You might have heard Christians comparing today's busy, modern lifestyle with the beginning of the end. Although, the so called end times is no laughing matter for those who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. Our Creator has told us in advance what to expect in the future (for He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End); whether it be near or distant. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Matthew chapter 24, verse 36.
Then there's the phenomenon called the rapture. The belief is, born again Christians will be gathered up into heaven before the Tribulation and the reign of the Beast and False Prophet.
[Here we go again. There will be differing viewpoints about how we're going to get there, but the point is, no matter how you look at it, we will be renewed. We will reside on the new earth. And more importantly, God will dwell among us again someday. For the serious and inquisitive who want to delve deeper into the study of eschatology, LOGOS software offers a wealth of information].
I FEEL THIS VERSE CONFLICTS WITH DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENIALISTS. IT WAS SPOKEN BY JESUS AND RECORDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. PERHAPS JESUS WAS ADDRESSING TO THE PEOPLE OF THE FUTURE WHO STILL HAVE A CHANCE AT REDEMPTION (POST-RAPTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH TIME PERIOD):
"Immediately after the great tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory...Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left [i.e., left behind]. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming....Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Matthew chapter 24, verses 29, 30, 40, 41, 42, and 44. Is it possible? Is Jesus saying to those nations of the future who were left behind (not raptured) that they can still be redeemed and be saved?
When that day does come [the day of Jesus's return], God has described in clear and in details what to expect before the second coming of our Lord during the last days or end times.
THIS WAS A MESSAGE ABOUT THE FUTURE THROUGH DANIEL:
....The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall rise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time." Daniel 7:1-28.
SOME OLD TESTAMENT VERSES APPLY STRICTLY TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL AND NOT TO US.
I NOW BELIEVE THIS IS A MESSAGE TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL:
Daniel 12
THE TRIBULATION PERIOD:
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."Luke 21:25-28
THIS IS A GENERAL MESSAGE TO EVERYONE:
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.....
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2nd Timothy 3:1-17
VIEWS DIFFER ON THIS HORRIFIC SCENE: SOME CALL IT IMAGERY AND NOT NECESSARILY LITERAL:
"...and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up." Revelation chapter 8, verse 7. "... and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed." Revelation chapter 8 verses 8 and 9. "... And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water ... and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter." Revelation chapter 8, verse 10 and 11. "A third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. Revelation chapter 8, verse 12.
The phenomenon of the universe imploding/exploding (however you want to look at it) or purging of the heavens and the earth is [MIGHT NOT BE] part of the Great Tribulation. However, the Great Tribulation will be shortened by Jesus's return.
IT DEPENDS ON WHOSE INTERPRETIVE VIEW YOU SIDE WITH. IF GOD HAD CHOSEN NOT TO SHORTEN THOSE DAYS, HOW LONG WOULD IT HAVE BEEN? (WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?)
The truth is found only in His Word -printed in the Holy Bible. The Devil seeks to steal that from us, our faith in God's Word. For Satan's domain includes this world for he goes to and from the earth "walking back and forth on it". Job chapter 1, verse 7
"My opponent seeks to rob me of my faith in God's Word. Recognize that I am in an invisible wrestling match, but I must remember, Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus Christ, in His death, burial, and resurrection, overcame and defeated Satan. The fight that as a Christian, I am called upon to fight is the good fight of faith." 1st Timothy chapter 6, verse 12.
So Then What Happens After Jesus is Here Again?
- Armageddon: "And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him [the Lord] who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." Revelation chapter 19, verses 19 and 20.
- the Devil is Bound and Locked Away for 1000 Years: "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him [Satan] into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more til the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while." Revelation chapter 20, verses 1, 2, and 3.
- the Kingdom Age: "...Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished..." Revelation chapter 20, verses 4 and 5.
- After the 1000 Years Pass: "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth...to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". According to 2 Peter 3:10-18, after the Rapture, some horrible phenomenon from the heavens will cause fervent heat, melt the elements, and "burn up" the earth and the works in it. Is the prophesy of 2 Peter 3:10-18 describing the same future event as Revelation 20:7-10? And how can humans and animals survive that?
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever, Amen. " 2 Peter 3:10-18 " The Purging of the Heavens and the Earth" [this is not a parable]
- The White Throne Judgment: "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire... And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation chapter 20, verses 12 thru 15.
- The New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation chapter 21, verses 1 and 2. ..."And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He [the Lord] who sat on the throne said, 'Behold I make all things new.' And He said to me [John], 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' And He said to me [John], 'It is done!' I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation chapter 21, verses 4 thru 8. The Last Message in the Holy Bible from Jesus: "Behold, I [Jesus] am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book...And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches, I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star....Surely I am coming quickly."
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"...and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36
The above verse Luke 21:36 in a different translation also says to pray that you will have the strength to escape all these things that will come to pass.... which suggests, that we should pray that we will be physically, emotionally, and psychologically able to escape the Great Tribulation, if the foretold prophesy should occur during our own lifetime.
In the last days, even leading up to the end times, there will be scoffers, disbelief of the prophesy. "...knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts." 2 Peter 3:3-9
Can all these things come to pass before the "Rapture" of believers, of the Christian church?
- Another siege of Jerusalem - SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT CALLS FOR A COVENANT (WHETHER BEFORE THE RAPTURE OR AFTER, DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN)
- The Great Tribulation which includes those things which are coming on the earth from the heavens (Luke 21:25-28). - PERHAPS NOT AND MAYBE YES. DEPENDS ON WHICH VIEW YOU SUPPORT.
NASA and world renowned astronomers watch the heavens including Near Earth Objects (NEOs). There's even a NASA website categorizing these observed and known NEOs. So far, none of these NEOs have been classified as ominous enough to doom and destroy the entire earth. Our planet also emits a natural "force field" due to our earth's own electromagnetic radiation/field to protect our planet from intense solar flares and as we all know, objects from the heavens disintegrate as it passes through our atmosphere (or at least they have been in the past anyways).
We do not know when the Great Tribulation will take place. If you want to know more about the subject (not the NEOs), keep to the Word of God (Holy Bible) tenaciously. Jesus said He came so that we [you] may have life, have life more abundantly. Jesus states in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." And He goes on to say in John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Other fine points about Jesus:
- Jesus is the Son of God. He came to us in the flesh (like you and me) but the difference is Jesus did not sin. He experienced temptation like we do but Jesus did not give in to temptation (see Matthew chapter 4). "It is important to remember that temptation is not sin. To be tempted is normal for the Christian. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, and yet, we know that He never sinned. When you are tempted, don't let the enemy make you feel as if you have already sinned. Resist the temptation, and you will not sin." [Reference: "Getting a Grip on the Basics Building a Firm Foundation for the Victorious Christian Life", by Beth Jones, Copyright 1994, Published by Harrison House, Inc.]
- Under the old law, sacrificial offerings were made according to God's instructions found in the book of Leviticus of the Holy Bible. Through Jesus, these old laws in the book of Leviticus were no longer necessary as Jesus became the ultimate sin offering, the sacrificial lamb when He was crucified and died on the cross for us.
- Jesus died, experienced the physical death, but was resurrected from the dead on the 3rd day. He is the only known prophet, religious leader, and teacher to ever come back from the dead three days later and ascend to heaven with over 500+ eyewitnesses present. Jesus rose from the dead on the 3rd day after He died on the cross.
- After His ascension to heaven, as promised, the Holy Spirit came to those who followed Him. Today, the Holy Spirit will come to you upon conversion or transformation as believer in Christ (the book of Acts chapter 2: "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, ... And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, ... and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit"). A gift, do not grieve the Holy Spirit. You will know with absolute certainty whether you do or do not have the Holy Spirit. Only through Jesus, can you receive the Holy Spirit. "Nevertheless I [Jesus] tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I [Jesus] go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me [Jesus]; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world [Satan] is judged. I [Jesus] still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth [Holy Spirit], has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me [Jesus], for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." John 16:7-15. In other words, after Jesus ascended to heaven, Christ continues to reveal truth through the Spirit...
The New Jerusalem: "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I [John] heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.'" REVELATION 21:2-3
"The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. its length, breadth, and height are equal." REVELATION 21:16
"And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." REVELATION 21:24-27.
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Scofield's Notes About the Beast and False Prophet:
Animal imagery of the Anti-Christ: head of a leopard, feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion (edited on 11/24/2011)
- the distinguishing mark of the anti-Christ is hatred of God and believers
- Rome: final form of 4th world empire; the ten kings and the little horn (ref: Daniel 7:8 and Daniel 7:26)
- Daniel's 10 horns: "The whole vision is the last form of Gentile World power, a confederation of 10 nations which will be a revival of the old Roman Empire. Its sphere will probably reach out beyond the old boundaries since it is to be a world power (ref: Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12). "The Beast is the final form of Gentile world power." "...the world empire will embrace all the areas of Christendom, which assuredly includes the Western Hemisphere. Revelation 13:1-3 refers to the ten-kingdom power...to its ruler who is emphatically the 'beast'".... "Fragments of the ancient Roman Empire have never ceased to exist as separate kingdoms. It was the imperial form of government which ceased; the one head 'had been mortally wounded'. What is written prophetically ... is the restoration of the imperial form as such, though over a federated empire of ten kingdoms. The head is 'healed', i.e., restored, there is an emperor again - the beast."
- Daniel's 10 horns: "Frequently in Scripture 'ten' is the number of kings or kingdoms designated as opposed to Israel in her past history or to be federated against Christ and the people of God in the future (ref: Genesis 15:19-21, Psalms 83:1-8, Jeremiah 46-51, Daniel 2:41&42, Daniel 7:7, 20, 24, Revelation 12:3, Revelation 13:1)
- Gentile World Power: "The times of the Gentiles is that long period that began with the Babylonian captivity of Judah, under Nebuchadnezzar, and is to be brought to an end by the destruction of Gentile world power by the stone 'cut out without hands'" (ref: Luke 21:24, Daniel 2:34&35, Daniel 2:44)
- "the end of Gentile world power: (1) in the beast vision (Daniel chapter 7), the fourth beast is declared to be the 'fourth kingdom,' i.e., the Roman Empire, the 'iron' kingdom of Daniel chapter 2. The 'ten horns' upon the fourth beast (Roman Empire) are declared to be 'ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom', answer to the ten toes of the image vision. The ten kingdoms, including the regions formerly ruled by Rome, will constitute, therefore, the form in which the fourth or Roman Empire will exist when the whole fabric of Gentile world domination is struck by the stone 'cut out of the mountain without hands,' i.e., Christ. But (2) Daniel sees a 'little horn' rise and subdue three of the ten kings. His distinguishing mark is hatred of God and believers. He is not to be confused with the little horn in Daniel chapter 8, a prophecy fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes (171-164 B.C.). In Revelation chapter 13 additional particulars of the little horn of Daniel chapter 7 are given"
- About the 1st Beast/anti-Christ of the future: "The dragon [Satan] gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his [seven] heads had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast... And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for 42 months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation...." (Revelation chapter 13).
- "In this unveiling of conditions on the earth at the end of the age, the following factors will be manifest: (1.) the world ruler is satanically energized; (2.) he and his image are worshipped; (3.) he is acknowledged as possessing supreme military power; (4.) he exercises a universal authority; and (5.) he persecutes the believers in Christ." The false prophet or second beast "is (1.) a deceiver, and (2.) he exercises economic dictatorship.
What the Bible Has on the False Prophet:
Animal imagery: two horns like a lamb (edited on 11/24/2011).
it is believed the false prophet will exercise "all the authority of the first beast and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the 1st beast" (Revelation 13:12). He even performs great signs such as making fire come down from heaven on to the earth in the "sight of men" (Rev 13:13). He will "deceive those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast (1st beast) who was wounded by the sword and lived (Rev 13:14). The false prophet will be "granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed" (Rev 13:15). The false prophet "causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads (Rev 13:16) that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name" (Rev 13:17).
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