COMING ANTI-CHRIST WILL RULE THE WORLD IN THE TRIBULATION

Pastor Mike Taylor

24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

25, Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26, And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:24-26)

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;

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.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

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

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:” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:3-8)

The prophecy given to Daniel has caused many people to strain to understand what this prophecy begins and ends. Many believe that it was all settled in 70 AD when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and there is no more prophecy to be completed. That would be a Preterist view, but they can't explain why it is that 483 years was completed to the day, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a colt AND the plagues that Revelation speaks of.

9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)

In the New Testament, this was repeated in Matthew chapter 21:

5 “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.” (Matthew 21:5-8)

In a few days, Jesus would be condemned to death in an illegal Sanhedrin Court and crucified on a Roman cross...the Time clock of this prophecy, STOPPED!!.

There is still one year week that must be completed that would complete the prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel. The Bible calls this the time of Jacob's trouble and it is in the future...possibly, the near future.

6, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

7Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

8And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

9Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” (Isaiah 13:6-9)

The Bible talks of this time, also called the Tribulation for 3.5 years. Followed by the Great Tribulation for the same time frame. During this time, a man we have read about in the Bible called the Anti-Christ, the son of perdition...The Beast. He will arise and reveal himself by confirming a treaty with Israel for 7 years.

WHY WILL ISRAEL ACCEPT THIS MAN?

I had a member of my online “congregation” ask me why the Jews would accept this man as their “savior” when he may not be even Jewish. Good question. Why would they? Answer is the nation of Israel has been looking for a “political” savior, much as they did in the time of Jesus...The ruling authorities would not accept Jesus, the Son of God, who was standing right in front of them, because He didn't fulfill the preconceived notion of who the Messiah would be. They were looking for a warrior king, much like King David to rid themselves of Roman domination and restore their golden days as a nation. They didn't believe in a lowly, poor Rabbi, even if He did miracles. It was not who they wanted, so they rejected Him...Jesus said to the ruling authorities:

43 “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”(John 5:43-47)

In Jesus time, Rome occupied Israel and they didn't think they needed a “spiritual Savior”...they had Moses and the Law that could justify them in God's eyes...little did they know the real purpose and mission of the only Begotten Son of God, and they helped complete the plan of salvation, unwittingly. But it was God's plan all along. Israel or even us, cannot save ourselves by keeping the law, as it condemns us, but God sent His Son, in the form of sinful flesh (but lived a sinless life), to save us, when we could not save ourselves!!

MODERN DAY ISRAEL

Flash forward to our time, and the nation of Israel is again in great threat of extinction, at least in their own minds. They are again, looking for a political savior and they have the same attitude the world has when the secretary general of NATO said:

“What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the alliances of all people and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and be he god or devil, we will receive him.” Henri Spaak circa 1957-1960 Secretary General of NATO

I believe the nation of Israel will accept a “peace maker” who will give them a sense of security, even if it's a false security, and he doesn't have to be Jewish, just a powerful political presence. It's a political savior they seek, not a spiritual one.

Unlike, but in some points, similar to their forefathers, Israel today is not concerned about their spiritual condition. They are more concerned about their safety and their national identity before the world. They long for peace, and that Israel be recognized the homeland of the Jews. Stage right, the Anti-Christ, a political “savior” that gives them what they want...although its that false sense of security.

WHEN WILL THE ANTI-CHRIST TAKE OVER?

According to the Bible, before this man of sin can rise to power and perform a peace treaty with Israel that kicks off the Tribulation, there must exist three things for this to happen.

-there must be an operational global government in place that he takes control of.

-There must be an existing, operational global economy

-And there must be an operational global religion to bind them all together.

Why do they have to be all in place before the Anti-Christ seizes control of complete dictatorship of the whole world? His agenda is a pretty ambitious schedule for this man of sin when he arrives on the scene and reveals himself to the world. He has only seven years to complete his plans according to Bible prophecy, which is barely enough time to accomplish these tasks assigned to him by God who is really in control of this part of the final rule of mankind on earth.

Before this man arises, there must a “glue” that binds the nations together to complete the other two. He must have a global religion to demand worship, the global economy to enforce compliance, and the global government to punish transgressors.

So to accomplish all this in so short a time, these things must already be in place. After all, remember, he only has seven years. It is enough time to seize power of the reins of the government, but not enough time to build the system. Looking to the United Nations, there is already a weak global governance system in place, but there in no centralized global government......YET!! We MAY see the start of this before Jesus removes us from this planet. Then it may takes a few years for the above to flourish to allow the Anti-Christ to take control.

Reason being, the United Nations is a paper tiger when it is put under political pressure. The idea is sound, the infrastructure is there..the plan and resources are there, but there is no real leadership to bring it all together. While the U.N. has the authority and the power necessary, the debate over the use of force to back up its own resolutions continues to rage on. They make resolutions, but no resolve to complete them.

To have this come to pass in rapid fashion, something major would have to happen...a major revolution to convert the current national systems of the world over to a centralized authority...OR besides a revolution, a loss of hundreds of millions of people all in a flash, without a logical explanation would hasten that development.

Everyday, I see fascinating developments that is bringing the plan all together, one piece at a time...but in rapid succession, then slowing down and speeding up again. Here we find different prophecies from different parts of the Bible, made in different eras, overlapping and becoming interdependent upon one another to bring about their fulfillment.

The global religion is continuing to develop. It is unclear what its final form will be. It is possible that it could be Islam in some form, or maybe a hybrid combination of all three major religions. I've written in the past about a hybrid form of the merging of Christianity and Islam called Chrislam....it is being pushed for the unity of all the major religions, even as I type this message, by none other than the so called “vicar of Christ” the pope in Rome. In recent days, the idea of uniting all religions back to the “mother church” has flourished in the country of Dubai....three buildings of Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism are now built to promote the concept of “Chrislam”.

ISLAM, A RELIGION OF PEACE???

Presidents have pandered to the Islamic religion, as noted by former president Bush that called Islam a religion of peace, or after him, the elected “idiot in chief” who thankfully is gone from office, that took every chance he could get to call Islam a religion of peace and push for recognition of this “religion” in this country. Or that God is just another name for “allah”...Plus there is all the other suspects that push for unity of main religion that is saying, come to the “mother Church” ....again, by none other than the Vatican and the Pope. Many have believed, including yours truly, that the Pope in Rome is a prime candidate to fulfill the prophecy of the false prophet as I have written in the recent past. The Bible says he will have two horns like a Lamb (symbolic of Christianity) but will speak like a dragon (Satan). -Look at what he says in the name of this religion by reading the message that spoke of his departure from Biblical doctrine here:

https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/01/false-prophet-pushes-new-world-order.html

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

12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”(Rev 13:11-12)

All that remains is to get rid of all that 'fundamentalist extremism' within each system that claims exclusivity. It's no coincidence that all three systems in their current form have begun to convulse and shudder.

Jesus warned that signs in the sun, moon and stars, together with the fear of sweeping climate changes would overwhelm the planet.

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26)

We are already have seen natural wonders on earth and in the heavens...animals dying all over the world...fish dying by the millions...earthquakes that cause tsunamis that have killed 1/4 of a million people in one horrific event...Volcanoes that have suddenly come awake all over the planet...People are getting alarmed, but this is just the birth pangs...Wait when it really gets fearsome to live on this planet and even survive the natural environmental disasters, let alone what can only be labeled Divine plagues that kills millions of mankind.

THE PLAGUE OF CLIMATEs CHANGE???

Men have been trying to convince the world with science that can only be labeled as “suspect”, but they demand that we embrace the concept as settled scientific facts.

Consider Robert F. Kennedy's contemptuous comments at the Live Earth event at Giants Stadium in NJ on July 4, 2009.

"The next time you see John Stossel, or Glenn Beck, or Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity – these flat earthers, these corporate toadies, lying to you, lying to the American public and telling you that global warming doesn't exist – you send an e-mail to their advertisers and tell them you're not going to buy their products anymore."

The guy sounded more like a fundamentalist railing against the sin of mankind, instead of a politician. And this is the left's definition of tolerance?? Then there is the “prophet” Al Gore who is still spewing this same idea forever since he lost the election back in 2000.

Lastly, we have a wet behind the ears teenager from Sweden, one Greta Thunberg who is seeking to shame governments over “Climate Change” when she said :

“We don’t want to become politicians, we don’t want to run for office,” she said. “We want you to unite behind the science. I’m sorry, I know you’re probably trying very hard, and this is not personally to any one of you but generally to everyone. I know you’re trying, but just not hard enough.”

Amazingly, people are actually listening to this teenager as the spokesman for Climate Change and speaking for the youth of many countries. Why do they listen to a “Little girl” who has no real life experiences due to her young age?? Is it a conspiracy from many different perspectives of the population?

Personally, I have always believed in a climate change pattern, but it's natural...it's been going on since time began. It's called “weather”. I don't believe in a man-made climate problem that we must throw tons of cash at. All that is about is global control and re-distribution of wealth. During the last century, the earth's weather has cooled, then got warmer, then cooled again to where they were predicting unusual cold patterns...it got so ridiculous, that the “global warming” fanatics had to change tactics and call it “Climate Change' to encompass everything.

That brings me to the U.N.'s Climate Change initiatives called in the 1990s as Agenda 21...that didn't go anywhere for a while, until they got a spokesman for their NEW and IMPROVED Agenda 2030 as a mascot who advocated that we must all fight climate change and spoke at the U.N. in favor of this debacle...who was that “man”....wait for it....the Pope in Rome. It all falls under the mantra of “Sustainable Development” that all nations must sign onto by the year 2030. I wrote about this Pope being the leader of the new religion surrounding “Climate Change” here:

http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2016/09/by-pastor-mike-taylor-revelation-1311.html

It all surrounds the notion of “fear” that our planet won't survive unless we battle this “catastrophe” called climate change that is driving global alarmist and the global government proponents to act.

Remember the third point that must be in place, before the Anti-Christ can seize power?...a global religion to bind the nations together. That is the third pillar that the coming Anti-Christ government will rest. The New World Order will push the notion of save the planet, and as a Pagan belief about “Mother Earth” it will become the new world religion surrounding this mantra promoted by the Pope, the U.N. And various spokesmen noted above. But first the coming lawless one must have control of the world's economy. The global economy exist right now, but what is missing is some centralized authority. Right now, a shaky economic authority is the central banking system found in the Federal Reserve. I say shaky, because the the U.S. Dollar has hit many bumpy roads and in the near past, thanks to the flooding the market with trillions of counterfeit dollars and, was devalued in favor of the Chinese currency, or a New World Currency called the SDR (Special Drawing Rights). Because of the fraudulent manipulation of the global economy, the world's nations are not fooled, as fraudulent, means imitation because the Fed has the authority to print them, but NOT the money to back them. Then we have various new forms of money, such as 10 alternative currencies, from Bitcoin to BerkShares, all designed to take over the economy of the world. Now we see where cash in hand will be outlawed and “digital” currency will be introduced, leading to complete government control and the mantra “you will own nothing and be happy”.

THE COMING WORLD WIDE RULE BY THE ANTI-CHRIST

The prophet Daniel says the Anti-Christ is a “prince' of the empire that would destroy the Temple and Jerusalem and that happened in 70AD by General Titus, who also became Emperor of Rome.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)

But the Apostle John saw the Anti-Christ as a political leader who would rise up out of the sea of nation.

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

But before this global “emperor” can arise, there must be an empire in need of one. But it is apparent that the Western World would only be too happy to submit to one, at least in the last dozen or so years. The push for a New World Order took a huge leap under the Obummer administration, that thankfully is no longer pushing the New World Order, but others have taken the mantle of seeking the same. (note our present idiot in chief that is mentally challenged with Obummer whispering in his ear)

The Trump election gave the religious right the hope that this push for a global government will have met a stall, as that President in the oval office was rabidly a nationalist, who made “Populist” promises of “America First” and we will make “America Great Again”..For the last four years of his presidency, President Trump delivered on a lot of his promises, even with the Democrats trying to sabotage him at every step along the way.

THE GLUE THAT WILL BIND THEM.

These are loosely jointed to one another, but there must be a common belief among the inhabitants of the world to bind them all together.

That issue, 'religion' –as mentioned, is the third pillar upon which the Antichrist's infrastructure rests. John prophesied of a second 'beast' -- the false prophet -- who will elevate the Antichrist to the position of a deity.

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

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

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

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

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

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

17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:11-17) 

The Bible says that in the last days, God will send a 'strong delusion' but that delusion will only affect those "who received not the love of the truth that they might be saved." The need for a global religion that is globally accepted is palpable. The Roman Catholic Church is front and center to draw all denomination together, under the banner of Climate Change and save the planet. No other leader of the so-called religious community demands the attention that the Pope in Rome garners. His words are on the lips of over a billion people who actually, if truth be told, worship this man as “God on earth” or the vicar of Christ.

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;

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.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4)

In the last days, the Bible says the whole world will be conditioned to accept a savior, a messiah of sorts, who will seem to have all the answers to the religious, economic and political problems facing the world.

The Bible demands the existence of a global government (in need of leadership) a global economy (in need of leadership) and a global religion (in need of leadership.) The world demands global leadership, period. Any leader will do, provided those who love unrighteousness like what he promises. 

It's not even a problem to them that they know he can't deliver it. It is the promise that is important. The two past and present democratic “idiots in chief” promised change for a platform that “we can believe in” without even outlining what that change would be or how he would get from point A to point B. Many thought Obama was the coming Anti-Christ, and he sure had some of the marking of him, but I believe he was just setting the stage for the real deal.

Never in history of mankind has it been possible to impose a global government, a global economy, or a global religion. Not politically, not administratively, and surely not technologically..until the time we live in...the end of this age, we call the Age of Grace.

IN the past 100 years..or even the last 70 years, the efforts to unite the world under a single government was a recipe for disaster and for World War...it did cause WW2...Hitler was a precursor to the rise of the Anti-Christ, but it was not time. What he did cause was the birth of a new nation...the birth of Israel...Not before that time, was the last days clock even wound, until Israel again became a nation against all odds. Then that clock that heralds the last generation began to TICK.....so now 73+ years later, a One World Government is seen by many in the public and government arena as the only option.

But make no mistake, the current economic condition and its system will probably not survive. Don't be fooled with the rally on Wall Street sending the market over the 29 thousand mark...it's a fluff, smoke and mirrors. By all reports, the stock market crash of 1929 looks a lot like the economy we are seeing today and could very well be a repeat of the Great Depression.

I have explored many possible scenarios of what the Beast power will look like and where it MIGHT come from...such as Rome, the USA, or even a Middle Eastern Country, such as Saudi Arabia, or Turkey. But we just don't know for sure...the picture is a little hazy and we see the picture growing a little more clear as time passes, but I am a firm believer that we will never know the man himself, as he takes control.

Here is what I do know. I know that the Bible says that three things would have to come into existence, more or less simultaneously, as part of the overall blueprint of Bible prophecy for the last days. Those three things are what we have been talking about, the global government, global religion, and global economy.

At no time in all of recorded history were all three systems "on the table" so to speak. But they are today.

Even the most ardent and determined skeptic can't deny the trends -- at best they can only quibble over the details. But all the signs are there -- and the signs are what Jesus told His disciples to watch out for.

WHAT WOULD SEND THE WORLD OVER THE EDGE?

Let's back up a bit and flesh out a comment I made earlier that was highlighted in bold and italics...what would happen if this were became true in the near future?

Let me hypothesize for a moment and ask you what would happen to the world's economy if upwards of nearly a billion (give or take a million) people suddenly vanished without so much as a trace? In the USA, the world's center for Christian values, (I use that tongue in cheek, as it is fast going south) were to have officials, CEO's, military officers, maybe even the POTUS and his Vice President suddenly vanish? See the world has been teetering for a long time, and you got to wonder, what is holding this planet, the civilizations of the free world together? Many have forecast doom and gloom for a long time, but still we stand. Many grow skeptical at the prophecy of a coming Beast Power, or an Anti-Christ, or the “catching away” of the church, the Bride of Christ...They scoff.

3 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2^nd Peter 3:3-7)

What would be the impact if this prophecy were fulfilled in the near future? You would see chaos, pandemonium, lawlessness, looting, and all forms of murder and mayhem. The world would be in upheaval. The stock market would crash, if it hasn't already done so. Men would be desperate. Men would resort to “survival of the fittest”. The world would cry out for a savior, someone to deliver them from themselves.

The Word of God tells us that when this all begins to happen, then, men's heart will fail them for fear, but to look up:

25 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28And when these things BEGIN to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:25-28)

THE RISE OF THE ANTI-CHRIST

The world we live in has been rocking to and fro from peace, to war, from economic upheaval to depression, but the timing has just not been right for the completion of the rule of mankind on this earth. The rise of the Anti-Christ is close at hand...everything is in place...every resource needed in this modern world is crying for a leader to bring it all together. That leader will arise from obscurity when God's timing is right. Repeating the opening verses for emphasis:

“

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;

4Who 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.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:3-4)

Some will say, “why are we looking for the arrival of the Anti-Christ”...with all the world conditions, it speaks of such a man coming upon the scene. We don't know when the coming of our Lord for His Bride at the rapture, as that has not or ever will be revealed to us. We know the season, and definitely we are in the season, but the only gauge we have to know where we are in prophecy, is to watch the political climate. For if the Anti-Christ is close at hand, then the Lord Jesus removing His Bride (the Church) from this planet is even closer.

That day is fast approaching. Make no mistake about it...When the timing is right in God's plan for mankind, then the Anti-Christ will be revealed...But first, one other thing must take place:

51” Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

52In 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.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54So 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.

55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

Then the timing will be right!!

Don't be caught up in the cares of this world, as that time could overtake you and you will be thrown headlong into the most devastating period in the history of mankind, which can only be compared to “hell on earth”. What must you do? I implore you to make “your election and calling sure” by doing two simple things by believing the next two passages found in your bible:

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

Knowing and believing this, then follow what the Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Romans:

8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

I beseech those who are reading this, if you have not accepted Jesus as your PERSONAL SAVIOR, then do it today, by believing in your heart that Jesus died for your sins on a Roman cross of torture shedding his blood for yours and my salvation and rose again on the third day and ascended to the right Hand of God the Father, and is coming again to remove all that have the Holy Spirit residing in them, SOON, possibly VERY SOON, the dead in Christ first, and then those of us who are alive to witness it as spoken of by Paul:

“16For 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:

17Then 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.”(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Don't put it off, as what I have written is on the cusp of fulfillment and the world will become your prison to die a horrific death in the prophesied “Tribulation and the Great Tribulation” that is just over the horizon and just out of view. But each of us can sense it coming like a huge boulder rolling down the mountain side. Some just don't know what is coming, but upon reading your Bible, you read what is coming. Join us won't you and become part of the Bride of Christ that will be in heaven when this tragedy comes upon the earth.

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for you in spirit and in truth of God's Word...if you need any counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.comt, or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com. God bless you all,

TILL MEET AT JESUS FEET

TILL MEET AT JESUS FEET

THE TRANSLATED WORD “RAPTURE” FOUND ALL OVER THE BIBLE

 

BY PASTOR MIKE TAYLOR

BY PASTOR MIKE TAYLOR

 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:

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.”(1st Thessalonians 4:16 -17)

(caps and quotes are my emphasis in this message)

Very familiar verses for all prophecy writers and readers alike has been the subject of much debate and confusion over the last 150 years. Many critics believe that this verse is talking about the church being taken up in the air at the seventh trump that the seventh angel blows to signal the bowl judgments spoken of in Revelation chapter 16. That would be a Post-Tribulation model. But are they right?


I had a brother in Christ, who at the very mention of the word “rapture”, became very irate and bellowed, loudly, quote “there is no scripture in the bible that speaks of a rapture.” end-quote. But is he right, or just ignorant of the fact that Paul and many writers pointed to a “catching away” of the church and there are found many instances in the bible that support that doctrine? You can find examples of this teaching in both New and Old Testaments. Let's take a journey through biblical chapters and see what we find, shall we?


Noting the above verse quoted in the start of this message, note the captitalized words to “be caught up”. Are there any other verses in the bible with the same words that mean the same thing as this verse does? The Greek word for this phrase is “harpazo” #726 in Strong's Concordance that was translated into the Latin Vulgate as “rapiemur” and came from the derivative of the Greek word #138 in Strong's Concordance “haireomai” which literally means “to seize, catch away up, pluck, pull, or take by force”, hence the modern English word “rapture”, that often maligned word, that many in the conservative church movements equate with some type of emotional display or escape hatch for those who disbelieve the church goes through the Tribulation. Getting back, are there any other verses that use the exact same word used here of “harpazo”? Turn with me now to 2nd Corinthians:

 “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one CAUGHT UP to the third heaven.

12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

12:4  How that he was CAUGHT UP into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”(2nd Corinthians 12:2-4)

Paul is speaking of himself being caught up into paradise and heard things, that I believe he shared with the church during his days when he wrote his epistles. He calls it a mystery...what is the word he used....? Correct, it was the Greek word,"harpazo". Paul was snatched in the spirit into heaven. Paul uses the word twice. The Old Testament is full of the prophecies concerning the second coming of the Lord God at the end of the age, but in Paul's epistle, especially in this letter to the Corinthians and the Thessalonians, Paul speaks of a mystery that would not have been a mystery to those who studied the Torah or the major/minor prophets, but here refers to this mystery, or something that previously had not been known. And further, Paul equated it with the known Feast of Trumpets, referring the last trump that is blown at it's conclusion and not referring to John's description in Revelation, as John had not even written the last book of the Bible when Paul wrote these letters to the churches. So even in that respect, they are not the same trumpet and should not be confused with each other. One trumpet expresses indescribable joy and the one in Revelation heralds the beginning of indescribable horror that slays nearly all of mankind. Those Feast that God gave Israel at Mt. Sinai are what I call “the plan for the redemption of mankind”...note that Jesus fulfilled the spring feast observances on the very day on the Jewish calendar. Since God is a God of order, will He do so in the coming Fall Feast? I pray He will.

Now let's turn to another verse that speaks of this same snatching away, but in a different context.

(Matthew 11:12) , “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence , and the violent “TAKE IT BY FORCE.”

(Matthew 13:19) “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and CATCHETH AWAY that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. “

Different context, but same meaning...to be snatched away, by force. Now another, found in Gospel of John it is used four different times.
 
“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and “take him by force” to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”(John 6:15)

12 “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming , and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth : and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”(John 10:28-29)

28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish , neither shall any man PLUCK THEM OUT of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able “to pluck them” out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)

Again, in Acts 23:10, Jude 1:23, Revelation 12:5 “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (the child is the body of Christ, the Church in the rapture)

Let's not forget Phillip the apostle when he had baptized the Ethiopian eunuch after explaining who Isaiah chp. 53 was speaking of and revealed to Him that Jesus was the Messiah,

 “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord “caught away” Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts, 8:39)

If you've been keeping count, that is 13 times in the New Testament including the ones I didn't quote , but gave reference to, that the word “Harpazo” is used and it means in every instance to be removed by force, without warning being snatched away...not each mention of the Greek word “Harpazo” has to do with with the mystery that Paul speaks of, but it shows that the word was used repeatedly to speak of with the same definition and example.

WHAT ABOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT?

Good question. Is there anything that can point to a parallel word that has the same meaning used in Greek in these passages found in also in the Old Testament.? Matter of fact, there is. There a examples of men being “snatched up” and removed from this earth. Let's start with the earliest known example in Genesis:

22 "And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God “took him.” (Genesis 5:22-24)

Here the word for the phrase “took him ” is the Hebrew word #3947 in Strong's, “leqach” which means to “receive, reserve, seize, send for, take away, or fetch”.

Paul speaks of Enoch this way in the book of Hebrews:

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away (translated him). For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” ( Hebrews 11:5)


 The word used for “translated, or taken him away” is the Greek word, metatithemi, Strongs #3346, which means “transport, exchange, change sides, carry over, change, remove”. Scoffers will use the passage in verse 13 of that same chapter,13  “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 5:13)

But to use that verse as proof that Enoch died contradicts verse 5, and the bible cannot contradict itself. So Enoch was “snatched away, removed” from this earth alive and did NOT see death, but verse 13 applies to all others who lived by faith.

Another example is the prophet Elijah and we will turn to 2^nd Kings 

“ And it came to pass, when the LORD would “TAKE UP” Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.” ( 2nd Kings 2:1)

And as we read down  “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”(2^nd Kings 2:11)

What is the Hebrew word for the phrase “would take up” in verse 1 of the above passage? It's the word and the equivalent word as used in the example of Enoch, as this word is “Leqach” used to describe the snatching away of Enoch. Some will make a convoluted argument that both men are dead and died in faith, but they use logic that is beyond their grasp of the infinite, not believing that God is Sovereign and He can do whatever He wishes to do, apart from their finite analogies. They will use “did not see death” and try to explain the second death. That's stretching the meaning of the text and we have no clue to do so. It's best to take what the Word says literally and not add your own meaning, by adding or subtracting from God's message. They will say that he lived 365 years and no longer, but you can't count eternity, because it's without time. So again, they try to rationalize their preconceived ideas to support their doctrine of “believers in Jesus Christ” not being removed bodily from this earth in an instant....or the bible says, in the “twinkling of an eye.”


Note that we have covered Enoch, Elijah, Phillip, Paul, our Lord and Savior, and finally the Church itself, the bride of Christ being described with the words “snatched up, or plucked by force” from the earth.


But still the critics will not believe. I point them to some passages that mirror each other and tell us why these examples were given to us. First is Isaiah:

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
20  Come, my people, ENTER THOU INTO THEY CHAMBERS  and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21  For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”(Isaiah 26:19-21,)

And her companion verse, spoken of by my Lord,  

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”(John chapter 14:2-4)

What do these companion verses say to you? They tell me that Jesus will bring us unto Himself and we will be rewarded a mansion in the New Jerusalem, as He promised. There we will wait for the indignation, or His wrath to be over-past or to subside. These verses speak of resurrection, changing from mortal to immortal, and not being present when His wrath comes upon this earth, both the resurrected dead in Christ, and the living who are both changed as Paul spoke of in the very first verses of this message.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE IS A MODERN ONE?

In recent years, many opponents of the pre-tribulation rapture view have made dogmatic assertions that this view was never taught before 1820 A.D. There have been attempts to attribute the origin of this view to John N. Darby.... but this is false and misleading. Ephraem the Syrian wrote, in 373 AD,

 "For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins." …

Revealing that the early church fathers themselves were indeed teaching this.
This text was originally a sermon called “On the Last Times, the Anti-Christ, and the End of the World.” There are four existing Latin manuscripts (the Parisinus, the Augiensis, the Barberini, and the St. Gallen) ascribed to St. Ephraem or to St. Isidore . Some scholars believe this text was written by some unknown writer in the sixth century and was derived from the original Ephraem manuscript.

The sermon describes the events of the last days, beginning with the rapture, the Great Tribulation of 3 1/2 years duration under the Antichrist's rule, followed by the Second Coming of Christ. In Ephraem's book “The Book of the Cave of Treasures”, written about 370 A.D., he expressed his belief that the 69th week of Daniel ended with the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. Although this does not prove that the doctrine of the Rapture is correct, it does show that even early Church Theologians were teaching this and it is NOT a modern device of an immature girl and John Darby, as some claim, but a doctrine of the early church.

The glorified Jesus, the Great I AM, that I AM spoke of this in the His precious Word, as Ephraem the Syrian did, when our Lord spoke in Revelation:

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”(Revelation 3:10)

As I have hammered home the interpretation of what Jesus was telling John, that the Greek word for “Will keep thee from” is the Greek Word “EK” which literally means to be taken from the time and period of the event. That abolishes the theory that the church goes “through” the coming Tribulation, instead of as Jesus spoke, to be removed from the time of the event.

Paul echoes what Jesus spoke to John some 30 years later, when he penned these verses,

  “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”(1^st Thessalonians 5:8-10)

POINT AND COUNTERPOINT!!

The Church is a specific group of believers in Jesus Christ.   It is not a building ... nor is it any particular denomination or religion.   It is also known as the Body of Christ. The Living Church of God is a living organism that began at Pentecost -- see Acts 2:1-4 and culminates at the rapture -- see 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18.   It does not include anyone who was a believer prior to or after the two above-mentioned events.   The terms saints or elect refer to another specific group of believers.   This group includes all the Old Testament saints, as well as those who become believers in Christ after the rapture. I've made many references in past messages that the Tribulation is designed for two things, and two things only and that is:

-Pouring out of God's wrath on an unrepentant, and rebellious world,

-refining Israel as silver is refined in the fire....and we are NOT included in that refining. Why?

Because there is no need, as Jesus paid it all at the cross, and to think otherwise smacks of “catholic purgatory” that Jesus blood and sacrifice just was not sufficient to fully save the sinner. A serious mistake by a past ruling Theocracy.

There is a marked difference in the Bible when you look at references to the Church compared with references to the saints or the elect.   The Church is always referred to in very narrow and distinct terms, whereas the saints or the elect are always referred to in very broad terms.   More pointed, however, is the fact that the word Church never appears again after Revelation 3:22 -- you'll only see the words “saints or the elect” mentioned throughout the rest of the book -- and this is directly after a very significant reference to this “catching away by force” , that Jesus mentions in Revelation 3:10

 ASSESSMENT and CONCLUSIONS

What is the tribulation? It is the wrath of God. When does it start? When the first seal is broken in chapter 6 of Revelation by our Lord, Jesus Christ. What are we not appointed to? We are not appointed to wrath, but salvation through Him, Jesus Christ our Lord. How will the tribulation begin to commence? When the Church of God is removed out of the way. Isaiah 26:19 we covered above, and in 2nd Thessalonians

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

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:

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

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.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:7-10)


 But forewarning to those who belong to a “church”...these bible verses which speak of the removal of the CHURCH will not be everyone who sits in pew, or says some “hail marys” in some repetitive fashion, or think their pope, priest, or their pastor can usher them into God's Kingdom. It's not about being Catholic, or Protestant or something somewhere in between. It is solely dependent on the application of the blood of Jesus Christ to your life and clothing your spirit with His Righteousness. There are many verses that point solely to Jesus Christ being the “Way, the Truth and the Life”. No man can come to the Father in Heaven except through Him. All roads do not lead to eternal life, but believing in your heart of hearts and accepting His free pardon for your sins through Grace and faith in the only Begotten Son of God.

 “For God so loved the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17, God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

God has given us example after example. He has given us story after story to show the TRUE children of God being removed out of the way (and there are many more). He has given us words to show that HE WILL remove the TRUE, blood washed church before His wrath is poured out on this earth. How much more clear does He need to be? When someone remarks, “the rapture is not found in the bible”, then my reader, you can direct them to passages that show they misunderstand. And if they still don't get it, then that's Ok...you can explain it to them on your way up to meet the Lord in the air

 “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved” Don't be left behind when all hell breaks loose on this earth in the coming Tribulation, which may be sooner than anyone cares to think of....maybe even this year??? ARE YOU READY?

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying God's salvation in your life and to ready for the soon return of our King of kings, and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, our Savior. If there is anything I can help you with, pray with you about, or just listen, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com. Or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com, for more messages based on the Word of God. God bless you all,

           Till we meet at Jesus Feet. 

           

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST HAS NO PART IN THE COMING TRIBULATION.

 

by Pastor Mike Taylor

“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.

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.” (Romans 8:29-30)

How I love the book of Romans, especially the 8th chapter. Here the Apostle Paul chronicles the blessings and promises of God. Many will look at their Christian walk and ponder why things don't seem to work out as they envisioned. They grow discouraged and become listless in their daily walk with God. They wonder if God is really on their side. They fail to take hold of the promises of God, grasping it with both hands and endure what they must suffer in this life. Let us examine some of these promises and why you should be joyful and singing the praises of Almighty God for His wondrous mercy.

Look at the opening verses to this message and ponder for a moment the ramifications of what Paul is attempting to preach to them, and to us. This is not a confirmation of predestination, but God in His infinite knowledge, knew that you would accept payment for your sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. God who knows the beginning from the end, and saw you make that heart felt decision to accept the gift provided by His Son, long before you even knew it yourself. In no way does this foreknowledge affect your own self will to make that decision on your own. It's just that God saw you do it.


God has a purpose for all this and it was for your salvation before time began. Some will say, “Then why does God allow suffering in this world, if He called me out of it before time began.?” Why does God allow Christians to go through trials and tribulations of this world? God has a specific plan in place for refining each of us into the image of His Son through sanctification. It's not random occurrences that we have no control over .

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

God is the Potter, we are the clay. He is the One doing the shaping, the molding, the creating. "It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves."

I am a firm believer that God does not allow one thing to happen to a born again Christian unless He allows it. Why would God do that?

BORN IN SIN

Understand that man is a mortal being that has a sin nature that wars with the spiritual man daily. He will never totally escape it, until Jesus comes and perfects him by changing him from a mortal being into immortality and remove our sin nature for eternity.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1^st John 3:1-3)

That will come when Jesus breaks through the clouds and calls His church to join Him at the changing of us, “in the twinkling of an eye” we know as the Rapture. But, Paul lamented over his sin nature in the previous chapter of Romans :

 15 “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”(Romans 7:15-20)


Paul was distraught that he could not, nor could any other man escape his sin nature. But what does Paul say in the final verses?


“24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Many don't know that Paul was making reference to a Roman practice for those condemned to be chained to a corpse and the soldiers betting on how long it would take for the condemned to resort to cannibalism to prevent their own death. It was an analogy that many during Paul's day would have recognized and being chained to a sinful nature of death. Who frees them from that body of death? Jesus Christ is Who frees us.

If God allows us to be tested, to be refined, and to experience difficulties in this life, then what is the purpose for God allowing this to happen?

The Bible says that even a sparrow in the sky is so important to God that not one of them shall fall to the ground without His knowledge and permission.


 29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)


What is the purpose here? Does God have a purpose? Concerning the analogy of a sparrow, it is more than mere rhetoric. If God cares about a sparrow and not one falls from the sky without it being part of His plan, then how likely is it that He allows you to undergo trials and tribulations for no purpose?


 God foreknew us and determined to call us before He ever made His summons known to us. By doing so, He was making a prognosis. We are in this elite group, (the called), only because the great God of heaven and earth specifically and personally summoned us by forcibly bringing the good news to our attention so we would be motivated to choose to respond freely to it.  But that is only the beginning. We are then in the school of God's Holy Spirit that will refine us, smooth off the rough edges and make us into the image of God's only Son. It is a lifelong process of being molded, or sanctified.

THE LESSON OF JOB

Remember the story of Job? Here was a righteous man who endured unspeakable trials in his life. This was allowed to test Job and to refine him even through boils that raised up on his body, the loss of his family and all of his wealth. Now granted, this is an extreme case of God allowing adversity to come into a man's life, but can we draw a lesson from the book of Job? In the final analogy, Job learned that you must have total faith and reliance on your Heavenly Father. For He cares for us with a Divine love that was shown by the death of His only Son. It comes down to value.


If God values even a little sparrow and we are worth more than many sparrows, and worth more than the life of His only Son, then what was God's purpose? It was that God saw you as valuable. Your value, in God's eyes, is such that Jesus Christ died in your place so that you might have everlasting life.  Your purpose is also clearly outlined in Scripture.  When you were lost, your purpose was to be saved. God had a desire for a “family” and made man in His image. God was ultimately “reproducing Himself” when He made man. God was not content to just throw man away, when he fell at the temptation brought forth by Satan and man sinned against God. It is why God sent His only Son, to be the propitiation (substitute) sacrifice for our sins, so that we may be justified because of HIM. Jesus redeemed what had been lost, as our “Kinsman Redeemer”.

It really isn’t that difficult a concept, if we are willing to accept God as He describes Himself and accept the Bible as a true record.

You were to be conformed to His Son through being justified then for the rest of your life, sanctified as the opening verse testifies. “Conformed” is the English rendering of the Greek word, “summorphos” meaning, “jointly formed, fashioned like unto.”   Note that you didn’t conform yourself to the image of His Son, it was done for you. You were foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, sanctified and destined for glory– all in the past tense indicating that it is already accomplished.

It doesn’t say you will be justified, sanctified or glorified when you get to heaven.  It says it was already accomplished in heaven before the world began. I have often mentioned that there is only one reason that you and I were born into this world, ultimately. That is, what will you do with the man?God, Jesus Christ? See, God knows everything...because He is God. He knows if you will accept, but He also knows you who will reject the call of the Holy Spirit.  God will not override a man's freewill to choose.

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Titus 1:2)

God cannot lie.  Eternal life was promised, not according to our works, before the world began.  You were foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, sanctified and glorified to the Glory of God the Father and His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

It isn’t a linguistic trick.  It isn’t a mistranslation or a misunderstanding of either the original Greek or in our English translation.

To every thing there is a purpose, the Bible says, and for every purpose God has appointed a time.


“ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44)

God works even to make sure that His people have the faith they need! God supplies everything except one's decision—and even in the decision a person makes, He keeps poking us in the ribs, shoving us in the back, to move us in the right direction. He does not give up easily once He sets his mind to do something. We must come to God by faith, but even that faith to believe on the FULL payment for our sins, by Jesus Christ was given by the Father God in heaven.

THE COMING TRIBULATION

Jesus proclaimed to the Apostle John that His chosen Bride will not see one second of the coming Tribulation. 

10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also "will keep thee" from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Revelation 3:10-11)(paranthesis is the Greek word "EK". which means being removed from the time and space of a coming event. What event? The Tribulation is that event.

If we are being refined now, sanctified into the image of His Son after conversion and being baptized, then what is the point of the Church going through the Tribulation that is coming at us like a locomotive? The above verse says we will not go through what is coming upon the earth. What is the purpose of the Tribulation? In my discernment of what the Bible teaches, the only answer is two objectives by God.

1,To bring Israel to the knowledge and recognition of her Messiah that they had crucified 2000 years ago and to cry out in agony, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

2,To completely destroy all rebellion of a Christ rejecting world and purify the world of those who take the mark of the beast, as prophesied in Revelation. God will wipe this planet clean of rebellion.

It is called the Tribulation Period. (Greek: thlipsis: “affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble”). And, it is called, “The time of Jacobs trouble" for an obvious reason. It is the time when God will return His full focus on saving Israel as He promised.

The affliction, anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation and trouble of this time is to be inflicted upon all those that dwell upon the earth.  The Bible tells us that it will be meted out in the form of 21 judgments. God will purge Israel, not leaving them unpunished, but will save a remnant through this awful time.

25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:25-29)

Those that hold to a literal “refining” of the church during the Tribulation in addition to the defined two reasons noted above, negate the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. To embrace a mid-tribulation, Pre-wrath, or a post-tribulation model is to diminish the work of the cross. Was Jesus sacrifice not good enough? Was it lacking in its freeing the Christian from the penalty of enduring God's wrath that shall cover the whole earth?  Is this not the same as the false doctrine of Catholic purgatory, which we know is a lie?

9 "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10)

When are we forgiven our sins? Is it not when we accept Jesus by faith and the Holy Spirit dwells within our spirit? Then why must we be refined? So if there are extra requirements that must be brought to the table, they are extra requirements imposed by you, not by God.  God says, “whosoever will.”


At the moment of salvation, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us and bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

16,“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17, And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. “ (Romans 8:16-17)


That leads to another problem with the concept of error that the church of Jesus Christ must endure the Tribulation. Jesus promised us that He would send us the “Comforter” the Holy Spirit and He would never leave us or forsake us.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17, Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18, I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)

Jesus said He would never leave us alone, but the Bible says that the Holy Spirit is taken out of the world to allow the indwelling of the spirit of Satan in the Anti-Christ and he will overcome the “saints”

 4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1st John 5:4-5)

But Paul reveals that the Holy Spirit will be taken out of this world!!


6, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7, For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
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: “ (II Thessalonians 2:6-8)

 But the Anti-Christ overcomes the Tribulation saints........

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

 So which is it? God dwells with us forever, but leaves us defenseless and powerless to the conquest of the Anti-Christ? Since God cannot lie, it is obvious that if the Holy Spirit is removed to make way for the spirit of Anti-Christ that shall overcome the saints, then since the Holy Spirit was removed, then so is the Church.  Each Child of God has an earnest deposit of God's Holy Spirit which is our guarantee of future glorification at the return of Christ. So if the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, as Paul reveals through Divine inspiration, then so are the vessels He dwells within.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE


Christians undergo trials and tribulations in this life according to His purposes.  What is the purpose behind Blood-bought, eternally-saved, indwelt Christians being separated from the indwelling Holy Spirit so that they can undergo half  or all of the judgment period set aside for those that rejected Christ?

Why would the Lord subject His own Bride to judgment for sin after He had already redeemed that Bride from judgment for sin at the Cross? It is a conflict that those who don't discern the purpose of God make the error that the Church must be refined, right along with the rest of a God rejecting world.

We endure the consequences of sin all the time because the world is created in sin, but consequences aren’t the same as judgment.

WE ARE BEING TRANSFORMED NOW


“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3, For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:1-3)


The church has a glorious future that no one can begin to imagine. As it is written “eye hath not seen, or ear heard, or entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1^st Corinthians 2:9)

And the Bible states further......

14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17, And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:14-18)

WILL YOU BE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE HEIRS OF GOD?


One fly in the ointment so to speak, those who are being made into the image of God are those who have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and God knows in advance who that person is, each of us. Those who read this message, or have not taken the free gift of eternal life with a repentant heart (meaning change your mind about sin and about God) cannot embrace the glory that awaits those that have. God will not beat you into submission, but will continue to convict you of your condition, until you are beyond hope of recovery. God knows when that time is, that you are “irredeemable”. So you ask me, what must I do to have this type of eternal existence and a glorious future?

Realize you are a sinner. “ For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Realize that God made a way for those sins to be forgiven and live with God forever.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Confession before God in a broken and contrite heart calling out to God,

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

You say, that “sounds simple”...yes, it is simple that a child can understand it...I did when I was 10 years old. But you must believe in your heart, not just in your head with “childlike” faith. It must enter into a humbled and contrite heart that knows that without God you are doomed for a devil's hell, or to experience that hell on earth, called the Tribulation and possibly even the Lake of Fire if those years of the Tribulation don't call you to repentance before God. The horrors of the period are too gruesome to even ponder, as hardly any flesh will be saved and many will be martyred by beheading. Sounds awful and it's all right there in your Bible in the last book of Revelation. You don't want to find out I'm right by first hand experience.


The saints of the church are being sanctified, conformed and transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, one lesson at a time. I know that I will never be perfect in this life, but I will be perfect in the next life when Jesus comes for me and all who believe by faith in His death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. But it's not about works, but His mercy and grace....and the best part...IT”S FREE FOR THE ASKING....We await the coming of our Lord with a trumpet blast, that could sound very soon...very soon. Because all the signs point to this great event on the near horizon. I've written extensively in detail of that coming period on my blog. If you have time, check them out.

Don't wait too long, as you are not promised even tomorrow. To stand before a Holy God and not have Jesus as your substitute payment for your sins, is a vision I wish for no one, no matter what you have done. Jesus awaits your decision...call on Him today...be justified today by the sacrifice of our Lord, then submit to Godly instruction on how to be sanctified and being made into the image of His Son, as humanly possible this side of the coming of our Lord for His Church.


This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying your acceptance of our Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Should you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, or visit me online for more biblical teachings from the Word of God, at  www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com, . God bless you all........

 TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET