Transcript of How Then Should We Live
- 1. HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE? BEING RAPTURE-READY,
TRIBULATION-PREPARED
- 2. Preparation: In this study, we will: 1. Take a long hard
look at the tribulation issue (we need to be spiritually, mentally
and emotionally prepared to examine what the Bible teaches about
this period) 2. We will review whether the pre-trib rapture view is
the one taught by the Bible 3. WE WILL LOOK FOR DIRECTION AND
COMFORT FROM THE WORD OF GOD
- 3. WE ARE DEFINITELY LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS 1. The established
sharp increases in the incidence of natural calamities 2. Signs in
the sun, moon, stars (solar flares, polar shifts, weather extremes,
etc.) 3. The system of marking of the beast (the Anti-Christ) 4.
The division of the land of Israel, the rebuilding of the Temple 5.
Many, many other signs
- 4. Interesting note 1: 1. EVERY GENERATION of Christians from
the first century to the present ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT CHRIST WAS
COMING DURING THEIR TIME (2 Thess. 1:6-10) First-century Christians
could see the day drawing near: 24 and let us consider how to
stimulate one another to love and good deeds,25 not forsaking our
own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging
one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near
- 5. (1 John 2:18) 11it is already the hour for you to awaken
from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we
believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near.
Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the
armor of light. (Rom. 13:11-12) Do not seek a wife. (1 Corinthians
7 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which
he was called. 25 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment
from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His
mercy has made trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is
good because of the present distress--that it is good for a man to
remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be
loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
- 6. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a
virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have
trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. 29 But this I say,
brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who
have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as
though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not
rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those
who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world
is passing away. (1 Thess 4:15) "We who are still alive" 1 Cor
10:11 that the end of the ages is upon us.
- 7. WHAT DO WE MAKE OUT OF THIS? 1. The apostles (Peter, Paul,
James) MERELY ECHOED JESUS OWN INSTRUCTIONS TO WATCH AND BE READY
because the Lord can come ANYTIME 2. This is the doctrine of the
IMMANENT RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (anytime) 3. The coming of
the Lord now is both IMMANENT (anytime) and IMMINENT (near) THE
RIGHT ATTITUDE OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TO BE READY AT ANYTIME NOW
(immanent and imminent) FOR THE RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST.
- 8. Interesting Note 2: 2. YOU WILL NEVER FIND IN THE BIBLE A
TEACHING THAT YOU MUST NOT MIND THE SECOND COMING and that you just
do your usual ministry Luke 17: 7 "And which of you, having a
servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come
in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 "But will
he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and
gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and
afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 "Does he thank that servant
because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10
"So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are
commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have only done
what was our duty to do.'"
- 9. Luke 12:35-36 35 Make yourselves ready, with your lamps
alight; 36 And be like men who are waiting for their Master's
return from his wedding, so that, when he comes and knocks, they
may open the door for him at once.
- 10. Interesting Note 3: 3. END-TIME PREPAREDNESS IS A MARK OF
THE PREPARED BRIDE OF CHRIST For our citizenship is in heaven, for
which also we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20 In Galatians 5:5, Paul describes the Christian as
one who through the Spirit, by faitheagerly wait[s] for the hope of
righteousness (ESV). In his opening words to the Corinthians, he
commends them for not lacking in any spiritual gift, awaiting
eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:7).
- 11. In 1 Thessalonians 1:9 and 10, this is how Paul defines a
Christian: one who turned to God from idols to serve a living and
true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. And of course, in
that section of the believers future hope in Romans 8, in verse 23,
Paul says, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting
eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. And
then in 2 Timothy 4:8, as Paul prepares himself to go to his
execution, he looks forward to his heavenly reward and says, In the
future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and
not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
- 12. SO NOW THE QUESTION IS: IF THE COMING OF JESUS IS GETTING
NEARER AND MUCH NEARER WITH INCREASING CLARITY OF THE SIGNS OF THE
TIMES, HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE? 1. Should students still finish
their studies? 2. Should persons in love (man-woman) still get
married? 3. Should businessmen still invest? 4. Should we still
build a house or rent? Etc., etc., etc.,
- 13. RELATED TO THIS, ARE WE GOING THROUGH THE TRIBULATION
PERIOD OR NOT? The popular view is we will not: RAPTURE takes place
BEFORE the Tribulation period (meeting Jesus in the clouds of the
air) And SECOND COMING (Jesus setting foot on Mount of Olives to
enter the Temple in Jerusalem) AT THE END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION
PERIOD This is the classical, popular view. ARE WE 100% SURE OF
THIS?....
- 14. IF THIS IS CORRECT Well and good, we have nothing to worry
about anymore, we will avoid all those terrible events described in
the tribulation and great tribulation period. BUT if pre-trib
rapture timing turns out to be wrong, WE WILL BE MOST
DISADVANTAGED. WE BETTER CHECK IT while we still have the time and
the chance
- 15. PASSAGES THAT SHOW THAT the RAPTURE CANNOT BE PRE- TRIB:I
THESS. 2:1-4 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be
soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by
letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let
no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless
the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the
son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that
is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the
temple of God, showing himself that he is God. HERE, THE RAPTURE IS
PLACED AT THE TIME THE ANTI-CHIRST IS REVELAED BY HIS ACT OF
DESECRATING THE TEMPLE, WHICH IS A MID-TRIB EVENT.
- 16. JESUS OWN WORDS in Matthew 24: 21 "For then there will be
GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the
world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 "And unless those
days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; BUT FOR THE ELECT'S
SAKE THOSE DAYS WILL BE SHORTENED. (MEANING, THE ELECT IS IN THE
GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD! The church is also called the ELECT.) 23
"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or
'There!' do not believe it. 24 "For false christs and false
prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if
possible, even the elect. 25 "See, I have told you beforehand. 26
"Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not
go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. 27
"For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west,
so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
- 17. Mathew 24 29 "IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE
DAYS the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its
light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens will be shaken. 30 "THEN THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN WILL
APPEAR IN HEAVEN, AND THEN ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH WILL MOURN,
AND THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN
WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. 31 "AND HE WILL SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A
GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, AND THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT
FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER. (RAPTURE)
32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has
already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer
is near. 33 "So you also, when you see all these things, know that
it is near- -at the doors! 34 "Assuredly, I say to you, this
generation will by no means pass away till all these things take
place. 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no
means pass away. 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not
even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
- 18. THAT IS WHY: WE MUST BE RAPTURE- READY, BUT TRIBULATION
PREPARED!
- 19. Now. Just a side note: Is there a chance for the second
coming of Jesus to occur in 2014? NO, because there are AT LEAST 6
THINGS THAT MUST HAPPEN FIRST BEFORE THE SECOND COMING:
- 20. List of Prerequisites to Jesus' Return 1. Great Tribulation
According to Daniel 9:27 = Matthew 24:21, Jesus must return after a
period of Great Tribulation. During this Great Tribulation the
Antichrist will rule over the world for 42 months (Rev 13). He will
force all the unsaved (Rev 13:8) to take a mark in their right hand
or forehead during that time. Plainly, we are not in the Great
Tribulation and no mark of the beast has been issued yet. 2.
Abomination of Desolation The Great Tribulation starts 30 days (the
1290 - the 1260 days) after the Abomination of Desolation is stood
up on the Temple Mount (Mk 13:14). The abomination refers to the
Image of the Beast statue being erected for worship (Rev 13:14).
Another unfulfilled prophecy, despite what many think the
abomination is.
- 21. Pre-requisites to second coming: 3. Temple Mount Sacrifices
Similarly, on the day of the Abomination, daily oblation morning
and evening animal sacrifices are to be stopped on the Temple Mount
(Dan 12:11). These sacrifices have not even started yet, so
obviously that's a major problem for Jesus to come back soon. 4.
Third Temple Several passages describe a Third Temple on the Temple
Mount during the Great Tribulation (Rev 11:1-2; Mt 24:15; 2The
2:3-4). The Antichrist is even described as sitting in this end
time temple as part of his declaration of himself as God (2Th 2:4).
Obviously, there is as yet still no temple or even a construction
project under way for one.
- 22. 5. The Sixth Seal If you read Revelation 6:12- 17 carefully
you will see that it depicts the entire population panicking and
running for cover in response to signs in the heavens and a
tremendous global earthquake on earth moving every mountain and
island out of place. It is obvious that nothing like this has
happened since the First Century when it was written and when
knowledge of the Lamb of God (named by those panicking: Rev 6:16)
has arrived. 6. Psalm 83/Isaiah 17 War - Damascus Destroyed Before
all the above events, a swift war is predicted in the Middle East
between Israel and many of her neighbors. You do not need a Bible
to tell you this as many secular sources expect one, due to the
tensions between Israel and her Arab (and Persian) neighbors. The
concern over Iran's nuclear program has only added to this. The
outcome of this war will be the destruction of Damascus and several
other major Arab cities and regions, along with much devastation in
Israel. Obviously, the attack has still not happened because
Damascus remains a city to this day.
- 23. SO NOW HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
- 24. THE ANSWER OF JESUS in Matthew 24 and 25: JESUS gives us
FOUR PARABLES immediately after he tells us of the last days THESE
PARABLES OR STORIES are a GUIDE ON HOW WE SHOULD LIVE
- 25. FIRST STORY: the faithful and wise manager (Matt. 24:
45-51) 45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master
made ruler over his household, TO GIVE THEM FOOD IN DUE SEASON? 46
"Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find
so doing. (PROVIDING FOOD) 47 "Assuredly, I say to you that he will
make him ruler over all his goods. 48 "But if that evil servant
says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' 49 "and
begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the
drunkards, 50 "the master of that servant will come on a day when
he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
51 "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the
hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(NKJV)
- 26. NOTICE THE ELEMENTS: The servant is described as: 1.
FAITHFUL 2. And WISE He is measured in terms of his ability to
PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE SERVANTS of the household AT THE PROPER TIME
(In due season) v. 45 THIS SERVANT WILL BE BLESSED. V. 45 The Lord
will make him RULER OVER ALL HIS GOODS. V. 47 SO be a FAITHFUL AND
WISE MANAGER. START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. MANAGE IT WELL TO PROVIDE
FOOD.
- 27. SECOND STORY: the wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) "Then the
kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their
lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 "Now five of them were
wise, and five were foolish. 3 "Those who were foolish took their
lamps and took no oil with them, 4 "BUT THE WISE TOOK OIL IN THEIR
VESSELS WITH THEIR LAMPS. 5 "But while the bridegroom was delayed,
they all slumbered and slept. 6 "And at midnight a cry was heard:
'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 "Then all
those virgins arose and trimmed their
- 28. 8 "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the wise answered,
saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go
rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 "And while
they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready
went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11
"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open
to us!' 12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I
do not know you.' 13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (NKJV)
- 29. Notice the elements: 1. The 5 VIRGINs (alma Bethrothed,
bride) are WISE 2. Because they took oil IN THEIR VESSELS (aside
from their lamps) this is EXTRA OIL (vessel is the whole body or
person, lamp is the spirit) 3. They TRIMMED THEIR LAMPS (fasted
lifestyle) 4. They DID NOT GIVE to the foolish virgins POINT 1: BE
FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT MORE THAN THE USUAL (seek for more, for
extra!) POINT 2: No borrowing you have to seek supply for yourself
(FILLING OF SPIRIT IS PERSONAL)
- 30. THIRD STORY: the good and faithful servant (Matt. 25:
14-30) master leaves talents to 3 servants and goes away --- v. 19
AFTER A LONG TIME THE MASTER COMES, and RECKONS WITH THEM (KJV)
ELEMENTS: 1. The Master EXPECTS US to make INVESTMENTS 2. He
expects us TO PRESENT RETURN OF INVESTMENTS (ROI) 3. For HIS
KINGDOM (V. 27 I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED MY TALENT BACK WITH
INTEREST.) not for our kingdom but for His 4. The Master makes the
WISE AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS RULERS 5. He casts away the worthless
servant into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing
teeth
- 31. FOURTH STORY: sheep nation (Matt. 25: 31-46) On judgment
day, the Lord will separate the SHEEP NATION from the GOAT NATION;
BASIS FOR THE SEPARATION? Mt 25:34 "Then the King will say to those
on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 'for
I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me
drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 'I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you
came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord,
when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You
drink? 38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked
and clothe You? 39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and
come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them,
'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the
least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
- 32. ELEMENTS OF THE SHEEP in this passage: 1. The King is JESUS
2. The sheep are the BLESSED OF MY FATHER (v. 34) 3. The sheep HAD
COMPASSION FOR THE DESTITUTE (hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, and
sick): a. Jews? b. physically destitute? c. spiritually destitute?
4. They did it as UNTO JESUS
- 33. SUMMARY OF THE FUNDAMENTALS AS JESUS TAUGHT:According to
Jesus Himself, in waiting for Him, we MUST: 1. FAITHFULLY AND
WISELY MANAGE WHAT WE HAVE to provide food for the servants of the
household 2. Be FILLED to the extra with the HOLY SPIRIT) here, to
each his own, no borrowing possible 3. INVEST OUR GIFTS, TALENTS
with a view to ROI 4. SHARE, LOVE, BLESS!!!
- 34. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: 1. Christians must manage what they
have well (begin with what you have) GOOD STEWARDSHIP AND WISE
MANAGEMENT 2. WE MUST BE VERY OPEN to the HOLY SPIRIT now (EXTRA
OIL) 3. Multiply what you have INCREASE MENTALITY (not ito na lang
like the wicked servant!) 4. Share what you have! BLESSOR MENTALITY
So businessmen do business! Students finish your schooling! NO
ISOLATION, NO HIDING, NO DOOMSDAY BUNKERING advice given!
- 35. PART II. HOW ABOUT THE TRIBULATION PERIOD? A. are we not
going to escape it? B. if we are going through it, how may we be
prepared for it?
- 36. TRIBULATION OVERVIEW (from a casualties point of view) Seal
Judgments: 1. The Antichrist appears (Revelation 6:1-2): 0 deaths
2. Worldwide war. (Revelation 6:3-4): unknown 3. Economic collapse.
(Revelation 6:5-6): unknown 4. Death (famine, disease, crime,
animal attacks). (Revelation 6:7-8): 1/4 of the world's population
= 1.75 billion deaths 5. Martyrs cry out. (usually interpreted as
Antichrist killing Christians) (Revelation 6:9-11): unknown 6.
Earthquake which moves mountains and islands, multiple meteor
strikes. (Revelation 6:12-14): unknown
- 37. Tribulation (casualties point of view) Trumpet Judgments 1.
1/3 of earth, trees, and plants burned. (Revelation 8:7): unknown
2. Asteroid impact in ocean - kills 1/3 of sea life and poisons 1/3
of ocean. (Revelation 8:8): unknown 3. Asteroid impact which
poisons 1/3 of fresh water. (Revelation 8:10-11): "Many people died
because the water was so bitter 4. Reduction of sun, moon, and
starlight by 1/3. (Revelation 8:12): 0 deaths 5. Release of
supernatural "locusts" (probably demons) which torment people for 5
months. (Revelation 9:1-11): 0 deaths 6. Deaths of people caused by
200 million war horses and fire, smoke, and sulfur - possibly
nuclear war. (Revelation 9:13-19): 1/3 of world's population = 2.1
billion deaths 7. Earthquake, hail, lightning, thunder. (Revelation
11:19):
- 38. Great Tribulation: Bowl Judgements 1. Painful sores for
people with Mark of the Beast. (Revelation 16:1-2): 0 deaths 2. All
sea life dies, all oceans become like blood. (Revelation 16:3):
unknown 3. All rivers and streams become like blood. (Revelation
16:4): unknown 4. Sun intensifies and scorches people. (Revelation
16:8): 0 deaths 5. Darkness on Antichrist's kingdom, painful sores
on people. (Revelation 16:10): 0 deaths 6. River Euphrates dries
up, battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16): unknown 7. Worst
earthquake of all history, 100 pound hailstones. (Revelation
16:17-21): unknown
- 39. Time of great persecution of Christians Beginning in Seal
#5 the Antichrist will probably start to kill off the Christians
who resist him. The beast (the Antichrist) "was allowed to fight
against God's people and defeat (OVERCOME) them." (Revelation
13:7). Also "Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast
was put to death."(Revelation 13:15). "I also saw the souls of the
people who had their heads cut off because they had told about
Jesus and preached God's message. They were the same one who had
not worshiped the beast or the idol, and they had refused to let
its mark be put on their hands or foreheads."(Revelation 20:4).
John sees a vision of a "large crowd with more people than could be
counted, from every race, tribe, nation, and language" (Revelation
7:9) in heaven who had "gone through the great suffering and washed
their robes in the blood of the lamb"(Revelation 7:14).
- 40. Initial summation: Out of all these judgments, the Bible
only mentions 1/4 of the world's population dying in Seal #4, and
1/3 of the world population in Trumpet #6. Put together, these two
judgments alone kill 3.85 billion people (55% of today's world
population). This is equivalent to the entire countries of China,
India, and the United States [1], plus still 1 billion other
people. Already, the chances of surviving these two judgments is
less than 50%.
- 41. OBSERVATION FIRST: Pre-trib rapture believers say that the
church is no longer in the tribulation period because the church is
mentioned only in chap. 4, and not in chap 5 to 21 (which covers
the tribulation and great trib period). WE HAVE ONE LITTLE PROBLEM
WITH THAT HOWEVER: Rev. 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to
testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the
Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." WHY WOULD JESUS
TELL CHAPS. 5 TO 21 TO THE CHURCHES IF THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE
THERE?
- 42. PASSAGES ABOUT TIMING OF THE RAPTURE: 2THESS. 2:1 Now,
brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our
gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in
mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if
from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive
you by any means; for that Day will not come UNLESS the falling
away comes first, and THE MAN OF SIN IS REVEALED, the son of
perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is
called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the
temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
- 43. From Jesus Himself: Matt. 24 29 "Immediately AFTER the
tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon
will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "THEN the sign of the Son
of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth
will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming ON THE CLOUDS
OF HEAVEN with power and great glory. (RAPTURE) 31 "And He will
send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will
GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF
HEAVEN TO THE OTHER.
- 44. SO, it is PRETTY OBVIOUS the rapture CANNOT TAKE PLACE
BEFORE THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. BESIDES, who are the SAINTS who are
mentioned all throughout chap. 6 to 21 of the Book of Revelation?
Saints Christians, church are MENTIONED at least 14 TIMES between
chapter 6 to 21 of Revelation (describing tribulation and great
trib period)
- 45. ALSO, THE ELECT ARE MENTIONED AS BEING IN THE TRIBULATION
PERIOD: MATTHEW 24: 21 And there shall be GREAT TRIBULATION such as
was not since the beginning of the world to this time, 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. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a
trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four
winds, from one end of heaven to the other. THE ELECT ARE THE
CHRISTIANS, NO OTHERS!!! 1Peter 1:2 Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the
Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
- 46. SO IF THE RAPTURE SHALL EVER BE PRE- TRIB, THEN PRAISE THE
LORD!!! BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE RAPTURE CANNOT BE PRE-TRIB; it looks
CERTAIN that the church will go THROUGH THE TRIBULATION PERIOD! SO
NOW HOW DO WE PREPARE? WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WHAT WILL
HAPPEN TO CHRISTIANS IN THE TRIBULATION PERIOD?
- 47. AN OVERVIEW OF THE REAL SCORE: In the Book of Revelation,
THERE ARE BOTH PROMISES OF PROTECTION (SAFETY) as well as
PERSECUTION (SUFFERING) for Christians. Let the Bible to speak for
itself in chronological order the things that will happen to
believers of the Lord (in chronological order in the Book of
Revelations):
- 48. Tribulation begins in rev. chap. 6: 1. REV. 6:9-11 9 When
He opened the FIFTH SEAL, I saw under the altar the souls of those
who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which
they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long,
O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on
those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to
each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a
little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants
and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was
completed.
- 49. Rev. 7:1-4 (Sixth Seal) 1 After these things I saw four
angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four
winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on
the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from
the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a
loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the
earth and the sea, 3 saying, "DO NOT HARM the earth, the sea, or
the trees till we have SEALED THE SERVANTS OF OUR GOD ON THEIR
FOREHEADS." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One
hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children
of Israel were sealed: x x x x x x.
- 50. REV. 9 (Fifth Trumpet) Re 9:1 Then the fifth angel sounded:
And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given
the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit,
and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace.
So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the
pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to
them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4
They were commanded NOT TO HARM the grass of the earth, or any
green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the
seal of God on their foreheads. (MEANING, THOSE WHO HAVE THE SEAL
OF GOD ON THEIR FOREHEADS WILL NOT BE HARMED.) 5 And they were not
given authority to kill them, but to torment them (the unsealed
men) for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a
scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death
and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee
from them.
- 51. Rev. 11 (The two witnesses) Re 11:1 Then I was given a reed
like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and
measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
2 "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not
measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will
tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 "And I will
give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand
two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the
two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of
the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from
their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm
them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut
heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and
they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike
the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. 7 When they
finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the
bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill
them. (NKJV)
- 52. The two witnesses Re 11:11 Now after the three-and -a-half
days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on
their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they
heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And
they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13
In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the
city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and
the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
(NKJV)
- 53. Revelations12 Re 12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven:
a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on
her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she
cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign
appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven
heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail
drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.
And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth,
to devour her Child (man-child KJV) as soon as it was born. 5 She
bore a man-child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.
And her child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman
fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God,
that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty
days.
- 54. The woman and the man- child Re 12:7 And war broke out in
heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the
dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a
place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon
was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who
deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in
heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God,
and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our
brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been
cast down. 11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and
by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives
to the death. (NKJV)
- 55. The woman, the man-child, and the rest of the offspring: Re
12:13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth,
he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the man-Child. 14 But the
woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into
the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and
times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the
serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman,
that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the
earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and
swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his
mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to
make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments
of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
- 56. AN INTERESTING CLUE HOLD YOUR QUESTIONS FIRST ON REV. 12
BECAUSE THERE IS A VERY, VERY INTERESTING CLUE THERE WHICH I
BELIEVE SUPPORTS MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHEN SOME OF THE RAPTURE MIGHT
TAKE PLACE, but we will come back to that later Lets finish first
the survey OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SAINTS IN THE TRIBULATION
PERIOD
- 57. REV. 13 The Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the earth Re
13:1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising
up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his
horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the
beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet
of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave
him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of
his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound
was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So
they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they
worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to
make war with him?" (NKJV)
- 58. Revelations13: Re 13:6 Then he opened his mouth in
blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and
those who dwell in heaven. 7 IT WAS GRANTED TO HIM TO MAKE WAR WITH
THE SAINTS AND TO OVERCOME THEM. And authority was given him over
every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will
worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life
of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If anyone has
an ear, let him hear. 10 HE WHO LEADS INTO CAPTIVITY SHALL GO INTO
CAPTIVITY; HE WHO KILLS WITH THE SWORD MUST BE KILLED WITH THE
SWORD. HERE IS THE PATIENCE AND THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS. NIV:
verse10: IF ANY ONE IS TO GO INTO CAPTIVITY, INTO CAPTIVITY HE WILL
GO. IF ANYONE IS TO BE KILLED WITH THE SWORD, WITH THE SWORD HE
WILL BE KILLED. THIS CALLS FOR PATIENT ENDURANCE AND FAITHFULNESS
ON THE PART OF THE SAINTS.
- 59. Rev. 14 (the mark of the beast) Re 14:9 Then a third angel
followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the
beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on
his hand, 10 "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath
of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His
indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11
"And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they
have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and
whoever receives the mark of his name." 12 HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF
THE SAINTS; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the
faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,
"Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"
"Yes," says the Spirit, "THAT THEY MAY REST FROM THEIR LABORS, AND
THEIR WORKS FOLLOW THEM."
- 60. Revelations 20 Re 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from
heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in
his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is
the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he
cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal
on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the
thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be
released for a little while. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on
them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I SAW THE SOULS OF
THOSE WHO HAD BEEN BEHEADED for their witness to Jesus and for the
word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had
not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And
they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the
rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he
who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death
has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with Him a thousand years. (NKJV)
- 61. Rev. 21 Re 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for
the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there
was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for
her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with
them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them
and be their God. 4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed
away."
- 62. Revelations 21 7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all
things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 "But the
cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the
lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death.
- 63. NOW WHAT DO WE MAKE OUT OF THIS? 1. Some are protected, not
harmed 2. Others are led to captivity 3. Others are killed 4.
Others are beheaded. ALL ARE CALLED TO OVERCOME! IS THERE A WAY TO
KNOW WHO WILL BE WHAT?
- 64. THIS IS HOW WE WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION: 1. FIRST, I will
show you WHAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE FOR A
MID-TRIB RAPTURE WHERE THE SAINTS ARE PROTECTED AND UNTOUCHED 2. We
will explain the qualities of this group of Christians 3. Then we
will look at THE MANDATED QUALITIES FOR ALL CHRISTIANS REGARDLESS
OF WHAT, and THE RANGE OF POSSIBLE EXPERIENCES of Christians in the
tribulation period
- 65. LOOK AT THESE FOLLOWING VERY, VERY INTERESTING FACTS:1.
FIRST, there is an end-time church that is promised to ESCAPE the
HOUR OF TRIAL the PHILADELPHIA CHURCH: Re 3:7 "And to the angel of
the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is
holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens
and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your
works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut
it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not
denied My name. 9 "Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of
Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will
make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I
have loved you. 10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere,
I ALSO WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL WHICH SHALL COME UPON
THE WHOLE WORLD, TO TEST THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH.
- 66. Notice: 1. The HOUR OF TRIAL mentioned is coming upon the
WHOLE EARTH, to TEST or TRY them that dwell upon the earth 2. There
is a group called THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN who say that they are Jews
but are not (this is the group of the ANTI-CHRIST who will run the
temple in the tribulation period first part) 3. THE LAST HOUR (KJV:
last time) is referred to by John as the hour when the ANTI-CHRIST
has come (I JOHN 2:18) SO THE PHILADELPHIA CHURCH WILL BE KEPT FROM
(not through) this HOUR OF TRIAL. THIS LOOKS LIKE A PROMISE TO BE
TAKEN AWAY AT THE MID-TRIB, BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION
PERIOD.
- 67. SUPPORTING PASSAGES?? SCRIPTURA INTERPRETATUM SCRIPTURUM.
(Let the Scriptures interpret Scriptures): LET US GO BACK TO THE
WOMAN OF REVELATION 12 pursued by the dragon:
- 68. Revelations12 Re 12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven:
a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on
her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she
cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign
appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven
heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail
drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.
And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth,
to devour her Child (man-child KJV) as soon as it was born. 5 She
bore a man-child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.
And her child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman
fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God,
that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty
days.
- 69. LOOK AT THIS AGAIN!!! She bore a man-child who was to rule
all nations with a rod of iron. AND HER CHILD WAS CAUGHT UP TO GOD
AND HIS THRONE. (BUT THE WOMAN WAS NOT CAUGHT UP!!!) 6 Then THE
WOMAN FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS, where she has a place prepared by
God, that they should feed her there ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND
SIXTY DAYS. (THIS IS 3 YEARS, half of the 7-year tribulation
period.)
- 70. WHO IS THIS WOMAN?? Who is the MAN-CHILD? Popular theories:
1. Woman is Mary, man-child is Jesus 2. Woman is Israel (because
she has twelve stars on her head), man-child is Jesus because he
will rule all nations with an iron scepter
- 71. VERY SERIOUS problems with these two views (WHY THEY CANNOT
BE): 1. They DIRECTLY CONTRADICT the whole purpose of the Book of
Revelations in CHAP. 1:1 Re 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ,
which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things WHICH
MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS; and he sent and signified it by his
angel unto his servant John:
- 72. MEANING: Revelations (including chap. 12) is FUTURE, not
PAST!! (Mary and the birth of Jesus 1ST COMING, as well as Israel
and Jesus, by the time of Revelations, were already past events).
2. SECOND BIG PROBLEM (of the two views) they cannot explain how
the man-child was taken up to heaven while the woman was cared for
3 years.
- 73. SO WHO IS THIS WOMAN AND WHO IS THE MAN-CHILD? ANSWER: 1.
The WOMAN is the CHURCH. 2. The MAN-CHILD IS THE MATURE WARRIOR
CHRISTIAN IN THE LAST DAYS (V. 5) (child of the church), and 3. THE
REST OF HER OFFSPRING (V. 17) (are the rest of the children of the
church who are not so mature).
- 74. DEFENSES OF THIS VIEW: 1. The woman is CLOTHED WITH THE SUN
(the greater light), and the MOON (the lesser light) is UNDER HER
FEET LUKE 1:76 to 79 (Song of Zechariah at birth of John the
Baptist) 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most
High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for
him, 77 to give HIS PEOPLE the knowledge of salvation through the
forgiveness of THEIR sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our
God, by which the RISING SUN WILL COME TO US from heaven 79 to
shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to
guide our feet into the path of peace.
- 75. Why the woman is the end-time church: 2. SHE IS CROWNED
WITH TWELVES STARS Rev. 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars that
you saw in my right hand is this: the seven stars are the SEVEN
ANGELS of the SEVEN CHURCHES THE TWELVES STARS crowning the woman
ARE THE COMPLETE NUMBER OF ANGELS OVER THE COMPLETE NUMBER OF
CHURCHES or of the people of God. The theme of this (twelve stars
twelve angels) is the PROTECTION of the woman.
- 76. Why the woman is the end-time church (JEWS AND GENTILES):
3. She is attacked by the GREAT RED DRAGON, HAVING SEVEN HEADS AND
TEN HORNS, and SEVEN CROWNS UPON HIS HEAD which is a picture of the
Anti- Christ (Rev. 13:1 ff), which is an event at the GREAT
TRIBULATION ONLY. Very clearly, Israel alone is not the only object
of attack of the Anti-Christ, but the body of Christ as well (both
Jews and Gentiles). The woman CAN ONLY BE the end-time church.
- 77. WHO IS HER MAN-CHILD? They say the man-child CAN BE JESUS,
but JESUS IN REVELATIONS IS NOT GOING UP BUT COMING DOWN. There is
ANOTHER MAN-CHILD in Revelations, who will also rule the nations
with a rod of iron . The man-child of REV. 2:24-28:
- 78. REV. 2:26-29 (message to church in Thyatira) 26 "And he who
overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I WILL GIVE
POWER OVER THE NATIONS-- 27 'He shall rule them with a ROD OF IRON;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' --as I
also have received from My Father; 28 "and I will give him the
morning star. 29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches."' THE MAN-CHILD IS THE OVERCOMER WHO WILL
RULE WITH CHIRST (the bright and morning star) IN THE MILLENIAL
REIGN.
- 79. THIS MAN-CHILD IS A TRIBULATION GENERATION CHRISTIAN
BECAUSE look at his brothers: Rev. 3:18-23 "And to the angel of the
church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who
has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "I
know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as
for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 "Nevertheless
I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman
Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My
servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to
idols. 21 "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality,
and she did not repent. 22 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed,
and those who commit adultery with her INTO GREAT TRIBULATION,
unless they repent of their deeds. 23 "I WILL KILL HER CHILDREN
WITH DEATH, and ALL THE CHURCHES SHALL KNOW that I am He who
searches the minds
- 80. NOW WHAT IS THE PROMISE FOR THE MAN-CHILD? (Rev. 12) 1 Now
a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with
the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give
birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great,
fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven
diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of
heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the
woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child (man-child
KJV) as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a man-child who was to rule
all nations with a rod of iron. AND HER CHILD WAS CAUGHT UP TO GOD
AND HIS THRONE. 6 THEN the woman fled into the wilderness, where
she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there
one thousand two hundred and sixty days. CAUGHT UP harpaz in Greek
- IS THE SAME WORD IN 1 THESS. 4:17 TO BE SNATCHED AWAY VIOLENTLY
WITH AN
- 81. WHEN WAS HE CAUGHT UP? 5 She bore a man-child who was to
rule all nations with a rod of iron. AND HER CHILD WAS CAUGHT UP TO
GOD AND HIS THRONE. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness,
where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her
there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. 1,260 days is 3
years. HALF POINT OF 7- YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD. It looks like the
MAN-CHILD is taken away BEFORE THE SECOND 3 YEARS, that is, BEFORE
THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD!
- 82. BUT NOTE!!!!: 1. The WOMAN the man-childs mother, IS LEFT
BEHIND, but she is still taken care of in the wilderness for 31/2
years!! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? That the institutional church that AT
LEAST BORE AND GAVE BIRTH TO THE MAN-CHILD AND DID NOT OPPOSE OR
RESTRICT HIS GROWTH AS MAN-CHILD, IS ASSURED OF PROTECTION, THOUGH
LEFT BEHIND!
- 83. WHAT IS THE WILDERNESS? Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled
into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that
they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore
days. Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a
great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her
place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a
time, from the face of the serpent. WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THIS?
CLUE: 1,260 days or 3 years is 42 months
- 84. Consider this amazing fact! The 42 months in Revelation
11:2 and 13:5 has been associated with the 42 DIFFERENT CAMPS OF
ISRAEL ON THEIR WAY TO THE PROMISED LAND, listed in Numbers 33.
They "pitched in Succoth;" ... "pitched in Etham;" ... "pitched
before Migdol;" ... "pitched in Marah;" ... "came unto Elim ... and
they pitched there;" ... "encamped by the Red sea;" ... "encamped
in the wilderness of Sin;" ... "encamped in Dophkah;" ... "encamped
in Alush;" ... "encamped at Rephidim;" ... "pitched in the
wilderness of Sinai;" ... "pitched at Kibrothhattaavah;" ...
"encamped at Hazeroth;" ... "pitched in Rithmah;" ... "pitched at
Rimmonparez;" ... "pitched in Libnah;" ... "pitched at Rissah;" ...
"pitched in Kehelathah;" ... "pitched in mount Shapher;" ...
"encamped in Haradah;" ... "pitched in Makheloth;" ... "encamped at
Tahath;" ... "pitched at Tarah;" ... "pitched in Mithcah;" ...
"pitched in Hashmonah;" ... "encamped at Moseroth;" ... "pitched in
Benejaakan;" ... "encamped at Horhagidgad;" ... "pitched in
Jotbathah;" ... "encamped at Ebronah;" ... "encamped at
Eziongaber;" ... "pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is
Kadesh;" ... "pitched in mount Hor;" ... "pitched in Zalmonah;" ...
"pitched in Punon;" ... "pitched in Oboth;" ... "pitched in
Ijeabarim, in the border of Moab;" ... "pitched in Dibongad;" ...
"encamped in Almondiblathaim;" ... "pitched in the mountains of
Abarim, before Nebo;" ... "pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan
near Jericho;" ... "pitched by Jordan, from Bethjesimoth even unto
Abelshittim in the plains of Moab."
- 85. My understanding: In the 42 months of the GREAT TRIBULATION
PERIOD, the mother of the man-child (the conceiving and birthing
church) SHALL BE PROTECTED: 1. First in her own fleeing 2. And will
be ASSISTED BY ANGELS (wings of a great eagle) to EITHER A
PERMANENT PLACE, OR SEVERAL DIFFERENT TEMPORARY PLACES of
protection throughout the entire GREAT TRIBULATION period where she
is nourished for 1,260 days
- 86. BUT WAIT!!!! There is A THIRD GROUP OF CHRISTIANS!!! Rev.
12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and HE WENT TO
MAKE WAR WITH THE REST OF HER OFFSPRING, who keep the commandments
of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
- 87. So you have three groups here at the MID-TRIBULATION POINT:
1. The MAN-CHILD caught up to God and his throne (v. 5) 2. The
WOMAN (MOTHER mother church?) (the conceiving and birthing church
that produced the man-child) LEFT BEHIND, INITIALLY PERSECUTED (V.
13) BUT PROTECTED (v. 14) BY GIVING HER WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE TO
FLEE INTO THE WILDERNESS 3. And then THE REST OF HER OFFSPRING the
other Christians which keep the commandments and the testimony of
Jesus, against whom the Dragon MADE WAR (v. 17)
- 88. So now everybody wants to be the MAN-CHILD!! man-child
HUIOS, meaning, son, aka junior), contrast to child, TEKNON; Huios
means to have the same characteristics as the Father as in son of
God, son of perdition, son of thunder; emphasizes likeness rather
filiation Hebrew arrhen, or arsen a STRONG offspring (strong as for
lifting of weights or burdens) -- OVERCOMER
- 89. DONT FORGET! Many of these man-child ARE WOMEN!! They are
passionate for the Lord, they are overcomers, they seek the Lord
with all their heart, they follow the Lamb wherever He goes! They
are undefiled, they are blameless, they stand and kneel before the
THRONE!
- 90. SO THE MAN-CHILD IS AN INTERESTING END-TIME CHRISTIAN,
he/she escapes the GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD But WAIT A MINUTE!!!!
THERE IS ANOTHER INTERESTING GROUP that ALSO ESCAPES THE GREAT
TRIBULATION PERIOD; And that is, THE OTHER 144,000 WITNESSES!
- 91. The FIRST 144,000 witnesses are popular and well-known:
REVELATIONS 7:1-8 After these things I saw four angels standing at
the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,
that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any
tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having
the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the
four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3
saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have
sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard
the number of those who were sealed. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR
THOUSAND OF ALL THE TRIBES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL were sealed: 5
of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of
Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve
thousand were sealed; 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were
sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of
the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe
of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve
thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were
sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of
the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of
Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
- 92. Important sidenote to this 144,000 Jewish witnesses: the
tribe of DAN is excluded From early in Israels history, Dan was the
center of idolatry for the kingdom (Judges 18:30-31). During the
days of the divided kingdom, Dan was one of two centers for
idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30). And there is recorded in some
non-Biblical Jewish writings that the Jews thought the anti-Christ
would come out of Dan based on Genesis 49:17. POINT: DO NOT TAKE
THE ISSUE OF IDOLATRY LIGHTLY ESPECIALLY IN THESE LAST DAYS
- 93. But there is ANOTHER 144,000 (Revelations 14) 14:1 And I
looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him an
HUNDRED FORTY [AND] FOUR THOUSAND, having his Father's name written
in their foreheads. The Similarities of the Two Groups: Two basic
reasons are usually advanced for considering the two groups
similar: Both groups total 144,000, and Both groups have something
written on their foreheads.
- 94. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS: 1. The Revelation 7
group is specifically Jewish, 12,000 from each of the twelve
tribes. The Revelation 14 group comes "from the earth" or "from
among men. 2. The Revelation 7 group is sealed with the Father's
seal. The Revelation 14 group has the name of both the Father and
the Son. 3. The scene of chapter 7 occurs on the earth. Chapter 14
takes place in heaven, but ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE TRIBULATION.
How do we know this? BECAUSE THE GREAT TRIBULATION IS DESCRIBED IN
VERSES 6-9:
- 95. Rev. 14:6-9 Re 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those
who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and
people-- 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to
Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who
made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 8 And another
angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great
city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the
wrath of her fornication." 9 Then a third angel followed them,
saying with a loud voice, "IF ANYONE WORSHIPS THE BEAST AND HIS
IMAGE, AND RECEIVES HIS MARK ON HIS FOREHEAD OR ON HIS HAND, SO THE
SCENERY IN VERSES 1-5 WAS BEFORE THE BEAST, MEANING BEFORE THE
GREAT TRIBULATION. MEANING, THIS OTHER 144,000 WAS ALREADY IN
HEAVEN BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD.
- 96. SO WHO ARE THESE OTHER 144,000 WHO ARE ALREADY IN HEAVEN
BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD? REVELATIONS 14:1-5 Then I
looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him ONE
HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, having His Father's name written
on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the
voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I
heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it
were a NEW SONG before the throne, before the four living
creatures, and the elders; and NO ONE COULD LEARN THAT SONG EXCEPT
THE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND WHO WERE REDEEMED FROM THE
EARTH. 4 THESE ARE THE ONES WHO WERE NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN, FOR
THEY ARE VIRGINS. THESE ARE THE ONES WHO FOLLOW THE LAMB WHEREVER
HE GOES. THESE WERE REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN, BEING FIRSTFRUITS TO
GOD AND TO THE LAMB. 5 AND IN THEIR MOUTH WAS FOUND NO DECEIT, FOR
THEY ARE WITHOUT FAULT BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD.
- 97. Their characteristics: 1. THEY HAVE THE FATHERS NAME
WRITTEN ON THEIR FOREHEADS v. 1 (compare with seal of God on their
foreheads of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses, Rev. 7:3). WHAT IS THIS
SEAL? WHO ARE GIVEN THIS SEAL? We have a very important clue from
EZEKIEL 9:
- 98. The seal of Ezekiel 9: 1 Then He called out in my hearing
with a loud voice, saying, "Let those who have charge over the city
draw near, each with a deadly weapon in his hand." 2 And suddenly
six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces
north, each with his battle-ax in his hand. One man among them was
clothed with linen and had a writer's inkhorn at his side. They
went in and stood beside the bronze altar. 3 Now the glory of the
God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to
the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with
linen, who had the writer's inkhorn at his side; 4 and the LORD
said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst
of Jerusalem, and PUT A MARK ON THE FOREHEADS OF THE MEN WHO SIGH
AND CRY OVER ALL THE ABOMINATIONS THAT ARE DONE WITHIN IT." 5 To
the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city
and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 "Utterly
slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; BUT
DO NOT COME NEAR ANYONE ON WHOM IS THE MARK; and begin at My
sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the
temple.
- 99. Their other qualities: (1. The the Fathers Name written on
their foreheads seal; seal of the intercessor for the land who
weeps and wails for the sins of the land) 2. THEY SUNG A NEW SONG
(Psalm 33, 48, 98) BEFORE THE THRONE (Rev. 14:3) a song which
nobody else could sing except them (v. 3) THIS IS UNDERSTOOD AS THE
SONG PASSION AND INTIMACY WHICH ONLY A BRIDAL CHRISTIAN CAN
SING
- 100. Their qualities: (Rev.14) 3. They are FAMILIAR WITH THE
THRONE ROOM they sing their new song before the beasts (cherub) and
the (24) elders. V. 3 They are familiar with soaking in the
presence of the Lord, which is a throne room experience. This can
only mean they had a very strong prayer and worship life. 4. They
were NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN, for they were virgins V. 4 (which
simply mans PURITY) can mean both celibate or married and faithful
because Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed
undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (in v.4
the Greek word for "pure" is parthenos, lit., "virgin";) 5. THEY
FOLLOWED THE LAMB WHEREVER HE GOES (WENT) v. 4B meaning THEY LIVED
A COMPLETELY OBEDIENT
- 101. Their qualities (Rev. 14) 5. They were REDEEMED FROM AMONG
MEN, BEING THE FIRSTFRUITS UNTO GOD AND TO THE LAMBV. 4c Seems to
imply RAPTURED FIRST because THEY WERE BEFORE THE THRONE (WITH THE
CHERUB AND THE ELDERS) unto God and the Lamb AND NOT DESCRIBED AS
UNDER THE ALTAR THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE SLAIN FOR GOD (Rev.
6:9) -- also they were REDEEMED FROM MEN AND NOT REDEEMED FROM THE
EARTH, IMPLYING A TAKING AWAY FROM THE COMPANY OF PEOPLE 6. In
their mouth was found no guile (v. 5) ISAIAH 6 7. For they are
without fault (blameless) before the throne of God (v. 5b) THE
GLORIOUS CHURCH (BRIDE) EPH. 5
- 102. This can only fit the description of the Bridal Christian,
the glorious Bride
- 103. SO NOTICE: THREE KINDS OF CHRISTIANS are described as
being in heaven before the great trib: 1. The PHILADELPHIA CHURCH
2. The MAN-CHILD 3. The 144,000 of Rev. 14 THEIR RAPTURE IS NOT
PRE-TRIB, BUT PRE GREAT TRIB. WHY DO WE SAY THIS? Because the 7
bowl judgments IS THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD and it begins in
CHAP. 15 and 16
- 104. Contrast this with the great multitude of Rev. 7:9-19 v.
7After these things I looked, (AFTER THE VISION OF THE 144,000
JEWISH WITNESSES) 8 and behold, a great multitude which no one
could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white
robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a
loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the
throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 All the angels stood around the throne
and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their
faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen!
Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and
might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13 Then one of the
elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white
robes, and where did they come from? NOTE: THEY THESE ARE THE
CONVERTS OF THE PREACHING OF THE 144,000 JEWISH WTINESSES
- 105. Rev. 7:14-19 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he
said to me, "THESE ARE THE ONES WHO COME OUT OF THE GREAT
TRIBULATION, AND WASHED THEIR ROBES AND MADE THEM WHITE IN THE
BLOOD OF THE LAMB. 15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the
throne will dwell among them. 16 "They shall neither hunger anymore
nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17
"for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them
and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes." IN CONTRAST, THE 144,000 OF REV. 14
ARE NOT MENTIONED AS HAVING COME OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION
PERIOD. So they must have been raptured before it.
- 106. BUT WAIT!!! The Philadelphia Church, the man-child, the
144,000 believers of Rev. 14 are PRE-GREAT TRIB rapture Christians.
DOES THIS MEAN THEY WILL GO THROUGH THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, (the
first 3 years of the 7- year tribulation period)? John 16:33 These
things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the
disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we
must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
- 107. Tribulation: Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in
tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in
tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my
boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am
filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
1Thess 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, WE TOLD YOU BEFORE
THAT WE SHOULD SUFFER TRIBULATION; even as it came to pass, and ye
know.
- 108. How about we will not suffer wrath? 1Th 1:10 and to wait
for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus
who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1Th 5:9 For God did not
appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ,
- 109. WHEN AND WHERE IS THE WRATH OF GOD? Rev. 14:10 "he himself
(the beast) shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the
holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Rev. 14:19 So the
angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the
earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev. 15:1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous:
SEVEN ANGELS HAVING THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, for in them the WRATH
OF GOD IS COMPLETE. Rev. 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures
gave to the seven angels SEVEN GOLDEN BOWLS FULL OF THE WRATH OF
GOD who lives forever and ever.
- 110. WHEN WILL THE WRATH OF GOD START? Revelations 6:12 I
looked when He opened the SIXTH SEAL, and behold, there was a GREAT
EARTHQUAKE; AND THE SUN BECAME BLACK AS SACKCLOTH OF HAIR, AND THE
MOON BECAME LIKE BLOOD. (NOTE: THERE ARE FIVE OTHER GREAT
EARTHQUAKES IN REVELATIONS, SIX IN ALL) 13 And the stars of heaven
fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is
shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when
it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its
place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men,
the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid
themselves in the caves 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 who sits on the throne and FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB!
17 "FOR THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH HAS COME, AND WHO IS ABLE TO
STAND?"
- 111. Note: there are 5 other earthquakes mentioned in
Revelations Earthquake #2 -- is the opening of the 7th Seal as we
can see and this is the announcement of the 7 Trumpets and the 7
Trumpets take you to the coming of our Savior and the Resurrection,
and this takes us to two additional earthquakes. (Rev 8:5) Then the
angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and
hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings,
flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Earthquake #3 -- this
earthquake is obviously centered at Jerusalem, where the Two
Prophets rise to meet their Savior. (Rev 11:12-13) Then they heard
a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they
went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. At
that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the
city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the
earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the
God of heaven.
- 112. Earthquake 4 Earthquake #4 a great hailstorm accompanies
this earthquake. (Rev 11:18-19) The nations were angry; and your
wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for
rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who
reverence your name, both small and great-- and for destroying
those who destroy the earth." Then God's temple in heaven was
opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And
there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an
earthquake and a great hailstorm. Here we see this 4th earthquake
accompanied by a great hailstorm, and for all of this we do not see
mankind repenting. We as followers of the Word need to recognize
these events and not be fooled by false teachers that have
themselves been deceived by the sound of their own voice and
writings, into following a doctrine that would blind us to the
warnings coming. These warnings, or announcements, if you will, are
punctuated with earthquakes and events only the Creator can
control. No one will be able to give credit to mankind for this
kind of power. Our Heavenly Father can put a stop, literally, to
any plans men may have by merely shaking the earth to pieces.
- 113. Earthquake 5 Earthquake #5 Revelation 16:17-21, describes
and earthquake never before seen even greater than the great quake
of previous years. This is the punishment to fall on the Babylonian
Beast system and the false Prophet. (Rev 16:16-17) Then they
gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called
Armageddon. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and
out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is
done!" (Rev 16:18-21) Then there came flashes of lightning,
rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake
like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so
tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts,
and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the
Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his
wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.
From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell
upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail,
because the plague was so terrible.
- 114. BUT THE WRATH BEGINS WITH THE SIXTH SEAL: PLEASE NOTE:
After the sixth seal (REV. 6:12 FF): 1. The 144,000 Jewish
witnesses are SEALED (REV. 7:1-8) (BUT THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEIR
MESSAGE go through the great tribulation period Rev. 7:9-17) 2. The
SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS FOLLOW (Rev. 8:6-13) 3. And the LOCUSTS
(SCORPIONS) released AT THE FIFTH TRUMPET (Rev. 9:1-6) are told NOT
TO HARM THOSE WHO HAVE THE SEAL OF GODS ON THEIR FOREHEADS 4. Rev.
10 angel who shouts no more delay 5. Rev. 11 two witnesses 6. Rev.
12 THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD WHO WAS CAUGHT UP IN HEAVEN (before
the bowl judgments!!!)
- 115. MEANING: Whether your interpretation of the SIXTH SEAL is
beginning of TRIBULATION PERIOD, or beginning of GREAT TRIBULATION
PERIOD, the IMPORTANT THING IS: 1. YOU HAVE SEALED SERVANTS WHO ARE
PROTECTED a. 144,000 JEWISH WITNESSES of Rev. 7, b. And those
people who have THE SEAL OF GOD ON THEIR FOREHEADS Rev. 9:4), 2.
and SERVANTS WHO ARE OUT OF THE WAY a. the MAN-CHILD of Rev. 12, b.
and the OTHER SEALED SERVANTS 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5) BY THE TIME IT
HAPPENS! REMEMBER THE SEAL OF EZEKIEL 9!!!!
- 116. AND YET, THERE WILL BE CHRISTIANS WHO WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.
IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD? IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM? ARE THEY
BEING PUNISHED?
- 117. Corrie ten Boom: There are some among us teaching there
will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape
all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to
expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of
what is already going on across the world. I have been in countries
where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In
China, the Christians were told, Dont worry, before the tribulation
comes you will be translated raptured. Then came a terrible
persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I
heard a Bishop from China say, sadly, We have failed. We should
have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling
them Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in
times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes to
stand and not faint.
- 118. Corrie ten Boom I feel I have a divine mandate to go and
tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in
the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but
more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has
already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it.
We are next.
- 119. Corrie ten Boom In America, the churches sing, Let the
congregation escape tribulation, but in China and Africa the
tribulation has already arrived. This last year alone more than two
hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa. Now things
like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad
political relations. But I know. I have been there. We need to
think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice
clothes to eat our steak dinners. Many, many members of the Body of
Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we
continue right on as though we are all going to escape the
tribulation.
- 120. WHO WILL BE LEFT BEHIND?1. The CONVERTS OF THE 144,000
JEWISH WITNESSES (Rev. 7:9-17) -- they are from all over the world
(from every tribe, people and language) 2. The WOMAN of REV. 12 SHE
IS HOWEVER PROTECTED IN THE WILDERNESS (v. 6) Rev. 12:6 Then the
woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by
God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and
sixty days. 2. THE REST OF THE OFFSPRING of the Rev. 12 woman (v.
17) Rev 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he
went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the
commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- 121. Those who are going through the great tribulation: 4. The
CHURCH OF SMYRNA this is GOOD CHURCH!! A martyrs church;
REVELATIONS 2: "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came
to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you
are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews
and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 "Do not fear any of
those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is
about to throw some of you into prison, THAT YOU MAY BE TESTED, AND
YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION TEN DAYS. BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, AND I
WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE. 11 "He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall
not be hurt by the second death."'
- 122. OTHERS WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND: 5. CHURCH OF PERGAMUM
(CONDITIONAL) Re 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos
write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two- edged sword: 13
"I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.
And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the
days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among
you, where Satan dwells. 14 "But I have a few things against you,
because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who
taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of
Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual
immorality. 15 "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of
the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 'Repent, or else I will
come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of
My mouth.
- 123. Those who will be left behind 6. CHURCH IN THYATIRA -
(conditional) Rev. 2:18-25 18 "And to the angel of the church in
Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes
like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "I know your
works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your
works, the last are more than the first. 20 "Nevertheless I have a
few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who
calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to
commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21
"And I GAVE HER TIME TO REPENT OF HER SEXUAL IMMORALITY, AND SHE
DID NOT REPENT. 22 "INDEED I WILL CAST HER INTO A SICKBED, AND
THOSE WHO COMMIT ADULTERY WITH HER INTO GREAT TRIBULATION, UNLESS
THEY REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS. 23 "I WILL KILL HER CHILDREN WITH
DEATH, and ALL THE CHURCHES SHALL KNOW that I am He who searches
the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according
to your works. 24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira,
as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths
of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
- 124. Those who will be left behind 7. CHURCH IN SARDIS (Rev.
3:6) CONDITIONAL Re 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis
write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and
the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you
are alive, BUT YOU ARE DEAD. 2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the
things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found
your works perfect before God. 3 "Remember therefore how you have
received and heard; hold fast and repent. THEREFORE IF YOU WILL NOT
WATCH, I WILL COME UPON YOU AS A THIEF, and you will not know what
hour I will come upon you. 4 "You have a few names even in Sardis
who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in
white, for they are worthy. 5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in
white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of
Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His
angels. 6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to
the
- 125. What will happen to those who did not repent and were left
behind? "I beheld, and the same horn (antichrist) made war with the
saints (Living Christians), and prevailed against them; Daniel 7:21
KJV "And it was given unto him (antichrist) to make war with the
saints (Living Christains), and to overcome them: and power was
given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Revelation
13:7 KJV
- 126. SUMMATION: There are several Christians in the
tribulation/great tribulation period: THE GLAD GROUP: 1. Those
taken out of the way (Philadelphia, man- child, 144,000 servants)
2. Those left behind but protected (woman of Rev. 12, the Rev. 9
intercessors) 3. Left behind to suffer for Christ and die for Him
because it is their calling and glory (Smyrna church) THE SAD
GROUP: 1. Left behind because they did not repent of their existing
and continuing sins (Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea churches,
and Ephesus?) 2. Left behind because they did not have the
seal
- 127. FINAL APPEAL: We are doing our best to STAND IN THE GAP
FOR THE LAND to intercede, to goshenize the land (will touch on
that next lessons) BUT GOD WANTS TO SPEAK TO US INDIVIDUALLY RIGHT
NOW. PLEASE LET HIS OWN WORD/S SPEAK TO US STRAIGHT:
- 128. Ezekiel 14:13-20 "Son of man, WHEN the land sins against
me by trespassing grievously(great FALLING AWAY), then will I
stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the
bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man
and beast from it. Though these three men, NOAH, DANIEL, and JOB,
were in it, they should but deliver their OWN souls by their
RIGHTEOUSNESS, says God. If I cause noisome beasts to pass through
the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man
may pass through because of the beasts:
- 129. Ezekiel 14:13-20 Though these men were in it, (in the
midst of it) as I live says God, they shall deliver NEITHER sons
NOR daughters: they ONLY shall be delivered, but the land shall be
desolate. Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go
through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Though
these three men were IN it, as I live says the Lord God, they shall
neither deliver sons and daughters, but ONLY shall be delivered
THEMSELVES. Or if I send pestilence into the land, and pour out my
fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though
NOAH, DANIEL, and JOB, were IN it, as I live, says the Lord God,
they shall deliver their
- 130. Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, not in my PRESENCE ONLY, but now MUCH MORE in my
absence, work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling."
- 131. 1 Peter 4:17-19 "For the time is come that judgment must
BEGIN at the HOUSE of God: and if it FIRST begin at US, what shall
the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And IF THE
RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED, where shall the ungodly and the sinner
appear? WHEREFORE let them that suffer according to the will of God
COMMIT the KEEPING of their souls to him in well doing
(righteousness),as unto a faithful
- 132. 2 Timothy 1:12, For the which cause I also suffer these
things; NEVERTHELESS I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to KEEP that which I
have COMMITTED unto him against that day (the second coming of
Jesus).
- 133. 1Peter 5:8,9 Be sober, be vigilant: (why?), BECAUSE your
adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, SEEKING whom
he may devour: Whom RESIST STEADFAST in the faith, knowing that the
same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world."
- 134. 1 John 5:18 "WE know that whosoever is born of God sins
not: but he that is begotten of God keeps himself (from sin) and
that wicked one (Satan, the devil) TOUCHES him NOT.
- 135. Psalm 91:8-12. verse 10 "There shall NO EVIL befall you
NEITHER shall ANY PLAGUE come nigh your dwelling place."
- 136. Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell
SAFELY, and shall be quiet from the FEAR of EVIL. Look at 1 Peter
3:13 that tells us this, And who is he that will HARM you, IF you
be followers of that which is good?
- 137. Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord tends to life: and he
that has it (the fear of the Lord) shall abide satisfied; he SHALL
NOT BE VISITED WITH EVIL. Look at Proverbs 16:7. When a mans ways
please the Lord, he makes EVEN his enemies to be at peace with
him.
- 138. Exodus 15:25,26, And said, IF you will diligently hearken
to the voice of the Lord your God, and will do that which is right
in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all
his statutes, I will put (allow or permit)NONE of these diseases
upon you, which I have brought (allowed or permitted) upon the
Egyptians: for I am the Lord that HEALS you."
- 139. CHARACTER WORKS, NOT PERFORMANCE WORKS! Matthew 7:22,23,
MANY shall say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out devils? And in
your name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you, you that work INIQUITY (sin)."
- 140. Ezekiel 33:11-19 Say unto them, As I live says the Lord
God, I have NO PLEASURE in the death of the wicked; but the wicked
turn from his way and live; turn you, turn you from your evil ways,
for why will you die, oh you house of Israel? 12. Therefore, you
son of man, say unto the children of YOUR PEOPLE, the righteousness
of the righteous shall NOT deliver him in the day of his
transgression (sin): as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall
not fall thereby in the day he turns from his wickedness; neither
shall the righteous be able to live by his righteousness in the day
that he SINS.
- 141. Ezekiel 33 Verse 13 says, When I shall say to the
righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trusts to his own
righteousness, and commit iniquity (sin), ALL his righteousness
shall NOT be remembered; BUT for his iniquity that he has
committed, he shall die for it. verses 14 19 we read, "Again, when
I say unto the wicked you shall surely die; if he turn from his
sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore
the pledge, give again that he robbed, walk in the statutes of
life, WITHOUT COMMITTING INIQUITY (sin); he shall surely live, he
shall not die. NONE of his sins that he has committed shall be
mentioned unto him: he has done that which is lawful and right; he
shall surely live.
- 142. Fair or unfair? Yet the children of your people say, the
way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not
equal. When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits
iniquity(sin), he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn
from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he
shall live thereby.
- 143. WE MUST OVERCOME! Revelation 12:11, "And they overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and
they did not love their lives unto death".
- 144. LET US REMEMBER: 1. The FAITHFUL AND WISE MANAGER 2. THE
WISE VIRGIN 3. THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. THE SHEEP NATION 5.
THE PHILADELPHIA CHURCH 6. THE MAN-CHILD 7. THE 144,000 WITNESSES
(Rev. 14) 8. The WOMAN WHO GIVES BIRTH TO THE MAN CHILD (Rev. 12)
9. THE SERVANT MARKED ON HIS FOREHEAD (Rev. 9, Ezekiel 9) THESE ARE
THE FAITHFUL, WISE, PASSIONATE, OVERCOMING BRIDAL WARRIORS AND
INTERCESSORS OF THE LAST DAYS. 9 IS THE NUMBER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
9 FRUITS. 9 GIFTS.
- 145. THEY ARE HELD IN THE PALM OF HIS MIGHTY HANDS!!!!