Category: Eschatology

When Will The Tribulation Begin?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

So, how can we tell if

“The Tribulation”

Has begun?

(The very short version).

The most popular and widely accepted doctrine on the tribulation is that all Christians will be ‘Raptured’ off the earth and into heaven, BEFORE the tribulation starts. Once the Rapture has occurred, the tribulation will then begin.

I accepted the pre-tribulation-rapture-view without much thought. It was what I was told would happen and as a new Christian, I never questioned it.

Many years later, a friend and co-teacher, asked me to join him in teaching a Church class on a book about the Rapture and the Tribulation. My assignment was PRE-tribulation Rapture, and he would present and discuss the mid-tribulation rapture view.

It took me almost a year to prepare, and that study and preparation raised questions I could not ignore. For example:

1. Why was Jesus warning His disciples (and subsequent disciples or anyone who would eventually read His Words in the Bible) about coming events if they would not experience those events, if they would be raptured before the tribulation?

2. How can we tell WHICH ‘wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes’ were the result of breaking of the first seal of the tribulation, because there have been thousands of them since Jesus said these words.

3. Was Jesus wanting to ‘scare’ listeners into believing by warning them ahead of time? (I think not. Trickery just doesn’t fit Jesus Character, and He tells us “do not be frightened” by these things.)

4. Jesus tells His disciples (and subsequent disciples or anyone who would eventually read His Word in the bible), in Matthew 24:6, that “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.”

Verse 7.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

Verse 8. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

And a few verses later, Matthew 24:13 says, “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

Why is Jesus telling us that we should not be frightened by the WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, NATIONS RISING AGAINST NATIONS, FAMINES, EARTHQUAKES, and that we must ENDURE TO THE END TO BE SAVED if we will have been raptured and out of harms way?

5. When you compare Jesus’ Words in the book of Matthew with the words of John the Revelator in the Book of the Revelation, why do you get the very real sense that something about evangelical or reformed doctrines of the end times and the dispensational pre-tribulation rapture don’t line up with or doesn’t fit with what you literally read IN THE BIBLE?

(There are other daunting questions I had, but this is enough for this article)

I’m no scholar. But, that year of study changed my views, slowly at first.  Now, after fifteen years of continued, diligent study and review, my mind is changed, permanently.

And, I am not alone.  Well known and respected men and women like Pastor and teacher John Piper and missionary Corrie Ten Boom have come to this realization.  Bible teacher and author and Biblical pioneer, Marvin Rosenthal, founder of Zion’s Hope Ministries, authored “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church” revealing and promoting sound Biblical evidence overlooked by the bias of religious denominationalism.

WARNING: Proceed with Caution…

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Click here to go to Page 2)

Here are 5 excellent videos on the Pre-Wrath Rapture.  Just click on this text).

AGENDA 21 – What is it?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 2 Comments

Agenda 21, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (U.N.C.E.D.), 1992

Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. (A cover for population control and a One World autocratic governance).

Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests were adopted by more than 178 Governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (U.N.C.E.D.) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3 to 14 June 1992.

The Commission on Sustainable Development (C.S.D.) was created in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of U.N.C.E.D., to monitor and report on implementation of the agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels.

Where did it originate?

Produced by the United Nations World Commission on Environmental and Development, authored by Gro Harlem Brundtland, VP of the World Socialist Party, the term Sustainable Development was first introduced to the world in the pages of a 1987 report (Our Common Future).

The term was first offered as official U.N. policy in 1992, in a document called UN Sustainable Development Agenda 21, issued at the U.N.’s Earth Summit, today referred to simply as Agenda 21.

The full implementation of Agenda 21, the Program for Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Commitments to the Rio principles, were strongly reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (W.S.S.D.) held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002.  The actual and basic goals of the United Nation’s Agentda-21 and the W.S.S.D are hidden behind the stated goals of, which will be reaffirmed at a world summit in 2022.

What is Sustainable Development?

According to its authors, the objective of sustainable development is to integrate economic, social and environmental policies in order to achieve reduced consumption, social equity, and the preservation and restoration of biodiversity. “Sustainablists” insist that every societal decision be based on environmental impact, focusing on three components; global land use, global education, and global population control and reduction.

Social Equity, Economic Diversity.

Staying true to form, Agenda 21 describes “Social Justice” as the right and opportunity of all people to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment.”  They go on to say that “Redistribution of wealth. Private property is a social injustice, since not everyone can build wealth from it. National sovereignty is a social injustice.” Universal health care is a social justice. All part of Agenda 21 policy.

If you ever wondered where the American Democrat Party got its party platforms, now you know.  They and their platform is Marxist and Communist.  The enemy of America, in the White House and in control of Congress.

WHY THE BIG PUSH TO USE ALL THE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS?

Public Private Partnerships (P.P.P.) are special dealings between government and certain chosen corporations which get tax breaks, grants and the government’s power of Eminent Domain to implement sustainable policy. Government-sanctioned monopolies.

Some ‘private sector initiatives’ benefiting from Public Private Partnerships (P.P.P.) are Smart Growth, Wild Lands Project, Resilient Cities, Regional Visioning Projects, STAR Sustainable Communities, Green jobs, Green Building Codes, “Going Green,” Alternative Energy, Local Visioning, facilitators, regional planning, historic preservation, conservation easements, development rights, sustainable farming, comprehensive planning, growth management, and others, which are liberal progressive programs initiated to implement the United Nation’s Agenda-21 programs of ultimately creating a One World Government..

Shaping Minds around Sustainable Development

As a global ideology, young minds must be indoctrinated. A U.N. initiated curricula has been launched worldwide. In the US, it is based on principles found in the Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit

Most importantly, this curriculum is centered on removing analytics, reason , and, cause and effect. Higher levels of education are not sustainable. From the Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit:

Generally, more highly educated people, who have higher incomes, consume more resources than poorly educated people, who tend to have lower incomes. In this case, more education increases the threat to sustainability

In the case of the United States, more education has not led to sustainability. Clearly, simply educating the citizenry to higher levels is not sufficient for creating sustainable societies. The challenge is to raise the education levels without creating an ever-growing demand for resources and consumer goods and the accompanying production of pollutants.

This is the deliberate “dumbing down” of America.

Who is behind it?

I.C.L.E.I. – Local Governments for Sustainability (formally, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives). Communities like Cary pay I.C.L.E.I. dues to provide “local” community plans, software, training, etc. Addition groups include American Planning Council, The Renaissance Planning Group, International City/ County Management Group, aided by U.S. Mayors Conference, National Governors Association, National League of Cities, National Association of County Administrators and many more private organizations and official government agencies. Foundation and government grants drive the process.

What provides authority?

More than 178 nations, including the United States, adopted the United Nations Agenda 21 as official policy during a signing ceremony at the Earth Summit. US president George H.W. Bush signed the document for the US. In signing, each nation pledge to adopt the goals of Agenda 21. In 1995, President Bill Clinton, in compliance with Agenda 21, signed Executive Order #12852, effectively bypassing Congress, to create the President’s Council on Sustainable Development in order to “harmonize” U.S. environmental policy with U.N. directives as outlined in Agenda 21. The executive order directed all agencies of the Federal Government to work with state and local community governments in a joint effort “reinvent” government using the guidelines outlined in Agenda 21.  We are under an illegal (international) law, ruling and dictating our future.

Here is a comprehensive list of the U.S. Cities operating as surrogates for the American Democrat implemented, Socialist takeover of America: Local U.S. State and City Governments for Sustainability.

For additional detail and further reading, go to the website: Downtown Cary.

Read.  Study.  Educate.  Plan.  Resist.  Act.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Additional posts and pages:

Agenda 21 – Cover for the U.N. and One World Government

THE GREAT RESET

Agenda 21 & Sustainable Development, The American Policy Center

LESSON 1:  Introduction to Agenda 21

Agenda 21:  The End of Western Civilization

UPDATE:  Agenda 2030, The U.N., Marxists Globalism

Click to access WSSD_PlanImpl.pdf

 

THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

 

photo of MECCA, Saudi Arabia

There is much debate and discussion about the identity of

  • “BABYLON THE GREAT MOTHER OF HARLOTS” – Ezekiel 38
  • “THE ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH” – Daniel 7,9
  • “THE BEAST WITH SEVEN HEADS AND TEN HORNS” – Revelation 17

(Links to resources used for this page are Enduring Word Bible Commentary and Zion’s Hope Videos Parts1,2 & 3  (I suggest watching all three videos, in order, but, video Part-2 may be of particular interest)

To be clear, this discussion is interesting and is helpful to some, but generally, it has nothing to do with our salvation in Christ. It can be helpful in our preparation, as followers and disciples of Jesus for His return. We are to be about His Work in these Last Days.  Some of the most popular guesses are that…

  • The Great Harlot could be Rome (the reemergence of Rome as a power),
  • Or, that even New York City, USA, could be the Great Harlot.
  • One view suggest that the Apostle Peter uses the word “Babylon” as a symbolic way of referring to the new world culture at war with the covenant community. The Whore of Babylon is the spirit of seductive culture, actively engaged in the deception and destruction of God’s people. That she rides upon “the beast” means she is propped up by the forces of anti-Christian government.

Just like the beast, who was, and is not and is about to rise, the “Whore” keeps on rising from the dead! A particular brand of her seductive charm may fall into the dust and be buried by the sands of time, but just you wait! Before you know it, she will rise again in another place, known by another name but waging the same destructive war against God’s covenant people. With that said…

The Bible calls this a mystery for good reason. But, in Revelation 17, we read, starting in

Verse 1 “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls (NOTE: 9At this point, the 7 Seal Judgements are finished and the Church is with Christ, before the Throne of God in heaven) came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,

verse 2.  “with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.”

verse 3.  “And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.

verse 4.  “The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,

verse 5.  “and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery,

verse 9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits,

verse 10.  “and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.

verse 11.  “The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction.

verse 12. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.

verse 13. “These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

verse 14.  “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

verse 15.  “And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

verse 16.  “And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.”

I am posting two views here:

  1.  David Guzik (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) and
  2. David Rosenthal Videos posted give a complete description – video Part 2, in particular):
  3. DAVID GUZIK commentary on Revelation Chapter 17: 3. (verse 9) Seven mountains associated with the beast.

“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.”

a. The seven heads are seven mountains: Many quickly associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills. Yet literally, the Greek word means mountains, not hills.

i. Many commentators – especially those who see all of Revelation fulfilled in history – regard the seven mountains as an irrefutable connection with Rome. Clarke is a good example of this when he writes, “This verse has been almost universally considered to allude to the seven hills upon which Rome originally stood.”

ii. But in the Bible mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains.

b. The seven heads are seven mountains: It is probably better to see the seven mountains as representing the seven kings and kingdoms described in Revelation 17:10. Many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism irresistible, yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be much bigger than Roman Catholicism.

i. Tendencies for Roman Catholicism’s ultimate partnership with a one-world religion were evident in Pope John Paul II’s bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions.

ii. In addressing a “prayer gathering” of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were “unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace.” The Pope pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to ‘share in and promote’ such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.”

iii. The Catholic Review commented on this and said, “The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and lead toward the light in which we all believe.”

4. (verse 10). Seven kings and kingdoms.

“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.”

a. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come: This is one of the more difficult passages in the Book of Revelation. Some explain these seven kings, five past, one present, and one to come in the succession of Roman Emperors in John’s era, but there are many historical difficulties with this approach. More likely, it is a reference to:

· Five have fallen refers to the five world empires before John’s day: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece

· One is refers to the world empire of John’s day: Rome

· The other has not yet come refers to the one world empire to come: a revival of the Roman Empire

b. When he comes, he must continue a short time: This seventh will quickly be taken over by an eighth – and will become the state of the Antichrist (Revelation 17:11).

NOTE:  There are problems with this viewpoint as well (so some have taken the seven as symbolic). This plainly is a difficult passage!

5. (verse 11). The beast (the Antichrist) is clearly identified as the eighth king.

“And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.”

Is he, himself, also the eighth: He is of the seven in the sense that he shares characteristics with all previous world empires, but his fate is clear. Perdition means “destruction,” and the beast will be destroyed.

6. (verses 12-15) Ten kings to come, allies of the Antichrist.

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.

Ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet: This probably alludes to a ten-nation confederation (as in the toes of the Daniel 2:24-45 image), but some take ten as a symbolic number.

They are ten kingdoms which shall arise out of the fourth great kingdom there: ten European powers, which in the last time, in concert with and subjugation to the antichristian power, shall make war against Christ. In the precise number and form here indicated, they have not yet arisen… What changes in Europe may bring them into the required tale and form, it is not for us to say.” (Alford, 1866)

These are of one mind: Many have seen the European Union (formerly the European Economic Community) as the potential fulfillment of this. Perhaps, but now there are more than ten nations in this revived European power, and more on the way.

There is little doubt the EU itself claims to be a successor to the ancient Roman Empire. The EEC started in 1957, when six European nations met to talk about combining their nuclear, coal, and economic resources. They met together in Rome and signed the treaty of Rome – the beginnings of the present EU. In many places in Europe, the EU flag is just as prominent as any national flag.

ONE VIEW:  We could still say what Alford wrote in 1866: “In the precise number and form here indicated, they have not yet arisen… What changes in Europe may bring them into the required tale and form, it is not for us to say.” But it will happen, and this confederation of nations will emerge as an heir to the ancient Roman Empire.

ANOTHER VIEW by DAVID ROSENTHAL:  The 10 Nation Confederation, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST from Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17:

Nation #1. Gog:  A Reubenite, son of Shemaiah, the prophetic prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and Magog. Gog is identified as a descendant of the prophet Joel, and in Ezekiel 38–39, he is the chief prince of the tribes of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog, the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media.

Nation #2. Magog:  The 2nd son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of several tribes northward from Israel; the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media and habitation of the descendants of Magog, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah

Nation #3. Rosh:  “the Prince of Rosh” is Asiatic Russia receives confirmation from the Imperial Dictionary. “Evidence exists of an ancient people called Rosh, or Rhos, supposed to be the original stem from which the Russia or modern Russians have derived their race and name.” The scholar, Bishop Lowther says: “Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel, signifies the inhabitants of Scythia, from whom modern Russians derived their name. We must conclude therefore, that Ezekiel’s “episode of Gog’s invasion” (A. B. Davidson) points irrefutably and undeniably to the Russians.

Nation #4. Meschack:  Was a Chaldean. The Chaldeans inhabited the coastal area near the Persian Gulf. About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans and in 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. Modern day Turkey.

Nation #5. Tubal:  a region in east Asia Minor, perhaps nearly equal to Cappadocia

Nation #6. Persia:  Iran

Nation #7. Cush (Ethiopia):  located on either side or both sides of the Red Sea. As such, “Cush” is alternately identified in scripture with the Kingdom of Kush or ancient Ethiopia.

Nation #8. Put (Libya):  Ancient Libya. In this sense, Libya was the whole known African continent to the west of the Nile Valley and extended south of Egypt. Herodotus described the inhabitants of Libya as two peoples: The Libyans in northern Africa and the Ethiopians in the south.

Nation #9. Gomer:  (was the wife of the prophet Hosea (8th century BC), mentioned in the Hebrew Bible‘s Book of Hosea (1:3). Hosea 1:2 refers to her alternatively as a “promiscuous woman” (NIV), a “harlot” (NASB), and a “whore” (KJV) but Hosea is told to marry her according to Divine appointment. She is also described as the daughter of Diblaim.) The Hebrew name Gomer refers to the Cimmerians, who dwelt in what is now southern Russia, “beyond the Caucusus”, and attacked Assyria in the late 7th century BC.

Nation #10. Beth-Togarmah:  Togarmah is a city mentioned in Assyrian and Hittite texts. It was north of Carchemish on an Assyrian trade route. It may be related to modern Gurun between the Halys and Euphrates Rivers))

These are the 10 Nation Confederation, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17. All are Islamic, the Center of which is MECCA (see video #2).

The common argument is for Rome which is built on 10 hills. Guzik deals with the assumption as incorrect.

(Resume with Guzik comments, here)

These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast: Whatever their exact identity, their actions are clear. They join with the Antichrist in the war against Christ, in the battle alluded to in the sixth and seventh bowls (Revelation 16:12-21).

The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits: The harlot presides over peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This tells us that the harlot’s influence is worldwide, through her connection to the beast. This will be a truly one-world religion.

The interpretation of the harlot focuses on her relation to the beast: she is utterly connected to the beast and his government. If this sounds unthinkable, remember that throughout history, religion – not true Christianity – has often been the willing servant and supporter of tyrants.

I know this is a difficult subject and a ‘tough read’. So, I will conclude with…

“SO WHAT”?

While scholars may debate some of the fine details of this particular vision, the main points of application seem abundantly clear:

#1. We are crossing the threshold of a Global Transformation – and it does not look good for most people.

#2. By all indicators, God’s prophecy of the End of Days is well under way.

#3. The Bible says events will turn cataclysmic – very soon.

#4. Culture is not neutral. You will have to choose sides by your actions. Talk won’t work.
#5. Satan is boldly walking through the front door of a worldwide governmental alignment, even as I write this.
#6. The devil is encroaching through the backdoor of seduction, idolatry, technology, perverse entertainment and has crept into the church. He is now in the church, deceiving many.

#7. The majority of the Church is either compromised, asleep, ignorant or afraid to engage the enemy.
#8. A remnant is rising at the Voice of God.

#9. God is calling and it is time you and I mobilize and do the Works Jesus has commanded.
#10. Doing nothing, except being nice and “going to church”, assures you of nothing!

Let’s Remain, IN HIS GRIP!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

whitestonefellowship1@gmail.com

additional reading:

The Age of Babylon and the Great Harlot

The Mystery of Babylon – The 7 Hills

The 7 Hills of Rome

What are the 70 of Sevens (Daniel’s 70 Weeks)

The Christian Betrayal of Jesus

When does the 7 Years of Tribulation Begin

SHOULD YOU RUN & HIDE?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Should we, as Christians, ever ‘run and hide’?  If so, WHEN?

Jesus warns of such a time.  Jesus tells us, in Matthew 24:15, “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.

First, you should know that Jesus is speaking to His Jewish disciples who lived in and around Judea. They knew about the past destruction of the Temple and the significance of the events surrounding the Abomination of Desolation in 149 BC and the necessity to “run and hide”.

Also, Jesus is speaking of a ‘coming desolation’ which must be understood in the context of the verses which come before and after this statement.

Jesus begins by describing a past event in Matthew 24, verse 15, through verse 20, with an eye to the future.  He is recounting the urgency for escape from the destruction of the first Jewish Temple and the slaughter of thousands of Jews, in 425 BC, comparing it to a similar event which will occur at some future date.

It would be easy to speculate, as many have, that the ‘future date’ was during the destruction of the 2nd Temple in AD 70. The problem with that, is found within the warning Jesus gives in verses 21 through 31.

Jesus speaks of a “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will”.

He goes on to say, that, “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. A 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. “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.”

Obviously, nothing on that scale has ever occurred. Jesus is speaking of an event which is yet to come and will occur after the destruction of the second Jewish Temple in AD 70.

Although we do not know the exact date or time, we can know the “season” and we are told to be prepared for what is coming, and we are told what to do when certain events occur. (Matthew chapter 24)

It is urgent that we are ready for what is coming, because Jesus tells us that “the SON OF MAN (is) 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.”

Unfortunately, most Christians are not to be bothered with “getting ready”.  One has to wonder, do they not believe such fantastic things could happen or is it that they just cannot be inconvenienced?

Others, perhaps, just don’t understand what it means ‘to get ready’.  They have been taught, or conditioned to think, that ‘getting ready’ is walking an aisle in a church and repeating a ‘sinner’s prayer’ is all that is necessary to ‘be ready’.

Some think getting ready means to “Go Off Grid” or becoming a “Survivalist” or a ‘Prepper’.

Please watch this short video excerpt, “Going Beyond ‘Off the Grid’” for one possible explanation why many Christians are not “Ready” for what is coming:

I would suggest “The Grid” is just another name for the “This World System”.  So, “Going Beyond Off the Grid” does not just mean moving to remote locations and disappearing from view or becoming a “Survivalist” or a ‘Prepper’.  Instead, as Jesus has said, although we, as Christians, are in this world, we are not of this World System.

DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?  DO YOU CARE?

Jesus warns against indifference and ignorance on these matters.     He tells us, in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Verse 37. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. Verse 38. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, Verse 39. and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Verse 40. “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 41. “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

Verse 42. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Verse 43. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Verse 44. “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Verse 45. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Verse 46. “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Verse 47. “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Verses 48 and 49. “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; Verses 50 and 51. the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Read Matthew chapter 24 and Matthew chapter 25).

Until the time comes, as spoken about in Matthew 24:15-20, we are to busy ourselves as disciple makers.  But, even that does not excuse us from having contingency plans, “to be ready”, beyond these days.

BEING READY – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

 Stay Alert –

Matthew 24:32 says, “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; Verse 33. So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” 

   Matthew 24:42 says, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Verse 43. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”

 Remain Vigilant –

 Verse 45. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Verse 46. “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Verse 47. “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Verses 48 and 49. “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’. and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; Verse 50 and 51. the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Stay Ready –

Matthew 25:1 says “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Verse 2. “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. Verse 3. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, Verse 4. But the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

Remain Faithful –

Matthew 25:14 says, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. Verse 15. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Verse 26. “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Verse 27. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Verse 28. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

This is a difficult question and an elusive answer.  But, what do you think?  Is living a life of ease and luxury, wrong?  Or, does it simply and gradually replace following Jesus?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Please leave a comment about what you think)

The Rapture Revealed 2020 

PS:  Click here for Additional Reading and footnotes

Pre-Wrath Rapture – Page 5

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

Revelation 8:1 says,  “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Verse 2:  “And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

Verse 3:  “Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.

Verse 4:  “And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.

Verse 5:  “Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

Verse 6:  “And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. This discourse on the tribulation is now into the 7th seal!

COULD THIS BE THE RAPTURE?

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.

Ask WHO?  Ask WHERE?

I repeat, for emphasis,

      • ALL THE SAINTS,
      • BEFORE THE THRONE.

There is also a “Woe” to those still on earth, but it seems there are no more references to The Church, to disciples or Christ followers on earth after this event.

Now that Jesus has warned His followers of what to expect, He gives instructions on what we are to do:

Matthew 24:37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.”

Those in that day had it wrong, all except Noah, and I wonder about us in the 21st Century prophecy experts?

Verse 37:  “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

Verse 38:  “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

Verse 39:  “and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Verse 40:  “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

Verse 41:  “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

Verse 42:  “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Verse 43:  “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

Verse 44:  “For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Verse 45:  “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

Verse 46:  “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

1. For this reason, you also must be ready.

2. The faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time.

3. Blessed in that slave whom his master finds so doing when He comes.

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah

  • Noah believed God against all the odds.
  • Noah obeyed God, all the time, by faith.
  • Noah stood against the contemporary wisdom and the taunts of those around him.
  • Noah got ready. Noah stayed ready.
  • Noah as the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time.
  • Noah is the Blessed Slave whom his Master found doing so when He came.
  • Noah and his household endured to the end and were saved!

Are you ready to be a Noah?

Have you started building the Ark of your Salvation by believing God by faith, against all the odds?

Are you obeying God?  Are you doing what He has said to do to be ready?

Are you standing against contemporary wisdom and the taunts of those around you, both inside and outside the church?

Are you Ready for what is coming and may indeed already be here?

Are you being the faithful and sensible salve whom your Master has put in charge of your household to give them their food at the proper time?

Be the Blessed slave whom your Master finds doing so when He comes.

(Click here to return to Page 4)

Your Friend and Brother

Mike Young

(A video of Matthew 24:1-35 from the Lumoproject.com )

(A video of Matthew 24:36-51 from the Lumoproject.com )

A video of Revelation starting at chapter 6

Rapture Revealed – A PowerPoint presentation:

Pre-Wrath Rapture – Page 4

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

Matthew 24:29 says, “But 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.

Revelation 6:12 says, “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;

Verse 13:  “and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.

Verse 14:  The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Verse 15:  “Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains;

Verse 16:  and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

Verse 17:  “for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Revelation 7:1 says,  “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.”

Revelation 7:9 says,  “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

Verse 10:  “and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Verse 11:  “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

Verse 12:  “saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Verse 13:  “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”

Verse 14:  “I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

RECAP

      • But, 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 power 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.
      • A great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues

I mean no disrespect, but, since when is the Bible unable to count the number of anything? So, this must be an extraordinarily large number, perhaps from the time of creation?

      • Standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands and they cry out with a loud voice, saying “Salvation to our God who site on the throne, and to the Lamb.
      • THESE ARE THE ONES WHO COME OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (This is just too clear to be misunderstood).

Revelation 7:15 says  “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.

Verse 16:  “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;

Verse 17:   “for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

IS THIS THE RAPTURE?

This is very clear:

These, the “ones who come out of the tribulation” are now in heaven along with the “great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues”

Please notice how Chapter 8 of Revelation starts…

(Click here to return to Page 3)  –  (Click here to go to the final page, Page 5)

Pre-Wrath Rapture – Page 3

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Here’s a quick scan of time and history. See what you think.

News Headlines (2018)

The breaking of the 1st Seal in the Book of Revelation says we will hear of WARS and rumors of war and that we will hear of nation rising against nation

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),
  • WWI (1914 – 1918, 17 million dead), and
  • WW2 (1939 – 1945, over 70 million dead).

Current wars and global conflicts, 2018 (link)

As recently as 1978 the communist military coup on 27 April 1978, known as the Saur Revolution, when the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) took power. Since that day, an almost continuous series of armed conflicts has dominated and afflicted Afghanistan.

The Syrian civil war has drawn the US, Russia, Iran, Turkey, The Kurds, ISIS into this conflict.

Other countries involved in military conflicts as of 2018.

· Iraq. …

· Russia. …

· Ukraine. …

· Yemen. …

· Democratic Republic of the Congo. …

· Mexico. …

· Central African Republic

Wars and rumors of war is nothing new. Neither are famines and earthquakes.

Famines: A list of global famines (link)

Earthquakes: A historical list of global seismic activity (link)

Compare what Jesus said, found in Matthew 24 and what John said in Revelation about these matters.

I have coupled the corollary verses:

Matthew 24:6 says, “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.

7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.“

Revelation 6:1  says, “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.”

Verse 2:  “I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Verse 3:   “When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.”

Verse 4:  “And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.”

  • 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.

So, how can we tell when the 1st and 2nd Seals of the ‘tribulation’ have been broken?

Let’s skip forward to the 5th Seal events found in Matthew and Revelation.

Matthew 24:9  says,”Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”

Revelation 6:9 says, “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.

  • THEN, they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you…”

Matthew 24:13  says,”But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

  • But, the one who endure to THE END, he will be saved.”

Once again, if we are not to endure these ‘tribulations’ why is Jesus warning us to “endure to the end”?

Matthew 24:15  says, “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.”
  •  “When you SEE the Abomination of Desolation. (HEY, DISCIPLES, when you SEE IT? How can you SEE IT if you are not on earth?)
  •  “For THEN there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
  •  “…but for the sake of the ELECT”.  (THE ELECT are still on earth at this point? The ELECT are still on earth at the 5th Seal of the tribulation? How is that even possible, if they will have been Raptured away?)

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Pre-Wrath Rapture

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 1 Comment

 

When is the Rapture, the tribulation, the return of Jesus – and why does it matter?

You might say these things are in God’s Hands, I am saved, so what does it matter. I think I am ready, I cannot change these things, so why worry?

Well, if you say that, then you are partially right. You should not worry. However, it does matter. It matters a great deal.

1.  It matters because God’s Words tells us of the things to come and warns us to be ready and to be found doing the things He has told us to do.

Matthew 24:42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
“For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

“Truly, I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

“But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;
the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, “and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Another parable tell of the waiting virgins who were not prepared, and the Lord says to them, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”

Yet another parable warns us that the worthless slave who is not faithful to be found doing as his Master instructed will be “Thrown out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

2.  It matters because your families and others are watching. You are to be an example for them, and you are to help them be prepared.

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.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

The term, Rapture, refers to the idea that a day will come when Jesus will appear in the heavens, at which time the dead in Christ will be resurrected to meet Him in the air and to receive their glorified bodies. Living believers will be taken up also and will be translated en route from mortal to immortal. Both the resurrected believers and the living ones will then return to Heaven with Jesus. This event is viewed by most as being separate and apart from the Second Coming of Jesus, when He will return to earth to reign for a thousand years.

The word, Rapture, does not appear in English language Bibles, but it can be found in the Latin Vulgate translation of Jerome, which served as the basic Bible of the Western world for over 1200 years, from 400AD to 1611 when the King James Version was published. The word appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.  In English versions, it is expressed as “caught up.” The concept of the Rapture can be found in many other places in the New Testament — for example, in John 14:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.

The Question of Timing

Among those who believe in a Rapture of the Church, there is disagreement as to the timing of the event. Until recent years, there were three concepts of the Rapture’s timing:

  1. The Pre-Tribulation View — This is the idea that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation begins.
  2. The Mid-Tribulation View — This viewpoint places the Rapture in the middle of the Tribulation.
  3. The Post-Tribulation View — According to this view, the Rapture and the Second Coming are all one event that takes place at the end of the Tribulation.
  4. The “Pre-Wrath-Tribulation” View —In 1990 Marvin Rosenthal presented a fourth viewpoint in his book, The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Rosenthal was not the originator of this new viewpoint. Rather, he was the one who popularized it with his book. The person who conceived the “Pre-Wrath” view of the Rapture was a man named Robert Van Kampen (1938-1999).

The most popular and widely accepted doctrine on the tribulation is the pre-tribulation rapture. It says that all Christians will be ‘raptured’ off the earth and into heaven, BEFORE any of the tribulation starts (i.e., before any of the tribulation judgment seals are broken or opened)0. Once the rapture has occurred, the 7-year-tribulation will then begin- or so it says.

I accepted the “pre-tribulation-rapture-view” without much thought. It was what I was told would happen and as a new Christian, I never questioned it.

Many years later, a friend and co-teacher, asked me to join him in teaching a Church class on a book about the Rapture and the Tribulation. My assignment was PRE-tribulation Rapture, and he would present and discuss the mid-tribulation rapture view.

It took me almost a year to prepare, and that study and preparation raised questions I could not ignore. I have spent 10 years searching scriptures and studying this matter. For example:

1. Why was Jesus warning His disciples (and subsequent disciples or anyone who would eventually read His Words in the Bible) about coming events it they would not experience those events, if they would be raptured before the tribulation?

2. How can we tell WHICH ‘wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes’ were the result of breaking of the first seal of the tribulation, because there have been thousands of them since Jesus said these words.

3. Was Jesus wanting to ‘scare’ listeners into believing by warning them ahead of time? (I think not. Trickery just doesn’t fit Jesus Character, and He tells us “do not be frightened” by these things.)

4. Jesus tells His disciples (and subsequent disciples or anyone who would eventually read His Word in the bible), in Matthew 24:6 that “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. Verse 7:  “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. Verse 8:  “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

And a few verses later, Matthew 24:13 says, “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

Why is Jesus telling us that we should not be frightened by the WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, NATIONS RISING AGAINST NATIONS, FAMINES, EARTHQUAKES, and that we must ENDURE TO THE END TO BE SAVED if we have been “Raptured” and out of harms way?

5. When you compare Jesus’ Words in the book of Matthew with John the Revelator’s account of the ‘End of Days’ in Revelation, why do you get the very real sense that something about pre-tribulation evangelical or reformed doctrines of the end times don’t line up with or doesn’t fit with what you read IN THE BIBLE.

(There are other daunting questions, but this is enough for this article)

I’m no scholar. But, that year of study changed my views, slowly at first, then after over twelve years of study and review, my mind is changed, permanently.

Here’s a quick scan of time and history. See what you think.

The breaking of the 1st Seal in the Book of Revelation says we will hear of WARS and rumors of war and that we will hear of nation rising against nation (Click here to link to the Rest of The Story – Page 3)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(PS: The Pre-Wrath-Tribulation view says that (#1). The first tribulation judgment seals were broken (opened) at or just after the birth of Jesus, and (#2). Tribulation seals ONE through FIVE have been opened sequentially, progressively, overlapping, and the effects have been intensifying to this date.

The SIXTH tribulation seal is still a future event, at which time and Matthew 24, verse 29 “immediately after the tribulation of the previous 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 blast, and they will gather together His [c] elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

Eschatology of the End Times – Simplified

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A Timeline Chronolgy of the Last Days

Genesis to Revelation

A Chronology of the prevailing view of the TRADTIONAL DENOMINATIONAL TIMELINE OF THE “END OF DAYS” – SIMPLIFIED.

  1.   In the Beginning
  2.    Prophecy of things to come
  3.    Foreshadowing of things to com
  4.    Events missing in the Outline of the End Times
  5.    The tribulation’s days of distress begins
  6.    The Signs
  7.    The Events
  8.    The Eschatological Clock – The 5th Seal
  9.    Daniels 70th Week – The Great Tribulation – The 6th Seal
  10.  The Rapture of the Church – The 6th Seal- The Interlude- The 144,000- A Multitude from the Revelation
  11. The Wrath of the Lamb – Trumpet & Bowl JudgmentsThe Battle of Gog and Magog
  12. The Abomination of Desolation
  13.  The Battle of Armageddon
  14. The judgment of the nations
  15. The binding of Satan
  16. The Great White Throne Judgment
  17. The new creation.

Eschatology of the End Times –  Chronology 

  1.  In the Beginning – Prophecies of the coming New World Order.  God creates mankind, with a flaw.  Failure is planned; a Savior is provided; The Plan has begun.
  1.  The Tower of Babel– Then and Now.  Man rebels and reaches for the heavens.
  1.  The coming of Messiah.  The Messiah is foretold.
  1.  Prophetic warnings– 1st century AD.  No one is listening.
  1.  The Days of Distress of the tribulation.The End has begun.
  1.  The countdown – The first 4 Seals of the Days of Distress
  1.  The World Events of the Seals.  ONGOING.
  1.  The 5th Seal is broken. The Great Apostasy begins,the falling away from the faith,The Antichrist is revealed. After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20)
  1. The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too. From our perspective today, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent;  The only things that mus yet happen are, (#1), the revealing of the anti-Christ, (#2), the Great Apostasy and, (#3), the breaking of the 6th Schroll Seal of the Tribulation.
  2.  The Breaking of the Sixth SealThe Great tribulation, Daniel’s 70th week begins. A period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The Antichrist’s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulationon earth, the Church will be in heaven. It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6–10).
  3. The Battle of Gog and Magog. In the first part of the tribulation, a great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God’s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38–39). (Some commentators place this battle just before the start of the tribulation.)
  4. The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).
  5. The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus returns with the armies of heaven (Mark 14:62). He saves Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
  6. The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell.
  7. The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).
  8. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).
  9. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.
  10. The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.
  11. The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him (Revelation 21–22).

There are multiple views of the chronology of the Biblical End Times.  I do not want to pursue or repeat what has already been written.  The following outline is a generally accepted chronology and is from the pre-tribulation view.

Almost every such outline or chronology of this sort, is the same.  They begin with the rapture of the church and go from there.  They usually ignore the prophecies about the coming End of Days, the events which foreshadow the coming Day of the Lord (a.k.a., End Times) and the most recent first century warnings which are leading up to the tribulation and the Great Tribulation periods.

I will use this outline, taken from Gotquestions.org – end times timeline, as my template and fill in the missing parts.

  1. IN THE BEGINNING

It is difficult to imagine that God planned the entirety of time.  We cannot go back far enough to discover when this began, because there is no beginning with God.  In so few words, such an incomprehensible statement:  “God has always existed”.

It is equally difficult to imagine “a world without end”, but God is eternal, even beyond “the new heavens and a new earth”.  (Revelation 12:1)

But, God has spoken to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, and in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.  And it is by these ways that we can know.

  2. THE PROPHECIES

First, God has spoken to us through the prophets in various ways.  God’s warnings are warning of coming judgment for His people’s rebellions and disobedience.  God’s judgments followed His warnings, and each of these events, known as The Day of the Lord, are a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.  A time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation.  (Daniel 12:1)

The words and the imagery of the destruction during the great and Terrible Day of the Lord would be difficult for most to accept or to understand.

(The good news is that God’s people, everyone who is found written in the Book of Life, will be rescued.)

Here is are those prophecies:

Isaiah 13:9 See, the day of the LORD is coming –a cruel day, with …

See, the day of the LORD is coming –a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger–
to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. …
//biblehub.com/isaiah/13-9.htm – 18k

Lamentations 2:22 “As you summon to a feast day, so you summoned …

… terrors on every side. In the day of the LORD’s anger no one escaped or survived;
those I cared for and reared my enemy has destroyed …
//biblehub.com/lamentations/2-22.htm – 19k

Ezekiel 30:3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near– a …

For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near– a day
of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. …
//biblehub.com/ezekiel/30-3.htm – 17k

Hosea 9:5 What will you do on the day of your appointed festivals …

… What will you do on a festival day, on the day of the LORD’s feast? …
//biblehub.com/hosea/9-5.htm – 16k

Joel 1:15 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it …

Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it
will come like destruction from the Almighty. …
//biblehub.com/joel/1-15.htm – 17k

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For …

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day
of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. …
//biblehub.com/joel/3-14.htm – 17k

Amos 5:18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you …

….. Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why …
//biblehub.com/amos/5-18.htm – 17k

Obadiah 1:15 “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you …

….. The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As …
//biblehub.com/obadiah/1-15.htm – 18k

Malachi 4:5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before …

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that
great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. …
//biblehub.com/malachi/4-5.htm – 17k

Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of …

….. Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. …
//biblehub.com/zephaniah/1-7.htm – 18k

Zephaniah 1:8 “On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish …

“On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the officials and
the king’s sons and all those clad in foreign clothes. …
//biblehub.com/zephaniah/1-8.htm – 18k

Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near– near and coming …

….. The great day of the LORD is near– near and coming quickly. …
//biblehub.com/zephaniah/1-14.htm – 18k

Zephaniah 2:2 before the decree takes effect and that day passes …

… the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the LORD’s
fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the LORD’s wrath comes upon …
//biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-2.htm – 18k

Zechariah 14:1 A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your …

A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will
be plundered and divided up within your very walls. …
//biblehub.com/zechariah/14-1.htm – 17k

1 Thessalonians 5:2 for you know very well that the day of the …

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. …
//biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/5-2.htm – 18k

Each of these prophecies tell us what is past, what is present and what is yet to come.  This is important because in order to look forward, we must look back.  This is how prophecies work.

 3. FORESHADOWING OF THINGS TO COME

Besides the prophecies in the Old Testament, we can foreshadowing of what is to come.  It is as if we “see through a dark glass dimly”.

  1. Genesis 6– The Flood shows us God’s judgment on a global scale.  A catastrophe for mankind.  God judged the world because (Genesis 6:5) “Then the LORD 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. 6 The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 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.”

2. Genesis 6  –   The Corruption of Mankind

    •  Building the Ark of their Salvation

3. Genesis 7  –   The Flood; purging, cleansing the earth of sin

4. Genesis 9  –   The Covenant; restoring

5. Daniel gives us a glimpse into our present and future.  We know this by looking back.  (the Book of Daniel chapters seven through 12)

6. Daniel 7 – Daniel’s vision of the 4 Beasts and a future Tribulation

 7. The “Ancient of Days” – The Son of Man presented – The Vision Interpreted

 8. Daniel 8 – Daniel’s vision of the Goat and the Ram

-The Little Horn

-The Vision Interpreted

10. Daniel 9 – Daniel’s Prayer for his people

11. Seventy Weeks and the Messiah

12. Daniel 11 – Conflicts to Come

13. Daniel 12 – The Time of The End

These are just two of many foreshadows of the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

  1. *MISSING FROM“THE TRADITIONAL DENOMINATIONAL OUTLINES” of things to come: from Gotquestions.org – end time timeline, as my template:
  2. *MISSING FROM THE TRADITIONAL DENOMINATIONAL OUTLINES”of thing to come: The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too. From our perspective today, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent; no other biblical prophecy needs to be fulfilled before the rapture happens.’
  3. *MISSING FROM“THE TRADITIONAL DENOMINATIONAL OUTLINES” of things to come: Prior to the rapture of the church.  We are told by Jesus and some of the Apostles that the End of Days, also known as the “times of distress” had begun as early as AD 1, but more likely between AD 60 and AD 100.

(1).  Jesus called this period the LAST DAYS or the END OF THE AGE in Matthew 24:3-8

(2).  The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in Acts 2:16-17

(3).  The Apostle Paul call this period THESE LAST DAYS in Hebrews 1:1-2

The Bible tells about the END OF DAYS and the Tribulation.  It is important to know that the Tribulation period actually is called by three prominent, although variant names:

(a)  The beginning of Sorrows, Birth Pangs, The End of The Age or the Last Days

(b)  The Tribulation also known as The End of Days

(c) The GREAT Tribulation also know as the Wrath of God or the Wrath of the Lamb.

The beginning of Sorrows, Birth Pangs The End of the Age or the Last days, begin with the opening of Tribulation Seal ONE began between AD 60 and AD 100, and perhaps as early as AD1.  

 Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, up until this day.

 the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution,Anti-Christ, falling away

 We are now standing at the precipice of the breaking of 6th Tribulation Seal . 

(4).  *MISSING FROM“THE TRADITIONAL DENOMINATIONAL OUTLINES” of things to come:  The Denominational Outline says His Return is IMMINENT. BUT,

 1.  2 Thessalonians 2:3 “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”

There are two events that must take place before the day of the Lord can come. First, the apostasy must come. Second, the man of lawlessness must be revealed.

2.  The rise of the Antichrist. After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist. (Revelation 19:20).

3.  MISSING FROM “THE DENOMINATIONAL OUTLINE”:  

 First, as has already been stated from 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “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”

There are two events that must take place before the day of the Lord can come. First, the apostasy must come. Second, the man of lawlessness must be revealed.

Secondly, a simple face value reading gives you a timeline.  That timeline is deliberately blurred by denominational bible teachers who have to make the Bible fit their doctrinal statement.  This can be confusing for the Christian Bible student and dangerous for those preparing in earnest.

4.  The tribulation. A period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The Antichrist’s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven. It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6–10).

5.  The Battle of Gog and Magog. In the first part of the tribulation, a great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God’s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38–39). (Some commentators place this battle just before the start of the tribulation.)

6.  The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).

7.  The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus returns with the armies of heaven (Mark 14:62). He saves Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

8.  The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell

 9.  The binding of Satan.Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).

 10. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).

 11. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.

 12. The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.

 13. The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him. (Revelation 21–22)

Finally, here is a table showing the alignment of World History, an historical overview of Daniel’s 70 Weeks and a Biblical Historical outline:

Timeline of World History compared to Biblical Timeline of Daniels 70 Weeks

I know that this is a long read/study, but, (#1), it is important for you, as a Disciple of Jesus to know where you are on God’s Timeline, (#2), what it means to you, (#3) what is required for you to be ready, and, (#4) what it means to be ready for what is at hand and (#5), how to prepare.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

HAS THE APOSTASY BEGUN?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”

IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

(AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE)

2 Thessalonians 2:1- 4 Now we request you, brethren, (1) with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you (2) 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.

(3) Let no one in any way deceive you, for (4) it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and (5)the man of lawlessness is revealed, (6) the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that (7) he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Outlined, verse by verse (easy-to-understand; just read slowly and take it at face value)

1. With regard to the coming of our Lord and the gathering together to Him

2. Do not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

3. Let no one in any way deceive you

*4. For the day of our Lord and the gathering together to Him will not come unless the apostasy comes first

*5. For the day of our Lord and the gathering together to Him will not come unless the man of lawlessness is revealed

6. The man of lawlessness is the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship,

7. He takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

WHAT IS THE APOSTASY: In Christianity, Apostasy is the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia (“ἀποστασία”) meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. It has been described as “a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christianity.

WHAT IS THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS / ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION:

Mattew24:15 “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),

1. You will see him

2. He will be standing in the Holy Place

3. Then, there will be a great tribulation

WHAT IS THE DAY OF THE LORD:

The Day of the Lord” is a biblical term and theme used in both the Hebrew Bible (יֹום יְהוָה) and the New Testament (ἡμέρα κυρίου), as in “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come” (Joel 2:31, cited in Acts 2:20).

Matthew 24:21 “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 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.

Matthew 24:29 “But 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. 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. 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.

1. For then / Immediately after the tribulation of those days (prior to the day in question, i.e., (the 5th seal)

2. 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 (The 6th Seal)

3. They will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory

4. “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.

The-Emeny-Within.jpg

(Look on page 17 and following on the presentation  for relevant explanation of verses noted; also, see video links below presentation)

Deception within the Church

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT.  WE MUST TURN AWAY FROM WESTERN POST-MODERN RELIGION, AND RETURN TO JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL AND PRACTICE THESE THINGS

Come and join in the harvest, as we go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that He commanded; and lo, He is with us always, even to the end of this age. Contact me above here for further information, or click the invitation link below.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

invitation2.jpg

More on  HAS THE GREAT APOSTASY BEGUN?

HAS THE GREAT APOSTASY BEGUN?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 1 Comment

The GREAT APOSTASY

The “falling away from the faith”

(The 5th Seal of Tribulation)

2 Thessalonians2:1- 4, “Now we request you, brethren, (1) with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you (2) 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.

(3) Let no one in any way deceive you, for (4) it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and (5) the man of lawlessness is revealed, (6) the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that (7) he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Pew Research and Barna Research, both, are revealing what the corporate Church is unwilling to admit, that many are leaving the church and are not returning. But, the other half of this ‘equation’ is that many are LEAVING THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS – falling away from the faith – but are staying in the church .

This “falling away from the faith”, alone, may not signal what prophetic scriptures has foretold regarding the “Great Falling Away” (The Great Apostasy) but, considering all has already come to pass (the breaking of the first four Tribulation Seals) you can be confident this is what is prophesied.

We are so very close to the 6th Seal. So, please LISTEN you who are Pastors, teachers, Bible “scholars” and all Christians. Please, let’s get off our religious and denominational ‘high horses’ and sound the Shofar!

THE FIFTH TRIBULATION SEAL IS NOW INTENSIFYING and the DAY OF THE LORD and the Rapture is near.

The SIXTH SEAL of Tribulation will be broken soon, and it will be too late for those who are procrastinating or for those who think they are saved but have never surrendered their lives to Christ as Lord.

We must be DOING what Jesus said we were to be DOING, or face the consequences:

Matthew 24:48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

God has commanded us to follow Jesus, to carry on His Works, to love one another and to preach the Gospel, make disciples and to teach them to follow Him.

Let’s be ready!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More on “Has the Apostasy Begun?”

Pulpit Bullies, False Teachers, Apostates, Heretics – The Postmodern Church

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The title of this article might suggest that misbehavior and apostasy is a recent malaise of the church.  Apostasy, from the Greek word, “apostasia”, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” In the first-century world, apostasy was a technical term for political revolt or defection.   Actually, just like in the first century, spiritual apostasy threatens the Body of Christ today.

I have personally experienced pulpit bullies, false teachers, apostates and heretics in our postmodern church.  These same men seem to have started right, but, over time, their ‘true selves’ emerged, and they are the ravenous wolves which scriptures warn about:   Matthew 7:15-23  says, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  “So then, you will know them by their fruits.”

      “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

Before I go further, please watch the first 15 minutes of Pastor Trent Casto’s sermon broadcast (Senior pastor of Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida) to get additional background and context.  (If you prefer to shorten your viewing time, watch at least from the 4:42 minute mark of this video to the 13:35 minute mark.

The men, (and, now, women), as referred to in Pastor Casto’s sermon, are in pulpits and on TV screens, leading thousands and tens of thousands astray.

Finally, please, familiarize yourself with what the Bible says, since it is the way to life!  I have copied the following text from the website from the website GotQuestions.org as an excellent resource for details on the Biblical qualifications of a pastor.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Here are some additional links on this matter, for you to consider:

The Christian Betrayal of Jesus in America

Has The Great Apostasy Begun?

WARNING: The Gospel of Accommodation

FRACTURED

The False church Emerges

GOD is saying to His Church

EKKLESIA

A “Calling” or a “Cult”?

SHIPWRECKED

Church Scandals and Abuse

OZ, “CRT”, THE DRAGON & THE BEASTS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 1 Comment

THE WIZARD OF OZ

– CRITICAL RACE THEORY- The Threat –

THE DRAGON & THE BEAST

AS THE STORY GOES, it was the fault of the wicked witch of the West, collaborating with the wicked witch of the East with the help of their ugly winged monkeys – they caused all the troubles.  But, wait!  If there had been no tornado, none of this would have come to light.  Perhaps climate change was the culprit!

This was a mystery filled with dangers and threats as you progressed down “the yellow brick road”, trying to find your way back home.  There were heroes and antiheroes and troublesome things Dorothy had to struggle against in the the land of Oz.  But, alas, those things, as it turned out, were just a fabrication of the real culprit – the machinations of the Great and Mysterious Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz was a play.  And, there were some real life lessons to be learned.  One of which is “Things are not always as they seem”.

Now, there is a greater drama being played out on the world wide stage.  We have had holes in the ozone, of which we were warned, would cause loss of our atmosphere and would cause the earth to burn up!  It scared a lot of people, created new taxes and a new world Agency to deal with it, but, it never happened.

Then, we  were warned that we had depleted our natural resources and the earth would die.  Again, the problem was, it didn’t happen.  It scared a lot of people, created a lot of new taxes and even established a Global Entity to deal with it, but it never happened.

First it was called the “Greehouse effect” and as that scenario grew old, they renamed it to “Global Warming”.  But the “Globe” wasn’t warming fast enough, so, now called it “Climate Change”, and VOILA!   We are now warned that “Climate Change” is bringing wide spread devastation and the end of the world –  that is unbless  we create the Agenda-21 agency, the Paris Climate Accords.  And, oh yes, new taxes.  Lots of new taxes taken from American’s earning to be spread around the world to the “less fortunate”.  But, you won’t see that happen becasue it takes place “behind the curtain”.

 BREATKING NEWS!!  The news headlines in 2020 scream, “Black lives matter” and everything and everyone else are racist murderers.   Transgenders deserve protections ahead of our children.  New laws are created along with the taxes to enforce them.  Homosexuals are the new oppressed. New laws are created along with new taxes.

The newest and scariest act in this play is the “Covid-19 drama”.  It began in a secret lab in China.  This evil virus escaped the lab and is now “making ‘the sky fall’ for millions.

 

Human rights issued are also front page news.  Open borders are the humane and just thing.  Social justice slogans are created.  Abortion is expanded.

MARXISM & CRITICAL RACE THEORY is being established right under our noses, influencing America’s education, the courts and the doctrines of our churches.

Hey!  Wait a minute.  Haven’t we already seen this play?  And, what exactly was the lesson to be learned?  “THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM”?  Why are we falling for this, again?  (Because it works!)

Someone or some group is always behind the curtain, pulling levers to distract us from the real cause, the real culprit.  They use stealth, distraction, misdirection, fabrication and lies.  Examples of FALSE FLAGS, DISTRACTIONS and DIVERSIONS.

While these are real matter, in truth, they are just ‘brush fires’ which distract us from the root cause of a spreading evil.  These ‘brush fires’, as I will call
them, are skirmishes within a Global conflict, which have succeeded in
deflecting our attention from the real culprit, the author and father of
Globalism.  And because we are distracted and at odds over how to deal with
these ‘brush fire distractions’ the real Culprit goes unnoticed and unhampered.

WHO’S WHO?

Some would say that the real culprit or force behind the movement for a One World Community to be run by a One World Government would be the “ILLUMINATI”.  One website claiming that name, “ILLUMINATI”, says they are “an elite organization of world leaders, business authorities, innovators, artists, and other influential members of this planet.  They are a coalition uniting ‘influencers’ of all political, religious, and geographical backgrounds to further the prosperity of the human species as a whole.” Some say the real culprit is an International banking cabal. Others say the real driving force, or culprit, is the United Nations or Agenda-21.

These things may be part of the One World Movement movement, tentacles of the Real Culprit.  But, in reality, they are FALSE FLAGS, DISTRACTIONS and DIVERSIONS.

THE REAL CULPRIT?

The person(s) “behind the curtain” are known by various names and aliases.  But, let’s just come to the point.  The REAL CULPRIT is to be found in the ancient writings of the Bible.  (The following text and explanation is ‘color coded’ for the convenience of the reader to know “who’s who” among the players in this real life prophetic drama).

The Great Red Dragon = Satan, the devil

The Beast = The Ten Nations, the Spirit of Antichrist

The Second Beast = The Antichrist

Bible prophecy has proven to be correct in prophetc matter with uncanny accuracy.

Now let’s have a look at what is coming next:

Daniel 8:23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

Daniel 8:26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”

You can read more about this on THE UNRAVELING

 Daniel 7:7  “After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 While I was thinking about the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the previous horns were plucked out before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like human eyes, and a mouth uttering great boasts.

Danile 7:19 “Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of the horns fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.

23 “This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth and trample it down and crush it. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will humble three kings. 25 And he will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. 

Revelation 12:3  says, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. Verse 4.  His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. Verse 5.  She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rulea all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, Verse 6.  and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Satan Thrown Down to Earth

Revelation 12:7 continues with, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, Verse 8. but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Verse 9. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Verse 10. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Verse 11. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Verse 12.  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Verse 13.  And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. Verse 14. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Verse 15.  The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. Verse 16 .  But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Verse 17. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stoodc on the sand of the sea.

THE FIRST BEAST

Revelation 13:1-18 says,  “And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,a that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

THE SECOND BEAST

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,c and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.  It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,  and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for

that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,e to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

In Revelation 13 John sees a nightmarish vision of a and two beasts. The first beast comes out of the sea and receives power from the dragon, or Satan. This beast is a true monstrosity: “It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion” (Revelation 13:1–2). Daniel’s vision of the beast is similar in many ways to John’s (Daniel 7:7–8, 19–27). Studying both Daniel and Revelation in tandem is profitable.

In Revelation, the term beast refers to two related entities. Sometimes “the beast” refers to the end-times’ empire. The seven heads and ten horns indicate that the beast will be a coalition of nations that rises to power to subdue the earth under Satan’s control. Later references to “the beast” in Revelation picture an individual—the man who is the political leader and head of the beastly empire.

The beast will receive a deadly wound and be healed of it (Revelation 13:3). He will exert authority over the whole world and demand worship (verses 7–8). He will wage war against God’s people, and he will prevail against them for a time (Revelation 13:7; Daniel 7:21). However, the beast’s time is short: according to Revelation 13:5 and Daniel 7:25, he will only be permitted absolute authority for forty-two months (three-and-a-half years).

The beast in Revelation is the Antichrist, the one who will “oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He is also called “the man of lawlessness” and “the man doomed to destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In Daniel’s vision, the Antichrist is the “little horn” that rises from the head of the terrifying beast (Daniel 7:8).

Even if you got lost while tracking events and ‘players’, suffice it to say that the world is careening out of control, comeing to its conclusion.  This is the final act of this human global drama.  You must get ready now.  Accept and follow Jesus to safety, today.  (If you are already a believer, it’s time to become a follower).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Click this link to “CRITICAL RACE THEORY – The Threat”

THE FINAL TRUMPET

SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

When does the 7 Years begin?

ONLY ONE 2nd APPEARING!

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 3 Comments

There are many Evangelicals and ‘Reformed’ Bible teachers, as well as Pentecostal, Charismatic, et al., who propose a “patchwork-quilt-type-of eschatology” regarding The Second Coming of Jesus.

These folks say the account in Matthew 24 which describes Jesus’ “appearing on the clouds of the sky” when everyone will see Him, is NOT the second coming; but they won’t call it the rapture, either.

They may go on to say that Revelation chapter 19 is where we find Jesus’ 2nd coming, which, according to scriptures, is seen only by John the Revelator.

Here is an example of this widespread mistaken and false teaching: 

He begins with the title, “Don’t Let Any Man Deceive You”. then he quotes these 2 Bible verses, 

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him… ” (2 Thessalonians 2:1)

“And then shall the wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

“Notice, there is a coming in verse one and a coming in verse eight. At the coming in verse one, the church is gathered to Him, but at the coming in verse eight, Jesus will destroy the Antichrist by the brightness of His coming. In verse one we have the rapture of the church and in verse eight we have the Second Coming. In verses two through seven we have all the events that occur between the two comings.

“That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

Paul is simply saying, “There is a mindset that seems to have spread throughout the church that you are living in the Tribulation. Do not be moved by the different winds of doctrine that are circulating. Also, people are distorting the Word of God to support the theory that the Tribulation has come.” Paul continues, “I don’t care if there is a letter contradicting my first letter, it is wrong. Don’t let anyone shake you up and convince you that the Tribulation has arrived, because it has not. Don’t be soon shaken in mind.”

Every time any major war arises, people begin to shout, “We’re in the Tribulation!” When Hitler rose to power, many said, “He is the Antichrist.” When Mussolini rose to power they said, “Mussolini is the Antichrist. He is a ruler from Rome, and Rome is the revived Roman Empire, therefore he must be the Antichrist!” Not too long ago, people were saying that the Russian leader, Gorbachev was the Antichrist because he had a birthmark on his head.

Then Yandian concludes, “In our generation and throughout the centuries, people try to take circumstances and make them fit the Word of God, when instead the Word of God should be the standard by which circumstances are judged.”

So, Yandian, and many others in the reformed theological camp, lecture us  about using the Word of God as the standard to judge these things, then they deny those plain words of the Bible which do not fit their denominational theology and doctrines.

So, which Glorious Return is it? Let’s take a look at the ‘PLAIN LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE’ and decide.

And, why is this important?

(a)  It is important because Jesus tells us we must ‘endure to the end’ and knowing the sequence of events will help us to ‘not lose heart and faint’.

(b)  The apostle Paul tells it is important because “God takes no pleasure in the one who shrinks back”, and knowing that our ‘salvation draw near’ will help us endure to the end.

(c)  Jesus tells us that it is important because we must stay alert be found doing what He has commanded us, when He returns, or we may be “assigned a place with the hypocrites”. Knowing the day is near will help us stay focused and ready for His return.

SO, WHICH IS IT?

Jesus’ Glorious Return #1

      

Matthew 24:29 “But 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. v 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.  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.

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days

(What is “the tribulation of those days“? See Matthew 24:2-14 & Revelation 6)

(a). Matthew 24:5  “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the [d] Christ,’ and they will [e] mislead many people.”

(b). 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. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,”

(c). Matthew 24:7 and there will be famines

(d). Matthew 24:7. and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

(e). Matthew 24:9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

(f). Matthew 24:10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.

(g). Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.

(h). Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.

(i). Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.

(j). Matthew 24:14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (see Matthew 24:2-14)

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:29 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.

Revelation 6:12. “I looked when He broke the sixth seal,
and there was a great earthquake;
and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair,
and the whole moon became like blood;

  1. and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:30. “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.

  • 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.

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:31. “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.

  • 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.

Or is it…

Jesus’ Glorious Return #2



  1. Revelation 19:11-20: And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
          17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”
          19  And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
    
      20  And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

OR, IS IT “BOTH”?

NOTE: There is only ONE “2nd ADVENT”. There is NO secret rapture, and every eye will see Him! What we see in Matthew 24, as narrated by JESUS, is the following:

(a)  Breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation,

(b)  The beginning the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord,

(c)  Which is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week also known as the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation,

(d)  Jesus’ SECOND ADVENT,

(e)  The Rapture of the Church,

(f)  The heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True,

(g)  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron;
and

(h)  He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty

NOTICE:  In Matthew 24, ALL EYES SEE HIM, but In Revelation 19, JOHN SEES HIM. 



This is one event being seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES, as it unfolds: One from earth, one from John’s prophetic vision of the Heavens!

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: Cat 5, Cat 4, Cat 3, a Tropical storm, a rain event.  But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.

*So it is with Jesus’ 2nd Coming:

  • Breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation,
  • The beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord,
  • The beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week also known as the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation,
  • Jesus’ SECOND ADVENT,
  • The Rapture of the Church,
  • The heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True,
  • From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and
  • He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty

Why does it matter?

  • Jesus tells us that it matters because we must ‘endure to the end’ and know the sequence of events will help us to ‘not lose heart and faint’.
  • The apostle Paul tells us that it matters, because “God takes no pleasure in the one who shrinks back”, and knowing that our ‘salvation draw near’ will help us endure to the end.
  • Jesus tells us it matters and that we must stay alert be found doing what He has commanded when He returns, or we may be “assigned a place with the hypocrites”. Knowing the day is near will help us stay focused and ready for His return.

Don’t be deceived.  There is only ONE Second Coming of Christ.  There is only ONE Rapture.  There is only ONE Armageddon.

Know your Bible.  Know the sequence.  Be Ready, found doing as He has said.  Endure to the end and be saved !!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Further Reading: “A SECRET RAPTURE?”

PEACE, PEACE – BUT THERE IS NO PEACE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A PROPHECY FOR AMERICA

PROPHECY is never a “one and done” deal.  A prophecy will reverberate (repeat) throughout history, or, another way of saying it, prophecy will “unfold” or come to pass, throughout history until Jesus fulfills all the prophecies with His appearing.  (see Matthew 5:18  and Bible prophecy-has come to pass for more about prophecy)

CAN WE LEARN FROM ‘PAST’ PROPHECIES?

There is really no such thing as a ‘past prophecy’.  For example, the prophecies from Ezekiel are specifically for Israel and should not be applied to any other specific future Nation, state or people, but, since the book of Ezekiel contains prophecies relating to the Last Days and The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, and they are applied to FUTURE days.

We are now well into the Last Days, and it would appear we are approaching the breaking of the 6th Seal, known as the Great and Terrible Days of God’s Wrath, America and all Christians would do well to take heed.

We can learn from God’s methods and ways of punishing evil, rebellion and disobedience toward Him. We can learn about God’s continuing mercy and loving kindness toward those who come to Him in humility and surrender.

A prophecy which was written to Israel, applies to America.  Please read this prophecy and take heed.  The time of its fulfillment is at hand!

A PROPHECY FOR AMERICA – From – EZEKIEL 7

Ezekiel 7:1,-27 says,  “The word of the Lord came to me:  “And you, O son of man, thus says the Lord:  An end!  (Also, see Matthew 24:22-31, Revelation 6:12 – 7:3)

The end has come upon the four corners of the earth.  (Also see, Revelation 7:1, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth.)

“Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger upon you; I will judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations.  And my eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity, but I will punish you for your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

“Thus says the Lord God: Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes.  An end has come; the end has come; it has awakened against you. Behold, it comes. Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land. The time has come; the day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting on the mountains. Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord, who strikes.

“Behold, the day! Behold, it comes! Your doom has come; the rod has blossomed; pride has budded. Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth; neither shall there be preeminence among them. The time has come; the day has arrived. Let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon all their multitude. For the seller shall not return to what he has sold, while they live. For the vision concerns all their multitude; it shall not turn back; and because of his iniquity, none can maintain his life.

They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but none goes to battle, for my wrath is upon all their multitude. The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour. And if any survivors escape, they will be on the mountains, like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, each one over his iniquity. All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water. They put on sackcloth, and horror covers them. Shame is on all faces, and baldness on all their heads. They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity. His beautiful ornament they used for pride, and they made their abominable images and their detestable things of it. Therefore, I make it an unclean thing to them. And I will give it into the hands of foreigners for prey, and to the wicked of the earth for spoil, and they shall profane it. I will turn my face from them, and they shall profane my treasured place. Robbers shall enter and profane it.  (Also see Matthew 24:15-31 .)

“Forge a chain! For the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence.  I will bring the worst of the nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the strong, and their holy places shall

They will seek peace, but there shall be none.

“When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there shall be none”. (Also see 1 Thessalonians 5:3 )

“Disaster comes upon disaster; rumor follows rumor. They seek a vision from the prophet, while the law perishes from the priest and counsel from the elders. The king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”

OUR RESPONSE?

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as you have learned. I know you are trying to live this way already, and I encourage you to do so even more. Remember what you have learned by the authority of our Lord Jesus.

No one needs to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught us to love one another.  Show your love for all the true believers who are doing what Jesus has taught.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as you have been instructed.  Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on them. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-18)

I remind you this, directly from the Lord:  The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet-call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.  So encourage each other with these words.

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, I don’t really need to remind you because you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

*When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, and you should not be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.  You are children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.  But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. (Am I Really Seeing What I Think I Am Seeing? ).  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you should already be doing.

This is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus:

  • See that no one pays back evil for evil, but
  • Warn those who are lazy in the faith.
  • Encourage those who are timid.
  • Take tender care of those who are weak.
  • Be patient with everyone.
  • Always try to do good to each other and to all people.
  • Always be joyful.
  • Never stop praying.
  • Be thankful in all circumstances,
  • Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
  • Do not scoff at prophecies,
  • Test everything that is said.
  • Hold on to what is good.
  • Stay away from every kind of evil.

( Paraphrased from 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 5:22. )

Please go to this page and respond:

Where are the grassroots?

Your Brother and Friend in Christ,

Mike Young