The Way is Being Paved for the End Times

 

If you know your Bible, then you know there is the Holy Trinity, which is comprised of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but when the Tribulation begins, Satan will also attempt to create an unholy trinity which is comprised of Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The Antichrist or impostor Christ will rise out of a political theater and will come out of no where. You might say that isn't possible that someone can rise to such a place of prominence without anyone knowing anything about him, but consider our former president in the United States, Barack Obama. No one had heard of him 12 years ago, he has a limited political background and was immediately pushed to the forefront of the presidential campaign while people were still trying to figure out just where he came from and what his background was. This makes the rise of the Antichrist possible and without question it can and will happen in the future.

The False Prophet will be a religious leader that will take charge of the world's religions and combine them in a global one world religion that appeases most everyone except those that hold to the doctrines of the Bible as absolute.

So is the Antichrist alive today? Based on the world events we see happening around us everyday, it wouldn't surprise me if he was. He is not the image of what the world might imagine. He won't be grotesque in appearance or have a red tail or act in a demonic like manner, but quite the contrary will be charismatic, influential, brilliant and he will swoon the world with his words like Hitler did. He will be a great orator to draw people in by what he has to say. It will be deceptive, demonic and spiritual in nature and character and the world will fall for it. He will allow for a global world church. He will establish a cashless system which we have already have begun laying the groundwork for even now, and will establish a way to identify those who follow him and those that don't with the introduction of a mark.

We see how easily that would be to introduce with the rise of terrorism and drugs in the world, simply take away the cash and see how much that would limit what they could do. We have heard about the implementation of a national security card and the possibility of chip implants that would host information about the person that it is implanted in as a way of tracking them, maintaining their medical history and so much more. The world is aching for someone to fix what is rapidly happening in the world from the issues with global downfalls of the economy, the global pandemic of CoVid 19, and the rise of terrorists threats. It is telling us that man can not govern himself and we simply need to establish a global government to solve all of the world's problems in a nut shell.

The Bible has promised that the Antichrist will appear when Israel has troubles with her neighbors and we know that since Israel became a nation for the second time in history on May 14, 1948, that we have been moving forward in that direction but now it seems imperative just how much hatred there is for the nation of Israel, the rise of antisemitism and the persecution and hatred for Christians around the world and it is only growing.

Daniel 9:26 ~ "After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood; War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed."

The Antichrist will sign a 7 year peace treaty with the nation of Israel and her neighbors giving them what they have always wanted peace. The ability to worship in their Jewish way and allow them to rebuild their temple. It will only last 3 1/2 years however and then things will go south in a hurry. The Antichrist comes from a political means and with tremendous influences to impact the world on a global scale. The world will all fall under his spell.

Revelation 13:1-10 ~ "And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, an they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."

We should not be concerned in trying to figure out just who the Antichrist is, because the church will be long gone before he comes onto the scene and rises up in the world. We learn about Revelation and the End Times because it strengthens our faith as believers and because of what Revelation 1:3 promises.

Revelation 1:3 ~ "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

This is the only book in the Bible that offers a special blessing on the one who reads it and hears the words. A blessing comes to those who study it and thus the reason we are walking through it verse by verse, chapter by chapter. You can't understand the Book of Revelation however as we have learned without first reading and understanding the Old Testament. As we look into the description of the creature mentioned in this chapter, we have to remember where have we heard these words before and that would be in the book of Daniel. Daniel has described this creature and these events and identifies for us who it is.

We see the creature has animalistic characteristics of a leopard, lion and a bear and we will be breaking down what these means in the nature and character of the Antichrist. He will connive and weave his way into the world much like the serpent did in the Garden of Eden and as we know the whole world will believe it except those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The way is being paved and the stage is being set, and if you truly know and understand your Bible, you know we have never been closer that we are right now in history. More tomorrow! 

Despite What is Happening in the World, You Can Still Have Hope

 

As we continue through the Book of Revelation, it is really important not to rush through it and realize how it is speaking to us in our own personal relationship with Jesus if we have one today. It should be an ongoing personal checklist to how we're doing in our relationship with Jesus. If you don't have a personal relationship with Him, than how can you say you're a Christian. It's just religion if you are simply going through the motions. The questions we need to be asking ourselves today is:

Is this real in my life?
Am I really a Christian?
How are you doing in this world?
Are you relying on the blood of Jesus Christ and His faithfulness day by day?
Have you placed your entire existence upon the altar of God?
How is your faith?
How is your hope?
How is your love?

Never underestimate man's own ability to justify his own sin. Remember that appearances are everything to the Christian life and how others perceive us. Just because you're living together to save money for your wedding and you aren't sleeping with one another, people who don't know you, believe that you are. How can you justify that as a Christian?

Will you fight temptations so that you can stay strong today?

2 Corinthians 9:8 ~ "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Ephesians 3:20 ~ "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Lamentations 3:32-33 ~ "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

God's not setting out to ruin your day today. 

Hebrews 6:19 ~ "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."

Have you put all your hope and trust in God? Some might be putting all your trust in money. Realize that it can never buy you great health.

Psalm 42:5 ~ "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. "

You are not hopeless. Your hope is in God, no matter what happens to you. It is the only thing that will get you through to the end. People who are dying want and will cling to the Word of God. Maybe what you're losing or have possessed, isn't what is important for you right now.

Psalm 146:5-6 ~ "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - the LORD who remains faithful forever."

Got problems? Give them to the LORD.

1 Peter 1:3-4 ~ "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you."

Our hope is alive, because Jesus rose from the dead! That is the deep assurance and hope of a Christian despite circumstances.

Romans 15:13 ~ "May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Titus 2:13-14 ~ "while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

To look for, means to anticipate something. It may look to some like they are fretting or worrying sometimes, like sprinters before a race walking around the track aren't worrying about the race, but anticipating the sound of the gun and finishing the race.

Let each moment we have count, regardless of what is going on around you. Jesus paid for the cost of our sins, past, present and future sins through His death on the cross. That is how He redeems us from all wickedness and purifies us for Himself when we put our faith and trust in Him.

God knows how special you are. He is so in love with you and will be with you always. He will never leave you. He loves us because He is love. It has nothing to do with what we can do for Him. That is not love. God's love for us is unconditional. Eager to do what is good is easy to do when you are a Christian, because we can't wait to do something to give God all the glory, honor and praise. That is what being a Christian is all about.

We will pick up our study into the Book of Revelation 13 tomorrow but through today, consider just how much you are loved by God and how wonderful you are to Him. Be blessed through the love and hope that can be found only in Jesus Christ.

Let Us Put the Blame of Evil Things Happening in The World Where It Belongs!

Did you know that the Book of Revelation references all the books of the Bible over any other book in the Bible? You will never understand the Book of Revelation without having knowledge of the Old Testament. When Christians tell you that they don't understand the Book of Revelation, they are announcing to you that they have never read the Old Testament or have an understanding of what they have read in regards to studying the Old Testament. What is concealed in the Old is revealed in the New!

Revelation 11:18 ~ "The nations were angry and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

This is a portion of Psalm 2 which is fulfilled by the time we get to Revelation 11:18 and was written over 3000 years ago.

Psalm 2:1-3 ~ "Why do the nations conspire and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." 

This part of the prophecy has already been fulfilled when they crucified and mocked Jesus, and continues even to this day against Christians and those that speak the truth found in God's Word.

Psalm 2:4-9 ~ "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath saying, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."  

This portion of prophecy is coming and will be fulfilled during the Tribulation period when the wrath of God is unleashed upon a Christ-rejecting world and when Jesus returns to earth in the Second Coming to establish His kingdom once and for all.

We have just finished studying from Revelation 10:1 to Revelation 11:14 what is known as a parenthetical pause in the chronological events in the story to provide some much need information to the reader of the book and from Revelation 11:15-19 we continue in the events of the Tribulation Period with John again.

Revelation 11:15-19 ~ "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven which said: "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever." And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth." Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of the covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm"

This portion of scripture introduces us to the coming kingdom of Christ. We are living in the time of the church age believers right now.

Acts 1:9-11 ~ "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seem him go into heaven."

They watched Jesus ascend into the glory of heaven and we told to go forth and preach the Word of the gospel into the whole world. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came and the church was born. Jesus said that He would be coming back and coming again. We wait for Jesus to return just as the Bible predicts because if He doesn't, He wasn't the Messiah and the faith we have in Him is nothing. But we know that Jesus has fulfilled all the Bible prophecy's up to this point regarding His birth, His death and His resurrection. Sandwiched between His first coming, that is His birth as a baby in Bethlehem to His Second Coming in Revelation 19 as King and Redeemer coming with the saints and the church with Him to earth. In between this time is the Church Age, that is what you and I are a part of and at some point in that time frame, that age will end, and from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture, the church will conclude.

There will be no church in the Tribulation period. There will be the Tribulation saints or the believers who are born again during that Tribulation period. If you are a Christian right now, you will not experience the events we have been studying about that will happen in the Tribulation period. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior even while reading this post, God has promised to deliver you from the wrath that has yet to come. The words "wrath to come" does not mean hell. The "wrath to come" is the Tribulation period, when God pours out His judgment and vengeance upon the earth. Today you want to make sure you are a Christian and that you know God personally! Make sure your relationship with God is not a religious position where you think just because you attend church on Sunday and that is it for the rest of the week. You might be able to say that you know God, but can you say with boldness that God knows You?

We are going to look at three major points of why we need to know Jesus today. When Christ comes, the Lord will reign on earth. God will reign on earth.

Revelation 11:15 ~ "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven which said: "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."

Man's attempt to reign as president, as ruler, as king, is coming to an end. Yes, God has established earthly governments in fact in Romans 13, it states the governments in power have been established by God. That is true, whether you believe in that government or not. As Christians, we get a citizenship change or a passport change, as Paul taught in Philippians that our citizenship is now in heaven.

When we tell the world that the end is near, they will not believe that. Because it implies the end of man and the beginning of Christ in the world. The Bible makes it clear. We are running low on angels now. We are down to the seventh angel and he is the last one. There were seven of them, and this is the last one to blow his trumpet. From Revelation 12 to 19, we will cover a brief period of time, in those long section of Scriptures. The attempt of man to reign is nearly over.

Genesis 6:3 ~ "Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

That word was given to Noah and his generation and when Noah proclaimed those words it was exactly 120 years until the flood came. You might not believe the flood happened, but God and history says it has happened. Archaeology says it happened. A great flood happened and turned our world upside down. The word strive or contend in Hebrew means to sail a straight course. God will not always sail a straight course into man's heart. He will not always be speaking to you directly and trying to convince you to come to know Him.

Right now Jesus is enthroned in heaven and He supervises all that is going on in the earth. However there are things going on in the earth that He does not approve of. The time for judgment has not yet come. All of the evil that we see and experience and look at, think of all the horrible events taking place in the world today, we need to put blame where blame is due. That blame is due primarily on man's neck.

James 4:1 ~ "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight."

It all begins in the heart. How is it that someone would pepetrate evil against someone else? It comes from the heart. The Bible also tells us that Satan is the god of this age. Little "g". He is not God. He is the upsurper of authority of this age. You want to know why Satan has so much destructive power in the world? It's because man keeps leaving the door open. There are people wondering why their marriages are falling apart and when they back up and realize that they were flirting with someone else who wasn't their husband or wife all this time and now they can see why their marriage is falling apart. There are those who are wondering why their kids are rebelling within their family and they look back and say, "Well we didn't want to ram God down their throats, we wanted them to make their own choices." So they grew up not knowing God and haven't learned anything from the Bible on how to act. When a man leaves his home or family unattended, it goes to mischief. This earth has gone to mischief.

If there is an earthquake today or someone gets murdered today, we can't blame God, this is a world where the evil thereof needs to be directed toward Satan. Jesus says I have come to give you life, and that more abundantly. But the thief, (not a thief but "THE" thief) has come to rob, kill and destroy. Which refers to Satan. Satan loves when you are having a bad day. We know man's reign is about to end and the Lord's reign is about to come upon the earth.

Notice that the camera angle has changed and we are seeing through John's eyes what is happening in heaven. This is what He hears.

Revelation 11:15 ~ "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."

Some versions of the Bible have dropped the "s" on the word 'kingdoms' and it simply says kingdom. That is an unfortunate translation. If you go back to the Old King James Version, it is as how I have written this portion of Scripture of the Bible. There are a lot of kingdoms in this world. Notice how they will all become the kingdom, dropping the "s". When Jesus comes in His Second Coming, He is going to establish His rule. But some things have to happen first before He returns.

The first was laughable when people read it until it came to pass on May 14, 1948 when Israel became a nation in one day. Now people have zipped their lips. The Bible said before Jesus came back, Israel would have to become a nation again. That happened on May 14, 1948. Not only that the Bible said that God would call all His people back home that had been scattered across the world and bring them back to Israel in unbelief. Not believing in God. When you look at the nation of Israel is is predominately secular and an unbelief in God.

If you keep on going, there will be an unification of Europe. That the European Empire would be resurrected and that is happening today. It is called the E.U. or the U.S.E. the United States of Europe. All these things are coming together. If that is not enough and there are more than 300 scriptures that have already been fulfilled in the most amazing detail that need to take place before the Second Coming of Christ, and in Revelation 13, there will come a time in technology that man will issue a decree to those belonging to the One World Government, of a One World Religion, of a One World Church (which is not really a church at all), will have to pledge alliegance to a European ruler and to a global church and receive a number on their right hand or forehead.

If anyone has ever been to Buckingham Palace in England, there are massive pillars that are out in front of the palace, one for example will be labeled New Zealand, one will be labeled Australia, or India and all of these pillar will label a kingdom, where the crown of England presided over, so one crown sat over the kingdoms where it had authority, so on a very human small scale, think of that and you will be able to better understand that portion of Scripture. Under the crown of Christ, remember He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, His kingdom will swallow up all the other kingdoms. A singular kingdom will consume plural kingdoms. Human kingdoms even though they have been presided over by God, the human kingdoms will be swallowed up by Christ.