Category: Tribulation

THE PURPOSES OF tribulation AND OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

the day of the lord.jpg

THE PURPOSE, THE LENGTH AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIBULATION can be found in the book of  Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise.

 

And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time;

(For Cross reference) also see the Words of Jesus, Matthew 24:21, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.”

Also see Joel 2:2, “A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.”

Also see Jeremiah 30:7, “How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it.

Also see Revelation 16:18, “And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth, so mighty was the great quake.”

Also see Isaiah 13:9-13, “Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. / For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless. …

Also see Zephaniah 1:15-18, “That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, / a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers. I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.”

Also see Ezekiel 5:9, “Because of all your abominations, I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again.”

and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.

(For Cross reference) also see the Words of Jesus in Revelation 3:5, “The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

Daniel 12 Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life,

(For Cross reference) see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Also see 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Also see Revelation 7:14, “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Also see Revelation 7:14, “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Also see Revelation 3:5, “Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.

(Daniel 12:2 cont’d.) but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

(For Cross reference) also see Revelation 20:15, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Also see John 5:28-29, “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.“

Also see Matthew 25:46, “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Also see Revelation 20:12-15, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. …

Daniel 12 Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”

Daniel 12 Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time (one year), times (two years), and half a time (one-half a year); and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.

(For Cross reference) see Revelation 12:14, “But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she *was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent.”

Also see Revelation 11:2-3, “But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months (3.5 years). And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Also see Revelation 13:5, “The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months (3.5 years).”

Daniel 12 Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.

Daniel 12 Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand.

(For Cross reference) see 1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Also see Revelation 22:11, “Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

Also see Matthew 13:41-43, “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Also see Zechariah 13:9, “This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Daniel 12 Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

RECAP:

  1. Daniel 12:1, And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people,
  2. everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse
  3. Verse 3.. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven,
  4. and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,
  5. “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that
    1. it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.
  6. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand.
  7. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12.
    1. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

I. Revelation 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Jesus, shows His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

(This Book of The Revelation was written in 96 AD, 26 years after the destruction of the 2nd Temple. The destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples occurred and are a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.)

The things you read in the book of The Revelation have not yet been completed. Although the first five seals of the tribulation “birth pains” (see Matthew 24:8) were opened around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, as witnessed by The Apostles Paul and Peter, the fifth Seal has been broken and is now playing out with the apostasy of the Church (the falling away from the faith), the persecution of the Church, we are awaiting the revealing of the “Man of Lawlessness”, (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) which will be followed by cataclysmic astronomical disturbances, and the sign of the Son of Man appearing in the sky, when 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 at that time, He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect, His chosen ones, from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other, and the rapture will have occured.

Then comes The Great and Terrible day of the Lord, The Wrath of the Lamb, which will commence with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.)

Revelation 1:1-3, He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant, John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age

Here is a comparison of Jesus’ words about the End of The Age and His return, found both in Matthew chapter 24 and Reverlation chapters 6, 7, and 8. For now, please concern yourself with the first 6 Tribulation Seals:

Events found in Revelation Chaper 6 – Events found in Matthew Chapter 24.

The 1st Tribulation Seal   – Global conquest and political intrigue.

The 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War.

The 3rd Tribulation Seal  – Famines, earthquakes, pestilence.

The 4th Tribulation Seal  – Death.

The 5th Tribulation Seal  – Martyrdom, persecution, revealing of the                                                                           Antichrist, the great apostasy

II. Wars, famine, earthquakes, pestilence, death, martyrs, persecutions. I hear so many people ask, “If God is a loving God, how can He allow so much suffering in the world? Why do such bad things happen to good people?” And, we have heard all the answers, some even denying that it is God Who allows such bad things to happen..

There seems to be three main categories of thought about why God allows bad things to happen.

1. Satan’s domain is this fallen world, at least, for now. Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. He is the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. It is Satan who brings trouble and suffering, even on the innocent.

2. This fallen world brings both good and evil. God has told us in Matthew5:44 that. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Such is the natural fallen world.

3. God allows Tribulation as a means of executing His Righteous Judgment on evil and as a means to prepare us by to live in His Eternal Kingdom.

“Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, and those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever”

1 Peter 1:4-7, also tells us that “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. You who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

Psalms 34:17, The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Verse 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Verse 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Verse 20 He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.

Verse 21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

Verse 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

God says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” We will suffer, but, God delivers us out of our afflictions.

How is this so? Why must we suffer only to be delivered? Psalms 34 verse 22 says “The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”

This is not a simple act of deliverance from trouble. It is a Devine Deliverance, the Redemption of your soul.

It is a Divine Deliverance,

The Redemption of your Soul!

III. Daniel 12 tells us God’s purpose for suffering is so that “Many will be purged, purified and refined” Daniel 12:10 We are being prepared, as His Bride, to enter His Kingdom.

IV. Acts 14:22 tells us that “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

V. And, 1 Peter 1 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Verse 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Verse 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Verse 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

We must Endure to the End

Overcome Tribulation and Suffering

To enter His Eternal Presence.

VI. Finally, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans8:18

I suspect, if we are at all alike, that we want to escape troubles, trials and tribulation, whenever possible. But, God’s Word says he will use these trials to “purge, purify and refine” us, for our preparation to live in His Eternal Kingdom. Daniel 12:10

Just know that Tribulation is coming, and is already upon us. It has been foretold.

  • For now is our great Journey to Perfection.
  • We must Get Ready,
  • Be Ready,
  • Stay Ready,
  • Overcome and
  • Endure to the End
  • And Be Saved.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Next: When Does The 7 Years of The Great Tribulation, Also Known as “The Great And Terrible Day of The Lord / The Wrath of the Lamb” Begin?

The 5th Tribulation Seal

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

The 5th Tribulation Seal

~

The Apostasy, Martyrs, The Peace Treaty, The Antichrist

BE ALERT:  Are we witnessing the completion of the events of the 5th Tribulation Seal?

Revelation 6:9 tells us, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;

Verse 10.  “and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Verse 11.  “And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”

I was having a conversation with a Christian friend and during our talk, he made these four points:

1.  “I believe the return of Jesus is near”.

2.  “I am looking forward to the rapture”.

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3.  “I believe the tribulation will begin as soon as the rapture happens”.

4.  “The antichrist will appear after the rapture and give the Mark of the Beast”.

When I asked him to elaborate by telling me where he gets his information, he said, “From the Bible”.

So, I pressed him a little, and asked “where in the Bible”.  And, he answers with “The Book of Revelation and elsewhere”.

I decided to go to the ‘full court press’ and asked, “Yes, but, exactly where?  And why do you believe what you have said?”

A bit exasperated, he responded with, “This is what I have always heard.  It’s what my pastor says.  Read it for yourself”.

I have had this same conversation with scores of well-meaning Christians, and it always ends the same way, “Someone else told me” but they cannot find it in scriptures OR they find a reference and ‘interpolate’.

Well, I have read it for myself – over and over for the last 10 years – I have studied eschatological matters and re-studied them, and used “good Bible study techniques and methods”, and here is what I found (for the ‘umpteenth time’):

Now, finally, 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.

I.  WHEN  DID”THE LAST DAYS” BEGIN? Look for and make note of ‘clues’ in the following verses:

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. 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?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),

(1). Jesus warned that “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5). Do you see these things in our day? Is this a clue pointing to the “Last Days”?

(2). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes”. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the 4th Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8). Do you see these things happening in our day? If you aren’t ‘denominationally biased’ could this reasonably be a clue to the timing of the “Last Days”?

(3). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there are wars and rumors of wars. (Wars and rumors of war have been occurring since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:6 and the 2nd Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:3-4).

(4). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be a persecution and martyrdom of Christians. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. “See Matthew 24:9 and the onset of the 5th tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:9-11).

(5). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith.” (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).

These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation (see Matthew 24:8), are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.

Jesus calls the 1st phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the 2nd phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).. (Please click these links for verification and understanding).

Do you now see the clues to the timing of the first 5 tribulation seals?

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Do you see this clue to the timing of the Last Days?

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Do you see this clue to the timing of the Last Days here?

1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). A clue!

2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Is this true in our day, also?

If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think, now?

1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Could it be any clearer? The Last days began at the appearance of Jesus!

If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think?

2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

Would you now think the Last Days began? Want more?

1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).

According to the words and the testimonies of Jesus , His disciples and Apostles, the “LAST DAYS – THE LAST TIMES – THE END OF THE AGES – THE END OF ALL THINGS – THE BIRTH PAINS OF THE TRIBULATION” began with the Birth of Christ Jesus.

(The following in these parentheses is very detailed, technical and written language and context specific. But this is very important for a correct and complete understanding of these eschatological matters. It is probably best suited for the devoted follower of Jesus and the serious Bible student. And I am available via this website for discussion or to answer honest and serious questions.

I have been told by several ‘self- proclaimed bible experts’ that these things were only the times of persecution and not the tribulations of the Judgment Seals. Let me be Biblically clear: the use of the word ‘tribulation’ appears just 19 times in the English Standard Version of the Bible.

Sixteen of those instances are in the New Testament, and each instance, tribulation is translated from the Greek word ‘thlipsis’, whether referring to a time before or after the Sixth Tribulation Seal and the rapture.

Then in Matthew 13:21 we see, “yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation (thlipsis) or persecution (diogmos) arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” Each word is distinct in its meaning and in its context – tribulation versus persecution.

Additionally, Jesus makes a distinction between the Birth Pains (odin) of the tribulation (thlipsis) leading up to the Great (megas) Tribulation (thlipsis) in Matthew 24:21, when He says,

“For then (tote) there will be (eimi = future tense) great (megas) tribulation (thlipsis), such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”

And again, in Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus makes a distinction between the Birth Pains phase of the tribulation (Seals 1 through 5), and the Great Tribulation (Seals 6 and 7, and the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments) when He says,

“Immediately (eutheōs) after (meta) the tribulation (thlipsis) of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Finally, these same experts will say that Matthew 24:29-31 is neither the rapture nor is it the second coming of Jesus. But the scripture says,

“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.“

We can also see in the corresponding scriptures in Revelation 6 and 7, “After these things (see Revelation 6:1 through Revelation 7:9)

I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,

“Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

In recapitulation, Jesus appears in the sky, the angels gather the elect and immediately, a number too great to be counted is standing before the Throne of God, giving praise! Don’t be misled. This is THE RAPTURE!!)

II.  WHEN IS JESUS COMING BACK?

2 Thessalonians 2:1 tells us, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him (i.e., “raptured”) we ask you, brothers,

Verse 2.  “not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Verse 3.  “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, until the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed (i.e., the antichrist), the son of destruction,

Verse 4.  “who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Verse 5.  “Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?

Verse 6.  “And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Verse 7.  “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only He who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

Verse 8.  “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”

III.  WHAT’S NEXT?

Every event and all the prophecies regarding Jesus’ 2nd Coming and the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord have been fulfilled up through the 5th tribulation seal – except for the revealing of the antichrist and the rapture of the saints, (which occurs at the 6th Tribulation Seal).

The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal which marks the BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT, (megas), TRIBULATION, (thlipsis) ”, (Matthew 24:21,  “THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD“).

The 6th Tribulation Seal –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun

Revelation 7:13,“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” verse 14.  “I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

IV.  WHAT AM I TO BE DOING?

1 Peter 4:7“The end of all things is near; therefore,

(1). Be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

(2). verse 8.  “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

(3). verse 9.  “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

(4). 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.

(5). verse 11. “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God;

(6). 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.

(7). verse 10.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

(8) verse 11.  “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Verse 12. “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.”

(9). verse 13. “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.

(10). verse 14.  “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, verse 15. “and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; verse 16.  “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. verse 17. “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

(12). verse 18.“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

(13). Matthew 10:7, And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

(14).  verse 8. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.

(15). verse 19.“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

(16). baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

(17) verse 20.  “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I have tried my best to make this simple and clear yet thorough:  we are at the end of the age and at the precipice.  Denominational bias and clutter have clouded these matters.  But, now they are plain, and now several well known and credible Bible scholars, Bible teachers and pastors are shaking off the heavy cloak of denominationalism and coming to this revealed Truth.

I want to give special credit to Marvin Rosenthal who pioneered the uncovering of this Bible truth through his tireless and groundbreaking teaching on this matter and his book, “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church“.  Also, to his son, David Rosenthal and the entire staff – THANK YOU.  An untold number have benefited and been saved by your hard, selfless and God-centered work.

May God protect, preserve and bless us all.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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

PS:

Luke 21:25“There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, verse 26, people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 27. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Verse 28. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST IS NOW AMONG US – Where is he?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST IS PRESENT AMONG US

 “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.”  (1 John 4:2-3).

 (Part 1)

 The Antichrist – Who is he?

No one knows who the Antichrist will be, but we do know that when he is revealed, he will not be a frightening figure.  In fact, he will be just the opposite until he has gained power.

There is a reference in Daniel 11:21 comparing Antiochus Epiphanes to a type of antichrist, who is one of the most brutal rulers known in history, easily eclipsing the horrors of Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich.

But, the horrors of Antiochus Epiphanes will pale in comparison to the brutality and horror of the coming Antichrist.

Traits of the Antichrist Described in the Bible

  • Intelligent: Revelation 13:18; Daniel 7:8.
  • Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8 Revelation 13:5.
  • Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
  • Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
  • Military Genius: Revelation 4; 17:14; 19:19.
  • Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
  • Blasphemer: Revelation 13:6.
  • Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
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  • Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
  • Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
  • Controlling:  Daniel 7:25.
  • Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.

What is the purpose of the Antichrist?

His purpose is to deceive.  The Antichrist is a person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Christ and substitute himself in Christ’s place before the Second Coming.

ANOTHER BEAST  –  The False Prophet

Revelation 13:11 says, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

  • He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.
  • And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
  • He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
  • And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
  • And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
  • And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”  Revelation 13:11-18.

He will doom anyone who receives his “mark” and worships him to suffer God’s Wrath.  “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.”  Revelation 16:2

Those which he deceived, those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image, are thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.  Revelation 19:20

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?

No one knows what ‘the mark’ will actually look like.  There is speculation that it could be an image (icon) or a microchip or a tattooed type of barcode used in place of money or credit cards for tracking, commerce and trade.  But, from scriptures we do know…

  • And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, ?
  • and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
  • Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.  Revelation 13:11-18

WHEN WILL THIS BEAST GIVE HIS MARK?

The most popular idea is that the Antichrist will “cause all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, verse 17. And he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  from, Revelation 13:16-17 sometime before the rapture of the Church.

HOWEVER, the Bible tells us that the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture of the church.

2 Thessalonians2:3 tells us, “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, verse 4. who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” ), which is sometime during the 5th Tribulation Seal period, or just at the beginning of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

Bookmark Here –>

And according to the Bible, the Antichrist gives his ‘Mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment or during the 7th Trumpet Judgment, which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.

Revelation 13:16-17 tells us when the Antichrist  “causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, Verse 17. And he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  

As I have proposed on numerous occasions, the Tribulation Seal Judgments 1 through 4 (wars and rumors of war, famines, plagues, earthquakes, spread of new diseases) began in or around AD 1.  (click this link for “When Does Daniel’s 70th Week, also known as, the 7 Years of Great Tribulation, begin).

We have seen the 5th Tribulation Seal being opened in our lifetime, the great apostasy or falling away from the faith, false messiahs, great deceptions, a.k.a. the ‘deluding influence’ and alienation from one another, and it is become more pronounced as time passes.

The Apostle Paul informs us, in 2 Thessalonians 2

Verse 2. “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.

  1. Verse 3.  “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and
  2. 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.”

What this means to you and to me is that some of us will have the opportunity to suffer awhile before God takes us away in the Rapture.  How do we know this?  The Bible says so:

1 Peter1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  • verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
  • verse 5.  Who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
  • verse 6.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Revelation 6:9 tells us that, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal,”

  • I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; verse 10. And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
  • Verse 11.  And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

The ‘times of distress’, also referred to “the birth pains” phase of the tribulation, encompass Tribulation Seals 1 through 5, (see Matthew 24:3-8).

But the Great Tribulation also known as The Wrath of God, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, and the Wrath of the Lamb, begins with the breaking or opening of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation.

NOTE: The final 7 years of Daniel’s 70 Weeks, also known as the 7 Years of the Great Tribulation will begin with the Breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal. It will reach the mid-point (3 1/2 years) at the blowing of the 7th Trumpet Judgment and will conclude with the pouring out of the 7th Bowl Judgment. (Please see “Did Jesus Really Say This” and “When Do the Seven Years of Great Tribulation Begin?” for confirmation of these facts).

Be comforted by this, that God has not appointed us to His Wrath but to obtain His salvation!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST IS NOW PRESENT AMONG US – What is Next? (Part 2).

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for coming episodes).

A Timeline from the Beginning to the End – Knowledge is Power

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline

GOD’S PLAN & PURPOSE

I heard an evangelist once say and ask, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause. Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!”

It is true, in my observations, that far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around for certain events to occur, which have already begun. The Lord Jesus warned against this in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”

Let’s clear the confusion and bring God’s bigger picture into sharp focus.

God’s PLAN began in the beginning of time. It came into sharper focus with the birth of Jesus. It has continued to unfold since that day, and we are included in His Plan, and It will conclude exactly as He has PURPOSED.

God’s PLAN is a Plan of Perfection. Throughout all of earth’s history, God has been at work perfecting His creation. There is no event in the history of this world that has not been under God’s control and within His Perfect Plan. He is preparing His Church, those who have surrender themselves to follow and obey Jesus, to spend eternity with Him and with one another in perfect harmony in a new and perfect heaven and earth.

The PURPOSE of God’s plan is found in Daniel 9:24, is to

1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God),

2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin),

3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness),

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable),

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions),

6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.).

We are included in God’s PURPOSE. His method is found in Daniel 12 is that

1) Many will be cleansed,

2) Many will be purified,

3) They will be made spotless and,

4) They will be refined.

Here are some of the major Biblical events through which God has been working to accomplish His Plan and His Purpose in and through our lives. (I have selected the major events only, in order to simplify this matter. Here, you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age – Prepare yourself accordingly:

Before time had begun.

1st. The creation of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1–31).

God created all things with a plan, which includes me and you! (He never needs a re-do).

Before 4,000 B.C.

2nd.  The first humans (Genesis 1:26–31; 2:8–25).

God created them, male and female, with a plan, in Their image with a ‘flaw’, i.e., from Strong’s Bible Hebrew language Concordance – ‘a phantom, an illusion, a vain image, of dubious character’, but with potential; which includes me and you!

Before 4,000 B.C.

3rd.  The fall of man (Genesis 3:1–24) – Adam and Eve disobeyed. The ‘flaw in their character and image from creation’, which is ‘sin’, had its effect, which continues to this day, but it will have an end.

Around 3400 B.C.

4th. The Abrahamic Covenant, Genesis 12:1 and Genesis 15 – The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. God binding Himself to Abraham and his descendants.

Before 2,500 B.C.

5th. The great flood (Genesis 6:9–9:17) – God was sorry He made them. He was grieved. But it was His plan all along. (God is omniscient and omnipresent).

Before 2,100 B.C.

6th. The tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) – The ‘flaw of sin’ reemerges as pride and rebellion toward God. Instead of destroying them, this time God scattered them.

2,091 B.C.

7th. The call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–5) – God prepares the world for Jesus with Isaac through Abraham.

1,446 B.C.

8th. The exodus (Exodus 12:31–42; 14:1–31) – God foreshadows the work of Jesus through the Exodus from captivity and as The Sacrifice for all time.

966 B.C.

9th. The building of the first Temple (1 Kings 6) – The significance of the coming Messiah, the Christ, Jesus.

5 B.C.

10th. The birth of Jesus (Matt 1:18–2:23; Luke 2:1–10) – The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God.

The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.

5 B.C. through 95 B.C.      

When a Tribulation Seal is broken, an event or a series of events occur and will last for certain periods of time.  Most events will continue until the “Consummation of the Age”.

In the case of the tribulation, once a SEAL tribulation event begins, it will continue for decades.  Then, as a second or third event occurs, They will overlap and continue to occur simultaneously, until the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, which marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. (The Seals will be followed by the Trumpet and Bowl judgments).

We see that the first 5 Seals have been opened are overlapping and are in progress.  This began around AD 1.  Here is the progression of the breaking of Tribulation Seals until the current time:

Revelation Ch. 6 – as corresponding to – Matthew Chapter 24

the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 6th Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun. The breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal is yet to come. It will be The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb. It will include

                  • The Sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel.
                  • The Rapture.
                  • The Multitude from the tribulation at the Throne of God.

(Click here for a concise and short commentary on Seal 1 through Seal 5)

NOTE: The breaking of the 6th Tribulation Scroll Seal will be the start of the seven years of the GREAT TRIBULATION, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, or The Wrath of the Lamb and as Daniel’s Seventieth Week.

THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THE EXACT DAY NOR THE HOUR this will occur, but we know the season, and we are told that we must be ready according to scriptures or perish!

27 A.D.

11th. The temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13) – Jesus is tested and shows those who will follow Him – which includes you and me – how to resist the devil and overcome trial, temptations and tribulation.

27 A.D.

12th. The calling of the disciples (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11) – God is building His invasion force of earth, and the preparation for eternity has begun – which includes you and me!

27 A.D.

13th. The Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5:1–7:29; Luke 6:29–40) – Jesus gives the picture of salvation and teaches about the process of sanctification and how we – that is, you and me – are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through many tests, trials, temptations and much tribulation.

A.D. 35 or earlier

 

Jesus, describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days, Matthew 24:4-31.

 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?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),

“In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets”. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).

Jesus was describing 4th Tribulation Seal: “In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes”. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the 4th Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8).

Jesus was describing 2nd Tribulation Seal: “In the Last Days, there are wars and rumors of wars”. (Wars and rumors of war have been occurring since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:6 and the 2nd Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:3-4).

Jesus was describing 5th Tribulation Seal: “In the Last Days, there will be a persecution and martyrdom of Christians”. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:9 and the 5th tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:9-11).

Jesus was describing 5th Tribulation Seal: In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).

These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.

Jesus calls the 1st phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the 2nd phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).. (Please click these links for verification and understanding).

30 A.D.

14th. Jesus’s crucifixion (Matthew 27:32–56; Mark 15:21–41; Luke 23:26–49; John 19:16–37) – The sacrifice is made. The eradication of sin and the imperfect because the perfect has come.

30 A.D.
15th. Jesus’s resurrection (Matthew 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–20; Luke 24:1–53; John 20:1–31).

Jesus conquers sin and death. He lives, and we – you and I – can now live! The way is cleared to follow Jesus.

30 A.D.
16th. The giving of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) – The invasion of earth has begun. Jesus sends His army of saints – which includes you and me – to set the prisoners free. He sends us with His authority, and He is with us until the end!

A.D. 30 to A.D. 60.
17th. The day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41) – A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, the power of the Holy Spirit is released into the lives of the saints of God – and yes, that includes you and me, and, nothing will ever be the same.

Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS, Acts 2:14-17,.- (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’

These words were spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and these events have been intensifying and overlapping with other tribulation seals to this very day!

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think?

A.D. 30 to A.D. 60,

The Apostle Paul said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things began occurring and The Apostle Paul said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think?

A.D. 30 to A.D. 60.

Timothy said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS. 2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things had begun occurring and Timothy said these are the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think?

A.D. 95.

Through these verses John said that the Last Hour had come and John said was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION 1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).

Through these verses John said that the Last Hour had come and John said was a fellow participant IN THE TRIBULATION in the year A.D. 95.

What would you think?

These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.

The Near Future.

18th. The Second Coming of Jesus. – (Matthew 24:29-31) – We are now standing at the precipice of a cosmic cataclysm which will shake and reshape the planet, disrupt the stars in heaven and cause many to die from cosmic, meteorological, geological disturbances and from fright.  This event is known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week, which begins with the breaking (or opening) of the 6th Scroll Seal of the Tribulation.

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 blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other – and if you are alive at that time, we are included. (The rapture will have occurred).

The Future.

18th. The 7 Years of Great Tribulation, also known as the Wrath of the Lamb or the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord. – (Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 6:16, Malachi 4:5) – 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 the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, will have begun. (Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will have escaped these days.)

In The Future.

19th. The arrival of Jesus on a white horse, as the “Word of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. (Revelation 19:11–19) – 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. An angel standing in the sun cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great. Satan, the Beast and those who are not written in the Lambs Book of Life are relegated to the pit and the fires of hell.”

In the Future.

20th. The new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1–5) –  Those who have overcome, are with God eternally – which includes you and me – and, God’s Plan for Perfection has been completed.

Yes, we will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations in this life, but as The Apostle Peter says,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold which perishes, and though you are tested by fire, it may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

No matter at what time you will have lived your earthly life, the outcome for all Christians is the same. Those still alive when Christ returns will be raptured from the earth, those Christians who had passed on from this life will be raised from the grave to join them in the heavens, and we all will spend our eternity with the Lord.

Take heart, for Jesus has overcome this world.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

For a more detailed narrative, please see the series:  Journey to Perfection.

(Please remember that there are corresponding world events which reflect the prophetic events found in the Bible. For those interested, here is an important Comparative Biblical, Secular and a ‘Daniel’s 70 Weeks’ Historical chronology chart for your review.)

 

EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS – PRE-WRATH, PRE-TRIBULATION

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

Matthew 24:3 says,  “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Verse 4, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

Verse 5, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

Verse 6, “You will be hearing of 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.

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

Current wars and conflicts 2018: Interactive global conflict tracker.

historical_activity_200years.jpg

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.

Lists of earthquakes by period. (use the links below).

HISTORY_of_earthquakes_1900-.svg.png

Seismic Event List Index

Volcanoes are nothing new, either, but it would seem that seismic events (volcanoes) are on the rise.

historical_activity_600years.jpg

Figure 1. Graph lines showing the number of volcanoes reported to have been active each year since 1400 and 1800 C.E.

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 that has spread potential observers of eruptions over much of the Earth and the technological advances that have facilitated reporting of those eruptions. Global Volcanism Program, 2013. Volcanoes of the World, Smithsonian Institution. January 2020.

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.

Famine-victims-and-world-population-sinc

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 2019 World 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 are yet to 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 is referencing, 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.

These passages are found in Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture that 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 helps make clear that the Last Days and the opening of the first five tribulation Seals began in our around the birth of Christ through A.D 95.

When considering this question, we must, once again look at the words and testimonies of Jesus and the Apostles who referred to these periods and to those days as:  ‘The Last Days’, ‘The Last Times’, ‘The End of All Things’, ‘The End of The Ages’, and “Jesus has appeared, once for all, at the End of The Ages’. Here are the references which further confirm these dates:

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days.

From these verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals were broken and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95.

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “ He, (Jesus), 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 Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.”

 2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.”

 1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

 2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”

 

 

 1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”

 Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.”

The Sixth Seal – Terror

Verse 12. I looked when He (the Lamb) broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as, [footnote ‘h’], sackcloth [made] of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; verse 13, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree shedding its late [summer] figs when shaken by a strong wind. Verse 14. The sky was split, [separated from the land], and rolled up like a scroll, and every mountain and island were dislodged and moved out of their places. Verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the, [footnote ‘i’], military commanders and the wealthy and the strong and everyone, [whether] slave or free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; verse 16, and they called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the [righteous] wrath and indignation of the Lamb; verse 17, for the great day of their wrath and vengeance and retribution has come, and who is able to [face God and] stand [before the wrath of the Lamb]?”

It is clear from history, that the events describing the 6th Tribulation Seal have not yet occurred. Furthermore, it could be said that the Seal Judgments actually come in 2 stages: The first five Seals could be referred to as the first stage of seals, known as the “birth pains” , which “are not yet the end” – as they have been described by Jesus in Matthew 24:6.

 These are followed by what we could call the second stage of tribulation Seals, 6th and 7th,, also known as the Great Tribulation Seals and The Day of Wrath.

It is plain to see that the intensity of the 6th Seal increases exponentially over the previous five Seals. This period is rightly named “The Great Tribulation” period. There is a continuing escalation of intensity as we approach the Trumpet Judgments, (The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord), and the Bowl Judgments, (The Wrath of the Lamb.)

Additionally, these three events occur during the 6th Tribulation Seal: (#1). An interlude for the sealing of the 144,000. (#2). The sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel, (see Revelation chapter 7), and (#3). The gathering of the ‘multitudes from the tribulation – also known as the Rapture. (also read Matthew 24:20-31). (End this commentary).

(You can also see a teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times. But, one of the first, most accurate, and persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site.)

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 the birth of Christ, have been overlapping, (occurring concurrently and converging), and increasing in intensity to this day. All of which will lead to the future opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal. This will usher in The Great Tribulation, also known as the Great andTerrible Day of The Lord, with cosmic disturbances, a blood red moon, a 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.

5. I say again, Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy, plus direct, clear and obvious scriptural references in  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. confirm that these events began in or around the birth of Christ through A.D 95.

6. Was Jesus wanting to ‘scare’ listeners into believing by warning them ahead of time? (I think not. Trickery is not in Jesus Character. And, He tells us “do not be frightened” by these things.)

7. 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 “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?

Finally, let’s look at it this way:  When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. in 2917, it was a classified as 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 areas and 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 breaking of the tribulation Seals.

Your Brother and Friend

Mike Young

Belows is a short video illustrating a simplified Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath, Tribulation Timeline for your use. (Or, click on this link for a larger version enchanced PDF verson of ->).The Tribulation Timeline

Presenting The Pretribulation Pre-Wrath Rapture Timeline.

(A supplemental to the video above).

This headline section represent a timeframe from 2 B.C to A.D 95. These are the Tribulation Seals which have been opened, are overlapping, and intensifying to this day.  This center section represents our current day and year. The purple colored section represents Future Dates.

This is an illustration and graph depicting the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture. A Short outline comparing Jesus’ account of the Tribulation period, found both in the Book of Revelation and in the Book of Matthew and in His Words.

(The illustration text is color-coded for reference:

  • Purple text represents future events.
  • Green text represents scriptures from the book of The Revelation.
  • Red text represents scriptures from the Book of Matthew.
  • Black text is narration or descriptive commentary.
  • Blue text are links to Bible references or external commentaries.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Jesus names tribulations Seals 1 through 5 the “birth pains” of the tribulation period and says, “they are not yet the end”.  He then says of the 6th Tribulation Seal and the Judgements to follow, “there will be a Great Tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.” This is the beginning of the 7 Years of Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and The Wrath of the Lamb.

Next are the Judgements which are to follow.

This illustration compares the Book of Revelation Chapter 6  as corresponding to – the book of Matthew Chapter 24.

Jesus compares the 1st Tribulation Seal as found in Revelation chapter 6, verses 1 and 2, to Global conquest and political intrigue found in Matthew chapter 24 verses 6 and 7. (This Seal was broken between A.D 1 and A.D 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 2nd Tribulation Seal as found in Revelation 6, verses 2 and 4, as corresponding to Matthew 24, verse 7,  Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D 1 and A.D 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 3rd Tribulation Seal from Revelation 6, verse 5, as compared to Matthew 24, verse 7, Famine and earthquakes. (This Seal was broken between A.D 1 and A.D 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 4th Tribulation Seal from Revelation 6, verses 7 and 8, as compared to Matthew 24, verse 9, Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D 1 and A.D 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 5th Tribulation Seal from Revelation 6, verses 9 through 11, as compared to Matthew 24, verses 9 and 10, Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away. (This Seal was broken between A.D 1 and A.D 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 6th Tribulation Seal  from Revelation 6 verses 12 through 14, as compared to Matthew 24, verse 29, Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun. (The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is the beginning of the SEVEN YEARS OF GREAT TRIBULATION, also known as Daniel’s 70th Week, and is yet to occur. It will be The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of THE GREAT TRIBULATION period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.) These first 6 Seals will be followed by ‘a silence in heaven for half an hour’, while these 3 events occur:

  • Sealing of the 144,000 during the 6th Seal. (Revelation 7, verses 1 through 8).
  • The gathering and The Rapture of God’s Elect. (Matthew 24, verses 29 through 31).
  • Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God. (Revelation 7, verses 9 through 17).

The foregoing events are followed by the breaking of the 7th Tribulation Seal; then the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord begins with the sounding of the 7 Tribulation Trumpets. (the 6th Trumpet is the mid-point of the Great Tribulation); and finally The Wrath of The Lamb through the pouring out of the 7 Bowls of Wrath.

NEXT:  Below, 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.

WHEN DOES THE 7 YEARS OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION – The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and The Wrath of The Lamb Begin?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

When does the “Great & Terrible Day of The Lord” and the 7 years of the Great Tribulation begin?

And, When does the “midpoint” (3.5 years) occur?

This can be a great mystery. But, it need not be.  Here is the Tribulation Timeline, in summary:

Section A.1. The opening of Tribulation Seal ONE began sometime between the birth of Jesus and A.D. 95.   Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, up until this day.

Please read these scriptures and testimonies by other Apostles, confirming that the Last Days and the breaking of tribulation seals one through five had begun in or around the birth of Jesus through A.D. 95 found in:

Since the birth of Jesus, there have been increasing episodes of

  1. global conquest and political intrigue (tribulation seal ONE),
  2. wars and rumors of war (tribulation seal TWO),
  3. famines, earthquakes, (tribulation seal THREE),
  4. widespread and global deaths (tribulation seal FOUR),
  5. persecution, martyrs, the Antichrist, the Great Apostasy and falling away from the faith (tribulation seal FIVE);

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All occurring since the birth of Jesus, continuing, overlapping and intensifying since their inception. (see “Is This The End?“).

Furthermore, it is important to know that the Great Apostasy, (tribulation Seal 5), will occur, and the Antichrist will appear before the rapture, according to the Apostle Paul. See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4: “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy, [Which is the falling away from the faith] comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above [e]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 are therefore now standing at the precipice of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

Section A.2. With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal 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)

Section 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.

Section A.4. At the midpoint of the tribulation, which is found at the 6th tribulation trumpet, (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.

According to Daniel 9:27, the tribulation begins with the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, intended to be for one “seven,” that is, a set of seven years. But the “seven” is divided into halves: midway through the seven years, the Antichrist breaks the treaty and sets up in the temple a sacrilegious object (the “abomination that causes desolation”). The phrase “in the middle” indicates that the first half of the tribulation lasts for 3½ years, or at the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet, (1,260 days, using a “prophetic year” of 360 days). Likewise, the second half of the tribulation lasts another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), for a total of seven years.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.)

Section B.1. The ‘tribulation period of birth pangs‘ (Matthew 24:8 & Revelation 6) begins with the breaking of the 1st Tribulation Seal and continues through the 5th Tribulation Seal, during which time we will see the

    • Apostasy,
    • the great persecution of Christians,
    • the revealing of the man of perdition and
    • 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. 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”.

Section B.2. Then, with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD, THE GREAT TRIBULATION, BEGINS. (Matthew 24:29, & Revelation 6:12)

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.”

Section B.3. The “7 years of Great Tribulation” (aka Daniel’s 70th week) begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, and, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.

Section 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 –

The world has endured, and is enduring, the first 5 tribulation seals. You should, therefore, concern yourself with and be ready for the breaking of the Tribulation 6th Seal and the Great and Terrible day of the Lord!

Here is a Short outline comparing Jesus’ account of the Tribulation period both in the Book of Revelation and in the Book of Matthew:

Revelation Ch. 6 – as corresponding to – Matthew Chapter 24

The 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away.(This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying and will transition to the Sixth Seal once the Antichrist has been revealed.)

The 6th Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun. (The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is yet to come. It is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.)

I will continue through the ‘Bowl Judgments’ in this article, but, for the Christian, The Rapture has occurred at this point and Jesus has taken His Spotless Bride, The Church, to the Throne of God, Her eternal home.

Be Sure. Be Ready. Be Secure.

Your Brother and Friend

Mike Young

Receive Him and Declare Him as Lord Today
Become a Child of God Today

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and surrender my heart and my life to you.  I will trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior the rest of my days.” 

The 7th Tribulation Seal – (click to continue) – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments.

(Ancillary reading:  The Great Concurrence and Convergence of Events)0

THE WRATH OF THE LAMB – What and When?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

THE WRATH OF THE LAMB – What is it? When is it?

There has been confusion surrounding several key scriptures, thanks mainly to denominational differences and poor methodology of interpretation and incorrect explanation or analysis of text. (I am not a theologian nor am I an expert. But with prayer and diligent study, the word of God is meant to be understood when kept in the context of the entire Bible. Therefore:

“Now as to the periods and the end times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. verse 2. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. verse 3.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Verse 4.  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; verse 5. For you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; verse 6, so then, let’s not sleep as the rest of the others do, but let’s be alert and self-controlled and sober. Verse 7.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. Verse 8.  But since we are of the day, let’s be self-controlled and ]sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. Verse 9.  For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, verse 10.  Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Verse 11.  Therefore, comfort and encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1)

 The Sixth Seal: The Wrath of the Lamb

Revelation 6:12, And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; verse 13,  and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. verse 14.  The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. verse 15.  Then the kings of the earth and the eminent people, and the commanders and the wealthy and the strong, and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; verse 16,.  And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the sight of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; verse 17,  for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

The placement of these verses, twelve through seventeen, of chapter six of the Revelation, is telling. They come  after tribulation seals one through five which, throughout the Bible, are consistently referred to as ‘the tribulation period’ or of  ‘birth pains“, as opposed to what follows, which is the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.

What do we know so far?

  1. The Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.
  2. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Verse 4.  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief.
  3. God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  4. This occurs after the 5th tribulation seal – with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation seal, comes Revelation 6 verse 16 and, the wrath of the Lamb; Revelation 6 verse 17, the great day of Their wrath has come.

Next we see, in Revelation 14:9, “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, verse 10, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

Revelation 15:1, “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”

Finally, and, while we are at it… Three great ‘denominational misconceptions’.

Misconception #1. All the tribulation seals are broken after the rapture.

Correction to misconception #1. The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE have been broken as early as the birth of Christ through A.D. 95 and have been progressively overlapping and intensifying to this day. The Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb and the rapture, occur at or near the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal. (Please refer to “Just Before The Rapture.”)

 

Misconception #2. The Antichrist will not be revealed until after the rapture.

Correction to misconception #2. The Antichrist is revealed after the Great Apostasy (the 5th tribulation seal) and before the rapture of the Church. (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

 

Misconception #3. The mark of the beast will be given before the rapture.

Correction to misconception #3. The mark of the beast comes after the rapture. It will not be given until the 6th Tribulation Trumpet.  (see the placement of Revelation 14:9).

The scriptures encourage us to be like the Bereans, noble-minded, receiving the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE TRIBULATION & THE RAPTURE – Made Easier To Understand?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

THE TRIBULATION AND RAPTURE MADE EASIER TO UNDERSTAND

The (Very) Condensed Version

“Yeah. Right!”, you might say. But I say that it can be understood. And it is in your best interest to understand. But, you have to get the purpose, priority and chronology right, first. And, it is helpful if not absolutely necessary to know God’s Eternal Plan as it relates to the past, present and future history of all creation – the earth, the heavens, all humankind, and all living things.

From The Creation, through the Garden of Eden, and the Fall of Man to the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, the call of Abraham, Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, the possessing of The Promised Land, the building and the Destruction of the First Temple and the Jewish Captivity in Babylon, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Destruction of the Second Temple, our steady march through time has been exactly as Bible prophecy has foretold.  We have entered an era leading to the destruction and, eventually, a rebirth of the heavens and the earth. Throughout these eons of time, we can see The Hand of God working in the affairs of humankind, working out His Purpose for eternity.

PERFECTION

The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is “Perfection”. He began with the imperfect and created the Masterpiece, first in the heavens and then on the earth. His work completed in just seven days; He would allow His Masterpiece to mature for millennia until it becomes His Perfection.

God is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

This is a journey of discovery and revelation of God’s Grand Plan and Design, from creation through the End of the Age, then into a New Heaven and a New Earth.

“Because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of  God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense. (for great detail, see the series, “The Journey to Perfection”.)

God’s plan began, is unfolding, and will conclude exactly as He has purposed. Here are a few of the major Biblical events where you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age:

1. The creation of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1–31) – Before Time
2.  The first humans (Genesis 1:26–31; 2:8–25) – Before 4,000 B.C.
3.  The fall of man (Genesis 3:1–24) – Before 4,000 B.C.
4. The great flood (Genesis 6:9–9:17) – Before 2,500 B.C.
5. The  of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) – Before 2,100 B.C.
6. The call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–5) – 2,091 B.C.
7. The exodus (Exodus 12:31–42; 14:1–31) – 1,446 B.C.
8. The building of the first Temple (1 Kings 6) – 966 B.C.
9. The birth of Jesus (Matt 1:18–2:23; Luke 2:1–10) – 5 B.C.
10. The temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13) -27 A.D.
11. The calling of the disciples (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11) – 27 A.D.
12. The Sermon on the Mount/Plain (Matthew 5:1–7:29; Luke 6:29–40) -27 A.D.
13. Jesus’s crucifixion (Matthew 27:32–56; Mark 15:21–41; Luke 23:26–49; John 19:16–37) – 30 A.D.
14. Jesus’s resurrection (Matthew 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–20; Luke 24:1–53; John 20:1–31) – 30 A.D. – 30 .A.D.
15. The giving of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) – 30 A.D.
16. The  of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41) – 30 A.D.
17. The second coming of Jesus (Revelation 19:11–16) – In The Future
18. The new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1–5) –  In the Future

(Please remember that there are corresponding world events which reflect the prophetic events found in the Bible. For those interested, here is an important Comparative Biblical, Secular and a ‘Daniel’s 70 Weeks’ Historical chronology chart for your review.)

 FIRST – A Matter of Important Business:

Unless you have received Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you have a limited-to-no capacity to understand the spiritual significance and application of spiritual truth to your life. However, once you surrender your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will come to indwell you and will reveal all Truth to you and will guide you in that Truth. Receive Him, today – Now is the time.

(Please, click on each of these images for ‘how to be saved’ before proceeding)

         

SECONDLY, to have even a rudimentary understanding of the Tribulation, the rapture, and the Book of The Revelation, you should know WHY God is bringing times of ‘birth pains’, and tribulations of plagues to the earth which will escalate into what is known as “The Great Tribulation”, “the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”, “The Wrath of the Lamb”, “The End of Days” and “The End of the Age”. (answer below).

THIRDLY, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we also need to know WHEN these things are coming upon us. (answers below).

FOURTH, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we need to know HOW God will bring about The End of Days in a chronological order and by visible signs. (answers below).

FIFTH, in order to understand the events of the Book of The Revelation, we need to know how this will affect you.

SHORT ANSWERS:

 THE SHORT ANSWER TO “WHY” God is bringing times of ‘birth pains’, and tribulations of plagues to the earth is that the wickedness of people will have become, and is becoming great on the earth, just like in the days of Noah, and God’s plan and purpose for His creation is perfection. Therefore, He will “Many will be purged, purified and refined”. (see Daniel 12:10).

THE SHORT ANSWER TO “WHEN” are these things are coming upon us, is that these things are already evident, are increasing in frequency and intensity throughout the earth. Read these words and testimonies by the Apostles Paul, Timothy, Peter and John which tell us that these things began in or around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and they have been continuously evident, overlapping and increasing in their intensity to this day.

Also, as early as A.D. 30, Jesus said these things:

  1. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. (see Matthew 24:4-5.)
  2. 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. (see Matthew 24:6-8 and Revelation 6:1-4)
  3. In various places there will be famines and earthquakes. (Matthew 24:8.  But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Also see Revelation 6:5-6.)
  4. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. (see Matthew 24:9-10 and Revelation 6:9-11.)
  5. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. (see Matthew 24:10-13.)
  6. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (see Matthew 24:14.)

THE SHORT ANSWER TO “HOW” God will bring about The End of Days in a chronological order and by visible signs, is that there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time God’s people, that is everyone who is found written in the Book of Life, will be rescued. But, there will be a shattering of the power of the holy people and a purging, a cleansing and a refining of God’s people.

THE SHORT ANSWER, “WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?” is that the Bible warns that “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so, will the coming of the Son of Man be. Of that day, no one knows the day or the hour”, but if you did know, would you be ready?

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left … the Master will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut the unfaithful into pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(What does it mean to be ready? Go here What does it mean to get ready)

I will conclude this short essay with a short outline of the Tribulation Judgment Seals which lead to the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, The End of the Age or the Wrath of the Lamb. (Concern yourself with the first 6 Seals):

  1. 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue (has already occurred and continues to occur, overlapping with seals 1 through 5, increasing in intensity).
  2. 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War (has already occurred and continues to occur, overlapping with seals 1 through 5, increasing in intensity).
  3. 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine (has already occurred and continues to occur, overlapping with seals 1 through 5, increasing in intensity).
  4. 4th Tribulation Seal – Death (has already occurred and continues to occur, overlapping with seals 1 through 5, increasing in intensity).
  5. 5th Tribulation Seal – Martyrs, persecution, falling away – the great apostasy (has already occurred and continues to occur, overlapping with seals 1 through 5, increasing in intensity).
  6. 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun, terror, calamity (yet to occur).
    1. Sealing of the 144,000.
    2. The Rapture.

There is also a lot of discussion and disagreement on the placement and the timing of the rapture of the saints. I find this odd since Matthew 24:29-31 gives such a compelling and plain-face-value description of the rapture of the saints of God:

Matthew 24:29-31,“But immediately after the tribulation of those days (previous days of ‘tribulation – seals 1 through 5, a.k.a., days of distress, see Daniel 9:1) 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 blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31.)

There are those who will say that this is not the 2nd Coming of Jesus because He only appears in the sky and does not come down to the earth. They will say the 2nd coming of Jesus occurs later, as found in Revelation 19:7-16.

Revelation 19:11, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Verse 12, His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. Verse 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. Verse 14, And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Please notice that in Matthew 24, ‘all the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds‘.

 

 

Then in Revelation 19:11, only John the Revelator, who is speaking and according to the text, sees Jesus: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.” And nowhere in the text of Revelation 19, does it say that Jesus actually comes to the earth – it is a weak assumption that Jesus could only defeat the forces of if He physically came down to the earth. The text does not say.

A simple explanation is that the sign of the Son of Man (Jesus) HAS APPEARED in the sky, in Matthew 24, 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.  In other words, Jesus has appeared and will continue to appear – according to the text, STILL IN THE HEAVENS – just at another time.

Why is this important. It is important because it pinpoints the timing of the rapture! Immediately following the breaking of the first six tribulation seals (Revelation chapter 6), scriptures in Revelation chapter 7:9-14,which correspond to Matthew 24:29-31, we see “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

This is another clear, and what should be indisputable, description of all of the raptured saints, from all the ages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

And, 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 has become to be known as the Pretribulation Pre-Wrath, Rapture; and whether you believe it this way or whether you hold a differing view, the important thing is that you and I are doing what Jesus has instructed, thereby being ready for His return.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

3 MAIN THINGS – you really should know

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

THREE MAIN THINGS – You Really Should Know

(Please note that I use page links in lieu of footnotes, citations and references. These links also give important details regarding statement and references in this article. I urge you to please use them.)

Whether you know it or not,  whether you will believe it or not, and whether you like it or not, there are three urgent things everyone needs to know. There should be no doubt that:

      1. God exists.
      2. There is A Plan for all humanity, the earth, the heavens and the entire cosmos.
      3. Everything is going according to plan – and you are included in The Plan – whether you know it or not, whether you believe it or not, and whether you like it or not.

If you scoff at the THREE MAIN THINGS, then scoff if you must. But it would serve you well to take a closer look, and seriously investigate what is being presented here.

i. GOD EXISTS

There was a time, when in its infancy, science was compatible with religion. (When I speak of religion in this article, I am referring to Christianity). It was inevitable with the passage of time, however, that certain influential atheists, would become influential scientists. Their science would be defined by and framed by their humanist idealism, imagination and secular-humanist worldview. That is to say that since it is their conviction that there is no God, they concurrently would see the world, the universe and the cosmos, strictly as a natural occurrence.

By the way, I have heard it said that it takes faith to believe in God, but that it takes exponentially more faith to believe that everything that exists came from nothing and randomly ‘evolved’ into a precision that defies all reason, logic and science – all by chance; that all of existence has been a series of serendipitous events.

There was a period of about 175 years that America was considered a Christian nation. However, the Christian America thesis would be sidelined after the Scopes Trial of 1925, and it would find a new, yet brief life in the 1970s. It continues to be a burning issue today. Those who now argue that America was founded as a Christian nation inherit a long and consistent tradition.

Then in June 2006, then president Barak Obama stated, in a prepared speech, “that America is no longer a Christian nation – at least ‘not just’”, which marked a dividing line in America.

“It was also in the 19th century that pair-structured phrases “religion and science” and “science and religion” first emerged in the literature. This coincided with the refining of “science” (from the studies of “natural philosophy”) and of “religion” as distinct concepts in the preceding few centuries, partly due to professionalization of the sciences, the Protestant Reformation, colonization, and globalization. Since then the relationship between science and religion has been characterized in terms of “conflict”, “harmony”, “complexity”, and “mutual independence”, among others.” (see the foregoing excerpt from Wikipedia).

It is also interesting that these humanist-atheists-scientists found it expeditious to use the language of the Bible as academic stepping stones to sell their new scientific idealism to succeeding generations – effectively separating God and science in the public mind and coining the new term, ‘creationism’ – a victory for atheists and humanists and a sad acquiescence on the part of Christian apologists and theologians.

For example:

Carl Sagan – Cosmos – Its Only Sacred Truths:

Carl Sagan – Cosmos- Stars – We Are Their Children

Only recently have a few notable Christian apologists offered a sound public rebuttal, which may have galvanized the beliefs of the faithful, but has done little to undo the damage to public perception caused by Saganists. Damage which has obscured the truth of scriptures and which has reached inside the Christian church and community.

                                

Ken Ham’s “Answers in Genesis”.          “Is Genesis History?” Del Tackett.

 

NEXT – JUST CONSIDERING THE ODDS

In case you have been unduly influenced by the “Saginists” of the science world, let me present you a case in favor of the fact that GOD DOES EXIST.

The Bible states that, “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel –  (which means God with us.)” Isaiah 7:14.

Again, the Bible says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

Imagine these odds: 1 to 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000. (that is 1 to 10 to the 157th power).

These are the odds against – yes, AGAINST – Jesus Christ having sent by God, born, live on earth and fulfilled just 48 of the over 450 prophecies written about Him.

In order to give you some perspective, consider that electrons are very small objects. They’re smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES of 10 to just the 15th power of them, laid side by side, to make one inch. Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long.  NINETEEN MILLION YEARS!

Read that again, please.  Why is that significant?

It is significant because it gives us evidence that the Bible is true and correct when it says that Christ Jesus came to earth and is the Savior of the world.

Just think about it: It is a scientific and a mathematical impossibility that HAS COME TO PASS!

(And by the way, it gives you evidence, if you choose to pay attention, that your life can be eternal with the only LIFE Source which gives eternal Peace, Safety, Security, Joy and fulfillment the universe has ever known or ever will know.)

ii. There is A Plan.

The Bible, when read as a whole, reveal an amazing narrative reaching back in time to creation and extending in time to the conclusion and rebirth of all things.

The logical question to ask, I believe is, can you prove it? I will rely on one source and refer to another to validate this point.

THE ONE SOURCE

The Bible lays out God’s complete plan, from before creation through the end of the age and into the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. His is a ‘Plan of Perfecting’. God is perfecting all who would believe and follow Jesus in humble submission in preparation for us to live with Him, worship Him and to rule with Him for all eternity.

Most theologians and Bible apologists will outline the Bible by giving a book-by-book topical overview and details of events contained in the individual books, which is probably the very best way to study the entire Bible. However, considering that the Bible (New American Standard version) contains 782,815 words, composing 31,103 verses and 1,189 chapters and 66 books written by 40 authors over a span of 1,500 years, (and further complicating this matter, there are about fifty mainline versions of the Bible, not counting revisions), it is easy to see how one could fail to see ‘the forest’ for the many trees of words, verses, chapters and recorded events.

(The forest is the entire body of work of the Bible which is a straight line from the beginning of creation to end of all things and into a new creation.)

(ANOTHER SOURCE – Note: this small section is not included in the audio).

Scientist say, on the one hand, that all things had a beginning – including time and space – and they named it the Big Bang. Then on the other hand certain leading scientists are beginning to speculate that perhaps something existed before the ‘Big Bang’. But, they all agree that everything will likely end in an event they are calling the Big Crunch. So, at least on two points there is agreement: There was a beginning and there will be an end.

Scientists are quick to point out that they are still learning and what they know may change and that is just the nature of science. (Oh, my). That means we can depend on scientific truth, sort of.

That it is true until it is not – and this validates my point about the existence of God. Science says it is right, until it is not!

The Bible says it is right because it is God-breathed, yesterday, today and forever!

THE JOURNEY TO PERFECTION

If you will patiently walk with me, I will take you on an amazing journey. A journey from the beginning of time through recorded world and Biblical histories. We will identify important past Bible prophecies and correlate them to the actual past world events; then we will compare both prophecies and histories to one specific prophecy known as ‘Daniel’s Seventy Weeks’, which will bring us to current events and the final epoch of time known by various names, such as, “The Last Days”, “The End The Age” the “Latter Days” and “The Tribulation”, which are now unfolding with frightening accuracy.

I will not stop there, however. I will conclude by laying out a successful response to these events, a plan of action by which you can both survive and thrive in these final days.

Finally, there is an event coming which is so fantastic as to be unbelievable. But I will show the evidence leading to this event, known as the ‘Rapture’ and I will even help you calculate the odds of its occurrence.  You will then be faced with the most monumental decision you have ever faced.

 The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is “Perfection”.  He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

“Because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of  God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.

This journey is not any easy one. In fact, it is impossibly difficult. It is something only God can accomplish; and as difficult as it is, and at times, terror filled, it is also filled with purpose with a glorious end.

The Purpose of Daniel’s 70 Weeks six-fold plan.

The prophecy of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks contains a statement concerning God’s six-fold purpose in bringing these events to pass: Verse 24 says this purpose is:

1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)

2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)

3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)

6) “to anoint the most holy.” (That is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)

Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.

The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.

iii.  EVERYTHNING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN

The world has entered the final epoch of time, known by various names, such as, “The Last Days”, “The End The Age” the “Latter Days” and “The Tribulation Period”, which was marked by the birth of Jesus.  There are reportedly visible and observable signs and ancient writings to help you. However, most people either don’t recognize the signs or writings or don’t believe. Even among those who believe these prophecies are coming to pass and see the signs, few know what they are seeing, where they are leading or what to do in response.

The best description of the purpose, length and, outcome of this end time, variously known as the “birth pains”, the tribulation and finally, the Great Tribulation.

Here is a Biblical outline of the seals broken up to this very day:

Revelation Chapter 6 – as corresponding to – Matthew Chapter 24

the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seals 2 through 5, and is intensifying).

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seal 1 and seals 3 through 5, and is intensifying).

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seals 1 through 2, and seals 4 and 5 amd is intensifying).

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seals 1 through 3 and seal 5, and is intensifying).

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away. (This Seal was broken around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95, and is overlapping seals 1 through 4, and is intensifying).

There is clear and staggering testimonies and evidence that the Last Days began in our around A.D. 1 through A.D. 95 and that tribulation seals 1 through 5 have been progressively opened, are overlapping and intensifying to this day.

We are on the precipice of the opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal which triggers the beginning of the period known as the Great Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb – which will continue with the breaking of tribulation seal 7, then the blowing of the 7 tribulation trumpets, and ending with the pouring out of the 7 tribulation bowls.

The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years

“THE GREAT TRIBULATION”

the 6th Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun

  • Sealing of the 144,000
  • The Rapture
  • Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God

(Also see Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22 and Revelation 7:14; and for the Wrath of the Lamb, see Revelation 6:16), is found in Daniel 12:1.)

YOU ARE INCLUDED

Whether you know it or not, whether you believe it or not and whether you like it or not, you are included in God’s Plan.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

AS THE SHEEP

“And He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

 

AS THE GOAT

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

“These (on My left hand) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous (those on My right hand) into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46).

Dear friends, you and I get one chance at this. The Bible says “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27).

“The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

If you will “confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Now it is up to you. Choose wisely.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

“THE JOURNEY TO PERFECTION” – A brief and abbreviated study, from the beginning to the end, and beyond.

REVELATION 12 – A Prophetic Panorama from the Birth of Jesus to Armageddon

WHEN DID THE tRIBULATION BEGIN?

There is ‘tribulation’, then there will be TRIBULATION!

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THERE are times of ‘birth pains’ & tribulation AND THEN THERE WILL BE  GREAT

There are many differing views, much debate, disagreements, and apparent contradictions regarding the doctrines of the Last Days, the Rapture and the tribulation.

So, what does the Bible actually say about this End of Days?

More specifically, what did Jesus tell His disciples and the rest of the listening and believing world what about what is coming? What we can expect to happen? What are we to do in order to ‘get ready’ and ‘stay ready’ until He returns to claim His Church?

There are those who will tell you that the seven years of tribulation are coming with the breaking of the first of seven seals, and that the rapture is imminent. There is a distinction here that is often overlooked. So, let me repeat: Some are saying that the 7 years of the tribulation will begin with the breaking of the 1st tribulation seal – followed by the breaking of seals 2 through 7, then the blowing of the 7 tribulation trumpets, and ending with the pouring out of the 7 tribulation bowls.

However, there is clear and staggering evidence that the Last Days began in our around A.D. 1 through A.D. 95 and that tribulation seals 1 through 5 have been progressively opened, are overlapping and intensifying to this day. And that we are on the precipice of the opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal which signals the beginning of the period known as the Great Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb – which will continue with the breaking of tribulation seal 7, then the blowing of the 7 tribulation trumpets, and ending with the pouring out of the 7 tribulation bowls.

Scriptures clearly tell us that

  1. The last days and, also known as ‘the beginning of sorrows’ or the ‘tribulation’ (small ‘t’) are here now; but that
  2. The Great Tribulation is yet to come; and that
  3. The rapture will not occur unless the apostasy comes first, and that
  4. The man of lawlessness is revealed, that is the son of destruction,(the antichrist), 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.

THESE ARE THE SCRIPTURES THAT SAY SO

Matthew 24:9

“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”

(This was spoken around A.D. 30 – around 2,000 years ago, and there has been ongoing and intensifying persecution of Christians to this day. Compare this to the 5th tribulation seal as found in Revelation 6:9-11 and referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:9-12.)

Matthew 24:21

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

(This seven-year period of Great tribulation has not yet occurred,  but with a careful study, one can see that the tribulations as referenced by the words, “for then there will be a great tribulation” are the tribulation seals 1 through 5 (see Revelation 6:1-11), which are also referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:9-12, which have been occurring and are continuing to occur. But Seals 6 and 7 are the beginning of The Great Tribulation, a.k.a., The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb, which begin with the 6th Tribulation Seal and will conclude with the 7th Bowl Judgment.)

Matthew 24:29

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

(This is speaking of the tribulation that will come after the tribulation events that have already occurred and continue to occur, as being described by Jesus in Matthew 24:1-28, (i.e., tribulation seals 1 through 5). These “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” have not occurred yet, but with a careful study, one can see that the tribulations spoken of in Seals 1 through 5 have occurred and are continuing to occur, but Seals 6 and 7 have not occurred.)

Mark 13:19

“For those days will be such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.”

(In order to get the chronology right, please read Mark 13:1-27. There will be tribulations and then will come “such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.” I.e., there will be tribulations then there will be a Great Tribulation, a.k.a. The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb, which begin with the 6th Tribulation Seal and will conclude with the 7th Bowl Judgment.)

Mark 13:24

“But in those days, after that tribulation (referring to the events that have already occurred), THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT.”

(In order to get the chronology right, please read Mark 13:1-27. There will be tribulations and then will come “be such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.” I.e., there will be tribulations then there will be a Great Tribulation, a.k.a. The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb, which begin with the 6th Tribulation Seal and will conclude with the 7th Bowl Judgment.)

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Revelation 1:9

“I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 2:10

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Revelation 7:14

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

THESE ARE THE ONES WHO SAY SO

The Last Days and the opening of the tribulation Seals began in our around A.D. 30 according to the words spoken by Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy :

WHAT ARE GOD’S PURPOSES OF THE TRIBULATION?

Daniel 9, verse 24 says the PURPOSE is:

1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)

2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)

3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)

6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)

Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.

The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.

*Of special note is the third in the list of results: “to atone for wickedness.” Jesus accomplished the atonement for sin by His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).

Secondly, it is important to know the four-fold PLANNED OUTCOME of the tribulation found in Daniel 12:10, (Which is the purpose of the Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE):

“Many will be purged,

cleansed, and

refined,

those who have insight will understand.”

(SPECIAL NOTE: Tribulation Seal SIX through the SEVENTH Tribulation Bowl, also known as the GREAT Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, are judgments directed specifically at the non-believing world.)

WHY DO THESE THINGS MATTER?

  • They matter 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.
  • They matter 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.
  • They matter because as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behavior are speaking louder than our words.
  • They matter 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.
  • They matter because being ready requires believing and doing what He has instructed us to do in preparation for His return.
  • They matter 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.’”

WHO ELSE IS SEEING AND SAYING THESE THINGS?

  1. Corrie Ten Boom speaks out about a prevailing tribulation and rapture view.
  2. Pastor John Piper. You can also see a teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times.
  3. David Rosenthal and Zion’s Hope. One of the first, most accurate, and persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site.)
  4. Pastor Jack Hibbs, senior pastor of Cavalry Chapel of Chino Hills, California is an advocate saying we are NOW in the Last Days and the End of Days period known as the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the LORD or the Wrath of the Lamb.
    • Pastor Hibbs is informing and warning about the current Marxist-style Globalist movement, which is being led by the U.N., the U.N.’s Agenda 2030, UNESCO and their sustainable development goals, and the World Economic Forum. (Please also see “The One World Government – How It Is Fitting Together”.)

I offer this article to say that these things matter in our preparation and readiness for Jesus’ return. They should alert us to get ready and stay ready.

What these things don’t change or affect is the steady guarantee of our salvation in Christ. My concern, which I believe should be all our concern, is that when the time comes we all will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, and not the fateful words, “Why do you call me Lord when you do not what I say?”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: It is written – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is no way anyone can earn their salvation through works. But what we continually practice in our lives, reveals the true intentions of our heart. Please, get ready and stay ready for His return by serving God and obeying the Words of Jesus. Let’s pray for one another to be strengthened.

 

PSS: There are five major views of eschatology.

 

JUST BEFORE THE RAPTURE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

Just Before the Rapture…

Do you ever wonder what will happen on earth in the years and months just before the Rapture?

If you don’t wonder then it is probably due to one of two reasons: (1) You don’t care. (2) You believe what you’ve been hearing about the ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ taking place before the 1st Tribulation Seal is broken.

Well, if you fit into either or both these 2 reasons, then news on both counts.

On the first count, Jesus says you take care and be ready (Matthew 24:42 ff) or you will be left behind.

And, on the second count, the 1st Seal, according to the testimonies of Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy,  are found in :

These accounts were given by Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Timothy and Peter as early around A.D. 30 or as late as A.D. 95

That being so, you can reliably assume that we are now approaching the 6th Tribulation Seal and we had better be ready, because there will be no second chances!

Jesus says, in Matthew 24:9–13, that a day is coming when “They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

Now, pay close attention to what Jesus, Himself, says in Revelation chapters one, two and three about enduring and overcoming. Jesus is speaking to the seven Churches in these chapters – and remember – the time of tribulation has begun (in or around A.D. 1 to A.D. 95) and the Church is still on the earth at that time, receiving instruction from Jesus. And a clear, plain face-value reading of Matthew chapter 24 will tell you that the Church will remain on earth until the breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation (please, read it).

– The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Things which must soon take place –Words of the prophecy

This letter of the Revelation begins with these words, “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, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE 2nd TEMPLE – Occurred in 70 A.D.

THE REVELATION WARNING OF THE COMING TRIBULATION – Occurred in 96 A.D.

Be aware that John was writing of FUTURE events because the Temple had already been destroyed the first time, 26 years before John wrote the book of The Revelation.

So, we must ask the one most important question, “Why is Jesus warning the churches and His followers of something that is coming, in the Book of Revelation, if they would not endure it?”

The correct understanding of the timing of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and the beginning of “Daniel’s 70th Week” (the seven years of Tribulation) is that these events begin with the Breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

Until then, “The ones who have an ear, let them hear”.

Jesus tells the Churches (the followers of Christ), that until the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, they must OVERCOME.

Revelation 2:7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

To him who overcomes: Jesus made this promise to him who overcomes – but what does this “Overcomer” overcome? We usually think of overcoming in dramatic terms of overcoming sin and in spiritual warfare, but here Jesus is speaking of overcoming coldness of heart and lack of love marked by leaving their first love of Jesus.

I will give to eat from the tree of life: The promise for these “Overcomers” was a return to Eden, a restoration to God’s Presence, and eternal life. This was meant, first in the eternal sense of making it to heaven, which was no small promise to a people threatened with the removal of Jesus’ presence.

It is also meant in the sense of seeing the effects of the curse cancelled in our own lives though Jesus’ redeeming act of love.

Revelation 2:11 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

He who overcomes: This was a promise for “Overcomers”. This promise is for those who overcome the threat of persecution, and the presence of persecution.

We might say that we overcome by our close association with Jesus, but, it is that very association that brings both persecution and salvation. Jesus is the ultimate “Overcomer”, as He says, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Shall not be hurt by the second death: Those who overcome by the power and presence of Jesus within them, will never be hurt by the second death. The second death is hell, the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14 and 21:8). Though Satan will threaten and attack your life, Jesus promises His “Overcomers” that death is conquered for them.

Revelation 2:17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

To him who overcomes: The one who overcomes this spirit of accommodation to false teaching and living will receive hidden manna. This is God’s perfect provision, the true bread from heaven (John 6:35).

And I will give him a white stone: In the ancient world, the use of a white stone had many associations. A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of blessing.

Revelation 2:26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;

He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end: Even when there is the immoral and idolatrous influence of a Jezebel, Christians can overcome and keep Jesus’ works until the end. We must not become overly discouraged at immorality and idolatry around us, even among Christians. God’s work will still go on through His “Overcomers”.

To him I will give power over the nations: Jesus promised that His people will reign with Him. Here, there is a special promise to those who overcome the threat of immorality and idolatry. To them, Jesus offered a share in His own kingdom.

“The word for ‘rule’ (Greek = ‘poimanei’) literally means ‘to shepherd.’

Their rule will not be simply that of executing judgment, but also that of administering mercy and direction.”

I will give him the morning star: Jesus offered them a reward greater than the kingdom. He offered them the reward of Himself, because He is the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).

Revelation 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments: Jesus identified the “Overcomers” with those few names who have not defiled their garments (Revelation 3:4). These “Overcomers” would wear white garments, received from Jesus.

Jesus explained the absolute necessity of this being clothed by God with His garments of purity and righteousness in His parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:11-14).

Real righteousness is receiving God’s covering instead of trying to cover ourselves. Adam and Eve tried to cover their own sin (Genesis 3:7) but God provided them with a covering that came from sacrifice (Genesis 3:21).

And I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life: By this, the “Overcomers” were assured of their heavenly citizenship. In the ancient world, death or a criminal conviction could blot out the name of an ancient citizen from the city’s book of the living, which was the city register.

But I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels: This was an amazing promise. It simply makes sense that we should be willing to confess the name of Jesus, but it is amazing that He would not be ashamed to confess us!

Revelation 3:12 ‘He 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.”

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar: “Overcomers” were told that they would be as a pillar in the temple of My God. Pillars were pictures of strength, stability, and dignified beauty.

He shall go out no more: The “Overcomer” would have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world.

I will write on him the name of My God… I will write on him My new name: The “Overcomer” also received many names – of God, the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. These names are marks of identification because they show who we belong to. They are marks of intimacy, because they show we are privileged to know Him in ways others are not.

Revelation 3:21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

To him who overcomes: Jesus’ promise to the “Overcomer”, even at Laodicea, showed that we don’t have to be Christians who are compromising and lukewarm. If we are, we can change and become one of Jesus’ overcomers.

I will grant to sit with Me on My throne: Those who overcome the battle against indifference, compromise, and self-reliance, receive a special reward. They enjoy a place with the enthroned Jesus (as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne).

Revelation 21:5 “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Verse 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.

Verse 7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Verse 8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Jesus is telling His Followers that they must “Endure to the end” and “Overcome”. We are nearing that time.

Peter validates, in Acts 2:14-21 that “the beginning of birth pangs”, that is the breaking of the tribulation Seals One began as early as A.D. 1 and the successive breaking of seals two through five have been ongoing to this day.  (Also see Matthew 24:8 for the Birth Pains Seals).

Then, with the coming day of the Breaking of the 6th seal we will see…

  • Jesus return in the sky and gather His elect from the four corners of the earth
  • God will seal the 144,000 from the Tribes of Israel
  • The Church Raptured and all Believers will be standing at the Throne of God, clothed in the white robes.
  • God’s succeeding Judgments poured out on earth
  • Jesus and His armies defeat Satan.

Prepare Ourselves for battle. We must Endure and Overcome! We have been warned to  BE READY!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PROPHECY WATCH – Wars and Rumors of War – The Dragon, The Woman and The Child

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

This audio bar is for the text which follows:

The news of the day is the heinous attacks on innocents in Israel by the demonic terrorists, Hamas, in Gaza. There is speculation swirling in the smoke and columns of fire from the rocket attacks that this could be the ‘beginning of the end’ as prophesied in scriptures (The Last Days).

The swift, decisive and appropriately violent response by Israel would make it seem that this will at least be the end of Hamas as a terror group, and should send a strong message to Iran and other terrorist states.  But if this unprovoked attack and murder of innocent men, women, children and babies spreads, it could begin to look like prophecies regarding Israel and the End of Days are coming to pass.

There are events, however, which must take place to confirm or disprove these kinds of speculations, but this could very well the precursor or harbinger, of things to come.

Revelation 12:1-17

The Woman

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was pregnant, and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

The “woman” represents Israel.  According to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11), the sun represented Jacob, the moon represented Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars were the sons of Israel which bowed down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now among the other tribes of Israel.

The Child is Jesus. The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression).

The Red Dragon, Satan

Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her Child.

A red dragon “symbolically suggests” an actual person will come to power on earth, with fierce power and a murderous nature.  This is a picture of the complete evil with hideous strength.”

The revived Roman Empire is in view, here.  The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation who reigns over the revived Roman Empire.”

Seven diadems on his heads: This dragon (person and political power) had great power (seven heads and ten horns) and claimed royal authority (seven diadems). The crowns represent his presumptive claims of royal authority against the true King.

His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven: Many believe this describes one-third of the angelic host in league with Satan (his angels of Revelation 12:9). This army of angelic beings in league with Satan makes up the world of demonic spirits.

The Male Child, Christ

And she gave birth to a Son, a male, who is going to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there [c]she would be nourished for 1,260 days.

A male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He rules the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9 and Revelation 19:15) refers to the triumphant return of Jesus.  By stating the starting point and ending point of Jesus’ earthly work, John alluded to all that stood in between.

After a conflict with the Prince of this world (Satan and his evil accomplices), who came and tried Him, but found nothing in Him, the Son of the woman (Jesus the Christ) was taken up to heaven and sat on the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20).  Words can hardly be plainer than these.

“She would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days” is a reference to a three and one-half year period connects these events with the final seven years of the Daniel 9 prophecy.  Since Revelation 12:5 describes the ascension of Jesus, and Revelation 12:6 describes yet-to-occur events in the 70th week of Daniel, between these two verses lies hundreds of years sometimes known as the “Age of Grace” (our current period).

The Angel, Michael

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,

“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”

And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. 

Around the mid-point and concluding near the end of the Great Tribulation period, (from the 7th Tribulation Trumpet to the 7th Tribulation Bowl of Wrath), God will turn the tide against Satan – first in heaven, then on earth.  The formation of that battle is already taking place and it will deny Satan access to heaven.

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE – compared to Matthew 24

Matthew 24:15-28, “So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. Wherever the corpse is, there the [e]vultures will flock together.”

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE as seen in Luke 21 

The Return of Christ

Luke 21:25-28, “There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE compared to Matthew 24

Matthew 24:29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – THE COMING INVASION OF ISRAEL?

WHO ARE THE ‘PLAYERS’?

When we see this invasion of Israel by the joint forces of Russia, Iran and her proxies, forces from Turkey, the Republic of Georgia, Ethiopia, Libya and Northern Africa, and the Caucuses, we can know this time has come. This is when God will intervene

Luke 21:20 tells us, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near.”

We can see who these hostile invading armies are, by reading Ezekiel chapter 38:1,

“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Verse 2. “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog (current day Russia),the chief ruler of Meshech (southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia) and Tubal (central Turkey), and prophesy against him,

Verse 3, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal.

Verse 4. I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them magnificently clothed in full armor, a great horde with buckler (small shield) and [large] shield, all of them wielding swords;

Verse 5. Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia), and Put (Libya, N. Africa) with them, all of them with shield and helmet;

Verse 6. Gomer (southern Russia) and all its troops; Beth-togarmah (the Caucuses region of Armenia and Georgia) from the remote parts of the north and all its troops–many peoples with you. 

  1. Gog, a.k.a., Rosh (Russia) and,
  2. Rosh (Russia),
  3. Magog (Russia),
  4. Gomer (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
  5. Put (Libya),
  6. Cush (Ethiopia),
  7. Persia (Iran),
  8. Meshech (Modern Day Turkey),
  9. Tubal (an area in central Turkey),
  10. Beth-Togarmah (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nation #6. Persia:  Iran

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

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

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

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

Because of the length and complexity of the scriptures regarding the invasion of Israel in the Last Days from the book of The Revelation, I will simply recap these events by linking to the appropriate verses, and a detailed commentary with videos by Zion’s Hope (David Rosenthal) at the end of this page..

Just know that the destruction of the Antichrist, the beast and their invading armies and demonic forces will be thoroughly defeated and cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 16 through 20) after the 7th Tribulation Bowl is poured out.

It is also worthy to note that there is some ‘controversy’ or discussion about the “2nd Coming” or the SECOND ADVENT of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:29-31 (and similarly in Luke 21) record these words, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (it is important to note the words ‘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.

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 BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”   This is clearly Jesus appearing, which will occur after the 5th Tribulation Seal and at the moment of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and is spoken of in the future tense. By all appearances we are well into the 5th Tribulation Seal and are very near the 6th Seal, so the ‘future tense’ of this verse can easily be considered to be from this day (10/11/2023) until His appearing – which could be immanent.

Then, in Revelation 19:11-16 we read, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 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. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Many commentators believe these verses describe the 2nd Advent of Christ. But clearly, taking Matthew 24:29-31 into account, this would be a THIRD advent, which would be incorrect. This is NOT a new advent or a new coming of Christ, but it is Jesus, who has already returned to gather His Elect (Matthew 24:31) and is seen sitting on horse, judging and waging war against the nations!

CONCLUSION – THE LONG VIEW

The events of the “Last Days” began as early as the birth and/or the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, as reported by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy in or around 2 B.C. through A.D. 95, and found in:

These events will conclude at the end of the pouring out of the Tribulation Bowls at the end of the SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION period, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.

We are seeing clear and distinct signs of the final days before His return and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. If you are His disciple, you do not need to be afraid. He is your protector. Your weapons and shield are the words of your testimony and the Blood of the Lamb.

When the time comes, He will give you words of wisdom to say, which no one can resist. Be brave and courageous.

If you have not already, now is the time, now is the day of your salvation. Turn to Jesus in humble submission and exchange your life for His, today – this moment. Find your peace, safety, sanctuary and salvation in Him!

If you have already given yourself and your life to God by His grace and through faith in Jesus, now is the time to complete your calling.

Do not wait for others to do the work of your calling – not the preacher, pastor, deacon, elder or friend. It is your calling and your joy to serve the Living God today.

YOU, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that He has commanded you; and lo, He is with you always [remaining with you perpetually–regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(Notice: there are 3 seperate audio clips on this page.)

THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

“HAMAS”

“HAMAS”

The news of the day is the heinous attacks on innocents in Israel by the demonic terrorists, Hamas in Gaza. There is speculation swirling in the smoke and columns of fire from the rocket attacks that this could be the ‘beginning of the end’ as prophesied in scriptures (The Last Days).

The swift, decisive and appropriatley violent response by Israel would make it seem that this will at least be the end of Hamas as a terror group, and should send a strong message to Iran and other terrorist states.  But if this unprovoked attack and murder of innocent men, women, children and babies spreads, it could begin to look like prophecies regarding Israel and the End of Days are coming to pass.

There are events, however, which must take place to confirm of disprove these kinds of speculations, but this could very well the precursor or harbinger, of things to come.

Comparing the correlating verses from Luke chapter 21 and Matthew chapter 24 we can get a clearer view of prophesied events of the Last Days, specifically targeting similar events in the Middle East and Israel.

Luke chapter 21 and Matthew chapter 24 give us a look at the events leading up to the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, which is the beginning of the SEVEN YEARS of the Great Tribulation – also known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week – The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.

THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as seen in Luke 21

Luke 21:5-9, (Amplified Bible Version – annotated), “As some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and consecrated offerings [of magnificent gifts of gold which were displayed on the walls and hung in the porticoes], He said, “As for all these things which you see, the time will come when there will not be one stone left on another that will not be torn down.”

They asked Him, (Jesus), “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to happen?” He said, “Be careful and see to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name (acting as if they are Me or pretending to act on my behalf as leaders of religious organizations calling themselves ‘The Church’), [appropriating for themselves the name (and the authority of) Messiah which belongs to Me alone], saying, ‘I am He,’ (thereby implying and acting in a way that says ‘I have the authority of Jesus as given by His Father’) and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and disturbances [civil unrest, revolts, uprisings], do not panic; for these things must take place first, but the end will not come immediately.”

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as compared to Matthew 24

Matthew 24:1-5, (Amplified Bible Version – annotated): “Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the [magnificent and massive] buildings of the temple. And He said to them, “Do you see all these things? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down.”

While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”

Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. For many will come in My name (acting as if they are Me or pretending to act on my behalf as leaders of religious organizations calling themselves ‘The Church’), [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ (thereby implying and acting in a way that says ‘I have the authority of Jesus as given by His Father’), and they will mislead many .”

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as seen in Luke 21

Things to Come

Luke 21:10-11, “Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

(Note: Jesus spoke these prophetic words in the future tense in or around A.D. 30. So, although there have always been wars, conflicts, earthquakes, famines, plagues and epidemics, they will greatly increase in their frequency and intensity and Ezekiel 38 describes the crescendo of these events.

Jesus pinpoints the season of these events as He links them with the words, “and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven” which is a direct link to the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, which is the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb – marking the 70th Week of Daniel and the beginning of the final SEVEN YEARS of THE TRIBULATION: THE SIXTH and SEVENTH SEAL of The Great Tribulation, The SEVEN TRUMPET  JUDGEMENTS and The SEVEN  BOWLS OF WRATH.)

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as seen in Luke 21

Luke 21:12-19, “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake (which is the amplifying and intensifying of the breaking of the FIFTH TRIBULATION SEAL). This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. So, make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be continually hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as compared to Matthew 24

Matthew 24:6-14, “You will continually hear 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 [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].

 “Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.“

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as seen in Luke 21

Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near. At that time, those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city (Jerusalem) must get out, and those who are [out] in the country must not enter the city; for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For great trouble and anguish will be on the land, and wrath and retribution on this people [Israel]. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles (a race of people, the nations of the heathen world, Gentiles, joined by practicing  pagan and heathen customs and common culture; unbelieving Gentiles (non-Jews)), are fulfilled (completed).

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as compared to Matthew 24

Matthew 24:15-28, “So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. Wherever the corpse is, there the [e]vultures will flock together.”

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as seen in Luke 21 

The Return of Christ

Luke 21:25-28, “There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”

 THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE

as compared to Matthew 24

Matthew 24:29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

 WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – THE COMING INVASION OF ISRAEL?

WHO ARE THE ‘PLAYERS’?

When we see this invasion of Israel by the joint forces of Russia, Iran and her proxies, forces from Turkey, the Republic of Georgia, Ethiopia, Libya and Northern Africa, and the Caucuses, we can know this time has come. This is when God will intervene

Luke 21:20 tells us, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near.”

We can see who these hostile invading armies are, by reading Ezekiel chapter 38:1,

“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Verse 2. “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog (current day Russia),the chief ruler of Meshech (southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia) and Tubal (central Turkey), and prophesy against him,

Verse 3, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal.

Verse 4. I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them magnificently clothed in full armor, a great horde with buckler (small shield) and [large] shield, all of them wielding swords;

Verse 5. Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia), and Put (Libya, N. Africa) with them, all of them with shield and helmet;

Verse 6. Gomer (southern Russia) and all its troops; Beth-togarmah (the Caucuses region of Armenia and Georgia) from the remote parts of the north and all its troops–many peoples with you. 

  1. Gog, a.k.a., Rosh (Russia) and,
  2. Rosh (Russia),
  3. Magog (Russia),
  4. Gomer (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
  5. Put (Libya),
  6. Cush (Ethiopia),
  7. Persia (Iran),
  8. Meshech (Modern Day Turkey),
  9. Tubal (an area in central Turkey),
  10. Beth-Togarmah (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nation #6. Persia:  Iran

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

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

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

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

Because of the length and complexity of the scriptures regarding the invasion of Israel in the Last Days from the book of The Revelation, I will simply recap these events by linking to the appropriate verses, and a detailed commentary with videos by Zion’s Hope (David Rosenthal) at the end of this page..

Just know that the destruction of the Antichrist, the beast and their invading armies and demonic forces will be thoroughly defeated and cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 16 through 20) after the 7th Tribulation Bowl is poured out.

It is also worthy to note that there is some ‘controversy’ or discussion about the “2nd Coming” or the SECOND ADVENT of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:29-31 (and similarly in Luke 21) record these words, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (it is important to note the words ‘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.

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 BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”   This is clearly Jesus appearing, which will occur after the 5th Tribulation Seal and at the moment of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and is spoken of in the future tense. By all appearances we are well into the 5th Tribulation Seal and are very near the 6th Seal, so the ‘future tense’ of this verse can easily be considered to be from this day (10/11/2023) until His appearing – which could be immanent.

Then, in Revelation 19:11-16 we read, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 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. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Many commentators believe these verses describe the 2nd Advent of Christ. But clearly, taking Matthew 24:29-31 into account, this would be a THIRD advent, which would be incorrect. This is NOT a new advent or a new coming of Christ, but it is Jesus, who has already returned to gather His Elect (Matthew 24:31) and is seen sitting on horse, judging and waging war against the nations!

CONCLUSION – THE LONG VIEW

The events of the “Last Days” began as early as the birth and/or the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, as reported by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy in or around 2 B.C. through A.D. 95, and found in:

These events will conclude at the end of the pouring out of the Tribulation Bowls at the end of the SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION period, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.

We are seeing clear and distinct signs of the final days before His return and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. If you are His disciple, you do not need to be afraid. He is your protector. Your weapons and shield are the words of your testimony and the Blood of the Lamb.

When the time comes, He will give you words of wisdom to say, which no one can resist. Be brave and courageous.

If you have not already, now is the time, now is the day of your salvation. Turn to Jesus in humble submission and exchange your life for His, today – this moment. Find your peace, safety, sanctuary and salvation in Him!

If you have already given yourself and your life to God by His grace and through faith in Jesus, now is the time to complete your calling.

Do not wait for others to do the work of your calling – not the preacher, pastor, deacon, elder or friend. It is your calling and your joy to serve the Living God today.

YOU, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that He has commanded you; and lo, He is with you always [remaining with you perpetually–regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

ADDITIONAL READING:

UKRAINE AND RUSSIA IN. PROPHECY – THE BEGINNING OF THE END?

Additional Relevant Scriptures:

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS

A SECRET RAPTURE?

ONLY ONE 2nd APPEARING!

ONLY ONE SECOND COMING AND NO SECRET RAPTURE

THE RETURN OF JESUS AND THE END OF THE AGE

Following this video are a series of videos of greater detail on these matters:

Signs Of The 5th Tribulation Seal

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Signs of the FIFTH Tribulation Seal

 

Matthew 24, Verse 10. (Seal #5), And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24, Verse 13. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Revelation 6, Verse 9. (Seal #5) When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed 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 live on the earth?” Verse 11. And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told that they were to rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters who were to be killed even as they had been, was completed also.

2 Timothy 3:3, “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear].

The things described in these verses seem to be recognizable and occurring, especially in our day-and-time. But these things have been occurring since the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, not only have the continued to occur but they have been increasing in frequency and in their intensity. (see “Is This The End?”).

The foregoing prophetic statements referring to the “last days” fit perfectly with the words of Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy as they describe the events and times of the “last days”, which were written around A.D. 30, and are found in :

The progression and timing of the breaking of the Tribulation Seals in Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 6,7 and 8 can be seen in this short outline (below, with links) which compare Jesus’ account of the Tribulation period both in the Book of Revelation and in the Book of Matthew:

Revelation Chapter 6 – as corresponding to – Matthew Chapter 24

the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

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

(The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years

“THE GREAT TRIBULATION”)

the 6th Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun

  • Sealing of the 144,000
  • The Rapture
  • Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God).

WARNING:  Prior to the SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL, scriptures tell us that God will send a ‘deluding influence so people will believe a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness”.

This malaise and apostasy has infected Christian Churches across the globe and nowhere is it more evident that in the western world and in America. You can visit just about any church and find an ‘entertainment-oriented’ production, dedicated to move the emotions of the visitor, practitioner and adherent to moments of emotional ecstasy. The ‘sermons’ can better be described as intellectually fulfilling – a religious sales pitch about how things should be. . The ‘congregation has become an audience attending a play’ in large part.

The sense of ‘Church is like family’ has become a social affair. Cliques have taken the place of the Body. The day of lamenting one’s sins, brokenness and repentance at the altar are gone. (See “I Will Build My Church”).

This transformation, this apostasy has been developing over the decades and centuries. It was subtle at first. Now it is in full bloom and is unrecognized by the perpetrators – church-goers and Christians.

A more complete description of the attitudes and behaviors of people in these ‘last days, which are precursors to the Great Apostasy (the great falling away from the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus) and the Great Martyrdom and persecution of Christians,  (the fifth Tribulation Seal) are found in 2 Timothy chapter 3.

Verse 1, For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, verse 3,  [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, verse 4,  traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Verse 5,  holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].

 Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

Verse 6.  For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses,

 The term “morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women” as it is used here, may seem to be specifically aimed at women and to the exclusion of men. That is incorrect. This description is anachronistic. It must be understood in the social context of that day. Women, in general were considered to be second class members of society when these verses were written. Women’s lives and value were defined almost solely in relation to men: their fathers and husbands. This description is being used contemptuously to define anyone, and specifically a man who would be considered to behave in such a way. (It could be said, in a contemporary and derogatory way, “he acts just like a silly old women” or “he is such a Nancy”.)

 Always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Is this not what is occurring in our churches? People lament, “I am not being fed”. So, they are relieved of their own duty to ‘get off the milk of the word’ and feed themselves the meat of the word by doing the Word of God.

Too many churches and pastors placate ‘the sheep’, who by now should be pastors, teachers, deacons, elders, ambassadors for Christ, by substituting the ‘Work of the Gospel’ with always learning and listening and never actually ‘going into the fields which are ripe for harvesting’.

Just as Jannes and Jambres, [men, in the court magicians in the court of the Pharaohs Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.

The postmodern religious teachings of ‘hyper-grace’ and ‘soft-sell salvation’ has convinced millions upon millions that a small ritual of bowing one’s head and praying a simple prayer is all that is needed to be saved from the coming wrath and to go to heaven. This is not so.  Jesus is clear. It is the one who does the will of the Father who will be saved.

Finally, the importance of recognizing the intent of this letter by Timothy and the placement of the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal is that the first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS are, accoring to Jesus, ‘the birth pangs’ – forerunners of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, which begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

You and I must be the ‘salt and the light’. We must be the initiators, the ambassadors, the martyrs for Christ. We must demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] by our love [unselfish concern for others], by our joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], by our kindness, by our goodness, by our faithfulness, by our gentleness, by our self-control.

Against these things there is no law.  And those of us who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26)

We have now been warned against false teachers, false teachings, false prophets and our ominous proximity to the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

We have now been instructed how we are to engage this fallen world as the Day of The Lord draws near.

We have now been instructed about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and about living and walking by the Spirit with personal integrity, Godly character and moral courage, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The day and the hour of the SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL is near. It will initiate the 7 years of Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. A time when the world will see a God’s judgements, tribulation and devastation as it has never seen and will never see again.

Prepare yourself and your household and know that at that time, “Immediately after the tribulation of these days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not provide its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor].  And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather together His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLICAL TRIBULATION

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE PURPOSE, THE LENGTH AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIBULATION can be found in the book of

Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

RECAP:

  1. Verse 1. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people,
  2. everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse
  3. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven,
  4. and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,
  5. “How long< will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that
    1. it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.
  6. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand.
  7. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12.
    1. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

(This Book of The Revelation was written in 96 AD, 26 years after the destruction of the 2nd Temple. The destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples occurred and are a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.)

I. Revelation 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Jesus, shows His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

The things you read in the book of The Revelation have not yet been completed. Although the first “Seal of the Tribulation” were opened around A.D. 1, as witnessed by The Apostles Paul and Peter, and successive Seals two through four have been broken at various time since. The fifth Seal is now being broken, and we are awaiting the Great and Terrible day of the Lord, which will commence with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.)

He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant, John, v2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all that he saw.

Verse 3. Blessed is he who reads, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:1-3

Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age

(Concern yourself with the first 6 Seals):

Events found in Revelation Ch. 6 – Events found in Matthew Chapter 24

the 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famines, earthquakes, pestilence

the 4th Tribulation Seal – Death

the 5th Tribulation Seal – Martyrdom, persecution, revealing of the Antichrist, the great apostasy

II. Wars, famine, earthquakes, pestilence, death, martyrs, persecutions.

I hear so many people ask, “If God is a loving God, how can He allow so much suffering in the world? Why do such bad things happen to good people?” And, we have heard all the answers, some even denying that it is God Who allows such bad things to happen..

There seems to be three main categories of thought about why God allows bad things to happen.

1. Satan’s domain is this fallen world, at least, for now. Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. He is the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. It is Satan who brings trouble and suffering, even on the innocent.

2. This fallen world brings both good and evil. God has told us in Matthew 5:44 that. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Such is the natural fallen world.

3. God allows Tribulation as a means of executing His Righteous Judgment on evil and as a means to prepare us by to live in His Eternal Kingdom.

1 Peter 1:4 “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Verse 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Verse 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Verse 20 He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.

Verse 21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

Verse 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

God says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” We will suffer, but, God delivers us out of our afflictions.

How is this so? Why must we suffer only to be delivered? Psalms 34 verse 22 says “The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”

This is not a simple act of deliverance from trouble. It is a Devine Deliverance, the Redemption of your soul.

It is a Divine Deliverance,

The Redemption of your Soul!

III. Daniel 12 tells us God’s purpose for suffering is so that “Many will be purged, purified and refined” Daniel 12:10 We are being prepared, as His Bride, to enter His Kingdom.

IV. Acts 14:22 tells us that “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

V. And, 1 Peter 1 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,Verse 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Verse 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Verse 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Verse 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

We must Endure to the End

Overcome Tribulation and Suffering

To enter His Eternal Presence.

VI. Finally, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans8:18

I suspect, if we are at all alike, that we want to escape troubles, trials and tribulation, whenever possible. But, God’s Word says he will use these trials to “purge, purify and refine” us, for our preparation to live in His Eternal Kingdom. Daniel 12:10

Just know that Tribulation is already upon us and it intensifying. It has been foretold.

  • Get Ready,
  • Stay Ready,
  • Overcome and
  • Endure to the End
  • And You Shall Be Saved.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young