Sound Doctrine-The Final Warning

The old prophet Jeremiah had suffered both indignity and cruelty attempting to warn Judah of God’s impending judgment. He begged them to repent but they stubbornly refused to heed his words, words that spoke of a seventy year captivity serving Nebuchadnezzar in the kingdom of Babylon (Jer 25:9-12).

Among those taken in the captivity were four young men, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. These four bright young men were selected to live at the palace where they would be trained as advisors to the king (Dan 1:1-7).

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Although their lives were often in jeopardy from their enemies, they remained faithful to the Lord their God and continued to excel in their daily performance. The most notable of the four was Daniel; it was he that the king had chosen to be prime minister of all Babylon (Dan 3:12-30, Dan 6:11-24). This promotion came about through a dream, one that the king had, one that disturbed him greatly. His desire, to know its meaning, led to the possible demise of all the king’s advisors. When the lives of all the king’s advisors were threatened, Daniel stepped forward with a plan to gain knowledge of the king’s dream and its interpretation (Dan 2:47, 48, Dan 2:3-19).

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The revelation of this dream carried with it implications that would extend far into the future. In fact, it would reach beyond the history of men and nations, extending beyond the second coming of Christ, to the establishment of Christ’s millennial kingdom (Dan 2:20-45). Let’s begin by reviewing Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

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Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream(Daniel, chapter 2)

In the second year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he was disturbed by a dream and couldn’t sleep. Determined to know this dream, the king summoned all his advisors and demanded they tell him what he dreamed and the meaning of it. The younger advisors, those still in training were not included in this meeting. The king’s wise men and his top advisors, implored the king to make known the dream so they could fabricate its meaning but the king was not about to let this happen. He reasoned that if any could tell the dream correctly, they would also be able to reveal the truth concerning its meaning. If they could not, then he would have them executed as false advisors, fakes. Though Daniel and his friends weren’t present at the initial meeting, the king’s punishment would, nevertheless, include them and they too would be slain. When Daniel discovered this from Arioch, captain of the king’s guard, he immediately went before the king asking for time, time to petition his God for the answers to the king’s dream and its meaning.

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Daniel received the answers to both the dream and its interpretation in a dream given him by the God of heaven. He then praised God for his revelation and told Arioch. The King’s captain then brought Daniel before the king to make known to him his dream and its interpretation. He told King Nebuchadnezzar that in his dream , he saw a large image in the shape of a man, with a head of gold, arms and chest of silver, stomach and thighs of brass, legs of iron and feet fashioned of iron mixed with clay (Dan 2:31-33).

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Daniel continued by reminding the king that as he was gazing upon this image, i.e. this statue, a stone was cut out of a mountain without being touched and struck the image at its feet, breaking the feet into pieces. This then brought down the entire image, shattering every part into pieces, all of which became like chaff on a threshing floor that was ultimately carried away by the wind. The stone that brought down this image became a mountain so great that it covered the entire earth (Dan 2:34-36). This was the dream.

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The Interpretation(Dan 2:37-45)

Daniel began his interpretation by informing the king that he, i.e. the king was represented in his dream by the head of gold but his kingdom, i.e. the kingdom of gold would be followed by three other inferior kingdoms, kingdoms not as rich or as powerful. After his kingdom (gold), another would rise represented by the kingdom of silver. It too would be followed by a kingdom of brass and after that, the kingdom of iron, each in turn (Dan 2:38-40).

The fourth kingdom of iron would break all the others until it too, would fragment, becoming divided. Just as iron cannot mix with potter’s clay, these last ten kingdoms at the end would separate like the toes of the feet; some remaining iron and others clay (Dan 2:40-43). At the end of these days, in the days of these last kings, God will set up His kingdom; it shall never be destroyed or be taken over by any of these others but will completely destroy the others and remain a kingdom forever (Dan 2:44, 45).

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Important Prophetic Information

The image depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is an allegory of all of the history of mankind. In this prophetic presentation, history is marked off by world empires. A yard stick can be marked off in feet (3 feet) or inches (36 inches) so man’s history, i.e. the history of the world has been reduced to being measured by its world dominating kingdoms of which there have been four, i.e. Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greece and Rome.

The last kingdom (the kingdom of iron) the Roman empire, ultimately broke up into various nations. Some of these nations were monarchies, some dictatorships and others democracies, some ruled with an iron hand while others were more yielding to their people like clay, preferring to adopt softer polices and practices.

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Note: This dream was not Daniel’s but Nebuchadnezzar’s. The symbols found in this dream, i.e. the image of gold, silver, brass and iron were peculiar to this dream. A prophet can receive a dream with the same interpretation but God might choose different symbols to represent the same components, i.e. truths or revelations. (See Daniel, chapter 7).

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Final Comments

At the end of history’s final days, the kings of the smaller kingdoms (the toes), formed from the break up of the iron kingdom of Rome, will be destroyed by the stone, i.e. Christ and replaced by His everlasting kingdom. Through this prophetic dream, we learn that history, as we know it, will be brought to a close, brought down by the stone that the builders rejected, (Mark 12:10), i.e. Jesus Christ. He shall destroy the kingdoms of earth at His coming and establish His eternal kingdom. He is the stone that becomes a mountain and fills the entire earth (Dan 2:35).

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Between End Time Visions

Between Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream found in chapter two of Daniel and Daniel’s dream in chapter seven, a number of notable events took place. Daniel’s three friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah have been renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego from the Chaldean language and Daniel has been renamed Belteshazzer.

When the three friends of Daniel refuse to worship the golden idol fashioned by the king, they are cast alive into the fiery furnace (Dan 3:10-15). Their faithfulness to the Lord can only serve to inspire all who know this account of their testimony (Dan 3:16-18).

Dan 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

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The Lord’s deliverance of these three faithful servants should ease the fears and concerns of all God’s people in the last days. As the Lord was with these three in the darkest hour of their distress, so shall He be with all those who remain faithful to the end. Remember, God shows no partiality or favoritism (Dan 3:19-30, Mt 24:13, Ac 10:34). In the end, these three loyal men were promoted to positions of honor; this too is a reflection off things to come (Ps 75:6, 7).

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In chapter four of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar has another dream, one which, once again, Daniel is called upon to reveal. The dream is of a tall tree which can be seen anywhere on earth. It is strong, bearing much fruit and abounding with leaves. It is a home for the fowls of the air and its fruit is food for all. As the king observes this tree (in his dream), it is cut down, its branches removed, its leaves fall and its fruit is scattered. The birds and beasts are warned to flee from it but its stump remains in the grass of the field, bound with a band of iron and brass. It remains to be wet with dew amid the beasts that inhabit the field where it rests (Dan 4:10-18).

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When God reveals the interpretation of this dream, Daniel is shocked, surprised at the meaning, for it could only please those who were enemies of the king. Daniel revealed the dream to King Nebuchadnezzar. He told the king that he is the tree and that the tree is brought down by God. He informed the king that the tree would be left in its fallen state for seven years just as the king would be driven from among men for seven years to live with the beasts of the field and to eat the grass of the field like oxen. When the king flaunted his greatness, revealing his pride, the things that were revealed in the dream came to pass (Dan 4:28-33). Through this experience, the king was humbled before God and men and was brought to the clear understanding that it is God alone who rules over all kingdoms and men (Dan 4:19-23, Dan 4:24-26, Dan 4:34-37).

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During King Nebuchadnezzar’s absence from the throne, his son Belshazzar, became Babylon’s temporary king but he had no respect for God. During a sinful feast, he sent for the sacred vessels taken from the temple at Jerusalem and used them to drink from at his wild, drunken orgy (Dan 5:1-4).

It was at this point that Belshazzar saw the fingers of a man appear and write upon the palace wall. Filled with fear, the king became desperate to know the meaning of the words written on the wall (Dan 5:5-17). Daniel first read each sentence in the language in which it was written and followed this with its interpretation which was, “God has numbered thy kingdom, and finished it, you are weighed (judged) on the scale (of justice) and are found lacking (guilty), your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Dan 5:18-28). Daniel was promoted to third ruler of the kingdom but as for Belshazzar, he was slain that very night and Darius the Median took the kingdom at age sixty two (Dan 5:16-31).

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Daniel’s captivity and that of his people had now changed. No longer were they the captives of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar but had become the captives of Medio-Persia under Darius the Median and his successor, Cyrus the Persian King. Under Darius, Daniel was appointed to be one of three presidents that would rule over the entire kingdom including its princes. Later, Daniel was elevated to a position above the other presidents because of the excellent spirit he possessed; thus, Daniel ruled over the entire realm (Dan 6:1-3).

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The other presidents and princes became Daniel’s enemies and sought to cause him to lose favor with the king but they could find no error in his life (Dan 6:4). Determined to destroy Daniel, they conspired against him and devised a plan based upon Daniel’s faithfulness to God, a plan that would drive a wedge between Daniel and the king and, bring Daniel’s life to an end. These conspirators convinced the king to make a decree which would force Daniel to choose between the king and his God. They were certain that given this choice, Daniel would choose God no matter what the consequences. When Daniel was found guilty of violating the king’s decree which required him to worship the king exclusively for thirty days, he came under judgment. Found guilty, the king had no choice but to send Daniel to the lion’s den to be devoured as required by his royal edict.

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The king had been tricked into being bound by his own words and though he grieved for Daniel, he was forced to carry out the prescribed sentence (Dan 6:4-24). When the king discovered that Daniel’s God had delivered him from the mouths of the lions, he rejoiced and had all the conspirators and their families cast into the lions den where they were slain for their treachery.

So it was, that King Darius, of the Medes, believed in Daniel’s God and acknowledged His mighty works. As for Daniel, he not only prospered during the reign of Darius but under his successor, Cyrus, the king of Persia, as well (Dan 6:25-28).

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Daniel’s Dreams(Ch.7 & 8)

Four World Kingdoms(History)

(Dan 2:32/38) Head of gold-Babylon
(Dan 7:4/17) Lion with eagle’s wings
Answer: Head of gold, lion with wings=Babylon (Dan 2:38)
Dan 2:38
38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
(Dan 2:32/-) Chest and arms of silver
(Dan 7:5/17) Bear rising on one side with 3 bones-Egypt, Assyria, Babylon
(Dan 8:3/20) Ram with two horns, one loner than the other
Answer: Chest of silver, bear and ram=Media Persia (Dan 8:20)
Dan 8:20
20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
(Dan 2:32/38) Belly and thighs of brass
(Dan 7:6/17) Leopard with four wings and four heads
(Dan 8:5/21) He goat with one great horn
Answer: The brass belly and thighs, leopard with four wings and four heads and the goat with one great horn-Greece, the great horn is its first king, Alexander the great (Dan 8:21)

Dan 8:21
21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

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4. The Last World Kingdom

The fourth beast is different than the others and the biblical text makes this clear (Dan 7:7). It is an iron kingdom (Dan 2:33), a beast with iron teeth and ten horns. The beast is not a lion, bear, ram, goat or any other known animal, it’s simply a beast (dragon). It’s different!!!

The brass or bronze age came into prominence when Greece came to power. The instruments of warfare used by Alexander the great were fashioned from it. One of the reasons that Rome became so successful in it conquest of Greece was due to its superior weapons which were fashioned chiefly from iron. Until Rome came on the international scene, iron had not been used with any great success. In its untempered form, it was brittle and would shatter when receiving any significant shock.

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When the process of tempering was discovered in Damascus and the internal stress of this material released through a reheating and quick cooling process, it became flexible and could hold a keen edge when sharpened, making it ideal for the common weapons of the day. The processing of iron became a closely guarded secret and brass or bronze weapons could not match its strength. Rome, with its iron weapons, broke these inferior weapons to pieces (Dan 7:19, 23).

Dan 7:19
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

Dan 7:23
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

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Geo-Political Rome

This beast with the iron teeth, brass claws and ten horns is obviously Rome, which defeated Greece and became the next, and the most brutal, world power of the four. It also was the last of these four world powers which represent all of history until the day of its geo-political demise. When we look at ancient Rome’s brutality, we note that Rome was tolerant of its captured nations, often adopting their gods and cultures and ruling through their puppet leaders, like the Jewish Sanhedrin (Ac 4:5, 6). The brutality referred to here is the exception made, where the Christian God was concerned, preferring to reject Him rather than accept Him, Rome persecuted any followers of Christ which could be captured. Those taken became food for their wild beasts and sport for Roman gladiators who publicly murdered them to the delight of its sadistic masses (Dan 7:23, Dan 8:23, 24).

Dan 8:23-24
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

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The Ten Horns

The ten horns which appeared on the beast are ten kings which will come into being in the future. The feet of iron mixed with clay which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream (Dan 2:33), reveal the ultimate break up of geo-political Rome. The fall of Rome gave birth to many hard (iron) nations like dictatorships and cruel monarchies as well as soft (clay) like democracies and benevolent monarchies, like Israel under David. Close to the end of the present world system, ten kings will come to power in ten different kingdoms. These are represented by the toes (Dan 2:42) of Nebuchadnezzar’s image and the ten horns of Daniel’s beast (Dan 7:24).

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The Little Horn (King Of Fierce Countenance)

In the last days (Dan 8:23), three of the nations that comprised ancient geo-political Rome will be overtaken by an internationally recognized leader, one who has risen to power with no geo-political nation and only a small army (Dan 11:23, 24). His base of power will be broader than that of other nations (Dan 7:20). Extending beyond the geo-political world into the spiritual realm, his spiritual home will be in Rome, i.e. the beast of Daniel’s first dream and his rise to power will come about as a result of clever manipulation and the promise of peace (Dan 8:25).

Dan 8:25
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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He shall be empowered by Satan and his mission for him will be to utterly destroy the people of God (Dan 8:24, Dan 7:21, 25).

Dan 8:24
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

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He will even put a stop to the daily sacrifice at the temple as he continues to practice his evil and grow stronger (Dan 8:12, 23, 24). He will boast and magnify himself (Dan 7:8, 25) and blaspheme God (Dan 8:25, Dan 11:36). But will, at the coming of Christ, be brought down and destroyed (Dan 7:2, Dan 8:25). His kingdom and authority will be gone, destroyed by the stone of Daniel chapter two (Dan 2:34) i.e. Christ the stone that the builders rejected (1 Pe 2:7, 8). His reign of terror, called the “Great Tribulation”, will be limited to time, times and the diving of time, i.e. three and one half years, giving him the same amount of time that was allotted to Jesus for His divine mission. After this, the dominion and kingdom of the little horn will be taken away forever and given to the saints of God (Dan 7:26, 27).

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New Management

The kingdom and dominion of the entire earth will be given to the saints of God and all existing power and authority will serve the Lord (Dan 2:35, 44, Dan 7:27, Dan 7:13, 14, Dan 8:25).

Dan 2:35
35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Dan 2:44
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Dan 7:27
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Dan 7:13-14
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

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Daniel’s Seventy Week Prophecy (Dan 9:24-27)

In Dan 9:24, God reveals an order of events, events that will lead up to and signal the coming day of the Lord. The Lord has determined that these events will happen in a grouping of weeks adding up to a total of seventy. Within these seventy weeks, the following will take place (Dan 9:24).

Sin and transgression will be brought to an end.
Reconciliation will take place.
Everlasting righteousness will arrive.
And the prophecy will end with the anointing of the Most Holy.

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The prophecy is recorded so that its readers will understand that, from the going forth of the command to build and/or restore Jerusalem, in preparation for the Messiah, until He returns to be anointed King, will be seven plus sixty-two weeks plus one.

Definition: (Strong’s Con. Heb #7620)
(week) Shabuwa-lit. seven (Spec. of years)

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In Hebrew, Shabuwa simply means seven. A week is not seven days as we commonly use it today; it’s simply a term for seven. A week of decades would be seventy years. A week of centuries would be seven hundred years, etc. it is left to us to determine the value of the seven (a week) as it is used in the context of this prophecy. We know however, that the street and walls of Jerusalem will be built in the midst of conflict as a result of the command to build and/or restore that city (Dan 9:25).

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In approximately 413 B.C., after Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple, Nehemiah, the cup bearer, gained approval from King Artaxerxes of Persia, to rebuild Jerusalem. This approval came in the form of an edict or written command and pertained to the rebuilding of the city only. Ezra, the priest, had been given authority prior to this to return and complete the work of restoring the temple that had been started and later abandoned by Zerubbabel. Ezra’s commission was the building of the temple and did not include the city or its walls (Ne 2:6-8, Ne 2:17, 18, Ezra 1:2, 3, Ezra 5:13, Ezra 7:1-20).

The city and Zerubbabel’s temple lasted for well over four hundred years, extending into the days of Christ and His disciples. By this time, the temple had fallen into disrepair and preparations were made, under King Herod, to rebuild it. From Dan 9:25 we also learn that, after sixty-nine weeks, i.e. seven and sixty two, the Messiah would be cut off, i.e. die, but not for Himself and after this, a prince would come and destroy the city and the sanctuary, i.e. Herod’s temple.

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History, now behind us, reveals that Titus, the son of Vespasian the Roman emperor (king), captured Jerusalem and destroyed the city and temple in 70 A.D., just forty years after Christ had been crucified for the sins of mankind (Jn 3:17). Jesus lived as a man on earth for thirty three and one half years and was executed in 30 A.D. A four year discrepancy in the present day Roman calendar explains why Jesus, by today’s reckoning, would have actually been born in 4 B.C. The destruction of Jerusalem by Titus marked the beginning of a torrent (flood) of persecution, war and desolation that would sweep many Christian believers into the numerous arenas of Rome.

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Facts And Figures

Dan 9:25, 26 account for sixty nine of the seventy total weeks of Daniel’s prophecy. Because history has given us an accurate date of both the crucifixion of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., we can now determine with certainty, that a week, as spoken of in Daniel 9:24, is seven years. Because seven years equals one week, we can calculate the following:

7 weeks = 49 years (7 x 7) 69 yr’s x 7 = 483
62 weeks = 434 years (62 x 7) Take away - 70
Total = 483 years (69 x 7) Leaves B.C. = 413

70 weeks = 490 years (70 x 7)

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Explanation:

There is 69 weeks (483 years) between the time that Artaxerxes gave his command to Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem and the time that Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D. By subtracting the 70 years A.D. from the total number of years contained in the sixty nine years (483 years), we can approximate the year the command was given thus, Nehemiah was commissioned to rebuild Jerusalem in 413 B.C.

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The Last Week

In the last week of Daniel’s seventy week prophecy, we discover a veiled figure described only as “he”. Who is “he”? We’ll take this up later. From this final verse of Daniel 9 (Dan 9:27), we learn a number of things. Consider the following:

We learn about a covenant, contract or treaty that “he” has with a large number of people.
We learn that “he” brings the daily temple sacrifice to a halt.
We learn that to facilitate daily sacrifice, another temple must be built.
We learn of an overspreading of abomination that will leave devastations (desolations) in its path.
We learn that these devastations will fall on those who have already been made desolate.

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In each of the four temples under discussion, i.e. Solomon’s, Zerubbabel’s, Herod’s and the final temple, sacrifice was, or will be made, as a means of atonement. Remember, Zerubbabel’s temple and Herod’s temple were built back to back. While one temple (Zerubbabel’s) was being torn down, the other temple (Herod’s), was being built thus, the daily sacrifice continued uninterrupted until it was stopped by Titus in 70 A.D. From this time until today, there has been no temple or daily sacrifice and the daily sacrifice cannot and will not continue until another temple is built.

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The Missing Week

The one thing we don’t learn is where this last week fits in. Even those with poor math skills can tell that it’s been longer than seven years (one prophetic week) since Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Remember, Daniel said the Messiah, the Most Holy, who brings everlasting righteousness, would be anointed at the end of the seventy prophetic weeks.

If these seventy weeks were continuous, they would have been concluded in the year 77 A.D. but the prophetic vision remains incomplete. Why? Why then hasn’t Christ returned? Why has He delayed His coming? Has He come and gone? What is there about this we fail to understand? The very way the seventy week prophecy is structured gives us a hint.

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Note: The wording of the biblical text separates the final week from the previous sixty nine. Notice how Dan 9:27 begins, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.” The last week is separated by the text so that it can be seen as standing alone as the last week of the seventy and there is nothing in it that mentions what’s happening in the first half of the week but instead, it focuses entirely on the second half, from the middle (midst) of the week till the end (consummation). The covenant, spoken of here, is confirmed in the closing week of the seventy week prophecy.

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The children of Israel have gone without a temple and daily sacrifice since 70 A.D. They have been without an image (statue), without an ephod (Ex 28:6) and without teraphim (Judges 17:5). In the latter days (the time of the end), Israel will return and seek the Lord. It would appear that with the construction of the last temple, the prophetic clock will, once again, begin to move (tick or keep time) when the daily sacrifice resumes. It is as though the daily sacrifice has been the pendulum which has marked off the passing of time as it relates to this prophecy (Hos 3:4, 5).

Hos 3:4-5
4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

The above reference makes clear the reason for the delay. It accounts fully for the time elapsed between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week, we must wait and watch for a new temple.

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Who Is He?

It is safe to say that the “he” mentioned in Dan 9:27, is none other than the little horn of Daniel seven, the king of fierce countenance mentioned in Daniel eight. It is “he” that will work deceitfully, coming into power and growing stronger with a small number of people (Dan 11:23). He will enter peacefully, corrupting many through flattery during the first half of the final week (3 ½ years) and making war with the saints during the second half (3 ½ years). Nevertheless, God’s people will be strong and do exploits (Dan 11:32, Dan 12:3). The wise will instruct many before being slain but others will be drawn away by deception and compromise (Dan 11:33, 34) while “he” will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god and speak outrageous things against the God of gods until his time is complete, i.e. finished (Dan 11:36). Then he will come to his end and none shall help him (Dan 11:45).

Read: Dan 12:4, 9, 10

SECTION TWO

Dan 12:8b-9

O my Lord, what shall be the end of
These things?
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel:
For the words are closed up and
Sealed till the time of the end.

The Prophecy Of Christ
As taught by C.H. James

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End Times

Eschatology is a subject that has been greatly sensationalized. Many teachers have allowed their egos to be tickled by teaching this particular facet of scripture. Some, even though teaching it in ignorance or falsely, have made great sums of money, to their shame. I have never chosen to specialize in this area of teaching, though others have, but instead, have preferred to teach as one, the entire scriptural text recognizing, of course, the differences between the two major covenants. I do not lay claim to having all the answers concerning unfulfilled, prophetic scripture but God has been faithful and has patiently led me along my present path of understanding. I do not claim to understand everything completely but many things, over the years, have been opened to me. A significant amount of time must be devoted to this subject if we are to understand it. It is near impossible to touch all the pertinent points in a single teaching but I will do the best I can. One of the amazing things that I have discovered in my study of prophecy is that it affects much of our commonly taught theology. When we fail to understand any prophecy correctly, we fail to find the complete truth of other commonly taught doctrines as well.

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Note: Because of the volume of this teaching and its complexity, material and references have, in some cases, been repeated to assure a proper and solid understanding. Repetition is a necessary tool to acquiring a proper overview of these end time events and the sequence in which they occur. The very scriptures that give us this imperative understanding repeat themselves often. They speak of the same events in both the Old and New Testaments.

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The Last Days

The events that lead up to the great tribulation and the coming of Christ focus on the condition of the world, the church and its leaders.

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The World

The scriptures tells us that the last days will be a time of danger when men will think only of themselves. Many will be envious, proud, disobedient to authority and unthankful. They will blaspheme, falsely accuse, break truces, seek unnatural sexual pleasure; they’ll be violent and out of control, despising those who are good. They will have a form of, what appears to be godliness but will deny the power of God (2 Tim 3:1-5). Others will depart from the faith, giving their attention to evil spirits and satanic worship. They will speak lies in hypocrisy without conscience and will establish their own rules for living (1 Tim 4:1-3).

The last days will bring many scoffers who live to serve their own lusts, some will plant doubt about the coming of the Lord (2 Pe 3:3). The riches of such men are corrupt and will not protect them; they will live in pleasure and cheat others; they will kill the honest people who were peaceful and didn’t resist them (Js 5:1-6). In the last days, the antichrist shall come and even now, there are many who oppose Christ and the truth of God’s word (1 Jn 2:18-20). In this same time, there will come many deceivers, unrest in the world, i.e. wars and threats and extreme poverty and famine brought on by natural calamity like earthquakes, tornadoes, fire, flood and pestilence (Mt 24:3-7, Lu 21:11).

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The Revelation Of Jesus

The book of Revelation was authored by Jesus Christ and recorded by His last surviving disciple John on the Isle of Patmos (Re 1:9). It is the only volume contained in the bible that promises a blessing on those who read or hear the words of this prophesy and keep, i.e. remember and follow, the things written in it (Re 1:3).

This first chapter of Revelation makes clear that, though Jesus will return as unexpectedly as a thief, He is not a thief but has purchased the chosen of God with His own precious blood (1 Co 6:20, Ac 20:28).

1 Cor 6:20
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Acts 20:28
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

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What thief comes to steal what He already owns or what thief would come to steal with the entire world watching (Re 1:7)?

Rev 1:7
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

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It is Christ our Savior who now holds the keys to Hades and death; the key of death was once in the possession of the devil but by His sinless sacrifice, this key is now in Christ’s possession (He 2:14, Lu 10:18). This book also closes with a warning, that if anyone adds to the things written in this prophesy, God will give to him the plagues written in this prophetic book and if anyone takes away from the words written within this prophesy, God will take his part from the book of life and out of the holy city and from the things written in the book of the revelation of Jesus Christ (Re 22:18, 19).

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End Time Churches
(seven churches)

In the last days, some churches will continue to work for the Lord as they wait for His return. They will even examine and eliminate those who claim to be sent from God, those who lie and do evil. Like the church of Ephesus, they have carried their burden with patience, labored and not given up for the Lord’s sake but they have left their first love and need to repent and do the first works (Rev 2:1-6).

Like the church of Smyrna, there will be left churches, who though poor and troubled, continue to serve the Lord (Rev 2:8-10). Some churches in these last times will, like Pergamos, be located, in the very place where Satan lives, refusing to deny their faith in Christ even, when among them, some are slain. Yet even in these, some will practice doctrine that causes others to stumble, by worshipping idols and committing fornication, and practicing politics by structuring the church, like the Nicolatians (Re 2:12-16).

Churches will, in some cases, reflect the church of Thyatira, serving God with works of charity, faith and patience but violating God’s word by allowing false female leaders to teach and sway others to commit fornication and eat the meat of idols (Re 2:18-29).

There will, in the last days, be churches that have a reputation for being active and alive but will be spiritually dead, like the church of Sardis (Re 3:1-5).

Like the church of Philadelphia, some church assemblies, though small and having seemingly little strength remaining, will keep faith with God’s word and, in spite of persecution, not deny His name but remain patient till the coming of the Lord (Rev 3:7-11).

In the last days, some churches will preach a lukewarm gospel and like the church of Laodicea, will be proud and arrogant, thinking they are rich in material possessions and believing they need nothing. They will fail to see their own miserable, spiritual poverty and wretchedness (Rev 3:14-18).

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Church Leaders

We are warned in God’s word that the time is coming when many will choose to be led by those who will tell them whatever they want to hear (2 Tim 4:3, 4, Is 30:8-11). False prophets and false apostles will abound and many false brethren (Ga 2:4) will contribute to the confusion that exists in the period known as the “beginning of sorrows” (Mt 24:4-8, 11). These will be found among many of the churches that remain in the last days (Rev 2:2, 1 Jn 4:1, Mt 24:11).

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Church Tribulation

Since the beginning, those who have chosen to follow the Lord have been hated and persecuted without cause. When our Lord walked among us, He taught us that we would have to take up our cross daily to follow Him (Luke 9:23)

Luke 9:23
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

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He made it clear that the narrow road leading to eternal life would come at a cost. He cautioned us to count the cost before attempting to follow Him (Lu 14:27-33). The world is our enemy, it has its own god and we are its invaders; in it, we are but strangers and pilgrims (He 11:13, 1 Pe 2:11, 12, 2 Cor 4:4).

2 Cor 4:4
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

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The natural result of this conflict can only be hatred and persecution but, we can rejoice in the knowledge, that our Lord and Savior has overcome the world (Mt 10:22, Jn 15:24, 25, 2 Tim 3:12).

2 Tim 3:12
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

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As Christians, we should expect nothing less than hardship (1 Peter 4:12-13).

1 Peter 4:12-13
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

For the Christian and the church, there will always be tribulation but there is a time of trouble ahead that will completely overshadow even this.

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Signs Of The Times

The church of Jesus Christ is on a rapidly moving, prophetic course that will place it squarely in the center of the greatest conflict known to man, it will come at a time when knowledge is greatly increased and when global travel allows the inhabitants of earth to travel to and fro with ease. These signs will indicate that we are entering into the final days of history when the world, as we know it, will pass away (Dan 12:4).

Dan 12:4
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

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The fact that this teaching now explains the mysteries of Daniel’s end time revelations is evidence that we have entered into the period known as the “time of the end” (Dan 12:9).

Dan 12:9
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

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Time Of Testing

The persecution suffered at the hands of Rome, with its arena’s, man eating animals and brutal gladiators will in no way compare with the persecution that yet awaits the church. Not even the burnings and drownings of the reformation or the Nazi induced Holocaust can compare (Dan 12:1, Mt 24:15-22).

Christ was given three and one half years to minister on earth as God’s anointed apostle (He 3:1); the antichrist does as well. As the apostle of Satan, he too, is given three and one half years to carry out his plan to destroy all the children of God. Why would God permit such a thing? Why did He leave the serpent in the garden? Why are Satan and his angels, i.e. demons free to influence Christians today? God has chosen to use them, with their lies, deception and temptations to prove, i.e. test His people (Eph 5:27, 1 Pe 4:12, Dan 11:35, Heb 12:25-27, Dan 12:10).

Heb 12:25-27
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Dan 12:10
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

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Note: Intermittently placed in the book of Revelation, Christ has allowed us to see things contained in the realm of heaven. I call these “window chapters”. It’s as though God has allowed us to peer through a window into the heavenly realm and though we may not understand what we see, we cannot deny the vision of it. A vision of which will be clarified when, at last, we see Him face to face (1 Cor 13:12).

1 Cor 13:12
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

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The Throne Of God
(Rev 4:1-11) (A window chapter)

Around the throne, there are twenty-four thrones for the elders and seven lamps of fire burning which are the seven Spirits of God. Also, around the throne of God, in the midst of it, are four living creatures full of eyes, front and back. One looks like a lion, another like a calf, the third like a man and the last like an eagle flying and each has six wings (most likely seraphim) (Is 6:2).

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The Book And The Seals

The sealed book of Revelation, chapter five and six is no longer a mystery; it contains a table of events that will come to pass in the order in which they are given. With the breaking of each of the seven seals, a new element us revealed, leading up to the seven trumpet judgments and the coming of Christ. The first four are often referred to as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. You will discover that each symbol is fully revealed by the author of Revelation, i.e. Jesus Christ.

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Seal No. 1.The white horse whose rider carries a bow (to hunt) and a crown and goes out to conquer is an imposter, one who comes posing as Christ, one who hunts the souls of men (1 Pe 5:8) and goes out to make war with the saints of God (Dan 7:21). Compare him with the real King of Kings ((Re 6:1, 2, Re 19:11-16).
Seal No. 1 is deception.

Rev 6:1-2
6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Rev 19:11-16
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.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

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Seal No. 2.The red horse and its rider take peace from the earth causing people to kill one another.
Seal No. 2 is war and threats of war (Re 6:3, 4).

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Seal No. 3.The black horse is ridden by one who carries a pair of balances (scales) and brings inflation and economic hardship upon the earth.
Seal No. 3 is famine (Re 6:5, 6).

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Seal No 4.The pale horse is ridden by death and the place of the dead, i.e. Hades follows him. He has power over a fourth of the earth to kill with war, hunger and the beasts of the earth (Re 6:7, 8).
Seal No. 4 is the “Great Tribulation”.

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Note: Seals No. 1 thru 4 are called the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

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Seals No. 1 thru 3 are called the beginning of sorrows. Compare Mt 24:4-13 with Re 6:1-8.

Matt 24:4-13
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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Seal No.4 Great Tribulation Pale Horse (War with the saints)

After three and one half years, the antichrist will bring temple worship and sacrifice to a halt and from his seat of power in Jerusalem, will issue a command to slay all who will not worship the beast or the image of it that he has brought to life. He will cause all, small, great, rich or poor to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead. Anyone who does not have this mark will be unable to buy or sell (Re 13:15-18, Dan 8:9-11, Dan 9:27).

Rev 13:15-18
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Dan 8:9-11
9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

Dan 9:27
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.

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It will be granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, not in Judea alone, although it will begin there, but throughout the world (Rev 13:7, 8, Dan 7:21, Dan 7:25, Dan 11:3, Dan 8:24, Dan 11:33-35, Mt 24:21-22, Dan 12:1, 2 Tim 2:10, Ro 11:7, Rev 6:8).

Rev 13:7-8
7 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.
8 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.

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Dan 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Dan 11:3
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

Dan 8:24
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Dan 11:33-35
33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Matt 24:21-22
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.

Dan 12:1
12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Rev 6:8
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

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Because this Holocaust begins in Judea, the time to escape is minimal; those in Judea must act instantly and flee immediately to the mountains (Mt 24:15-22).

Matt 24:15-22
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.

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Note: “Days shall be shortened” does not mean fewer days but rather, it means limited, numbered or curtailed to a predetermined period of time, i.e. three and one half years.

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During this evil period, the antichrist, now drunk with his own vanity and power, will proceed to blaspheme God and those that dwell with Him in heaven (Dan 11:36, 37, Is 14:12-14, Re 13:5, 6, Dan 7:8, 20).

Dan 11:36-37
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

Isa 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Rev 13:5-6
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Dan 7:8
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Dan 7:20
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

The little horn is different than the others; it’s stouter. Why? He operates on a wider base. Not only does he carry geo-political power but spiritual power as well.

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Seal No. 5. Under the Altar

We’ve learned that the church of Jesus Christ will suffer an unequalled persecution for three and one half years. One of the reasons that makes this dark period so difficult for us to grasp is that it’s viewed from several different perspectives. Each view of this same period centers on the actions of the individual faction affected. We are permitted to see the great tribulation as it affects the church. Another uncovers the workings of the antichrist and the persecutors of the church. Add to this, the activities of God and His angelic host during the same troubled three and a half years and things are likely to appear a bit complicated. Let’s see if we can simplify things.

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Illustration:

The great tribulation period is like a cat (the antichrist and his followers) that have hunted and found a large nest of church mice (the church) which they intend to devour and destroy but, while engaged in this quest, a large dog (spell backwards and add angels) devotes himself to the harassment of this murderous cat pack, reminding the pack who the big dog really is. So, as we study these events in God’s word, we discover that it records each separate perspective, i.e. things as the cat sees them, things as the mice see them and things as the dog sees them but, we must remember that each is focused on the same three and a half years of tribulation.

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God will allow His remnant church (those Christians alive at the end) to enter into great tribulation. He does this to purge His church and clean her soiled garments (Dan 11:35, He 12:25-27, Eph 5:24-27).

Dan 11:35
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Heb 12:25-27
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

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Rather than destroy Satan and his demons earlier, God has chosen to use them to sift, test, try and tempt His saints to purify them, i.e. separate the wheat from the chaff, the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats. By using His enemies in this way, He has given His true saints the opportunity to exercise their free will by choosing Him over the pleasures or pressures of the world offered by Satan. This final, great persecution is permitted to shake the family tree of God and shake it so violently that much of its fruit will fall, leaving behind only the strongest, those who have held fast till the end (Mt 24:13).

Matt 24:13
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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Many saints will be deceived during this great wave of persecution and many others will be slain. The earth will become a large altar where God’s faithful will meet their death, those who have not forsaken their testimony (Re 12:11, Mt 24:24).

Rev 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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Those martyred, cut down during the great tribulation, will cry out for God to avenge their blood; they shall be given white robes and told to wait for the completion of the three and a half years when their fellow martyrs (those who will yet be slain during this period) have joined them (Re 6:9-11).

Rev 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were 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, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

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The Antichrist

The chief adversary of God is Satan (the devil) who sees himself as being equal with God (Is 14:12-14). In his immense pride, he frequently attempts to imitate his creator. Almighty God brought forth His only son, Jesus, who came in the flesh to execute the power and authority that His Father had bestowed on Him, the power and authority necessary to carry out His bidding. Satan also claims a son born in the flesh who will one day come in his power and authority, to carry out his bidding. This evil ambassador is known by various names. He is described as a king of fierce countenance (Dan 8:23), called the little horn (Dan 7:8), the false prophet (Re 16:13), the abomination of desolation (Mt 24:15), the son of perdition (2 Th 2:3), and the list goes on but his most popular name is, “the antichrist” (1 Jn 2:18). His mission is chillingly clear; destroy all, in the church of God.

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Rise To Power

This antichrist, the son of perdition, appears on the world scene as a dove of peace. He comes as an angel of light with promises of peace and safety but the true intent of his deceiving evil heart, is destruction and from the beginning, his agenda has been to bring desolation upon the forlorn (1 Th 5:3, Dan 9:27).

1 Thess 5:3
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

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On the world stage, he appears as one committed to bringing a peaceful solution to Judea, a region in mortal conflict. As a master politician he, using political manipulation and dark intrigue, will bring with him promises of peace through arbitration resulting in agreements and treaties which will bring an end to the long standing conflict over Jerusalem (Dan 8:23-25).

Dan 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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His policies and practices, will in the end, only serve to desecrate the temple as the wicked Antiochus Epiphanies did before him (Dan 11:21-24).

Dan 11:21-24
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

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Yes, the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, erected on the original site, the site of its three predecessors, i.e. Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s temple and Herod’s temple. The Mosque of Omar, with its great, golden dome will, most likely, be brought down by war or natural calamity, leaving the way clear for the construction of the fourth and final temple. When completed, this final temple will, once again, begin the sacrificial system for atonement. After a few years of perceived peace, when the temple has been carrying out its normal worship (oblation) activities, the antichrist shall enter it and from its throne declare that he is God incarnate, the Messiah that both Jew and Christian alike have been waiting for (Mt 24:15, 2 Th 2:1-5).

Matt 24:15
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:)

2 Thess 2:1-5
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

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This deceiver, this counterfeit Christ, will be backed by the power of Satan and by demonstrating this power with signs and lying wonders, will deceive many; convincing those who refuse to give heed to God’s word. The deceived will perish in their delusion, preferring to believe a lie and, as punishment, God will allow them to be taken in by this deception at the cost of their soul (2 Th 2:9-12, Jn 17:17).

2 Thess 2:9-12
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

John 17:17
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

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Some will think, “Surely the Holy Spirit will keep us from believing such a deception,” but this will not be the case. The Holy Spirit who now prevents the evil one from entering will, one day, in God’s time, step aside, allowing the evil one to enter. Only the truth of God’s word, the unveiling of Satan’s plan will keep the faithful soul prepared (2 Th 2:6-8, Re 13:14, Dan 11:34).

2 Thess 2:6-8
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

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Abomination Of Desolation

Matt 24:15
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:)

Who or what is this abomination? The fact that Jesus says the abomination is standing in the holy place tends to lean more in the direction of who rather than what. In Daniel, the ninth chapter and twenty-seventh verse, we find these words, “And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.” Who is this one who makes desolate and what do we know about him?

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In Daniel seven, this one is found to be a short, stout horn with eyes like a man and a boastful mouth. We find him rising from the head of the beast that has ten other horns but this horn, this little horn, subdues and supplants three who were plucked up by their very roots (Dan 7:8). These images seen in Daniel’s dream had literal meaning. What do they mean?

The beast with the horns is the fourth kingdom in a succession of prominent world kingdoms beginning with Babylon. This fourth kingdom is different than those three that came before it. This fourth kingdom will give birth at the end of the age to ten lesser kingdoms and kings and later, another shall arise who shall conquer three of the others. The king of this kingdom will persecute the saints of God (Dan 7:21, 25). He shall have authority over them for a time, times and half a time (3 ½ years) and he will use this period to make war with the saints (Re 12:17, Re 13:5-7, Dan 7:21).

Rev 13:5-7
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

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This king, represented by the little horn will, when sin has reached its pinnacle, rise to recognition. He will have a fierce countenance and understand sinister schemes. The power he demonstrates will be mighty but not his own, for it comes from the one who empowers him (Satan). He will use this power to destroy the mighty who resist him and also the holy people of God. He shall be a man of cunning, causing deceit to prosper in his hand (Dan 8:23-25a).

Dan 8:23-25a
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand;

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Keep in mind, this same man is known by many names; his father also is known by various names and titles. This little horn, this king of fierce countenance is also called the antichrist (1 Jn 2:18), the false prophet (Re 19:20) and the son of perdition (2 Th 2:3). He came from the body of the beast and Rome is the nation that the beast represented but the spirit and power of the beast that was and is not and yet is, belongs wholly to Satan (Re 17:8), the dragon (Re 13:4), the father of lies (Jn 8:44), the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2), Beelzebub (Mt 12:24), the god of this world (2 Co 4:4), the great dragon, the serpent of old, the devil, Satan (Re 12:9), Lucifer (Is 14:12) and King of Tyre (Ez 28:11-19), the one who is chief among deceivers, first in rebellion and murder who once held the exalted position of “the anointed cherubim that covereth” and as such was the angel God appointed to oversee the angelic host (Ez 28:14). The man of sin, i.e. son of perdition, this beast or antichrist is none other than Satan’s son, who he has empowered to exterminate the entire remnant church of God.

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Note: “the beast that was”, is the Roman Empire. “It is not” or no longer is, because it no longer rules the world “and yet is”, because it exists today as a spiritual empire represented in most, if not all nations, as the “Roman Catholic Church”. Those who serve it are as much a part of the body of Satan, the beast, as Christians are part of the body of Christ, the church (Re 17:8).

Re 17:8
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

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The antichrist will rise to power through manipulation and politics. By flattery, he will be elevated to power over the land with only a small number of people and enter into the position peaceably (Dan 11:21-24). Ultimately, he will break his covenants with those to whom he pledged his word and pollute the sanctuary of the temple, putting a stop to the daily sacrifice and beginning his war against the saints (Dan 11:31).

“When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (the temple)”, whoever reads or studies Daniel should understand and know what’s coming. You better have done your homework (Mt 24:15)!

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The Prophet, The Beast And The Image

We know from history that the beast that produced the little horn was political Rome, where he, Satan, operated from a seat of political power through Rome's corrupt anti-christian leadership. This began from Caesar's reign, continued through the apostolic period on into the day of the Roman Emperor Constantine who joined, i.e. married the institutional church to the state in approximately 320 A.D. He remains within this stronghold to this very day, if not in the flesh then certainly in spirit. His son is the abomination that makes desolate, Matthew 24:15, the antichrist of I John 2:18, the son of perdition in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the dragon of Revelation 12:3, 13, 17 and he is the mouth of the beast in Revelation 13:5. This antichrist is the spokesman of Satan; he speaks for the beast in the same way that Christ speaks for God. Christ became flesh, just as the son of perdition will one day be revealed in the flesh (John 1:14). He is the false prophet of Revelation 16:13, 19:20, 20:10 and finally, he is the second beast, the one with two horns like a sheep (Revelation 13:11) coming as a man disguised as the lamb of God, impersonating Christ, but executing the will and word of the beast he represents and is (Revelation 13:11-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11). There are three characters that will play their role when the Spirit of God, which now blocks their entry, moves aside allowing them to enter. The first beast is Rome as seen in the record of history. This beast has not changed; it was political Rome in the Old Testament and is now become spiritual Rome in the New Testament. This old political beast was created and given power by the dragon called the devil and Satan whose son now represents the second beast. The beast, i.e. universal Roman assembly watches, it observes, it supports, it carries both political and spiritual might and the world recognizes its power (Revelation 13:4).

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The second beast, the false prophet or antichrist comes posing as Christ, deceiving the world into believing he is Christ by the signs and wonders he is able to do (2 Thessalonians 2:9). He represents spiritual Rome; he is the head of spiritual Rome. This beast with both body and head continues to practice on a huge scale, what has always been his practice on a more limited scale, the destruction of truth and those who hold it. In the early church, the first beast took the lives of thousands of first century converts, sending them to the Roman arena to be burned or devoured by wild animals and gladiators. In the middle ages, this beast took the lives of thousands of believers during the period known as the Protestant reformation, by burning and drowning both Protestants and the non-violent Anabaptists, who were slaughtered all across Europe for their unwillingness to ignore God's truth and submit to the dictates of spiritual Rome and its leader.

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Finally, we come to the image of the beast, an idol which the false prophet brings to life. What Roman idol most represents spiritual Rome? What image has always been at the forefront of spiritual Rome? What image is the most revered in spiritual Rome? I believe it to be the ever virgin holy mother of god known as Mary. More idols or, if you prefer, statues or images of her have been made, sold and worshiped than any other figure in history. She has been mystically seen all over the world and is now under consideration for deification by spiritual Rome, i.e. the Catholic Church. The ever virgin Mary cannot be the mother of the baby Jesus, for that Mary had other children; the Roman Mary had no other children, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, so then she, like the false prophet, is a counterfeit and a fake (Revelation 13:15, Mark 6:3).

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The False Prophet Called Antichrist

What about the antichrist? Who is the antichrist? Could it be a Pope, not necessarily this Pope, but a future Pope? On the highest spiritual occasions he, the Pope, is seen wearing his white priestly robe. The hat upon his head is conical in design coming to two points on top. Could it be that each point represents one of the two beasts of Revelation? Both hat and garment belong to the Roman church and the same or identical costume is worn by all Rome's pontiffs. The uniform belongs to the Roman church (the beast) but is worn by a man, "Count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man" (Revelation 13:18). Let us remember the beast is represented by the number "666" and the man (false prophet) is also. As stated before, Satan will be represented by the son of perdition, a man sent by him to impersonate Christ. He will do this just before the true Jesus appears in the air to gather His church. Before this can happen, the people of the world will have been conditioned to believe in a false system of Christianity, a process well advanced today. The Lord has given His people an unmistakable clue. Those deceived into worshipping the beast or his image will be marked with a name or number which will not only identify them as his followers but will identify the false prophet and beast as well.

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Here in Greek, with its transliteration and numeral values, is where Satan's seat is today. HE LATINE BAILEIA, which means THE LATIN KINGDOM.

H	E	L	A	T	I	N	E	B	A	S	I	L	E	I	A
0	8	30	1	300	10	50	8	2	1	200	10	30	5	10	1	=	666

Here is the Little Horn's Church in Greek with its numeral values, ITALIKA EKKLESIA, which means ITALIAN CHURCH.

I	T	A	L	I	K	A	E	K	K	L	E	S	I	A
10	300	1	30	10	20	1	5	20	20	30	8	200	10	1	=	666

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Here in Greek transliterations is the kingdom's language, LATENIOS, which means LATIN SPEAKING or LATIN MAN.

L	A	T	E	N	I	O	S
30	1	300	5	10	50	70	200	=	666

Here in Latin is an official name for the Pope, Vicarius Filii Dei, with the numerical value of the Roman Numerals found in the name,

V	I	C	A	R	I	U	S	F	I	L	I	I	D	E	I
5	1	100	0	0	1	5	0	0	1	50	1	1	500	0	1	=	666

VICARIUS FILII DEI is Latin for VICAR OF THE SON OF GOD, and from a publication written by Catholic authorities, we read the following, "The title of the Pope of Rome is VICARIUS FILII DEI and if you take the letters of his title which represents Latin numerals (Printed large) and add them together they come to 666." [Our Sunday Visitor, Nov 15, 1914.] One of the early names for the Pope was PONTIFEX MAXIMUS. This in Latin means Supreme Pontifex. It was the name for the pagan chief Prince of Roma long before the Roman Catholic Church became history. The Pope has had a number of titles down through the centuries. Here are two in Latin with their meanings. DUX CLERI - which means Captain of the Clergy, and LUDOVICUS - which means the Chief Vicar of the Court of Rome.

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Here are these titles of the Pope with numerical values for the Roman numerals.

Duxcleri

D	U	X	C	L	E	R	I	*
500	5	10	100	50	0	0	1	=	666

Ludovicus

L	U	D	O	V	I	C	U	S	**
50	5	500	0	5	1	100	5	0	=	666

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False Prophet And Pontiff

When you see the Pope, acting as a peace broker in the middle east, especially Jerusalem, watch out, for the ground work is being laid for his ultimate day of power. This is the day when he stops the sacrifice in the temple, brings the statue of Mary to life and orders all who will not worship her put to death and those who do, to be marked. The poor deceived beast, the Catholic Church, will believe in their hearts that this is justice but it will be nothing short of the mass genocide of true and faithful believers (Daniel 11:23,24, Daniel 9:27, Revelation 13:15, Dan 7:21, Dan 8:24).

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What we need to understand, is that when that time comes, it will already be too late for some. Unless the faithful act immediately, it will be too late for some with small babies, too late for some who attempt to flee on the Sabbath and too late for some to even leave their house top to retrieve their coat (Matthew 24:16-20).

Jesus said the abomination of desolation or antichrist will stand in the holy place. What holy place? During this period, the only holy place, where worship and sacrifice are going on, would be the temple at Jerusalem. So then there must first be a temple (Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Daniel 9:27). Though there is no temple in Jerusalem now, there will be!

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For better than a quarter century now the Jews have been assembling all the costly materials necessary to once again, build their sacred temple and they have been training priests in temple service. The site desired for its construction, the traditional location where Solomon's Temple once stood, is the subject of dispute. An important Arab Mosque is now sitting in close proximity. The politics, violence and volatility of the present political climate make it unlikely that construction will begin during a turbulent time but as soon as any form of peace and stability returns, construction will most certainly begin. Watch the news; keep your eyes on Jerusalem, especially items that focus on the temple.

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Remember, the overspreading of abominations will begin in the middle of the last seven years of Daniel's seventy week prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) and involves worship and sacrifice which means there must be a temple in Jerusalem. Watch for the temple, wait for the temple, and when construction begins, expect to hear from God. The length of time from when the first sacrifice is offered to the moment when the antichrist is revealed and the worship and sacrifice halted, will be three and one half years. This means, as Christians, we have whatever time it takes to build the temple, plus three and one half years to prepare for the greatest persecution in history. Don't miss the signs; watch for the temple and have the faith and courage necessary to allow God to deliver you from the hand of Satan.

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Blind Deceivers

Many of the theological giants of today teach that we will not get to see the Pale Horse. They teach that the church will never be overtaken by The Great Tribulation. They teach that the church will be caught up together with Christ before the day of tribulation comes. How can this be? Those that are alive at the time of His coming cannot precede the dead in Christ according to scripture (1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16).

Christ is clearly teaching His disciples about His coming in Matthew 24:3 and they are all now dead. Correct? Therefore, we cannot precede them in the resurrection. Right? Then why does Jesus tell them that He will come for them immediately after the tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31)? After the tribulation. See it? After the tribulation. If He doesn't come for them until after how can we, who are alive, go before?

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Not only do most teachers teach that we are not going to be here during the tribulation but that the Great Tribulation itself is seven years long. On what basis do they anchor such a claim? Not on Daniel's seventy-week prophecy, I hope (Daniel 9:24-27). The overspreading of abominations that makes desolate (Tribulation) doesn't begin until the middle of the last week, or if you prefer the middle of the last period of seven and continues till the end of the seven. From the middle of seven years till the end of seven years is clearly three and one half years (Daniel 8:25, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 12:14, Revelation 11:2, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 13:5).

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Some will argue that the whole seven year period is called the tribulation. Who calls the whole seven years a tribulation period? Not Daniel, nor Christ; unless there is trouble or distress, there is no tribulation and there is no trouble or distress indicated in the first half of the last period of seven (Daniel 9:27). While on the subject of seven, a study of this period reveals that while Satan ravages the church of God, God is bringing judgment on the children of disobedience, those who persecute the church. This judgment comes in the form of seven judgments brought on them by God and announced by seven trumpets (Revelation chapters 8 thru 11).

If Christ were coming before the Great Tribulation He would appear before any of the trumpets sound or perhaps when the first begins to sound but, He doesn't make His appearance until the last trumpet or in other words at the end of the Great Tribulation (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

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Seal No. 6 Day Of Preparation

The inhabitants of earth will know when the tribulation has come to an end for it shall be marked by a day unique in the history of mankind. The unnatural and abnormal cosmic events which take place on this day proclaim the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. On this day, the sun and the moon will not give their light, stars will fall from heaven and the very powers of the heavens will be shaken. Just as a woman in travail experiences labor pains, so the earth, in this one day, appears to enter a period of labor as it prepares to welcome the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. On this day, He will return to rendezvous with His betrothed, the saints of God, His precious church (Mt 24:29). This day not only ushers in the Savior but marks the beginning of an entire period of retribution when God will take vengeance upon the persecutors of the church. Though His return is marked by a darkened sun and moon, the time that follows will extend these same disturbing conditions until all the remnant enemies of God have been destroyed by Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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144,000 Sealed Rev 7:1-8

Before the trumpet judgments begin, God seals 144,000 Jews from the twelve tribes of Israel. These will bear the name of God written in their foreheads. They will be redeemed from the earth. They are virgins undefiled by women who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are the first fruits unto God and the Lamb. They are without guile or fault before God’s throne (Re 7:1-8, Re 14:1-5, Ps 32:1, 2, Zep 3:11-14, 2 Co 11:2, 3).

Rev 7:1-8
7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Rev 14:1-5
14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Zeph 3:11-14
11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

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A Glimpse Of Heaven Re 7:9-17
(A window chapter)

The gentile nations of believers, a number too great to count, have already been sealed by the Holy Spirit and are shown a glimpse of their future home that will appear after the millennium and after the great white throne judgment when this world has passed away (Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30).

Eph 1:13
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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Seal No.7 Divine Harassment
(The trumpet judgments)

From the first moment of Christ’s three and one half year ministry on earth, Satan continually harassed Him. From His temptations in the wilderness to the false accusations of the Pharisees, Christ was under constant attack, finally suffering the indignity of a malefactor’s death at the hands of Rome, i.e. the beast of Daniel nine. From the first century, Christians have been imprisoned, beaten, tortured, exiled and abandoned; enduring persecution and harassment for their faith in Christ.

God has not forgotten this and has chosen to harass the followers of Satan and his antichrist during Christianity’s darkest period. While Satan’s followers are making war against the saints, God has prepared a series of judgments to fall on the persecutors. Like the plagues that fell upon Egypt, none of God’s judgments will harm His children, but will instead, put fear in the hearts of his enemies (Rev 9:4).

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During this period known as the Great Tribulation, seven different angels will sound their trumpet and with each sounding, a new judgment will fall upon the unredeemed. These are often called, “the trumpet judgments”. They are seven intermittent punishments inspired by divine (Godly) retribution. Though they have much in common with the vials (bowls) of wrath, they are different in severity and purpose. God’s vials of wrath are not poured out upon the earth until the church has been lifted and gathered by Christ (1 Th 5:9).

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The sounding of the first trumpet will be followed by hail and fire mixed with blood which will be spilled out upon the earth destroying a third of the earth’s trees and all the green grass (Re 8:7-9).

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When the second angel sounds, a great mountain burning with fire will be cast into the sea and a third of the sea will become blood; one third of the sea creatures will die and a third of the ships on the sea will be destroyed (Re 8:8, 9).

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At the sounding of the third angel, a great burning star will fall from heaven, landing on a third part of the rivers and fountains of water. The star will be called wormwood and men will die from drinking the waters it pollutes (Re 8:10, 11).

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When the fourth angel sounds, a third part of the sun, moon and stars will be struck and both day and night will be one third darker (Re 8:12, 13).

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The sounding of the fifth angel will cause a star to fall to earth (an angel) to whom will be given the key to the bottomless pit. The pit will be opened, smoke will billow forth, filling the air and shielding the sun. From this pit will come locusts with the ability to sting like scorpions. The pain of these stings will last five months but these locusts will only attack those who have not been sealed by God in their foreheads. In these days, men will seek to die but death will escape them. These creatures will be led by their king, an angel whose name in the Greek language is Apollyon (destroyer) (Re 9:1-11).

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At the sounding of the sixth angel, a voice will be heard from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, instructing the four angels bound in the Euphrates River, to be freed and prepared to destroy a third part of earth’s human population. These people will be destroyed by the fire, smoke and brimstone that will come from their mouths. Power will be in their mouth and in their tails, tails that are like snakes with heads that strike and cause pain, yet the rest of the unredeemed will fail to repent from their idol worship or their worship of devils. Neither will they repent from their murders, sorceries, fornication or thefts (Re 9:13-21).

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When the seventh angel is about to sound, the mystery of God will be complete as He delivered it to the prophets. The temple will be measured, except the court, which shall be given to the gentiles. Two witnesses shall prophesy for one thousand, two hundred and sixty days and they will have power to devour their enemies with fire from their mouth. They have power to keep it from raining, to turn water to blood and to strike the earth with a variety of plagues as often as they want. When they have completed their ministry, they too will be killed and the people will celebrate the occasion. After three and one half days, God shall resurrect them to life and will put fear in the hearts of all the children of wrath. These two prophets (most likely Elijah and Enoch) shall ascend into heaven in a cloud as their enemies look on. God’s remnant, though frightened, will glorify God (Mal 4:5, 6). See, “Two Candles In The Dark” (below).

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At the sounding of the seventh angel, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of the Lord, and Christ shall reign forever. He will come in clouds of glory to gather His elect from the four winds of heaven (Mt 24:31, 1 Co 15:51, 52).

Matt 24:31
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.

1 Cor 15:51-52
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

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Two Candles In The Dark
(Two Final Prophets)

During this three and a half year period of tribulation, two prophets are sent to prophesy and punish. Their ministry will continue for a total of forty two months, i.e. one thousand, two hundred and sixty days (Re 11:3-8).

Rev 11:3-8
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

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At the end of their mission, they’ll be slain by the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit (Satan). Who are these two candlesticks shedding light on earth who die at the hands of Satan on the streets of Jerusalem? We know that every man must suffer mortal death (He 9:27).

Heb 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

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God, who treats all men equally, showing no favoritism, requires that all men as mortal beings, die once (in the flesh) before facing God’s judgment (Ac 10:34).

Acts 10:34
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

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There are two men who have thus far, escaped mortal death and they are, Enoch and Elijah who then, must ultimately pass through death’s door. For this reason, I believe the two men God has chosen to bring His message and punishment during the tribulation are Enoch and Elijah, what do you think? Remember, before being slain in the streets of Jerusalem they prophecy for forty two months, i.e. one thousand, two hundred and sixty days. How long is this? Three and one half years.

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The Second Coming

Ps 37:7-15
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

Immediately after the tribulation on the first day that the sun and moon are darkened and the stars fall, Christ will appear. Everyone in the entire world will see Him as He descends in a cloud, moving from east to west (Re 1:7, Mt 24:30, Mt 24:27).

Rev 1:7
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Matt 24:30
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matt 24:27
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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He will gather His elect (the saints) in the air and they will remain with Him from that day on (Mt 24:31, 1 Th 4:17, Ro 8:33, Ro 9:11, Col 3:12).

Matt 24:31
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.

1 Thess 4:17
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

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On the day of His deliverance, people will be going about their activities as usual when those who have waited patiently, unmarked by the antichrist, will be separated from those who bear his mark. They will rise to meet Christ while those left behind watch in fear and terror knowing their end is near (Mt 24:40-51, Mt 25:31-46). As Christians see this day drawing closer, they should begin to assemble themselves together with great fervor and frequency (He 10:25).

Heb 10:25
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

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The Day Of Separation

When the Lord sends His holy angels to gather His elect, He will separate them from the unredeemed as tares (weeds) from wheat, wheat from chaff or as sheep are separated from goats (Mt 13:37-40, Mt 25:32, 41)

Matt 13:37-40
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Matt 25:32
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Matt 25:41
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

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When the harvest of earth is complete and the saints safely in the care of Christ, God will begin to pour out His great wrath from the first of seven vials (bowls), each containing the pestilence and destruction of the seven last plagues (Re ch. 16).

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Note: The “day of the Lord” should not be confused with the day of His “coming”. We must also be careful not to be too strict on separating these two occasions by these two designations, i.e. “day of the Lord,” “the Lord’s coming” for the day of the “Lord’s coming” does not always mean the day He returns for His church. The “day of the Lord” does not always refer to His day of vengeance and wrath; however, in most cases this applies.

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The Woman, The Child And The Dragon
(A divine review Rev chap. 12)

The Woman

In chapter twelve of Revelation, Jesus pauses in the middle of final end time revelation to give us an overview of key events which have led to the coming great tribulation. As in other prophetic chapters, He uses symbolic figures to reveal things which have taken place in the past and things that will come to pass in the future. It remains for us to uncover the meaning of these figures.

Some have labeled the woman wearing the garland of twelve stars as Israel, the stars, they believe, represent the twelve tribes however, this is wrong. The woman is the church and the twelve stars are the twelve apostles as we shall prove.

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The Child

The child spoken of is none other than Jesus, born in the flesh. He is the first born of the church (Ro 8:29). As the first born of the church, He is the first stone laid, the chief corner stone, the stone that the builders (the Jews) rejected. It was this child (not baby) that the dragon attempted to destroy through Herod the Tetrarch but Herod failed when the child was moved to Egypt when an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph. Perhaps you’re thinking, how can Jesus be the child of the church and its betrothed? As Jesus, the son of man (born in the flesh), He is the first convert of the church. As King of Kings, Lord of Lords and first born of all creation, He is its betrothed.

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The Wilderness Refuge

When the nation of Israel fled from Egypt, they sought refuge in the wilderness of Sinai. At this point in history, they were a nation located in only one remote part of the world. Today, God’s elect, the church, is scattered throughout the earth and so it’s reasonable that those who respond to God’s call to the wilderness refuge that He’s prepared for His church will be drawn to various wilderness regions found in every country of the world. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the church will respond to His call and for this reason, many of the faithful will be imprisoned, tortured and murdered for their testimony and their refusal to abandon Christ their Lord. If they would respond obediently to the Spirit’s call, they would be spared the horrors of the great tribulation but most won’t. However, some will equip their God assigned location with the provisions needed for a three and half year occupancy and will remain there, under God’s protective hand, while other brethren suffer. Like the five wise and five foolish virgins, some will be prepared while others remain vulnerable.

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The woman of Revelation, chapter twelve is the church, not Israel as some think. Only the church keeps the commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Jews don’t (Re 12:17).

Rev 12:17
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

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Again, the Lord has prepared a place in the wilderness where the church will find refuge and where the Lord may feed her for the length of the tribulation period. Unfortunately, most saints will not follow the leading of the Spirit to flee but will instead; expose themselves to the persecution of the antichrist (Re 12:6).

Rev 12:6
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.

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The Dragon

This evil time comes upon the world because of events that took place long ago, when war broke out in heaven and the angels under Michael’s command fought the dragon and his angels. The dragon was cast out. This deceiver was evicted from heaven, cast to the earth and his angelic followers were cast out with him. He is an accuser of the brethren, never ceasing to accuse them before God. In the end, the dragon will be overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of those who sacrificed their lives, in solemn testimony, to Jesus Christ. The heavenly host now rejoices because the dragon is no longer able to make his habitation in heaven. The earth however, is dismayed because he has come down to it with great rage, knowing he has little time left. He comes to earth determined to destroy the children of God, i.e. the church.

Who are the stars of heaven? They are angels (Re 1:20). Lucifer’s name means Day Star. Who is this dragon that weakened the nations of heaven by a third? He is that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan (Re 12:9, Is 14:12).

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The Flood

Just prior to the appearance of the antichrist, the people living on earth during the last days will be subjected to a flood. This flood is not a flood of water but a flood of ungodliness, a flood of deception, bondage, such as alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, crime and violence; all this is intended to sweep the church away in its filthy sinful wash (Dan 9:26).

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Worldly Help

The nations of earth cannot survive in an environment of chaos and those in power cannot rule where there is no order or recognition of authority. In an atmosphere of anarchy, mob rule and animal survival of the fittest, is the only law. To maintain power, a nation and its leaders must identify and deal with anything that poses a threat to their security and position of power even when those who lead are themselves evil. Thus, when alcohol, drugs, pornography, sex, crime or violence threatens to unseat national leaders, laws are enacted and enforced to end any possibility for mutiny. In this way, a sinful nation can become the unwitting adversary of rebellious or riotous conduct and will attempt to swallow up the flood. Therefore, because of this, the earth will help to keep the church from being carried away by the flood.

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War With The Dragon

The dragon, furious over these events, will focus all his hostility on the church (the woman) determined to put to death all who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Now, we know who the woman is, she is not Israel, she is the church! Why? Because she alone keeps the commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:3, 4, Ac 16:31).

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The beast of Revelation, chapter thirteen (the antichrist) will be granted power for three and one half years to execute the authority given him by his father (Satan), just as Jesus was given power and authority for three and one half years to represent His Father. The antichrist is given power to make war with the saints and, in the flesh, overcome them for forty two months, i.e. three and a half years (Re 13:4-8).

Rev 13:4-8
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.
8 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.

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Mark Of The Beast

Without exception, every living soul left on earth, after the saints have been taken, will bear the mark of the beast (Re 13:8).

Rev 13:8
8 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.

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He causes all that remain alive, that are not redeemed, those deceived or unfaithful to receive his mark, i.e. all the goats (Re 13:16).

Rev 13:16
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

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If you’ve been keeping score as to how long the tribulation will last, God has repeated the same answer a total of eight times, making sure that we clearly understand that the great tribulation will last no longer than three and half years. It’s a mystery to me why so many Christians insist it’s seven years. Isn’t three and a half long enough (Dan 7:25, Dan 12:7, Dan 9:27, Re 11:2, 3, Re 12:6, Re 12:14, Re 13:5-7)?

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All the people left behind as branded goats will have chosen to worship and serve Satan. Their reward for this abomination will be eternal life, not a life of peace but a life of eternal torment in the lake of fire where they’ll have no rest day or night forever. They will spend eternity with their god, his prophet, the beast and the fallen angels (Mt 25:46, Re 14:9-11, Re 19:20, Re 20:10).

Matt 25:46
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Rev 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

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Let’s Review

Most of those who study the events of the last days become confused over the order in which each event takes place, how each event affects the saints of God and what takes place within the event itself. Thus far, we have detailed the following:

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The Last Days

The last days reflect an overall decline of morality and the rise of apostasy among the people of the world as we approach the second coming of Christ. We see the churches of that period attempting to hold onto spiritual values but often failing in critical areas. We see church leaders becoming people pleasers rather than pleasing God. Many becoming intoxicated with their celebrity status, turning the church into a theater for feel good sermons, professional music and spiritual theatrics (2 Tim 3:1-5).

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Signs Of The Times

We discover, by looking at the state of the world, that these final days of history will be marked by an ability for earth’s inhabitants to travel anywhere on the planet with ease. We see knowledge greatly increased. Perhaps this comes in an age of artificial intelligence, i.e. the computer or information age (Dan 12:4).

As we approach the last days, the global church will lack unity, falling short of God’s will in a variety of ways. Through His word, God cautions each church assembly to strengthen the good things that remain, regain the things they’ve lost and dispose of the evil things that are corrupting it from within (Re chp’s 2 and 3, 2 Pe 3:3, 4).

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Beginning Of Sorrows

The world as it approaches its destruction will spiral downward, producing many false prophets, threats of war and war. These, together with natural calamites and pestilences leading to famine, will prepare events and times that will lead up to a time of trouble like no other in history.

The time period leading up to this great tribulation is called the “beginning of sorrows” (Mt 24:8). It is like the pain of a woman in labor; it’s a time of distress; a time when the earth is greatly troubled by natural disasters and geo-political conflicts. The scriptures warn that, at that time, the earth will be in turmoil, ravaged by war and threats of war. It speaks of famine, pestilence and earthquakes which occur in various parts of the world (Mt 24:6, 7).

Matt 24:6-7
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

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During this same period, many false prophets claiming to represent Christ will deceive many, among those who profess to be Christians (Mt 24:4, 5, 24, 1 Jn 2:18, 19).

Matt 24:4-5
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matt 24:24
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

1 John 2:18-19
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

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The Rise Of The Antichrist

Rising to a global position of recognition, a deceitful ruler begins to slowly influence the Middle Eastern region. Disguised as a broker of peace, he begins to form political alliances with the leaders of these troubled nations. By using clever political manipulation, he enters the world scene as a solution to the Middle Eastern conflict which threatens to destroy Jerusalem. He comes with great political skill and brings with him the dark knowledge of demonic power, power given him by his father, i.e. Satan (Dan 8:23, 24).

Dan 8:23-24
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

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His rise to power will be through deceit and flattery. He will promise to establish peace and enter into agreements and treaties with the leaders of nations opposed to one another, those leaders who desire to control the fate of Jerusalem. Prior to, or during the beginning of his reign, the fourth and final temple will be built in Jerusalem. The priests of the temple will begin to offer the daily sacrifice as they did in the time of Solomon but three and a half years into sacrifice, this dark, political figure, this antichrist, will halt the daily sacrifice, declaring himself to be the Messiah and will bring an image (statue) to life.

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He will insist that any who fail to worship this idol be put to death. From this point, he will, for the following forty-two months (three and a half years), seek to imprison, torture and ultimately slay all the remnant saints of the earth. If given more time, he would succeed but he will fail because his time is limited (Re 13:15-17, Mt 24:22). He is known by many names, i.e. son of perdition, the false prophet, abomination of desolation to mention a few but he is most commonly known as the antichrist (1 Jn 2:18).

1 John 2:18
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

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His objective is to utterly destroy every man, woman and child that is part of the body of Christ, i.e. His church (Re 13:5-7, Dan 7:21, 25).

Rev 13:5-7
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

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In the new temple at Jerusalem, the daily sacrifice will continue to be practiced for three and one half years, at which time it will be brought to an end by the son of perdition, i.e. the antichrist. Breaking his alliances and covenants, he will declare himself to be the Messiah, the savior that both the Jews and Christian gentiles have been waiting for. He will claim that he is God incarnate (in flesh). Using miracles to support his lies, he will deceive many who accept these signs and wonders as evidence that he is God. Indeed, he will sit upon the throne of the temple declaring he is God (2 Thes 2:4, 9-12).

2 Thess 2:4
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thess 2:9-12
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

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At the point when he stands in the temple declaring that he’s God and doing many lying wonders (miracles to support his claim), deceived supporters from around the world will carry him to world recognition and dominance. His dictatorial power will then be solidified throughout the earth and he will expand his evil plan to destroy the church of Christ found among any people, tribe or nation in the world (Re 13:7, 7, 16).

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Jesus admonished us, in His word, to watch for the abomination of desolation. This abomination, this son of perdition, will one day stand in the holy place, the newly built temple at Jerusalem (the fourth temple) and Jesus has instructed us to read the book of the prophet Daniel to gain greater understanding (Mt 24:15).

Matt 24:15
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:)

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The Great Tribulation

It is through Daniel that we first discover the coming of the greatest persecution ever to take place in the history of mankind and it will come upon the church of Christ; Christ called it the great tribulation (Dan 7:21, Dan 8:24).

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 8:24
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

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God warns us of this in the Old and New Testaments. Many will be persecuted and ultimately murdered for their faith in Christ. Fear will grip many of the weaker brethren, causing them to betray each other. Suspicion, fed by intimidation, will fill the hearts of many believers, turning their hearts cold toward one another, while sin and hatred continue to abound (Mt 24:9-13).

Matt 24:9-13
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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False prophets will go about deceiving many brethren who are ignorant of the truth contained in God’s recorded word (Mt 24:4, 5, 11, 24).

Matt 24:4-5
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Matt 24:11
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Matt 24:24
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

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When the temple at Jerusalem is rebuilt atop Mount Moria, where the Mosque of Omar now stands, sacrifice and worship will be restored as it was in the days of Solomon. It will, most likely, be constructed during a time of peace, a time when devout Jews feel confident that it will remain free from harm. When it begins to offer the daily sacrifice, the pendulum of time, that announces the count down of the final week of Daniel’s seventy week prophecy, will have begun (Dan 9:27, Hos 3:4, 5).

Dan 9:27
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.

Hos 3:4-5
4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

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This man of lawlessness will give life to an idol fashioned by those he’s deceived, a suitable image or icon to represent the beast he serves. Further, he will issue an edict that requires all people, great and small, men, women and children to worship the image, ordering the murder of those who refuse. This decree will be issued in Judea where, it will first be carried out (Re 13:13-15, Dan 7:21, 25).

Rev 13:13-15
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

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The extent of this pretender’s power reaches every kindred, tongue and nation. Because this evil command begins in Judea those, faithful to God, who live in this region, will have to flee to the safety of the mountains. Any who delay for even a moment will put their lives and those of their family in serious jeopardy (Mt 24:16-21).

Matt 24:16-21
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.

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The intent of this war, this great tribulation, is to totally annihilate the entire Christian population throughout the world thus, destroying the church and with it, the testimony of Christ on earth (Re 13:5-9).

Rev 13:5-9
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.
8 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.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

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While the antichrist is busy spilling the blood of the saints, turning them into martyrs, other things are happening, things that tend to disrupt and delay his evil plan (Re 12:11, Re ch 8 and 9).

Rev 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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This great time of tribulation is not the wrath of God, as some claim, it’s totally brought on by the anger of Satan. It’s his wrath and hatred for the church of Christ that initiates these atrocities (Re 12:17).

Rev 12:17
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

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If it were not for the fact that his time for accomplishing his evil goal is limited or shortened to just three and one half years, he would see to it that no Christian on earth remained alive (Mt 24:22).

Mt 24:22
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.

For the sake of His elect, God has shortened the reign of the antichrist to three and one half years and no more (Mt 24:22, Re 11:2, 3, Re 13:5-7, Dan 7:25, Dan 9:27)

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Note: The elect spoken of in Mt 24:22 includes all Jews and gentiles who have the testimony of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:10, Re 12:17).

2Tim 2:10
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

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Persecutors Punished

During this time of terror, the antichrist is given seven painful reminders that God is patiently waiting for his allotted time to end. These reminders come in the form of the “seven trumpet judgments” which occur at regular intervals during his three and a half year reign (Re 8:6-11:19).

As it was in the days of the Egyptian captivity, God’s children will not be harmed by any of the trumpet judgments. God has not appointed His children to receive His wrath; those affected are both enemies of God and His children (1 Th 5:9).

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These seven trumpet judgments are not the only things that God has sent to hinder and harass the antichrist and his followers during the forty two months of terrible tribulation. During these same one thousand, two hundred and sixty days, God will send two of his prophets to speak His words to the people. These two prophets will come equipped with the power to halt the rain, turn water into blood, smite the earth with even more plagues and do so, as often as they choose. Fire will proceed from their mouths and any who attempt to bring harm to them during their three and one half year ministry, will be killed by this fire. When they have completed their mission and their testimony, they too will be slain by the beast (Re 11:1-7).

Rev 11:1-7
11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

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The death of these two prophets of God will be cause for celebration among the unredeemed and their bodies will remain on display on the streets of Jerusalem for three and one half days, after which, their life will be restored and they will be taken up into heaven in a cloud (Re 11:8-12, Ge 5:24, 2 Ki 2:11, Mal 4:5).

Rev 11:8-12
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Gen 5:24
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

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

Mal 4:5
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

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Note: Because every man must die once and two men of God haven’t died as yet, these last two prophets are likely to be Enoch and Elijah (He 9:27, 2 Ki 2:11).

Heb 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

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The Wilderness Call

Before the great tribulation begins, this terrible time of trouble, this time of suffering and death, God’s faithful followers, those who have, from before the beginning of this conflict, followed His word and heeded his warnings and instruction, will be led to the safety of a wilderness area where He will hide them, protect them and feed them for the duration of the tribulation period. Their trust in the word of God, and the courage necessary to follow it, will be rewarded. The Lord, our God will preserve and keep them safe from this violent three and a half year holocaust called the great tribulation (Re 12:6).

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While those in the wilderness wait for Christ’s coming, those saints who didn’t go will observe each day of brutality and slaughter as more and more saints are sacrificed, on earth’s altar. Each will pass on to take their place beneath the altar, all who, through ignorance, failed to follow God’s word or simply ignored it. Sadly, these are Christian brethren who failed to yield to God’s call to flee to their wilderness place of refuge, the place that God prepared to feed and protect them. Nevertheless, they have held their testimony, preferring death to denial (Re 12:6, Dan 7:21, 25, Dan 12:1, Re 13:5-8).

Rev 12:6
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.

Dan 7:21
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Dan 12:1
12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Rev 13:5-8
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.
8 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.

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Under The Altar

During this period of atrocity, those souls under the altar, who lost their lives in this conflict, will cry out for God to avenge them but they must wait until every saint yet to be martyred during this terrible time of tribulation has joined them. Then, God will unleash the fury of His wrath (Re 6:9-11).

Re 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were 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, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

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Day Of Preparation

The day of preparation is given both literally and figuratively. This day, i.e. time takes place immediately after the days of the great tribulation. As a single day, it announces the end of the tyrannical reign of the antichrist while at the same time, announcing the coming of Christ, the day of salvation. On this day, this special, specific day, Christ will return for His church. The graves of the redeemed will surrender their dead and they, followed by the living Christian remnant, will, at the last trump, rise to meet Christ in the air (1 Co 15:51, 52, Mt 24:31).

1 Cor 15:51-52
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Matt 24:31
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.

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The Second Coming of Christ

Heb 9:28
28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation (rescue).

Every person on the face of the earth will see the Lord coming from the east in clouds of glory (Mt 24:27, Re 1:7).

Matt 24:27
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Rev 1:7
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

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The unredeemed will hear the sound of the trumpet of God. They will witness the graves as they surrender the saints who now sleep in Christ rising to meet Christ in the air (Jn 5:28, 29). The living redeemed of the Lord will rise behind their resurrected brethren, never to be parted from the Lord again (1 Th 4:15-17).

1 Thess 4:15-17
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 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

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Those who will be gathered into this unified body with Christ comprise the first resurrection (Re 14:14-16).

Re 14:14-16
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

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This is the final gathering of the saints, these are those taken in the first resurrection. They are blessed of God and are God’s holy sheep (Re 20:6, Mt 25:33, Jn 10:4).

Rev 20:6
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Matt 25:33
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
John 10:4
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

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All those left behind are goats, branded with the mark of their master Satan, the god of this world (Mt 25:46, Re 13:16, 17, Re 14:9-11, 2 Co 4:4).

Matt 25:46
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Rev 13:16-17
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Rev 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

2 Cor 4:4
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

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Two Resurrections

These unredeemed will be resurrected at judgment and so become part of the second resurrection (Re 20:11-15).

Rev 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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On those whose names appear in the Lamb’s book of life, the second death has no power but on the unredeemed, the second death has power. The first death is the natural death of the flesh, the second is the death of the spirit. Those faithful Christians who heeded God’s warning, those who entered the wilderness area and waited with patience, together with those who endured the persecution to the end, will pass from death to life, in a moment, in the blink of an eye and, together with the redeemed risen dead, will be given new bodies, bodies not made with hands, bodies that will last for eternity (Jn 5:24, 1 Co 15:52, 2 Co 5:1, Mt 10:22).

John 5:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2 Cor 5:1
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Matt 10:22
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

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The Season Of His Coming

While it’s true, no man will know the day or hour of the Lord’s appearance, we can be sure that it will happen at an unexpected moment but we should not be caught unaware (1 Th 5:4, Mt 24:36).

1 Thess 5:4
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Matt 24:36
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Though we are ignorant of the day and hour of His coming, we can know the season if we have been faithful to study God’s word and be guided in His word by the Holy Spirit (Mt 24:32, 33, 1 Th 5:1-9, Jn 16:13, 2 Tim 2:15).

Matt 24:32-33
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

1 Thess 5:1-9
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

John 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

2 Tim 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
One of the last signs will be when armies begin to gather around Jerusalem. Other signs will be the building of the new temple at Jerusalem and the beginning of the daily sacrificial system. Clearly, Jerusalem is the prophetic clock and Christians should pay close attention to the time but, this is without value if we fail to recognize the signs of the times (Lu 21:20-22).

Luke 21:20-22
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

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Review Over

Our review of what we’ve previously studied ends here but we can be sure that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will be watching as the church endures unspeakable atrocities for three and a half years. He will patiently observe as His precious children are abandoned, betrayed, denied, tortured and murdered for their uncompromising faith in Christ. He will witness Christians of all ages being ruthlessly exterminated like some vile pestilence. His ears will be filled with their agonizing screams, their cries of pain and their silent prayers for deliverance.

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Moving On

The coals of God’s anger will grow hotter with every martyr that falls, igniting His ever increasing fury as He waits for the appointed time of harvest when, at last, He can rescue His beloved saints, when His holy angels can gather them from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Mt 24:31, Re 14:14-16, Jn 5:28, 29, 1 Th 4:15-17, 1 Co 15:51, 52, Dan 12:1, 2).

Matt 24:31
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.

Rev 14:14-16
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

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The Wrath Of God

1 Thess 1:10
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 5:9
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

For three and a half years, the embers of God’s wrath will have smoldered, growing hotter with each atrocity suffered by His beloved saints. Together, God our Father and Christ our Lord will have waited for the predestined moment when each in turn may release the fury of their anger, when each can, at last, avenge those, who loved not their lives unto the death (Re 12:11, Re 6:9, 10).

Rev 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rev 6:9-10
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were 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, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

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Perhaps the earth and those who yet live upon it will experience God’s great wrath as the saints enter the heavenly temple of God to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. Maybe when the doors close, shutting out the sounds of torment, the vials (bowls) holding the seven last plagues which contain the full measure of God’s wrath, will be poured upon Satan’s branded remnant but no matter where the church is, the left behind goats of earth will receive the seven vials of wrath promised in God’s word.

The first vial (bowl) will be poured upon all who have the mark of the beast or have worshipped his image and will bring to them a foul, loathsome sore (Re 16:1,2).

The second vial (bowl) will be poured upon the sea, turning the sea to blood and killing every living soul in it (Re 16:3).

The third vial (bowl) will be poured upon the rivers and springs turning their fresh, drinkable water to blood (Re 16:5-7).

The fourth vial (bowl) will be poured upon the sun and the angel pouring it will be given power to scorch men with fire and heat (Re 16:8, 9).

Note: None of those who will be affected will repent but will, instead blaspheme the name of God (Re 16:9).

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The fifth vial (bowl) will be poured upon the throne of the beast bringing darkness upon it and those affected will gnaw their tongues in pain (Re 16:10, 11).

Note: They also will blaspheme God and refuse to repent from their evil deeds (Re 16:11).

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The sixth vial (bowl), when poured, will dry up the great Euphrates River making a way for the kings of the East. Unclean spirits, like frogs, will come from the mouth of the dragon (Re 12:9), the beast (Re 13:4), and the false prophet (antichrist), one spirit from each. These are spirits of demons that perform signs which call or encourage the kings of the world to gather their armies to battle on the great day of the Lord in the place called, in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon (Re 16:12-16).

The seventh vial (bowl), when poured, will produce noises, thundering, lightings and a great and mighty earthquake like no other in history. The great city (Jerusalem Re 11:8) will be divided into three parts but the cities in all other nations will be destroyed. Babylon is remembered (the cities of the world Mt 4:8-11) and will receive the wine of God’s fierce wrath. Islands and mountains will vanish and huge hailstones will fall upon the remaining inhabitants of the earth, each weighing about a talent (seventy five pounds). Because of the great hail, once again men will blaspheme God but from the temple of heaven, a loud voice will be heard to say, “It is done” (Re 16:17-21).

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Marriage And Wrath

The day of the Lord will not end with the marriage supper; it will continue. Yes, this day when the sun and moon are darkened, when the stars fall and the heavens are shaken will continue. The saints will join Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb but the earth will now feel the full wrath of God as He pours out the seven vials containing His great wrath (Zeph 1:7, 8).

Zeph 1:7-8
7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

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Note: It’s possible that the last seven plagues could be poured out in one day if the following verse is meant literally (Re 18:8).

Rev 18:8
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

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The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb

Rev 19:5-10
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

In the day of preparation (the day of Christ’s coming), those prepared to meet Christ are separated from the population of the world, taken from among those who have worshipped the beast or his image and bear his mark. At the coming of Christ, those who are prepared will rise to meet Him in the air as a consecrated congregation, leaving the unredeemed behind. There are now two flocks and just as it was taught in the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins (Mt 25:1-13), those who have prepared and waited patiently for the coming of the Lord, will be taken into the marriage supper and the door will be closed to those who had not prepared for His coming. Those unprepared will be as strangers to Him and they will not gain entrance nor will He acknowledge that He ever knew them.

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Babylon Is Judged (The world)

Rev 14:8
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Solomon, at the end of a life filled with excess money, power, fame, goods and sexual pleasure, in his great wisdom, determined that all the world had to offer was vanity. Many dedicate their lives to acquiring fame, fortune and power but at the end of it all, waiting patiently for each of us to arrive, stands the Grim Reaper, i.e. mortal death. Many have focused their lives on their career, others on pleasure and still others, in search of recognition. Few seek the one who gave them life and the mental, spiritual and physical gifts that make it possible to achieve anything. Preoccupied with following the dictates of the world, they abandon Christ, the only source of eternal life.

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In his day, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, ruled the entire known world. Babylon became the world and the known world became Babylon. It’s not that she owned all the known territory of the earth that made her synonymous with the world. It was the spirit of wealth, fame, power and pleasure she introduced throughout her kingdom and her kingdom, was the entire known world. The spirit of the world that she created became the antithesis of the Spirit of God. It became an artificial light or attraction, an idol for her worshippers to serve, to waste their lives on, lives made up of years that could have been spent in the service of the only true God, the only God who truly loved them. Babylon, the spirit of the world, became the rival of God, corrupting His followers and robbing Him of those He loved, and turning them into His enemies (Ja 4:4, 2 Co 6:17)

James 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

2 Cor 6:17
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

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Babylon is rendered in God’s word as a mystery (Rev chap. 18). If we look at this text carefully, we’ll find it’s not difficult to uncover her true identity. We’re warned to come out of her (Re 18:4). She is marked for destruction and will be burned with fire (Re 18:8, Joel 2:2, 3).

Rev 18:8
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

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She, the world, will be thrown down and disappear (Re 18:20, 21). Those who have lived by her standard and made their income by serving her will mourn her passing, even the great men of earth, all who have practiced sorcery and fallen victim to her deception (Re 18:21-23). The blood of saints and prophets who were slain will be found in her (Re 18:24).

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The Harlot And The Beast

The further away one stands from an object, the more difficult it is to identify the details of its shape. The closer one is, the greater the detail observed. Unless God reveals detailed information about a distant prophetic revelation, it is all but impossible to understand it. If prophetic symbols are used to represent the thing or event to be revealed, they must provide a hint or point at the thing or event they represent. If the thing or event has not yet entered the world stage, then the symbols provide no help until the thing or event appears. When it appears, those with knowledge of the symbols, guided by the Holy Spirit, will be able to identify and explain the thing or event revealed. Most of the revelation of Christ can now be understood indicating how close we are to His return but not all of the events have been brought to light. Some of these events won’t appear until we see the final condition of the world. The ten last kingdoms (Re 17:12) and their kings fall into this category now but perhaps, when we see the abomination of desolation standing in the temple at Jerusalem, we’ll be close enough to identify who these kings and kingdoms are by, once again, reviewing those things written in His word. The complete revelation of Christ will only be clear however, when we see Him face to face (1 Co 13:9-12).

1 Cor 13:9-12
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

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The Judgment Of The Harlot

The harlot who now waits for the coming judgment will sit on many waters. Like a whore, she will have given herself to the kings of the earth who have become drunk with her seductions.

Her judgment is revealed by an angel (one who had held the seven vials). She is prophetically seen as a woman dressed in purple and red, riding a red beast that’s full of blasphemy. As prophetically seen, this beast had seven heads and ten horns.

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The woman is described as wearing gold, precious stones and pearls. She will be holding a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness and appearing on her forehead, the following will be written:
Mystery (riddle)
Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.

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The angel reveals the mystery of the woman and the red beast that carries her that has the seven heads and ten horns. The beast is described as, the beast that was (ancient Rome) and is not (no longer exists as a geo-political world power) and yet is (now revealed in red as a universal, spiritual power, i.e. the Roman church). Here is wisdom, i.e. a riddle; the seven heads are the seven mountains on which the woman (the harlot) sits. Rome is known as the city built on seven hills. The capital of the Roman Empire had been the city of Rome and the capital of the spiritual empire of Rome is the Vatican; it also makes its home in the city of Rome. It sits atop the beast of Rome, spiritual Rome.

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The ten horns are ten kings which will come into power but will use their power to support the beast (and its king) as their leader. The harlot is the Vatican, the beast is spiritual Rome, i.e. the Roman Catholic Church and its king will be a future pope, one that displays powerful miracles and proclaims himself to be God.

These ten end time kingdoms, together with spiritual Rome, will go out to make war with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and His chosen army, i.e. the blood washed, redeemed, faithful saints of God (Re 17:12-14).

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The waters where the harlot sits are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. The harlot is spiritual Rome, i.e. the Vatican. The beast that she sits upon (has control over) is the Roman church (Re 17:15), now bearing the red color of its cardinals who, with the Pope, execute authority over it.

The ten horns (ten last kingdoms) on the beast will hate the harlot (Vatican) and will make her desolate (loot and burn her). God has put it in the heads and hearts of these kings to follow the harlot (Vatican) only until the words of his prophesies are fulfilled (Re 17:16-17).

The woman is that great city that reigns over the kings of the earth. Kings are sworn into power by the representatives of the church. The Vatican and the church claim to hold power over them, i.e. the power to excommunicate them, sending their souls to eternal torment if they fail to submit to papal authority, or so they falsely believe (Re 17:18).

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The Vatican Harlot

The beast is spiritual Rome, i.e. the Catholic Church. The waters on which the woman sits are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. She is branded on her head because she has involved herself with the world (Babylon), having many affairs with it and has been seduced many times (corrupted) by its kings and kingdoms which are in the control of Satan, the god of this world (2 Co 4:4). He has the authority to give its great cities to whom he will (Mt 4:8, 9). She has been corrupted by its wealth and has gathered great wealth and power where ever she resides, as the international Roman church. Though she claims to be a church, she is no church at all but the largest, richest, most powerful cult in the world (Re 18:3-5).

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Note: The saints of God are sealed, marked as those belonging to God (Eph 4:30, Re 7:3).

Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Rev 7:3
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

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The deceived followers of the antichrist are marked as those belonging to Satan (Re 13:16).

Rev 13:16
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

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The harlot (the Vatican), the leaders of spiritual Rome, bear the mark of Babylon, i.e. the world; the one to whom she is married, i.e. she was joined to the world during the reign of Constantine, the Emperor of Rome around A.D. 320 (Re 17:5). The god of this world is none other than Satan who blinds the eyes of the unbelieving to keep them from seeing the truth (2 Co 4:4).

2 Cor 4:4
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

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As the church universal is the body of Christ, so the beast universal is the body of Satan. As Christ was the Son of God and His apostle (the one sent) (He 3:1), so is the antichrist the son of Satan and his apostle sent out to deceive the nations and destroy the church. As the church of Christ is His representative presence on earth, so the Roman cult called the Catholic Church is his lying, deceiving presence in the world.

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The Day Of The Lord

What is done? God’s wrath is complete and its time for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to cleanse the earth in vengeance and prepare it for His one thousand year reign. With His Father’s wrath appeased, He will then return to battle the wicked remnant left on earth beginning on the plain of Megiddo, the place called Armageddon, i.e. Esdraelon. Those that have not been destroyed by the vials (bowls) of wrath will now face the armies of God, led by Christ. (2 Th 1:6-10, Re 19:11-21, Mt 24:28, Joel 2:1-11).

2 Thess 1:6-10
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Rev 19:11-21
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.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Matt 24:28
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Joel 2:1-11
2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

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The Battle Of Armageddon

Every man, woman and child, that survived God’s vials (bowls) of wrath, will see Christ coming (Re 1:7).

Rev 1:7
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

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Fear of the Lord and their coming demise will put them in the grip of terror (Re 16:10, Re 6:15-17).

Rev 16:10
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial (bowl) upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

Rev 6:15-17
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?

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With no chance for repentance, they go about spewing blasphemy as they prepare to make war on the armies of heaven in the great battle of Armageddon located in the plain of Esdraelon, near the biblical city of Megiddo. This is where Barak defeated the Canaanites and Gideon won victory over the Midianites. This location is well known as one of death and slaughter.

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For three and a half years, God’s children will have suffered and died, in His presence, at the hands of these branded, unredeemed souls. Now, in new eternal bodies, the children of God will return to earth, clothed in white, led by Christ, to purge the earth of all who made war with the church, those who have attempted to remove it from the earth.

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The wrath of God, previously discussed will destroy much of the earth and its life but not all. Those able to make war will gather on the plains of Megiddo to fight the Lord and His army in the battle of Armageddon on the great and terrible day of the Lord. It will come as a destruction from the Almighty; every man’s heart will melt, their faces will be as flames and the Lord will destroy the sinners on a day when the sun and moon are darkened. The Lord of Hosts will shake the heavens and remove the earth from its place in the day of His fierce anger (Is 13:6-13, Joel 1:15-20).

Isa 13:6-13
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Joel 1:15-20
15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
16 Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
17 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.
18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
19 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
20 The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

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The miracle working, spirits of devils will go forth to gather the kings of the earth and all the men of war to the battle of that great day of God Almighty (Re 16:14-16, Joel 3:9-16).

Joel 3:9-16
9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

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The Conquest Of Earth

I Th 5:1-3
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

The King of Kings will come upon Babylon, i.e. the world in the day of wrath and will take vengeance upon her for her abominations, corruption and infidelity. Babylon, the evil spirit of the world and those who have followed her seductive ways, will be slain in the day of the Lord’s fierce anger.

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How do we know that Babylon represents the world? Because by her, all nations i.e. all the nations of the earth will be deceived, becoming one with her (Re 18:23). The Lord shall vanquish these enemies. Upon His return, He will cast the false prophet that performed the lying wonders and those deceived followers that bear the mark of the beast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Re 19:20).

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Note: The beast is the body of Satan, led by the son of perdition and those who bear his mark and have worshipped him or his image (Re 19:20, Re 20:10, 2 Th 2:8-10)

Rev 19:20
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the falthese prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Rev 20:10
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

2 Thess 2:8-10
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,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

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Not only those who battle the army of God will pay this price but all who remain (the remnant) alive on earth as well (Re 19:21). When they are destroyed, the fowls of the air will gorge themselves with their flesh (Mt 24:28, Is 34:2, 3, Jer 25:30, 33, Ez 7:8, 9, Zeph 1:17).

Matt 24:28
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Isa 34:2-3
2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

Jer 25:30
30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

Jer 25:33
33 And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

Ezek 7:8-9
8 Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
9 And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth.

Zeph 1:17
17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

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The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can withstand it (Joel 2:11) The armies of God will not limit themselves to the destruction of those gathered to make war. His army will cleanse the entire earth of the branded, unredeemed, Satan worshippers that inhabit the world. Everyone will be rooted out and destroyed (Is 34:1-10, Jer 25:28-38, Ez 7:1-19).

Isa 34:1-10
34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
8 For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

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His army will enter their cities and houses and nothing shall escape them (Joel 2:1-11, Zeph 1:7-18).

Zeph 1:7-18
7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

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The saints of God will be wearing new, eternal bodies, when they go to battle the enemy, on the day of the Lord (Mal 4:1-3).

Mal 4:1-3
4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

With the armies of the world defeated and destroyed, the people of God, God’s children, the saints, will now begin to rule and reign with Christ for one thousand years.

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The Millennium Kingdom

The time will come when the saints of God will possess the kingdom and will rule and reign with the Lord, on this earth, for one thousand years. During this millennial period, Satan will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit until his thousand year sentence has been served, then he will be released for a brief time (Re 20:1-3). Imagine Satan the lion that goes about seeking whom he can devour, being caged and placed where he can do no harm (Dan 2:35, 44, Dan 7:13, 14, 27, Re 20:4).

Rev 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

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Note: In Re 20:4, the apostle John sees the souls of those beheaded for their Christian witness and for the word of God. Those who refuse worship the beast or his image or receive his mark will live and reign with Christ in His millennium kingdom. From this text, we can clearly see that the church will be here through the great tribulation. We can also conclude that Satan will make war with the saints during the tribulation (Mt 24:15-22).

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When and where do these saints get beheaded if they are taken by Christ prior to the great tribulation? Who is the beast making war with if not the saints of God (Re 13:5-7)?

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In Re 20:4-6, Christ is seen as gathering His saints in the first resurrection. Those He gathers will never experience the second death. If the first death is the death of the flesh, then what is the second death?

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The Reason For A Millennial Kingdom

God created man and through him, all of mankind. He gave man dominion over the earth and its living inhabitants. He created the woman to be man’s helpmate and companion. From their union, she insured the continuation of mankind. God would enjoy fellowship with man and all his future generations. The Creator had a purpose for each component of His creation, including mankind, but to qualify for this purpose, mankind was subjected to a test. Those passing this test would ultimately replace another group (angels) that failed Him by rebelling against His authority. This rebellion weakened the nations of heaven, reducing them by one third (Is 14:12, Re 12:4, 9).

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It was not God’s intention that any should fail but He knew, that by giving mankind a free will, the possibility of failure existed. Nevertheless, He took into account both eventualities. He would triumph regardless of man’s choice. God has both options covered. While mankind could fail, God couldn’t (2 Pe 3:9, 1 Co 6:3, Mt 25:41, Lu 20:34-36).

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

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Note: Please observe that in this verse, God calls everyone to repentance thus, because repentance is required, the Lord accepts as fact, that all mankind will sin (Ro 3:23). Because of this, He requires repentance to enter His kingdom, not perfection. Jesus paid our debt, He cleansed mankind’s sins at the cross (1 Jn 1:9). It would seem that we have been prepared, by testing, to replace the one third angels that rebelled.

1 Cor 6:3
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Matt 25:41
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Luke 20:34-36
34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

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The Millennium Reign

In the thousand year reign of Christ, God’s house will be established and the nations of earth will gather there. The nations will refashion weapons of war into instruments of peace and they will war no more, neither shall any bring fear among them and the Lord will heal and watch over the afflicted forever (Mic 4:1-7, Is 2:1-5).

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With war now behind, the Lord will establish His kingdom on earth and it will be as it was in the garden of Eden before the fall of man. The wolf will dwell in peace with the lamb. The leopard will dwell with the kid and the lion with the calf. A child will be unafraid to lead them. The bear, the cow, the lion and their offspring’s will eat straw like an ox as they did before the flood. An infant or child will be able to play on the hole of a poisonous snake or put their hand on its den.

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Compare: Gen 1:29, 30 with Gen 9:2, 3.

Gen 1:29-30
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

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There shall be nothing to hurt or destroy in all of God’s holy mountain for the earth shall be full of understanding, i.e. knowledge (of one another) (Is 11:5-9, Dan 2:34, 35, 44, Dan 7:13, 14, 18). In the thousand year reign of Christ, the earth will be as it was before the flood. Men and animals will no longer hunt each other as food or fear each other but instead, each will be content to nourish themselves with the herbs of the earth and the fruit bearing trees as they live together in peace.

I must admit, I’m not crazy about grazing. The idea of being a vegetarian is nothing I’m excited about. I hope we’ll be able to flavor it with a little A-1. Just kidding. I’m sure that God will change our pallet along with the other changes and everything will taste delicious.

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Satan Released

At the end of the one thousand year reign of Christ, Satan will be released. He will, once again, go out to deceive the nations, Gog and Magog and gather them to battle, the number of which, is as the sands of the sea (Ez 38:2, Re 20:7). His forces will surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city (Jerusalem) but before they can act upon their intent, God will send fire from heaven to devour them and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet await him (Re 20:9). He will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Re 20:10).

Rev 20:10
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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Who is Gog and Magog? A Reubenite, the son of Shemaiah (1 Chr 5:4) or perhaps Magog, son of Japheth (Ge 10:2). He descended from Japheth from whom some believe the Caucasian nations came.

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In the second resurrection, all those who have not received Christ, those who have not repented, will be resurrected to face the Great White Throne judgment. Condemned, with no chance of pardon (not appearing in the Lamb’s book of life), and knowing the fearful fate that awaits them, it is logical to conclude that they will make a last attempt at destroying the children of God. Your teacher, at this point, offers this as a possibility. As yet, there is no clear understanding that exists on who Gog and Magog are in the context of this final conflict (Re 20:7-9). We should seek the Lord for more wisdom on this subject.

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The Great White Throne Judgment

In the Great White Throne Judgment, God will sit upon His throne, the books containing the works of every soul will be opened. The dead, small and great, will stand before God to give account (Re 14:12, Mt 12:36, Ro 2:12).

Rev 14:12
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Matt 12:36
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Rom 2:12
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

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Note: The dead will stand before God in judgment (not the living) and be judged from the books which contain a record of their works (Js 2:24, Re 20:12, 13, Ro 2:12, Gal 3:10, 2 Tim 4:14).

Rev 20:12-13
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Gal 3:10
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

2 Tim 4:14
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

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At judgment, another book, the book of life, will be opened containing the names of those whose sins have been pardoned by the blood sacrifice made at the cross by God’s only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Re 10:2, 8-10, Re 3:5, Ph’l 4:3).

Rev 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Phil 4:3
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

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All whose names are not recorded in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. Then death and Hades (hell) will be cast into the lake of fire, this is the second death, i.e. the death of the spirit (1 Co 15:26, Jn 3:16, Ro 2:12, 1 Co 1:18, 2 Th 2:10, 2 Pe 2:12, Re 21:27).

1 Cor 15:26
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Cor 1:18
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

2 Thess 2:10
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Peter 2:12
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Rev 17:8
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

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Marked For Eternal Torment

The only Christians that will suffer eternally in the lake of fire are those who have worshipped the beast or his image, those bearing the mark of the beast on their forehead or their right hand (Re 13:8, Rev 13:16, Re 14:9-11, Re 17:8).

Rev 13:8
8 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.

Rev 13:16
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Rev 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Matt 25:46
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

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New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem
(The first heaven and the first earth will pass away (Re 21:1, 2 Pe 3:7, 10)

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

2 Peter 3:10
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Read Revelation chapter 21 and 22

Final Words

Rev 22:16
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

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END TIMES

Order Of Events:

Note: Things shown grouped take place within the same period.

In The Time Of The End:

Man’s ability to travel and his knowledge will be greatly increased.
The end time prophecies of Daniel will be understood by the wise.

Spiritual Conditions Will Deteriorate

Social morals will decay
Churches will lose their values
Church leaders will become men pleasers

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The Beginning Of Sorrows Will Produce:

False prophets
Wars and rumors of wars
Natural disasters which cause famine

Signs Of The Coming Great Tribulation

The building of the temple at Jerusalem
The daily temple offerings will begin
The church will be called to a wilderness refuge
The antichrist will be revealed

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In The “Great Tribulation”:

The temple sacrifice will be stopped
The image of the beast will be given life
The unredeemed will be marked
The unmarked (saints) will be unable to buy or sell
Saints who refuse to worship the beast or his image and refuse to be marked will be slain
God will harass those who persecute the saints with seven trumpet judgments
Two prophets of God will harass God’s enemies but will ultimately be slain and resurrected at the coming of Christ

Immediately After The Tribulation:

The sun and moon will be darkened and the stars will cease to shine
Christ will return for His church. The graves will give up the dead in Christ and the living saints will depart from the earth
The angels of Christ will gather the saints together

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Celebration And Vindication by:

The marriage supper of the Lamb
The saints receiving new eternal bodies
The wrath of God being poured out in seven vials upon the unredeemed of the earth

The Wrath Of The Lamb Will Fall Upon:

The world’s armies at Armageddon
The unredeemed remnant of earth
The beast and false prophet

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Christ’s Millennial Kingdom Will Be Established When:

All of God’s enemies are put down
Christ is anointed King and reigns over the earth for 1,000 years
Satan is bound for the same millennial (1,000 year) period
The saints of God inherit the kingdom

The Final Conflict Occurs And Ends When:

Satan is set free
Satan goes out, with Gog and Magog, attempting to destroy the saints
Fire from God devours Gog and Magog
Satan is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone

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When The Books At the Great White Throne Judgment Are Opened:

The Lamb’s book is opened
The dead are resurrected and judged out of the books by their works
Death and hell are cast into the lake of fire
Those whose names are not recorded in the Lamb’s book of life are cast into the lake of fire

All Things Are Made New When:

The first heaven and first earth pass away and the sea is no more
The new holy city of Jerusalem comes down out of heaven prepared as a bride

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Definitions

Antichrist-Against Christ, i.e. opponent
Popular name for a prophetic figure of the bible. He is also known as the little horn, king of fierce countenance, beast, false prophet, son of perdition and abomination of desolation.

Satan-The accuser, adversary
Commonly known as the devil; also known as Lucifer, king of Tyre, god of this world, beast, the great dragon, the serpent and more.

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Image-Statue or icon, i.e. representation (image of the beast)
An idol. Biblically, an object of pagan worship. Brought to life in the book of Revelation by the false prophet, i.e. earth beast.

Armageddon-A name for the plain of Megiddo
The site of the great battle between the forces of the world and the army of God.

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Hell-A. (86) Hades-place of the dead. B. (1067) geenna-the valley of Hinnom, fig. a place of punishment. C. (5020) tartaroo-the deepest abyss of Hades.
All men must die and go to Hades. The unredeemed will be kept in geenna awaiting judgment and the angels that left their spiritual home to fornicate with women are kept in chains in tartaroo, reserved for the day of judgment also.

Lake Of Fire And Brimstone-Burning sulfur
Final disposition for all unbelievers and the enemies of God. Could become the final condition of this earth.

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Resurrection-To rise again
As pertaining to the bible, to be resurrected, lifted up and made to live again.

Second Coming-To return a second time
Prophetically, when Christ returns to gather His elect (Christians) from the earth.

Day of The Lord-The day of the Lord’s triumph
Most often referring to the day of the Lord’s wrath, though not exclusively.

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Tribulation-Pressure, affliction, anguish, persecution, burden and trouble.
As applied to the biblical period known as the “great tribulation”, a time of great persecution and extreme violence.

Marriage Supper-A wedding banquet
Prophetically, a time when the saints of God will celebrate their eternal union with Christ.

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Millennium-A period of one thousand years
This word, though not used in the bible, refers to the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth when Satan is bound and unable to interfere with, or interrupt, the Lord’s authority during this same one thousand years.

The Elect-Select, favored, chosen
Those, who by God’s grace, have received forgiveness and pardon through the atoning power of Christ’s sinless sacrifice, those blood bought, redeemed saints, both gentile and Jew.

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Trumpet Judgments-A series of punishments that take place at the sound of a trumpet
These judgments take place at intervals during the period known as the “great tribulation”.

The Altar-A place of sacrifice
With regard to the tribulation, it is a term used for the earth on which the blood of the saints is spilled. Under the altar would be Hades, the grave, i.e. under the earth

The Vials Or Bowls-Containers
Prophetically used to envision an object which, like a vial or bowl, contains the wrath of God. There are seven of these which are poured out upon the branded followers of Satan, those that occupy the earth exclusively.

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Seals-A wax impression that secures a scroll, letter or book
The book or scroll used to see into the future events of the last days is sealed and can only be opened by the Lamb of God, i.e. Jesus who reveals, in order, each event that will take place from the propagation of false prophets to the second coming, i.e. His return.

White Throne Judgment-The court of judgment set by a king
In context with prophetic scripture, it is the place of final disposition; a place of pardon or punishment for all who appear before it. The unredeemed will suffer punishment according to their works and the elect of God, those recorded in the Lamb’s book of life, will be pardoned through the sinless sacrifice of Christ.

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The Counterfeit

It has often been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but the sinful, destructive nature of Satan is no imitation of God. As one who stuttered for many years, I can say with confidence, that mimicking is the cruelest form of imitation.

Satan believes that he is an alternate god, equal in every way to the Most High (Is 14:14). He delights in copying God’s organization. He influenced one third of the heavenly host to rebel and follow him (Re 12:9). He became the god of this world (2 Co 4:4). He plans to introduce a mortal son who will represent him in power and authority just as Jesus, the son of God, represented His Father in power and authority as His mortal son.

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As the church represents Christ on earth as His spiritual body, so also does the beast, as the spiritual body, i.e. assembly of Rome. It, as a counterfeit church, has become the spiritual embodiment of Satan and his son, the son of perdition. The beast that comes from the sea is Satan and his son is the beast that rises from the earth. The power of the first beast, geo-political Rome and the second beast, spiritual Rome, are both driven by the same evil source, Satan, i.e. the dragon, the father of the antichrist, the enemy of God.

God has a realm; Satan has a realm. God has an angelic host; Satan has an angelic host. God had a mortal son; Satan will have a mortal son. God has His body, the church; Satan has his body, the spiritual beast of Rome. Yes, Satan is a counterfeit god with a counterfeit host, living in a counterfeit realm. He has a counterfeit throne, where his counterfeit son can deceive the people of the world into becoming part of his counterfeit church, with its counterfeit practices and traditions but their everlasting life will, no doubt, be spent in a place that’s no imitation of heaven.

Thank you for coming to this teaching. Perhaps by working together we can expose the counterfeit while we teach and preach the real thing, the genuine article, who is worthy of praise, honor and glory.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Cliff James

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