PROPHECY UPDATE ..........................11/15/2022

 

Conspiracy Theories or Spoiler Alerts? – Jonathan Brentner - https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2022/11/11/conspiracy-theories-or-spoiler-alerts   Evil people have always conspired against the righteous. We see this in the words of David in Psalm 37:12, written three thousand years ago:   “The wicked plots against the righteous    and gnashes his teeth at him”   Why, then, do the majority of people doubt that this happens today? Why do so many believers deny that there’s a deadly intent in the agenda of the globalists?   One possible answer to the above questions is that many regard the warnings they hear as “conspiracy theories.” This has become a popular yet convenient way for people to disregard the threats to their wellbeing and continue with life as though they don’t really exist.   However, what if the items that most people regard as conspiracy theories are actually spoiler alerts for what lies ahead? What if they are like a lighthouse illuminating the clear and present dangers of our day?   Long, long ago, IBM aired commercials under the banner of “You Make the Call.” Viewers watched short video clips of plays from NFL football games after which an announcer asked what call they would make if they were the referee. Was it a penalty? Was it a fumble? Did the receiver catch the ball inbounds? Was it a touchdown?   As you go through the list below, I invite you to also “make the call.” Do these things result from the perspective of a conspiracy nut given to baseless doomsday scenarios?   Or are they valid portrayals of events that signal the nearness of the seven-year Tribulation?   1. CATASTROPHIC WORLDWIDE FOOD SHORTAGES DURING 2023   I often read warnings of catastrophic food shortages for 2023. Back in June of this year I wrote, Is America on the Cusp of a Food Catastrophe? In it, I provided much supporting evidence for this from a wide variety of sources.   Since I wrote that article, both the World Health Organization and the UN have come out with warnings of their own concerning dire food shortages for 2023.   This coming time of worldwide famine aligns closely with Bible prophecy for the time of the Tribulation (Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:6). These forecasts of drastic shortages of food are what the Bible says we should expect in the last days leading up to the Day of the Lord.   Do you agree that there’s much evidence supporting this?   2. DIESEL FUEL SHORTAGES   There’s considerable talk about impending diesel fuel shortages in the U.S. Is this also just a conspiracy theory? I don’t think so.   A recent Reuters’ news story out of London, Column: U.S. Diesel shortage increasingly likely until economy slows, says that yes, diesel fuel shortages pose a real threat to the American economy. The story states that the only remedy for this crisis is a dramatic slowing of the economy, such as a deep recession or depression, so that the demand for the fuel lessens.   A November 5, 2022, Newsweek article also warned of the critical diesel fuel shortage in America. The title itself, Diesel Shortage Will Hit These Seven States the Hardest, reveals that these warnings are not just the doomsday scenarios of those with tinfoil hats, but rather point to a legitimate and looming crisis.   If these shortages continue or get worse, they will drive up the prices of everything in the short term and lead to panic buying.   I have read scenarios of the chaos and violence that would erupt in the U.S. if we completely run out of diesel fuel and they sound remarkably similar to what John describes in Revelation 6:5-8.   Even if we don’t run completely out of diesel fuel, isn’t it likely that the shortages will cause much suffering as prices skyrocket for basic necessities?   3. RECORD INFLATION THAT WILL GET MUCH WORSE   Inflation in the U.S. and in many European countries is already at levels not seen for almost five decades and many predict this will become far worse in the months ahead. The scarcity of natural gas in Europe will not only kill a great many people, but also accelerate rising prices for everyday necessities.   The quote below comes from a recent Market Watch article, Hedge-fund giant Elliott warns looming hyperinflation could lead to ‘global societal collapse. As the title suggests, it assumes that “hyperinflation” lies in our future.   “. . . executives at leading hedge-fund firm Elliott Management Corp. warn that the world is heading toward the worst financial crisis since World War II.”   Is this not exactly what Revelation 6:5-6 says about skyrocketing inflation early in the Tribulation? We already see numerous indicators of spiraling price increases throughout the world, which is precisely what we would expect to see during the days leading up the time that John describes in Revelation 6-18.   What call do you make on this?   4. THREATS OF WORLD WAR III   The leaders of NATO and Vladimir Putin talk about the use of nuclear weapons as though it’s something normal and to be expected. Some world leaders say that World War III has already started; others say it’s ever so close.   Another warning of war comes from Chinese President Xi Jinping. He recently stated that China is "preparing for war.”[i] Since no nation seems ready to declare war against this nation anytime soon, it begs this question: Who is China preparing to attack and when?   At any moment, the war in Ukraine might explode into a much a larger conflict; we hear numerous threats of this.   North Korea has stepped up both its weapon testing and threats against America.   I cannot predict what will happen between now and the Rapture, but I believe what we see is stage-setting for the deadly wars that will happen after the Lord takes us home to glory.   The Bible tells us that great wars will happen in during the Tribulation. The second rider of the apocalypse is that of war (Revelation 6:3-4, 8) and the wars that he spawns will contribute to the deaths of an exceptionally number of people, a total that fits with the use of nuclear weapons.   Do you see great wars in the near future?   5. THE DEPOPULATION AGENDA OF THE GLOBALISTS   This is perhaps the place where we see the greatest denial. If people, even believers, do not openly say that talk of a depopulation agenda is nothing but a wild conspiracy theory, they communicate it in other ways.   But is this real or just the ramblings of doomsday purveyors? No, it’s not.   The elite globalists of our day are not silent regarding their intent to drastically reduce the earth’s population. Yuval Noah Harari, perhaps the most influential of them all, frequently describes most people as “useless eaters.” Harari is currently on tour promoting his latest book and saying things such as “we just don’t need the vast majority of you.”[ii] His desire to reduce the earth’s population is clear.   Harari is the righthand man of Klaus Schwab and thereby has immense influence over the leaders of the world. His books sell by the millions and he’s the favorite author of many world leaders, including Barak Obama.   I document the evidence of the deadly agenda of the elite powerbrokers of our day in my recent post, Depopulation: The Sign that Tells Us Jesus’ Appearing is at Hand.   In Psalm 37:14-15, David further exposes the deadly agenda, or conspiracies, of all those who promote evil.   The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows      to bring down the poor and needy,      to slay those whose way is upright;   their sword shall enter their own heart,      and their bows shall be broken.   Along with the Psalmist’ portrayal of how evil people conspire against the wicked, please also remember what Jesus declared about Satan in John 8:44 and 10:10. He is a murderer and a liar.   I believe the globalists are merely minions carrying out the devil’s plan to bring about the reign of his man, the antichrist.   Do you agree?   6. THE PUSH FOR A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT   Seven years ago, I began writing about the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its push for a one world socialistic government. In response, I received some of the harshest criticism that has ever come my way. One person has repeatedly called me a liar because of what I wrote regarding these things.   Now, however, this global push has become abundantly clear. The World Economic Forum (WEF) openly calls for global governance and conducts open meetings in Davos, Switzerland where leaders from all over the planet plan for time when all the nations of the world unite under one banner. In the past, they held these meetings behind closed doors. Now, however, they invite the press in to record their planning sessions for the day in which they will rule over all the people of every nation.   The U.S. President openly promotes the agenda of the WEF. His campaign slogan of “Build Back Better” was taken directly the group the Klaus Schwab and Yuval Harari lead. In the early days of the his administration, he sent John Kerry to the WEF to pledge America’s devotion to them.   All these things align perfectly with biblical prophecy. The books of Daniel and Revelation predict that the things we hear from the WEF will happen in the future, although briefly, during the Tribulation.   This push for a worldwide government by 2030 aligns with God’s Word says will happen in the last days.   7. THE MARK OF THE BEAST   Most people today have heard about the Mark of the Beast and regard the number 666 as evil (perhaps in a superstitious way), but relatively few believe such a thing a will ever happen. It’s clear that those outside of Christ reject this as a conspiracy theory or pure nonsense.   What about fellow believers? Many of them also see the mark as something of the past or symbolical of a different reality. A great many pastors regard prophecies regarding the fulfillment of Revelation 13 as conspiracy theories or part of a false doomsday scenario based on an errant interpretation of Revelation.   What about the elite globalists? Although they don’t use Revelation 13:16-18 terminology or believe what it says; nonetheless, it’s an outcome they have been planning for a very long time and hope to bring to fruition in the near future.   Several months ago, I wrote Transhumanism: Marching Toward the Mark. In it, I describe in detail how the current push for transhumanism is all about setting up the earth’s population to receive the mark of the beast.   Pay close attention to this quote from a speech by Aldous Huxley, a philosopher and author, at the California Medical School in 1961:   “There will be, in the next generation or so, a pharmacological method of making people love their servitude, and producing dictatorship without tears, so to speak, producing a kind of painless concentration camp for entire societies, so that people will in fact have their liberties taken away from them, but will rather enjoy it, because they will be distracted from any desire to rebel by propaganda or brainwashing, or brainwashing enhanced by pharmacological methods. And this seems to be the final revolution.”[iii]   Though spoken over sixty years ago, these words represent the blueprint from which the globalists operate today. What Huxley talked about in 1961 has now become reality. “Pharmaceutical methods” are fast becoming the way by which elite globalists are now seeking to change human DNA and later combine them with machines.   Globalists such as Klaus Schwab talk openly about transhumanism and how the combining of machines with humans will be the final step in the evolution of mankind. Joe Biden recently signed an executive order promoting transgenderism in the U.S.   Those who operate under the banner of “see no evil” in our world miss how the technology for this now exists for the first time since the Lord revealed this to the Apostle John almost two thousand years ago.   Never before in history has Revelation 13:16-18 been so close to fulfillment. Through artificial intelligence, one person is now able to determine on a worldwide basis the parameters for who is able to buy and sell, or not. Before, it would have required a vast multitude of people to pull this off, but no longer. The words of John in Revelation 13 are ready to leap off the page into reality.   The current planning of the elite is all about preparing people for the coming day when they will receive an injection of sorts that will enable them to control all who receive it.   Please know that this will not happen until at the midpoint of the Tribulation, long after Jesus has taken us up to glory and the place He’s prepared for us.   CONSPIRACY THEORIES OR SPOILER ALERTS?   What say you? Conspiracy theories or spoiler alerts? Perhaps I made my views a little too obvious.   Despite the openness concerning their agenda, the globalists are the ones with the most to gain from people regarding their plans as conspiracy theories. The more who see their agenda as mere conspiracy theories the better it is for them because it results in little to no resistance to their agenda.   On the other hand, believers that regard the seven items listed above as descriptions of what Scripture says the world would look like just before the start of the Day of the Lord, recognize the nearness of Jesus’ appearing to take us home.   We rightly recognize that Jesus is right at the door, ready to take us home to His Father’s house in heaven.   The Bible tells us that the Rapture will happen quickly (1 Corinthians 15:50-54) and the Lord’s wrath will fall suddenly upon the world (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).   We do not know how much longer we will wait for Jesus’ appearing, but we know that it will be a day just like any other when rather suddenly we find ourselves in glory with our dear Savior (Colossians 3:4).   If after reading this article you still believe that I am a conspiracy theorist, tinfoil nut, or one overly susceptible to doomsday scenarios, please read the articles that I reference above before you respond.   My book, The Triumph of the Redeemed-An eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times, is available on Amazon. In it, I provide a firm biblical basis for our hope in Jesus’ imminent appearing and the glory that lies ahead for all those in Christ. It will be a day of rejoicing and praise like no other.   Note: Please consider signing up for my newsletter on the home page of my website at https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/ . Thanks!   [i][i] Prophecy News Watch Website, The Clock Is Ticking - China Prepares For War, @ https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=5717   [ii] Ethan Huff, Klaus Schwab’s Right-Hand Man Calls for “Mass Extinction Event” to Usher in Great Reset, November 4, 2022 @ https://noqreport.com/2022/11/04/klaus-schwabs-right-hand-man-calls-for-mass-extinction-event-to-usher-in-great-reset/?utm_source=wnd&utm_medium=wnd&utm_campaign=syndicated   [iii] Taken from the Alliance For Human Research Protection website: https://ahrp.org/1961-aldous-huxleys-eerie-prediction-at-tavistock-group-california-medical-school/  I also found this quote on several other websites with varying agendas; it is valid

The 1948 Connection - By Jack Kinsella - https://www.raptureready.com/2022/11/12/the-1948-connection-by-jack-kinsella/   The restoration of the Jews to the Promised Land is one of the most staggeringly overt fulfillments of Bible prophecy to occur in the last 2,000 years.   The Hebrew prophets all foretold an eventual restoration of Israel, even addressing the future state by name, in some cases centuries after Israel had ceased to exist.   Jesus said,   “Learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matthew 24:32-34).   In his book, Personal Witness, Ambassador Abba Eban, one of Israel’s Founding Fathers and Israel’s first Foreign Minister, wrote;   “In accordance with our plan, a letter from [Chaim] Weizmann to [President] Truman had been sent on May 13 asking him to recognize our new state.”   The expected infant state was still nameless since the Zionist leaders were still characteristically arguing over the name (should it be “Judea,” “Zion,” [or]what about the name “Israel”)? Weizmann, for the first time in history, was asking for a nameless state to be recognized.   Although Ezekiel confidently wrote of the restored Jewish state as “Israel” 2,500 years before, those who actually served as midwives to the rebirth did not decide on the name until the very day before!   Hosea said of Israel,   “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time…” (Hosea 9:10)   Joel wrote of the northern invaders of Israel,   “He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree…” (Joel 1:7).   In 1948, the fig tree began to put forth leaves, so to speak, and Jesus said that generation would see “all these things” fulfilled.   The Bible said that pivotal event in history would take place simultaneously with the birth of a revived Roman Empire. A unified Europe looks back to its foundation as January 1, 1948.   It said an apostate world religion would develop at the same time. Revelation 13:11 describes this religious system as “having two horns like a lamb” — symbols of Christianity. The World Council of Churches was born in 1948.   It predicts that global political system will co-exist with a global economy. The World Trade Organization — a trade organization empowered to regulate the global economy — saw its genesis in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, enacted by the UN in 1948.   The Bible predicted that global economy will fall under the control of a single individual who will be able to regulate commerce down to the individual level — “That no man might buy or sell” (Rev 13:17). Such individual control was impossible before the advent of computers.   Although computers had been invented during World War II, they were huge, bulky monsters that used notoriously unreliable and hugely inefficient vacuum tubes. The first computers were slower than a pocket calculator, filled huge environmentally sealed rooms, and required enough electricity to power a small city.   That all changed in 1948 when Bell Labs invented the transistor chip, signaling the official birth of the Computer Age.   That final age would be marked by “rumors of war” (Matt 24:7). The ultimate ‘rumor of war’ was the Cold War. It began with the Berlin Airlift of 1948. The Soviet collapse was a direct result of the cost of fighting the Cold War. The ongoing decline of US influence in the world is also related to the costs of that ‘war.’ The power vacuum left by the simultaneous decline of each of these great powers is being filled by Europe, just as the Bible predicted.   Earthquakes began to show a marked increase in size, scope, and intensity in 1948. The modern period of ethnos [nation] against ethnos [nation] can be traced to the death of colonialism beginning in 1948. Increasing ‘pestilence’ or deadly disease, can be traced to 1948. Economic ‘kingdoms’ began with the first multinational corporations in 1948.   Legislation passed by the UN in 1948, like the UDHR and the UNCPR, function today as the legal cornerstones of our developing globalist worldview and the disintegration of US Constitutional guarantees.   The decline in morality — worldwide — can arguably be placed at the feet of the current trend of devaluing human life to the degree that legislation permitting abortion and euthanasia are evidences of an ‘advanced’ society.   The Japanese Eugenics Act — the first legal abortion on demand legislation ever passed in modern society — was passed in 1948. American Margaret Sanger was so impressed with the idea that she founded the premier abortion rights advocacy group — Planned Parenthood — in 1948.   Let’s not forget the other technological advances introduced in 1948 — commercial television, holography, cybernetics, meteorology, the nuclear arms race, microelectronics, and dozens of other advances that served to demystify the books of Daniel and the Revelation for this generation.   Add that to the social breakdown that followed the ouster of God from American education following McCollum vs. the board of education decision of 1948. Don’t forget the contribution made to evolutionary theory by the introduction of the ‘Big Bang’ theory of 1948. That served to further alienate the concept of a Creator God from the American worldview.   2 Peter 3:3 warns,   “that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And 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.”   All these things taken in context point to one logical conclusion. This is the generation of whom Jesus was speaking when He said,   “This generation shall not pass until ALL these things be fulfilled.”

Prophecy Update Videos

Prophecy Update: We Are Under Judgment! – Pastor Tom Hughes & John Haller Prophecy Update: Why Does This Matter? – Pastor Curt Reed & Olivier Melnick Prophecy Update: What Would Jesus Say About All This? – Pastor J.D. Farag Christians Mocking the End Times? – Britt Gillette

Why Should the Re-Establishment Of The State of Israel Matter To Christians? – By Amir Tsarfati - https://harbingersdaily.com/god-in-action-why-should-the-re-establishment-of-the-state-of-isreal-matter-to-christians/   Now, why should it matter for Christians if Jews are returning to Israel? Because this is God in action! Despite the nation’s repetitive disobedience – and they are disobedient – God preserved it from the agenda of its enemies time and time again, even up to the War of Independence in 1948.   And now we live in 2022 and all of you belong to that generation that can see the fig tree come back to life. We live in an unprecedented age where countless ancient prophecies, or precursors to them, are happening right before our eyes. While some may be more subtle and others are like the spokes on a larger wheel, there is none more clear than the rebirth of the nation of Israel.   Isaiah 54:5-8 KJV – “For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.”   Today we can see that the Lord’s promise to gather His “momentarily forsaken” people by His great mercy and everlasting kindness is being undeniably fulfilled. Yet in spite of this incredible miracle fulfilling a 2700 year old prophecy, antisemitism is rising around the world, including in the church. However, this too is prophetic.   Zechariah 12:3 KJV – “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”   Zechariah’s 2500 year old prophecy is also coming to pass right before our eyes, and yet there are many in the church who say that God is finished with the nation of Israel or that the church has replaced Israel in God’s redemptive plan. Not only are neither of those things true, they are anti-biblical and present a series of major theological problems, not the least of which is this:   Romans 11:16-18 KJV – “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”   The firstfruit, the lump, and the root all point back the believing patriarchs of Israel. The broken-off branches represent all unbelieving Jews. The cultivated olive tree is Israel, and the wild olive tree grafted in is believing Gentiles, or the predominantly Gentile church. In verse 18, Paul skips over the agrarian and ceremonial metaphors and reaches back to the root – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, etc. – and says you do not support the root but the root supports you.   If the root, believing Israel, has been cast off then who are Christians grafted into? If modern Israel is not Biblical Israel then why are the things prophesied about Israel happening to the nation?   What tragic spiritual loses are suffered when we follow the errant teaching of God casting off or replacing Israel. We miss the majesty of God protecting His chosen people and their eternally covenanted homeland in our day. We miss the mercy and grace of God towards even the most rebellious of people by recognizing it is He who has regathered them as promised. We miss the closeness of the Day of the Lord and do not have a reference point from which to see the day approaching.   1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV – “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”   Christians should rejoice in the the faithfulness of God to Israel and take heart in the fact that God does not cast off people He calls chosen. If He did so with Israel, he could do so with the church.   The fig tree buds three times a year in spring, late summer, and fall.   Hosea 9:10a KJV – “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time:”   Here Hosea refers to the Patriarchs as the firstfruits on the fig tree.   Jeremiah 24:5-8a KJV – “Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the Lord”   Here, the faithful of the captives of Judah are referred to as “good figs”, and at the time of the regathering God will set His eyes on them for good in preparation for what Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse:   Matthew 24:32 KJV – “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:”   The tender branch speaks of the new wood on the fig tree that would support an upcoming harvest of good figs. This pictures Messianic Jews, including the 144,000 and all the Jews who they lead to faith in Christ, and also the good fruit among the Jews that happens at Jesus’ second coming:   Zechariah 12:10 KJV – “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”   Don’t let anyone rob you of the majestic mercy and goodness of God toward Israel by saying He has cast them off or replaced them with the church. They’re back in the land to tell us He’s coming for us soon. Then, not long after, He’s coming back for the believing Jews and we will be with Him.   Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.

This Generation Revisited – Steve Savell - https://www.rev310.net/post/this-generation-revisited   “Now learn the parable of the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:32-35).    The parable of the fig tree, appearing in what is known as the Olivet Discourse, is perhaps one of the most challenging passages of Scripture for Bible students. The challenge stems from the fact that Jesus appears to be predicting a particular period of time in which we can expect to witness His glorious and visible return to earth. In light of current events and the fact modern Israel has been around for over 74 years, I recently revisited this fascinating prophecy. You can read about my earlier musings on this prophecy here: http://www.fightforjoy.net/blog/this-generation   The Parable of the Fig Tree--The argument goes something like this: The fig tree represents the nation of Israel. The branch that becomes tender and puts forth its leaves refers to the rebirth of the nation in 1948. Therefore, the generation born around the time of Israel’s return to the land will be alive at the Second Coming of Christ. Sounds like a legitimate interpretation, but is this the correct interpretation of this particular passage of Scripture?   Many conclude this traditional interpretation cannot possibly be correct given Jesus’ words in verse 36: “But of that day and hour no one knows.” He said the same thing in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Paul reiterated this in his first letter to the Thessalonian believers: “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you” (1 Thess. 5:1).   If you have been following my musings for any length of time you know that I believe the Bible says what it means and means what it says. In other words, God does not have a speech impediment. The rule of thumb I follow is if the plain sense of the text makes sense; seek no other sense, lest you end up with nonsense. I follow this rule in every sermon I preach and every Bible study I teach and every article I write. With that in mind, how should we approach this difficult text?   Hank Hanegraaf, radio’s so-called “Bible Answer Man,” and author of The Apocalypse Code (I do not recommend it), believes the entirety of Matthew 24 refers to events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Therefore, his conclusion is that the “this generation” of Matthew 24:34, refers to the generation alive at the time Jesus gave this prophecy. Since Jesus gave this prophecy around A.D. 32, or so, there were some still alive when the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.   Suffice it to say Hank is guilty of seeking “other sense” in this passage thus ending up with nonsense. He is a partial Preterist who is thoroughly confused on matters of eschatology. He believes all prophecies except for the Second Coming and the resurrection have already been fulfilled. Just to demonstrate how utterly ridiculous this interpretation is, consider the fact that the worldwide preaching of the kingdom, the tribulation period, the return of the Lord in visible glory, and the regathering of the elect of Israel have not yet occurred.   Another solution to this difficult passage is offered by the late Pastor Bob DeWaay. He believes this prophecy is used in a pejorative sense in the New Testament and is therefore qualitative and not setting a time limit. He sees the issue of “this generation” in the sense of Jewish hardness to the gospel and their rejecting Jesus as Messiah down through subsequent generations. He uses passages like Matt. 12:41-45, Luke 9:40-45, and Acts 2:40 to support his interpretation. His argument is well thought out and may very well be correct.   I will admit it is possible the fig tree here refers to Israel’s rebirth. However, I believe Jesus was using this parable to say that when the people of Israel see all the end times signs He described, they will know that His return is really near. Notice I said, “The people of Israel.” I believe the Olivet Discourse, though contained in three Gospels, is meant for Israel (or the Jewish people), and not the Church.   The fig tree is among the last to get its leaves in the spring. So when it begins to bud, you know that summer is really near. Therefore, when the people of Israel see all these signs they’ll know their redemption is near. Luke’s account drives this point home clearly: “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).   Another interpretation—one I like better than my own and it may very well be the correct interpretation—suggests Matthew 24:34 says that the generation born when the end times signs begin will still be alive when all signs are fulfilled and Jesus returns visibly to this planet. This interpretation aligns perfectly with my current position that with the exception of Israel's return to the Land, we are not witnessing signs today but rather prophetic trends pointing to future signs that will be fulfilled during Daniel's 70th Week.   According to Psalm 90:10, a biblical lifespan is 70 to 80 years. Many scholars agree that the first of the end times signs was the rebirth of Israel in 1948. Therefore, the generation born around 1948 can expect to see everything fulfilled in their lifetime. If this interpretation is correct we must keep in mind that Israel is recently 74 years as a nation. If a biblical lifespan is 70 to 80 years, what does this say about the lateness of the hour?   What does this say about the lateness of the hour? Israel has been a nation since May 14, 1948, sovereignly fulfilling Isaiah 66:7-9, and Ezekiel 36-37. Since that time the nations that made up the ancient Roman Empire have been coming back together in what is known as the European and Mediterranean Unions—a key End Time prophecy. Russia, for the very first time in history, has been entering into military and economic alliances with the nations described in Ezekiel 38-39. Jerusalem has become a heavy stone for all the nations of the world just like Zechariah predicted in Zech. 12:3.   But perhaps the key piece to understanding the lateness of the hour is found in Daniel 9:26-27. Here the prophet Daniel speaks of a pseudo-peace that is coming to the Middle East, between Israel and her enemies. The Bible gives us every reason to believe this peace will be brokered by a European—a descendant of the people who destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70—the Romans. Daniel predicts this so-called peace agreement will be forced upon the Israeli people. This is amazing considering the ongoing desire of world leaders to broker some kind of peace in the Middle East.   Although it is impossible and foolish to try and interpret prophecy to fit every headline, it is not impossible to see that things are happening in our world, the Middle East, and Israel in particular, that are setting the stage for what the Bible describes as the final act of history—the 70th Week of Daniel and return of Christ. Given the direction things seem to be headed, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see some talk in the near future about dividing the world into ten regions. The Bible is not silent on that and seems to indicate the so-called Antichrist will arise from among ten kings in the latter days. With that, I have one final question: Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is quickly running out!   http://www.fightforjoy.net/blog/this-generation-revisited

Daily Jot: Schumer invites Republicans to join mainstream - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com   Now that it looks like the Democrats are going to keep the Senate and the Republicans might bring the House of Representatives under their control, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) is extending a bipartisan olive branch—to some. On Monday’s CNN “This Morning,” Schumer said that he was going to meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and try to build an alliance of like-minded senators, exclusive of Make America Great Again (MAGA) Republicans. Schumer said, “I’m going to say to the Republicans in the Senate who are not the MAGA Republicans, stop letting them lead your party. Work with us to get things done.” Just what we need—more Marxism.   Schumer went on to say, “The red wave proved to be a red mirage. And one, not the main reason but one of the main reasons for sure, was that average American folks, even those in the middle, even those who tended to be Republican, said, ‘I’m afraid of this MAGA. They’re trying to ruin our democracy.’ If you look at the numbers, if you look at the results of the House and Senate, the MAGA Republican way didn’t work. The MAGA Republican candidate, across the board, lost. If you’re a good leader of a Republican Party, you say continuing to follow them is a path to disaster.” Not all MAGA Republicans lost across the board. And the extremists that are ruining the Constitutional Republic are Democrats.   We should ask ourselves: Is it so extreme to put America first? Is it so extreme to protect the life of the unborn? Is it so extreme to provide affordable energy while working toward renewable energy? Is it so extreme to secure the borders? Is it so extreme to say that parents have a say in their children’s education? Is it so extreme to expect your child to go to school to learn about math, science and history, and not be preyed upon and groomed by sexual predators? Is it so extreme for a coach to pray with his team after a football game? Is it so extreme to stand for equality under the law and be labeled a fascist, racist, misogynist, homophobe, Islamophobe or some other “phobe” or “ist”? Is it so extreme to oppose lockdowns of healthy people and shuttering of businesses? Is it so extreme to oppose censorship of dissenting opinions?   The very things upon which Schumer wants to collude with non-MAGA Republicans are the morally-based threats to your freedom, your religious rights, your right to free speech, your pursuit of happiness, the nation’s very soul. Schumer wants Americans to conform to an immoral Marxist ideology. These beliefs will destroy the Constitutional Republic, but preserve the Democrats’ version of “Democracy.” And some Republicans will go right along with them. I, for one, don’t appreciate being labeled an extremist or a threat to our national security because I disagree with Chuck Schumer’s brand of America. You don’t foster change through appeasement. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good morals.” The moral soul of our nation is at stake. Senate Republicans would do well to understand this.

Daily Devotion: The Problem of Habitual Sin - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org   Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. - 1 John 3:9   https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-problem-of-habitual-sin/ Listen   If we were walking the dusty roads of Israel with Jesus and came upon the man known as Judas Iscariot for the first time, he might not be what we had expected him to be. At first blush, we might even think that he was a stand-up guy.   We might believe that he was devout, deeply religious, and very concerned about others. And we would have been shocked upon discovering that he was the one who betrayed the Lord. That’s because Judas was an incredible actor. He was a performer. He knew how to talk the talk, but he certainly didn’t know how to walk the walk.   Yet Judas had no excuse. He had the privilege of spending a number of years with God incarnate. He would have been fully aware that Jesus was never hypocritical or inconsistent in any way, shape, or form. He saw Jesus live a flawless life.   Yet Judas did not believe. And not only that, he turned against Jesus and sold Him for 30 pieces of silver, the price commonly paid to purchase a slave.   Judas was able to do the wicked things that he did because he never really knew Jesus. Sure, he knew about Him. In fact, he knew about Him more than most people did. But he never personally knew Jesus. Judas’s life could be summed up by this statement about him: “So he went his way” (Luke 22:4 NKJV). He lived the way that he wanted to live.   If you can habitually commit sin without any remorse, that’s a clear indicator that you don’t know God. There are a lot of people running around today saying, “I’m a believer. I’m a follower of Jesus.” Yet, if they can persist in sin, something isn’t right.   The Bible doesn’t say that a Christian won’t sin, only that a Christian won’t habitually sin.

COMING NEW WORLD ORDER

 

BY PASTOR MIKE TAYLOR

15 “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

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

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:15-22)

As the hour approaches for the start of the Tribulation and the end of this present age, I have many Christians that email me and wonder “Are we in the Tribulation now, or can it get any worse that what we see already at the present?”....Some come to the erroneous conclusion that we are in the first part of the Tribulation, as the world is going stark raving mad. Environmental disasters of earthquakes, volcano eruptions, drought leading to famine in third world countries, when ISIS was beheading Christians in the Middle East, and nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea, and now even China and Russia, leave many wondering if we are indeed, in the first years of the coming Tribulation. Are we?
The Lord God gave us definite signs of when the beginning of the Tribulation would start, and although I would agree that we are bumping right up to the time the Bible calls Jacob's trouble, we have not crossed that red line that says we are in the Tribulation just yet. Why do I say that?



THE PURPOSE OF THE COMING TRIBULATION



The Tribulation has a primary, secondary purpose and even a third reason for the time. From the perspective of Israel the Tribulation has a primary purpose. From the prophet Daniel, that primary purpose is six fold:

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Daniel and the Jews] and upon thy holy city, [Jerusalem] to (1) finish the transgression, and to (2) make an end of sins, and to (3) make reconciliation for iniquity, and to (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, and to (5) seal up the vision and prophecy, and to (6) anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24)

That primary purpose had been going on from the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile and ancient Israel's return to her own land for 483 years, when Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey.

 "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)

Thus Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in the 483^rd year of the Prophecy and if Israel would have accepted their Messiah, then the Kingdom of God would have come upon the earth at that time, but that was not God's plan. Several days later, Jesus would be tried, convicted in a Sanhedrin court, sentenced by a Roman governor and crucified on a cross for the sole reason of being the Messiah they did not want to accept. Their image of their “political Savior” was a King David type, not this lowly carpenter who wanted to save them from their sins. They didn't need a Savior, (in their deceived thinking) as they had the law of Moses, which they didn't realize could not save them from being separated from God the Father for all eternity. They knew of the timing of the coming Messiah, and here He was standing right in front of them, but they didn't like His spiritual message of repentance.

When Jesus died on that cross, the time period of 490 years that Gabriel told Daniel would be required to fulfill that prophecy, stopped and has been on hold now for nearly 2000 years. That leaves a final 7 years (490-483=7 years) of the prophecy to the nation of Israel on hold. God will complete His promise to the Jewish people in the near future.

But for the Church that was born at Pentecost because of the blood sacrifice Jesus paid, points 1-4 of the above verse was accomplished at the cross. The last two points of 5-6 are yet to be fulfilled, but neither of them apply to the Church anyway. The prophecy is for the Jewish people and of Jerusalem with a rebuilt Temple standing on the Temple Mount and the anointing of the Messiah taking place at the 2^nd Coming of Jesus to reign and rule for a Millennium.

The primary purpose of the Tribulation, therefore, is to effect the national redemption of the Jews.

2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4)

Israel will be refined through much persecution, until they recognize their Messiah that their forefathers rejected in 33 AD and they still do today.

There is a secondary purpose as outlined in Revelation chp. 9:

"Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." (Revelation 9:21)

In reading the whole of chapters 6- 9 of this apocalyptic book, gives you the reason for the coming Tribulation. God is putting down all rebellion upon the earth, known as the “nations” who will not repent of their sinful lives, or give God any glory. But those who love their unrighteousness and sinful practices will not repent even in the face of this horrific judgment that is being poured out on them, and it only gets worse, much worse.

This secondary purpose is to purge this earth of unrepentant, rebellious mankind that rejects Christ as Lord of their lives. God will nearly wipe this planet clean of all human life. By definition, to be a Christian, one must repent of one's sins. So the Church has no purpose in God's judgment against these “unrepentant, lawless” sinners.

There is also a third reason for the Tribulation. It is to allow Satan full and free reign over the earth and its inhabitants. Among the many purposes of Heaven outlined in God's Word is the trial of Satan. At the conclusion of the Tribulation, there will no doubt remaining among the angels and the inhabitants of God's realm, (the saints of God) to the depth of Satan's guilt or the severity of the forthcoming punishment. This was prophesied in Isaiah what would become of Lucifer, now known as Satan (the adversary) when he was cast out of heaven when he proclaimed his infamous “I wills” to be like the Most High God....

"Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?" (Isaiah 14:15-17)

HARPAZO OF THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD

The doctrine of imminency teaches that Jesus could come at any moment and “snatch by force” His redeemed bride which is HARPAZO in the Greek that Paul spoke of in 1^st Corinthians and 1^st Thessalonians

15 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

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 (HARPAZO) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1^st Thessalonians 4:15-18)

What is the dictionary definition of what Paul wrote above of the HARPAZO, or being “caught up” in English..

1) to seize, carry off by force

2) to seize on, claim for one' s self eagerly

3) to snatch out or away

The fulfillment of this passage could come at any moment, from the day of Paul until the starting point of the Tribulation. How do I know that it is confined to that period of time? Glad you asked. Because the Bible expressly promises us that the Tribulation will not start until Satan has total control over this earth.

In order for Satan to have total control (and therefore no excuse) the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and His ministry of identifying and restraining evil must be removed.
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit would indwell within me until He returns, as I am neither of the “house of Israel” or part of the Christ rejecting Gentile nations and have no part in the coming Tribulation, but the scripture says that the coming Anti-Christ will overcome the “saints” during the tribulation.

“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.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:7-8)


If the Holy Spirit must be 'taken out of the way' BEFORE the Antichrist can be revealed, which is the only logical way to interpret what Paul wrote in 2nd Thessalonians 2:7-9,

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:

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

So if God is withdrawing the work of the Holy spirit, that would leave me comfortless, if as a Christian I am found to be still present during the time known as Jacob's Trouble, the Tribulation. If God has left me alone just when I need Him the most, then Jesus broke His Word, and we know Jesus cannot lie.

16 “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)

No matter how I try to read the above verses otherwise, I cannot be present during this time. Until the Holy Spirit is “taken out of the way” then that Wicked cannot be revealed, which is the Anti-Christ.

This may be confusing to some, but let us identify the players in the preceding verses listed above in 2^nd Thessalonians 2:7-9. The “mystery of iniquity” or the spirit of the Anti-Christ (1st John 4:3) "He who letteth". First, "he" is a personal pronoun, so this isn't a 'thing' to be taken out of the way, but a 'Him'. 'To let' is an old English phrase that signifies indwelling, as in the phrase, "Room to Let."

When the verse speaks of “that Wicked” it is also a personal pronoun and in context, refers to the one whom Jesus will destroy at His Second Coming.

So in modern everyday English, the meaning of the passage says “the Anti-Christ won't be revealed until the Holy Spirit's presence is taken out of the way”...So the point of the passage that should not be any bone of contention, is that if the Holy Spirit is removed, and we have God's Holy Spirit within us, and Jesus will NOT leave us alone without comfort, then if the Holy Spirit is leaving, then so shall God's Church. Every born again believer on this planet will be removed at the very same instant as God's Holy Spirit. Since Satan cannot overcome God, and God is dwelling in me, then the Anti-Christ can't overcome me if I were still on the earth.

I cannot picture a situation in which I would lose the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence while I am still alive on this earth. It is unthinkable.

THE CHURCH REMOVED

So now that I hope you can see that the Church will be removed prior to the Anti-Christ being revealed and we will not be subject to God's Wrath. Now some say that the first part of the Tribulation is promoted by Satan and evil men. Many try to say that God's wrath is not revealed until the 6^th seal is opened, as the righteousness indignation of God's judgment is finally revealed..is that true? I ask you. Who is opening the seals of the “title deed to this earth” by removing all rebellion on the planet? From the first seal until the last, the author of this judgment is Jesus Christ the Lord. He is causing events to happen. He is using men to enact judgment on other lawless men, just as He used Babylon and Assyria as the iron rod of judgment on Israel for their lawless behavior and rejecting the laws of God. So here God is doing the same thing by using men to bring about the beginning of His wrath indirectly, but will show His indignation directly in subsequent seals of judgment. In chapter 6, the men of earth know who is causing the problems and the evil that befalls them, and they cry out:

15 “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:15-17)

LET US ANAZLYZE THIS COMING TRIBULATION.

Where do we get seven years of tribulation? Some ask me that question and assert that there is no basis for it...

Daniel says that Antichrist rules for one 'week' -- or seven years.

27 “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)

I've even had some deceived notions that this above verse is speaking of Jesus causing a covenant to be broken in mid-week, but clearly it is speaking of an abomination of desolation that only happened one other time with Antiochus Epiphanes when he desecrated the Holy Temple and spawned the Maccabean revolt.

The first three and one half years are a period of false peace for Israel. Because of confirming a covenant with Israel, the coming Anti-Christ will reveal himself by enforcing a pre-existence covenant that is possibly the Oslo Accord from the earth 1990s or the Abrahamic Covenants during Trump's administration. The last three and one half years are a period of intense persecution and Great Tribulation for the Jewish people. It is the remaining 7 years left to fulfill the prophecy given by Gabriel to Daniel, that has been on hold for the Age of Grace that we have been living in for almost 2000 years now.

No matter how novel an interpretation one may develop to argue against the seven year period, Daniel also identifies it as a period of 2520 days, divided into two periods of 1260 days each. The first part is the Tribulation that causes a false peace for Israel, but is surrounded by unrest and war around the globe. The last 1260 days are known as the Great Tribulation, when the AC is revealed as the abomination that causeth desolation, and Israel will know they have made a pact deal with the devil. They will run for their very lives, but many will not believe the prophecy and will not escape into the wilderness, just as it was in 70 AD when those who believed fled to the mountain fortress in Petra, in the Jordanian wilderness. (see chp. 12 of Revelation v. 14-17)
Now to those who make a wishful thinking by asking the specific question “why cannot Christ's coming for His elect occur during the first half of the tribulation?” Scripture outlines a season (of tribulation) for the purpose of judgment that is to last seven years.



As mentioned, the tribulation is the not the time for the Church's redemption, it is Israel's time. The purpose in general is the refinement of Israel as silver is refined in the fiery furnace for purification, and the removal of rebellion and the judgment of the lost. The Church is being judged now in this Age of Grace. Those who have God's earnest deposit of His Holy Spirit residing within their own spirit have a guarantee of redemption and glorification when Jesus comes for His bride, His Church. The Church of the Living God is neither under judgment or in need of redemption. She has already been redeemed, and judged righteous by the blood of the Lamb, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

To not believe the above redemption of our bodies at the rapture of the Church is to believe that Jesus' sacrifice in His own blood on a Roman cross was not good enough to save us to the uttermost. It is to believe in a type of Catholic purgatory that Jesus did NOT pay it all once for all time.



WHAT IF WE DO HAVE TO SUFFER SOME OF THE TRIBULATION?

Some hypothesize, and it's pure speculation, that if there is not a removal of the Bride of Christ before the Tribulation starts, could it not cause some to turn away from their faith, as was talked about in the gospels. They say, “won't there be some suffering on the part of Christians?”...”and if so, we are causing those to become discouraged and fall away”.
I agree that we shall not escape all suffering, as that has been part of the human condition since man was created. There is persecution and modern day martyrdom in such places as the Middle East, Communist China, and Central Africa. This is not an ancient concept, but continues to this day by evil men.
There is a major difference between the sufferings of men at the hand of other evil men, by one phrase ...”The Wrath of God”. Tribulation saints differ from the Bride of Christ saved during the Age of Grace, or the Church Age. Those saved during this horrific seven years will have their metal tested as like no other period of time memorial. Evil is rampant. Satan seeks to destroy all mankind, but in the process gain worship for himself, and attempts to destroy all of the nation of Israel to make God out a liar. And I must point out again a major distinction between the saints of the Church age, and the Tribulation saints by God's Holy Word:
Of the Church Age saints, John writes:

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1st John 4:4)

During the Tribulation, it is the saints that are overcome:

"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)

The same Apostle John wrote both verses. Is it not 'pure speculation' to assume that the differences in status are irrelevant? Two set of saints are not the same. The church Age is the Bride, the Tribulation saints will be the guest at the ceremony as they are in martyrdom.

A final question that has been kicked around on Christian forums I host, that is “if the pre-tribulation rapture of the church is true, how does that give God any glory. Wouldn't it be more glory to Him, if Christ appears amidst the persecution of His saints and rescues them from the Anti-Christ and Satan?” I am reminded of a verse that Jesus spoke to the Apostle Thomas, you now, doubting Thomas?

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

Paul speaks of this very thing in Romans 8, which if we are saved by grace through faith, when Christ actually appears, how much faith will be necessary when you see Him in all His glory?

24 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:24-25)

As bad as it seems, and my friend, it will get exponentially worse, from chp. 6 of Revelation till chp. 19 when the Saints of God come back on white horse clothed in linen, white and clean following the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings..Jesus our God and Savior..

11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” (Revelation 19:11-15)

Jesus has come, rebellion has been put down. The saints rule the earth along with our Lord Jesus, and the Millennium starts and returns the earth to what it came from, perfection.

But of this writing, the antichrist has not yet been revealed. The peace treaty has not yet been confirmed. Temple worship has not yet been restored. All these are events that take place BEFORE the Great Tribulation begins. It is that termination of sacrifice that begins the Great Tribulation.

The antichrist can't cause the sacrifice to cease until AFTER it has begun. That can't happen until the Jews possess the Temple Mount. The antichrist cannot take his seat in the Temple of God, causing Israel to reject him, which kicks off the Great Tribulation, until AFTER there is a Temple to sit in.
None of this has happened, but make no mistake, it could happen almost overnight. These events noted just in the preceding two paragraphs are totally INDEPENDENT of the rapture of the Church. None of them exist because we are not in the Tribulation just yet, but it's right over the near horizon and is looming larger and larger with each passing day. We are indeed close, but we are not quite there yet...Reader take warning. I urge you to believe on the only begotten Son of God, slain from the foundation of the earth, and miss this coming Tribulation, by grace through faith.

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)

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.” (Romans 10:8-11)

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying to see you standing in front of our Lord Jesus, when we all receive the rewards done in our body for service...If you should need prayer, counseling, or just a friendly listening ear, contact me at realteam1999@sbcglobal,  or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com, for more biblical messages straight from your Bible...God bless you all..

TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET