evidence is stacking in favor of the Spiritual.
I will, first, attempt to weave together the Bible prophecies which have, (#1), already unfolded with, (#2), the historical records. I will also attempt to identify relevant world events which coincide and are concurrent with prophecies which are yet to be fulfilled. I will also do my best to stay within the bounds of historical accuracy, sound reason, accepted Biblical methods and principles of study and accuracy.
I will attempt these things in order to discover and reasonably conclude if Bible prophecy gives adequate and credible evidence of a coming cataclysm in the heavens and on the earth. We will see if these things can be corroborated as a trajectory of past and present sequential events, leading to a future apocalyptic event. If these things prove reasonable, then we can proceed with confidence that, as the Bible says, God will also create and inhabit a new heaven and a new earth, perfect in every sense.
We will also explore our place on that timescale, both eschatological and through natural and physical scientific reports. We will also review what these should look like based on what we find and how can navigate these exciting but extremely dangerous days.
THE CONSTRUCT AND PROGRESSION
FIRST: The ‘construct and progression’ of these events, throughout all the secular and Biblical history, have been developing through
(1.) SOCIAL EVOLUTION,
(2.) DEVELOPMENT OF NATURE,
(3.) GOD’S INTERVENTION, and,
(4.) POLITICAL CONSTRUCTS.
SECONDLY: We have also discussed three harbingers of the predicted “Latter Days”, also known as, “The Last Days” or the “End This Age”, all of which developed and followed this same progression:
THIRDLY:
THE GREAT FLOOD, (a.k.a., “NOAH’S FLOOD”), which began as a social disorder brought on by sin and wickedness, followed by God’s intervention. That period was followed by natural consequences, (the deluge and the flood), which eventually led to a sociopolitical system, uniting people in the known world to build the Tower of Babel.
THE TOWER OF BABEL, began as a social plan to bring the known world into one community, which lead to God’s intervention followed by natural consequences of collapse and chaos and a reordering of global political systems.
THE COVENANTS, began with God creating a social contract with Israel and ultimately social contracts with all people. God’s intervention lead to social order which created a natural and political The Torah and The Bible gave us socialspiritual and political blueprints and the final, “New Covenant” gave the world a Spiritual solution for sin, chaos, death and disorder though the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It also led to the creation of the Nation of Israel, and as the Bible says, “And the government shall be on His shoulders”.
It is by following these patterns of development and progression, we will create our mosaic, our map of things to come, and we may learn how we can respond, endure and survive.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Please bookmark this page and join me in this exciting Journey in Scriptures.
(You can listen to this by audio and pause the audio to follow important page links which are used in lieu of footnotes or references; then resume the audio when you are ready.)
Robert Welch’s prophetic warnings from his speech in 1958, “An Insider’s Plan to Destroy America”, are now a reality in America’s politics, economy, schools and society:
History and statistics show that Communists, everywhere, say one thing but live by a different set of standards and rules. History also shows they will say whatever is necessary to gain power and control and that their endgame is the antithesis of what they say. Everywhere Communism has been tried, it has gone badly. Very badly. It has brought loss of freedoms, lack of basic needs and misery; and if you resist you may face imprisonment or death – or both. (If you doubt it, look at the contemporary examples of Argentina, Brazil and Cuba.)
Historical statistics show Communists have murdered over 110,286,000, (yes, that’s million) people worldwide since 1900. Although in the face of irrefutable historical evidence, the communists today, claim it is not true.
An American community activist and political theorist, Alinksy, through the Chicago-based Industrial Areas Foundation helping poor communities organize to press demands upon landlords, politicians and business leaders won national recognition and notoriety.
Alinsky, was an influencer who contributed to the methodologies of the modern day United Nation’s Globalist-Socialist-Marxist movements. Alinsky often referred to the book, ”The Prince”, written by Niccolò Machiavelli. The general theme of The Prince is ‘accepting that the aims of princes, such as glory and survival’, justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends. Machiavelli’s writings sets readers up for a high degree of ruthlessness and realpolitik, and the book does not disappoint. Subsequently, Saul David Alinsky wrote his book, ”Rules for Radicals” based on much of Machiavelli’s principals for the ‘Haves’ on how to hold power, and for the ‘Have-Nots’ on how to take it away. Alinsky recommended working mostly within the system, though in the twisted way Machiavelli is reputed to have done.
Below, you will find Alinsky’s 13 “Rules for Radicals,” offered with his provision that political activism cannot be a self-serving enterprise: “People cannot be free unless they are willing to sacrifice some of their interests to guarantee the freedom of others. The price of democracy is the ongoing pursuit of the common good by all of the people.”
“Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood. 2. “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
3. “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.
6. “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
7. “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.
8. “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.
9. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.
10. “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.” It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign.
11. “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.
12. “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.
13. “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
Alinsky’s rules have been used for anti-democratic means and have been effective in setting the stage for and aiding the Communist Party USA to disrupt and transform America’s constitution, legal systems, financial institutions and educational institutions into Socialist-Marxist systems and the unraveling of the fabric of American society.
The history of the C.P.U.S.A. is closely related to the American labor movement and communist parties worldwide. The party was influential in American politics in the first half of the 20th century and played a prominent role in the labor movement from the 1920s through the 1940s.
The C.P.U.S.A. received significant funding from the Soviet Union and crafted its public positions to match those of Moscow. The C.P.U.S.A. also used a covert apparatus to assist the Soviets with their intelligence activities in the United States and utilized a network of front organizations to shape public opinion.
THE BIGGEST LIE
According to the constitution of theCommunist Party USA, (C.P.U.S.A.), adopted at the 30th National Convention in 2014, the Communist Party operates on the principle of democratic centralism, its highest authority being the quadrennial National Convention. Article 6, Section 3 of the 2001 Constitution, laid out certain positions as non-negotiable and all of which are now evident in America’s political, educational and social constructs:
Struggle for the unity of the working class,
against all forms of national oppression, national chauvinism, discrimination and segregation,
against all racist ideologies and practices, …
against all manifestations of male supremacy and discrimination against women, …
against homophobia and all manifestations of discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.
Among the points in the party’s “Immediate Program” are a
$15.00 per hour minimum wage for all workers, national universal health care and
You will find the stated goals and methods in all three documents are identical. The only reasonable and logical conclusion is that the Globalist-Socialist-Communist-Marxist movement through the United Nations, over the last 76 years have seized control of the U.S. Government. (Note: If you do not see this or deny it, you are either a Globalist-Marxist, a sympathizer or totally unaware of your surroundings.)
The Communist party endorsed bothBarack Obama (2009) and Joe Biden (2020) in their bid for the presidency. The Communist’s grand prize is the subjugation of the United States and with the American democrat party in control of congress and the White House, they are making great strides toward that goal. Their only interruption was the surprise election of Donald Trump in 2017, which was met with the full fury of the clandestine operations of the Globalist-Socialist-Communist-Marxist already embedded in the U.S. government, the FBI and the media.
WE WERE WARNED
We, as a nation, were warned of what was coming and why it was coming in a speech given by Robert Welch, founder of The John Birch Society. Here is the transcript to that speech to the JBS council in 1958 warning about the eventual overthrow and destruction of America by Communists (The video follows the transcript, below):
“…You are a part of that plan of course, which is to induce the gradual surrender of American sovereignty piece by piece and step by step to various international organizations of which the United Nations is the outstanding but far from the only example.
“Now, here are the aims for the (destruction of the) United States (by the Communists).
#1] greatly expanded government spending for every conceivable means of getting rid of ever larger sums of American money as wastefully as possible.
#2] higher and then much higher taxes.
#3] an increasingly unbalanced budget despite the higher taxes.
#4] wild inflation of our currency.
#5] government controls of prices wages and materials supposedly to combat inflation.
#6] greatly increased socialistic controls over every operation of our economy and every activity of our daily lives. It is is to be accompanied naturally and automatically by a correspondingly huge increase in the size of our bureaucracy and in both the cost and reach of our domestic government.
#7] far more centralization of power in Washington and the practical elimination of our state lines. There is a many-faceted drive at way to have our state lines eventually mean no more within the nation than our county lines do now within the state’s.
#8] thee steady advance of federal aid to, and control over, our educational system leading to complete federalization of our public education.
#9] a constant hammering into the American consciousness of the horror of modern warfare. The beauties and the absolute necessity of peace, peace always on communist terms of course.
#10] the consequence willingness of the American people to allow the steps of appeasement by our government which amount to a piecemeal surrender of the rest of the free world and of the United States itself.”
Robert Welch’s predictions were either the result of privileged insider information or keen political acumen. Either way, Welch’s speech bordered on prophetic. The destructive means and methods of the Communist party, as outlined in Welch’s speech, are now a reality in America and Communism is choking the life out of the America’s political system, our economy, our schools and is fracturing our society and has set Americans against one the other.
This is not the end of the story – it is merely the beginning, and the question we should be asking, is not ‘HOW did this happen’, but ‘WHY?’. Why has our government and society fallen prey to the likes of Alinsky and Socialist-Marxism while ignoring the warnings in Welch’s, “The Insider’s Plan to Destroy America”?
The answer is both simple and complex. But, if you are a Christian, a conservative and a freedom loving individual, you need to know the answer and what to do about it.
A foreshadowing of the modern Globalist-Socialist-Communist-Marxist movement can be traced as far back as 2242 B.C.. The Bible, in Genesis 11:1-9, records an event known as the building of the Tower of Babel, a post-Flood rebellion against God by Noah’s descendants. According to the account, a united humanity in the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating eastward, comes to the land of Shinar. There, they agreed to build a city and a tower ‘tall enough to reach heaven’.
The Bible reports these people as saying, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of all the earth.” (Tall enough to reach to heaven” is a metaphor for “man reaching to heaven, making himself god, to accomplish his own desires.)
The Bible goes on to say that “The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the men had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they have started to do, and now nothing which they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (In response, God confused their language and scattered them abroad.)
The effort to unite into a global community has been in the heart and mind of humankind for the past 4,200 years. The aims of the architects of the Tower of Babel was similar to the current Socialists and Communists: The State being god – from cradle to grave.
Although similar to the Tower of Babel, the Globalist aims have evolved and developed into greater ambitions than just a global community. The Globalists believe they can eliminate wars and disease while creating worldwide peace. Aided by technology, they truly believe they can end poverty and hunger, improve the health of our planet, and create global prosperity for all people. And with an eye to the future, they believe and are planning future colonization of other planets, beginning with Mars, ‘buildingfor themselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven’. (See the Agenda 2030)
The accomplishment of these ambitious goals are only possible if the world joins together in concert as a global community and submits to a unified global political system of united nations: A One World Government.
The Globalist movement which has emerged through the United Nations has effectively employed Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals while adopting the ideologies of the Socialist and Communists manifestos as the framework for this New World Order. In case you doubt these movements are Communist and Marxist, please compare the steps in Saul Alinsky’s book, “Rules for Radicals”, the warnings issued by Robert Welch, what you see in our government and society with these quotes by Karl Marx and Joseph Lenin.
Karl Marx:
“Take away a nation’s heritage, and they are more easily persuaded to Communsim. “
“Communism begins where atheism begins. “
“The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother’s care, shall be in state institutions. “
“We have no compassion, and we ask no compassion from you. When our turn comes, we shall not make excuses for the terror. “
“The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism. “
“If you can cut the people off from their history, then they can be easily persuaded. “
“The democratic concept of man is false, because it is Christian. The democratic concept holds that each man is a sovereign being. This is the illusion, dream, and postulate of Christianity. “
There are, besides, eternal truths, such as Freedom, etc., that are common to all states of society. But Communism abolishes eternal truths, it abolishes all religion, and all morality, instead of constituting them on a new basis; it therefore acts in contradiction to all past historical experience. “
“The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property. “
“The Communists everywhere support every revolutionary movement against the existing social and political order of things. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. “
A heavy or progressive or graduated income tax is necessary for the proper development of Communism. “
“The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.
“The unity is brought about by force. “
“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs. “
“Taxes are the source of life for the bureaucracy, the army and the court, in short, for the whole apparatus of the executive power. Strong government and heavy taxes are identical.”
(Note: If you will stop and think, you will realize that all of these aims of Marx are now evident in America’s systems and institutions, and most of them have come by violent protests and subverion.)
Joseph Lenin:
“Give me your four-year-olds, and in a generation I will build a socialist state. “
“The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses. “
“The goal of socialism is communism. “
“Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed?
Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized?
It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal things than guns.
Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pernicious opinions calculated to embarrass the government? “
“The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation. “
“People always have been, and they always will be, stupid victims of deceit and self-deception in politics. “
“Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world. “
“One man with a gun can control 100 without one. “
“As an ultimate objective, “peace” simply means communist world control.”
“Atheism is a natural and inseparable part of Marxism, of the theory and practice of scientific socialism. Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism. “
“It is, of course, much easier to shout, abuse, and howl than to attempt to relate, to explain. “
“Medicine is the keystone of the arch of socialism. “
“One of the basic conditions for the victory of socialism is the arming of the workers Communist and the disarming of the bourgeoisie to the middle class.”
“There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel. “
“It is necessary – secretly and urgently, to prepare the terror. “
“The establishment of a central bank is 90% of communizing a nation. “
“There can be nothing more abominable than religion.”
(Note: Once again, if you will stop and think, you will realize that all of these aims of Lenin are now evident in America’s systems and institutions, and most of them have come by violent protests and subverion.)
They have not only made great strides toward implementing the goals of their Socialist Utopia, they have now brazenly stated that they will have achieved their original goal by the year 2030, which is Global domination.
There are two major obstacles the Globalists must still overcome, the United States government and society, and Christianity. Until these two are subdued and eliminated or transformed the final steps of the Globalist One World Government system is stymied.
The advent of the Joe Biden presidency and the passing into law of his American Rescue Plan Act could be harbingers of the final stages of the transformation of America from a free democratic constitutional republic and a world super power to merely a cog in the Globalization of a Socialist United Nations. (See, “We are Getting it Wrong” and “The Secret Buyout of America”).
This leaves Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the final barrier between a free world and a godless Socialist-Marxist One World Government; and the Church has been under a relentless attack from within and without for decades and has either been replaced by institutions of religious humanism (falsely using the name of the Christian Church) or is being transformed into a religious ecclesiastical hierarchy from the inside, at an alarming rate. A One World church is emerging that is antithetical to the God of Christians and Jews and to The Christ of the Bible. (See, “The One World Church” and “The False Church Emerges”).
Someplace along the way, over the last two thousand years, it seems that many of the people calling themselves Christians, have come to assume that Jesus was either some kind of a ‘progressive left-wing ideologue’ or a pacifist and have modeled their lives as such. Let’s be crystal clear: Both assumptions are wrong. Dead wrong!
Unfortunately, the Church leadership in America has bought into the Leftist propaganda that the Church should stay out of politics. The problem with that assertion is two-fold:
#1. This has created confusion within the church regarding its mission and methods. The mission and methods of Jesus were never political but they were both clear and confrontational. Jesus said, “For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance!
TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance!
TO BRING A SWORD
Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35 For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; Verse 36 and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.” This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance!
TO FULFILL THE LAW
Matthew 5:17“Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance!
TO CALL SINNERS
Mark 2:17“And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”This, too, is our calling!
TO SAVE THE WORLD
John 12:47If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” In a very real sense, This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance!, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him
TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH
Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!Verse 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!Verse 51Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division; This, too, is our calling and our method of resistance!
#2.The Church through the teachings of the Bible explains and defines politics. It is true that the Church should not become political nor should it let the contemporary politics influence or become the message of the Church. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, His life, His teachings, His work of salvation by His death and His resurrection are the core message of the Bible and the Church. But when the Gospel is correctly understood and the life and message of Jesus is correctly lived out with conviction, politics are defined within the framework of the Judeo-Christian ethos. (also see The American civil war is over Judeo-Christian values.)
“WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”
John 14:12 “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
I have heard so many preachers and bible teachers try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited. These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12. They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.
Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said. We need to get over it and get on with it.
Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and resolve we are to assume.
Ephesians 6:10-17, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firmagainst the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firmtherefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
P.S.: Let’s please remeber that ‘God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back’. Let’s boldly advance the message of the Gospel and speak the Truth in the face of the opposition! Resist the devil, and he will flee from you! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Chapter 12 – THE 5TH TRIBULATION SEAL
The Apostasy, Martyrs, The Peace Treaty, The Antichrist
BE ALERT: We are witnessing the early Events of the 5th Tribulation Seal, which will include:
Revelation 6:9tells us, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;
Verse 10. “And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Verse 11. “And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
I was having a conversation with a Christian friend and during our talk, he made these four points:
“I believe the return of Jesus is near”.
“I am looking forward to the rapture”.
“I believe the tribulation will begin as soon as the rapture happens”.
“The antichrist will appear after the rapture and give the Mark of the Beast”.
When I asked him to elaborate by telling me where he gets his information, he said, “From the Bible”.
So, I pressed him a little, and asked “where in the Bible”. And, he answers with “The Book of Revelation and elsewhere”.
I decided to go to the ‘full court press’ and asked, “Yes, but, exactly where? And why do you believe what you have said?”
A bit exasperated, he responded with, “This is what I have always heard. It’s what my pastor says. Read it for yourself”.
I have had this same conversation with scores of well-meaning Christians, and it always ends the same way, “Someone else told me“, but they cannot find it in scriptures or they find a reference and ‘interpolate’.
Well, I have read it for myself – over and over for the last 10 years – I have studied eschatological matters and re-studied them, and used “good Bible study techniques and methods”, and here is what I found (for the ‘umpteenth time’):
PART I. WHEN “THE LAST DAYS” BEGAN – AROUND AD 30 to AD 60
Hebrews 1:2, says, “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
Hebrews 9:26, says, “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for allat the end of the agesto put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
The Book of Hebrews was written around AD 60. The reference to The End of the Age, therefore, was around AD 60. This is an important ‘timeline clue’. I have written here, in red, for your convenience.
Acts 2:14, says, “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15 “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; Verse 16, but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;”
The Book of Acts was written around AD 60. The reference to The End of the Age, therefore, was around AD 60. This is an important ‘timeline clue’. I have written here, in red, for your convenience.
2 Timothy 3:1, says, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
The Book of 2 Timothy was written around AD 60. The reference to The End of the Age, therefore, was around AD 60. This is an important ‘timeline clue’. I have written here, in red, for your convenience.
1 Peter 1:20, says, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”.
1 Peter 4:7, says, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
2 Peter 3:3“Know this first of all, that in the last daysmockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
The Books of 1st and 2nd Peter were written around AD 60. The reference to The End of the Age, therefore, was around AD 60. This is an important ‘timeline clue’. I have written here, in red for your convenience. The “LAST DAYS” began with the 1st Advent of Christ.
1 John 2:18, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.”
The Books of 1st and 2nd John were written around A.D. 90. The reference to The End of the Age, therefore, was around AD 60. This is an important ‘timeline clue’. I have written here, in red for your convenience.
PART II. WHEN WILL THESE THINGS HAPPEN
Matthew 24:3 “tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Verse 4. “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
Verse 5. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
Verse 6. “You will be hearing of (1), wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
Verse 7. “For (2), nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be (3), famines and (4), earthquakes.
Verse 8. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (another term for “tribulation”.
Verse 9. “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” (5th Tribulation Seal)
III. WHEN IS JESUS COMING BACK?
2 Thessalonians 2:1 tells us, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christand our being gathered together to him (i.e., “raptured”) we ask you, brothers,
Verse 2.“not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Verse 3.“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, until the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed(i.e., the antichrist),the son of destruction,
Verse 4. “who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship,so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
Verse 5. “Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?
Verse 6.“And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
Verse 7.“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
Verse 8. “Andthen the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”
IV. WHAT’S NEXT?
Every event and all the prophecies regarding Jesus’ 2nd Coming and the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord have been fulfilled up through the 5th tribulation seal – except for the revealing of the Antichrist and the rapture of the saints.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Please bookmark this page and join me in this exciting Journey in Scriptures.
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Chapter 11 – THE PRE-MILLENNIAL PRE-WRATH RAPTURE
There are several eschatological views of the End Time and The End of The Age. The most traditional views, (which are in constant competition and conflict), are:
The Traditional Pre-tribulation Rapture view says that the rapture will occur before the beginning of a seven-year tribulation period, before the breaking of the first tribulation seal.
It describes the second coming of Jesus as occurring at the end of the Tribulation period, that is, it will occur after the 7 Seal judgments, the 7 Trumpet judgments and the 7 Bowl judgments.
The Pre-tribulation Rapture describes the rapture as Jesus coming for the church – then, Jesus’ second coming, as Him coming with the church.
The first three on this list adhere to the doctrine of the rapture and a fixed seven-year tribulation period. Post-millennialism omits the rapture.
(One of the first, most accurate, and most persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site.)
Finally, in this 21st century, there are a few prominent Bible teachers who are now arriving at this same conclusions (John Piper, and Corrie Ten Boom)
The Bible says, in plain language, that the rapture will occur after or during the 6th tribulation seal.
This view holds that the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) or a Great Distress (Luke21:23) begins during the 6th seal, being Daniel’s 70th week, when the Antichrist is revealed in the temple. This is not a “mid-tribulation view” because it occurs after or during the 6th Seal, but, well before the three- and one-half-year mark of the Great Tribulation.
Again, this period is defined, in the Bible, as the Great Tribulation or the time of Great Distress as opposed to “the tribulation” which began as early as AD 60.
The danger of the first four Tribulation and Rapture views are that they leave the believer in an unprepared state for the Tribulation and the Rapture. They teach that a believer need to do nothing more than make a statement of faith, and he or she will escape any and all of the Tribulation period. There is no further need for preparation, evangelism or ‘enduring to the end‘, which are clearly spelled out in scriptures.
The Pre-wrath Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaches that the tribulation period began in or around AD 30 and tribulation seals 1 through 5 have been progressively broken to this day and the effects are overlapping continuing and intensifying. We are near the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal which marks the beginning of the Day of the Wrath of the Lamb, the sealing of the 144,000 of Israel, the Rapture of the Church and the pouring out of God’s wrath on earth.
As a believer, you have responsibilities while you are waiting for Jesus’ return. (If you die before His return, your efforts will be judged, later. Matthew 24:42 – Matthew 25:29.
You must ‘endure to the end‘ which, for believers, is the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, (a.k.a., the Wrath of the Lamb or the End of the Age).
In support of the Pre-Wrath Rapture view, here is a quick scan of time and history as it relates to the Bible. Read carefully, and study.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR
Jesus says, in Matthew 24:6, “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”
Jesus, in agreement with His statement in Matthew 24:6, again says in chapter Revelation chapter 6,“one who sat on a white horse had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
“When Jesus broke the second seal, the second living creature said, “Come!” And a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that people would kill one another; and a large sword was given to him.”
There have been thousands upon thousands of wars and conflicts since the time of Christ. Most notable for their scope and breadth are the
Religious Crusades (1095 – 1291, Muslims vs Latin Church, almost 2 million dead),
“Wars and rumors of war” is nothing new. So, when Jesus says, in Matthew 24:6-8, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
First, we should ask “WHICH wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines” was Jesus referring to? Those in AD 30? Those in AD69? Those later wars? The answer is, ‘No’. Jesus was speaking in the present about an unfolding present and future event. These wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines were already occurring, have continued to occur and will increase with intensity until the end!
Look at it this way: When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm; As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm; then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm; and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.
To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event. But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion
FAMINES AND EARTHQUAKES
Again, famines and earthquakes are nothing new in history. So, how do we determine TO WHICH famines and earthquakes was Jesus referring?
Compare what Jesus said, found in Matthew 24 and what John said in Revelation about these matters.
But that is not yet the end…all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
Wars and rumors of wars have been ongoing since the 1st century.
The breaking of the 2nd Seal brings outright warfare on a Global Scale.
We have now seen two world wars
We have seen ‘the sons of Ishmael’ warring with ‘the sons of Isaac’ on a global scale since the time of Christ.
Once again, if we are not to endure these ‘tribulations’ why is Jesus warning us to “endure to the end”?
Matthew 24:15tells us, “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Verse 16: “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Verse 17: “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.
Verse 18: “Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
Verse 19: “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
Verse 20: “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.
Verse 21: “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
Verse 22: “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
The Prophetic Word of God will be manifested in the physical realms of the heavens and the earth.
There is one more important clue to the timing of the rapture and the beginning of the Great Tribulation period found in
2 Thessalonians 2:1 “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, verse 2, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Verse 3. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, verse 4, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
We can also see references to these events in Matthew chapter 24 and in Revelation chapter Six. This is referring to the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal.
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Chapter 10 – CLUES POINTING TO THE END – CLUE #3
ALPHA ~ OMEGA
THE COVENANTS – HIS PERFECTION
(THE NECESSARY, ALBEIT, SLOW STEPS TO GOD’S PERFECT DESIGN)
(The following blue text, on this page, is taken as an excerpt from the Gotquestions.org website, “What is a Covenant”)
The Bible speaks of seven different covenants, four of which (Abrahamic, Palestinian, Mosaic, Davidic) God made with the nation of Israel. Of those four, three are unconditional in nature; that is, regardless of Israel’s obedience or disobedience, God still will fulfill these covenants with Israel. One of the covenants, the Mosaic Covenant, is conditional in nature. That is, this covenant will bring either blessing or cursing depending on Israel’s obedience or disobedience. Three of the covenants (Adamic, Noahic, New) are made between God and mankind in general, and are not limited to the nation of Israel.
I. The Adamic Covenant can be thought of in two parts: (a) the Edenic Covenant (innocence) and (b) the Adamic Covenant (grace) (Genesis 3:16-19).
This explanation tells us about the Adamic Covenant, but what we should be looking for is the purpose of the covenant, that is, where this covenant takes us, in time.
God is moving all of His creation, the heavens the earth, all the inhabitants and all of humankind toward perfection.
We should ask ourselves, why does God need to enact SEVEN covenants? Is He fickle? Did men and women out-think or outsmart God, so He would need to amend each previous Covenant as a response? No, to each of those questions.
Each covenant is a step toward God’s perfection. It is God’s design, as described in Matthew 5:48, for us to “be perfect, (teleio), even as He is perfect, (teleios)”.
In Matthew 5:20, Jesus says, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Again, 1 Corinthians 13:9, tells us, “For we know in part and prophesy in part; verse 10, but when the perfect, (teleios),comes, the partial will be done away with.”
Hebrews 6:1, commands us, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (teleiotés); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”
Just as when God, as recorded in Genesis 6, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them”, He will once again, judge the world, in a final judgment.
Satan, Sin, Evil, Death Eradicated
Revelation 20:7-15, says, “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Judgment at the Throne of God
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Perfection Attained – A New Heaven and Earth
Revelation 21:1-4, tells us,“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Verses 22-27, “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. he nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
THE NECESSARY, ALBEIT, SLOW STEPS TO GOD’S PERFECT DESIGN
It was because God had created mankind with the power of choice, with a free will and because God created man with a dubious character (Genesis 1:27), the Adamic Covenant was the FIRST NECESSARY, ALBEIT, SLOW STEP toward perfection.
2. The Noahic Covenant was an unconditional covenant between God and Noah (specifically) and humanity (generally). After the Flood, God promised humanity that He would never again destroy all life on earth with a Flood (see Genesis chapter 9). God gave the rainbow as the sign of the covenant, a promise that the entire earth would never again flood and a reminder that God can and will judge sin (2 Peter 2:5).
3. Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 6-7; 13:14-17; 15; 17:1-14; 22:15-18). In this covenant, God promised many things to Abraham. He personally promised that He would make Abraham’s name great (Genesis 12:2), that Abraham would have numerous physical descendants (Genesis 13:16), and that he would be the father of a multitude of nations (Genesis 17:4-5). God also made promises regarding a nation called Israel. In fact, the geographical boundaries of the Abrahamic Covenant are laid out on more than one occasion in the book of Genesis (12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18-21). Another provision in the Abrahamic Covenant is that the families of the world will be blessed through the physical line of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 22:18). This is a reference to the Messiah, who would come from the line of Abraham.
4. Palestinian Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10). The Palestinian Covenant, or Land Covenant, amplifies the land aspect that was detailed in the Abrahamic Covenant. According to the terms of this covenant, if the people disobeyed, God would cause them to be scattered around the world (Deuteronomy 30:3-4), but He would eventually restore the nation (verse 5). When the nation is restored, then they will obey Him perfectly (verse 8), and God will cause them to prosper (verse 9).
5. Mosaic Covenant (Deuteronomy 11; et al.). The Mosaic Covenant was a conditional covenant that either brought God’s direct blessing for obedience or God’s direct cursing for disobedience upon the nation of Israel. Part of the Mosaic Covenant was the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the rest of the Law, which contained over 600 commands—roughly 300 positive and 300 negative. The history books of the Old Testament (Joshua–Esther) detail how Israel succeeded at obeying the Law or how Israel failed miserably at obeying the Law. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 details the blessing/cursing motif.
6. Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-16). The Davidic Covenant amplifies the “seed” aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant. The promises to David in this passage are significant. God promised that David’s lineage would last forever and that his kingdom would never pass away permanently (verse 16). Obviously, the Davidic throne has not been in place at all times. There will be a time, however, when someone from the line of David will again sit on the throne and rule as king. This future king is Jesus (Luke 1:32-33).
7. New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The New Covenant is a covenant made first with the nation of Israel and, ultimately, with all mankind. In the New Covenant, God promises to forgive sin, and there will be a universal knowledge of the Lord. Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and create a new covenant between God and His people. Now that we are under the New Covenant, both Jews and Gentiles can be free from the penalty of the Law. We are now given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).
It is through this final Covenant in Christ that we find these words, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
In addition to the historical timeline chart, I have added a presentation named the “Alpha & Omega” which is a brief outline and overview of some of the important Biblical events we have discussed in chronological order. These add to our base of clues and strengthen our understanding of the timeline that leads us to The End of the Age.
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF “GOD’S PROGRESSIVE COVENANTS” AS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE, YOU WILL BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE JESUS RETURNS, USHERING IN THE “GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD”.
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Chapter 9 – CLUES POINTING TO THE END – CLUE #2
THE TOWER OF BABEL
ONE WORLD?
The Bible tells of the beginnings of the idea of a One World Government and warns this system is coming again – in the Last Days.
“They said, ‘Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’
“The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.
“The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:4-6
DON’T BE DECEIVED
The agenda of this “migration” and Globalism or One World Government is not the stuff of just any book. It is stuff of THE BOOK, that is The Bible.
Genesis chapter 11 gives us the prophecy, the foreshadowing of the coming One World Government.
The Tower of Babel, built around 2242 B.C., was a post-Flood rebellion against God by Noah’s descendants. As told about in Genesis 11:1-9, it is meant to explain why the world’s peoples speak different languages. According to the account, a united humanity in the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating eastward, comes to the land of Shinar (שִׁנְעָר). There, they agree to build a city and a tower tall enough to reach heaven.
(NOTE: “tall enough to reach to heaven” can be a metaphor for “man reaching to heaven, making himself god, to accomplish his own desires. This is the ‘Utopian dream’ of the Socialist and Communist manifestos; the State being our god – from cradle to grave)
This effort of uniting in a global community has been underway for about 4,200 years, about 100 years after ‘The Flood’, but before Abraham was born.
This is ‘forecast’ or what is Prophesied in the Bible. Is it underway? Should we PREPARE? (More on this, later).
These are exciting times in which we live! But we must be prepared to ‘endure to the end’, most likely the end of the 5th Seal of Revelation, as Jesus said in Matthew 24. And by all accounts, it would seem we are at that stage! More on this, later, too.
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF THE TOWER OF BABEL AS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE JESUS RETURNS, USHERING IN THE “GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD”.
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
CHAPTER 8 – CLUES POINTING TO THE END – CLUE#1, Part 3
THE GREAT FLOOD – REVELATION 12
(The Flood, The Woman, The Dragon, The Child)
It is important to understand the events described in Revelation 12, 13, and 14 as a recap, and a panorama of God’s Plan of salvation for the world from a ‘Heavenly Perspective’.
The scenario in Revelation, chapter 12, begins with Israel, the Christ child and Satan’s failed attempt to destroy this child, the Son of God. It culminates with Jesus’ victorious war over the Evil one.
Revelation 12:1-17 seems out of place in the account of The End of Days, The Tribulation and God’s Judgments. But it is important to understand the events described in Revelation 12, 13, and 14 as a recap, and a panorama of God’s Plan of salvation for the world from a ‘Heavenly Perspective’.
The scenario in Revelation, chapter 12, begins with Israel, the Christ child and Satan’s failed attempt to destroy this, child, the Son of God. It culminates with Jesus’ victorious war over the Evil one.
Revelation 12:13, says,“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Verse 14. “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Verse 15. “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Verse 16. “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Verse 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.”
Revelation, chapter 12, starts with the words,“Now a great sign appeared”: This is the first of seven signs that John relates, and is described as a “great sign”, (“mega semeion”, from the Greek language).
Revelation chapters 12, 13, and 14 the main figures of the Great Tribulation are described, and this great sign introduces the first of the seven.
The woman, representing Israel.
The dragon, representing Satan.
The man-child, referring to Jesus.
The angel Michael, head of the angelic host.
The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation.
The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist.
The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist.
Knowing and understanding “The Flood” in Revelation 12 will help you know the urgency of the day in which you live, why you need to get ready for His Return and that it is now time.
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE FLOOD AS DESCRIBED BY JESUS IN REVELATION 12, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE JESUS RETURNS, USHERING IN THE “GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD”.
There is a lot of interest and conversation and controversy about an event called “The Rapture”, both inside and outside Christian Circles. Scores of books, articles and movies have been written and produced on the subject, so many in fact, that one internet search returned over 1,500,000 hits on the subject.
Example #2: The United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Goals (
Example #3: The list of The World Economic Forum’s objectives, principals and goals 
Example #4 : The list and graphics for the “U.S. National Statistics for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals” (graphics below), demonstrates and expounds the same principals and goals as The American Democrat Party, and as Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, The United Nations Agenda 2030 and the World Economic Forum and uses the methods of Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for Radicals’,
