Matthew 24:3says, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Verse 4, And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
Verse 5, “For manywillcome in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
Verse 6, “You willbehearing 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 merelythebeginningofbirthpangs.
Verse 9, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
So, when will thesethings happen?
I. Many will come IN MY NAME:
This can be someone literally saying ‘I am the Christ’, but it is proving to be those who consider themselves as an emissary of Christ – such as ‘ordained pastors’ – who speak for Christ, but are blindly following ‘new age’ or errant doctrines; or, as we are clearly seeing, now, in our day, ‘institutional deception’, where entire denominations fall away from the clear teachings of Jesus and lead millions astray. (Also see“Shipwrecked”).
So, how can we know ‘which of the false Christs‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’?
II. WARS and rumors of war:
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),
So, how can we know ‘which wars and rumors of wars‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’?
III. EARTHQUAKES & VOLCANOES:
Earthquakes are nothing new. In fact, they are so numerous that I can only give you a web link by period of time and let you view what has been recorded. But, Jesus did warn they would come.
Volcanoes are nothing new, either, but it would seem that seismic events (volcanoes) are on the rise.
Figure 1. Graph showing the number of volcanoes reported to have been active each year since 1800 C.E. Total number of volcanoes with reported eruptions per year. (thin upper black line) and 10-year running mean of same data (thick upper red line). Lower lines show only the annual number of volcanoes producing large eruptions (>= 0.1 km3 of tephra or magma) and scale is enlarged on the right axis; thick red lower line again shows 10-year running mean. See text for discussion.
Figure 2. Graph showing known historically active volcanoes, number of volcanoes reported to be active each year, and population. The line labeled “Known Historically Active Volcanoes” (right scale) is the cumulative number of volcanoes with an historically recorded eruption by that year. “Volcanoes Active Per Year” since 1400 CE (black line) and 10-year running mean of same data (thick red line) is also based on reported eruptions (those with uncertainty dates greater than 1 year are not included, nor are uncertain eruptions). “Population” (right scale) is the world’s estimated human population; data from McEvedy and Jones (1978) and (since 1750) Population Reference Bureau, Washington, D.C. See text for further explanation.
At first glance the nearly exponential increase through recent centuries suggests that the planet may soon be overwhelmed by volcanic activity, but this increase tracks the striking growth of global population (dashed line on figure 1) that has spread potential observers of eruptions over much of the Earth and the technological advances that have facilitated reporting of those eruptions. Another indicator of the growth of the record is the increase in the total number of known historically active volcanoes (upper line on figure 2). These are not newly-formed volcanoes, but already established features (or volcanic fields) that clearly had numerous previous eruptions. If a list had been continuously kept, about 2000 years ago, it would have contained only the names of nine Mediterranean volcanoes and West Africa’s Mount Cameroon. In the next ten centuries, the list would have grown by only 30 names, 18 of them Japanese. Although newly settled Iceland soon added seven volcanoes, the list totaled only 63 by 1400 CE.
So, how can we know ‘which EARTHQUAKES‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’?
IV. FAMINES:
Famines have taken hundreds of millions of lives since the time of Christ, so this is nothing new, either.
So, how can we know ‘which FAMINES‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’?
V. PERSECUTION:
Jesus tells us there will be a worldwide persecution of Christians. A look at history shows us that In the first few centuries, Christianity grew quickly. By A.D. 325, an estimated 7 million people were Christians, with as many as 2 million killed for their faith in Jesus.
However, according to a Christian think-tank. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) says 900,000 Christians have been ‘martyred’ in the last decade, equating to 90,000 a year and one every six minutes.
This may be the most dangerous time in history to be Christian
At least 327 million Christians face persecution, according to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which released its biannual report on Religious Freedom in the World in November 2018. That is 7 percent of the world’s 2.3 billion Christians, estimated by Pew Research Center in 2015.
245 million Christians in the top 50 countries on Open Doors USA’s 2019World Watch List experience high levels of persecution (i.e.: torture, rape, sex-slavery, for conversion to Christianity, murder and genocide), an increase of 14 percent from 2018. Sixty percent of those enduring persecution are children; women and girls are most violated. Release International, a UK-based human rights watchdog in operation for the past 50 years who partner with U.S.-based “Voice of the Martyrs” said they expect global anti-Christian persecution is set to rise ‘sharply’ in 2019. – (Read the report here)
So, how can we know ‘which period of Christian Persecution‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’?
So, where does all of this lead?
1. You will know when ‘The End of the Age‘ is near, not when one or two of these events occur, but when ALL of ‘these things’ occur and converge concurrently, as Jesus said they would; then these things are the harbinger of ‘those things’ which have come to pass. (Also, see “The Tribulation of Those Days’).
2. The phrase “the beginning of birth pangs” is a statement made by Jesus in or around the year AD 30 and is a translation of the Greek archē _ ōdin . The meaning of the phrase, translated in the KJV as “the beginning of sorrows” is a direct reference to preliminary birth pangs that ultimately lead to the full scale contractions and travail, which leads to the actual birth.
Recognizing the Old Testament reference that Jesus was hearkening to is an essential, but often overlooked key to determining the timing of the prophecy. Jesus was pointing his disciples to two key passages from the prophet Isaiah.
The first passage is Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture found in the middle of what is sometimes referred to as “Isaiah’s little apocalypse”. There, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, specifically contrasting the expectations of the Jewish people regarding deliverance, redemption and physical resurrection with the reality of the pain, suffering and travail that they had corporately experienced. In verses 16-18, the complaint of Israel is raised that despite having endured the great suffering of labor, the expected “birth” of deliverance, redemption and resurrection had not arrived.
3. You must ask yourself, “why would Jesus warn His disciples (and subsequent disciples or anyone who would eventually read His Words in the Bible) about these coming events if they would not experience these events? Said another way, if we would have been Raptured before the tribulation, why warn us? Why warn His disciples and followers about something they would not experience?” The anwer is, “HE WOULD NOT HAVE WARNED US UNLESS WE WOULD ENDURE THE FIRST 5 TRIBULATION SEALS, AND WOULD NEED TO BE PREPARED!”
NOTE: The first five tribulation seals have been opened progressively since around A.D. 30. These seals overlap (occur concurrently and converge), and are increasing in intensity, which will lead to the future 6th Tribulation Seal, which is the begining of the Day of God’s Wrath, cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun, the Rapture, the multitude of people out of the tribulation before the throne of God, the Sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel.
4. How can we tell WHICH ‘wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes’ were the result of the breaking of the first Seal of the tribulation, because there have been thousands of them since Jesus said these words.
(Also please see this teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times. One of the first, most accurate, and most persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site.)
5. 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.)
6. 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 theend. 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 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
If we will have been “Raptured” and out of harms way when these things begin, then why would He be telling us these things?
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 would not be affected?
Again I ask if we will have been “Raptured” and out of harms way when these things begin, then why would He be telling us these things?
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.
Revelation 1:1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Verse 2, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Verse 3. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
The Book of The Revelation was written around 95 A.D. Jesus had already ascended to the Father and had put the End of Days into motion.
Revelation, chapter 1, verses one through three tell us:
1. This is a revealing by God to His Son, Jesus, so He could show us, His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place, which mean it will happen soon, and it will happen quickly. (This has to do with the speed with which something happens.)
2. This message and these words were communicated to John by His angel, who then testified to this word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw.
3. The time for the fulfillment of these things is near, which has to do with the passage of time; it is very soon; the time is near; the time is at hand! (this was as of A.D. 95).
Revelation 3:11, “I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Verse 12. The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”
John has testified and written what Jesus has announced:
1. Jesus words are actually a warning and a threat. He is saying that He is coming speedily, without warning, without delay, suddenly and by surprise.
Jesus warns, again, that His coming will occur as fast as ‘the blink of an eye’. (Matthew 24:25), “Behold, I have told you in advance, if they say to you, ‘He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man.”
The time to prepare is NOW. There will be no time to prepare in that day.
PLEASE NOTE: Please do not think that the Bible is saying, “that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” in these verses, (found in 2 Peter 3:8). When Jesus said “Behold, I am coming quickly”, it is not His intention to say it could be a day, or it could be a thousand years. He is saying it could happen at any time. His coming is imminent.
“For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or like a watch in the night”, found in 2 Peter 3:8, which is a reference to Psalm 90:4, is a reference to God’s POINT OF VIEW or FRAME OF REFERENCE and NOT a reference to the actual passage of a specific period of time.
He IS SAYING that that time has come. It is not coincidental that we find the Apostles teaching that ‘The Last Days’ had begun as early as A.D. 30:
There is, however, a sequence of events which must occur, in order, and may overlap in time:
Matthew 24:9. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.”
(This is so clear and in such plain language, I regret having to point it out: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death”. So, “YOU WILL BE DELIVERED UP TO TRIBULATION”. How much more intense can this be, than being put to death for Jesus name’s sake? The tribulation, Seals 1 through 4 have been described as having started, by Jesus, Himself, in the year AD 30.)
Verse 10. “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
(First – This is the hallmark of the Great Apostasy, found in these verses and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. Furthermore, “And then” translates from the Greek word, “tote”, in this case means of the future, also in consecution, i.e., the act of following, or the condition of being in a series; that which is consecutive; succession; sequence.
(Secondly – “fall away” is the Greek word ‘skandalizó’ and means to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).
Verse 11. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Verse 12. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Verse 13. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Verse 14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(Verses 11 through 14 give us a major time line identifier through a concurrence of events: (1) many false prophets will arise and lead many astray; (2) lawlessness will be increased; (3) the love of many will grow cold.)
(“The one who endures to the end”, must be kept in context of the surrounding verses. So, the one who endures to the end of these events – Which Events? – The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE)
(“And then the end will come”. Once again, this is clear, plain, face-value language. After these first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS, which began in or around AD 30, and have continued progressively to overlap and gain in intensity, THE END WILL COME.)
Matthew 24:29, says,“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.”
(Perhaps it would be a good idea to read this verse again. It begins with “IMMEDIATELYAFTER the tribulation of those days”. This is rich with information.
( “The tribulation of THOSE DAYS” are the days from around A.D. 30 through the current day; This includes tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE.)
(“Immediately after the tribulation of those days”, should explain itself. But, just in case, let me say, “THOSE DAYS” refers to the days already discussed (tribulation Seals One through Five).
Now , Jesus is moving our attention to what follows the first 5 Seals of the tribulation: THE SIXTH SEAL.)
(“The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” is also found in Revelation 6:12-16, and uses the exact language. It is the SIXTH SEAL of the tribulation, which is yet a FUTURE EVENT.)
NOTE: ANYONE, SUCH AS THE ‘PRETERSITS’ , WHO SUGGESTS OR SAY THAT THESE VERSES ARE SIMPLY METAPHORICAL OR HAVE ALREADY OCCURED AND WILL NOT PLAY OUT AS DESCRIBED, ARE FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE TEACHERS AND ARE AIDING THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST. (Other places in Revelation, you will find metaphors, allegories, imagery and similes to describe what was indescribable, such as, “The Lamb of God” to describe Jesus, “The Dragon” to describe Satan, or “The Four Beasts” to describe Satan, Babylon and Lucifer. The reader must learn to distinguish the difference.)
Many protestant pastors, preachers and Bible teachers adhere firmly to the John Nelson Darby version of the pre-tribulation rapture. These people with good intentions and most are good men and women, yet, they are sorely misinformed; or, perhaps, some are lazy in their study of scriptures or they could be ignorant about what scriptures say and mean. None-the-less, they are guilty of false teaching and of teaching a false prophecy. (I know this sounds harsh and perhaps even arrogant, please forgive me. But this matter is so very urgent that I believe strongs words and a stronger empasis is needed.)
Please hear me, friends. Things are getting worse, even as I write this, and, things are going to get a lot worse as the time of the Rapture (The 6th Tribulation Seal) draws near. You and I need to prepare, both Spiritually and physically, for these difficult times.
I have presented the Spiritual side of the coming day of the Great Tribulation and of the coming day of God’s Wrath in this article.
The Bible tells us to be ready, for we do not know the day nor the hour when the Lord will return, and if you did know, you wouldbe on the alert, “and would not have allowed your house to be broken into”. For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
In conclusion, let me ask you, if you knew a hurricane or a major destructive storm was coming, what would you do to get ready? (Please answer this. Make a short list using these lines). I would:
Know your Bible. Know the sequence. Be Ready, found doing as He has said. Endure to the end and be saved !!
The 2nd Advent of Christ (the second coming of Jesus) is one event which can be seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES: One perspective as seen from the earth; the other perspective, from John’s prophetic vision, is seen as it unfolds – a Spiritual and Heavenly perspective!
Look at it this way: When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm; As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm; then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm; and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.
To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event. But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
SO IT IS WITH THE ‘LAST DAYS’ AND THE 2nd COMING OF JESUS as seen in the breaking of the ‘Seven Seals of the Book’ as recorded in Revelation chapters 5,6,7 and 8; although, the breaking of each Seal may seem like seven different events, if viewed “from above” it is ONE CONTINUOUS EVENT (eschatological STORM), progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
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.
You and I need to be ready for what is at hand, because we are expected to endure to the end of our appointed time, then God will intervene and take us home.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I am certain that many theologians and Bible teachers are either underestimating the urgency of our mission and the severity of what is at hand or they really don’t know what to do.
Jesus is clear. The heavens and the earth are on a collision course and we are on a Mission. Most of the Church, however, is woefully unprepared.
God has never, ever, been happy with or gentle to those who shirk or draw back from the Mission. Even Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, when you do not do the things I have told you? I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness.”
Somehow, many preachers think the ‘End Times’, (more correctly, Last Days), won’t intensify until after the Church is raptured off the earth, (Pre-Tribulation rapture). But, even the casual observer can see that many of the signs Jesus warned about are coming to pass, already and the Bible tells us that the judgments of God will intensify even more as He moves from the Seal Judgment to the Trumpet Judgments and then into the Bowl Judgments.
(Please note: This is a long article, but, there are important and urgent links and videos later on this page. Also, to avoid confusion, I have put my commentary in parentheses and color coded them blue.)
Matthew 24:4 says, “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
Verse 5. “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,and they will lead many astray.
(1) This can be someone literally saying ‘I am the Christ’, (2) but, it is more likely it will be someone who considers themselves as an emissary of Christ – such as ‘ordained pastors’ – who speak for Christ, but are blindly following denominational doctrine which are incorrect; or, (3) as we are clearly seeing, now, in our day, it is ‘institutional deception’, where entire denominations fall away from the clear teachings of Jesus and lead millions astray)
Verse 6. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
(There have been wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes since recorded history. So, concerning the ‘End Times’, which wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes should we refer to? These things must occur in conjunction with ALL THE SIGNS and WARNING from Jesus and the Bible
(And, don’t miss the little phrase, “but the end is not yet”, as verse eight will elaborate.)
Verse 8. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
(1) The phrase “the beginning of birth pangs” is a statement made by Jesus in or around the year AD 30 and is a translation of the Greek archē ōdin (ἀρχή ὠδίν). The meaning of the phrase, translated in the KJV as “the beginning of sorrows” is a direct reference to preliminary birth pangs that ultimately lead to the full scale contractions and travail, which leads to the actual birth.
Recognizing the Old Testament reference that Jesus was hearkening to is an essential, but often overlooked key to determining the timing of the prophecy. Jesus was pointing his disciples to two key passages from the prophet Isaiah.
The first passage is Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture found in the middle of what is sometimes referred to as “Isaiah’s little apocalypse”. There, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, specifically contrasting the expectations of the Jewish people regarding deliverance, redemption and physical resurrection with the reality of the pain, suffering and travail that they had corporately experienced. In verses 16-18, the complaint of Israel is raised that despite having endured the great suffering of labor, the expected “birth” of deliverance, redemption and resurrection had not arrived.
This makes clear that the Last Days and the opening of the tribulation Seals began in our around AD 30. Other references which confirm this date as spoken by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy, are found in :
(Also please see this teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times. This is an “Ah Ha” moment for Pastor Piper!).
Verse 9. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
(This is so clear and in such plain language, I regret having to point it out: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death”. So, “YOU WILL BE DELIVERED UP TO TRIBULATION”. How much more intense can this be, than being put to death for Jesus name’s sake? The tribulation, Seals 1 through 4 have been described as having started, by Jesus, Himself, in the year AD 30.)
Verse 10. “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
(First – This is the hallmark of the Great Apostasy, found in these verses and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. Furthermore, “And then” translates from the Greek word, “tote”, in this case means of the future, also in consecution, i.e., the act of following, or the condition of being in a series; that which is consecutive; succession; sequence.
(Secondly – “fall away” is the Greek word‘skandalizó’ and means to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).
Verse 11. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Verse 12. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Verse 13. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Verse 14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(Verses 11 through 14 give us a major time line identifier through a concurrence of events: (1) many false prophets will arise and lead many astray; (2) lawlessness will be increased; (3) the love of many will grow cold.)
(“The one who endures to the end”, must be kept in context of the surrounding verses. So, the one who endures to the end of these events – Which Events? – The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE)
(“And then the end will come”. Once again, this is clear, plain, face-value language. After these first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS, which began in or around AD 30, and have continued progressively to overlap and gain in intensity, THE END WILL COME.)
Matthew 24:29, says,“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light
(Perhaps it would be a good idea to read this verse again. It begins with “IMMEDIATELY AFTER the tribulation of those days”. This is rich with information.
( The tribulation of THOSE DAYS are the days from AD 30 through the current date; tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE.)
(“Immediately after the tribulation of those days”, should explain itself. But, just in case, let me say, “THOSE DAYS” refers to the days already discussed (tribulation Seals One through Five). Now , Jesus is moving our attention to what follows the first 5 Seals of the tribulation: THE SIXTH SEAL.)
(“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” is also found in Revelation 6:12-16, and uses the exact language. It is the SIXTH SEAL of the tribulation, which is yet a FUTURE EVENT.)
NOTE: ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS OR SAYS THESE VERSES ARE SIMPLY METAPHORICAL AND WILL NOT PLAY OUT AS DESCRIBED, ARE FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE TEACHERS AND ARE AIDING THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST. (Other places in Revelation, you will find metaphors, allegories, imagery and similes to describe what was indescribable, such as, “The Lamb of God” to describe Jesus, “The Dragon” to describe Satan, or “The Four Beasts” to describe Satan, Babylon and Lucifer. The reader must learn to distinguish the difference.)
Many protestant pastors, preachers and Bible teachers adhere firmly to the John Nelson Darby version of the pre-tribulation rapture. These people with good intentions and most are good men and women, yet, they are sorely misinformed; or, perhaps, some are lazy in their study of scriptures or they could be ignorant about what scriptures say and mean. None-the-less, they are guilty of false teaching and of teaching a false prophecy. (I know this sounds harsh and perhaps even arrogant, please forgive me. But this matter is so very urgent that I believe strongs words and a stronger empasis is needed.)
Please hear me, friends. Things are getting worse, even as I write this, and, things are going to get a lot worse as the time of the Rapture (The 6th Tribulation Seal) draws near. You and I need to prepare, both Spiritually and physically, for these difficult times.
I have presented the Spiritual side of the coming day of the Great Tribulation and of the coming day of God’s Wrath in this article.
The Bible tells us to be ready, for we do not know the day nor the hour when the Lord will return, and if you did know, you wouldbe on the alert, “and would not have allowed your house to be broken into”. For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
In conclusion, let me ask you, if you knew a hurricane or a major destructive storm was coming, what would you do to get ready? (Please answer this. Make a short list using these lines). I would:
Know your Bible. Know the sequence. Be Ready, found doing as He has said. Endure to the end and be saved !!
The 2nd Advent of Christ (the second coming of Jesus) is one event which can be seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES: One perspective as seen from the earth; the other perspective, from John’s prophetic vision, is seen as it unfolds – a Spiritual and Heavenly perspective!
Look at it this way: When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm; As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm; then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm; and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.
To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event. But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
SO IT IS WITH THE ‘LAST DAYS’ AND THE 2nd COMING OF JESUS as seen in the breaking of the ‘Seven Seals of the Book’ as recorded in Revelation chapters 5,6,7 and 8; although, the breaking of each Seal may seem like seven different events, if viewed “from above” it is ONE CONTINUOUS EVENT (eschatological STORM), progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
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.
Jesus tells us that He came into this world to testify to the truth, (John 18:37), and for that ‘crime’, He was spit on, mocked, criticized, hunted down, condemned, beaten and murdered.
Jesus was and is, to this very day, a threat. He is a threat to false religions including Gnosticism. He is a threat to a rebellious, stubborn, perverted and unbelieving world. He is a threat to paganism to hedonism, to all forms of Marxism including Globalism. Jesus is a threat to all forms of illnesses, diseases, sickness, poverty, loneliness and depression.
Greater yet, Jesus is the greatest Hope and Friend to the orphan, the widow, the oppressed, the lonely and the lost. He is The Merciful, Kind, Loving, Forgiving Savior offering His life to redeem a lost and perishing world.
Despite the fact that Jesus was a demonstrable threat to the rulers of this world, a stumbling block to the Jew and foolishness to the Gentile, His Church grew.
AD 1 The Church of Jesus Christ, The Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth. The Church was a Movement.
Matthew 16:18, says, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. verse 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” verse 20. Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.”
Jesus said to “make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.”
Although the penalty for becoming a Christian was often death. The Church grew exponentially, creating the greatest threat ever to the rulers of darkness and of this world. But then, in or around AD 49 something began to change.
AD 49. The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. Still, the Church grew and size and influence.
The seeds of distortion were sown. Satan and the world knew they could not overcome Jesus directly, so the enemies of Christ appealed directly to the hearts and minds of sinful men with money, influence and power.
AD 313. The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.
AD 380. The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.
AD 1607. The Church reaches America.
AD 1681. The Church became corporate. It had become a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.
But that was not enough. There are those who doubted that Jesus’ ways and methods could fulfill His Great Commission, so they would stop and nothing to make the Gospel and Jesus more palatable, more entertaining, more sensual.
The Corporate Church continued to grow but it needed money. Money to support growth and expansion, which meant the Corporate Church needed more people.
AD 1777. The state of Virginia granted tax exemption to houses of worship.
The state sponsored 501(c)(3), ‘government leash’ was introduced and the Church willing submitted to this tether.
AD 1894. The corporate church was granted tax exemptions by the Federal Government.
AD 1954. The Federal Government regulated what a church could and could not say in order to retain tax exempt status.
The church continued to grow, and in order to attract more people the Corporate Church lowered its membership and doctrinal standards. More people became ‘members’ and gave more money to support more growth.
The Church corporation is complete with leaders, boards and membership and a business model.
Local churches compete against one another for members (customers). The church is selling itself in “three-line slogans”.
The Church members now have choices and have become religious consumers. Church people can shop around for the religious brand and standards that best suits them. (2 Timothy 3)
The Leadership (pastors and preachers) have become CEOs, disciples have become church leaders, growing their 501(c)(3) business models.
Record numbers of pastors began quitting because of stress, burnout or are being fired by their congregations (some stats say 1500 – 1700 leave “the ministry” each month).
Church debt in America soars; church foreclosures soar.
The Bible tells of the beginnings of the idea of a One World Government and warns this system is coming again – in the Last Days.
“They said, ‘Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’
“The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.
“The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:4-6
DON’T BE DECEIVED
The agenda of this “migration” and Globalism or One World Government is not the stuff of just any book. It is stuff of THE BOOK, that is The Bible.
THE TOWER OF BABEL REEMERGES – ONE WORLD?
Genesis chapter 11 gives us the prophecy, the foreshadowing of the coming One World Government.
The Tower of Babel, built around 2242 B.C., was a post-Flood rebellion against God by Noah’s descendants. As told about in Genesis 11:1-9, it is meant to explain why the world’s peoples speak different languages. According to the account, a united humanity in the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating eastward, comes to the land of Shinar (שִׁנְעָר). There, they agree to build a city and a tower tall enough to reach heaven.
(NOTE: “tall enough to reach to heaven” can be a metaphor for “man reaching to heaven, making himself god, to accomplish his own desires. This is the ‘Utopian dream’ of the Socialist and Communist manifestos; the State being our god – from cradle to grave)
This effort of uniting in a global community has been underway for about 4,200 years, about 100 years after ‘The Flood’, but before Abraham was born.
This is ‘forecast’ or what is Prophesied in the Bible. Is it underway? Should we PREPARE? (More on this, later).
These are exciting times in which we live! But we must be prepared to ‘endure to the end’, most likely the end of the 5th Seal of Revelation, as Jesus said in Matthew 24. And by all accounts, it would seem we are at that stage!
AD 2010. The Lutheran church ordains homosexual clergy
AD 2012. The Presbyterian church ordains homosexual clergy
Millions of people(approximately 52 million) “attend church” in one of the 300,000+ churches in America, at least once a week each month. However, when people were asked the topic of the “sermon” they heard after 24 hours, only about 10 percent could tell you. When asked to cite the most important lesson they received, most just shrugged.
An estimated 1.2 million hours each week (1) are spent in sermon preparations; it takes about another 300,000 hours in delivery of these sermons (2) at a staggering potential cost of over $750 millions dollars nationally, each week (3). Yet, only 5% of those hearing these sermons, remember anything about them after 72 hours.
SCANDALS IN THE CHURCH
A quick Google search for scandals just in the ‘mega church’ shows 1,910,000 hits. Omit the words ‘mega church’ and you’ll get 39,200,000 hits. What is going on?
In order to save space here, I am giving you a link to an article “SHIPWRECKED – Enemies Within the Church”, detailing Satan’s invasion of and work within the postmodern church.
AD 2019. The church is losing and has lost influence. In addition to church scandals, false teachings, drift and malaise, fueled and aided by the ‘Covid-19 pandemic’ the church in 2019 is losing members and adherents. Much of the church is teaching and living a different Gospel than that of the Apostles. (George Barna research; Pew Research). When confronted with their sins, the church erupts in finger pointing, denials and blame-placing rather than demonstrating a humble self-evaluation and repentance.
AD 2020. Agenda 2030, is the completion of Agenda-21. A One-World Socialist movement, grounded in Marxism, merging all nation’s governments and consolidating all forms of technologies, food production, healthcare systems, banking and financial systems, currencies and more.
The breadth, depth and complexity of this once-covert operation is breathtaking. This is dealt with in great detail by clicking THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT EMERGES – 2022. The only matter standing in the way of the completion of Agenda 2030 and complete global control is Christianity and that final obstacle is being effectively neutralized and transformed into a New Age One World Church.
AD 2022. THE ONE WORLD CHURCH EMERGES.
The foregoing photo has great eye appeal when trying to describe a New Age One World church. But it is just a pictural metaphor. The REAL THING, however, is this:
Introducing themselves as a “Human Fraternity”, Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, issue and sign the Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together”, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is jointly bestowed on His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
Their stated mission is “to inspire all people to live the values of human fraternity.” Their statement goes on to say that, “we believe the values of the Document on Human Fraternity are key to promoting peace on all levels: between individuals, organizations, nations, and even between humanity and the environment. As our increasingly fragmented world continues to suffer from extremism and intolerance, our innovative initiatives aim to put human fraternity values into action by inspiring leaders and empowering youth, women, and vulnerable communities, to pursue and realize a more peaceful future.”
Granted, on the surface, these are worthy sounding goals. Problems emerge when you realize the endemic differences between Christianity, Islam and the Judaism in matters of faith and God and how those matters are played out in daily life. Most will say those differences are irreconcilable.
Inspired by the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Tayeb, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, allocates a plot of land on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi to build an Abrahamic Family House – a concrete implementation and physical manifestation of the Document on Human Fraternity. These three religions will be represented in the construction this Abrahamic Family House, which is suggested be a ‘beacon of mutual understanding, harmonious coexistence, and peace among people of faith and goodwill’.
Three religions, Catholicism (1.2 billion), Islam, (1.9 billion), and Judaism, (15.2 million), are represented. What is glaringly absent is (non-Catholic) Christianity, (1.3 billion).
This cooperation or merger of religions is more than an a ‘document on human fraternity for world peace and living together’. This is a merging of three of the world’s most populous religions who, in one way or another, are historically in opposition to, or hostile to, the Superiority and Supremacy of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Lord and Savior of the World.
Catholicism clearly states supremacy and superiority lies within the Catholic Church. Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are two different religions that practice and believe different things about how one is saved, the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of believers, the nature of man, the work of Christ on the cross, etc. The list of irreconcilable differences between what the Bible says and what the Roman Catholic Church says make any joint mission between the two impossible. Those who deny this are not being true to what they say they believe, no matter which side they are on. Any Catholic who is serious about his faith will reject what a serious evangelical Christian believes, and vice-versa.
Likewise, Judaism rejects Jesus as God and Savior or the world. Islam stands in opposition toward Christ and Christianity and advocates for the destruction and eradication of Israel.
It has begun. There are completed plans to merge government and religions into a One World system. This is a “must watch” twenty-seven-minute video by David Rosenthal of Zion’s Hope Ministries, titled “The Mystery of Babylon” which highlights and explains the rebuilding of Islam’s Mecca as a leading shipping port, entertainment center and the premier Muslim religious site in the world with the intention of drawing millions of young people to Mecca.
THE TAMING OF JESUS?
If you were to visit most of the postmodern churches around America or the western world, you might wonder if you wandered into a religious night club or a media event. Tattooed preachers with the latest haircuts, hip jeans full of holes, giving elaborate speeches, accompanied by flashing lights, and a crowd swaying in time with adrenaline producing music.
Church leaders, production managers and CEO’s may have been tamed and transformed into the likeness of this world, but don’t be deceived. Jesus is untamed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is returning soon, as the Lion of Judah, to collect His redeemed, to rapture His Church and to exact judgement on a wicked and rebellious world.
OUR RESPONSE?
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”James 4:7
Gird up for War!
WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
John 18:37“Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose, I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
TO BRING A SWORD
Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35, For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”
TO FULFILL THE LAW
Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”
TO CALL SINNERS
Mark 2:17 “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
TO SAVE THE WORLD
John 12:47 “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH
Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50, But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51, Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division; “
“WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”
Jesus has told us, in John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited. These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12. They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.
Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said. He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of Communist-Marxist-Globalism, And we need to get on with it.
Jesus had a divine appointment with a cruel Roman cross. Read what He said when Peter proposed to get in the way of His mission:
Matthew 16:21- 23, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
We do not literally have an appointment with a crucifixion, but, the Bible is clear in Galatians 5:24, that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” and again in Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” which must be true for all who follow Jesus because we are on mission with Jesus. Our ‘old self’ must die so our new selves can follow and serve Him.
Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and resolve we are to assume.
Ephesians 6:10-17,tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Stand, i.e., continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22.
Stand ready or prepared: Ephesians 6:14. One who does not hesitate, does not waver, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against the foe, to persist, continue, persevere: (so as not to fall from thy faith).
Jesus’ example of steadfast, unmovable courage which is our example and our command to be and to do the same:
CONFRONTING THE STORM
Mark 4:35-41, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
CONFRONTING DEMONS
Luke 8:26-33 “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
“Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
CONFRONTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
John 19:8-12”Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So, Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT
Matthew 24:57-67, “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.
“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on, two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless, I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him.”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
Jesus did not draw back. (He proceeded boldly to the Cross and secured our salvation!) We must not draw back. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on the earth and is with us until the end!
Remember, Jesus came to earth for these stated reasons – and these same reasons are our method and our calling:
TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. We are to testify to the truth!
TO BRING A SWORD. We are to bring the sword of the Word of God!
TO FULFILL THE LAW. We are to fulfill the same law!
TO CALL SINNERS. We are to call sinners!
TO SAVE THE WORLD through Jesus. In a very real sense, this, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him
TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH. This, too, is our calling! The Word of God is a stumbling block to those who do not believe, dividing A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (Matthew 10:35-36)
Dear Brothers and Sisters, this is not hyperbole, a philosophy or metaphor. Now is the time to gird ourselves up with the full armor of God and follow our Lord, the King of Kings into battle.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and must be fought with Spiritual Armament!
(Please note that I use page links in lieu of references and footnotes. You can listen to this article by audio and pause the audio to follow page links then resume the audio when you are ready.)
THERE IS A COSMIC STORM COMING
You and I need to be ready for what is at hand, because we are expected to endure to the end of our appointed time, then God will intervene and take us home.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I have admired and listened to Dr. David Jeremiah for 35 years. Over the last 14 years, however, I have not agreed with his view of Bible eschatology. I listened to a recent message by Dr. Jeremiah, on his website, titled, “Where do we go from here?” In that message he gave 3 points on HOW we are to respond to the troubles in these Last Days:
#1. Worship the Glorified Christ – the more you worship, the less you worry
#2. Embrace your Global Mission – We have a mission that is global. Take the Gospel to the entire globe.
#3. Anticipate your glorious Hope – Never fear. He is coming back to establish His eternal Kingdom.
(Oh. And, yes. #4. Buy his books.)
So, this is the answer of “Where we go from here”?
(1) We stare skyward, worship, embrace evangelism and anticipate Jesus’ return. Let’s get honest, here.
(2) We sit. We do that pretty well.
(3) We worship. We do that OK, probably once or twice a week for about 15 minutes each time.
(4) We evangelize the world. We are not doing too good at that one. We actually ‘give, because we can’t or won’t GO’. We tend to stay separate from the world and leave this one up to the ‘professionals’.
(5) We are really good at anticipating Jesus’ return, because most Christians just ‘stare skyward’, but do very little more than that.
So, I guess what Dr. Jeremiah is saying is nothing new for the 20th and 21st centuries. But, he is not alone in this type of teaching and assessment. (Could this be reason the church and church attendance is in decline?
The pastor of a church we used to attend, is preaching on these same matters. His advice is the same.
(1). When asked, ” when are the end times?”, his anwser is, “Near”. (However, If you read Acts 2:14-21 you will see it is NOW, not near)
(2). When asked, “What are we to do?”, his answer is, “Thrive Love Worship.”
All good things.
But, I am certain that they are either underestimating the urgency of our mission and the severity of what is at hand or they really don’t know what to do beyond what they have listed (and, for certain, those are good things).
However, we are on a Mission. And, God has never, ever, been gentle to those who shirk or draw back from the Mission. Even Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, when you do not do the things I have told you? I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness.”
Somehow, these preachers think the ‘End Times’, (more correctly, Last Days), won’t intensify until the Church is raptured off the earth. It is true that the Judgments of God will intensify as He moves from the Seal Judgment to the Trumpet Judgments and then into the Bowl Judgments.
(Please note: my commentary on the following Bible verses are in parentheses and color coded blue)
Matthew 24:4 says, “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
(this includes misinformed pastors, preachers, bible teachers)
Verse 5. “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,and they will lead many astray.
(1) This can be someone literally saying ‘I am the Christ’, (2) but, it is more likely it will be someone who considers themselves as an emissary of Christ – such as ‘ordained pastors’ – who speak for Christ, but are blindly following denominational doctrine which are incorrect; or, (3) as we are clearly seeing, now, in our day, it is ‘institutional deception’,where entire denominations fall away from the clear teachings of Jesus and lead millions astray)
Verse 6. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
(There have been wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes since recorded history. So, concerning the ‘End Times’, which wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes should we refer to? These things must occur in conjunction with ALL THE SIGNS and WARNING from Jesus and the Bible
(And, don’t miss the little phrase, “but the end is not yet”, as verse eight will elaborate.)
Verse 8. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
(1) The phrase “the beginning of birth pangs” is a statement made by Jesus in or around the year AD 30 and is a translation of the Greek archē ōdin (ἀρχή ὠδίν). The meaning of the phrase, translated in the KJV as “the beginning of sorrows” is a direct reference to preliminary birth pangs that ultimately lead to the full scale contractions and travail, which leads to the actual birth.
Recognizing the Old Testament reference that Jesus was hearkening to is an essential, but often overlooked key to determining the timing of the prophecy. Jesus was pointing his disciples to two key passages from the prophet Isaiah.
The first passage is Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture found in the middle of what is sometimes referred to as “Isaiah’s little apocalypse”. There, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, specifically contrasting the expectations of the Jewish people regarding deliverance, redemption and physical resurrection with the reality of the pain, suffering and travail that they had corporately experienced. In verses 16-18, the complaint of Israel is raised that despite having endured the great suffering of labor, the expected “birth” of deliverance, redemption and resurrection had not arrived(the preceeding paragraph was taken from the “Daniel Training Network”)
This makes clear that the Last Days and the opening of the tribulation Seals began in our around AD 30. Other references which confirm this date as spoken by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy, are found in :
(Also please see this teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times).
Verse 9. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
(This is so clear and in such plain language, I regret having to point it out: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death”. So, “YOU WILL BE DELIVERED UP TO TRIBULATION”. How much more intense can this be, than being put to death for Jesus name’s sake? The tribulation, Seals 1 through 4 have been described as having started, by Jesus, Himself, in the year AD 30.)
Verse 10. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
(First – This is the hallmark of the Great Apostasy, found in these verses and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. Furthermore, “And then” translates from the Greek word, “tote”, in this case means of the future, also in consecution, i.e., the act of following, or the condition of being in a series; that which is consecutive; succession; sequence.
(Secondly – “fall away” is the Greek word ‘skandalizó’ and means to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).
Verse 11. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(Verses 11 through 14 give us a major time line identifier through a concurrence of events: (1) many false prophets will arise and lead many astray; (2) lawlessness will be increased; (3) the love of many will grow cold.)
(“The one who endures to the end”, must be kept in context of the surrounding verses. So, the one who endures to the end of these events – Which Events? – The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE)
(“And then the end will come”. Once again, this is clear, plain, face-value language. After these first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS, which began in or around AD 30, and have continued progressively to overlap and gain in intensity, THE END WILL COME.)
Matthew 24:29, says,“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light
(Perhaps it would be a good idea to read this verse again. It begins with “IMMEDIATELY AFTER the tribulation of those days”. This is rich with information.
( The tribulation of THOSE DAYS are the days from AD 30 through the current date; tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE.)
(“Immediately after the tribulation of those days”, should explain itself. But, just in case, let me say, “THOSE DAYS” refers to the days already discussed (tribulation Seals One through Five). Now , Jesus is moving our attention to what follows the first 5 Seals of the tribulation: THE SIXTH SEAL.)
(“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” is also found in Revelation 6:12-16,and uses the exact language. It is theSIXTH SEALof the tribulation, which is yet a FUTURE EVENT.)
NOTE: ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS OR SAYS THESE VERSES ARE SIMPLY METAPHORICAL AND WILL NOT PLAY OUT AS DESCRIBED, ARE FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE TEACHERS AND ARE AIDING THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST. (Other places in Revelation, you will find metaphors, allegories, imagery and similes to describe what was indescribable, such as, “The Lamb of God” to describe Jesus, “The Dragon” to describe Satan, or “The Four Beasts” to describe Satan, Babylon and Lucifer. The reader must learn to distinguish the difference.)
Many protestant pastors, preachers and Bible teachers adhere firmly to the John Nelson Darby version of the pre-tribulation rapture. These people with good intentions and most are good men and women, yet, they are sorely misinformed; or, perhaps, some are lazy in their study of scriptures or they could be ignorant about what scriptures say and mean. None-the-less, they are guilty of false teaching and of teaching a false prophecy. (I know this sounds harsh and perhaps even arrogant, please forgive me. But this matter is so very urgent that I believe strongs words and a stronger empasis is needed.)
Please hear me, friends. Things are getting worse, even as I write this, and, things are going to get a lot worse as the time of the Rapture (The 6th Tribulation Seal) draws near. You and I need to prepare, both Spiritually and physically, for these difficult times.
I have presented the Spiritual side of the coming day of the Great Tribulation and of the coming day of God’s Wrath in this article.
The Bible tells us to be ready, for we do not know the day nor the hour when the Lord will return, and if you did know, you wouldbe on the alert, “and would not have allowed your house to be broken into”. For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
In conclusion, let me ask you, if you knew a hurricane or a major destructive storm was coming, what would you do to get ready? (Please answer this. Make a short list using these lines). I would:
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE: Don’t be deceived. There is only ONE Second Coming of Christ. There will be only ONE Rapture. There will be only ONE Armageddon.
Know your Bible. Know the sequence. Be Ready, found doing as He has said. Endure to the end and be saved !!
The 2nd Advent of Christ (the second coming of Jesus) is one event which can be seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES: One perspective as seen from the earth; the other perspective, from John’s prophetic vision, is seen as it unfolds – a Spiritual and Heavenly perspective!
Look at it this way: When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm; As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm; then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm; and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.
To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event. But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
SO IT IS WITH THE ‘LAST DAYS’ AND THE 2nd COMING OF JESUS as seen in the breaking of the ‘Seven Seals of the Book’ as recorded in Revelation chapters 5,6,7 and 8; although, the breaking of each Seal may seem like seven different events, if viewed “from above” it is ONE CONTINUOUS EVENT (eschatological STORM), progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
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.
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18.
These words were written by John of Patmos, (John the Apostle), in or around 85 to 95 A.D. This is significant because John is telling us two important things:
#1. John is telling us that the Last Days or the End of Time had already begun in or around A.D. 85. “From this we know that it is the last hour”. The term, “the last hour”, in the Greek language, ésxatos, means “future things”; it is the root of “eschatology” which is “the study of last things“. This includes future Bible prophecy, the end-times..
#2.John is not referring to the person of the Antichrist, also known as the ‘son of perdition’, ‘the man of lawlessness’, ‘the son of destruction’, when he wrote “Now many antichrists have appeared”. He is referring to the spirit of antichrist,
“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:3.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 1:7
I am breaking this study into 2 parts. The first part is about “The Last Hour”, so we can understand the timing and placement of John’s comments about the ‘spirit of antichrist’ and the coming day of ‘the antichrist’. The second part is about the appearing of the Antichrist and what that means for this world.
Part 1. THE LAST HOUR
There is a general misconception about John’s comments about “The Last Hour”. While I was in Bible college, the prevailing teaching was that John said these things based on his perspective at the time. John had seen and experienced persecution by the Jewish Pharisees and had seen his friends, the other Apostles, murdered by the Roman government and that his isolation on the remote island of Patmos had led John to see these as the “Last Days”.
However, Jesus and his disciples, (the Apostles), had been talking about and referring to the period, from as early as A.D. 1, as the “Last Days”.
Hebrews 1:2, “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
Hebrews 9:26, “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
This was written Around A.D. 60.
Acts 2:14, “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; verse 16, but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;”
This was written Around AD 60.
2 Timothy 3:1, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Verse 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, verse 5, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
This was written Around AD 60.
1 Peter 1:20, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”.
1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Verse 8. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.Verse 9. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
This was written Around AD 60.
2 Peter 3:3, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
This was written Around AD 60.
Matthew 24:3, tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
However, as we draw nearer to the “The Last Days”, and as we continue to closely examine and re-examine the Bible’s Eschatological teachings in light of the concurrence and convergence of events, the matters of The Tribulation period and The Last Days come into clearer focus.
Matthew 24:32-33 tells us, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: likewise, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Knowing about and watching for “the season of the tribulation” which is the fulfillment or the end of these things, can help you know when the tribulation period began and when the “Great Tribulation” also known as the “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord” will begin, so you can be ready.
I realize these distinctions have been obscured by past misconceptions and that this can be considered as a great mystery, but, it need not be. I am providing a summery Biblical Tribulation Time line and a videos to assist you:
Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, up until this day. We are now standing at the precipice of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.
A.2. With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, (also known as the beginning of the Great Tribulation or The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord), we will see that THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 & Revelation 6:12-16)
A.3. Sometime after the rapture of the church, which occurs at the 6th Seal, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.
A.4. At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.
A.5. At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.
A.6. During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.
A.7. During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
A.8. The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).
(Below here is a more complete description of the Tribulation timeline. Concern yourself with the first SIX SEALS.)
the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies.
The 1st Seal of the tribulation was being broken just after the death and resurrection of Christ and the succeeding seals (Seals 2 – 5) have been broken at various periods of time since AD 1 and that we have now entered the time of the breaking 5th Tribulation Seal. Jesus refers to this period, the breaking of the tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE as “the beginning of the birth pangs”, and He points out that “this is not yet the end”.
As witnessed by, Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Verse 31. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
B.3.The “7 years of Great Tribulation” , (aka Daniel’s 70th week), begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.
B.4. Then, the Great Tribulation will end with the pouring out of the 7 Bowls of Wrath.
The Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age. (This article concerns the first 6 Seals).
Here is a comparison between Jesus’ Words in Matthew and Revelation regarding the first 6 Tribulation Seals:
Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God.
Sealing of the 144,000.
Watch each of the 5 videos on this page, which explain the Pre-Wrath Rapture and teaching commentary on this subject by Pastor John Piper. Please watch, listen, pray and think.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 1:7
Video series below:
6 Proofs of a Pre-Wrath Rapture.
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 1 – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 2A – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 2B – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Read or Not – Part 3 – Zion’s Hope-
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 4C – Zion’s Hope –
Rapture Ready or Not – Part 4B – Zion’s Hope –
The 6th Tribulation Seal: Transition from tribulation to Wrath – The Fuel Project –
(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
Chapter 11 – THE PRE-MILLENNIAL PRE-WRATH RAPTURE
There are several eschatological views of the End Time and The End of The Age. The most traditional views, (which are in constant competition and conflict), are:
The Traditional Pre-tribulation Rapture view says that the rapture will occur before the beginning of a seven-year tribulation period, before the breaking of the first tribulation seal.
It describes the second coming of Jesus as occurring at the end of the Tribulation period, that is, it will occur after the 7 Seal judgments, the 7 Trumpet judgments and the 7 Bowl judgments.
The Pre-tribulation Rapture describes the rapture as Jesus coming for the church – then, Jesus’ second coming, as Him coming with the church.
The first three on this list adhere to the doctrine of the rapture and a fixed seven-year tribulation period. Post-millennialism omits the rapture.
(One of the first, most accurate, and most persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site.)
Finally, in this 21st century, there are a few prominent Bible teachers who are now arriving at this same conclusions (John Piper, and Corrie Ten Boom)
The Bible says, in plain language, that the rapture will occur after or during the 6th tribulation seal.
This view holds that the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) or a Great Distress (Luke21:23) begins during the 6th seal, being Daniel’s 70th week, when the Antichrist is revealed in the temple. This is not a “mid-tribulation view” because it occurs after or during the 6th Seal, but, well before the three- and one-half-year mark of the Great Tribulation.
Again, this period is defined, in the Bible, as the Great Tribulation or the time of Great Distress as opposed to “the tribulation” which began as early as AD 60.
The danger of the first four Tribulation and Rapture views are that they leave the believer in an unprepared state for the Tribulation and the Rapture. They teach that a believer need to do nothing more than make a statement of faith, and he or she will escape any and all of the Tribulation period. There is no further need for preparation, evangelism or ‘enduring to the end‘, which are clearly spelled out in scriptures.
The Pre-wrath Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaches that the tribulation period began in or around AD 30 and tribulation seals 1 through 5 have been progressively broken to this day and the effects are overlapping continuing and intensifying. We are near the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal which marks the beginning of the Day of the Wrath of the Lamb, the sealing of the 144,000 of Israel, the Rapture of the Church and the pouring out of God’s wrath on earth.
As a believer, you have responsibilities while you are waiting for Jesus’ return. (If you die before His return, your efforts will be judged, later. Matthew 24:42 – Matthew 25:29.
You must ‘endure to the end‘ which, for believers, is the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, (a.k.a., the Wrath of the Lamb or the End of the Age).
In support of the Pre-Wrath Rapture view, here is a quick scan of time and history as it relates to the Bible. Read carefully, and study.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR
Jesus says, in Matthew 24:6, “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”
Jesus, in agreement with His statement in Matthew 24:6, again says in chapter Revelation chapter 6,“one who sat on a white horse had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
“When Jesus broke the second seal, the second living creature said, “Come!” And a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that people would kill one another; and a large sword was given to him.”
There have been thousands upon thousands of wars and conflicts since the time of Christ. Most notable for their scope and breadth are the
Religious Crusades (1095 – 1291, Muslims vs Latin Church, almost 2 million dead),
“Wars and rumors of war” is nothing new. So, when Jesus says, in Matthew 24:6-8, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
First, we should ask “WHICH wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines” was Jesus referring to? Those in AD 30? Those in AD69? Those later wars? The answer is, ‘No’. Jesus was speaking in the present about an unfolding present and future event. These wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines were already occurring, have continued to occur and will increase with intensity until the end!
Look at it this way: When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm; As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm; then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm; and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.
To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event. But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion
FAMINES AND EARTHQUAKES
Again, famines and earthquakes are nothing new in history. So, how do we determine TO WHICH famines and earthquakes was Jesus referring?
Compare what Jesus said, found in Matthew 24 and what John said in Revelation about these matters.
But that is not yet the end…all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
Wars and rumors of wars have been ongoing since the 1st century.
The breaking of the 2nd Seal brings outright warfare on a Global Scale.
We have now seen two world wars
We have seen ‘the sons of Ishmael’ warring with ‘the sons of Isaac’ on a global scale since the time of Christ.
Once again, if we are not to endure these ‘tribulations’ why is Jesus warning us to “endure to the end”?
Matthew 24:15tells us, “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Verse 16: “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Verse 17: “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.
Verse 18: “Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
Verse 19: “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
Verse 20: “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.
Verse 21: “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
Verse 22: “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
The Prophetic Word of God will be manifested in the physical realms of the heavens and the earth.
There is one more important clue to the timing of the rapture and the beginning of the Great Tribulation period found in
2 Thessalonians 2:1 “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, verse 2, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Verse 3. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, verse 4, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
We can also see references to these events in Matthew chapter 24 and in Revelation chapter Six. This is referring to the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal.
At the end of this page, is a collection of videos on the Last Days from a Pre-Wrath-tribulation view, the rapture and a chronological look at eschatological history.
What is the Pre-Wrath (Tribulation) Rapture?
The Pre-wrath-tribulation Rapture is the clearest explanation, by Jesus, of the coming Day of the Lord and the rapture. The Bible says, in plain language, that the rapture will occur after or during the 6th tribulation seal. This view holds that the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) or a Great Distress (Luke21:23) begins during the 6th seal, being Daniel’s 70th week, when the Antichrist is revealed in the temple. This is not a “mid-tribulation view” because it occurs after or during the 6th Seal, but, well before the three and one-half year mark of the Great Tribulation. Again, this period is defined, in the Bible, as the Great Tribulation or the time of Great Distress as opposed to “the tribulation”.
References from Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are used as evidence of the coming of Christ to “deliver the righteous” by means of the rapture, which will occur after specific events in Revelation, in particular after or during the breaking of the Sixth Seal when the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood.
By this point – the breaking of the 6th Seal – many Christians will have been slaughtered as martyrs by the Antichrist, with many more to come.
After the rapture, God’s wrath of trumpets and bowls will come. The Day of the Lord’s wrath against the ungodly will follow for the remainder of seven years (the 6th and 7th Seal, the 7 Trumpet judgments and the 7 Bowl judgments).
Here are 4 important differences:
(1) The Pre-tribulation view says the final 7 years of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks will commence with the breaking of the first Seal of the Tribulation and will conclude 7 years later with the pouring out of the 7th and final Bowl of God’s Wrath.
But, the Bible clearly teaches that the final 7 years of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks will commence with the breaking of the Sixth Seal of the Tribulation. The first Seal of the Tribulation was broken in or around AD 1 as confirmed by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:14-21 , and the successive Seals 2 through 5 have been opened at various times over the last 2,019 years, with the 5th Seal being the most recent. The Day of the Lord is near, very near.
(2) The Pre-tribulation view is leading many people to believe that Jesus will come and “gather His elect”, then re-return to rapture His Church in secret.
(3) Theologians and Bible teachers who hold the Pre-tribulation view argue that some will be saved during the tribulation period. This may be so, but, none will be saved after the Sixth Trumpet Judgment.
Revelation 9:20-21,says “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.”
Revelation 16:8-9, also says, “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent to give Him glory.”
And, Revelation16:10says, “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, 11and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.”
This dispute arises from the problem with timing of the Pre-tribulation view. Although no one know the day or the hour, we are told we can know the seasons. It is true that there will be those who are saved during the seasons of the first 6 Seals of the tribulation – because the Rapture will not have occurred and will not occur until the after or during the breaking of the 6th Seal.
Again, after the Sixth Trumpet Judgment, during this outpouring of The Wrath of the Lamb, none will be saved. (see Revelation 9:20-21 and Revelation 16:9-11 )
Why does it matter “when” the tribulation starts or “when” Christians are to be raptured into heaven?
It matters because being ready for His Return is proof of True Christianity, and only a True Believer in Christ will be guaranteed to join Christ at the sound of His Great Trumpet call and escape the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
It matters because being ready requires believing and doing what He has instructed us to do in preparation for His return.
It matters because He has warned that “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.’
It matters because many Christians are sitting idly waiting for an event that has already begun, and they are not DOING what He told them to do and therefore are in grave danger.
It matters because some of our family, friends and neighbors are completely unaware or just don’t believe that Christ will return and God’s final judgments will sentence them to outer darkness.
It matters because, as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behavior are speaking louder than our words.
This is important to know because: (#1), you, as a Disciple of Jesus, need 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.
The Zion’s Hope videos are in a series, with more to come. (The date of this posting is 10/29/2021).
You can view all of Zion’s Hope’s material, teachings and videos at Zion’s Hope‘s website.
Following this video are a series of videos of greater detail on these matters:
You and I need to be ready for what is at hand, because we are expected to endure to the end of our appointed time, then God will intervene and take us home.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I have admired and listened to Dr. David Jeremiah for 35 years. Over the last 14 years, however, I have not agreed with his view of Bible eschatology. I listened to a recent message by Dr. Jeremiah, on his website, titled, “Where do we go from here?” In that message he gave 3 points on HOW we are to respond to the troubles in these Last Days:
#1. Worship the Glorified Christ – the more you worship, the less you worry
#2. Embrace your Global Mission – We have a mission that is global. Take the Gospel to the entire globe.
#3. Anticipate your glorious Hope – Never fear. He is coming back to establish His eternal Kingdom.
(Oh. And, yes. #4. Buy his books.)
So, this is the answer of “Where we go from here”?
(1) We stare skyward, worship, embrace evangelism and anticipate Jesus’ return. Let’s get honest, here.
(2) We sit. We do that pretty well.
(3) We worship. We do that OK, probably once or twice a week for about 15 minutes each time.
(4) We evangelize the world. We are not doing too good at that one. We actually ‘give, because we can’t or won’t GO’. We tend to stay separate from the world and leave this one up to the ‘professionals’.
(5) We are really good at anticipating Jesus’ return, because most Christians just ‘stare skyward’, but do very little more than that.
So, I guess what Dr. Jeremiah is saying is nothing new for the 20th and 21st centuries. But, he is not alone in this type of teaching and assessment. (Could this be reason the church and church attendance is in decline?
The pastor of a church we used to attend, is preaching on these same matters. His advice is the same. (1) When are the end times? “Near (1 Peter 4)” (However, If you read Acts 2:14-21 you will see it is NOW, not near) What are we to do? (1) Thrive (2) Love (3) Worship, etc. All good things.
But, I am certain that they are either underestimating the urgency of our mission and the severity of what is at hand or they really don’t know what to do beyond what they have listed (and, for certain, those are good things).
However, we are on a Mission. And, God has never, ever, been gentle to those who shirk or draw back from the Mission. Even Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, when you do not do the things I have told you? I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness.”
Somehow, these preachers think the ‘End Times’, (more correctly, Last Days), won’t intensify until the Church is raptured off the earth. It is true that the Judgments of God will intensify as He moves from the Seal Judgment to the Trumpet Judgments and then into the Bowl Judgments.
(Please note: my commentary on the following Bible verses are in parentheses and color codedblue)
Matthew 24:4 says, “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
(this includes misinformed pastors, preachers, bible teachers)
Verse 5. “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,and they will lead many astray.
( (1) This can be someone literally saying ‘I am the Christ’, (2) but, it is more likely it will be someone who considers themselves as an emissary of Christ – such as ‘ordained pastors’ – who speak for Christ, but are blindly following denominational doctrine which are incorrect; or, (3) as we are clearly seeing, now, in our day, it is ‘institutional deception’,where entire denominations fall away from the clear teachings of Jesus and lead millions astray)
Verse 6. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
(There have been wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes since recorded history. So, concerning the ‘End Times’, which wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes should we refer to? These things must occur in conjunction with ALL THE SIGNS and WARNING from Jesus and the Bible
(And, don’t miss the little phrase, “but the end is not yet”, as verse eight will elaborate.)
Verse 8. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
((1) The phrase “the beginning of birth pangs” is a statement made by Jesus in or around the year AD 30 and is a translation of the Greek archē ōdin (ἀρχή ὠδίν). The meaning of the phrase, translated in the KJV as “the beginning of sorrows” is a direct reference to preliminary birth pangs that ultimately lead to the full scale contractions and travail, which leads to the actual birth.
Recognizing the Old Testament reference that Jesus was hearkening to is an essential, but often overlooked key to determining the timing of the prophecy. Jesus was pointing his disciples to two key passages from the prophet Isaiah.
The first passage is Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture found in the middle of what is sometimes referred to as “Isaiah’s little apocalypse”. There, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, specifically contrasting the expectations of the Jewish people regarding deliverance, redemption and physical resurrection with the reality of the pain, suffering and travail that they had corporately experienced. In verses 16-18, the complaint of Israel is raised that despite having endured the great suffering of labor, the expected “birth” of deliverance, redemption and resurrection had not arrived(the preceeding 3paragraphs were taken from the “Daniel Training Network”)
This makes clear that the Last Days and the opening of the tribulation Seals began in our around AD 30. Other references which confirm this date are Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 9:26, Acts 2:14-17, 2 Timothy 3:1, 1 Peter 1:20, 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 3:3.as spoken by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy. (Also please see this teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times).
Verse 9. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
(This is so clear and in such plain language, I regret having to point it out: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death”. So, “YOU WILL BE DELIVERED UP TO TRIBULATION”. How much more intense can this be, than being put to death for Jesus name’s sake? The tribulation, Seals 1 through 4 have been described as having started, by Jesus, Himself, in the year AD 30.)
Verse 10. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
(First – This is the hallmark of the Great Apostasy, found in these verses and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. Furthermore, “And then” translates from the Greek word, “tote”, in this case means of the future, also in consecution, i.e., the act of following, or the condition of being in a series; that which is consecutive; succession; sequence.
(Secondly – “fall away” is the Greek word‘skandalizó’ and means to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).
Verse 11. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(Verses 11 through 14 give us a major time line identifier through a concurrence of events: (1) many false prophets will arise and lead many astray; (2) lawlessness will be increased; (3) the love of many will grow cold.)
(“The one who endures to the end”, must be kept in context of the surrounding verses. So, the one who endures to the end of these events – Which Events? – The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE)
(“And then the end will come”. Once again, this is clear, plain, face-value language. After these first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS, which began in or around AD 30, and have continued progressively to overlap and gain in intensity, THE END WILL COME.)
Matthew 24:29, says,“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light
(Perhaps it would be a good idea to read this verse again. It begins with “IMMEDIATELY AFTER the tribulation of those days”. This is rich with information.
( The tribulation of THOSE DAYS are the days from AD 30 through the current date; tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE.)
(“Immediately after the tribulation of those days”, should explain itself. But, just in case, let me say, “THOSE DAYS” refers to the days already discussed (tribulation Seals One through Five). Now , Jesus is moving our attention to what follows the first 5 Seals of the tribulation: THE SIXTH SEAL.)
(“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” is also found inRevelation 6:12-16,and uses the exact language. It is theSIXTH SEALof the tribulation, which is yet a FUTURE EVENT.)
NOTE: ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS OR SAYS THESE VERSES ARE SIMPLY METAPHORICAL WILL NOT PLAY OUT AS DESCRIBED, ARE FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE TEACHERS AND ARE AIDING THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST. (Other places in Revelation, you will find metaphors, allegories, imagery and similes to describe what was indescribable, such as, “The Lamb of God” to describe Jesus, “The Dragon” to describe Satan, or “The Four Beasts” to describe Satan, Babylon and Lucifer. The reader must learn to distinguish the difference.)
Many protestant pastors, preachers and Bible teachers adhere firmly to theJohn Nelson Darby version of the pre-tribulation rapture. These people with good intentions and most are good men and women, yet, they are sorely misinformed; or, perhaps, some are lazy in their study of scriptures or they could be ignorant about what scriptures say and mean. None-the-less, they are guilty of false teaching and of teaching a false prophecy.
Listen, friends. Things are getting worse, even as I write this, and, things are going to get a lot worse as the time of the Rapture (The 6th Tribulation Seal) draws near. You and I need to prepare, both Spiritually and physically, for these difficult times.
I have presented the Spiritual side of the coming day of the Great Tribulation and of the coming day of God’s Wrath in this article.
The Bible tells us to be ready, for we do not know the day nor the hour when the Lord will return, and if you did know, you wouldbe on the alert, “and would not have allowed your house to be broken into”. For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
In conclusion, let me ask you, if you knew a hurricane or a major destructive storm was coming, what would you do to get ready? (Please answer this. Make a short list using these lines). I would:
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE: Don’t be deceived. There is only ONE Second Coming of Christ. There will be only ONE Rapture. There will be only ONE Armageddon.
Know your Bible. Know the sequence. Be Ready, found doing as He has said. Endure to the end and be saved !!
The 2nd Advent of Christ (the second coming of Jesus) is one event which can be seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES: One perspective as seen from the earth; the other perspective, from John’s prophetic vision, is seen as it unfolds – a Spiritual and Heavenly perspective!
Look at it this way: When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm; As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm; then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm; and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.
To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event. But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
SO IT IS WITH THE ‘LAST DAYS’ AND THE 2nd COMING OF JESUS as seen in the breaking of the ‘Seven Seals of the Book’ as recorded in Revelation chapters 5,6,7 and 8; although, the breaking of each Seal may seem like seven different events, if viewed “from above” it is ONE CONTINUOUS EVENT (eschatological STORM), progressively unfolding to its conclusion.
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.
“Is there a God? Of course not. What is the meaning of the universe? It doesn’t have any. What is the purpose of life? Ditto. Is there free will? Not a chance.
“Scientism is the view that science is our best guide to the nature of reality. Its methods and its findings are our best account of the nature of reality.” Alex Rosenberg, Philosopher
LET’S BE CLEAR. Science has become a religion for many:
However, God is not a scientist. However, God created science and scientists.
The Bible is not a science book. But it contains countless references to what scientists argue are incomplete scientifically.
The Bible is not a history book. But, it contains innumerable historical accounts. The Bible is not many things people attribute.
However, THE BIBLE IS THE INFALLIBLE, INERRANT, INDESTRUCTIBLE, INDISPUTABLE, INSPIRATIONAL, IMMUTABLE WORD, MIND AND VOICE OF THE ONLY, ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD.
The Bible is the account of God’s action in the world, and his purpose with all creation.
In addition to all the above, the Bible is:
Useful as a guide for living life to the full. It gives us a road map for the perilous journey of life. Or to put it another way, on our voyage through life’s ocean, the Bible is an anchor.
Useful as a storehouse of wonderful stories for children and grownups. Remember Noah and the ark? Joseph’s coat of many colors? Daniel in the lion’s den? Jonah and the fish? The parables of Jesus? These stories emphasize the triumphs and failures of ordinary people.
Useful as a refuge in trouble. People in pain, in suffering, in prison, and in mourning tell how turning to the Bible brought strength in their desperate hour.
Useful as a treasury of insight as to who we are. We are not meaningless robots, but we are magnificent creatures of a God who loves us and gives us a purpose and a destiny.
Useful as a sourcebook for everyday living. We find standards for our conduct, guidelines for knowing right from wrong, and principles to help us in a confused society where so often “anything goes.” (This paragraph taken, in part and edited, from biblica.com)
So, again, what IS THE BIBLE?
Hebrews 4:12, says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
John 1:1, says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13, says, “You accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
1 Peter 1:23, says, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God”
Ephesians 6:17, says, “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
THE BIBLE IS
THE INFALLIBLE, INERRANT, INDESTRUCTIBLE, INDISPUTABLE, INSPIRATIONAL, IMMUTABLE WORD, MIND AND VOICE OF THE ONLY, ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD
The Bible also has a few words to say about the likes of Alex Rosenberg or anyone of Scientism:
Proverbs 18:2, “A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.”
Psalms 14:1. “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”
“The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”
Comparing the Bible or God to Science is foolish. It is a weak and feeble comparison.
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?
“Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coast lands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?
“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? Says the Holy One. “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? …remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me… Isaiah 40:12-18, 25; 46:5, 9
Humbled, we bow,
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: Nothing Can Compare, by John Piper (used according to desiring God permissions)
Here’s a quick scan of time and history as it relates to the Bible. Read carefully, study and 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),
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. So, when Jesus says, in Matthew 24:6-8, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”, to WHICH wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines was Jesus referring? Those in AD 1? Those in AD69? Those later wars? No. Jesus was speaking in the present about an unfolding present and future event.
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“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.“
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 an 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 “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“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 “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 tells us, “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Verse 16: “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Verse 17: “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.
Verse 18: “Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
Verse 19: “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
Verse 20: “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.
Verse 21: “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
Verse 22: “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
“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?)
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 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 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.
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 and1 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:
The Pre-Tribulation View — This is the idea that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation begins.
The Mid-Tribulation View — This viewpoint places the Rapture in the middle of the Tribulation.
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.
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 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. 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.
I have been writing on this matter for about 13 years. I am amazed at how times have ‘suddenly changed’ from speculative to appearing alarmingly realistic as the LAST DAYS.
I have been saying, for over 13 years now, that scriptures clearly tell us that the LAST DAYS began in or around AD 1, and that the DAYS OF DISTRESS, also known by names such as the tribulation, end of days, times of trouble. I have been saying, for 13 years now, that over these past 2,000 years we have seen and are seeing the progressive opening / breaking of the first 5 Tribulation Seals.
There are others saying these things, but they are the minority – until now. Now we are seeing more clearly. One substantial example of this ‘awakening’ can be found on a video sermon / teaching by pastor John Piper.
(John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He has served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, for more than thirty years. He is author of more than fifty books, and his sermons, articles, books, and more are available free of charge at desiringGod.org.)
Piper begins his teaching on the subject of “How to Live in History’s Last Days” taken from 1 Peter 4:7 – 9, Reading verse, 1 Peter4:7 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”,Piper asks, “What does that mean? “The end of all things is at hand.” That was 2,000 years ago.
“The end of all things, (as found) in the New Testament, (is) the period of time that begins with the coming of the Messiah (His birth) and ends at the second coming (Matthew 24:29-31) .”
(John Piper video sermon on: “How We Should Live In These Last Days”: Below)
1 Peter 1:20 “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”
Acts 2:16-17. “but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS.
Hebrews 1:1-2. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, v2 in these last days has spoken to us [b]in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
Hebrews 9:26, “Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
2 Peter 3:3, “Know this, first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
2. How Should We Live in These Last Days?
Should we hunker down? Dig in? Hide away? Run to a mountain retreat with stockpile of food, water and weapons?
1 Peter 4:7-9“The end of all things is near; therefore,
be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of [b]prayer.
Verse 8. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
Verse 10. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Verse 11. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God;
whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
3. What should we expect in these Last Days?
1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled or the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Verse 15. “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Verse 17. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;”
The LAST DAYS began with the birth of Christ. The 5th Seal is being broken / has been broken. The final Seal (The 6th Seal, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) will happen next.
In order to ‘be saved’, you and I must “endure to the end” and we shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony! So, fear not! It is written in His Blood and by His Breath and cannot be amended. Now, let’s get this thing finished and be ready to meet Him in the air!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Other important pre-tribulation Pre-Wrath sources:
What I have described is generally known as the 
Jesus said to “make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.”
Whitestone Fellowship 