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Was there ever time when people had it right?

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It’s easy to look back and talk about the golden age. The time when things were great and not messed up they way there are now. It’s almost like talking about how great it was when we were a child and things were simpler. Simpler, because it’s easy to forget that the whole time we grew up we couldn’t wait until we were grown. It’s easy to forget about the times you got grounded or spanked when you actually hadn’t done something wrong. Easy to forget the awful school year where you had to deal with the bully that never left you alone.

But was there a time when people had it right? The greatest generation? Won World War II. Fought Fascism. Lived through the depression. Paved the way for peace and established Israel as a nation again. Also a generation that locked up Japanese Americans and separated blacks. Told people where they could sit and what water fountain to drink from. Maybe it wasn’t so perfect. But what if we back up. If we stick to American History and we back all the way up to the Revolutionary War and we declared independence. Sounds like a nice time. But even then we were so torn and afraid to face the ugly side to slavery that we ignored it. Let it fester until we had to pull it from our side during the Civil War.

So let’s back up to a time before. Europe must have had things going for them. Why else would people’s had fled for the new world. Why else would there have been a need for Martin Luthor? Ok, Ok let’s back up even further. Let’s back up way before to Constantine all the way to when Jesus walked the earth to show us how to do it. I mean he only had to show us how to do it because the scribes and pharisees messed everyone up right? I mean that’s the only reason they KILLED the Son of God. It’s not like one of His own hadn’t turned Him in or anything.

Clearly things weren’t good then, but what if we back up to before Israel went astray from God. Before the time when they slayed the priests and Elijah had to run around the country side hiding from Jezabel. Before Solomon let all the high places in. All the way back to the king after God’s own heart, David. The king that unified Israel and showed everyone how to run a country. I mean it was great wasn’t it. I mean even if you were a lowly guy with one wife it was ok, she was your wife and beautiful. I mean it was ok just as long as the great king didn’t want her and had you murdered so he could have you. 

Maybe we have to go back before. I mean they had it right when Moses was in charge and giving them everything straight from God right? I mean they didn’t whine at all or set up a golden calf with the gold that God had given them from the Egyptians did they?

So before that then? How about Abraham. He had it right. The father of many nations. The man whose household was go wonderful that he took a servant, had a child, then sent her off to the wilderness with a child because it made his wife upset. You know the wife, that had the idea of him having this child with her.

Adam and Eve in the garden has to be the ticket… NO. What?? Why? Because people are fallen and they are never going to get things right. We can’t. What is it we are told to pray?

Matthew 6:9-10  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Thy kingdom come. We are to pray for the kingdom of heaven to come here because this is a fallen world and we are to look forward to the day when God brings heaven here and a new heaven and new earth arrive. That is why this world is broken. It isn’t heaven. So many people are angry with God because they see the problems of this world and either no longer believe in Him or are angry with Him because this happened or so and so died, but that is the point of this world. We are supposed to hate this world. We are supposed to get it in our thick sottish skulls that a world without God sucks.

We have to as followers learn to understand this and praise God that we can learn this lesson. It is the lesson that Satan never did.

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The Silence of Zachariah

The book of Malachi marks the end of the Old Testament. Yes, we have the apocryphal accounts of the Maccabees and the Jewish revolt, but Malachi marks the end of the prophets and then for 400 years God is silent. God is silent until Zachariah entered the Holy of Holies, at which time Zachariah is struck dumb, i.e. rendered silent.

Let’s take a look at that, and let’s pay careful attention to the reason why Zachariah was forced silent, because God did it for a very special reason.

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

“Of the course of Abia” means that Zachariah was not just a normal Levite; he was the son of Aaron.

You can read in 1 Chronicles 23 where David divided the sons of Aaron into 24 groups. The eighth group being Abia. Eight, in biblical numerics, being new beginnings, and we are going to have a new beginning here.

You have to understand that the sons of Aaron were different from the rest of the Levites. God had given them several jobs that only they were to perform (it’s a study in and of itself), and they were the only ones allowed to go into the Holy of Holies. They also had several special duties that only they were allowed to perform. It was the job of the rest of the Levites to help to make sure that the sons of Aaron could do their jobs. Now let’s look at numbers 18:1 and tell me if that doesn’t get your Christian gears turning.

Numbers 18:1 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

Okay, let’s head back to Luke.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
(7) And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Now, the reason that they were old was because the priesthood, as it was at that time, was also old.

Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, (9) According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10) And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

Meaning that he was alone in the Holy of Holies.

Luke 1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12) And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

The name John means God, or Yah, is a gracious giver. And He is a gracious giver because He is about to give us the last levitical priest.

Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. (15) For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. (16) And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. (17) And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Remember how I brought up Malachi at the start of this article? Well this is the reason: because that was the last promise God gave before going silent.

Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. (5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: (6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Okay guys, just for the record, if an angel of the Lord shows up and tells you something is going to happen, tells you that your prayers are answered, don’t ask stupid questions.

Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. (20) And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Now, up until this time, Zachariah was a pretty good ‘ol boy. I mean, how many of us could it be said to be “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless”? So I don’t want to beat up on Zachariah too much, but we have to understand the parallel God is giving us. Israel had turned from God. The book of Jeremiah tells us that He divorced Israel, and since the book of Malachi had been silent. Ever since Moses complained to God saying that he wasn’t good at speaking, Aaron and his sons have been speaking for God. God wants us to know that He had silenced them.

Luke 1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. (22) And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. (23) And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. (24) And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, (25) Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Now, for the sake of this article, let’s jump down to verse 57.

Luke 1:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. (58) And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. (59) And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. (60) And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. (61) And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. (62) And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

This is interesting to note because John wasn’t going to be like any of his other kindred. He was the sign of something new, but he was also the symbol of all that came before. All the Law and the prophets that paved the way and told us of the coming of Jesus, just as John the Baptist was the man that made the path straight for Jesus. Can you see the parallel?

Luke 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. (64) And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. (65) And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. (66) And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. (67) And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, (68) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, (69) And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; (70) As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: (71) That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; (72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; (73) The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, (74) That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, (75) In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (76) And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; (77) To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, (78) Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, (79) To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (80) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

So we see that, even with the silence of Zachariah, God has a purpose. Just as He had a reason for John to come from old parents, to show John came from the old covenant. And He had a reason for Jesus to come from a young virgin: to show that, with Jesus, everything is made new, and that the greater covenant is ours if we will only accept it. He has a purpose for you, me, and everyone else, and it’s up to us to look for that purpose. To seek Him and His wisdom.

God Bless

Revelation

Revelation 13

Now, we will be given further detail of the governmental systems that will be in place all over the world during the tribulation. We left off, in Chapter 12, learning about the structure of the governmental system that satan had put in place at the time of his rebellion, during the first earth age, and there are a lot of similarities between the system at that time and the system we will be seeing in he very near future. There is good reason for that, and it is because satan is behind both systems.

(Rev 13:1) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

This beast is the one world political system that, with satan’s influence, will be put in place during the first half of the tribulation, during the 5th trumpet. As you may notice, it’s very close to the system explained to us in chapter 12, with one notable difference–this one has ten crowns, as opposed to seven.

The seven heads are seven world nations–Africa, Europe, Oceania, Asia, Middle East, North America, and South America. Many of these are already in place overtly, and there is a race to finish solidifying this governmental structure.

The ten horns are ten positions of power over the seven world nations, and the ten crowns represent the despots that will sit in these positions.

We are told that this government is blasphemous, and that’s because the purpose for the world to be arranged in this fashion is the desire to create a worldwide utopia in which there is no war (and no need for war or reason for war), and there is no competition or hatred or anything that makes this world ugly (but that is just what is told publicly–it’s really about power, and the most power-hungry one is satan). There is only one problem, and it is that none of this plan includes Jesus in any way. Without Jesus, there can be no true peace. They know at least that there is a good chance that world peace may last on its own, because of human nature, therefore there is a plan to enforce that peace, which is currently in the works. We won’t go into much detail of that in this article, but it will astonish you!

This is part of the modern day Tower of Babel because, just as in Genesis 11, the world leaders want to create their own salvation, without God, and that’s contrary to God’s plan because what we are supposed to be learning, in the flesh, is that we cannot have salvation without God. We cannot have a good life without God, and I’m talking about eternal life, the way it was meant to be.

(Rev 13:2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

You may recognize that these comparisons of this beast system resemble something you have likely read in the past–Daniel 7.

(Dan 7:2) Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

(Dan 7:3) And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

These four beasts in Daniel are four increasingly powerful world superpowers throughout world history that have great influence over the people of the world.

(Dan 7:4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

The first beast is like a lion, which is the animal that represents the tribe of Judah in the Bible, but this lion is Jesus. This is a Christian nation and it has eagle’s wings, meaning that it has the protection of God. However, these wings are plucked from off its back, and therefore that protection is removed and this power begins to fail. And because of this removal of God’s protection, it is made to stand on its own power, and without God’s help, it’s very difficult to be successful. Does this sound like any nation you’ve heard of? What nation is represented by an eagle to this day? You’ve guessed it: the United States.

Since the name of Jesus Christ has begun to be removed from every aspect of government and daily life, this nation has been going downhill. It’s a fact of life and this nation has been declining for decades. When we have a success, God is not even mentioned, and when we have a failure, the belief in God is blamed. That’s not a very good policy!

(Dan 7:5) And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

What nation is known widely as the bear? Yes! Russia (formerly the USSR or the Soviet Union). Following the Russian revolution, beginning in the nineteen-teens, communism took over, and Russia became a godless society. It’s very easy to research and find the economic failures that Russia has gone through, especially during it’s heaviest communist period, but many of its undesirable traits still remain, as it is trying to shake off the problems of the past 100 years.

It raised itself up on one side because it had previously fallen, wounded. But as it began to rise back up, it did so at the expense of three other nations, Christian nations. Which ones might they be? Well, pay attention to what is going on in current events. It will thrash and tear these nations to pieces.

(Dan 7:6) After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

This third beast is a leopard, and it has wings of a fowl, which mean it has the protection of satan. What is this leopard? It is the beast formed by those whose spots are not the spots of God’s children (Deut 32), and because of its spots, it is incognito and goes largely unnoticed. They are impostors who claim to be the children of God, but they are liars (Rev 2 & 3), the kenites. They have built a worldwide system of four hidden dynasties–Religion, Politics, Economy, and Education (Zech 1, Rev 6)–which gnaws away at our freedom and at the minds and hearts of most of the people across the world, except those who have the Seal of God. These are the four heads that lead this leopard beast. And the protection of satan, its four wings of a fowl, is administered by the four angels we saw loosed in Revelation 9 (the evil counterparts to God’s archangels).

(Dan 7:7) After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

The fourth beast of Daniel is unlike anything we have seen before it, and is more horrible and more powerful than any of those past beasts. It has iron teeth, back by the fallen angels (iron), that rip to shreds the power of any of the prior world superpowers. This beast will strip the power and sovereignty from all national governments and put their welfare in its hands. This is already taking place, and you may know it if you pay attention to world events.

One thing you may want to note is that this nondescript beast has ten horns. Where have we seen that before? Oh yeah, this brings us back to Revelation 13.

(Dan 7:8) I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

This next incarnation of the fourth beast we will cover later in Revelation 13, so just keep it in the back of your mind.

(Rev 13:2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

So, we are told the first beast of the tribulation is like the leopard, which means that it is empowered by four hidden dynasties, which have slowly swayed public opinion to blindly accept it because it gnaws away at the minds of the world population.

We see it has the feet of the bear, which means it is mobilized by the principles of communism, the system that the Soviet Union made so infamous.

It has the mouth of the lion, meaning that it speaks like Jesus, and therefore most of the world believes it is good and peaceful, but it is not by the power of Jesus, but of satan, the dragon. Satan is behind this evil system that he wants to use to ultimately destroy as many souls as will let him take the throne in their hearts.

(Rev 13:3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Alas, one of these seven heads would be wounded almost to death. This wound we will see in the burdens of Isaiah, as well as in the Gospels of Jesus. What is necessary to establish a worldwide political system? Peace needs to first be maintained between the nations, or else there will be not only bickering between districts, but civil war due to the differing cultures and philosophies. Without the love and peace of Jesus, this peace must be enforced by a central body. After all, a nation divided cannot stand.

(Mar 3:24-26) And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

Satan knows this, and that’s why this is his first objective in erasing all political boundaries and motives to war. They have the means and will be utilizing them very soon.

Well, although they have the means since this governance is not built on the Rock, Jesus, it will still crumble as tensions boil over and can no longer be contained. Where are most of the political tensions in the world today? In the middle east. This Middle Eastern Head will be the one that receives the deadly wound. What we will see taking place is a war in that region, which will culminate with many muslim nations, backed by Russia, will invade the tiny nation of Israel and soon after surrounding its capitol of Jerusalem. As the armies mobilize, there will be a build-up similar to WWI, in which nations will each choose a side, one after another, and prepare for a major war. Many of the “Christian” nations will back the nation of Israel, and many of the muslim nations will back its opposition. We can see this even shaping up right this minute.

As soon as war seems imminent, someone will come in and save the day and heal this wound. Why? Because a nation divided against itself shall not stand.

(Rev 13:4) And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Who is this savior? None other than satan himself, the dragon. When he heals this deadly head wound, the world will be in wonderment and will ask who can make war with this beast. This is because this figure will appear to have ended and made impossible all future war, and the world will believe that the system will never again be able to fail.

(Rev 13:5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

As far as the people of the world know, their respective messiahs have all returned in one being. He will claim that all religions’ messiah have all along been one entity, and that’s him. The problem is that all world religions are of satan. True Christianity is not a religion, and therefore is not on the same level as the rest of these theologies–Christianity is simply a reality. Even the denominations of Christianity have been largely perverted and led astray from Jesus Christ (stick with the Bible). We are seeing this three and a half-year time period once again. This is an indication that we are seeing satan, who will now be on earth as the antichrist. Prophecy of evil is often given in months because it goes by the moon, satan–prophecy of good is often given in days and years because it is based on the sun, God.

(Rev 13:6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Everything satan will say, once he arrives, will be a blasphemous lie, and will be part of his flood of lies. It will seem holy to most people because they are not rooted in the Word of God.

(Rev 13:7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

The saints are God’s elect, not what most people think of when it comes to the saints–it has nothing to do with performing miracles, and the saints are not to be prayed to–though many traditional saints are actually true saints. Those here on earth remaining faithful to God and not buying into satan’s system are themselves saints, as well, which simply means, “ones set aside, sanctified and made holy by God.” Satan hates God’s saints and will do anything he can to try to destroy them. That is his mission. In the process he will destroy the souls of everyone else, although most, being blinded to the truth of God, will receive one last chance later.

(Rev 13:8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Anyone who does not remain faithful to God, therefore being listed in the Book of Life and also being Sealed by God, will be deceived into worshiping the antichrist.

(Rev 13:9) If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Pay attention.

(Rev 13:10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Those who lead the world into captivity, which is enslavement by the deception of satan in the end times, will themselves go into captivity, but those who kill and try to stop this plan (which is ultimately part of God’s plan) will be killed. This is all a part of God’s plan and must happen, so there is no point in even thinking about trying to thwart it, or you will be going against God.  If you fight and kill those who are working for satan, that is bad, and that will work against you. If you try to spiritually kill someone, as satan and his friends try to do, that is also very bad and those beings will be punished.

When the elect are delivered up before the councils of satan to give testimony as to why they won’t worship antichrist, the Holy Spirit will speak through their mouths, and if they try to say something under their own power, or to resist the Holy Spirit, that will also be considered treason against God. That will be a blasphemy because God’s elect know better, and the punishment for treason is death.

(Luk 12:10) And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

(Rev 13:11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

At this point, we are seeing the rising of the last beast of the tribulation, the second part of the fourth beast in Daniel 7, the one world religion. Antichrist will have two horns like the Lamb (Jesus) has two horns–he will look like the Lamb, and he will appear to have the power of the Lamb (horns represent power)–but he will truly speak as the dragon, satan.

(Dan 7:8) I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Among all the ten horns, one notable one rises up to replace three of the ten horns of the first beast of the tribulation, which have now been removed from their places. This horn is the antichrist who has now seized power of the world system and transformed it from a political system to one of religion, and he is the head pontiff. He will claim to be God, the Savior of the world, but he will be on earth as a man.

(Rev 13:12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

All of the power of the first beast, and the seven world nations, will still be in place, but he has changed the focus of the world from political peace to a false religious peace. The world will now be of only one religion, and any deviance from this religion will be outlawed, just like in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar, in Daniel 3.

(Rev 13:13) And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Satan will be given miraculous power, by God, to perpetrate this rouse because it is still for the good of God. It will even appear that he has control of God’s consuming fire.

(Rev 13:14) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

No one will be immune from this deception except those with the Seal of God, His elect. They will make an image of this beast, reminiscent of the one set up in Daniel 3, to be worshiped. All will be commanded to bow to the antichrist.

(Rev 13:15) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Though he will threaten death for anyone who refuses, we are told that if we remain faithful to God, He will protect us (read Daniel 3).

(Luk 21:12-17) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Not only will the faithful be protected physically, but they will retain their salvation, represented here, and throughout the Bible, by their hair or head covering.

(Rev 13:16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Everyone else, those who do bow to antichrist, will receive the Mark of the Beast, which will, at least temporarily, condemn their souls. This mark is not a physical mark, but one within their foreheads, meaning within their minds and hearts. And it is also in their right hands, which represent the work that they do and whom they serve.

(Rev 13:17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Those who refuse to bow to antichrist will not have the ability to buy or sell supplies or goods, and they will not have the ability to take advantage of the economic system in any way, but don’t fear God will take care of you if you are faithful, just as He did for the faithful Israelites in the Exodus, as they wandered through the wilderness.

Also these faithful servants of God, more importantly, won’t buy anything the satan-followers will be selling in terms of knowledge and understanding of the truth because that will only be junk. Think back to the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

(Rev 13:18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Do you have satan’s number? Does he have yours? You don’t want to fall for the 666–6th seal, 6th trumpet, and 6th vial. Those are the numbers of satan, and you want to stay strong through the 666, and into the 777, Jesus. Six is the number of imperfect flesh man, and 666 is the trinity of satan, perfection of imperfection.

Stay strong and faithful to the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

God bless!

Revelation

Revelation 12

After learning about the seven trumpets in Chapters 8, 9,10, and 11, we are now going to take a look at a chapter that is going to span the from the First Earth Age through to the Millennium. That is a long time for one chapter, but it kind of sums up the entirety of God’s plan in a  nutshell.

(Rev 12:1) And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

This woman represents the House of Israel (including Judah), those who are faithful to God, and she has God’s protection and she has the ability (in God’s power) to walk all over satan, always represented by the moon. Of course, that means that the 12 stars are the 12 patriarchal children of Jacob (Israel).

(Rev 12:2) And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Since the beginning of time, God had His plan in place for this world as a preparation for when one of His children would rebel and lead the rest of His children astray. This former child of God is satan, once known as Lucifer. In the time of satan’s rebellion, God had His faithful warriors who refused to go astray, and those servants of God would receive special roles on earth, in their flesh bodies.

This woman represents both the wife of Israel, and the Virgin Mary, on different levels. The faithful servants of God were waiting to be born on earth to help to fight the evil of satan, but also God was waiting for the right time to be born in the flesh as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

(Rev 12:3) And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

This is the beginning of a separate vision given to John. We are given the description of a beast and, at first, it may seem to resemble the beast that we will be given in the next chapter, 13, however, you’ll notice that that beast has seven heads, ten horns and ten crowns upon his heads, whereas this beast has only seven crowns upon his heads. The reason for this is that this is simply not the same beast. The beast in chapter 13 appears during the tribulation, but this beast was one that satan put in place in the first earth age, during his rebellion. Satan established a system of governance that he used to try to lead people away from God, to follow himself instead.

He wanted to be worshiped and thought he was greater than God because he took pride in how he was made more beautiful and more powerful than the rest of God’s children, and he became arrogant. This pride and arrogance has led to his downfall, just as it can for anyone.

(Isa 14:3-20) And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

We won’t take the time to really discuss all the verses in the above excerpt in particular, which we will do at a later time, but I wanted to simply point out some of what was written about the exploits of satan, once called Lucifer, when he was actually a servant of God. Also, if you want to read more about the history of satan, check out Ezekiel 28.

Since making this transition to an adversary of God, satan has been focusing his every effort on trying to lead God’s children away from Him, whether through deception, or through coercion–it doesn’t really matter to him which one. During his rebellion, in the first earth age, before the foundation of this current earth age, described in Genesis 1, he succeeded in both convincing many of God’s angels to leave His camp, and in deceiving many more.

(Rev 12:4) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

The “tail” of this dragon, the old serpent, led one of three distinct categories of God’s children from Him. This one group chose to follow him by free will, knowing exactly what they were doing in leaving the side of God. And, in the blink of an eye (for God), after He had recreated the earth (to test who His children would follow, when born into a world without memories of the world that was), and flesh man had been here for a matter of thousands of years, God prepared to also enter the flesh Himself to experience life in the body of a man, albeit a perfect man, as Jesus Christ, detailed in Hebrews 2.

(Rev 12:5) And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

After satan’s rebellion, God recreated the earth so that we all could be born into flesh bodies, without memory of the world that was, and as part of this plan, God chose to also put Himself into one of these bodies, to be born in the flesh, in order to experience, first hand, what we know so well. He did this both so that He would feel what we feel, and because He would not put us through something He was not also willing to do Himself (Hebrews 2). Of course, we are talking about Jesus Christ, and it is through Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ only, that all salvation is possible and available to us. This just gives us another reason to respect and love God.

Satan knew, as did we all before we were born on earth, that God would be doing this, so he was prepared to come and interfere with this plan by trying to take down as many of God’s children as he could by leading us away from God.

This woman, here, is Mary, on one level, but more importantly she represents the children of Israel (not the nation, but God’s people, which now also includes any true Christian).

As most of us know, Jesus was ultimately crucified, and then He rose up to Heaven after 3 days, where He took His throne as our Lord and Savior.

(Rev 12:6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Some time after Jesus was crucified, in this last generation, the children of Israel (those who remain faithful to God), are to be called the elect, will be wandering through the wilderness much like the children of Israel led by Moses. This wilderness is the tribulation, but God will protect and feed His faithful, just like in the story of Exodus. We are given the time period, here, of 1260 days, which is the pre-shortened length of each half of the tribulation, and this is to point out that we are talking about just that (read Revelation 11).

(Rev 12:7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

We read, in Revelation 9, about the fallen angels being released, at which point a war in Heaven ensues between God’s angels and satan’s fallen angels. Of course, as we are told elsewhere, this dragon is satan himself.

(Rev 12:8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

However, the good guys always win, and satan and his army cannot defeat God and His, at which point the rebels are cast down to earth for the final phase of the tribulation.

(Rev 12:9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

(Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Satan, the adversary, is also known as the accuser. He spends all of his time trying to get God’s children in trouble, like an immature sibling (remember that satan was once a child of God as well, and therefore a brother). Now he is coming to earth to wreak havoc and he’ll pull no stops to accomplish his goals. Anything goes with him, as he is the most self-centered being in the universe. But, also remember, God is always in control, and satan has limits to what he is able and allowed to do (just like in the story of Job).

(Rev 12:11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

We are given the end of the story, and we know that the ending is a happy one. But, there is a lot we must go through before we get there. We are not approaching the true end, at this point, but it is the end of an era, an evil period of time when satan pretty much has his way with those who aren’t wearing the Gospel Armor (Ephesians 6).

(Rev 12:12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Even the angels of Heaven pity those on earth for what we are about to go through, as we are told this will be a time of trouble never seen on earth. God has mercy on His faithful, and satan won’t be here indefinitely. He has a relatively short time to accomplish what he wants to do, for which we will be given much greater detail in the next chapter, 13.

(Rev 12:13) And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

His goal on earth, as antichrist, is not only to win over the hearts of every person on earth, but he is especially focused on God’s elect, but the elect have a form of protection known as the Seal of God (Revelation 7), but this won’t stop satan from trying. This Seal is not something on the outside, but something that protects our soul, and he will make sure that he does not miss an opportunity to sway every single person who will allow him a place in his or her heart.

(Rev 12:14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

The wings of the great eagle are the protection of God, and all of those who stand with Him receive His protection. In this verse, we are given the 1260-day pre-shortened half-tribulation in years–three and a half years (1 time + 2 times + 1/2 time=3 1/2).

(Rev 12:15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

While satan is physically here on earth in this second half hour of temptation, we will need to remain in our Ark of Truth to wait out the flood of his lies that comes from the mouth of satan. If you don’t reside within this ark, you might be carried away, just like in the time of Noah. How do you enter into this ark? By sincerely accepting Jesus, which means you will also study His Word, and you will begin to understand and know the truth of God from His Word in the Bible. The ark is “pitched” and “sealed” with this Seal of God given by the Holy Spirit (read Genesis 6-8), and this keeps the ark afloat.

(Rev 12:16) And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

(Rev 12:17) And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Because he cannot harm those within this symbolic, spiritual ark, satan grows very angry and he will kill the two witnesses, as we read in chapter 11, and will round God’s elect up wanting to kill them in the battle of Armageddon, which we will discuss more in other articles.

Don’t worry, the moral of the story is to put on the Gospel Armor, earn the Seal of God, and reside within the Ark of Truth, and you will be able to withstand the Flood of Lies from satan’s mouth, when he is on earth in person, as antichrist. The time is near!

God bless!

Revelation

Revelation 11

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Now that we have seen the first half of the tribulation detailed somewhat, and then entered into the second half of the tribulation in chapter 9, and we were introduced to the seven thunders in chapter 10, we will now be told about antichrist and the two witnesses. We are still in the second half of the tribulation, as we were in the two previous chapters, but this will give us a clearer picture of the signs and prophecies we will want to know at that time.

(Rev 11:1) And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

John was given a scepter, or rod, to see how things measure up with the state of the “Temple of God,” and those on the Temple Mount who profess the name of Christ.

In these end days, just as it has been throughout Christian history, there are those who sincerely have accepted Christ, and there are those who claim to be Christians, but have not truly made that change in their hearts.

As we are in the second half of the tribulation, antichrist will sit on the throne and those around him will be worshiping him as if he was God. By this point, the Temple Mount will have been covertly put under the control of heathen, specifically the kenites, claiming to be the children of God and the children of Israel. Many Christians will therefore be led away from Christ, and they will unknowingly commit apostasy by following another christ, a false one.

(Rev 11:2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The outer parts of the temple are given over to the gentiles, and just as they were allowed to enter into it, regardless of their faith, in the Old Testament times, this outer court is filled with people who are Christians in name only, but who are not sincere in their profession of faith. These people put other things before and above Christ. But the inner court is only for the spiritual children of Israel, who are wholly dedicated to serving Christ. However, in the second half of the tribulation, satan will take over this inner sanctuary as antichrist, claiming to be Christ, and many of those who had been dedicated to Christ will commit apostasy, or fall away from their professed faith, because they will be deceived. This is where we are told judgment will first occur, at the pulpit. And, this is where John is told to measure, observe, with this rod.

(2Th 2:2-4) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Before the return of Jesus Christ, the son of perdition, satan, must take the supposed throne of God on the Temple Mount, claiming to be God. This must, and will, take place before we ever see the Second Coming of Jesus. Those who claim to be here on behalf of God, but lie, will be judged harshly.

(Rev 11:3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Two of God’s most trusted servants will be given miraculous power right at the beginning of the second half of the tribulation, just after the 6th Trumpet, probably about 5-6 days before satan appears as antichrist (we will explain that calculation at a later time). They will be humbly, but boldly, preaching the truth of God, and of the deception of satan, day and night, to urge people to repent and refuse to bow to antichrist.

(Rev 11:4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

This is not the first we’ve been told of the two witnesses, but we will now be given much more clarification of their roles, in this chapter of Revelation.

(Zec 4:2-4) And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

(Zec 4:11-14) Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

The two witnesses have stood with God unfailingly throughout time, and would never waiver in their service, which is why God trusts them to do this very vital and honorable job. In this vision, they are represented by two olive trees because of the oil they produce within their berries, and this golden oil is representative of God’s Holy Spirit. They will be charged with allowing the golden oil to flow to God’s elect, in the form of the deepest knowledge and understanding (gold) of what God wants His faithful servants to know.

The seven lamps held on the golden candlestick in the vision of Zechariah in chapter 4, are the 7000 elect (and anyone else who will continue to stand only with Christ), and they are fed the golden oil by the two olive trees, which also appear in John’s vision. These seven lamps are to let their light of God’s truth shine all over the earth. 

The disciples of Christ are instructed not to hide their light of God’s truth underneath a bushel, but to project it everywhere they can.

(Mat 5:14-16) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Now, in the vision in Revelation 1, which also was given to John, there are seven candlesticks, and they each represent one of the seven churches (Rev 2 & 3) of Christianity in the end times.

(Rev 1:20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The two witnesses lead two of these candlesticks, meaning that they represent the two churches approved by Jesus, Smyrna and Philadelphia. Smyrna and Philadelphia contain all of God’s elect, both the 7000 and the 144,000 (as well as the kings of the ethnos, who are those sealed, but that are not of the tribes of Israel). In other words, those two churches contain all of God’s faithful servants who will be sealed and will serve only Him. These two churches stand united as one under Christ (the single golden candlestick).

(Rev 11:5) And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Because they will be speaking against the church of the one world religion under satan, whom the world believes to be Christ, they will see only evil in the eyes of the two witnesses. They really don’t know that the two witnesses are true ambassadors of  God. But the people of the world will be so dedicated to their messiah that they will hate anyone who would dare speak a word against him.

To anyone who has the gumption to attack these two men in any way, the witnesses will project the consuming fire of God by the words of their mouths, and this would cause those people a spiritual death. Spiritual death means that a person is liable to die in the lake of fire at the end of the Millennium, unless he straightens up his act before that time. God is loving, but His patience can only go so far.

(Rev 11:6) These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

During this second half of the tribulation, there will be a famine for hearing the word of God.

(Amo 8:11-13) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.

In the last days, understanding of the Word of God will be shut off for anyone who has not been sealed and who has not made the effort to know Christ through His Word. They will thirst because they will no longer be able to partake in the Water of Life that comes through salvation by the acceptance of Jesus Christ. Therefore, they will wander from person to person, group to group, trying to find this truth (Remember the 5 unwise virgins in the Parable of the Ten Virgins), and they will believe they have gotten it when antichrist arrives, but sadly they will not have anything of the sort. Because they will not be able to quench this thirst, they will fail.

Well, we are told of the latter rain in Joel, and this is the knowledge and understanding, through the Holy Spirit, that comes in the second half of the tribulation:

(Joe 2:23) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

The true servants of God are given moderate understanding in the last generation leading into the tribulation, but the latter rain, which allows for the blossoming of the fruit of God, will come in the spring. This is when God’s elect will be at their best, and will be showing what they are made of. But, when the two witnesses are in place, they will be able to shut off God’s understanding from anyone who is not worthy of it, through their own doing, and ultimately for their own good.

(Rev 11:7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

As we will find our in chapter 13, this beast, which is the second beast of revelation (the fourth beast of Daniel 7), is none other than satan the antichrist. He is the one who comes out of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9, and unleashes all hell. He will finally have enough of God’s two right-hand men and will literally kill them, which tells us that the two witnesses are in flesh bodies at this time. This is a big no-no as satan and his angels have been instructed not to harm any of God’s servants, which includes the two witnesses.

(Rev 11:8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

They will lie there on the ground in the middle of Jerusalem, right where they are killed. This city, having been overrun by heathen serving satan, is spiritually equated with Sodom (of Sodom and Gomorrah fame) and Egypt, which has seen its share of heathenism as well, but is reminiscent of the oppressive system of ancient Egypt in which Moses lived. Just as most of the Hebrews fleeing Egypt in the Exodus wished to go back to their captors out of fear, the people of the world will wish to remain enslaved by the world system of antichrist because they don’t even realize how horrible it is.

(Rev 11:9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

No one will even bother to give these two bodies the respect normally associated with the corpses of the dead. They don’t even care, and they are even glad that the witnesses are dead. But, as most Christians are aware, their souls will no longer be within those broken clay vessels.

(Rev 11:10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Not only is the world glad to hear of the deaths of these two, but they rejoice and even give gifts to one-another. The way they see it, these two horrible people would not leave them alone and constantly attacked the god that they love.

(Rev 11:11) And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

However, something unexpected is about to happen to these bodies as they lie in the streets, and it will throw the world for a loop. After all, God is all powerful and should have control over his enemies, and He does, but this false messiah, antichrist, is not truly God on earth yet. Suddenly, after three and a half days lying dead of flesh, the spirits of the two witnesses will re-enter into their flesh bodies and they will rise up, alive. This is going to be a shocking site. Is antichrist about to begin to lose control? Will people begin to doubt his power? They should, but at least most won’t.

(Rev 11:12) And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Almost as soon as they are reanimated, the two witnesses are called up into Heaven, and are translated into the spirit just as Enoch and Elijah were, long before. The world can only watch in wonderment.

(Rev 11:13) And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Just as soon as the two witnesses are witnessed heading to Heaven, there is a massive earthquake, in which 7000 men, the evil counterpart to God’s 7000 predestinated elect, are killed. These are the satan’s most trusted confidants. Because of this destruction and death, suddenly those remaining ecstatic followers of antichrist have a change of tone. However, the Remnant of God may be startled, but their faith is affirmed with all these recent events, and they continue giving glory to God for it.

(Rev 11:14) The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

If you remember, we’ve already discussed the first two woes, the first half of the tribulation (5th trump) and the second half of the tribulation (6th trump). Each woe is progressively worse for those who do not reside in the Ark of Truth. We will now enter into the third, and final woe, the 7th Trumpet.

(Rev 11:15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The reign of satan is coming to an end, and Jesus is about to return to earth to take His rightful place upon the throne of God on Mount Zion. He will never leave this place as our sovereign King.

As Jesus returns, He will send His consuming fire to burn away all that offends Him from the earth, and this fire of God will consume all the flesh that remains in order to cleanse the earth of evil imperfection.

(2Pe 3:5-7) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

You can read a very detailed account of His return in the entire chapter of Zechariah 14.

(Rev 11:16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

We see again the twenty four elders, mentioned earlier in Revelation, sitting on thrones before God as patriarchs. Just as all of God’s faithful do, they rejoice that the flesh age is finally at an end, and we can move into the final stage of the test to determine who is loyal to God and who is not, the Millennium.

(Rev 11:17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

(Rev 11:18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Everyone who has been faithful is praising God and His plan because it is for the good of everyone that it be completed, but there is still one more phase that will last one thousand years.

(Rev 11:19) And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

This is the final destruction of the flesh age on earth and the cleansing of the land, so that we can finally live according to God’s pure ways. The earth will be renewed and clean and purified and we will have complete memory of what happened before man was placed on earth in these flesh bodies.

Those who have passed the prior tests, which God has given us, will be safe for eternity, but those who failed both times will have one last chance, and will be in danger of being blotted out of the Book of Life in the lake of fire. Which category would you prefer?

God bless.

John

The Religious Response John 11:46-57

1 Comment

In the last segment, Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, which is the seventh sign in the book of John. Many of the people who saw it believed upon him. Now it’s time to check in on the ones who didn’t.

John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. (47) Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. (48) If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Let’s understand what they are saying here. The belief was that the Messiah would come and re-establish the kingdom like it was under king David. So what we have here is a worry that everyone will follow Jesus, that Jesus will rise up to claim He is the Messiah and try to take Jerusalem from Rome, and that He will fail.

One the surface, their worry isn’t misplaced. Ever since Judah had been placed under Roman rule, “messiahs” had been popping up and rallying the people to rise up. Rome would then kill these “messiahs,” along with many of their main supporters, and the people would return to the daily grind of oppression and high taxes. But if we take a closer look at what they said, we will see that there is more to this tale. Look at verse 48 again, and see what their first concern is: That the Romans will take away THEIR PLACE.

Under the Romans, the “chief priests and the Pharisees” had a pretty cushy existence. They had money and power, and people with money and power do not like to see anything that will upset the status quo.  I mean, consider the flip side. Jesus rises up, claims He is the Messiah, defeats Rome, and establishes a Davidic kingdom. Would Jesus, a man who has openly opposed them since the beginning of His ministry, keep them around in their same positions?

John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, (50) Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. (51) And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; (52) And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

To prophesy means to speak the future, or to speak the words of God. That doesn’t mean the speaker always understands what he or she is saying. Here, God is honoring the position of high priest and making his words come to pass, but clearly for Caiaphas, he means that if Jesus is taken out of the way, then the nation doesn’t need to suffer at the hands of the Romans.

John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Naturally! What else are good religious folk supposed to do with their day?

John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

On most bible maps, you will find Ephraim just northeast of Jerusalem, but the true location of the city/village today is unknown.

John 11:55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

This was a custom/law, to go to Jerusalem every year for the Passover.

2 Chronicles 30:5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

John 11:56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? (57) Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

The seventh sign, bringing Lazarus from the dead, leaves Jesus as the enemy of the state. Only the most wicked of men would seek murder for a solution to their problems and concerns. This just adds to their status as the sons of satan.

Thus we see that the seventh sign, bringing Lazarus from the dead, leaves Jesus as an enemy of the state, or more accurately an enemy of the religious community. It’s very easy for us today to sit back and say that we are not like the Pharisees and Sadducees and that we wouldn’t wish Jesus dead, that we would instantly recognize a work of God. Perhaps that is true, but in closing I would ask you to stop and ponder a work before you condemn it. Pause to at least ask yourself (or better yet ask God) if this is just another person or movement out for itself and its own glory, or if it is of God, and you simply do not yet understand. Look at the fruit of that work before you label it, because even the disciples struggled to keep up at times.

God Bless

Topic Discussions

Christ, Our Passover

The time is coming for the holiday in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Did you know that this event had been foreshadowed by God within the Bible for centuries, and even millennia before His birth?

God often teaches us about spiritual things in the Kingdom of God by using the physical things we experience in our lives within this physical world as metaphors, especially events that have taken place throughout history. This is an illustration of the multiple levels on which the Word of God teaches simultaneously.

Have you ever wondered why most Christians celebrate the eggs, and chocolate, and baby animals, and spring flowers, and a giant rabbit on a day we are supposed to be celebrating the greatest act of Jesus Christ, which allows for our salvation and eternal life? Do those actually have anything to do with Christianity? What about the day on which people traditionally celebrate those things, Easter, is this celebration really biblical? You may be surprised at the  answer to those questions.

Let’s start at the beginning, long before Jesus was on earth. To set the scene, Moses, a descendant of Levi, son of Jacob, is about to lead the Israelites, all descendants of Jacob as well, out of their enslavement within Egypt. God commands Moses to establish the observance of an ordinance among His people before they leave:

(Exo 12:1) And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

(Exo 12:2) This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

This first month month on the Hebrew calendar, Aviv or Nisan, is based on the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, which occurs in March, generally on the twentieth or twenty-first day of the month. Through biblical study, we find that the first day of Aviv is supposed to begin on the first day after the equinox event, contrary to how man has come up with his own traditons of the Hebrew New Year. This is the month in which the barley crop becomes ready for harvest, and the Hebrew name, Aviv, indicates this fact.

(Exo 12:3) Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: (4) And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. (5) Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

These are very specific procedures God spelled out that were to be followed to prepare for the next stage of this ordinance. Now remember that all these things that happened before Christ were given to us as examples of how to be proper Christians, especially into the final generation.

(1Co 10:11) Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Something to keep in mind is that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. This may help you to begin to see where this is going.

(Joh 1:32-36) And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (33) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  (34) And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (35) Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (36) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

(Exo 12:6) And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (7) And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. (8) And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. (9) Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (10) And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. (11) And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.

This lamb was to be readied in order to  be eaten during the celebration that was to take place on the fourteenth day of the month, which would be known as Passover.  Let’s find out why it’s called the Passover.

(Exo 12:12) For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. (13) And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (14) And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Forever. These instructions are supposed to be followed until the end of time by God’s people. God is sparing those households that are obedient to Him from certain death, and that death would pass over all those who were faithful to God in this. Those who have not received these instructions or who choose not to follow them will suffer.

This is the message throughout the Bible: that, if we trust God and have faith in Him over anything or anyone else, He will always take care of us. Sometimes we may not understand why He would have us do certain things, or why we would even have to go through trials in our lives, but it is always for our benefit in the end.

(Exo 12:15) Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

In the Old Testament times, the focus was on the physical aspect of religion. God expected everyone to follow tangible rules to show their obedience. There was to be no leavened bread in your home at the time of this celebration if you were a faithful Israelite.

Today, as we read above, we are to continue observing what we see here, but instead, we are now to follow it in a spiritual manner.

(Exo 12:16) And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. (17) And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. (18) In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. (19) Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. (20) Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

You can begin to see just how seriously He takes this leavened and unleavened bread. With as much emphasis He puts on this subject, I wouldn’t recommend dismissing it.

Now, as I mentioned a little bit earlier, we are now to observe ordinances on a spiritual level, rather than physically, though we are ordered to observe Passover forever. So how does this work?

Let’s start by looking at the leavened bread:

(Mat 16:5-12) And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

So, what is the leaven we are to beware of today? It is the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees and Sadducees are known to have added a lot of fluff and junk into the Israelite religion, and Jesus is warning the apostles, and us today, to stay away from those things that have nothing to do with God, and to stick with His Word. It is even worse if that leaven is related to pagan religions. So during this Passover week, it would certainly be a bad thing for us to have in our homes items related to celebrations in pagan religions. Even more importantly, as the term house represents our heart and where our focus is, we are not to be partaking in rituals and pastimes that are against God during this time.

Research the origins of the rituals related to the celebration of the goddess Ishtar (Ashteroth), which have been carried over to the modern celebration of Easter. They are not at all innocent; in fact they are very evil.

But since we are now to observe ordinances of God on a spiritual level, how do we apply the rest of God’s commands?

(1Co 5:7) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (8) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

So now we begin to see the whole picture. Paul tells us here that Christ is our Passover, and that we are to continue to keep the feast of unleavened bread, and to purge the leaven out of our lives, and to celebrate with unleavened–the truth of God, with nothing added in to fluff it up. But, if Christ is the Passover, does that still mean we are to slay a lamb for the feast? Well, what did we read a little earlier?

(Joh 1:35) Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples. (36) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Jesus is that unblemished Lamb and He has already been sacrificed for us, once and for all times! And He rose from the grave, death having passed Him over to show us what would await the faithful after our bodies were done. But what about the feast? Jesus instructed us about this shortly before His crucifixion.

(Mar 14:22) And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. (23) And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. (24) And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

(1Co 10:16) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (17) For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

When we take communion, as Christians, we are partaking of that feast of the unleavened bread that God mandated in Exodus 12, but we now observe it under the new covenant.

I might also suggest that, in place of Lamb’s blood, you can anoint your home, and your family and self with olive oil, which is elaya in Greek (in Hebrew, El and Ya are two names of God). And, with your families, you should read about our Passover in the Bible, just as we are told to do in Exodus, but then make the connection with the Lord, Jesus Christ.

(Joh 6:47) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (48) I am that bread of life. (49) Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. (50) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (51) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

So, we are to believe in Jesus Christ and know that He is our Lord and Savior, Who died for our sins. We are to participate in the feast of communion to demonstrate our faith in obedience to the ordinance God demanded us to observe. As a result, we will have everlasting life and we will not perish with those who are not living according to God. When we do this, we become spiritual Israelites, whether we were of the family of Jacob (Israel) or not. If you are a spiritual Israelite, you are one of God’s people, and the ordinance of Passover applies to you. And after all, if you are one of God’s people, you want to make God happy, don’t you?

Of course you want to please God. And the way to do that is to study His Word, which will bring you closer with Jesus, and learn how to live by His ways. This is what He has wanted us to do all along. It doesn’t matter how badly you think you’ve messed up, it’s not to late to turn around and repent and come back to God!

God Bless!

 

 

 

 

Zechariah

Zechariah 4

Chapter 4 of Zechariah takes place during the second half of the Great Tribulation, while satan is on earth posing as antichrist, the false messiah. This chapter runs parallel to Revelation 11, which teaches about the two witnesses and their role in the last days.

(Zec 4:1) And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

Zechariah is being awoken from his sleep, but this sleep is a spiritual slumber that keeps us from understanding God’s deeper truths. Since he is no longer asleep, his eyes are being opened to another spiritual lesson that he is to share with us in the last generation.

(Rom 11:7-10) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

(Zec 4:2) And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

(Zec 4:3) And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

(Zec 4:4) So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

(Zec 4:5) Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

The angel will be explaining this vision shortly.

(Zec 4:6) Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zerubbabel is word #H2216 in the Hebrew  section of the Strong’s Concordance.

H2216
זרבּבל
zerûbbâbel
zer-oob-baw-bel’
From H2215 and H894; descended of (that is, from) Babylon, that is, born there; Zerubbabel, an Israelite: – Zerubbabel.

The word, Zerubbabel, comes from words H2215 and H894, in the Hebrew.

H2215
זרב
zârab
zaw-rab’
A primitive root; to flow away: – wax warm.

H894
בּבל
bâbel
baw-bel’
From H1101; confusion; Babel (that is, Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire: – Babel, Babylon.

Therefore, when we look at the name Zerubbabel closely, it is Hebrew for, “Coming out of confusion.” This is what you do when you begin to understand the deeper lessons God has for you in the Bible. This is what happens when you begin to receive your spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear.

This verse is telling Zechariah to speak to those whose spiritual eyes and ears are open to understanding the knowledge of God. This understanding comes from God through His Holy Spirit, and no matter how intelligent you think you are, or how smart you are by man’s standards, if you are given the spirit of slumber, you’re just not going to get it. Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear?

(Zec 4:7) Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

In biblical symbology, a mountain is a nation, so this is a great nation. In the end times, the great nation is the one world government system. However great it may be, when Jesus returns, He is going to destroy the whole entire thing and anything else He doesn’t like. He will slay the first and second beasts of the tribulation, and He’ll bury them. Satan will be able to operate in the last days only under the authority of God, and when God says his time is up, it’ll end in the blink of an eye.

(Zec 4:8) Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

(Zec 4:9) The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

In the book of Ezra, Zerubbabel was one of the men who help lay the foundation of the second temple in Jerusalem, at the House of God, Bethel, when some of the Israelites were allowed to return there.

(Ezr 3:1-10) And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening. They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.

The original Zerubbabel began building this temple, and with the help of those who have come out of confusion in this last generation, who have or will receive the Seal of God, Jesus’ Millennial temple will be built as well (read Ezekiel 40-48). And, once Jesus Christ has returned and rules from earth in His new temple, the entire world will know who He is and will bow to Him.

(Zec 4:10) For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

God’s elect may be individual people, but with God’s support, anything can be accomplished. The elect will rejoice when they see this temple built, and they will be the ones who help to make it upright and keep it righteous. The plummet is a tool known today as a plumb bob, and it is used to make sure that what you are constructing is perfectly vertical, and that is a symbol for doing things God’s way. These elect watchmen, the eyes of the Lord, are the same eyes in the last chapter when we were told about the stone with seven eyes. Jesus is the stone and the seven eyes are His 7000 predestinated elect, who are people placed all over the earth that know and understand God’s plan, and who see that it comes to pass the way it was written.

A few of you reading this may be God’s watchmen.

(Zec 4:11) Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Now back to the first part of the vision. These two olive trees are the same two men we read about in Revelation 11, the two witnesses. They stand by the body of Christ, the true Christians on earth, represented here by a golden candle stick. Gold, in the Bible, represents the pure truth of God, by which the body of Christ lives.

(Zec 4:12) And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

Each of these olive trees had a branch, from which the golden [olive] oil, representing the Holy Spirit carrying God’s truth and knowledge, flows to God’s elect, which themselves are represented in this vision by the seven lamps on top of the golden candlestick, and in-turn shine their light through the darkness of the tribulation.

For more information on this golden oil, check out this article: The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

(Zec 4:13) And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

(Zec 4:14) Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

The two witnesses are two of God’s most trusted servants, who, since the time of satan’s rebellion (and ever before), have been completely faithful to Him.

How about you? Do you feel God can count on you to help carry out his plan? Well, prove it to Him! He can’t use you unless you understand His plan. And how do you learn His plan? You must study His Word in the Bible deeply. Otherwise you will receive the spirit of slumber and strong delusion, and there will be a long road ahead for you.

God bless!

Zechariah

Zechariah 3

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In the first two chapters of Zechariah, we have learned about the last generation, and we’ve learned about the beginning of the Millennium. In this chapter, let’s look at what else Zechariah has to say about the end times.

(Zec 3:1) And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

The story of Joshua, in the history of the Israelites, was intended by God to be a parallel to what Jesus would do here on earth after the tribulation. Just as Joshua led God’s people into the Holy Land, Jesus will lead God’s people, after antichrist is defeated, into the Holy Land as well.

The name, Joshua, is actually the Anglicization of Jesus’ name in Hebrew. Joshua, in Hebrew, is Yeshua, as the Hebrew letter, yod, is often given a hard J sound when transliterated to English. The name, Yeshua, in Greek is Iesous–the Y, in Yeshua, is changed to an I, as that has the same sound in Greek, and Greek names generally end in as, es, or us. So, the ua ending, in Yeshua, is changed to ous. Thus, we have Yeshua changing to Iesous, when going from Hebrew to Greek. When the Greek name, Iesous, is changed to English, the I sound is also changed to a hard J, and the ous ending is changed simply to a us ending, and thus, we get the name Jesus.

You may hear lots of stories about how the name Jesus came about, but truly, the names were changed in each language because they didn’t have the ability either to pronounce the name or spell the name in the other languages (because the alphabets are different in each language), and therefore, they had to change, or be transliterated, to accommodate the speakers of different languages.

So, the story of Joshua was actually prophecy of Jesus Christ Himself, and He is our High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, and He is standing in front of the angel of the Lord (which is the Lord Himself) to remind us of this parallel. And satan, as he always does, is opposing Him.

(Zec 3:2) And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

God is chastising satan and, as we know, He chose Jerusalem as His city surrounding His favorite place on earth. This is mentioned just in case there is any question which God we are reading about here–it is the one and only true God.

Joshua is being referred to as a brand plucked out of the fire, which means he is one of God’s elect, as His elect are persecuted on earth, and they withstand the fire of this persecution and the tribulation itself, just to prod satan in the process.

(Zec 3:3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

These filthy garments used to clothe Joshua in this vision represent the sins of true Christians, which Jesus willingly bears. As He bears our sins, we are clothed in white linen robes that are washed clean with His blood. He will be wearing white linen robes too but, for the purposes of this vision, the fact that He bears our sins is being pointed out.

(Zec 3:4) And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Now just as we have our sins taken from us, as Christians, and are given pure white robes, this is happening to Joshua, but also, Jesus will be wearing gleaming white clothing. So this sin, or iniquity, is being taken away as if it had never happened.

(Zec 3:5) And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

A mitre is a head dress. In the Gospel Armor, given to us in Ephesians 6, the helmet is salvation through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not only represented by a helmet, but hair, or any other headwear. In this verse, it is called a mitre. So, Joshua receives this head dress or crown of salvation, and his pure white linens washed clean of sin.

(Zec 3:6) And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

(Zec 3:7) Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

We know the Lord sits on the Great White Throne of Judgment, at the end of the Millennium, but His elect are also given the role of judges during the Millennium, and they will live with Him in His inner sanctuary.

For more information, check out Ezekiel 44.

(Zec 3:8) Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

The world will be in awe over Jesus and His elect, during the Millennium, but that is what Jesus intended to provoke everyone else to be jealous and want to correct their ways. Those who are true and faithful to Him will be branches on His olive tree, so to speak, and those who have not been faithful will either be broken off, or will have never been branches at all (Romans 11).

(Zec 3:9) For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

The stone with seven eyes, before Joshua, represents Jesus’ 7000 watchmen, who are here on earth during the last generation, through the tribulation. And when Jesus returns, He will consume all sin and all that offends Him, immediately, with His consuming fire. It will all be burned up (2 Peter 3).

(Zec 3:10) In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

On the Day of the Lord, we will be entering a new age, and everyone will be either in the presence of the Lord, with Him as His closest confidants, or they will be striving to earn that place for a thousand years. There will be one main purpose on earth and everyone will be living for the Lord, or they will perish in the lake of fire after the Great White Throne Judgment.

Do you want to be a good fig or a bad fig? Anyone can be a branch on Jesus’ olive tree, but you better make that choice very soon.

God bless!

Zechariah

Zechariah 2

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We’ve already been given a lot of information about the end times in the first chapter of Zechariah, and now we are going to move right into many more vivid visions that Zechariah will be given.

(Zec 2:1) I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Zechariah is being given another vision and he is opening his spiritual eyes to understand what he is about to see. Zechariah encounters another one of God’s scouts who is observing the condition of the world.

(Zec 2:2) Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

Jerusalem encompasses the area that is God’s favorite place on earth, Zion. This is the place that God chose for His temple to be located, and though He hates for heathenism to exist anywhere in the world, it especially angers Him to see it in Jerusalem.

(Zec 2:3) And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

(Zec 2:4) And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

Traditionally, Jerusalem was surrounded by a wall to keep out anything that was not of God, but in these last days, the ways of Babylon have spilled out over the Euphrates (the traditional border between godlessness and God’s people), and right into God’s favorite place. The walls no longer have any functional effect, and the people and the ways of the world are free to come and go as if there were never any walls at all.

(Rev 16:12) And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

When the Euphrates is spiritually dried up, via the work of satan’s demons, the sin from Babylon will have spilled over into God’s city.

(Zec 2:5) For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

No matter how pervasive humanism becomes, God will still protect His faithful from succumbing to its effects. He will still dwell within the hearts of His elect, as they reside within His Ark of Truth.

(Zec 2:6) Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

God’s people have been scattered all over the earth since the days of the captivity, and they are no longer actually centered in the Holy Land. So, the land of the north (Strong’s # H6828) often, such as here, represents the dark ways of satan, that lie in wait to slay the souls of anyone who isn’t sealed with the knowledge of God.

H6828
צפן צפון
tsâphôn tsâphôn
tsaw-fone’, tsaw-fone’
From H6845; properly hidden, that is, dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown): – north (-ern, side, -ward, wind).

And if we take that back to its root:

H6845
צפן
tsâphan
tsaw-fan’
A primitive root; to hide (by covering over); by implication to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk: – esteem, hide (-den one, self), lay up, lurk (be set) privily, (keep) secret (-ly, place).

(Zec 2:7) Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.

God will keep His faithful elect, who spiritually live in Zion, safe from the ways of Babylon, though they are in the midst of the heathen who all will be whoring after antichrist. However, those who dwell in sin in the land of Zion, who spiritually live in Babylon (the Mystery Babylon system), will be trying to save themselves rather than turning to God.

(Rev 11:8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

This great city of God, Jerusalem, will turn into a filthy place of sin.

(Rev 17:3-6) So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

(Zec 2:8) For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

(Zec 2:9) For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

(Psa 17:6-9) I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

God is protecting His pride and joy, those who will never stray from Him, with His angelic army, and anyone who wishes evil on them will receive swift destruction in the end.

(Zec 2:10) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

(Zec 2:11) And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

When Jesus returns, He will live in the Millennial Temple in the holiest place on earth, Bethel (the house of God), right on mount Zion. His beloved people will dwell with Him in the inner sanctuary, and those who went astray during the tribulation will not be allowed anywhere near Him.

All those of the nations of the world who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will be among those Israelites who were also faithful. If you are a true Christian, you are grafted into the olive tree of Christ, and spiritually you are an Israelite yourself. Those who were born as Israelite, but who did not accept Christ, are broken off from this olive tree. What is most important is whether or not you accepted Christ. God doesn’t any longer worry about the blood that flows through your veins, but the blood of Christ and who has that flowing within them.

(Rom 11:16-25) For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

(Zec 2:12) And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

God’s faithful will inherit Christ and everything that belongs to Him, and everything belongs to Him. They will inherit a place within His temple and a place by His side as His closest allies. God will once again choose to live in the land of Zion, but He will physically be here for all to observe.

(Zec 2:13) Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

The flesh of this world will be silent at that time because it’ll be no more. All flesh will be done away with because flesh is sin and cannot exist where God is. God will come down from Heaven as Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, for the Millennium, and after the Millennium comes to an end, God will be here in His full Glory, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit all in one.

It will be a glorious time and I hope you’ll choose to be there to see it.

God bless!