Category: Tribulation SEALS

WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – ARE WE AT WAR?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – ARE WE AT WAR?

(Please Note: I have condensed this page by using external page links in place of detailed explanation of footnotes, references and citations.  Please use these links for insights, details and references.)

Wars and rumors of war have been waged since the beginning of time. Whether between brothers, families, clans, tribes or nations, there has never been a true time of peace on earth.

Rather than recounting all the wars in the history of the world, let’s consider the most recent physical manifestations of this long-running war and see what we can determine.

Ukraine and Russia.

The United States has provided over $75 billion in aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. We are in great part, funding this war instead of fighting it directly.

Israel.

The U.S. has provided Israel with over $300 billion in aid since 1971, and U.S. has provisionally agreed to provide around $4 billion per year through 2028. Recently, the Biden administration has requested an additional $14 billion in emergency funding as Israel wars with Hamas terrorists. Although we are not directly engaging Hamas, Hezbollah or other terror groups in the region, we are helping by funding the war against them.

Iran.

The United States is spending billions of dollars responding militarily to attacks by Iranian military proxies, such as the Houthis, Hamas, Harakat al-Nujaba, Hezbollah and others. We also respond militarily on occasion.

China.

The United States has been in a trade war and a war of economic and geopolitical strategies with China. But recently, rhetoric between the two nations is sounding like saber-rattling. There is a deep concern that an actual war with China could be on the horizon.

Fear of a new full-blown global war is real. The reasons for this fear are complex. A multitude of opinions and facts quickly overwhelm the average reader. But all lead to the same conclusion: Any misstep could bring us dangerously close to a full scale war. A war that would be unimaginably costly and just as deadly.

Russia.

Russia is wary of the growth and encroachment of NATO on her borders. President Vladimir Putin has said as recently as October 2023 that suggestions the United States should prepare for a war against Russia and China were nonsense. Then warns the West that any war against Russia would be on a whole different level to the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that nuclear arms are ‘on the table’ in such a turn of events.

The United States Borders.

We are waging a war for our sovereignty. It is common knowledge that our borders are not secure and it is estimated that over 11 million people now reside in the U.S., who entered illegally.

There are justified fears that there are those who have entered the United States illegally are here to commit illegal activities or who plan to harm the United States acting as foreign spies or through terrorist activities.

Aren’t we already fighting a war and just won’t acknowledge it? We read and hear about the wars being fought around the world, every day. These are physical wars, taking scores of lives daily. They are devastating communities and destroying states and nations.

But what’s new with all of this? Haven’t things like this been going on for decades, even centuries?  The difference is that there is now a concurrence and a convergence of events that give additional meaning and urgency to what we are seeing.

Whether as a proxy or in direct confrontation, it would seem that the United States is already engaged in a physical global conflict, an undeclared state of war.

I would like to point out that there is also a spiritual war being waged in and unseen realm. A realm which is in the hearts and minds of men and women and is projected from these hearts and minds into the physical realm of our world.

This spiritual war is not just between nations and armies. It is being fought in our everyday lives. It is a war between good and evil, between God and His adversaries.

The end of this war was determined from its outset; but it must be fought to its conclusion. Your life in this present time, as well as your life eternally, are at stake.

  1. Simply put, the dramatic rise of Globalism is a main concern. A Marxist-style of Globalism is being promulgated and propagated by entities such as the United Nations (through their Agenda 2030), U.N.E.S.C.O, and the World Economic Forum. There is, however, a new twist on this approach to Globalism, which I shall dub as “The New Global Cabal” (T.N.G.C.).
    1. “The New Global Cabal” (T.G.N.C.) has renewed its efforts at world conquest by diminishing or eliminating the influence of global superpowers in order to merge all nations into a global community to be organized under a global commission to police and manage a one world government.
    2. What is new is that this new Global Cabal is replacing threats of warfare as a means of conquest, with something called Sustainable Development. This could be looked upon as a modern day Trojan Horse. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, promises to provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
  2. The second greatest problem facing this Globalist movement is the seemingly impossible task of getting the major world religions to cooperate in the formation of a one-world community with a one-world governance. This Global movement has formulated a genius method, however, to get the cooperation needed, and the crowning achievement is the establishment of the Abrahamic Family House. This is being introduced as a “Human Fraternity”. Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, issued and signed the Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together”, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is jointly bestowed on His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb. Three religions, Catholicism (2 billion), Islam, (1.9 billion), and Judaism, (15.2 million), are represented. What is glaringly absent is (non-Catholic) Christianity, (1.3 billion). (See “The One World Church” for more detail).
  3. Finally, there is a concurrent fulfillment of multiple Biblical prophecies converging and coinciding with ongoing and developing world events.
    1. The first is an apparent reappearance of the prophetic harbinger known as The Tower of Babel.
    2. Secondly, is the ongoing fulfillment of the words of Jesus, delivered on the Mount of Olives (around A.D. 30). His disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of Your (second) coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.” Jesus then went into summary detail of the convergence of end time events which lead to a One World Government, the steps to a One World Religion and the End of the Age. (See “Is This The End?”)

There has been centuries of talk about a tribulation, the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, the End of the Age, the second advent of Christ, a rapture of Christians from the earth and The Wrath of the Lamb.

We are told by Jesus and some of the Apostles that the End of Days, also known as the “birth pains” had begun as early as AD 1, but more likely between AD 30 and AD 100. For example:

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

The Apostle Paul called this period the LAST DAYS in Hebrews 9:26.

The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in Acts 2:14-17.

The Apostle Paul called this period THESE LAST DAYS in Hebrews 1:1-2.

The Apostle Timothy called this period the LAST DAYS in 2 Timothy 3:1.

The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in 1 Peter 1:20.

The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in 1 Peter 4:7.

The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in 2 Peter 3:3.

The Apostle John called this period the LAST DAYS in 1 John 2:18

It is very likely that the beginning of Sorrows, also known as the birth pangs as described in tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE  which have been broken, progressively, up until this day.

 the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

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

 Are we now standing at the precipice of the breaking of 6th Tribulation Seal?

There have been many times and events that have led Christians to believe that the day had arrived, only to discover that the time had not yet arrived. I believe many are growing skeptical when comparing current world events to prophecies. They are perhaps taking the stance that ‘it will happen when it happens’, and are becoming inattentive or doubtful, swallowed up in their own worldly affairs. But Scriptures tell us we will not know the day or the hour, but we can know ‘the season’ by the prophecies fulfilled and the events taking place.

Scriptures say that in comparison to “those days, before the (great global) 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 it will be with the coming of the Son of Man. At that time 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.” (See Matthew 24:38-41). Now is the time to be on watch and to be on the alert.

There has never been such a concurrence and convergence of both prophetic and world events as are now occurring. The Bible warns us to remain vigilant and ready and it gives examples and warnings of what will happen to those people who are not ready. (See Matthew 24:42 – 25:30).

All of this to say, that despite the chaos of political upheaval, the likelihood of wars, climatological fearmongering, famines, and earthquakes, Jesus tells us, “do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me.” Our hope and peace is found in Him.

Let’s be about the work of the Kingdom as we stay ready for His triumphant return and pray to hear Him say, “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

IT IS TIME – THE DAY IS UPON US

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

THE SIGN OF CHRIST’S RETURN AND THE END OF DAYS

‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God has said,

‘THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;

AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS WILL PROPHESY,

AND YOUR YOUNG MEN WILL SEE VISIONS,

AND YOUR OLD MEN WILL HAVE DREAMS;

AND EVEN ON MY MALE AND FEMALE SERVANTS

I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT IN THOSE DAYS,

And they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18 and Joel 2:28-29))

There are testimonies, warnings and plain statements regarding at time in the Bible known as the Last Days or the End of the Age. For example, Jesus gives us an account of the Last Days and The End of the Age from two distinct perspectives. We need to look at a Biblical comparison and correlation of The Seals of the Tribulation as seen in the book of Matthew and correlated with the book of The Revelation (1). So we can know the sequence of these events that may be prepared and ready at all times. (2). It is also important so that we will not be taken by surprise or frightened and lose focus and composure; (3). It is also a reminder that we are to inform and warn others of the present and coming judgements. To Wit:

Matthew 24:1-5 tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Revelation 1:1-3, which was written around A.D. 95 says, “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, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Verse 4. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who [c]is to come, and from the [d]seven spirits who are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— verse 6, and He made us into a kingdom, priests to [e]His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING

Jesus and these same disciples testified that these present and coming prophetic judgments and events may have already begun. in or around the birth of Christ or as late as A.D. 95, calling them “events of These Last Days”: 

Hebrews 1:2, “but in these last days He (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” 

(This was written by the Apostle Paul, is written in the present tense, in or around the year A.D. 70 and is referred to as these last days ).

Hebrews 9:26, “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

(These events were occuring in or around A.D. 30. The book of Hebrews is written by the Apostle Paul, and is written in the past and present tense, in or around A.D. 70 and is referred to as the end of the ages.)

Acts 2:14-17, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, 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, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.”

(This occurred in or around A.D. 60 and as written in the past and present tense, by Peter the Apostle, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is referred to as  being ‘in the last days’).

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

(This was written by the Apostle Timothy, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in or around the year A.D. 67, was written in the present tense and is referred to as being ‘in the last days‘.)

1 Peter 1:20-21, ” He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last times ‘.)

1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

 

(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘the end of all things‘.)

2 Peter 3:3, “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

(This is written in the future tense as a testimony about. things that were already beginning to occur, and was recorded in or around A.D. 90. This is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last days‘.)

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

(This is written in the present tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle John, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘the last hour‘.)

Matthew 24:29-31, ““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. 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 written in the future tense was recorded in or around A.D. 70, and is referred to, by the Apostle Matthew, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘after the tribulation of those days’ , speaking of the tribulation of those days already referred to (above here.)

RECAP:

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

  As seen in Revelation      –      As seen in Matthew

 the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

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

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

(CONCLUSION: These events (the breaking of Tribulation Seals 1 through 5) began in or around the birth of Christ or as late as A.D. 95, and have been overlapping and intensifying.  We are still waiting for the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal as described in Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-16)

Considering the ‘seasons’ which we have entered, and considering the Seal which is upon us, this prophecy from Isaiah 61 is being fulfilled. This is the calling of the Shofar to gather around and begin the final assault!

NOW, HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD has come upon us, because the LORD is anointing and commissioning us to bring good news to the humble and afflicted;

He is sending us to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, to proclaim release from confinement and condemnation to the physical and spiritual captives, and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, that is a day of salvation (49:8), and the year of His redeemed (63:4), and the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, so that we will no longer be prey to the nations, and the predators of the earth will not devour us; but we will live safely, and no one will make us afraid in this day of the Messiah’s reign.

To comfort all who mourn, To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning, the oil of joy instead of mourning, The garment expressive of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So, we will be called the trees of righteousness strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

We then will rebuild the ancient ruins, and we will raise up and restore the former desolations; And they will renew the legacy of the ruined cities, the spiritual desolations, deserted spiritual settlements, of many generations.

Strangers will stand and feed our flocks, and foreigners will be our farmers and our vinedressers.

And we shall be called the priests of the LORD; People will speak of us as the ministers of our God. We will eat the wealth of nations, And we will boast of their riches.

Instead of our former shame we will have a double portion; And instead of humiliation we will shout for joy over our portion.

Therefore, in this our land, we will possess double what we have forfeited; everlasting joy will be ours. (personalized from Isaiah 61)

(Then, at The Breaking of The Sixth Tribulation Seal (See Matthew 24:29-31))

‘I, (GOD), WILL DISPLAY WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE

AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,

BLOOD, FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.

‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS

AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,

BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD COMES.

‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’  (Acts 2:18-20 and Joel 2:30-32, Matthew 24:29-31)

The Lord is calling and. I am inviting you into the ranks of His earthly army. I am inviting you to join together as an earthly contingent of God’s heavenly armies to join in this final assault.

What does this mean?

First know, that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly and supernatural places.

Secondly know that we will encounter physical opponents who are of the spiritual forces of wickedness, but it is not ours to destroy them physically, but We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when our own obedience as a church is complete.

The time has come that the Church is no longer to be an idle building, a gathering place for pleasure and entertainment.

“The Apostle Paul says the foundation of this building called the church is made up of the prophets and the Apostles, that is, the Old Testament prophets and New Testament Apostles. Why? It’s because the prophets and Apostles are the agents of revelation by whom God speaks to His people. They delivered the Word of God. Another way of saying this is that the foundation of the church is the Word of God.

“That’s why we must pay close attention to our doctrine of Scripture. The attacks launched against the integrity, authority, sufficiency, and trustworthiness of Scripture are attacks not upon a side alcove of this building. They don’t put a dent in the roof of the church. They’re attacks on the church’s very foundation. To have a church without Apostolic authority, without the Word of God as its foundation, is to build a church on sand rather than on rock. The foundation of the prophets and the Apostles is necessary for the entire edifice of the church to stand securely.

“Paul continues the building metaphor in Ephesians 2:20b: “Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” Christ is the cornerstone, the point that holds the foundation together. Take out the cornerstone, and everything falls apart. “In [Christ] the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:21–22). The church is a new temple built in Christ, by Christ, and for Christ. Obviously, Paul isn’t saying the church is a building made out of mortar and brick, but that we are the stones, the living stones, as 1 Peter 2:5 tells us. Each believer is part of this church just as each stone is part of a building. The church, the new temple, is still under construction. Every day, new stones are added. This new temple will not be finished until Jesus returns to consummate His kingdom. Christ is still building His church, not by adding cement but by adding people who are the stones that hold together in Him.

“Paul continues in Ephesians 3:14–19,

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

“The Apostle Paul explains the doctrine of the church so that we might understand what God has done and so that we may understand who we are. And in calling us to understand who we are and what we’re called to do, Paul says that we’re the church. We’re the church that God ordained from the foundation of the world. We’re His people; we‘re His household, so let the church be the church.

“Christ is the cornerstone, the point that holds the foundation together.

“We’re living in a time of crisis. Many Christians are decrying the decadence of American culture and complaining about the government and its value system. I understand that, but if we want to be concerned for our nation and culture, our priority must be the renewal of the church. We are the light of the world.

“Government merely reflects and echoes the customs embraced by the people in a given generation. In a real sense, our government is exactly what we want it to be, or it wouldn’t be there. Change in culture doesn’t always come from the top down. It often comes from the bottom up. The change we need to work for, chiefly, is renewal within the church. As the church becomes the fellowship of citizens of heaven who manifest what it means to be the household of Christ, and when the church walks according to the power of the Holy Spirit—then the people of God will shine as the light of the world. When people see that light, they will give glory to God (Matt. 5:16). This will change the world. But Paul says, first of all, let the church be the church. We must remember who we are, who the foundation is, who the cornerstone is, who the head of our building is, who the Lord of the church is.

“Do we love the church? I doubt if there have been many times in our history when there has been as much anger, hostility, disappointment, and disillusionment with the institutional church as there is today. It’s hard not to be critical of the church because in many ways the church has failed us. But if the church has failed, that means we have failed. We are called to serve the church in the power of God the Holy Spirit.

“We, the church, have been made for this task by the indwelling presence and power of God’s Spirit. Yet, we are called not so much to rise up but to bow down. And if we bow down to our Lord, as Paul says in Ephesians 3:14, the church will be the church, and our light will pierce the darkness.” (the foregoing in quotes is from Ligonier.com, by R.C. Sproul)

PUTTING OUT THE CALL

This is an all-volunteer force. I you need financial support, you will eventually have to raise that funding as you go.

This is not a call to build buildings, to establish religious corporations nor to leash ourselves to any 501-c-3 contract. This is not a hierarchy of priests. You are like living stones, being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:

You are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A special PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies, the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were NOT A PEOPLE at all, but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

We will consider others as more important that ourselves. We will continually and faithfully devote ourselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers. Day after day we will meet, continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. We will eat their meals together with joy and generous hearts.

I am putting out the call, first for:

Apostles:   The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”.  It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land.  Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel. (There is no passage in the Bible saying this gift was temporary nor that is has ceased)

Prophets: In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11).  The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”.

Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).

​Evangelists:   An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.

Pastors:   This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”.  Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.

(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

​During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)

Teachers:  Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.

Also, Those with the spiritual gift of Service: The word translated as “ministry” is diakonia, which can also be translated “service”.  Since there are many types of ministries and service to the Church, this then describes a broad array of gifts rather than a single gift.

Those with the spiritual gift of Exhortation: The ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works”.

Those with the spiritual gift of Giving: Those with this gift share their own possessions with others with extraordinary generosity. While all Christians should be givers, those possessing this gift will go beyond this normal giving.

Those with the spiritual gift of Overseeing:  This gift speaks to the various roles found in the Church. While many think of roles such as administration, management of funds, strategy planning, etc. as functions outside of the supernatural realm, in reality individuals in these positions are just as in need of supernatural empowerment as are ministers of the gospel.  This is sometimes inappropriately called ‘leadership’.

Those with the spiritual gift of Mercy:  Possibly identical to the gift of helps, the mercy-shower possesses a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion to the poor and sick.

​ Those with the spiritual gift of a Word of wisdom:   An utterance or message of wisdom supernaturally granted to an individual. For Paul, wisdom refers to “the knowledge of the great Christian mysteries: the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, and the indwelling in the believer of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:17)”.

​ Those with the spiritual gift of a Word of knowledge: The knowledge referred to is often said to relate to understanding Christian doctrine or scriptural truth.  It is sometimes said to be connected with the ministry of teachers.

Those with the spiritual gift of Faith:  This refers to that strong or special faith “which removes mountains, casts out devils (Matthew 17:19–20), and faces the most cruel martyrdom without flinching”.  It is distinguished from the “saving” and “normal” Christian faith.

Those with the spiritual gift of Gifts of healing:  The ability to supernaturally minister healing to others. The plural indicates the variety of sickness healed and the many forms the gift takes, such as healing by anointing with oil, by the laying on of hands, by saying the name of Jesus or by the sign of the cross.

Those with the spiritual gift of ​Working of miracles: The performance of deeds beyond ordinary human ability by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 and is expected to increase and be of great value in the “last days”.

Those with the spiritual gift of Discerning of spirits:  The capacity to discern, distinguish, or to discriminate the source of a spiritual manifestation—whether it emanates from a good or evil spirit. It seemed to have been particularly associated with prophecy as it would be necessary to know whether a prophetic utterance was truly inspired by God.

​ Those with the spiritual gift of ​Helps:  This gift has to do with service to the sick and the poor.   Possessor of this gift has a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted”.

Those with the spiritual gift of Administration:   Also called the gift of governing, the Greek word translated “governments” is “kubernesis”, the verb form of which means “to steer” or “to be a helmsman”. This gift then refers to the God-given capacity to oversee or guide the Church through storms and difficult seas.

 

CONCLUSION

This is not meant to be and is not a ‘new movement’. It is a continuation of the Church that Jesus built, as the Bible describes it. There are to no assumptions to be made about anything that is not written in the Bible (such as special or new revelations, unwritten words of knowledge, new prophetic words, cessation, reformation, replacement). If the Bible is silent, we are silent. Where the Bible speaks, we speak.

We must become (recreate in our own lives) what Jesus created as His Church. The fruit of the Spirit, the result of His presence within us, is love and unselfish concern for others, joy, inner peace, patience, not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Remembering that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified and are crucifying the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

We must strive to remember that as we claim to live by the Holy Spirit, we will 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.

Pray that, following the lead and example of Jesus, as our numbers grow, God’s influence will become an irresistible force as the day of His return draws ever-so-near.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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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

THESE LAST DAYS – Hidden facts found in plain sight

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 1 Comment

THE SIGNS OF CHRIST’S RETURN

There are testimonies, warnings and plain statements regarding at time in the Bible known as the Last Days or the End of the Age. For example, Jesus gives us an account of the Last Days and The End of the Age from two distinct perspectives. We need to look at a Biblical comparison and correlation of The Seals of the Tribulation as seen in the book of Matthew and correlated with the book of The Revelation (1). So we can know the sequence of these events that may be prepared and ready at all times. (2). It is also important so that we will not be taken by surprise or frightened and lose focus and composure; (3). It is also a reminder that we are to inform and warn others of the present and coming judgements. To Wit:

  • Matthew 24:1-5 tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
  • Revelation 1:1-3, which was written around A.D. 95 says, “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, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

  • Verse 4. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who [c]is to come, and from the [d]seven spirits who are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— verse 6, and He made us into a kingdom, priests to [e]His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

These words were written sometime around A.D. 90. Over 1,900 years have passed since this prophecy was written, and according to the God-breathed and Holy Spirit inspired Word of God. The first ‘contradiction’, if that is possible, is if these were ‘to soon take place’.

(Please Note: Many protestant denominations will interpret Revelation 1:7 as being fulfilled in Revelation 19:11 as “Jesus’ Second coming’. It is important, when establishing a Biblical timeline, to get the chronology right. Please compare Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 19:11

Matthew 24:30-31, “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.”

And,

Revelation 19:11-16, “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.”

Matthew 24:30, is when 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 will occur at the beginning of the 7-year period of the Great Tribulation period. This is when Jesus 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 THE ONE AND ONLY 2ND ADVENT – AND THE GATHERING (rapture) OF HIS ELECT (CHOSEN).

Revelation 19:11, is when the 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 is to occur at the end of the Bowls of Wrath, which is at the end of the 7-year Great tribulation period. This is when Jesus ‘judges and wages war’. JESUS HAS ALREADY RETURNED AND GATHERED HIS ELECT (HIS CHOSEN) AND IS NOW DEFEATING THE BEAST, THE ANTICHRIST AND ALL WHO RELIEVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST, and is casting them into the lake of fire.

Jesus and these same disciples testified that these present and coming prophetic judgments and events may have already begun. in or around A.D. 30, calling them “events of These Last Days”: 

  • Hebrews 1:2, “but in these last days He (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” 

(This was written by the Apostle Paul, is written in the present tense, in or around the year A.D. 70 and is referred to as these last days ).

  • Hebrews 9:26, “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

(These events were occuring in or around A.D. 30. The book of Hebrews is written by the Apostle Paul, and is written in the past and present tense, in or around A.D. 70 and is referred to as the end of the ages.)

  • Acts 2:14-17, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, 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, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.”

(This occurred in or around A.D. 60 and as written in the past and present tense, by Peter the Apostle, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is referred to as  being ‘in the last days’).

  • 2 Timothy 3:1,“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.‘

(This was written by the Apostle Timothy, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in or around the year A.D. 67, was written in the present tense and is referred to as being ‘in the last days‘.)

  • 1 Peter 1:20-21, “ He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last times ‘.)

  • 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

(This is written in the past tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘the end of all things‘.)

  • 2 Peter 3:3, “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

(This is written in the future tense as a testimony about. things that were already beginning to occur, and was recorded in or around A.D. 90. This is referred to, by the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as being ‘in the last days‘.)

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

(This is written in the present tense was recorded in or around A.D. 90, and is referred to, by the Apostle John, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘the last hour‘.)

  • Matthew 24:29-31, ““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. 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 written in the future tense was recorded in or around A.D. 70, and is referred to, by the Apostle Matthew, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as referred to as being in ‘after the tribulation of those days’ , speaking of the tribulation of those days already referred to (above here.)

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

It is important because this illustrates the correct timeline and timing of these events. ‘NOT THE DAY NOR THE HOUR’, because no one knows the exact day or hour, not even Jesus, but the Father alone knows. But, this does give us an accurate description of the fig tree: “as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near;. (Matthew 24:32)

It is important because we must be mentally, physically and spiritually of and ready for the things that are upon us so we do not faint or fall away.

It is important because the context, the uses and meanings of these various words which refer to Tribulation affect our attitudes and our motivation for GETTING and STAYING READY for His return. They also affect our view of the timing of the coming Tribulation and the Great Tribulation.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Why does it matter “when” the tribulation starts or “when” Christians are to be raptured into the heavens?

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 behaviors
are speaking louder than our words – and if we truly believe these things are coming to pass – we need to be getting ready

Finally, there is are two huge misconceptions or misunderstanding and in some churches, a false teaching that (#1), the Rapture will occur before the appearing of the Antichrist.

HOWEVER, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 clearly says, “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  (the day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”

And (#2), the second big misconception is that the ‘mark of the beast’ will be given and this will occur prior to the rapture, when at that time no one will be able to buy or sell without that mark’.

However, Revelation 3:16-17 says, He will “cause all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Therefore, the Antichrist gives his ‘mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment and at the blowing of 7th Trumpet Judgment – which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation – which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.

I mention these two misconceptions because they are included in the chronology of the last days.

Coming next: Confirm scriptures with scriptures regarding the Last Days by correlating and comparing the Tribulation Seals from Matthew chapter 24 with the book of The Revelation chapters 6, 7 and eight.

(Jesus, in the book of Matthew gives a present view looking to the future – Jesus, in The book of The Revelation gives a panorama of a continuous past, present and future.)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe. Next episode of “THESE LAST DAYS – Hidden facts found in plain sight – Part 2”.

WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE

Spiritual Natural

(The Right Order of God’s Creation)

While listening to a sermon from James 1:9-11, I realized that the backdrop of James’ words could be framed by what we have been seeing since creation and throughout history – which is intensifying once again in these Last Days – what I will call “THE GREAT SPIRITUAL INVERSION”. If you look close enough, you can see this “INVERSION” described and illustrated in the book of New Testament book of James. God gives the correct order of creation, for example, as seen in:

(James 1:9-11, New American Standard Bible)

“Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

“But the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also, the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.”  

“Let the brother [or sister] in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];

 (James 1:9-11, Amplified Bible version)

“And the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.”

There are two world systems which have emerged as a result of this INVERSION. All things began with God’s Initial Plan of Creation, and as sin entered the world, two “alternate plans” emerged which are competing for the hearts and minds of all humankind. This ‘competition’, as it is rightly called, can be, and often is, violent and deadly. These systems which have emerged from God’s Created Order are

CAPITALISM, which is derived from GOD’S CREATED ORDER and COMMUNISM, SOCIALISM AND MARXISM, a perverse derivative taken from God’s Created Order.

For a complete chart, click on this text:  CAPITALISM   VS.  SOCIALISM   VS   COMMUNISM.

NOTE:  From the Communist Manifesto: “Socialism is the first necessary step from Capitalism to Communism. Once Communism is established, Socialism is done away with, discarded”.

The Socialist and Communist manifestos clearly state that Christianity is the bane of their systems and objectives and must be eliminated and eradicated at any and all costs.

Christianity calls for the conversion of all other systems to a belief in and a voluntary adherence to the ways, means and purposes of God.

Satan’s “SPIRITUAL INVERSION”. is the devil’s attempt ”to deceive the nations to call evil good, and good evil; who substitutes darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitutes bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter”, (see Isaiah 5:20 in all English translations). Satan’s “SPIRITUAL INVERSION” is in full attack mode and is on full display, in these Last Days, which are the days in which we now live as evidenced by:

Now, also read and hear the words pointing to the INVERSION:

“For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. “On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking[godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles.

“Therefore, God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], because [by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

“For this reason, God gave them over to degrading and vile passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural [a function contrary to nature], and in the same way also the men turned away from the natural function of the woman and were consumed with their desire toward one another, men with men committing shameful acts and in return receiving in their own bodies the inevitable and appropriate penalty for their wrongdoing.

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity]. Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them.” (Romans 1:18-32, from the Amplified Bible version)

Abandonment of Faith

“But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning], who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from [certain kinds of] foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and have [a clear] knowledge of the truth.For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.”(1 Timothy 4:1-4, from the Amplified Bible version)

 Difficult Times Will Come

“But understand this, that in [these] Last Days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come, [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 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, [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, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 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. 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, always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7, from the Amplified Bible version.)

There have been previous ‘outbreaks’ or attempts through schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. Remembering that our struggle is not against flesh and blood contending only with physical opponents, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly supernatural places.

  1. The Tower of Babel (2242 B.C.) – Anti-God.
  2. The Rise of Nazism (1919) – Anti-Christian, Anti-Jew.
  3. The Rise of Socialism (1789), Communism (1848), and Marxism (1917) – Anti-God, Anti-Christian, Anti-Jew).
  4. The Rise of the United Nations (1945), U.N.E.S.C.O., (1946) The World Economic Forum (1971) – Anti-God, Anti-Christian, Anti-Jew; Pro-Marxism).
  5. Signatories to Agenda-2030.

Forces of darkness.

It would appear that Satan is succeeding in coalescing the nations of the world around his plan of “spiritual INVERSION”. But it is only a little more time before God settles the score and puts all things in His Right order, and then “the devil who has deceived the nations will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  (see Revelation 20:10).

James is explaining in fine detail and is defending, in practical terms, the immutable superiority of God’s Created Order and the Only Reality.

(PLEASE CLICK HERE to complete this teaching with “The Right Order of God’s Creation” – as found in the book of Matthew, Chapter 5.ß

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

BE THE WATCHMAN – The Signs of Christ’s Return

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

BE A WATCHMAN

The Signs of Christ’s Return

We completed the last chapter, “WARNINGS ABOUT THE RISING PHARISAICAL SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST, HIRELINGS & THE 8 WOES”, with the words from Matthew chapter 23 which are both an indictment of the Pharisees of Jesus day and a warning of the coming Apostasy as prophesied in the Bible. An Apostasy which is now spreading and intensifying and is evident in many, if not most, so-called mainline churches.

There are still many good and well-intentioned Churches, pastors and disciples of Jesus working diligently to follow Jesus and to do the Works He has prepared ahead of time. But, even among these faithful, there are the temptations and distractions of the Pharisaical spirit which have crept into their hearts and minds, leading them astray.

The easiest thing and yet the most difficult thing you can do is to…

  1. Be the salt and light of the Gospel of Christ where you are. Make your closest associations with likeminded Christ following believers. But do not hide. Make His influence felt through your life and behavior, wherever you go.
  1. Try to find a Church (a local Body of Christ) who are not staining themselves with the things of the world (see Galatians 5:19-21).
  1. Seek to become “the living stones, being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.( 1 Peter 2:5).

Remember that you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Next, Jesus gives us an account of the Last Days and The End of the Age from two distinct perspectives. We need to look at a Biblical comparison and correlation of The Seals of the Tribulation as seen in the book of Matthew and correlated with the book of The Revelation (1). so we can know the sequence of these events that may be prepared and ready at all times. (2). It is also important so that we will not be taken by surprise or frightened and lose focus and composure; (3). It is also a remember that we are to inform and warn others of the present and coming judgements. To Wit:

  • Matthew 24:1-5 tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
  • Revelation 1:1, says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place…”

These words were written sometime around A.D. 90. Over 1,900 years have passed since this prophecy was written, and according to the God-breathed and Holy Spirit inspired Word of God. The first ‘contradiction’, if that is possible, is if these were ‘to soon take place’, why haven’t they? But that is the wrong question to ask.

  • The right question to ask is, “Is this is more rock-solid evidence that the breaking of the first tribulation seals began at the birth of Christ and ‘the things which must soon take place’  began to appear around the time John the Apostle wrote his Apokalupsis?”.
  • Later, Jesus and these same disciples testified that these present and coming prophetic judgments and events had already begun in or around A.D. 30, calling them “events of These Last Days”: 
  • Hebrews 1:2, “but in these last days He (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
  • Hebrews 9:26, “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
  • Acts 2:14-17, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, 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, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.

  • 2 Timothy 3:1,“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.‘
  • 1 Peter 1:20-21, “ He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
  • 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (Spoken in or around A.D. 30).
  • 2 Peter 3:3, “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
  • 1 John 2:18, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have (already) come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.“
  • Matthew 24:29-31, ““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. 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.”

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

It is important because we must be mentally, physically and spiritually of and ready for the things that are upon us so we do not faint or fall away.

It is important because the context, the uses and meanings of these various words which refer to Tribulation affect our attitudes and our motivation for GETTING and STAYING READY for His return. They also affect our view of the timing of the coming Tribulation and the Great Tribulation.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Why does it matter “when” the tribulation starts or “when” Christians are to be raptured into heavens?

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 if these things are coming to pass – we need to be getting ready.

Correlation of the Seals from equating Matthew to Revelation:

(Jesus, in the book of Matthew gives a present view looking to the future – Jesus, in The book of The Revelation gives a panorama of a continuous past, present and future.)

After reading the following, please ask and answer, WHAT IS GOING ON in:

  • Matthew 24:1 –5, “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?” And Jesus answered and said to them. “See to it that no one misleads you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
  • Revelation 6:1-2, “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” I looked, and behold…”

Seal 1 – Matthew 24:6-7 – also in Revelation 6:1 – 6:3 – WARS & RUMORS OF WAR, RIDER ON WHITE HORSE.

 

WHAT IS GOING ON in the First Seal in Matthew 24?

Matthew 24:6. “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

  • “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars -Matthew 24:6”
    • (future tense – spoken in A.D. 30).
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the First Seal in Matthew 24?

Matthew 24:7-8, “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 pains.

  • “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against – Matthew 24:7”
    • (future tense – spoken in A.D. 30) .
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur have been are increasing in intensity to this day).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the First Seal in Revelation 6?

Revelation 6:1–2, Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

  • “A white horse rider went out conquering and to conquer – Revelation 6:2”
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D.)
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).

-The Completion of the First Tribulation Seal –

Seal 2 & 3: Matthew 24:7-8 – also in Revelation 6:5 – FAMINES & EARTHQUAKES & A RED HORSE.

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Second and Third Seals in Matthew 24?

Matthew 24:7-8, “…and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

  • and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
  • “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
    • (This is the beginning – in or around A.D. 30,and they have been continuing to occur and are increasing in intensity to this day).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Second and Third Seals in Revelation 6?

Revelation 6:3-4. “When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

  • “A red horse went out to take peace from the earth and people would kill one another – Revelation 6:4”
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and has been increasing in intensity to this day).
  • People would kill one another.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and has been increasing intensity to this day).

 -The Completion of the Second & Third Tribulation Seals –

Seal 4: Matthew 24:9 – also in Revelation 6:7 – PERSECUTION, DISEASE, FAMINE, DEATH.

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Fourth Seal in Matthew 24?

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.

  • “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Fourth Seal in Revelation 6?

Revelation 6:7-8, “When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.”

  • An ashen horse of death.
  • Death by sword, famine, pestilence and wild beasts.
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity and will culminate with over one-fourth of earth’s inhabitants killed).

– The Completion of the Fourth Tribulation Seal –

 

Seal 5: Matthew 24:10-15 – also in Revelation 6:9 – APOSTASY, FALSE PROPHETS, HATRED, LAWLESSNESS, ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, GREAT EARTHQUAKES, MARTYRS, DEATH.

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Fifth Seal in Matthew 24?

Matthew 24:10-15, “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. 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. Therefore, when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place – let the reader understand. (this is the last of the prophecies to come).

  • Many will fall away and hate one another (the great Apostasy).
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
  • False prophets will arise and mislead many..
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity to this day).
  • The Abomination of Desolation (<-link).
    • (A past event foreshadowing the future event which marks the last of the prophecies and the coming End).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Fifth Seal in Revelation 6?

Revelation 6:9-11, “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; 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?” 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.”

  • Persecutions, martyrs and death of the saints of God.
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 30, are continuing to occur and have been increasing in intensity until the end).

 – The Completion of the Fifth Tribulation Seal –

Seal 6: Matthew 24:29-31 – also in Revelation 6:12 – COSMIC CATACLYSMS after the tribulation of the previous days, TERROR, SUN DARKENED, MOON WILL NOT SHINE, STARS WILL FALL, HEAVENS SHAKEN, SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN, SON COMING ON THE CLOUDS, GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, GATHERING OF THE ELECT, RAPTURE.

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Sixth Seal in Matthew 24?

“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. 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.

  • “But immediately after the tribulation of those days
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).
  • THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
    • (A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Sixth Seal in Revelation 6?

Revelation 6:12-17, “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

  • There was a great earthquake.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • The sun became black

    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • The moon became like blood.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • The stars fell from the sky.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • The sky was split apart like a scroll.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • Him who sits on the throne.
    • (Present historical tense; is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
    • (It has always been this, from the past to the present).
  • Hide us from The Wrath of the Lamb.
    • (Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95).
    • (has been prophesied to occur as of A.D. 95, therefore, it is continuing to occur in God’s Time until its completion).
  • The Great Day of Wrath has come.
    • Notice this is in the Aorist tense; has occurred, is occurring, is continuing to occur – spoken in A.D. 95)
    • (has been occurring since A.D. 95, are continuing to occur and has been increasing in intensity).(A coming event such as the world has never seen before and never will again – The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of the Lamb – the final 7 years).

An Interlude between the 6th Tribulation Seal and the 7th Tribulation Seal. (the last of the prophecies yet to come)

 

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Sixth Seal in Revelation 7?

  • Revelation 7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

 WHAT IS GOING ON in the Sixth Seal in Revelation 7?

The 144,000 Sealed

  • Revelation 7:4-5 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
  • from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6 from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

A Multitude from the Tribulation – The Rapture

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Sixth Seal in Revelation 7?

Who is the ‘great multitude’

  • Revelation 7:9-16, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10and they cry out with a loud voice,

 WHAT IS GOING ON in the Sixth Seal in Revelation 7?

Where is this great multitude?

  • saying, “Salvation 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 and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Where did this great multitude come from?

  • “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”
  • “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.
  • “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
    • See Revelation 22.
    • All of these final events have culminated with the elect of God having been raptured before the Throne of God and in their eternal home, God’s Eternal Tabernacle.

– The Completion of the Sixth Tribulation Seal –

Seal 7: Revelation – SILENCE IN HEAVEN for half an hour, SEVEN ANGELS and SEVEN TRUMPETS, PEALS OF THUNDER, SOUNDS AND FLASHES OF LIGHTENING AND AN EARTHQUAKE.

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Seventh Seal in Matthew 24?

Silence. (Jesus will continue in Matthew with instruction of recognizing the times and days, preparing for these Last Days and the Blessings and Consequences for not preparing ahead of time – preparing NOW!

  • The scene now moves to the heavens (see Revelation chapter 8).

WHAT IS GOING ON in the Seventh Seal in Revelation 8?

  • Revelation 8:1-2, “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
    • A lull in the cosmic and terrestrial storms.
    • 7 angels standing BEFORE GOD and 7 trumpets are given to them. (These are the 7 trumpets of judgement).
  •  Revelation 8:3-5, “Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

 – The Completion of the Seventh Tribulation Seal –

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: Jesus’ Instructions and warnings about getting ready, being ready and staying ready for His return.

THIS MAY BE HARD TO WATCH

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THIS WORLD IS PASSING AWAY

We must recognize that this world is passing away and we are instructed by God through His Word that we are ‘not (to) love this world or the things in this world. (For), if anyone loves this world, the love of the Father is not in (them). For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And this world is passing away along with its desires—but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (see 1 John 2:15-17).

HOWEVER, WE ARE BUT SOJOURNERS

1 Peter 1:1-2, makes a startling revelation in an introduction to this letter,: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.” (The English Standard Version).

The Amplified Bible Version puts it this way, “Peter, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those [elect—both Jewish and Gentile believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God].

A direct translation from the Greek language defines “exile” as, a sojourner “parepidémos”; sojourning, in a strange place; residing in a strange country; a stranger, a sojourner.

Strong’s concordance reference #3927 “parepídēmos” – a sojourner (foreigner) – literally, someone “passing through” but still with personal relationship with the people in that locale (note the prefix, para, “close beside”). This temporary (but active) relationship is made necessary by circumstances. (These are defined only by the context.)

Also, Jesus tells us, in John 17:14-16, “I have given them (the people whom You have given Me out of the world) your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

WE ARE BUT “PURPOSELY PASSING THROUGH”

We, as Christians, may have become accustomed to and fond of this world into which we were born. We may even be in love with this world, but we are not of this world. We must recognize that we are but exiles and sojourners in a foreign land. Simply passing through, (although nothing about it may seem simple at the time).

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered (as worthless).

“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” (2 Peter 2:3-10-12)

It would seem that the “unbelieving world” knows this better than the “Believers in God”. They (the unbelievers) are working feverishly to avert the coming destruction of this world and the end of the age. Just look at the global effort to conserve and preserve our world from ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ and to make ‘sustainable development” a reality.

But the truth is “The Earth is Groaning”.

  • Red Alerts – Arctic Lands Grow Greener.
  • Scientist Find Record Warm Water in Antarctica, Cause of Glacier Melt.
  • Sea Level Rise could Reshape the United States, Trigger Migration.
  • Climate researchers can now detect the fingerprint of global warming in daily weather observations at the global scale.
  • Groundwater depletion in America’s West.
  • Climate warming disrupts tree seed production.
  • Climate warming speeding up earth’s ocean currents.
  • A worldwide push toward One World Government (Globalism).
  • Worldwide anarchy, wars and rumors of war.
  • Climate changes of historic proportions.
  • Strange new and threatening diseases.
  • Global Pandemics.
  • Droughts, famines and increasing frequency of earthquakes.

“The Arctic is figuratively and literally on fire — it’s warming much faster than we thought it would in response to rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and this warming is leading to a rapid meltdown and increase in wildfires,” University of Michigan environmental school dean Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist, said in an email.”

“The record warming in Siberia is a warning sign of major proportions,” Overpeck wrote.

“Persistently warm weather, especially if coupled with wildfires, causes permafrost to thaw faster, which in turn exacerbates global warming by releasing large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide, said Katey Walter Anthony, a University of Alaska Fairbanks expert on methane release from frozen Arctic soil.”

“Methane escaping from permafrost thaw sites enters the atmosphere and circulates around the globe,” she said. “Methane that originates in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. It has global ramifications.”

“That seems to weaken and sometimes even stall the jet stream, meaning weather systems such as those bringing extreme heat or rain can stay parked over places for days on end, Cohen said.”

FEAR-MONGERING or FACT?

The weather channel has an article saying “A new study has found the Gulf Stream is circulating at its slowest rate in at least 1,600 years, contradicting reports to the contrary. Climate change is to blame for the slowdown, the study concluded. If the circulation stops completely, it would have catastrophic impacts on our weather.”

The article briefly states that “some scientists who weren’t involved in the study agreed with the findings, but others said a lack of data left them skeptical of the study. MIT professor Carl Wunsch said the study’s “assertions of weakening are conceivable, but unsupported by any data” in an interview with the AP.

“A separate study, also released in the journal “Nature“, claims the 150-year slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, (AMOC). is a result of natural changes, not man-made climate change. But, both conclude, the slowdown is occurring, and it could impact our weather in the coming years.”

A 2000-YEAR-OLD WEATHER FORECAST:

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

HERE IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE WINDS STOPPED BLOWING:

“It would rarely rain in inland locations (wind moves moist air over dry spots and falls as rain). All land not near a body of water would turn into a desert.

“There would be more extreme temperatures (the warm/cold air over the ground would not be replaced by the steady temperature air of the oceans and seas).

“The trade winds would no longer exist, and ocean stream currents would eventually stop. This would to serious climate changes. (The Gulf Stream keeps Europe warm).”

“After a few days the problem arrives. Without wind systems, warm, moist air won’t move around. Water might still evaporate, but it won’t travel, meaning anywhere away from a large body of water will dry up. Lakes might be alright as the evaporating water will fall back into them and the sea will be fine but anywhere else will get very dry, very quickly. Plants, animals and humans will slowly die from dehydration with most water inaccessible as salt water or ice. Even if we survive this, the problems don’t stop. The equator will no longer shed its heat as quickly, so it will become very warm, mountains may remain cool enough to be habitable but nowhere else will. At the same time, the poles, deprived of heat from the equator, will freeze solid.”

Science is recently saying what the Bible has been saying for centuries.

AN URGENT MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

All of this has been recorded ahead of time and is foretold in great and frightening detail.  You simply need the “eyes to see” and “the ears to hear”.

All of these things and this historic time had been recorded, in various books of the Bible, in particular, the Book of Revelation.

THE ENTIRE EARTH IS GROANING

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.   For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?   But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

Our time for this planet is short, but God says,
“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME, I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION, I HELPED YOU.”
Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—

The wise man or woman will turn to God and live, but the fool says in their heart that there is no God!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

If you have the time, please read further:

Frightfully, most Christians have bought into a ‘wait and see if it’s really true, narrative’ fed to us, some by our own religious institutions.

Listen to what the Apostle Peter tells us about this,

Act 2:14 “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them:

“Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;

Verse 16. But this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

Verse 18. EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,
I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.

Verse 19. ‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.

Verse 20. ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME.

Verse 21. ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

Peter is telling us that the “Last Days” started at or around Pentecost, in the year AD 30, as prophesied in Joel 2:28-32.

Here is additonal proof by the words of Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy, written around A.D. 30, and are found in :

Now here is the scenario as told by Jesus from the Revelation:

The 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue, ongoing since AD 1

The 2nd Tribulation Seal – Global Wars and Rumors of War, ongoing since AD 1

The 3rd Tribulation Seal – Global Famine, ongoing since AD 1

The 4th Tribulation Seal – Global Death, pandemics, ongoing since AD 1

The 5th Tribulation Seal –Martyrs, persecution, revealing of the Anti-Christ, the great falling away (apostasy), now underway and growing worse

The 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic and Astronomical phenomenon, weather disturbances, cosmic cataclysms. This has not occurred yet, but is on the horizon. This happens after the rapture of the Church.

Global Warming?  Something is happening, folks. But, it is not what we are being told and not for the reasons we are being told by the news media. But, something is happening!

So, how can you know the truth, and what can you do about it? Well, since God is the One allowing it and since His Word (The Bible) has foretold this coming event, I would say “Go to God’s Word and find out for yourself”.  In the meantime, GET READY!

(Click here or on the image above for details about “WHAT IT MEANS TO GET READY“. Please read the entire article, but, Page 31 tells the Christian, specifically, what it means to get ready.)

 

 

CHRISTIANITY – THE LAST BATTLE FRONT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Christianity – The Last Battlefront – audio link

What has occurred – What is occurring – What is to come

What your response is to be

(Please note: The links on this page are used in lieu of footnotes, citations and references; they contain vital detailed information regarding the teachings and the commentaries. Please read each linked page and video as you are able.)

Is the war on Christianity coming to a close? Her enemies are dancing in the streets over their latest apparent victories: The invasion, neutering and perversion of the Church. And, please believe me when I say, “as goes the Church, so goes the nation”.

This should not a surprise. The Bible foretells the corruption of the Church which is to occur in the Last Days. To wit:

2 Thessalonians2:1- 4, “Now we request you, brethren,

(#1) with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you,

(#2) not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.,

(#3) Let no one in any way deceive you, for,

(#4) it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and,

(#5) the man of lawlessness is revealed,

(#6) the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that,

(#7) he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

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

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, in, 2 Timothy 3:1, warns, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Verse 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, verse 5, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” This was written Around AD 60.

The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 3:3, warns, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, verse 4, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” This was written Around AD 60.

The Apostle John, in 1 John 2:18, tells us, “Children, it is the last hour [the end of this age]; and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists (false teachers) have appeared, which confirms our belief that it is the last hour.” This was written around AD 90.

(Confirmation of the onset of The Last Days, according to specific and numerous testimonies by Jesus and His disciples.)

The pagan, hostile and unbelieving world has been warring against the Church and working on her steady decline, moving her toward apostasy since her earliest days.

Restating what the media and government is already telling us about the moral, civil, mental and spiritual decay in America seems redundant. But here are a few glaring issues: Parents are discouraged from disciplining their children and spanking is practically forbidden as ‘corporal punishment’; Children are allowed to sue parents for disciplining; there is an assertion by the ‘liberal pagan left’ that men can have babies; many believe it is permissible to kill a baby at birth for the convenience of the parents; homosexual marriage is legal; ‘transgenderism’ is practiced and enforced – the belief that a person is ‘born into the wrong biological body’.

The behavioral outcomes are they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these.

All the aforementioned perversions and evil deeds are in direct contravention to what is taught in the Bible and have affected, influenced and in misleading millions who call themselves Christians.

Depending on who you are hearing, the Church seems to be growing and gaining strength. But on close inspection, you will discover that the Actual Church, the Bride of Christ, is but a remnant of her early days:

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? “

“May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel: “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”

“But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”

“In the same way, then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”  Romans 11:1-6

 

The Bride of Christ is being prepared for the coming Groom – Jesus. This too is foretold.

Now, hear the word of God: “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.v9 “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (Peter 2:5).

Listen carefully and you will hear the trumpet-call.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

A Holy Remnant Is Born

THE WORDS OF JESUS THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “It Will All Be Torn Down”, Part 54

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE WORDS OF JESUS

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 54

“It will all be torn down”

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them,

“Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly, I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them,

“See to it that no one misleads or deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ (the Messiah), and they will mislead and deceive many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

 “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 pains.”

The Words of Jesus, Matthew 24:1-8

The date is sometime around A.D. 29. Jesus is speaking to His disciples, instructing and warning them of things at hand, things they must concern themselves about.

Jesus is giving an outline and an overview, a synopsis of the tribulation period, beginning in Matthew chapter 24 with the breaking of the first tribulation seal through the sixth tribulation seal and concluding in Matthew chapter 25 of Matthew with this prophetic pronouncement of:

The signs of the tribulation period  (the breaking of the first through the sixth tribulation seals; the 6th Seal is the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation.

His glorious return in the clouds for all to see.

The Trumpet blast and the Gathering of His Elect (i.e., the rapture).

The parable of the fig tree as a metaphor for the timing of His Return and the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, (the final 7 years of tribulation).

A warning to get ready and to stay ready for His Return.

Teaching on readiness and preparation.

An overview on the Judgment.

It is important to recognize that Jesus is speaking directly to His disciples in answer to their question, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus is teaching, instructing His disciples of the things, some of which they will encounter, regarding “the sign of His coming and of the end of the age”.

(I will cover through Matthew 24:31 in this “Part 53”, the partial events of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, and then complete Jesus teaching on the ‘season’ of these events, the need for preparation and the consequences of being unprepared in the next episode.)

Most teachings on this matter, mistakenly conclude that ALL the tribulation period is contained in one seven year future period. That is a misconception and is erroneous.

The tribulation began at or around the time of the birth of Jesus, with succeeding seals broken, overlapping and intensifying up to our current day, all of which we have seen and have or are experiencing now – except the 6th Tribulation Seal! (Click here for a full explanation with detail comparing Jesus’ prophetic teaching and instructions from Matthew 24, correlated with His extended teachings in Revelation chapters 6 through 8).

Jesus, warning against false messiahs, false teachings, misconception and error on these matters, clearly says, “See to it that no one misleads or deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ (the Messiah), and they will mislead and deceive many people.

 NO ONE has the knowledge nor the authority to restate, reinterpret or to change what Jesus has taught. No man, no woman, no institution, no theologian, no teacher. No one.  It is better to say, “I do not know” or “I am not sure” than to invent a meaning from man’s perspective. Jesus has said, “Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (see Matthew 5:19) and again, “If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” (see Revelation 22:19)

Beware of institutional (false church) deception. It is present and growing at an alarming rate. You have been warned.  (Click here on how to spot a false prophet and false teaching).

Jesus’ next words are repeated with detail and more clarity in Revelation chapters six and seven (and greater details can be found through Revelation chapter twenty-one).

Jesus next words encapsulate tribulations seals ONE through FIVE and conclude with the clear and amazing statement that, ”all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.”  Not the entire period, nor are they the end of all things. They are merely the beginning of birth pains.

Here is Jesus’ enumeration of the breaking of the initial tribulation seals found in Matthew 24:6 through Matthew 24:31 coded in red, which ostensibly had already begun. Please carefully read (Matthew 24) verses twenty-nine through thirty-one and see them correlated and compared them with Jesus’ teaching on these same events in Revelation 6:1 through Revelation 7:17 coded in blue.

Matthew 24, Verse 6. And you will be hearing of (Seal #1), wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

Revelation 6, Verse 1. (Seal #1). Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” Verse 2. I looked, and behold, a white horse, and the one who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Matthew 24, Verse 7. “(Seal #2), For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and

Revelation 6, Verse 3. (Seal #2). When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” Verse 4. And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that people would kill one another; and a large sword was given to him.

(Seal #3), there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Revelation 6, Verse 5. (Seal #3). When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” I looked, and behold, a black horse, and the one who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.”

Matthew 24, Verse 8. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.”

Matthew 24, Verse 9. “(Seal #4), Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

Revelation 6, Verse 7. (Seal #4). When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” Verse 8. I looked, and behold, [i]an ashen horse; and the one who sat on it had the name Death, and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, and famine, and plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.

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.

(The Abomination of Desolation)

Matthew 24, Verse 15. (Seal #6), So when you see the abomination of desolation 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. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

Matthew 24, Verse 21. (Seal #6 continued), For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

Matthew 24, Verse 22. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Matthew 24, Verse 29. (Seal #6 completed), “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 heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. 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. Verse 31. 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.”

Revelation 6, Verse 12 (Seal #6 begins). 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.

Revelation 6 Verse 15. (Seal #6 continued) 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.

Revelation 7, Verse 1. (Seal #6 continued) After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. Verse 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, holding the seal of the living God; and he called out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, Verse 3, saying, “Do not harm the earth, or the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

Revelation 7, Verse 4. (Seal #6 continued) And I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: Verse 5, from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,  

Verse 6, from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,

 Verse 7, from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,

 Verse 8, from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, and from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

Revelation 7, Verse 9.(Seal #6 Continued). After these things 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; Verse 10, and they *cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Verse 11. And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  Verse 12, saying, “Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 7, Verse 13. (Seal #6 Continued). Then one of the elders responded, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”  Verse 14. I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7, Verse 15. (Seal #6 Continued – the rapture).  For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.  Verse 16. They will no longer hunger nor thirst, nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any scorching heat; Verse 17, for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 8, Verse 1. (Seal #6 COMPLETED). When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Verse 2. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Verse 3. Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the [b]saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. Verse 4. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God. Verse 5. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder and sounds, and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Verse 6. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.”

THIS IS IMPORTANT

These verses from both Matthew and Revelation show:

The first five seals had already begun to be broken as early as A.D. 29.

His glorious return in the clouds for all to see.

The Trumpet blast and the Gathering of His Elect.

The parable of the fig tree as a metaphor for the timing of His Return and the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, (the final 7 years of tribulation).

A warning to get ready and to stay ready for His Return.

Teaching on readiness and preparation.

An overview on the Judgment.

The Sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel.

The multitude saved out of the Tribulation.

The multitude before the Throne of God, i.e., THE RAPTURE.

If you will pray and study and ask God for understanding and clarification, you will see that the first five Tribulation Seals have been broken and that we are at the precipice of the 6th Tribulation Seal – the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord – The rapture and the final 7 years of the Great Tribulaion.

Prepare. Stay Ready. Tell others.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “The lesson of the fig tree”, Part 55.

PREVIOUS:  THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “You Will Find Rest”, Part 53.

GOD’S PLAN – COMING INTO FOCUS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 3 Comments

COMING INTO FOCUS

CREATION  –  THE FALL  –  SIN  –  DEATH  –  REDEMPTION  –  TRIBULATIONS  –  THE DAY OF WRATH  –  JUDGMENT  –  BOOK OF LIFE  –  LAKE OF FIRE  –  A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH.

One of the prevalent eschatological teaching (study on the matters of the end of the age) is the Pre-tribulation Rapture and Premillennialism. it was originated by John Nelson Darby in 1833. Darby is considered to be the father of modern Dispensationalism and Futurism. Pre-tribulation rapture theology was popularized extensively in the 1830s by John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren, and further popularized in the United States in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible.

Other eschatological views include:

Preterism (1554–1613)

Historicism (mid 1500s)

Futurism (mid 1500s)

From these views spring major theological positions of

Premillennialism,

Pretribulation Rapture,

Mid-tribulation Rapture,

Post-tribulation Rapture,

Postmillennialism,

Amillennialism, and the

Pre-Wrath Tribulation Rapture.

Because there are a myriad of Church denominational and doctrinal positions, it is understandable that so many differing eschatological views have emerged.

But, with the passage of time, historical events and particularly religious, social, economic, and political developments are revealing the frightening accuracies and the realities of Biblical prophecies which are coming to life and are bringing Biblical prophecies into focus. A reassessment is under way.

In the meantime, however, most theologians and Bible teachers doggedly adhere to their sixteenth century, long-held denominational-based and man-invented views of Biblical eschatology, despite the clarity of scriptures when viewed outside of denominational bias and when examining the emerging evidence to the contrary.

For example, there are those who call themselves Bible teachers or theologians who teach and claim that all Biblical eschatology is metaphorical, and idiomatic, analogical or parables used to explain natural events and their outcomes. This puts Jesus and His Teachings in the category of fantasies, fairytales and lies – although the Bible clearly warns otherwise.

Some other so-called teachers  have been teaching that is no literal 2nd coming of Christ although, again, the Bible clearly and plainly teaches otherwise.

Others teach there will be a 2nd advent of Christ, however, they would have you believe that the second coming will be ‘in secret’, and that Jesus’ visible and actual 2nd coming will not occur until the battles of Armageddon.

And if that isn’t enough, others teach that there will be BOTH a visible 2nd coming as described in Matthew chapter 24, and a visible 3rd advent (coming) of Christ when He will defeat Satan at the battle of Armageddon.  And, things get even more convoluted when it comes to the various denominational doctrines of The Millennium.

Most of these same preachers, pastors and ‘bible teachers’ will tell you that the entire tribulation period is a yet-to-be experienced, future event, putting you at ease when Jesus clearly teaches the very opposite thing. Jesus warns that you must be on the alert, standing at the ready at all times, during “these last days”! (See Matthew 24:36-44)

There have always been debates on these matters, reaching back centuries, some erupting in to divisive arguments, growing into hatreds and even schisms within the Church. Sometime in the 1600s the phrase “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity” emerged (the authorship is disputed). Then, on June 29, 1959 The phrase in its current form is found in Pope John XXIII’s encyclical Ad Petri Cathedram, where he uses it favorably. It has been somewhat successful in the Church’s attempts to ‘agree to disagree’ and accepting that each church can hold their own eschatological positions without the infighting, There continues to be, however, widespread disagreement due to denominational differences.

 WHY DOES IT MATTER?

 You might ask, “why does it matter when the tribulation starts or when Christians are to be raptured into heavens (if at all)?

It matters because Jesus says it in plain face-value language. And, He says that we are to be ready.  Believing the plain language of the Bible and 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 coming ‘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.

And, it matters, especially ‘in these last days’ because, there is a convergence and a concurrence of events and prophecies occurring as never been seen before and they are increasing in frequency and intensity.

Alarming events have, from time to time, caused people to wonder if the End of Days as spoken of in the Bible had arrived.  But, never, have events coincided with prophetic fulfillment as we now see. Once a Tribulation event begins, it may continue for days, weeks, months,  years or decades.  Then, as a second or third event occurs, events may overlap and occur simultaneously.

 Additionally, it is important to note that when a Tribulation Seal is broken, ana an event or a series of events occur which can last for long periods of time.  Most of these tribulation related events will continue to occur until the “Consummation of the Age”. (See The Sixth Tribulation Seal)

Now, specifically regarding the approaching SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST,  Revelation 1:7, tells us, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.” English Standard Version.

(Revelation 1:7, REPEATED in the Amplified Bible Version:  BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes, that is the nations of the earth will mourn over Him, realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath. So, it is to be. Amen.”

Jesus also teaches, in Matthew 24:20-31, “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.  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 [a]elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

THE EVIDENCE

First in Revelation 1:7, John is warning that the return of Jesus is imminent and that on that occasion “every eye will see Him” which precludes a ‘secret appearing’.  These words along with testimonies of other Apostles, confirm that the ‘tribulation period’ began as early as the birth of Christ and the early tribulation seals were broken (opened) immediately following Jesus’ birth.

Secondly, John’s words mirror and are confirmed by the words of Jesus found in Matthew 24:29-31. These words of encouragement and warning lead 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 (the beginning of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation, as distinct from the ‘birth pains’ and the breaking of the first 5 tribulation seals.)

HEAR THE WORDS OF JOHN THE REVELATOR, (John of Patmos), “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” (see Revelation 1:9) John is clearly telling us that in or around the year A.D. 95 the tribulation was well under way.

These words of John found in Revelation 1:9 and his reference to the fact the tribulation is under way, he is participating in the early stages of the tribulation period and his words are echoed and confirmed by:

The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 1:2,   “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

This was written Around A.D. 60.

The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 9:26,  “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

This was written Around A.D. 60.

The Apostle Peter, in  Acts 2:14,   “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; verse 16, but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

Verse 17.  ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;”

This was written Around AD 60.

The Apostle Paul, in, 2 Timothy 3:1,  “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Verse 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, verse 5, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”

This was written Around AD 60.

The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 1:20,  “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”.

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Verse 8. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Verse 9.  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

This was written Around AD 60.

The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 3:3,  “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, verse 4, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

This was written Around AD 60.

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

This was written Around AD 60.

The Apostle John, in 1 John 2:18, tells us, “Children, it is the last hour [the end of this age]; and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists (false teachers) have appeared, which confirms our belief that it is the last hour.”

This was written around AD 90.

The Apostle John, in Revelation 1:9, tells us, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

 This was written around AD 95.

SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

I will approach this question using a 3-fold-ministrhy approach.

  1. Christians are called to be servants of Christ.
  2. Christians are called as Ambassadors for Christ.
  3. Christians are called as Soldiers of the Cross.

You are either a conscript in God’s army or an enemy of the Cross of Christ. As a Christian, you are involved in a cosmic battle, a spiritual war fighting for souls, minds and the lives of every person born during your time on planet earth. You may not have thought about it this way, and you may not like hearing it now, but that is exactly what is going on.

It is important to acknowledge, that though we walk in the flesh as mortal men and women, we are not carrying on spiritual warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.  The weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,  being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience as a Christian is complete.

 Put on the full armor of God for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier, so that you may be able to successfully stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood contending only with physical opponents, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly supernatural places. (See Ephesians 6:10-17)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

ESCHATOLOGY – The Study of the End Times – Part 4

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

ESCHATOLOGY – The Study of the End Times – PART IV

WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR

 THE ANSWER TO WHEN – part 2:

Matthew 24:6. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Verse 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Verse 8. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

(Correlated verse found in Matthew 24 – links in red, with Revelation 6,7,8  – links in blue/green.)

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

Global conquest and spiritual deception and political intrigue (Matthew 24:4-5) – as corresponding to – the 1st Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:1-2. These seals have been opened around A.D. 1 through A.D. 1, and they have been overlapping and intensifying to this day.)

Wars and Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6-7) – as corresponding to – the 2nd Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:3. These seals have been opened around A.D. 1 through A.D. 1, and they have been overlapping and intensifying to this day.) )

Famine (Matthew 24:7) – as corresponding to – the 3rd Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:5-6. These seals have been opened around A.D. 1 through A.D. 1, and they have been overlapping and intensifying to this day.) 

Death (Matthew 24:9) – as corresponding to – the 4th Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:7-8. These seals have been opened around A.D. 1 through A.D. 1, and they have been overlapping and intensifying to this day.)

Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away (Matthew 24:9-12) – as corresponding to – the 5th Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:9-11. These seals have been opened around A.D. 1 through A.D. 1, and they have been overlapping and intensifying to this day.)

Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun (Matthew 24:29-31) – as corresponding to – the 6th Tribulation Seal (Rev. 6:12-17) These seals have NOT been opened yet, but we are on the precipice of Seal 6, which is the beginning of the Great Tribulation, a.k.a. as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb and the final 7 years of Great Tribulation.)

The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Scroll Seal is The BEGINNING OF the 7 year, also known as “Daniel’s 70th Week” and “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period.

During the 6th Tribulation Seal, all of these events occur:

      • Sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:4-8)
      • The Rapture – Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God (7:9-17)
      • The breaking of The 6th Tribulation Seal is the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, which are the final 7 years of the great Tribulation.

The 7th Tribulation Seal  – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments

AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL MARKER:

Jesus’ disciples heard of wars and rumors of wars in their day, and His disciples, since that day, have been hearing of wars and rumors of wars. These conflicts have increased in frequency and intensity, but Jesus is clear that wars and rumors of wars are not yet the end. He also said nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and we have had a myriad of global conflicts including two world wars, but once again he is clear that this is not yet the end for these things must first take place.

Jesus goes on to tell his disciples, both then and now, that we will experience famines and earthquakes, and we have seen an increase in the frequency and the severity of famines and earthquakes over the ensuing decades, in various places. Again, Jesus says these are just the beginning of birth pangs, which is an apt metaphor to describe the coming birth of something new and terrible.

IMPORTANT:  Jesus’ words, as recorded in Matthew 24:6-8, regarding ‘wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes’ are a summary of His remarks recorded in the book of The Revelation, chapter 6, which goes into greater detail about the breaking of the first 4 seals of the scroll of the tribulation, also known as ‘birth pangs’ or the ‘days of distress’ which had begun sometime around A.D. 1 to A.D. 25.

BACK to Part 3 – Click Here.

NEXT:  Part 5 – Click Here.

NOTE: CHRONOLOGICAL MARKERS are useful for identifying events in their chronological order, which can help us identify our placement on God’s End of Days ‘calendar’.

The Rapture Revealed Audio updated – 2023

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Rapture Revealed by The Whitestone Fellowship.

 

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The Rapture Revealed.

 

As found in the Bible, is about actual events, hidden in plain sight.  Please ask yourself,

 

Has the Tribulation begun?

 

Are the SEALS of Revelation being broken?

 

Has the church finished fulfilling the great commission of Jesus Christ?

 

Will you make it to heaven in the Rapture?

 

Why does it matter?

 

 

 

 

 

HAVE WE ENTERED THE SEAL JUDGMENTS OF THE TRIBULATION?

 

 

I have been a Practicing Christian since 1977. I have heard the doctrine of the “Rapture” preached and discussed over the last 46 years. I have studied the subject while taking classes in Bible College. The entire matter is
confusing and difficult to understand. But, thanks to this very complexity, I have been able to ignore the controversies and the biblical inconsistencies. I had no choice. It was too complicated. So, I just accepted the prevalent teaching of my denomination: The rapture will happen at the sound of a heavenly trumpet and if I am a Christian I will be miraculously snatched up into heaven ‘in a twinkling of an eye’. Matter closed. Or is it closed?

In 1996 a pastor and friend asked me to co-teach a class about the ‘rapture’ and the biblical tribulation. I was instructed to teach from the position of ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ and my friend would teach on ‘post tribulation rapture’. It took me one year to prepare. That year was the genesis that fixed my view on the rapture, and it was different than I expected. Over the next 19 years my view matured and has galvanized into a certainty. And that certainty has developed into an “Urgency”. What if I were to say, “We may have already entered the Seal Judgments? Would you stop reading at this point? Let me challenge you to read on and you decide.
I am certain that we have already entered the Seal Judgments and most Christians are not ready for what is coming, and in fact, may be at hand.

 

 

 

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Why does it matter “when” the tribulation starts or “when” Christians are to be raptured into heavens?

 

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.

Because, as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behavior
Are speaking louder than our words.

 

 

 

The Seal Judgments of the book of Revelation.

 

Interestingly, the idea or doctrine of a biblical ‘Rapture’ was introduced and made popular in the early 1900’s. Since that time, most doctrines of eschatology (the study of Biblical End Times) have been constructed to fit particular denominational belief systems. So, it is no wonder that there are multiple views of the timing of the rapture and the tribulation period. The plain language of the bible has been rearranged to fit certain denominational belief systems, so, most views of the rapture have become impossibly confusing and irrational.

 

 

If we follow Biblical reason, then the facts, timing and warnings related to biblical eschatology sense.

 

If the subject of the Rapture and a seven-year Tribulation are kept in context of the entire Bible and, whenever possible, are taken at face-value, an amazingly clear picture emerges. The Bible teaches and warns about;

A “tribulation period”, also known as “Times of Distress” followed by;

“A GREAT TRUMPET sounding” and “GATHERING TOGETHER” of His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other”, followed by;

“A Great Tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”, also known as the “Wrath of the Lamb” or the “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”.

And, since the Bible is meant to address every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues the events addressed by the coming tribulation are global in scope. So, at first glance, instead of being a future event it would appear the first Seal of the tribulation could have been broken (as early as the early 1900’s; for example, regarding  Jesus’ warning of “wars and rumors of war”, the first Global war, World War One, began in 1914). If we follow the evidence, the facts, the timing and the warnings of the coming Rapture and Tribulation, this seems to make sense. But is it correct?

 

There is evidence, which I shall call ‘clues’ as to the timing of the beginning of the breaking of the first tribulation seal. These ‘clues’ come from direct testimonies of Jesus and His disciples:

 

  • Hebrews 1:2, The Apostle Paul Says “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews was written around AD 60. This is a “timeline” clue.)
  • Hebrews 9:26, The Apostle Paul says, “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews was written Around AD 60. This is a “timeline” clue.)
  • Acts 2:14-17, “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; (Acts was written around AD 60. This is a “timeline” clue.)

  • 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (Acts was written around AD 60. This is a “timeline” clue.)
  • 1 Peter 1:20, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”.
  • 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. . (1 Peter was written Around AD 60. This is a “timeline” clue.
  • 2 Peter 3:3,“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter was written Around AD 68. This is a “timeline” clue.)

 

  • 1 John 2:18, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. (1 John was written Around AD 92. This is a “timeline” clue.)

There is ample ‘evidence’ (clues) that the breaking of the 1st Tribulation Seal could have occured as eary as the birth of Christ or as late as 92 A.D.  Once again, there is clear and compelling language and testitmoniesand evidence  that the first TRIBULATION SEAL may have begun to be broken in or around AD 30, and that SEALS two through five have been progressively opened, overlapped and are gaining in intensity.

 

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

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 of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period.

 

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

 

All of these things and this historic time had been recorded, in various books of the Bible and is foretold in great and frightening detail, particularly in the Book of Revelation. You simply need the “eyes to see” and “the ears to hear”.

 

Evangelical and Protestant Christians have been taught that they will be ‘Raptured’ from the earth before the tribulation begins with the breaking of the first Seal of the Book of Revelation.

Many churches teach that to become a Christian all one has to do is to make a simple statement of faith. Then, they may sit back, assured of being raptured and going to heaven before the first Seal of the Tribulation is broken thereby spared the discomfort of the tribulation.

 

But is that proof enough? What about repentance from the former life? What about being transformed in our thinking and practice and following the life of Jesus, now?

The tenth chapter of the book of Romans tells us “that if you 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 (right living), and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

That salvation reveals a transformation in attitude and behavior which is the same as Jesus Christ.

If our attitude and behavior are anything less than that of Christ, we must consider the consequences.

 

 

 

There are many apparent contradictions regarding the doctrine of the Rapture and the Tribulation and much debate.

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 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?

We must turn to the Bible to find our answers.

The Bible says it is “God Breathed” and useful. (All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Timothy 3:16).

God did not write or ‘breathe’ His message to us in an unintelligible or useless language. God has spoken through His prophets and His written Word and He meant for us to be able to understand what He says.

If you can put aside doctrinal and theological constraints that have sprung from denominational differences, you may get a clearer understanding of this subject.

Jesus’ disciples were asking some of the very same questions we are asking today (Matthew 24:3) “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” Matthew 24:4

I see two things here that give a starting point in our discussions and preparations and a way to adjust our “21st Century thinking” to Jesus’ intent.

 

 

  1. We are to be careful about deception regarding these matters. There are many voices giving advice. Jesus is saying, “stay focused on My Word”. As we engage in this End Times warfare, the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We do that by keeping a biblical view and keep the scriptures we are studying in context of the entire bible teaching.
  2. It is easy to spot some nutcase saying “Hey, over here! I’m Jesus! I’m back! Listen and follow me!!” Very few Christians would fall for that. But institutional deception is a problem.

 

There is a brand of Christianity and church in this 21st century (a reemergence of Gnosticism and mysticism) that is far from the Truth and is not the body of Christ. It takes forms of commercialism or that of a narcissistic religion. It is a fake. It is not the “Christianity” of Jesus Christ. AND MANY ARE BEING MISLED. With this in mind, we must clear some of the non-biblical religious clutter of tradition, lore and attitudes of the 19th, 20th and 21st century the institutional church has invented.

The dominant teaching about the Rapture among Evangelical and Protestant Christians, is of a Pre-tribulation Rapture. I agree that Christians can expect God to rescue or ‘rapture’ the church away from earth before The Wrath of the Lamb or the Great Tribulation. The bible is also clear that the church is to be purged, cleansed, purified and redeemed before being ‘raptured’, (found in Daniel 12:1 – 10).

 

“THE questions” we should be asking is WHEN do the seven years of the tribulation actually begin? We have been taught and it has been generally accepted as ‘doctrine’ that the tribulation period starts with the breaking of the FIRST SEAL found in Revelation 5:1, which is a future and undetermined date. But is this correct?

 

We should look at the distinctions the bible makes regarding uses of the words “tribulation”, the “Great Tribulation”, the “Wrath of the Lamb”, the “times of distress”, and the “times of sorrow” to get an accurate picture and context. And I believe these distinctions are important for our understanding of the timing of these events and for our preparedness.

 

 

 

WHY COULD THIS DISTINCTION BE IMPORTANT – WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

It is important because the context, the uses and meanings of these various words which refer to Tribulation affect our attitudes and our motivation for GETTING and STAYING READY for His return. They also affect our view of the timing of the coming Tribulation and the Great Tribulation.

Many Christians think that, by repeating a simple formulaic statement, they have done all that is necessary to GET READY for Christ’s return and will go to heaven or be “raptured” from the earth before the tribulation period because they…

Walked the aisle at church;

filled out a commitment card;
And, announced I AM A BELIEVER.

They believe they are saved and nothing more is necessary. In other words, they became a member of a local church, They tithe some small portion of their income, they get involved in the local church activities, going on a mission trip or any combination of good works.

But is this correct?

What does Jesus and the bible say? It is urgent that we understand what Jesus and the bible actually say about the coming Great Day of Wrath, The Great Tribulation and what it really means to GET READY and STAY READY and know WHY these things are urgent and important.

So, I will propose, for clarity, a chronological placement of the events of The Great Tribulation in relation to tribulation EVENTS described by Jesus and John the Revalator, and what Jesus and His Word says about getting ready!

The placement of the GREAT TRIBULATION event can be seen in other places in the bible, but I will focus on the books of Matthew and Revelation.

 

 

Our goal in this discussion is to discover

WHERE we are in relation to His Return,

WHY we are running out of time, and

WHAT we should be doing, as Christians, and

How to prepare for the End of Days Events and HIS Return.

 

The first step in preparation, if you have never taken it, is to be born again. That is, come to Jesus Christ in a humble surrender of your life to Him. He will, in turn, come into your life and lead you to leave your ‘old life’ behind, that is your old way of thinking and behaving. He will renew your Spirit that will allow you to transform your mind and that will empower you from the inside out. It will revolutionize everything about what you believe, how you think and how you live life. You will find forgiveness of every past deed and get a fresh new, and exciting, start in life.

 

#2. Pray. Search for Him in prayer. Start praying daily. Just go to Him and pray. He will guide you.

 

#3. Read the bible. Daily. He will guide you.

 

#4. Take this one step at a time, but, start.

 

If you are already a Christian, please carefully consider what is being presented. You are called, as a Christian to GO, TELL, TEACH, MAKE DISCIPLES, BAPTIZE BELIEVERS.

 

There is no doubt He is coming again, to get His Church. There is no doubt a time of Great Tribulation is coming. The real question is are you ready? Because every man, woman, boy and girl will have to make a choice: Go with Jesus or be condemned to the Lake of Fire for eternity.

 

Let’s proceed with Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 24 and compare the events in Matthew 24 and confirm them with the corresponding events in the book of Revelation.

 

Here is the Tribulation Timeline, in summary:

 

  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 at various periods of time since AD 1 and that we have now entered the time of the breaking 5th Tribulation Seal.  Jesus refers to this period, the breaking of the tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE as “the beginning of the birth pangs”, and He points out that “this is not yet the end”.

 

  1. 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.”

 

  1. The “7 years of Great Tribulation” (aka Daniels 70th week) begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.

​

  1. Then, the Great Tribulation will end with the pouring out of the  7 Bowls of Wrath.

 

 

 

 

Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age

(Concern yourself with the first 6 Seals):

 

Revelation Chapter 6            as correlated to          Matthew Chapter 24

​

The mention of International (Global) conquest and political intrigue in the 1st Tribulation Seal in Revelation 6,  is correlated with false Christ’s and Messiahs in Matthew 24.

 

The mention of wars and rumors of wars is mentioned in the 2nd Tribulation Seal in Revelation 6 and in Matthew 24:6.

 

The mention of death, scarcity of food is mentioned in the 3rd Tribulation Seal in Revelation chapter 6 and Matthew 24 tells of famines and earthquakes.

 

The 4th Tribulation Seal in Revelation chapter 6 tells of death, famine and murders and in Matthew 24:7, Jesus tells of nations rising against nations, famines and earthquakes.

 

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –    Martyrs, persecution, revealing of the Anti-Christ, the great falling away (apostasy).

 

The 5th Tribulation Seal in Revelation chapter 6 speaks of persecution and martyrdom of Christians and Matthew 24:9-10 tells of persecution, martyrdom, apostasy and lawlessness.

 

The start of the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION”, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, coincides with the 6th Tribulation Seal which brings cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun, terror, calamity is described, both, in Matthew 24:29-31 and in Revelation 6:12-16.

 

During the period of the Breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal these events will occur:

 

The Rapture of the Church;

Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God;

Sealing of the 144,000;

 

Now, let’s go into a little more detail regarding the End of Days by comparing and confirming Jesus’ account in the book of Revelation and the book of Matthew

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST EVENT from MATTHEW.

 

Jesus says “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars Matt 5:6 (also see Rev 5:1) . See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

We have been led to view these events from a nationalistic perspective. In other words, if it’s happening in the U.S.A., it must be true. But we should watch for world events with a focus in Israel.

Also, notice that Jesus instructed, ”but that is not yet the end”.

This FIRST EVENT as described by Jesus in Matthew 24:6 can be correlated to a sign offered by John in Revelation 5:1 as the FIRST SEAL being broken, incidentally, by the LAMB Himself (Jesus).

 

CORRESPONDING FIRST SEAL of REVELATION.

”Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” Revelation 5: 1,

 

 

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

It is interesting here that although a ‘bow’ is carried no arrows are present. (a coincidence?), and a crown (authority) is given. This has been described as a time of political intrigue and imperialistic nation-building on a world-wide scale. This event has been a dominant feature of the past century. This event is to be followed by another world-wide event related to the second seal in Matthew and Revelation (which would preclude regional or pre-Christ events).

There are world-wide movements to combine governments, financial institutions, religions, educational systems, societies, labor, technologies, militaries and more. The United Nations is what most point toward. Some were watching the European Union. But now, the G20 is the latest rebuilding of the “The tower of Babel”. But, do not doubt that the Globalist movement is real.

 

 

THE SECOND EVENT from MATTHEW.

Jesus says in Matthew 24:7  “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom (see Revelation 5:3).

There is now an intensifying of WORLD EVENTS also seen in the book of Revelation.

CORRESPONDING SECOND SEAL of REVELATION.
Revelation 5:3, “When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” verse 4.  And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

Interestingly, World War I is described as the Great War . It was the first war recognized a WORLD WAR. It began in 1914 and lasted until 1918. But this would hardly seem to fit neatly into a seven year tribulation period.

Then we had World War II which began in 1939 and lasted until 1945. Now we have two WORLD WARS that spanned a combined ten years. The entire Great Tribulation clearly will last only seven years.

So, how do these WORLD WAR events relate to prophecy or should they?

Jesus has already given us instruction that this is not yet the end and He will give further instruction about the timing of these events in Matthew 24 verse 8.

 

 

THIRD & FOURTH EVENTS from MATTHEW.

Jesus says in Matthew 24:7 and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes (see Revelation 5:5-8).

It is important that we see and understand what Jesus is TEACHING corresponds with the unfolding of the Tribulation period as recorded in Revelation. It will give us clear instruction, not only of what is coming but
HOW TO PREPARE for these days.

CORRESPONDING THIRD SEAL of REVELATION.

Revelation 5:5,  “When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.”

 

 

 

CORRESPONDING FOURTH SEAL of REVELATION.

Revelation 5:7,  “When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come”.  I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

We continue to see a clear correlation between Jesus’ descriptions of the “coming troubles” in Matthew to John’s depiction of the actual breaking of the seals in the book of Revelation.

Please remember: We are seeing Jesus describe the ‘beginning’ of the tribulation in Matthew 24 and the corresponding ‘beginning’ of the tribulation as Jesus actually breaks the Seals of the Books in Revelation.

But the Rapture has not yet occurred. This will present clear evidence that we will endure the tribulation up to and until the breaking of the Sixth Seal. Jesus tells us, “Do not fear. This is not yet the end”. But we must prepare!

Next, we get some clarification on events and the time or placement of the events:

 

 

 

Interlude – Time Marker – Instruction.

 

Here, we are provided an interlude and a “time marker of instruction”. This is a good place to get our bearings.

Matthew 24: 8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
a. Jesus tells us this is NOT THE END but MERELY THE BEGINNING and remember there is no evidence the church has not been RAPTURED yet.
b. And He calls this the beginning of birth pangs. This is similar to tribulation in the idea of discomfort or suffering.
c. But the word describes a much different intensity of pressing or squeezing and pain than the GREAT Tribulation or the Wrath of the Lamb, which comes later.

There are several places in scriptures (in the books of Daniel, Matthew and Revelation) that use interchangeable words to describe ‘birth pangs’, ‘times of distress’, ‘times of sorrow’ and ‘tribulation’. However, there are other words such as ‘Great Tribulation’ and ‘Wrath of the Lamb’ that are a harbinger for a ‘time of trouble such as the world has never seen before and never will see again’. Is there a distinction between the uses of these words that will give us a WARNING useful to our salvation our preparation and our enduring to the end?

 

 

 

FIFTH EVENT from MATTHEW.

 

Jesus says, in Matthew 24:9, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.”

Are we seeing a worldwide precursor to this prediction in our day? A return to the type of persecution the early church suffered? The book of Revelation puts it this way:

THE CORRESPONDING FIFTH SEAL of REVELATION.

 

Rev 5: 9, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 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?“ 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.

We saw a great persecution of the early Christians and we have seen terrible persecution of Christians throughout our brief history and those Christians will be included in this SEAL.  Jesus is clearly referring to a ‘falling away’ or an apostasy in the latter days. We must remember to keep these scriptures and Jesus’ discussion in the context it was given.

 

 

These next verses give us an interlude or a recapitulation which we can use to define the chronology of these events. Jesus is describing terrible times, but they pale in comparison to what is getting ready to happen. The next EVENTS are so terrible that Jesus stops His discourse and emphasizes what is next and how to GET READY.

Interlude – Time Markers – Instruction, Matthew 24:11-20.

NOTE: Here is a ‘recap’ of the series of events and warning up to this point, plus another ‘time line marker’ in Matthew 24.

Matthew 24:11, “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Verse 12. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
Verse 13. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Verse 14. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Verse 15. “Therefore, when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Verse 16.  “then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Verse 17. “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.
Verse 18.  “Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
Verse 19. “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
Verse 20. “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 

  • The next verse begins with the words, “FOR THEN…”

Not “before then”,

Not “as it has been”.

In other words, now that the preceding events have been completed and the seals have been broken NOW there will be a GREAT TRIBLULATION.

(2) Many theologians, preachers and bible teachers, who subscribe to the doctrine of a pre-tribulation rapture occurring before the First Seal event, consider verses 15 through 20 as having already occurred.

However, Jesus is clear that He is telling His disciples of a coming event. For an example, see this excerpt taken from a “pulpit commentary” on  Matthew 24 Verse 16. Then; i.e., when they shall see “the abomination of desolation,” etc. Them which be in Judaea. Not only in Jerusalem, but in its vicinity, as most exposed to danger from the invading army. Flee into (ἐπὶ, over) the mountains. The Christians seem to have taken this advice when the city was attacked by Costius Gallus, about A.D. , some three or more years
before the siege under Vespasian. Gallus had appeared before the walls, and apparently had every hope of taking the city, when, for some reason not certainly known (either owing to a supposed defeat, or ignorance of his own
success, or the advice of his generals), he suddenly withdrew his forces (Josephus, ‘Bell. Jud.,’ 2:19, 6, 7). The Christians, bearing Christ’s warning in mind, and having, as we may conjecture, seen the predicted sign, took the
opportunity of flight from the doomed city, and made their escape to Pella, a town of Decapotis, southeast of Bethshean, and the ruins of which are known now by the name of Fahil. Euschius probably refers to this, narrating that, owing to a certain revelation given to holy men among them, the whole body of the Church, before the war, removed across the Jordan to Pella, and dwelt there in safety during those troublous times.

Jesus is clear that He is telling His disciples what is yet to come.

BIBLE PROPHECY, FREQUENTLY, HAS HISTORICAL PRECURSORY EVENTS.

 

 

(Matthew 24 verses 21 and 29 describe this EVENT. Verses 22 through 28 give warnings and instructions for preparedness.)

Verse 21. “For then there will be a GREAT TRIBULTION, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.

 

Please pay special attention these words in verse 21:

FOR THEN,  the “times of distress” or “the birth pangs” are now finished;

GREAT Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord is beginning;

Such as not occurred since the beginning of the world until now;

nor ever will.

Something new is happening. The intensity is going up significantly. THERE IS A TIME MARKER AT THIS POINT!

Read verses 22 through 28 carefully and absorb these dire warnings and instructions.

This is the time the Lord will appear and take His Church from the earth.

 

 

THE SIXTH EVENT FROM MATTHEW.

 

Matthew 24:22, “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Verse 23. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him.
Verse 24. “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
Verse 25. “Behold, I have told you in advance.
Verse 26. “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.
Verse 27. “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Verse 28. “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
Verse 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.”

 

 

 

 

THE SIXTH SEAL of REVELATION BEGINS.

Revelation 6:12,  “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; verse 13. and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
Verse 14. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; verse 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb”.

NOW IT IS BEGINNING. “THE GREAT TRIBULATION”. Matthew 24:21. “THE WRATH OF THE LAMB”.  Revelation 6:16 (The breaking of the 6th Seal continues through Revelation 7:17),

 

 

Now is one of greatest the events ever to be witnessed by man .


SEVENTH EVENT from MATTHEW.

Matthew 24:30, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

 

Then, during and immediately after the SIXTH SEAL of Revelation.

Revelation 7: 1, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.“

Everything is coming to a crescendo.

 

 

God stops the events in progress and the breaking of the seals for a moment and all eyes are focused on the heavens.  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. (Matthew 24:20).

The winds stop blowing and an angel ascends from the rising of the sun with the seal of the living God, announcing the SEALING of the bond-servants of our God and the gathering of His Elect!

The winds have been stopped.

The events of the End of Days are paused.

God sends forth His angels with a great TRUMPET.

This is the “EVENT” We all anxiously and eagerly anticipate.

NOTE: Some bible teachers will say this is Jesus coming to exact judgment on the earth. But read the text from Matthew 24:31.

 

 

 

EIGHTH EVENT From MATTHEW.

“And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

1 Corinthians 15:52, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first”

How much clearer can this be?

Immediately following the breaking of the SIXTH SEAL they gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other!

Now, we go to the Book of Revelation for confirmation.

 

 

During and immediately after breaking THE SIXTH SEAL from REVELATION, we read in Revelation 7:9-17,  “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”

“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. “For this reason, they are before
the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

The Church has been removed from the earth.  The RAPTURE has occurred
immediately before the sounding of the FIRST TRUMPET JUDGMENT.

 

 

The Gathering of His Elect – A review.

Jesus finished breaking the first Six Seals of the Book of Revelation by sealing the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel.

Then, a great multitude, which on 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, saying “SALVATION”!

Although the events recorded in the book of Revelation are not always in chronological order, chapters five, six and seven of Revelation (the breaking of the seals) appear to be in order.

Jesus’ description of the coming tribulation in the book of Matthew matches both description and order with John’s description of these same events contained in the book of Revelation.

We see Jesus gathering His elect at the sound of the trumpet (Matthew 24:31) and the “gathering of 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” as the same event?

This would mean that the church, (that is, Christians), may experience some extremely difficult times before the day of The Wrath of the Lamb and the Rapture of His church. Compare the troubles of the first six seals compared to the last seal, the seven bowls and the seven trumpets of judgment. Remembering that the Wrath of the Lamb will be a time of trouble such as the world has never seen before and never will see again.

So, even though a period of “distress” or “tribulation” begins with the breaking of the first seal of Revelation “intense trouble” or the Great Tribulation or The Wrath of the Lamb a series of events involving those who have been saved throughout the ages, begins with the breaking of the sixth seal as recorded in Revelation chapter seven, verse one. The angels hold back the four winds of the earth (an interlude for a series of events on earth and the tightening of the grip of travail upon the earth.

Jesus then uses the example of Noah to explain that Christians must prepare for His Return.

 

 

Interlude – Time Markers – Instruction.
Matthew 24:32-36.
NOTE: Here is a ‘recap’ of the series of events and warning so far and another ‘time line marker’ in Matthew 24:32. “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; verse 33.  so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Verse 34. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
Verse 35. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Verse 36. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
Verse 37. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
Verse 38. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
verse 39. and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

A simple ‘face value’ reading of these verses tell us all we need to know.

The time of His return is near;

His Words are enduring and unchanging;

No one knows the exact day or hour of His return.

It is time to prepare the storehouse, and enter our ark for the day of our salvation draws near.

So where do we go from here?

 

Except for a cursory reference, I have deliberately avoided relating current world events to the prophecies narrated by Jesus of Matthew 24 and those from the book of Revelation.

I am leaving it up to you, the reader, to look back over the past 100 years and consider what has occurred as related to biblical prophecy. It is up to you to consider the current condition of this world and compare it to prophecy in our day.

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

Daily, newscasts, newspapers, television, magazines, the internet and every form of media is telling us of the deteriorating condition of our world. If we are not at “the end” of this age, we are in dire circumstances. At any rate, it
IS TIME TO GET READY for what is upon us.

Finally, this presentation is a capsulated and condensed version of Jesus’ narration of The End of the Age in response to the disciple’s question, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?“

It is possible to go much deeper and broader in this study. If that is your desire there are plenty of materials available.
In fact, as we establish bible study groups that may well be one of our studies. But, for now, it is time to prepare.

So, where do I go from here?

 

 

Matthew 24:42-45, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Our time on this earth is limited and temporary.  We must survive and serve while we await His return when He will gather us, His Elect, from the four corners of the earth, and take us to our eternal home.

 

Here is what we do:

ENTER INTO THE ark OF OUR SALVATION – JESUS CHRIST!

Prepare the Storehouse Of the Saints.
Come Together in Community.

Continue Making Disciples.
Find and connect with other Christians.
Plan and coordinate with family.
Organize “readiness” training classes.
Organize Action groups.
Organize service groups.
Store temporary food stuffs.
Build temporary currency reserves.
Store medical supplies.
Store water reserves.
Coordinate Bible Study Groups.
Coordinate Prayer Groups.
Commission Deacons and Ministers.
Designate Home Church sites.
Plan Worship Times and places.
Organize evangelistic meetings.
Send local missionaries.

Gird Up for Spiritual Warfare

In other words, do the work of the Church!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Be sure and check out the article, “The One World Government Emerges in 2022” on our website.

 

ESCHATOLOGY – The Study of the End Times – Part 2

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

PART II.

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. Verse 2. The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.”

WHY IT ALL BEGAN

The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan, as I have already pointed out, 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.

We also learn that God has included us, He has called us as His disciples, to join Him in His plan, purpose and ways and His mission while in this world.

We are not and will cannot be idle bystanders waiting for the end. We are part of God’s Plan,  part of His Army, to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus”. (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

 If we begin in Genesis, which is the foundation of all eschatology, we will see what has happened, what is now happening and what is yet to come. We can trace the stages leading through time and history, to 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”.

THE FINAL EPOCH OF TIME, the beginning of LAST STEPS OF TIME, the end of all things, is marked by the birth of Jesus.

This will be more than just a trip through history – this will be a journey of discovery. We will discover, not just WHAT or WHEN certain events happened, but we investigate WHY they occurred, so we can endeavor to know the  purpose.

There are visible and observable signs and ancient writings to help you identify the stages in this progression of time. Most people, however, either don’t recognize the signs or writings or don’t believe in their literal fulfillment. 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. It is my intention to make the truth of these matters intelligible, understandable, believable and useful.

God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He purposed; Each event from

  • The Creation, through
  • the Garden of Eden, and
  • the Fall of Man, to
  • the Great Flood,
  • the Tower of Babel,
  • the Exodus from Egypt,
  • the possessing of The Promised Land,
  • 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,

and each event is a sequential step in God’s perfectly coordinated plan to purge, cleanse, refine and rescue His creation and cleanse it from sin in preparation for the final day, the final judgments and the New Heaven, the New earth and eternity with Him.

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.

DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS – A glimpse into the future

The “seventy weeks” prophecy is one of the most significant and detailed Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. It is found in Daniel 9. The chapter begins with Daniel praying for Israel, acknowledging the nation’s sins against God and asking for God’s mercy. As Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave him a vision of Israel’s future.

The Divisions of the 70 Weeks

In verse 24, Gabriel says, “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city.” Almost all commentators agree that the seventy “sevens” should be understood as seventy “weeks” of years, in other words, a period of 490 years. These verses provide a sort of “clock” that gives an idea of when the Messiah would come and some of the events that would accompany His appearance.

The prophecy goes on to divide the 490 years into three smaller units: one of 49 years, one of 434 years, and one 7 years. The final “week” of 7 years is further divided in half. Verse 25 says, “From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’” Seven “sevens” is 49 years, and sixty-two “sevens” is another 434 years:

49 years + 434 years = 483 years

The Purpose of the 70 Weeks

The prophecy 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,”

2) “to put an end to sin,”

3) “to atone for wickedness,”

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,”

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and

6) “to anoint the most holy.”

These purposes are THE END OF ALL THINGS. Notice that these results concern 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).

The Fulfillment of the 70 Weeks

Gabriel said the prophetic clock would start at the time that a decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem.

  • From the date of that decree to the time of the Messiah would be 483 years. We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia c. 444 B.C. (see Nehemiah 2:1-8).
  • The first unit of 49 years (seven “sevens”) covers the time that it took to rebuild Jerusalem, “with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble” (Daniel 9:25). This rebuilding is chronicled in the book of Nehemiah.
  • Converting the 360-day year used by the ancient Jews, 483 years becomes 476 years on our solar calendar. Adjusting for the switch from B.C. to A.D., 476 years after 444 B.C. places us at A.D. 33, which would coincide with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–9). The prophecy in Daniel 9 specifies that, after the completion of the 483 years, “the Anointed One will be cut off” (verse 26). This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.
    • AD 33 and the crucifixion of Jesus marks the end of the ‘69 weeks’ or 483 years.
      • The early stages of the Last Days began at or sometime between the birth of Jesus and the destruction of the temple (AD 70).
      • (1).  Jesus called this period the LAST DAYS or the END OF THE AGE in Matthew 24:3-8.

CLUES (PROOFS) THAT THESE ARE THE ‘LAST DAYS’

    • (2). The Apostle Paul called this period the LAST DAYS in Hebrews 9:26.
    • (2). The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in Acts 2:14-17.
    • (3). The Apostle Paul called this period the END OF THE AGES in. 1 Corinthians 10:11.
    • (4). The Apostle Paul called this period THESE LAST DAYS in Hebrews 1:1-2.
    • (5). The disciple Timothy called this period the LAST DAYS in 2 Timothy 3:1.
    • (6)  The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in 1 Peter 1:20.
    • (7)  The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in 1 Peter 4:7.
    • (8)  The Apostle Peter called this period the LAST DAYS in 2 Peter 3:3.
    • (9)  The Apostle John called this period the LAST DAYS in 1 John 2:18.
    • (10). The Apostle John called himself a FELLOW PARTICIPANT IN THE TRIBULATION in Revelation 1:9.
  • Since the birth of Jesus, the first 5 tribulation seals have been broken, have been overlapping and intensifying.
  • From AD 33 until the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal (a future event) is the ‘church age’ of the ‘gap’ of time.
  • The breaking of the 6th Tribulation seal begins the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation (a.k.a., the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, The Days of Wrath, etc.
  • Daniel 9:26 continues with a prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The “ruler who will come” is a reference to the Antichrist, who, it seems, will have some connection with Rome, since it was the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem.

DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK – The Final Week of the 70 Weeks.

Of the 70 “sevens,” 69 have been fulfilled in history. This leaves one more “seven” yet to be fulfilled. Most scholars believe that we are now living in a huge gap between the 69th week and the 70th week – but the ‘gap theory’ omits the facts of history – it appears, graphically, that the first 5 tribulation seals have been broken and intensifying, leading up to the 6th Seal, the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of God’s Wrath . The prophetic clock has been paused, as it were. The final “seven” of Daniel is what we usually call the tribulation period.

 Daniel’s prophecy reveals some of the actions of the Antichrist, the “ruler who will come.” Verse 27 says, “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’” However, “in the middle of the ‘seven’, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation” in the temple. Jesus warned of this event in Matthew 24:15. After the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, a time of “great tribulation” begins (Matthew 24:21, NKJV).

Daniel also predicts that the Antichrist will face judgment. He only rules “until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (Daniel 9:27). God will only allow evil to go so far, and the judgment the Antichrist will face has already been planned out.

Conclusion

The prophecy of the 70 weeks is complex and amazingly detailed, and much has been written about it. Of course, there are various interpretations. One thing is certain: God has a time table, and He is keeping things on schedule. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and we should always be looking for the triumphant return of our Lord (Revelation 22:7).

It appears we have entered the Last Days as described in the Bible, and the best description of the purpose, length and, outcome of this End of Time, variously known as the “birth pains”, the tribulation and the Great Tribulation, (see Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22 and Revelation 7:14) or the Wrath of the Lamb, (see Revelation 6:16), is found in Daniel 12:1,

Daniel 9:24-27 gives us the PURPOSE or the WHY for Daniel’s 70 Weeks..

  1. “Seventy weeks [of years, or 490 years] have been decreed for your people and for your holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression,
  2. to make an end of sins,
  3. to make atonement (reconciliation) for wickedness,
  4. to bring in everlasting righteousness (right-standing with God),
  5. to seal up vision and prophecy and prophet, and
  6. to anoint the Most Holy Place.

So, you are to know and understand that from the issuance of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until [the coming of] the Messiah (the Anointed One), the Prince, there will be seven weeks [of years] and sixty-two weeks [of years]; It will be built again, with [a city] plaza and moat, even in times of trouble.

Then after the sixty-two weeks [of years] the Anointed One will be cut off [and denied His Messianic kingdom] and have nothing [and no one to defend Him], and the people of the [other] prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

And he will enter into a binding and irrevocable covenant with the many for one week (seven years), but in the middle of the week he will stop the sacrifice and grain offering [for the remaining three and one-half years] (NOTE: This occurs at the 6th Tribulation Trumpet); and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until the complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who causes the horror.”

Daniel 12:1-13 gives us an accurate overview, a summary of what has already begun and that which is yet to come:

  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, (The tribulation period beginning with the first seal broken sometime around the time of Jesus’ birth or as late as the destruction of the 2nd Temple.)
  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. (This begins at and during the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and is.)
  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

(a)  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.

  1. 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.
  2. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up (NOTE: This occurs at the 6th Tribulation Trumpet), there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12.
  • Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 day!s
  • (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.
  • 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.
  • The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).

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.”

Sometime in the early stage of the events described in Daniel 12, there will be an event 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. You don’t want to miss this.

Back to PART I. –  Click Here)

(PART III – coming soon)