Tag Archives: Seal of God

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!

Revelation

Revelation 10

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In the previous chapter, 9, we entered the end time stage known as the Great Tribulation, a time of troubles never before seen on earth. We will now learn about more events which will take place during this testing period.

(Revelation 10:1) And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

God is sending His angel scout to earth to survey the conditions and what has happened so far. God has the ability to do anything and everything Himself, but He chooses to use His faithful servants as much as He can, just as He has since the beginning of time, because it is an honor to serve Him.

The angel scout is bathed in the glory of God and accompanied by God’s consuming fire, and as impressive as this is, it pales in comparison to the presence God Himself. However, this event will not be perceptible by those here on earth.

(Revelation 10:2) And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

This little book has the events of the seven thunders written within, which means that they are already predetermined by God, and this angel is aware of what is written, but for whatever reason they are shared with John, though he is not supposed to tell anyone else. It may very well be that they can be deduced from throughout the Bible, and will be before they happen, but there will be very few that will know and recognize these, and rest assured these people would also not share them with everyone else. This knowledge is also likely contained within the golden oil piped to the elect from the two witnesses, who arrive just before antichrist, about which we will read in the next chapter of Revelation, 11.

The scout angel was sent down to earth in person to observe all that will be taking place halfway through the tribulation and he is even to wonder among the people (the sea) and observe that the conditions are right for the next step to begin.

(Revelation 10:3) And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

With boldness, the angel is proclaiming that it is time for the events of the seven thunders to be proclaimed for John’s benefit, at which time these events had not happened. We can determine that these events had not yet occurred by the time the 6th trumpet had sounded. They are events that will take place after the 6th trump, in the second half of the tribulation.

(Revelation 10:4) And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

These seven thunders are signs which are not to be recognized until after they have happened, just as we do not hear thunder until after we see the lightning. By the time we observe the sound of the thunder, the lightning has already struck and done its damage. This is the reason these things are not written, because they are not to be known ahead of time. We are foretold all things, and if we study the Bible honestly and in prayer, we will know what things are about to come. The seven thunders, however, are those things that the rest of the world will look back on and realize they should have known what was to be, only they hadn’t read. The unlearned of the Bible will be kicking themselves, but will only have themselves to blame. Remember, hindsight is 20/20.

Also, lightning can be seen from very far away, which is how the coming of Jesus is described:

(Matthew 24:26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

(Matthew 24:27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

(Matthew 24:28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

If we do not see Jesus Himself immediately upon His return, it is not Jesus, but the antichrist instead. Everyone will know instantly when He returns. By the time, the rest of the world sees Jesus’ second coming, it will be too late for repentance. We will then enter a period of discipline and correction for those who were not prepared.

(Revelation 10:5) And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

(Revelation 10:6) And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

In the name of God, the scout is confirming that it is the right time for the final stage of the flesh age to begin, in which satan, as antichrist, and his fallen angels will be cast by the archangel Michael down to earth to test everyone alive at that time. The world, as we now know it, is coming to an end.

(Revelation 10:7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

It is at this time that the last of God’s servants, his elect, are sealed with the complete knowledge of all the events that are imminent. This seal is both a protection against being deceived by satan and receiving his mark of the beast, and to ensure that God’s servants know and complete their mission to the end.

(Revelation 10:8) And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

Now, John is instructed to receive the knowledge in this book from God’s scout.

(Revelation 10:9) And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

To eat a book or a scroll means to consume its knowledge. Once he does this, the contents of the book will enlighten John, but at the same time, it will make him literally sick and cause anxiety because of the gravity of what it contains. This is common when someone is given deeper understanding of God’s Word. It can be both a blessing and a curse, but God’s servants can handle it and welcome it. This is why it is given to only a select few that are strong enough for the responsibility. Note that John is told to take the book. It isn’t handed over by the angel because we are to take an active role in learning what is written therein.

Are you strong enough?

(Revelation 10:10) And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

John has the intestinal fortitude to get the job done.

(Revelation 10:11) And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Now John will be given yet another vision to convey to those who will receive it.

Do you want to have a role to serve God and His plan in the events of the end of the flesh age?

God bless.

Reference Notes

Mark of the Beast

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The Mark of the Beast is often misunderstood as a physical mark (or chip) placed on people, during the time antichrist is on earth, for those who worship antichrist and his system. However, that is an assumption based on misunderstanding of scripture.

The Mark of the Beast will be dealt to most of the people on earth (Mat 24:24, Rev 7:3-4, 12:9-15, 13:11-16) while antichrist is here because they will have been deceived into worshiping him and his system (Rev 14:9), and they will have served him because they will believe he is the Messiah. This mark is not a physical mark because it is based on what people feel in their hearts; and therefore it goes much deeper than a physical trait. No one can hold us down and force us to feel something in our hearts and therefore a physical mark cannot change our minds. God cares more about where our loyalties lie, than what someone has made us do to ourselves physically.

This mark is in one’s forehead and in one’s right hand (Rev 13:16), and these terms are symbolic. The mark that is in people’s foreheads is in their brains, and it is those people’s belief that antichrist is the Messiah or God, which he will claim to be. This is the mark of deception that is brought forth in the flood of lies from satan’s mouth (Rev 12:15). The mark in the right hand represents someone’s works in serving the system of antichrist, and doing his will. The right hand in biblical times was always symbolic of power or work.

The Mark of the Beast is mutually exclusive with the Seal of God, meaning that everyone on earth will have either the mark or the seal. The Seal of God is protection against the torment that those with the Mark of the Beast will suffer (Rev 7:3, 9:1-11, 14:9-11,16:1-4, 8-14, 17-21). Those with the Mark of the Beast will continue to be plagued through the tribulation unless they wake up and repent, and turn against antichrist (Mar 3:28-29, Luk 21-12-19, 1Jo 1:9, Rev 16:1-4, 8-14, 17-21) before Jesus returns.

Those without the Mark of the Beast will not be allowed to buy or sell (Rev 13:17), and that can be accomplished by many ways even though the mark is not a physical mark. One such way as there may be a card issued to those who have proven their loyalty to antichrist when they have worshipped him, but that card would not be the mark. God’s people will be provided-for none-the-less because they will remain faithful to Jesus Christ and not fall for antichrist.

The only way to avoid receiving the Mark of the Beast is to read, study, and understand the Bible (2Th 7-12, 2Ti 2:15, Rev 7:1-4), as even many professing Christians will be deceived, along with the rest of the world (Mat 24:22-24, Mar 13:20-23, Rev 12:9-15, 13:11-14), because they don’t care enough for Jesus to pick up God’s Word and read it. Those people who will be sealed by the Holy Spirit as protection are those who know and love Jesus Christ and His Word (2Ti 2:15, Rev 7:3-4), as He is the Living Word, and this sealing will be accomplished before antichrist arrives (Rev 7, 9:1-12).

The receiving of the Mark of the Beast does not condemn someone to die in the Lake of Fire, however, they will be in danger of this sentence (Rev 20:4-6, 11-15) if they do not repent and turn back to and serve Jesus Christ once they realize what they have done. Those who do not do so by the time Jesus Christ returns will have a chance in the Millennium Kingdom to be taught and disciplined to learn the ways of God and forsake their selfish ways (Eze 44, Rev 20:1-6). During this time, they will be considered spiritually dead (Eze 44:23:25, Rev 20:4-6, 12-13), and at the end of the Millennium, they will be tested one last time (Rev 20:7-9), and if they fail this test, after the Great White Throne Judgment, they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:11-15). If they instead pass and are found in the Book of Life, they will be granted eternal life at that time (Rev 20:5, 21, 22).

If someone is truly saved by Jesus Christ, though they may be deceived when antichrist is here, they will overcome in the Millennium, or perhaps before, because they love Jesus Christ and they will do what it takes to make it right (Rom 1:16, 11:23-27, 1Ti 2:10). The only way to salvation is to accept it through Jesus Christ (Joh 14:6-7, 1Th 5:9, 1Ti 2:10, 3:15), and our lives will reflect that salvation if we are truly saved (Tit 2:7-15, 3:1-8, 14-15, Jam 2:14-26, Rev 2:4-5, 20:11-13).

For more information check out the article, RFID Chips Short Circuit Salvation???

Topic Discussions

He That Endures To The End…

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Today it is a popular trend as Christians to believe in and teach a thing called rapture, however, is this really what the Bible says if you truly closely investigate the scriptures? The Rapture Theory says that one day, before the tribulation starts, that the church will suddenly disappear and go to meet Jesus in the sky and be taken to Heaven. It implies that once this happens, suddenly cars will become driverless, and aircraft will become pilotless and people will vanish from whatever they are doing, while complete chaos will ensue back on earth, as those who remain enter the tribulation. Does The Bible really teach this? Or is this simply a tradition that has been passed down over the past couple centuries unquestioned? Well, let us see what the inspired Word of God has to say about what the end times have in store for true Christians.

 

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

(2Th 2:2) 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.

This letter Paul is writing to clear up a few confusions in the church of Thessalonica. He is speaking here about the time of the return of Christ.

 

(2Th 2:3) 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;

This day, the Day of the Lord, the day Jesus returns, will not come until there first is a falling away of the church, which is an apostasy of most of the church , meaning that they will stray from their original beliefs. Well how can this happen? We will find this out very shortly.

After this falling away, but still before the return of Jesus, the man of sin, who is the son of perdition, the only one who had specifically been sentenced to perish in the Lake of Fire, will be revealed to those on earth. This son of perdition is none other than satan.

 

(2Th 2:4) 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.

Satan, Lucifer, as you will remember, is the cherub whom God appointed to cover the mercy seat. He wanted to rise himself above God and be worshipped. When he comes to earth as antichrist, before the Day of the Lord, he will sit himself in God’s temple claiming to be God so that he may be worshipped by all who don’t know better according to God’s Word.

 

(2Th 2:5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

(2Th 2:6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

Paul here is asking, “Haven’t you been paying attention? Don’t you remember what I’ve already told you?”

The word ‘withholdeth’ means to retain in your memory. He is telling them and us not to forget what he has said and what is explaining once again in this letter.

 

(2Th 2:7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

This mystery of wickedness is already in the world, and only he who retains this knowledge in his mind will stand until satan, as antichrist, is taken out of the way by Jesus at His return.

 

(2Th 2:8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

When Jesus returns, as told in Zechariah 14, all those who are wicked and the things that offend Him will He destroy by God’s consuming fire.

 

(2Th 2:9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

(2Th 2:10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Even antichrist will be destroyed at the time of Jesus’ return, both antichrist and his beast system, leaving satan in only his prime form to be locked away for the entire Millennium, until his final short release. Also those who were deceived into worshipping him will be destroyed in the flesh, and this will leave them only a mortal spiritual body, which is liable to die at the end of the Millennium in the Lake of Fire, if they do not receive the proper correction during the up-coming thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.

 

(2Th 2:11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(2Th 2:12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These people who did not have enough love of the truth to study the Bible will be sent strong delusion by God so that they will believe these lies of satan. The ultimate goal is not that they will be destroyed, but that they will learn from these mistakes during the Millennium, and pass the final test when satan is released one last time to deceive the world (per, Ezekiel 44 and Revelation 20).

 

 

(1Co 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

The spiritual kingdom of Heaven inhabits a different dimension than we do, and therefore we, in our physical flesh bodies, cannot possible enter that realm in a physical form. This kingdom is of a higher dimension than what we are currently aware as flesh people. These flesh bodies are corruptible, which means that they will all receive injuries and die and decay; and incorruptible bodies cannot receive injuries and decay. Although incorruptible bodies cannot rot as a dead body, they can be destroyed, but only by God and only at one time, after the Great White Throne Judgment. That spiritual death is called the second death and will be the end of the line for many. Recall this verse: (Mat 10:28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This “Him” spoken of is of course God and we are to revere Him.

 

(1Co 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

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

Paul is explaining this mystery to us and it is something that is not known by many Christians even today. He is saying that not everyone in the flesh will die, and this is because those of us who are true Christians and have not strayed from Jesus by worshipping antichrist will be changed in the twinkling of an eye into our spiritual, incorruptible bodies, which cannot die. As this is happening, those who have strayed and have received the mark of the beast and stood with antichrist will be destroyed in a physical sense.

When does this happen? It happens at the last trump, which is the 7th according to Revelation 11. Also According to Revelation 9 and 13 (666, the 6th seal, 6th trumpet, 6th vial), antichrist will be arriving at the 6th trump, which is not only not the last trump but comes before the 7th trump.

 

(1Co 15:53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

In order to inherit the kingdom of God, which is the final goal of all Christians, we have to put on this immortality. Those who have overcome by the time that Jesus returns, on the Lord’s Day, will receive immortality then. Those who overcome at the end of the Millennium will receive it at the end of that thousand years.

 

(1Co 15:54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

When everyone who has overcome at the end of the Millennium has received immortality, and those who were not found in the Book of Life are thrown into the Lake of Fire, then death will be swallowed up and there will never again be suffering or death because we will finally be entering God’s eternal Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 21-22). Those who will be thrown in the Lake of Fire are only those whom God has given ample opportunity to straighten up their acts and follow the right path. Peter says that God is very patient because He does not want any one of His children to perish.

 

Let’s move on to 1 Thessalonians:

 

(1Th 4:15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 

The word ‘prevent’ used here means to come before. What this verse is then saying is that those who are alive in the flesh body when Jesus returns will not rise before those who have already died. Those who have died have already risen to be with God (as illustrated in Luke 16).

 

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

 

At that trumpet, Jesus will return, and it will be with those Christians who came before as His army. Again, those who died as faithful Christians will have died first will have risen first.

 

(1Th 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

Those of us who are still alive and have remained faithful to Jesus through the tribulation, as we are instantly changed into incorruptible eternal spiritual bodies, will be gathered together in one large group by Jesus.

 

(1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

This is a very comforting thought to those who will be threatened by antichrist and those whom serve him.

 

Let’s now take a look at what Jesus says about the end of days:

(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

There have been and will continue to be many who say they are the Savior, until antichrist arrives, whether they say they are Jesus, or various other messiahs of the religions. But as we have seen above, there are certain things that must take place before Jesus returns.

 

(Mat 24:6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The reports of wars around the world will increase, especially in proximity to the city of Jerusalem.

 

(Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The nations will continue to build animosity toward each other, and there will be starving people (as well as people starving for the, bread of life, the Word of God as told in Amos 8), and diseases (including the metaphorical diseases of false biblical teachings), and earthquakes all over the world, even where they are very unusual.

 

(Mat 24:8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

These are many of the things that lead right into the time of the great tribulation.

 

(Mat 24:9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

Those who refuse to follow the world system described in Revelation 13, and who do not worship antichrist and his image because they know that he is not Jesus, but that he is antichrist, will be delivered up to testify why they will not do these things. Very few in the world will know better than to worship him. These people are called God’s elect—7000 of which have been chosen since before the foundation of the flesh age was laid, and 144,000 of which are chosen while in the flesh, and some gentiles as well who have been chosen by God.

 

(Mat 24:10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Those who will not bow to satan/antichrist will be turned in as they are observed not following the edicts of antichrist. This will be very similar to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. This story is a direct ensample (or example) of what the faithful church (Smyrna and Philadelphia, Revelation 2 & 3), those who will not bow to antichrist, can expect to experience during the tribulation.

 

(Mat 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

There will be people who will be prophesying for antichrist by the spirit, however, it won’t be by the Holy Spirit, but by satan’s unholy spirit. Yet because, as we are told, the whole world will be deceived, they will also follow these so-called prophets and be lead right to receiving the mark of the beast.

 

(Mat 24:12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

The love of most in the world has been growing colder and colder for years, but as sin begins to overflow, just like it did in Sodom and Gomorrah, people will become even more self-centered and dedicated to what makes them feel pleasure.

 

(Mat 24:13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Only those who endure this until the end of the tribulation, which we will soon read, is the time that Jesus will finally return, will be justified at the time of His return. The rest will have to go through the Millennium to learn the difference between the holy and the profane, Ezekiel 44.

 

Let’s take a look at what He said in the book of Mark:

(Mar 13:9) But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Again, those who will not worship antichrist will be delivered up before councils to testify why they will not bow; it will be a testimony for the sake of Jesus Christ.

 

(Mar 13:10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Before that time, the Word of God will have been spread around the world, but if there is any question as to the authenticity of the Gospel anywhere in the world, it is about to be cleared up.

 

(Mar 13:11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

When God’s own elect are delivered up in front of these committees, the Holy Spirit will literally speak through the mouths of each one as they are questioned, and those delivered up are not to even think about what they would say beforehand. This testimony will be very similar to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, and everyone in the world will be able to understand what is being said simultaneously though they all speak different languages. This speech by the Holy Spirit will be powerful enough to convince anyone who hears it, unless they are the most dedicated to antichrist, and no man could possibly do this under his own power.

 

(Mar 13:12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Those who are delivered up will even be turned in even by well-meaning friends and family who expect antichrist to treat them with leniency and to help them to see the error of their ways.

 

(Mar 13:13) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

As we were told in Matthew, those who endure all of this and remain faithful to Jesus will be justified upon His return.

 

 

(Mat 24:21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

After this, the tribulation will intensify as antichrist is angered and as the vials, starting in Revelation 16, begin to be poured on those who are steadfast in worshipping him. This will be the toughest time for mankind.

 

(Mat 24:22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

The tribulation will be so tough that God’s elect will be the only ones who can withstand the temptation of satan (which is why God chose them to live at this time), but if Jesus had not shortened the length of this time, which was originally 7 years, even the elect would fall to the temptation. God knows everything and He never changes from the beginning to the end, but I believe that the original period of the tribulation was given as 7 years as an illustration to us that this 7 years would conclude spiritual completion of the flesh period. Seven, in biblical numerics, means spiritual completion.

 

(Mat 24:23) Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

(Mat 24:24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

These false prophets and false saviors and false teachers will be so convincing that even God’s own elect (the cream of the crop, his elite warriors in the flesh) could be deceived if the time remained 7 years.

 

(Mat 24:25) Behold, I have told you before.

This should be nothing new to someone who is familiar with God’s Word.

 

(Mat 24:26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

If someone needs to tell you that Jesus has returned, then it isn’t Jesus at all.

 

(Mat 24:27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Just like we can see lightning from many, many miles away, the whole world will know when Jesus returns at that 7th trump.

 

(Mat 24:28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Just like when there is a dead body in the desert, and you can see the buzzards swirling around overhead from miles away, you will know Jesus has returned, even if you are on the other side of the earth.

 

(Mat 24:29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

(Mat 24:30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

As the world is going through its toughest trials it has ever seen and the tribulation is coming to a close, suddenly, at that last trump, Jesus will be seen full of glory in the sky by everyone on earth. As this happens, the supernatural powers of the earth, satan and his fallen angels, will be shaken from power, and his 7 world nations of the one world government will fall.

 

(Mat 24:31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

At this time Jesus will gather His elect from anywhere in the world unto Him.

 

Now that we are getting the picture of God’s timetable for the end times, let’s shift gears and look at God’s elect to determine if there is any question as to these being anyone other than God’s most faithful children.

 

(Rom 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Those who God chose from before the foundation of this earth (in other words, from the time of satan’s rebellion in the first earth age), or the katabole, in the Greek (in which satan was deposed from his position), because of how they made a stand against satan, were predestinated for a particular role in this flesh age. This is their destiny. These people are the chosen vessels to spread God’s Word and His deeper mysteries. These predestinated ones are those who will most closely conform to the image of Jesus, though no flesh man is perfect or will ever meet the bar that Jesus has set.

 

(Rom 8:30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

These predestinated ones are those whom God calls to do His will on earth. These same people are the only ones who have already been justified before they were ever born in the flesh because God knows where they stand. He knows they are the only ones He can trust because they have already been battle hardened and proven.

 

(1Pe 1:1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

(1Pe 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The elect are chosen because of God’s foreknowledge of them, meaning that He knew them well by how they had served Him. Their spirits were sanctified or made holy or special in His eyes at that time. He knew that they would remain faithful to Him in their lives, except for a few special cases, we will discuss at a future date.

 

(Rom 11:4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

In this chapter of Romans, Paul was reviewing an instance in which Elijah was worried about those who were against him as a prophet of God and against God Himself. God reassures him that He has 7000 of His most loyal children who have not bowed a knee to Baal, which refers to and represents satan, during his rebellion, as these 7000 are reserved until the end. They were to be born in the last generation as a part of God’s plan.

 

(Rom 11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

However, even before the last generation, God also has servants He has chosen and predestinated to serve His purpose as part of His election.

 

(Rom 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

(Rom 11:7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

(Rom 11:8) (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.

These elect are guaranteed grace because God already knows that they will choose Him, which they always do, and therefore He may intercede automatically in their lives to make sure that everything goes as planned for them according to His plan. Although the elect are God’s most faithful and have already been justified, they still need grace and to repent when they sin, because their works in the flesh cannot cover their sins, just as they cannot for any other person–but God knows that they always will repent.

The Israelites of the modern day, which have been scattered all over the earth, to be reunited once and for all when Jesus returns (per Ezekiel 37), do not automatically have grace as a whole. If those of the descendants of Israel want salvation, they cannot do it simply by following the law perfectly because that is impossible. This is why we have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, because it is no one can live perfectly. Thus, we have grace through Jesus and forgiveness of sins upon repentance. The election, however, automatically receives salvation because they have already been justified by God as He knows their hearts, and therefore He can trust them to do His will and can trust them with the truth of His mysteries (discussed in the article Study to Show Yourself Approved). The rest are blinded from these truths because they haven’t proven they can handle the responsibility that comes with it.

Romans 11 goes on to explain the purpose for which these others are blinded. This will provoke them to learn their lesson in the Millennium. However, many can come out of this spiritual blindness to receive eyes to see if God finds they are able to bear it.

 

Now we can see that these elect mentioned throughout the Bible are God’s most faithful and have been faithful since before this flesh age began. This should make it clear that God’s elect, His faithful Christians, will be here throughout the entire tribulation. Now let’s discuss the two witnesses through whom God’s Holy Spirit of truth will flow to God’s elect during the tribulation.

 

(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,

 

(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:

These seven lamps are God’s 7000 predestinated elect, and these lamps shine the light of God’s truth to the world. These differ from the 7 candlesticks in Revelation 1 as these are not the candlestick, but are seven candles themselves which all set on one golden candlestick. This means that these 7000 are all united in one mind, agreement on the truth, as gold represents the truth. These lamps are fed by pipes leading to one bowl, again one truth.

 

(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.

On each side of this bowl are two olive trees which feed these seven lamps the golden oil which represents the Holy Spirit and the fact that it is golden means that it is God’s truth.

 

(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.

 

 

(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?

(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?

(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.

These two anointed ones are two servants of God, the two most trusted through whom all truth will come during the second half of the tribulation. For further detail, we will travel to the book of Revelation, chapter 11.

 

 

(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.

This chapter takes place during the 6th trumpet, which is the time of antichrist, and the temple of God is being measured to see where it stands as far as the ways of God.

 

(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 court without represents those who are not circumcised of the heart, meaning they are not true Christians. These are those who are gentiles in their hearts, even if they are descendants of Israel. True Christians are the temple of Christ as their bodies are temples. Though antichrist will literally occupy a temple, this is a vision and this is what it means symbolically. Satan and his fallen angels and these spiritual gentiles (many of whom are made up of the false jews mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3) will be desecrating the temple where antichrist dwells, as well as those whose hearts of those who are not dedicated to Jesus. The time period mentioned is equivalent to the 3 and a half years of the pre-shortened tribulation time period.

 

(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.

The two witnesses will be here the entire time in which antichrist is here and will witness for Christ roughly the same amount of time, however they will precede him by about 6 days, based on the difference between the lunar month of 29.5 days (evil side of prophecy) and the solar month of 30 days given here in days (the good side of prophecy), plus the fact that they will be killed 3 and a half days before Jesus returns as we will shortly learn.

 

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

In this verse, John confirms that these are the same olive trees mentioned in Zechariah 4 and they are two candlesticks each representing the two good churches of Revelation 2 & 3 (Smyrna and Philadelphia) using the candlestick symbology of Revelation 1.

 

(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.

(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.

Aside from their literal meaning, the two witnesses will have the ability two spiritually slay, by God’s consuming fire, those who would seek to kill them either physically or spiritually, by the swords of their mouths which are the Word of God. And they will also have the power to shut the rain from heaven which is the spiritual growth in understanding that takes place in our minds as God grows seeds of truth into understanding of the mysteries of God.

 

(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.

(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.

Once their time is up, the beast which came from out of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9, satan as antichrist, will kill the two witnesses, and their dead bodies will lie rotting in the streets of the city of Jerusalem, which by then is a city of sin no better than the historical city of Sodom.

 

(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.

(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.

As the two witnesses’ bodies lie lifeless on the ground in Jerusalem, the world will celebrate because these two men have tormented everyone who has been dedicated to antichrist and come against them in anyway. The world will view them like a plague, and they will believe this plague is over.

 

(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.

(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.

But, suddenly, after 3 and a half days, life will be restored to these two dead bodies and they will rise up, to the dismay of the world, and they will be called into heaven.

 

(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.

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

As the witnesses are called up to heaven, the earth will begin to enter into chaos as we are about to hear the 7th, and final, trump—the trump at which Jesus returns and those who have remained faithful will receive their incorruptible eternal bodies, and the rest will be destroyed physically as told in Zechariah 14.

The first woe was the 5th trump, in which the first half of the tribulation takes place, and the second woe was the 6th trump, in which the second half of the tribulation takes place. At the end of this second woe, antichrist will gather his armies and surround God’s elect desiring to destroy them (the battle of Armageddon), but at this very time, the third woe will come, and Jesus will return with His army to wipe out the evil forces on earth, and the 7000 of satan’s fallen angels who are here at that time will be physically destroyed. These 7000 in this verse are synonymous to satan’s own predestinated elect.

 

(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.

It is at this point that the 7th trump sounds and the tribulation ends and Jesus returns for His second coming. It is at this time that His Millennial reign will begin, from which time He will rule on earth forever, from the Millennium and continuing into the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven in third earth age, Revelation 20-22.

 

As we have read, nowhere in the scriptures of the Bible is there any time for a secret rapture of God’s most obedient. They will be here on earth in the time leading into the tribulation, through the tribulation, and forever as Jesus returns to rule on earth. It is essential, especially at this time, that all Christians investigate thoroughly God’s Word to divide the traditions of man from the truth in God’s Word. We should never take any man’s word for anything. We will all be held responsible for what we know, and if we never really search the scriptures, we cannot truly know what is written therein. I pray that all Christians will dive into the scriptures to know the truth for themselves.

God bless.

 

 

 

Topic Discussions

The Parable of the Midnight Request

Have you ever asked someone, maybe a friend, to help you from a bind in the middle of the night when you had nowhere else to turn? How did that friend or acquaintance respond? How would you respond to a friend who needed your help? Let’s take a look at what Jesus would have to say about such a predicament.

 

(Luk 11:5) And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

How many friends do you have that you can count on at any time of day or night to come to your aid when you’re in need? I would guess that most people do not have many friends they can count on at any time of day that will drop what they are doing at the time and rush to assist them. But there is One Whom we can count on.

 

(Luk 11:6) For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

This particular man is making a request from a friend and neighbor of his for some bread in the middle of the night that he would like to be able to offer to this late-night visitor. Now we can kind of get the picture as to what is going on here: this friend feels that what he has to offer to his visitor is inadequate as he wasn’t prepared for the visit. We could take this at face value, and we could apply this to our daily live in that we need to both be a good hospitable host to our guests, and we should help our neighbors as good Christians, but there is more going on here as there is a deeper lesson God would like us to learn aside from what is on the surface.

 

(Luk 11:7) And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

Now, the answer you would expect to hear from your neighbor, if you knock on his door in the middle of the night, is that he would tell you to go away and come back when everyone is awake, like a normal person. This is what the person would ordinarily be thinking in such a situation at such a time of day, but if the person is a very good friend and they genuinely like to help people, the results may be different.

 

(Luk 11:8) I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Because this man came to his friend’s door practically begging for his help, and the neighbor could see his friend’s desperation, he decided to help, even though it would seem that this was such an inconsiderate request. This is a true friend and neighbor.

In the Word of God, the bread symbolically represents Jesus Christ, Who is the Living Word; it is the Word of God Itself. The night represents the tribulation prophetically, and this one man is going to his friend in at midnight, which represents the halfway point of the tribulation (the time at which antichrist arrives) symbolically through the Bible, and he is asking his friend for the Word, or rather understanding of the Word of God through Jesus Christ. You can even surmise that the visitor that has arrived is antichrist and this man wants to be prepared with the Word of God before the antichrist arrives. Who would you think this friend is that is so willing to help his neighbor?

 

(Luk 11:9) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

You guessed it! It is our Father in Heaven. He is telling us here that if you pray to Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, and ask for His help in understanding, and you seek it in His Word which we get from the Bible, all you need to do is knock, at any time, and He will open the door to understanding His Word.

Now, this may even be during the tribulation itself through to the halfway point. Understanding of God’s Word will be closed during the second half of the tribulation (see the Parable of the Ten Virgins), as those who have not prepared will be deceived by antichrist, and they will not even know the difference between him and Jesus Christ, but the seal of God of His understanding will be given by the Holy Spirit right up until just before antichrist arrives for the 6th trump. Those who haven’t sought to understand God’s Word will not even know what is missing from their lives until they see Jesus Christ finally come at the 7th trump. But this is all part of God’s plan as He loves all His children and does not wish that any should perish. That is why we will have the Millennium, which begins as Jesus returns to earth.

 

(Luk 11:10) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

However, if you would desire to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and want to know Him, spend time with Him; and you do that through His Word, for He is the Living Word. All you have to do, after accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, is to pray to our Father through Jesus’ name, and ask God to give you the understanding that His Word has to offer, and then actually pick the Bible up and He will open the door to your understanding. It is a simple task, but how many will actually do it? I don’t know…is it important to you to not go astray from Him just because you allowed yourself to be deceived by satan and his lies, rather than learn from this letter He gave us? I would hope so and I would expect so. The Bible was written to us by God through some of His servants, and God never wastes His time or energy. It is an operator’s manual for our lives. And by all means, don’t wait until the last minute to ask for this gift.

 

(Luk 11:11) If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Do you think that if one of our Father’s children comes to him desperately and sincerely to ask Him for understanding of the Bible, that He would not give it? He doesn’t wish that any of His children would perish, but that all of them would return to Him. If you ask our Father for Jesus (Fish), would He give you satan (serpent)? No, or Father will keep you from going astray toward antichrist and his deception.

 

(Luk 11:12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If you ask Him for seeds of truth (egg) that He will water and grow inside of you, would He give you lies or deception (the scorpions, such as in Revelation 9, devour their pray from the inside out by dissolving and turning to mush everything you are inside through deception so that you willingly follow after a lie. These scorpions are the fallen angels)?

 

(Luk 11:13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

People are not worthy to receive grace or eternal life because they continually fall short, but God wants us to turn to Him and live eternally with Him. It is not possible for us to be saved on our own merits, as really we have none that are good enough to earn salvation. But for God, everything is possible, and through Jesus Christ, we may receive this eternal life. So as evil as we are as people, even then, we still know how to give good gifts to our own children. So considering this, don’t you think that our Father, being infinitely better than us and infinitely good, knows how to give good gifts to His children, especially if they earnestly ask for those gifts? No sin is too big for Him to forgive as long as you repent and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And no matter how bad you think you are if you repent and then ask for the gift of understanding honestly in Jesus’ name He will give it so that you can stay on the right path, the path or Jesus Christ.

Though, through accepting Jesus Christ, we receive salvation through grace, this does not mean that our journey is over at that point, there is still a rough road ahead. If you would like to rejoice at the return of Jesus with Jesus (which I know any Christian would), rather than having to wait one thousand years to come close to Him as you are disciplined because you have gone astray from your first love, Jesus Christ, then you will want to read what He has to say to you in this book called the Bible.

If you haven’t done this yet, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and then begin to seek Him by digging more deeply into His Word.

 

(Heb 5:12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(Heb 5:13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

(Heb 5:14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Be prepared for the midnight visitor! God Bless

Reference Notes

Seal of God

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The Sealing is the placing of the Seal of God, by the Holy Spirit, in one’s forehead, or mind. This seal is given as a guard against deception by satan and a protection from receiving the mark of the beast. Once a person is sealed, they cannot be led astray from God and cannot be deceived into worshipping antichrist and his system (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). This sealing is a part of the Gospel Armor, the belt of truth, and all sealing will be complete before the arrival of antichrist (Revelation 7).

In the end times, this seal is not only given to ensure someone does not receive the mark of the beast, but also it protects them from being tormented by the fallen angels who will be returning to earth with satan during the tribulation (Rev 7:1-3, 9:1-5).

When God seals one of His elect with the Holy Spirit, He reveals His mysteries to that servant of God so that the person’s understanding of His Word can be complete (Matthew 4:10-12, 13:10-17, Luke 8:9-10, Romans 16:25-27, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 13:2, Ephesians 1:3-9, 3:1-6, 6:18-20, Colossians 1:23-29). Once someone has this understanding, and his spiritual eyes are opened, it is his responsibility to share this light of truth with others and not hide it from view. He must plant seeds of truth so that it may benefit others and allow them to be sealed if they are meant to have this truth as well.

With this sealing, and refusing to bow to antichrist, comes also a risk of being delivered up to testify as to why you refuse (Matthew 10:17-24, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-15, Revelation 2:10), and God knows that not everyone can handle this pressure because of how they performed in the first earth age (Romans 8:28-34, 11:1-14). For this reason, most people of the world are blinded from this deeper understanding of His truth, and God will not allow them to understand no matter how intelligent they may be. This is meant as a protection for them, because if they were allowed to see these truths and were delivered up to testify, they would buckle under the pressure and would cave in and bow to antichrist knowing full well that he is not Jesus, the true Messiah. This would be a grave sin. Because God loves them, and because they are not dedicated enough to studying the Bible, and standing against satan, and his power and deception, He allows them to be deceived (Romans 11:7-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12) so they may learn a lesson they can take with them into the Millennium, with hopes they will make the right decisions at that time.

This sealing is an awesome blessing and an awesome responsibility at the same time.

Reference Notes

One World Government

13 Comments

The One World Government, or First Beast, outlined in Revelation 13,  is a political system that will be in place over the entire world during the Tribulation. This governing body will have 7 world nations roughly based on continental boundaries, and there will be 10 officials (10 kings) that head this system (Rev 13:1). This system has been in the process of being set up for centuries, but a big step was taken in 1945 with the establishment of the United Nations.

The One World Government, or New World Order, will be a communistic system that controls its citizens through the Four Hidden Dynasties (religion, politics, economy and education) which have been gaining strength in the world over centuries (Daniel 7:6, 8:8, Zech 1:18-19).

The leader of this One World Government is known as the Raiser of Taxes (Dan 11:20), and he will give way to the antichrist halfway through the tribulation (Dan 7:7-8, 8:13-14, 9:27, 11:21-45, 12:6-7, Rev 11:1-2, 13:11-18). When the antichrist arrives on earth in that midpoint, the One World Political System (Dan 7:7, Rev 13:1-10) will become a One World Religious System with the antichrist himself as its leader (Dan 7:8, Rev 13:11-18). Antichrist and his system, in the second half of the Tribulation, is known as the Second Beast, and it will force everyone of the world to worship the beast (Rev 12:9, 13:13-14), and everyone who does will receive the Mark of the Beast (Rev 14:9-11). The world will want to worship him because he will seem to be a benevolent messianic figure (2 Thess 2-3). Most Christians will believe he is Jesus. Those of other religions will believe he is also their respective messiahs, and he will claim that really all messiahs are actually one being, and it is he who is that being.

There will, however, be a small group of people, God’s elect, who will recognize antichrist and the beast and will refuse to bow to him (Matt 24:24). These people are the only ones in the world who will not be deceived by this system because they are sealed by the Holy Spirit with the Seal of God (Romans 11:4, Rev 7). Because the elect will not bow to antichrist, they will be delivered up to testify as to why they will not (Matt 10:17-24, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 12:11-12, 21:12-15, Rev 2:10). At this time, the Holy Spirit will speak through their  mouths and say things that no one will be able to deny (Luke 12:12, 21:14-15).

It is imperative to know and be able to recognize the First and Second Beasts before we enter the tribulation.

Reference Notes

Elect

21 Comments

The predestinated elect are people who have been chosen by God for a specific purpose to serve Him here on earth and ensure that His plan is carried out exactly as written (Jer 1:4-5, Rom 8:28-30). These sanctified, or set aside, ones have been selected because of their performance and loyalty to God during the rebellion of satan in the first earth age (Rom 11:4-5).

God knows He can count on His saints to remain loyal and never be deceived by satan (Matt 24:24, Rev 20:4-5). For this reason, this flesh age is not a test for these people–because they have already proven themselves and been justified (Rom 8:28-39) –and this means that they do not need to be allowed complete free will (Rom 8:26-27). God often will place His elect in the right place at the right time so that His will is fulfilled.

Elect have been born throughout the ages and called by God to be His prophets and apostles and any other roles that needed to be filled. But also, in the end times, there are currently 7000 of these servants that are predestinated (Rom 11:4-5), and He uses His elect as teachers who will share the pure, unadulterated truth with the rest of His children with the hopes that many of them, 144,000, will wake up and become dedicated enough to be chosen to have a role in the end times as well (Rev 7).

The 7000 (the predestination), as well as the 144,000, will be sealed with the knowledge of the Holy Spirit, and this will guarantee that they will not bow down and worship antichrist and receive his mark of the beast (Rev 14:1-5). They will not be deceived by him, nor believe that he is Jesus returned, as Jesus will return after the tribulation (Matt 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27).

In the second half of the tribulation, the elect will be delivered up to councils to testify as to why they will not bow to antichrist. When delivered up, they should not premeditate what they will say at that time, but instead the Holy Spirit will literally speak through their mouths (Matt 10:17-24, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 12:11-12, 21:12-15, Rev 2:10).

The predestinated elect and the 144,000 are the only people in the world (Matt 24:24), aside from some of God’s servants that are dispersed throughout the gentile population, who will not be deceived by antichrist and his one world religious system (Rev 12:9, 13:13-14).

During the Millennium, the elect, called the zadok levites, will serve Jesus as teachers (Eze 44:23), priests (Eze 44:15, 44:27-31), kings (Rev 20:4) and judges (Eze 44:24), as well as they will directly serve Jesus in His inner court (Eze 44:15-16, 44:27). These are the people that God knows He can always count on.