​Rightly Dividing God’s Word Keeps us Focused on Jesus’ Appearing – Jonathan Brentner - https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2021/1/26/rightly-dividing-gods-word-keeps-us-focused-on-jesus-appearing
 
As a child, I loved AWANA and grew up with its motto verse hanging on the wall of my bedroom. It read, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).
 
The Greek word for “rightly dividing” literally means to “cut straight” with the implication of interpreting Scripture accurately. The English Standard Version translates the phrase as “rightly handling the word of truth.”
 
Over the many years, I have observed that much doctrinal error has arisen because of a failure to heed the instruction Paul gives us in 2 Timothy 2:15. Many fail to handle Scripture accurately because they do not make proper distinctions in their interpretation of it. They do this by either ignoring the overall context of a passage, failing to recognize the audience to whom the author is addressing, ignoring the dispensation to which the text refers, or by way of all of the above. As a result, they fall short of accurately handling God’s Word; they do not cut a straight path through it as prescribed by 2 Timothy 2:15.
 
Here are some examples of how teachers combine biblical teachings that Scripture separates.
 
THE COMBINING OF THE CHURCH’S MISSION WITH ITS HOPE
 
If you attend a Bible-believing church, you will likely hear at least one sermon each year on the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). There’s nothing wrong in emphasizing our task as believers to proclaim the Gospel and then bring the saints to maturity through the teaching of God’s Word. The problem is that so many churches emphasize the Great Commission while remaining silent on biblical texts pertaining to our “blessed hope.”
 
This silence leads to another dilemma in the church; it happens when teachers and pastors confuse or even combine the mission of the church with its hope. The prime example of this is C. Porter Wagner. During his life he authored eighty books and served as the Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Missions until his retirement in 2001. Sadly, he promoted the false teaching of Dominion Theology, which teaches that the church will succeed in bringing the entire world to faith in Christ and by itself bring in the millennium before Jesus returns to earth. I wrote about this doctrinal error in an earlier post, The Five Dangerous Errors of the New Apostolic Reformation.
 
Wagner impacted a great many churches during his lifetime, even those that reject his end times theology. In many cases, they have unwittingly combined the mission of the church with its hope. We see this when teachers take verses that refer to the millennium and apply them to the future success of missionary efforts. A prime example of this is Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, / as the water cover the sea.” This total covering of the planet with the Lord’s glory happens during Jesus’ reign over the nations, not during the church age. The same is true of Psalm 46:10, which also refers to the millennium rather than missionary efforts in our current day,
 
Some also error by making Daniel 2:44 a reference to the church age instead of the beginning of the millennium where it belongs. This confusion carries with it the errant implication that the church is God’s future kingdom that strikes down the kingdoms of the world with the spread of the Gospel. They wrongly see the fulfillment of Daniel 2:44 as taking place on the Day of Pentecost. 
 
Please know that I strongly support home and foreign missions and have done so all my life. Missionaries have had a profound and lasting impact on me. Furthermore, in this late hour, it’s imperative that we share the Gospel with as many people as possible. I am not at all suggesting that we ignore the calling of the church to preach the Gospel and teach people the word of God.
 
However, when the mission of the church becomes its ultimate hope as we see happening today, much doctrinal error ensues and a Gospel devoid of its “blessed hope” tragically becomes the norm rather than the exception.
 
THE COMBINING OF GOVERNMENT AND INDIVIDUAL SAINT RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Does the Bible assign identical responsibilities to New Testament saints and those in government authority?
 
Most evangelicals today would answer “yes” to that question. Many politicians, despite their limited knowledge of Scripture and rejection of its overall message, often quote Bible verses in a manner that assumes God has identical expectations of governments as He does of individual Christians.
 
God’s Word tells us that the primary role of government during the church age is to punish those who break the law and in so doing protect its citizens (Rom. 13:1-7). God entrusts human governments with the responsibility of keeping its people safe from those who break the law or would cause them harm. Government leaders do so by enforcing laws so that those guilty of breaking its law receive just punishment while those who obey its statutes enjoy their protection (13:4).
 
National borders do not represent the evil invention of wayward humanity; both sovereign nations and secure borders originate in God’s sovereign purposes plan for humanity (see Acts 17:26). The Lord instituted human governments as well as national borders and He holds those in authority over the various nations responsible for keeping their citizens safe within those borders.
 
As followers of Christ, we have a much different role than that of the government. Jesus summarized our responsibility in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus did not give this command to human government; He gave it to His followers. The same is true of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan.
 
The instruction for New Testament saints “to show hospitality to strangers” (Heb. 13:1) does not suggest that governments should welcome those who come into their nation illegally. The leaders of nations have a much, much different responsibility than believers, one that involves protecting it citizens and punishing those who break its laws.
 
For more information on this confusion of roles between the government and individual saints, click here.
 
THE COMBINING OF THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL
 
Replacement theology falsely claims that God rejected the people of Israel when they spurned their Messiah and replaced the nation with the church. Thus, the promises and covenants the Lord made with Israel now find their fulfillment in the church, albeit in a spiritual rather than physical sense.
 
This highly popular, yet erroneous teaching, fails to distinguish between Israel and the church as does Paul in Romans 11. In the first two verses, the apostle negates the idea that God has rejected Israel. In the rest of the chapter, he explains why the Lord set aside Israel for the time being although many Jews have come to faith and joined the church.
 
In Romans 11:25-36, Paul prophesies of a time when Israel will return to the Lord, which is also what Zechariah wrote about in 12:10 to 13:1. The key verse is 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” In Ezekiel 36:22-38, the Lord tells us that Israel’s future restoration vindicates His holiness. For more on this topic, click here.
 
This is so much more than just a matter of meaningless semantics. Those who miss the distinction between the church and Israel miss all the signs of that we live in the last days of human history and do not understand a key purpose of the tribulation, which is to bring Israel to repentance and salvation. Instead, they interpret the book of Revelation as allegory, which leads to many other errors as well as false hopes for the day in which we live.
 
THE COMBINING OF THE RAPTURE WITH THE SECOND COMING
 
During the past two or three decades especially, pastors and teachers have failed to “rightly” divide Scripture by claiming that the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event. They are not.
 
The biblical descriptions of the Rapture and Second Coming contain many significant differences that make it impossible to reconcile them into one event. They cannot happen at the same time.
 
The resurrection of those who have died in Christ confirms that they cannot be the same event. The resurrection of the saints happens first in the event Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. With the Second Coming, however, the resurrection of tribulation saints does not occur until after a lengthy sequence of events (Rev. 19:11-20:4), perhaps not until several days later.
 
This is just one of many distinguishing and significant differences that exist in passages describing the Rapture versus those of the Second Coming.
 
DO THESE THINGS REALLY MATTER?
 
“What’s the big deal?” you might be asking at this point, “Are these distinctions really that critical?” I would argue that they are extremely important. Here’s why:
 
The combining of the church’s mission with its hope has led to the current prominence of the New Apostolic Reformation doctrinal error that falsely teaches that the church will bring the entire world to Jesus and bring in the millennium without Him. The Bible does not teach this; it’s a serious false teaching based on new revelation that contradicts the words of Scripture.
 
The combining of the government’s responsibility with that of individual believers often arises from the previous error. Once believers regard the mission of the church as its ultimate goal, they soon adopt the posture that those in authority must behave in a manner befitting New Testament saints in order not to hamper the spreading of the Gospel. Those with this posture all too often elevate the perceived behavior of a politician above that of his or her agenda even if it goes against the moral teachings of God’s Word.
 
The combining of the church with Israel has caused many today to discard biblical prophecies regarding Jesus’ thousand-year reign on the earth, which in turn furthers the placing of the church’s mission over its ultimate hope. Through the use of allegory, amillennialists retrofit interpretations of prophetic passages that are foreign to the intent of the authors. This sadly causes believers to miss the many signs of the last days that abound in our world. They fail to see that the seven-year tribulation is approaching this world at warp speed.
 
The combining of the Rapture with the Second Coming takes the eyes of believers off the “blessed hope” of the Gospel at a time when the saints sorely needed this focus. This error facilitates hope in earthly outcomes rather than in eternal matters. Beyond that, such confusion does not provide relief from the anxieties created by the perilous times in which we find ourselves.
 
So yes, these distinctions absolutely matter. The failure to “rightly” divide Scripture in these areas results in an earthbound perspective that tragically divorces our ultimate hope in Jesus’ appearing from the proclamation of the Gospel. These shortcomings lead to a misguided focus on the temporal things of this life versus eternal realities (see 2 Cor. 4:16-18). If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s that placing our hope in people or expected outcomes brings much disappointment and even despair.
 
You see, rightly dividing God’s Word in these key areas not only keeps us from doctrinal error, but it keeps us focused on our hope in Jesus’ soon appearing, which is absolutely essential in an increasingly hostile world running headlong toward the seven-year tribulation.

​Unscripted - Pete Garcia - https://www.rev310.com/2021/01/unscripted
 
Although Scripture has foretold of the times we live in, you could say that the time from the Rapture until the start of the 70th-Week is intentionally unscripted. In other words, the outline is there, but the details are still somewhat a mystery to us. Keep in mind they might be a mystery to us, but they are not a mystery to God. Nevertheless, I thought I should ask the question as to why are they a mystery at all.
 
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Revelation 4:1-2 (emphasis mine)
 
After these things is a three-word phrase that is just jam-packed with underlying meaning. Comparatively, it is just as pregnant with context as is the passage in Galatians 4:4 is which states…But when the fullness of the time had come. The passage Paul wrote to the Galatians is referring to all the geopolitical and prophetic events, which had to have taken place for Christ to come the first time as a man to the earth through the virgin Mary.
 
It meant all of what was given to the Prophet Daniel had to have taken place. Included but not limited: the rise and fall of three kingdoms (Babylon, Persia, and Greece), the rise of the fourth (Rome), the regathering of the Jews back in their homeland, and the rebuilding of the second Jewish Temple since the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s Temple. However, to have a rebuilt Jewish temple meant the Jews would have had to be securely back in their land. Thus we see the first repatriation under the Medo-Persian King Cyrus, and later, under the Persian King Artaxerxes II. From a military, economic, and political standpoint, that was a considerable list of things to occur in just five-short centuries.
 
However, back to the passage at hand. So what is this after these things referring to you might be asking. Revelation chapters 1-3 is all about John’s vision, i.e., the glorified Christ’s revelation to him, and Jesus’ seven letters to the seven churches. Jesus tells John that he was chosen to be the messenger to all he was about to witness and that he would be tasked with ensuring its distribution to all the churches (i.e., the chain of custody).
 
Now we get back to the crux of the issue. The last letter of the seven Jesus spoke to was to the Church at Laodicea. Jesus stated they were lukewarm and offensive to Him, even though they believed they were wealthy and in need of nothing. Jesus offers nothing positive to say to this church; only condemnation. He concludes with His cursory remarks about “he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
 
Then immediately (remember there weren’t chapter or verse breaks in the original text) we jump to the scene where John sees a door standing open in heaven, and then hears a voice like a trumpet, saying “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
 
Since there were hundreds to thousands of churches existing in 95AD as well as larger and more predominant congregations, the seven churches were chosen to convey the totality of churches for all time. The number seven represents the concept of completeness throughout Scripture. Furthermore, the order these seven churches are arranged also speaks to the sequential nature of how the church would progress through time.
 
Paul also wrote to seven churches (Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Romans) and Jesus had the seven kingdom parables in Matthew 13. Interestingly, all three (Seven Letters, Paul’s Letters, and Kingdom Parables) perfectly overlay each other in a complementary fashion. Thus, let us conclude with confidence that the “after these things,” is referring to what John saw (resurrected and glorified Christ) and to the totality of the church age.
 
Assessment
 
Although there is not a perceived gap of time in the text between Jesus’ scathing letter to the Laodiceans and the time John is caught up into Heaven, there are two things to consider. First, when John is raptured into heaven, he went from existing in the temporal, physical realm, which is bound by time, to the eternal realm (not bound by time).
 
Secondly, the next two chapters (4-5) are devoted entirely to the throne room scene in Heaven. However, by referring back to the passage in Galatians (and many other places), a passage of time not explicitly laid out, is not a denial or negation that one has occurred. The passing of time could then be either implied or at least, assumed. Therefore, let us categorize the major highlights for this seemingly unscripted time we live in, into four sections. The things, which must take place between the Rapture, and the start of the 70th Week (i.e. the Tribulation).
 
The Rise of Antichrist
 
The end of Revelation chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 directs John’s attention (and ours) back to earth to see what the ramifications are, for Jesus opening the First Seal, the unleashing of the Antichrist. According to the 70 Weeks Prophecy given to Daniel by the Angel Gabriel, the 70th Week (the Tribulation) would begin with a treaty that is enforced between Israel and the many. The one, who enforces the Treaty, is none other than the Antichrist.
 
Something to consider is that the Apostle John had penned the Gospel of John, as well as three Epistles before being given the book of Revelation. In his first epistle, John already discusses something intriguing.
 
Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18
 
How did John know about the Antichrist (he is the only one who calls him this) before he was given the Revelation? First, because John understood and took literally, the Old Testament prophets speaking to about this man. He had Jesus’ own words in the Olivet Discourse. He also had the writings by Paul. Lastly, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is how he knew there was one final man of sin coming. He also understood that the spirit of antichrist was already at work in the world. This spirit of antichrist would spawn numerous others who would precede the final one coming. What the missing piece was how he would come. The final Antichrist cannot come to the earth until Jesus opens the First Seal Judgment.
 
This is called a pre-condition, which requires something to happen before the Tribulation officially begins. The Man of Sin, the Lawless One, the Son of Perdition, and the Antichrist (all the same man) must first be allowed to come by Jesus. Even though this man wreaks great havoc upon the earth on those saints living on the earth at that time, he cannot come to the earth to do Satan’s bidding, until Jesus allows it. This point, while not directly connected to the issue at hand, soundly refutes Pre-Wrath and other erroneous eschatological positions which somehow try to conflagrate and confuse the concept of wrath and when it begins. (See 1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9)
 
The Restrainer
 
Paul also confirms and provides a different perspective to this ‘coming of the lawless one’ by adding, he cannot come UNTIL the restrainer is removed. So who is the Restrainer? Who is a that restrains evil across the world for the past two thousand years? Well, we know who it cannot be. It cannot be the Archangel Michael, because Michael is a singular being (not omnipresent), thus, could not physically constrain evil all over the world at the same time.
 
The restrainer is also not Satan, because he would not restrain evil, being the very embodiment of it. The restrainer is not the government, although governments were designed to curb man’s lawless intentions, however, there are plenty of examples of evil governments. The only Being it could be, who is both omnipresent and capable of restraining evil, is the Holy Spirit.
 
During the Last Supper, Jesus tells His disciples that it is beneficial that He leave because another would come and be with them. He referred to God the Holy Spirit as both the Helper and the Comforter, thus, descriptive names as to the nature of the role of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, He states,
 
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; John 16:7-9 (emphasis mine)
 
Jesus, while in His physical, earthly body, was not omnipresent. He was confined (as a man) to the geographical locations of where He was at any given moment. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, can be everywhere, at the same time, with the same omnipotence as the other two members of the Triune Godhead. Paul reveals later that the Holy Spirit seals the believer at the very moment of salvation, and that they are sealed until the day of redemption. (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30Foreknowledge
 
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor. 2:7-8
 
Although this brief is titled “Unscripted,” concerning where we are in time, the truth is (as Amos 3:7 plainly states) God has foretold us what will happen before it happens, so that we can have confidence in God’s sovereignty. We may not know all the details, but at the least, we have the outline. The world writ large refuses to accept the divine outline. The divine outline (at least as far as we here in the 21st-century are concerned) is this,
 
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. Revelation 1:19
 
Because the book of Revelation deals with everything post-Calvary, understanding the basic outline in Revelation will prevent a lot of confusion before it even begins. Still, if Johns’ catching up is a foreshadowing of the Rapture, which dissects the world before (the Church Age), with what comes after (the Tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom, and Eternity Future), what has to happen between the two?
 
My theory is the two chapters (heavenly throne-room scene) are given precious and exclusive real estate in this final book of the Bible to show (without showing) a gap in time between the Rapture and the official start of the 70th Week. Remember, the Rapture does not begin the Tribulation, but it does lay the necessary foundation for it to begin.
 
Likely events that take place: the collapse of the world’s former superpower, the United States; the divinely spectacular defeat of Gog and Magog; the arrival of the Two Witnesses, the rebuilding of the Third Jewish Temple, and the rise of a new, but different last day’s empire.
 
Now, given what we know about the world today (roughly 192 countries), is that they are highly segregated into sovereign nations. Each nation (more or less) always acts on its own behalf. Also true is that if the Rapture occurred today, some nations would be impacted more than others would. For example, the Rapture would have a far greater impact on the United States, than say Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia.
 
However, for the sake of global reorganization, let us focus on the United States.
 
The collapse of the United States (for any reason) would seriously upend the global pecking order. Aside from the obvious disturbances (vehicular crashes, riots, and general lawlessness), the US economy would collapse, thus bringing the entire world down with it. If that happens, it would take some time to both strip the United States resources from her and reallocate them back to the Old World.
 
While Satan is not omnipotent, he has (presumably) read the book of Revelation. He understands that a third of the earth will be burnt up, as well as a third of the oceans and freshwaters in the Trumpet Judgments alone. The Americas (North, Central, and South) make up a third of the world’s trees, fresh waters, and oceans (those territorial to our coastlines). It does not take a rocket surgeon to see that Satan’s footprint is being reduced and channelized so that he (and his forces) are being increasingly confined to those lands near Israel.
 
This may also speak to why Satan is so intently bent on destroying the United States. It is not simply to corrupt us just for the sake of it, he has a much more pragmatic need to do so (i.e., he needs our military aircraft, weapons, technology, gold, soldiers, etc.) back over to Europe to outfit and finance his final world empire. He also needs to destroy our currency so that the global economy does collapse, and he can introduce (through his human agents) the digital currency necessary for the implementation of the mark of the beast system.
 
Therefore, while things appear to be “unscripted” and “unknowable,” we should take comfort in the reality that God has this all under control. As Jan Markell is fond of saying, things are not falling apart, but are falling into place. What we are witnessing today is not merely random acts of violence and chaos, but an orchestrated maneuvering by Satan to ready his beast-government with an imminent rapture hanging overhead. Satan (like us) knows it is going to happen, he (we) just does not know when. For us, the Rapture will happen and we will forever be with God in eternal glory.
 
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

​Watchman on the Wall…Tribulation on the Horizon - by Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2021/01/watchman-on-walltribulation-on-horizon.html
 
24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25, Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26, And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:24-26)
 
The prophecy given to Daniel has caused many people to strain to understand what this prophecy begins and ends. Many believe that it was all settled in 70 AD when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and there is no more prophecy to be completed. That would be a Preterist view, but they can't explain why it is that 483 years (leaving 7 years to the prophecy) was completed to the day, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a colt.
 
9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)
 
In the New Testament, this was repeated in Matthew chapter 21:
 
5 “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.” (Matthew 21:5-8)
 
In a few days, Jesus would be condemned to death in an illegal Sanhedrin Court and crucified on a Roman cross...the Time clock of this prophecy stopped leaving the prophecy incomplete.
 
There is still one year week that must be completed that would complete the prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel. The Bible calls this the time of Jacob's trouble and it is in the future...possibly, the near future.
 
6, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
8And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” (Isaiah 13:6-9)
 
The Bible talks of this time, also called the Tribulation for 3.5 years, followed by the Great Tribulation for the same time frame. During this time, a man we have read about in the Bible called the Anti-Christ, the son of peridition...The Beast. He will arise and reveal himself with a signed confirmed treaty with Israel for 7 years.
 
I had a member of my online “congregation” ask me why the Jews would accept this man as their “savior” when he may not be even Jewish. That's a good question. Why would they? Answer is the nation of Israel has been looking for a “political” savior, much as they did in the time of Jesus...The ruling authorities would not accept Jesus, the Son of God, who was standing right in front of them, because He didn't fulfill the pre-conceived notion of who the Messiah would be. They were looking for a warrior king, much like King David to rid themselves of Roman domination and restore their golden days as a nation. They didn't believe in a lowly, poor Rabbi, even if He did miracles. It was not who they wanted, so they rejected Him...Jesus said to the ruling authorities:
 
“43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?.” (John 5:43-47
 
The Romans occupied Israel and they didn't think they needed a “Savior”...they had Moses and the Law that could justify them in God's eyes...little did they know the real purpose and mission of the only Begotten Son of God, and they helped complete the plan of salvation, unwittingly. But it was God's plan all along.
 
Flash forward to our time, and the nation of Israel is again in great threat of extinction, at least in their own minds. They are again, looking for a political savior and they have the same attitude the world has when the secretary general of NATO said:
 
“What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the alliances of all people and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and be he god or devil, we will receive him.” Henri Spaak circa 1957-1960 Secretary General of NATO
 
I believe the nation of Israel will accept a “peace maker” who will give them a sense of security, even if it's a false security, and he doesn't have to be Jewish, just a powerful political presence. It's a political savior they seek, not a spiritual one. Unfortunately for them, they will realize they made a deal with the devil when he stands in the temple saying he is God.
 
Unlike, but in some points, similar to their forefathers, Israel today is not concerned about their spiritual condition. They are more concerned about their safety and their national identity before the world. They long for peace, and that Israel to be recognized the homeland of the Jews. Stage right, the Anti-Christ, a political “savior” that gives them what they want...although it's that false sense of security.
 
WHEN WILL THE ANTI-CHRIST TAKE OVER?
 
According to the Bible, before this man of sin can rise to power and perform a peace treaty with Israel that kicks off the Tribulation, there must exist three things for this to happen.
 
1.   There must be an operational global government in place that he takes control of.
2.   There must be an existing, operational global economy
3.   And there must be an operational global religion to bind them all together.
 
Why do they have to be all in place before the Anti-Christ seizes control of complete dictatorship of the whole world? His agenda is a pretty ambitious schedule for this man of sin when he arrives on the scene and reveals himself to the world. He has only seven years to complete his plans according to Bible prophecy, which is barely enough time to accomplish these tasks assigned to him by God who is really in control of this part of the final rule of mankind on earth.
 
How long would it take to get this all in place for the “man of sin” to take complete control. That goes back to the theory of a “Gap period” between the rapture of the church and the revealing of the Anti-Christ.
 
We see evidence of it starting right now with this last election. The only thing that stood in the way of a global government was POTUS Trump and now he has been removed...are we heading fast forward to that time when this world being ripe for a dictator to take over?
 
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:
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.”(2nd Thessalonians 2:6-10)
 
The stage is being set, but the only Person that is holding back rampant evil on this planet is God's Holy Spirit...It is the HE that will be drawn back to allow the Anti-Christ to be revealed and complete evil to rule for 7 years.
 
But before this man arises, there must be a “glue” that binds the nations together to complete the other two. He must have a global religion to demand worship, the global economy to enforce compliance, and the global government to punish transgressors.
 
So to accomplish all this in so short a time, these things must already be in place. After all, remember, he only has seven years. It is enough time to seize power of the reins of the government, but not enough time to build the system. Looking to the United Nations, there is already a weak global governance system in place, but there in no centralized global government......YET!!
 
Reason being, the United Nations is a paper tiger when it is put under political pressure. The idea is sound, the infrastructure is there..the plan and resources are there, but there is no real leadership to bring it all together. While the U.N. has the authority and the power necessary, the debate over the use of force to back up its own resolutions continues to rage on. They make resolutions, but no resolve to complete them.
 
To have this come to pass in rapid fashion, something major would have to happen...a major revolution to convert the current national systems of the world over to a centralized authority...OR besides a revolution, a loss of several million people all in a flash, without a logical explanation would hasten that development as noted in 2nd Thessalonians above.
 
Everyday, I see fascinating developments that is bringing the plan all together, one piece at a time...but in rapid succession, then slowing down and speeding up again. Here we find different prophecies from different parts of the Bible, made in different eras, overlapping and becoming interdependent upon one another to bring about their fulfillment.
 
The global religion is continuing to develop. It is unclear what its final form will be. It is possible that it could be Islam in some form, or maybe a hybrid combination of all the two major religions. I've written in the past about a hybrid form of the merging of Christianity and Islam called Chrislam....it is being pushed for the unity of all the major religions, even as I type this message.
 
Presidents have pandered to the Islamic religion, as noted by former president Bush that called Islam a religion of peace, or the past “idiot in chief” that took every chance he could get to call Islam a religion of peace and push for recognition of this “religion” in this country. Or that God is just another name for “allah”...Plus there is all the other suspects that push for unity of main religion that is saying, come to the “mother Church” ....by none other than the Vatican and the Pope. Many have believed, including yours truly, that the Pope in Rome is a prime candidate to fulfill the prophecy of the false prophet. The Bible says he will have two horns like a Lamb (symbolic of Christianity) but will speak like a dragon (Satan). -
 
11 “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”(Rev 13:11-12)
 
All that remains is to get rid of all that 'fundamentalist extremism' within each system that claims exclusivity. It's no coincidence that all major systems in their current form are beginning to convulse and shudder.
 
Jesus warned that signs in the sun, moon and stars, together with the fear of sweeping climate changes would overwhelm the planet.
 
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26)
 
We are already have seen natural wonders on earth and in the heavens...animals dying all over the world...fish dying by the millions...earthquakes that cause tsunamis that have killed 1/4 of a million people in one horrific event...Volcanoes that have suddenly come awake all over the planet..California with raging fires destroying every thing in it's path....People are getting alarmed, but this is just the birth pangs...Wait when it really gets fearsome to live on this planet and even survive the natural environmental disasters, let alone what can only be labeled plagues that kill millions of mankind.
 
THE PLAGUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE???
 
Men have been trying to convince the world with science that can only be labeled as “suspect”, but they demand that we embrace the concept as settled scientific facts.
 
Consider Robert F. Kennedy's contemptuous comments at the Live Earth event at Giants Stadium in NJ on July 4, 2009.
 
"The next time you see John Stossel, or Glenn Beck, or Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity – these flat earthers, these corporate toadies, lying to you, lying to the American public and telling you that global warming doesn't exist – you send an e-mail to their advertisers and tell them you're not going to buy their products anymore."
 
The guy sounds more like a fundamentalist railing against the sin of mankind, instead of a politician. And this is the left's definition of tolerance?? Then there is the “prophet” Al Gore who is still spewing this same idea forever since he lost the election back in 2000.
 
Personally, I have always believed in a climate change pattern, but it's natural...it's been going on since time began. It's called “weather”. I don't believe in a man-made climate problem that we must throw tons of cash at. All that is about is global control and re-distribution of wealth. During the last century, the earth's weather has cooled, then got warmer, then cooled again to where they were predicting unusual cold patterns...it got so ridiculous, that the “global warming” fanatics had to change tactics and call it “Climate Change' to encompass everything.
 
That brings me to the U.N.'s Climate Change initiatives called in the 1990s as Agenda 21...that didnt' go anywhere for awhile, until they got a spokesman for their NEW and IMPROVED Agenda 2030 as a mascot who advocated that we must all fight climate change and spoke at the U.N. in favor of this debacle...who was that “man”....wait for it....the Pope in Rome. It all falls under the mantra of “Sustainable Development” that all nations must sign onto by the year 2030. I wrote about this Pope being the leader of the new religion surrounding “Climate Change” here:
 
http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2016/09/by-pastor-mike-taylor-revelation-1311.html
 
It all surrounds the notion of “fear” that our planet won't survive unless we battle this “catastrophe” called climate change that is driving global alarmist and the global government proponents to act.
 
Remember the three points that must be in place, before the Anti-Christ can seize power?...a global religion to bind the nations together. That is the third pillar that the coming Anti-Christ government will rest. The New World Order will push the notion of save the planet, and as a Pagan belief about “Mother Earth” it will become the new world religion surrounding this mantra promoted by the Pope and the U.N. But first the coming lawless one must have control of the world's economy. The global economy exist right now, but what is missing is some centralized authority. Right now, a shaky economic authority is the central banking system found in the Federal Reserve. I say shaky, because the the U.S. Dollar has hit many bumpy roads and in the near past, thanks to the flooding the market with trillions of counterfeit dollars and was devalued in favor of the Chinese currency, or a New World Currency called the SDR (Special Drawing Rights). Because of the fraudulent manipulation of the global economy, the world's nations are not fooled, as fraudulent, means imitation because the Fed has the authority to print them, but NOT the money to back them. Now we see the use of the “Bit-coin” and the push for a digital currency and outlawing cash, which will bring about complete monitoring of everything a person does, where they go, where they shop, and even what they buy. It is about total control of the masses.
 
THE COMING WORLDWIDE RULE BY THE ANTI-CHRIST
 
The prophet Daniel says the Anti-Christ is a “prince' of the empire that would destroy the Temple and Jerusalem and that happened in 70AD by General Titus, who also became Emperor of Rome.
 
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)
 
But the Apostle John saw the Anti-Christ as a political leader who would rise up out of the sea of nation.
 
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” (Revelation 13:1)
 
But before this global “emperor” can arise, there must be an empire in need of one. But it is apparent that the Western World would only be too happy to submit to one, at least in the last dozen or so years. The push for a New World Order took a huge leap under the past reign of Obama. Even now this man is part of a shadow government in opposition to our democracy and way of life.
 
The election of POTUS Trump gave the religious right the hope that this push for a global government will have met a stall, as the man was President elect has been rabidly a nationalist, who made “Populist” promises of “America First” and made “America Great Again”..But at that point, that was only a promise which I believe was fulfilled, even in direct opposition from the opposing “party”.
 
THE GLUE THAT WILL BIND THEM.
 
That issue, 'religion' –as mentioned, is the third pillar upon which the antichrist's infrastructure rests. John prophesied of a second 'beast' -- the false prophet -- who will elevate the antichrist to the position of deity.
 
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:11-17)
 
The Bible says that in the last days, God will send a 'strong delusion' but that delusion will only affect those "who received not the love of the truth that they might be saved." The need for a global religion that is globally accepted is palpable. The Roman Catholic Church is front and center to draw all denomination together, under the banner of Climate Change and save the planet. No other leader of the so-called religious community demands the attention that the Pope in Rome garners. His words are on the lips of over a billion people who actually, if truth be told, worship this man as “God on earth” or the vicar of Christ.
 
In the last days, the Bible says the whole world will be conditioned to accept a savior, a messiah of sorts, who will seem to have all the answers to the religious, economic and political problems facing the world.
 
The Bible demands the existence of a global government (in need of leadership) a global economy (in need of leadership) and a global religion (in need of leadership.) The world demands global leadership, period. Any leader will do, provided those who love unrighteousness like what he promises.
 
It's not even a problem to them that they know he can't deliver it. It is the promise that is important. The past “idiot in chief” of Obama promised change for a platform that “we can believe in” without even outlining what that change would be or how he would get from point A to point B. Many thought the man was the coming Anti-Christ, and he sure had some of the marking of him, but I believe he was just setting the stage for the real-deal.
 
Never in history of mankind has it been possible to impose a global government, a global economy, or a global religion. Not politically, not administratively, and surely not technological, not until the time we live in...the end of this age, we call the Age of Grace.
 
IN the past 100 years, or even the last 70 years, the efforts to unite the world under a single government was a recipe for disaster and for World War...it did cause WW2...Hitler was a precursor to the rise of the Anti-Christ, but it was not time. What he did cause was the birth of a new nation...the birth of Israel...Not before that time, was the last days clock even wound, until Israel again became a nation against all odds. Then that clock that heralds the last generation began to TICK.....so now 72 years later, a One World Government is seen by many in the public and government arena as the only option.
 
But make no mistake, the current economic condition and it's system will probably not survive. Don't be fooled with the rally on Wall Street sending the market over the 30K mark...it's a fluff, smoke and mirrors. By all reports, the stock market crash of 1929 looks a lot like the economy we are seeing today and could very well be a repeat of the Great Depression.
 
I have explored many possible scenarios of what the Beast power will look like and where it MIGHT come from...such as Rome, the USA, or even a Middle Eastern Country, such as Saudi Arabia, or Turkey. But we just don't know for sure...the picture is a little hazy and we see the picture growing a little more clear as time passes, but I am a firm believer that we will never know the man himself, as he takes control.
 
Here is what I do know. (repeating) I know that the Bible says that three things would have to come into existence, more or less simultaneously, as part of the overall blueprint of Bible prophecy for the last days. Those three things, are what we have been talking about ,the global government, global religion, and global economy.
 
At no time in all of recorded history were all three systems "on the table" so to speak. But they are today.
 
Even the most ardent and determined skeptic can't deny the trends -- at best they can only quibble over the details. But all the signs are there -- and the signs are what Jesus told His disciples to watch out for.
 
WHAT WOULD SEND THE WORLD OVER THE EDGE?
 
Let's back up a bit and flesh out a comment I made earlier that was highlighted in bold...what would happen if this were true in the near future?
 
Let me hypothesize for a moment and ask you what would happen to the world's economy if upwards of nearly a billion (give or take a million) people suddenly vanished? In the USA, the world's center for Christian values, (I use that tongue in cheek, as it is fast going south) were to have officials, CEO's, military officers, maybe even the past POTUS and his Vice President suddenly vanish? See the world has been teetering for a long time, and you got to wonder, what is holding this planet, the civilizations of the free world together? Many have forecast doom and gloom for a long time, but still we stand. Many grow skeptical at the prophecy of a coming Beast Power, or an Anti-Christ, or the “catching away” of the church, the Bride of Christ...They scoff.
 
3 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2nd Peter 3:3-7)
 
What would be the impact if this prophecy were fulfilled in the 'twinkling of an eye”? You would see chaos, pandemonium, lawlessness, looting, and all forms of murder and mayhem. The world would be in upheaval. The stock market would crash, if it hasn't already done so. Men would be desperate. Men would resort to “survival of the fittest”. The world would cry out for a savior, some one to deliver them from themselves.
 
“16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
 
The Word of God tells us that when this all begins to happen, then, men's heart will fail them for fear, but to look up:
 
25 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28And when these things BEGIN to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:25-28)
 
The world we live in has been rocking to and fro from peace, to war, from economic upheaval to depression, but the timing has just not been right for the completion of the rule of mankind on this earth. The rise of the Anti-Christ, is close at hand...everything is in place...every resource needed in this modern world is crying for a leader to bring it all together. That leader will arise unexpectantly when God's timing is right.
 
3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4)
 
That day is fast approaching. Make no mistake about it...When the timing is right in God's plan for mankind, then the Anti-Christ will be revealed...But first, one other thing must take place..
 
51” Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal mustput on immortality.
54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
 
How do you escape what I have been talking about that could come even this year? Do you want to live what is prophesied to happen very soon....only the insane or the unbeliever that takes pride in himself would choose to reject the following:
 
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”(John 3:16-19)
 
and again, believe the following:
 
8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)
 
When what I have described above comes to pass and millions have been removed, THEN the timing will be right and the Tribulation and the revealing of the Anti-Christ will be on warp speed. Tribulation is straight ahead.
 
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for you in spirit and in truth of God's Word...if you need any counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected], or visit me online for more biblical lessons that speak of what is coming upon the earth and how those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ will avoid it all.. God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET

​How Long, Oh Lord? - Terry James - https://terryjamesprophecyline.com/2021/01/25/how-long-oh-lord/?blogsub=flooded#blog_subscription-6
 
These troubled days, one question burns at the center of every believer who adheres to the pre-Trib view of the Rapture. I’ve heard it many times through personal conversation and email ”How long will it be until the Lord says ‘enough is enough’ and calls us home?”
 
I’ve asked it myself on more than one occasion. But I’ve long since put the question somewhere closer to the back of my thinking. The reason, I suspect, is because I’ve finally got it through my hard head that our Lord wants me to prioritize efforts toward completion of the assignment He has given me while in this life.
 
Heaven’s bottom line is that I wouldn’t be here during these increasingly troubled times if there is no purpose, according to my Creator. Knowing that He has promised to take us to our homes He has been preparing for us is a comforting truth He’s expressed numerous times in His Holy Word. The more firmly we trust Him to keep that promise, the greater the comfort. Now is the time to trust and get on down that pathway He wants us to follow.
 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
 
All that said, there is certainly justification, in my view, for the angst-ridden question: How long, oh Lord? How long will believers have to be subjected to the proliferating end-times evil assaulting society and culture? When will God say “enough is enough” and have His Son step out on the clouds of glory and shout “Come up here!”?
 
Jesus, while speaking to His immediate disciples on the Mount of Olives, gave the very first indicator to look for that would lead to all other signals of His Second Advent. He said that there would be great deception and many deceivers on the scene at the end of the age. The cumulative indicators of His Second Coming, he addressed a little later in His discourse.
 
And when ye shall see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)
 
Can anyone legitimately deny that we have in recent months and years witnessed deception that is in our faces during every news broadcast, podcast, or electronic and print forum? The mainstream media, both news and entertainment, have been purveyors of their special brand of this indicator. Deception and deceivers pervade and permeate our lives each and every news cycle.
 
The former president who just left office properly termed the deceptive practices of journalists “fake news.” Paul the apostle said the following of such that will be prevalent as the Lord’s return nears:
 
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13, NKJV)
 
With the daily diatribes by all the mainstream media that consistently lied, thus brought to the office of president a candidate many consider an imposter because of what they believe to be election fraud, the New King James version certainly seems to fit. Deception of the sort Jesus and Paul pronounced upon the end-times generation seems quite appropriate.
 
Jesus’ words that times would be just like in the days of Noah and of Lot make it seem to many prophecy watchers as if He was speaking specifically of these very days that make us ask: “How long, oh Lord?”
 
Observing the anger and destruction of the thugs who burned down much of America’s cities during 2020 brings into sharp focus the words in Genesis chapter 6: “violence filled the whole earth.” Assessing the state of our nation and the world in the matter of the satanic forces normalizing what was a few years ago aberrant sexual behavior and deviancy quickly brings realization that the days of Lot prophesied by the Lord Jesus are quite likely the days we’re currently living in.
 
At last count, there are twenty-seven nations where gay marriage is legal. The Sodom level of sexual immorality and deviancy has just in recent years reached a zenith. Gay rights and all attendant to the perversions it has wrought, such as transgenderism, have torn apart society and culture and done irreparable harm to foundational morality. The youth of America and the world have been victim of inculcation by Sodom-like organizations such as the LBGQTI. The family and its traditional stability have been vitally diminished.
 
Every day, believers who are paying attention and have the truth of Christ’s words in their spiritual hearts say, “How long, oh Lord?” We’re wise to read again and again the words by our Lord while thinking on this question we’re are asking.
 
I know all the arguments from those who hold vehemently to the seminary line about the Olivet Discourse being for the Jews only, so don’t write hotly accusing me of misinterpreting these words recorded here. I believe the fig tree here refers to Israel. I believe Jesus is speaking of His next catastrophic intervention into mankind’s evil history–the Rapture. I believe He addresses to some extent the answer to our question of “how long?”.
 
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:32–36)
 
Be assured and comforted! Our Lord’s words in Luke 21:28 are almost certainly for this generation!

No Telling What We Will Face - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/01/24/no-telling-what-we-will-face-by-daymond-duck/

As I have gone from place to place speaking and teaching on Bible prophecy, I have often said, if the Rapture does not happen soon, there is no telling what our nation and God’s people will face.

No ordinary person could have imagined the things that people are seeing and doing now. Some of it is demonic, to say the very least, and if these are birth pains, things will get worse and there is no telling what our nation and God’s people will face in the near future.

The globalists have big plans, but they are not in control; they just think they are.

The more they reject God’s influence over the U.S. and turn against His people, the more they fulfill Bible prophecy and stir His wrath.

Make no mistake about it; fake news, fake elections, fake climate change science, fake Coronavirus science, fake documents in the Dept. of Justice, fake values, and integrity in Washington DC and America’s courts, etc., are not of God.

He is truth, we are living in prophetic times, and here are several more reasons for believing that:

One, the Bible says God created man in His own image; male and female created He them (Gen. 1:26-27).

Biden promised to remove America’s recognition of just 2 sexes on day one of his administration.

Pelosi has already tried to do this by rejecting the use of father, mother, son and daughter in the House.

This is more serious than catering to the LGBTQ agenda.

It is a clear rejection of the Word of God and a mistake to think that America can deliberately cast aside the Scriptures without consequences.

Two, on Jan. 13, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached Pres. Trump for a second time.

This time, Democrats accused him of “incitement of insurrection” over the protests at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

They said he “repeatedly issued false statements asserting that the presidential election results were fraudulent and should not be accepted.”

It is now up to the U.S. Senate to approve or reject this impeachment.

Trump said his impeachment is “a continuation of the greatest and most vicious witch hunt in the history of our country and is causing tremendous anger, and division and pain . . . which is very dangerous for the USA, especially at this very tender time.”

If the rioting, looting and arson of Antifa and BLM was constitutionally protected free speech, why wasn’t the attack at the Capitol constitutionally protected free speech?

The answer is neither one is constitutionally protected free speech, and the problem is the character and motives of the people that are making the decisions.

According to the Bible, the Antichrist will ignore truth and opt for deceit (Dan. 8:12).

This spirit of antichrist (lying, half-truth, misinformation, and political spin) is very active in Washington DC today.

It is easy to see why the lost will believe lies and rejoice in unrighteousness during the Tribulation Period (II Thess. 2:11-12).

Three, it has been reported that 80 municipal and criminal charges, including fines of more than $15,000 a day, have been filed against the co-owners of Atilis Gym in New Jersey (N.J.) while they are fighting the state in court over the lockdown of their business under the guise of stopping the spread of Covid.

Sometime during the night of Jan. 13-14, 2021, without warning or permission, N.J. officials seized the funds that Atilis had in its bank account.

There have been reports that the seizure of funds by government officials (and by banks in financial trouble) is going to become more common as the urge to redistribute wealth grows and America’s financial situation worsens.

Four, concerning persecution: on Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that Bishop Joseph Strickland said on his T.V. program that Christians “need to be ready for a new age of martyrdom. . . in order to be faithful to Jesus Christ.”

The Bishop added that if it comes to that, Christians “can’t deny the truth, and we should resist.”

Five, also, concerning persecution: on Jan. 12, 2021, Project Veritas released a video of a PBS attorney suggesting that the children of Trump Voters should be put in re-education camps.

PBS fired the attorney and disavowed what he said.

Six, on Jan. 11, 2021, GoDaddy shut down the website of AR15.com, the largest gun website in the world, without giving a reason.

AR15.com has found another host and expects to be back online in a matter of days.

It is important to understand that globalists want to disarm America, to control those that might fight against the surrender of U.S. sovereignty.

Seven, Biden’s support for world government, to open the U.S. border with Mexico, to provide a pathway to citizenship for more than 11 million immigrants, to declare a moratorium on immigrant deportations, to provide free healthcare to immigrants, etc. has already led to a caravan of thousands of immigrants (many with Covid) with plans to enter the U.S. and predictions that there will be waves of caravans in the future.

Biden officials say it will take a few months to put some of these policies into effect, but he plans to go through with them.

Eight, the Bible teaches that Israel will be a prosperous nation with silver and gold, cattle and goods in the latter years and latter days (Ezek. 38).

On Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that 3 international credit rating agencies (Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s) have given Israel an “A+” credit rating despite the problems caused by Covid.

Nine, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39) in the latter years and latter days:

·        On Jan. 13, 2021, it was reported that 18 Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria killed 57 people (14 Syrian fighters, 16 Iraqi fighters, 11 Afghan fighters and 16 fighters of unknown nationality). Israel has been striking enemy targets in Syria for years, but this is the largest death toll in one series of strikes.
·        On Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that the Israeli Defense Forces Homefront Command has released a video urging citizens to keep a radio in their personal bomb shelters in case there is a power outage or the Internet goes down in Israel.
·        In early Jan. 2021, Iran announced that it had restarted its program of enriching uranium to 20%, bringing the nation just a step away from 90% enrichment and the possibility of producing nuclear weapons.
·        On Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that the IDF is working on 3 ways to stop Iran’s nuclear program, and one is a military attack. One Israeli official suggested that Israel might launch a military strike if the Biden administration rejoins the deal the Obama-Biden administration made with Iran.
·        If there is a full-fledged attack on Israel by the nations mentioned in Ezek. 38-39, people should know that the Bible clearly says this prophecy will be fulfilled in the latter years and latter days.

Ten, Big Tech’s suppression of free speech in the U.S. has drawn the criticism of leaders in several nations.

If Big Tech gets away with silencing the Pres. of the U.S., they can probably silence any other leader on earth and get away with it.

If Big Tech can influence the results of the U.S. election, they can influence the results of any election.

The purpose of the Mark of the Beast is to shut down opposition to the government of Antichrist.

Big Tech has:

·        Designated itself as the free speech police of the world.
·        Given itself the power to decide who should rule nations.
·        Tried to squash the publication of Hunter Biden’s crimes against the U.S. and Joe Biden’s involvement in Hunter’s crimes.
·        Tried to take away the free speech of almost 75 million U.S. citizens.
·        Threatened to de-platform companies that allow almost 75 million U.S. citizens to speak freely.
·        Twitter’s Jack Dorsey (perhaps under the influence of the shadow government) has been videoed saying the censorship of millions of U.S. citizens has just begun.
·        During the Tribulation Period, people will be forced to support the government of Antichrist or they will be killed (a satanic silencing of opposition).

FYI: Officials at parler.com believe their website will be fully operational by the end of this month.

One way that readers can express their dislike of censorship is to switch from Apple, Amazon, Google, etc., to Parler as soon as the site gets back up.

Christians, conservatives, and others need to use and support websites that won’t censor them and try to control our elections.

Eleven, concerning deceit, false accusations and lying at the end of the age: on Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that James Earle Sullivan, founder of a group called Insurgence USA, has been arrested and will appear in court on that day.

Sullivan has admitted that he entered the Capitol building through a smashed window and incited violence.

He videoed his activities, posted the video and recorded himself saying he is a supporter of Black Lives Matter.

Despite this recorded evidence, some politicians and media say only Trump supporters were involved in the protests at the Capitol building.

Twelve, on Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that the 34-year-old son of a New York judge has been arrested for being in the Capitol protests.

He is a registered Democrat, was wearing fir, a stolen police vest, and carrying a large stick in pictures that were taken at the Capitol.

Thirteen, concerning a global economic collapse that will happen after the Rapture of the Church: Biden has announced plans for a 1.9 trillion-dollar Coronavirus stimulus package and a $15 per hour minimum wage.

If I am not mistaken, the U.S. has spent about 6 trillion dollars on stimulus packages, and many of America’s enemies are counting on this spending to trigger the collapse of the U.S. economy.

More than 100,000 small businesses have permanently closed due to Covid, thousands more are near bankruptcy, and some pundits are saying Biden’s minimum wage increase will up the cost of doing business, cause more businesses to fail, and increase unemployment.

Some say as America goes, so goes the world.

Fourteen, concerning the decline of America and the rise of Israel at the end of the age: on Jan. 14, 2021, it was reported that an influential rabbi in Israel is warning that America is more divided than most people realize.

The rabbi said the Democrats are replacing the values of justice with the values of political correctness, it is causing division, and it will trigger the fall of America.

He said, “This is a sad moment, but it will happen.”

He added that this is part of God’s plan for Israel, and he urged Israel’s leaders to prepare for its role of leadership in the world.

Fifteen, on Jan. 18, 2021, it was reported that Israel still intends to name the soon to be built train station at the Temple Mount the “Donald J. Trump Station.”

A group of rabbis said the new train station will serve the Third Temple, and the connection of Trump to a rebuilt Temple is not in doubt.

Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

He is the only president to keep his promise to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and the only president to visit the Western Wall.

Sixteen, on Jan. 18, 2021, it was reported that the outgoing Capitol Police Chief said Trump began his Jan. 6, 2021, speech at the Ellipse (a 35 min. walk to the Capitol) at 12:00 pm and ended it at 1:11 pm.

At 1:10 pm, Trump closed his speech by telling the crowd to “fight like hell.”

According to the police chief (and this is the official timeline), the first group of protesters arrived at the Capitol at about 12:40 pm (while Trump was still speaking about 35 min. away and about 30 min. before Trump told the crowd to fight like hell).

Others had time to get there by the time the Capitol was broken into (at 1:59 pm), but the House impeached Trump for inciting the protesters even though many were at the Capitol before Trump allegedly “incited anyone.”

Seventeen, on Jan. 15, 2021, Bill Koenig said, “Big Pharma is also putting pressure on the FDA to stop or heavily restrict access to Hydroxychloroquine or Ivermectin.”

Prophecy Plus is not advising anyone to use these meds, and everyone must be responsible for their own decision, but since Dr. Kory told the U.S. Senate that a group of highly respected doctors think that Ivermectin is safe and effective for preventing Covid in most people, some have been buying Ivermectin (blue liquid, 250 ml bottle, with 2 pour spouts) at farm supply stores and amazon.com.

FYI, on Jan. 18, 2021, lifesitenews reported that India has developed an effective and safe Covid treatment kit that uses Ivermectin and sells for $2.65 per person.

The report says this inexpensive kit has been used to cause a steep decline in the number of Covid cases and fatality rate in India.

If Ivermectin is lowering the number of cases and fatality rate in a densely populated nation like India, why is Big Pharma opposing it in the U.S., and why do we have the crippling lockdowns, social distancing, etc.?

Since Ivermectin is inexpensive, why do we need Big Pharma’s costly vaccine, to track people etc.?

If the House of Rep. can impeach the U.S. President in 2 days, why haven’t they distributed inexpensive Covid kits to U.S. citizens?

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/india-develops-covid-treatment-kit-for-less-than-3-per-person-with-miraculous-ivermectin

If the Rapture does not happen soon, there is no telling what our nation and God’s people will face.

Finally, if you want to go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.

Daymond Duck

[email protected]
​

​Different - By Pete Garcia - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/01/20/different-by-pete-garcia/
 
When reading the book of Daniel, we realize very quickly that he was given a lot of prophetic symbolism that we, the reader, have to parse through. Thankfully, the book also provides the interpretation of what those symbols mean. For example, when reading chapter two (i.e., Nebuchadnezzar’s dream), we are told what the multi-metallic statue is meant to represent – actual, literal, kingdoms.
 
·      Babylon – head of gold
·      Medo-Persia – shoulders and arms of silver
·      Greece – abdomen and waist of bronze
·      Rome – legs of iron
·      Future kingdom – feet of iron mixed with clay
 
Likewise, in chapter’s seven & eight, we are shown what Daniel saw in his vision, as well as the angel coming after explaining what these visions meant. Again, these were the same kingdoms, just from a different vantage point. From man’s perspective, these kingdoms were an imposing and even majestic- looking statue. From God’s perspective, they were simply wild, ferocious beasts.
 
From www.gotquestions.org :
 
The first of Daniel’s four beasts is “like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle” (Daniel 7:4). As Daniel watches, the wings are torn off the beast, and the creature stands erect like a man, and a human mind is given to it. Later, the angel who interprets the dream tells Daniel, “The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth” (verse 17). This first beast is representative of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Its rise to human-like status reflects Nebuchadnezzar’s deliverance from a beastly existence and his insight into the true nature of God (Daniel 4:34–35).
 
The second beast in Daniel’s vision is “like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth” (Daniel 7:5). A voice tells the second beast to devour flesh until it is satisfied. This beast represents the Medo-Persian Empire; the raising up of one side of the creature indicates that one of the kingdom’s parts (Persia) would be dominant. The three ribs in the creature’s mouth symbolize nations that were “devoured” by the Medes and the Persians. These three conquered nations are known to be Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt.
 
The third of the four beasts is “like a leopard,” except it has four bird-like wings on its back and four heads (Daniel 7:6). This beast is given authority to rule. The third beast represents Greece, an empire known for the swiftness of its conquests. The four heads are predictive of the four-way division of the empire following Alexander the Great’s death. Daniel’s vision of the ram and the goat gives further details of the second and third kingdoms (see Daniel 8).
 
The final beast that Daniel sees rising from the sea is the most dreadful—”terrifying and frightening and very powerful” (Daniel 7:7). This fourth beast has “bronze claws” (verse 19) and “large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left,” totally annihilating its prey (verse 7). The fourth beast has ten horns. This creature represents the Roman Empire, a mighty kingdom that indeed crushed all its foes.
 
However, since the final kingdom has yet to appear, its keywords and clues alluding to its exact background and/or nature can be somewhat confusing still. However, I think one of the key aspects of being a good observer of the times is the ability to recognize when a teachable moment arrives to reinforce something already taught in Scripture. I believe we are in one of those moments.
 
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Daniel 7:7).
 
Most prophecy students and scholars would conclude (based off Daniel 9:26-27) that this final kingdom is some version of a revived Roman Empire. Since the Roman Empire was vast, determining what the nature of this final Gentile kingdom will be exactly can be challenging. All we know is that it comes out of the boundaries of the old Roman Empire and has some corresponding nature to both Rome and Greece (Dan.7:19).
 
There is also the passage above (7:7) that speaks to the ‘different’ or ‘diverse’ nature of this beast. Given the previous descriptions of these hybrid-beasts (mixing of different animal species), it is hard to imagine how much more “different” this final one could be. So let us set aside its physical (and fantastical) symbolic attributes for a moment and focus in on what makes this one so different from the others.
 
Assessment
 
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings…” (Acts 17:26).
 
All the kingdoms before this final one were military and political powerhouses in their own right. Each ruled their respective geographic areas with absolute authority. Still, before the advent of the Internet and digital currency, it would have been impossible for any of them to control their subjects any other way other than through political subterfuge and military might. They certainly had economic might but not total control over all buying and selling. At the height of Nazi power in Europe during the late 1930s, even they could not control ALL the buying and selling in the lands they controlled.
 
Another aspect to this is information. From the Egyptians through the Romans, all of them had great military might but were still limited to the speed of horses and sailboats. If a king or governor died in a land, it could be days before word of his/her death reached areas outside of their immediate surroundings. In 68AD, Roman Emperor Nero committed suicide, thus sparking what has been coined the year of the four emperors. Even being the most powerful empire on earth at the time, it still took days and sometimes weeks for news to reach the forces in the outer reaches of their empire.
 
What we can conclude from both is that pure military power (such as Babylonians or the Persians) is one-dimensional. Military power mixed with political prowess, such as the Greeks and Romans, is two-dimensional. Military power mixed with political prowess and economic might is three-dimensional. Military power mixed with political prowess, economic might, and information control is four-dimensional. Interestingly, Satanists proclaim the fourth dimension as the ‘astral plane,’ by which they communicate telepathically with the spirit world when they are in an altered state. More on this in a bit.
 
However, this final kingdom will be a technological and economic superpower. While many prophecy scholars rightly note the final kingdom will be a three-fold government, encompassing military might, economic power, and global religion, it does not fully encapsulate its true nature.
 
The final kingdom, and its ruler, does not start out as a powerful militaristic force. It starts out small, and in fact, comes up through the ten regions (presumably) growing like cancer. It is not until he (the Antichrist) arises does he subdue three to consume the rest with an iron fist. Consider these verses when put together:
 
“Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay” (Daniel 2:41-43).
 
[Mixing weak and strong causes confusion]
 
“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words” (Daniel 7:8).
 
[Out of the confusion arises someone no one saw coming]
 
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11).
 
[He uses the confusion and satanically charged deception to seize control]
 
“And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his nam Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666″ (Revelation 13:15-18).
 
[Once he has that power, he uses it to control the whole world through deception and technology]
 
That is how it is different from the others before it. Before this final empire, no singular world power could control all buying and selling. No singular empire could censor entire populations with the stroke of a key. No other empire in history could control the flow of information the world has become hopelessly dependent upon. Yet, this final kingdom does, and we are seeing it begin to blossom right before our very eyes.
 
We just got a glimpse, a brief example, of this kind of power through the monstrous abuse of power by the ruling technocracy, which has been arising silently over the past few years. As we have come to find out during the Cold War, information is power. The power to censor (or silence) people(s), even the President of the most powerful nation in history, is power indeed.
 
The power to de-platform a rising conservative, pro-1st Amendment app like Parler by way of Amazon and Twitter, likewise, is power. Whether its social media apps like Twitter, Instagram, Tik-Tok, and Facebook, or its gatekeepers of information flow like YouTube, Amazon, and Google, information is not only power but also a multi-trillion-dollar industry. You and I must come to grips that we are no longer living under the antiquated constraints of the 20th century. We are no longer lounging gracefully in the shallow end of the pool; we are fully submerged into the deep end of the Age of Information.
 
Klaus Schwab and his World Economic Forum elitist club have dubbed this arrival as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. One look at their website, in which they openly promote this Orwellian takeover as a positive thing, and you can see they have their tentacles into EVERYTHING. Even war is moving online. At least half of all defense industry jobs today are cyber in nature.
 
(screenshot: https://intelligence.weforum.org/topics/a1Gb0000000pTDREA2?tab=publications )
 
However, the power to control information, much like electricity, could not be harnessed until the proper technology was in place. Not only do you need the technology to exist, but also you need people to believe they cannot live without it. For example, let us say the Internet was magically transported back in time to the year 1980. Let us also say every website and online service we have at our disposal today was also available for those ancient peoples.
 
Let us further pretend some megalomaniacal terrorist group was threatening to shut down the Internet; would anyone back then care? Would whole industries shut down or riots break out in cities when no one could access their bank accounts or favorite social media apps? Hardly. I think 99.9% of the people back then (outside of a handful of military personnel, academics, and scientists) would even know or care.
 
Now imagine someone doing that in the year 2020; all hell would break loose.
 
Without the technology and platforms being in place, and more importantly, the demand for the Internet to exist, the loss of it would not be much of a threat. Now we live in a world hopelessly at the mercy of the Internet for pretty much everything. The COVID-19(84) plandemic, if anything, only expedited our necessity for everything being accessible online by some 4-6 years. I believe this will continue to trend in this direction (everything moving online) for the near future.
 
Furthermore, we see fiat currencies around the globe in varying stages of either failing or on their deathbeds due to the massive national debts governments around the world have accrued. Again, COVID-19(84), having shut down the global economy for nearly a year, has only expedited the amount of debt nations are going into just to keep their people safe. Having just witnessed the largest and last beacon of freedom in the world willingly fold in on itself over a very survivable strain of influenza, we should rightly conclude that our currency is the next and final straw that breaks the back of America.
 
Most of you already know this, but for those who are new to this topic, the United States was the last roadblock against global government. Having successfully stolen this last election through a complex and staggering effort, the globalists (who are backing the Democrats), as well as the technocracy (who are enabling and financing it), were finally able to push the U.S. over the edge. If our dollar collapses, our Constitution collapses. The minute we hand over the production and/or validation of our currency to some transnational or international organization, we are no longer sovereign. We have to play by their rules because they control the purse strings. The U.S. will have to fall in line under this new (presumably) regionalized global system.
 
Even assuming we don’t collapse first (economically), all it takes is one medium-sized industrial nation to fall, and it will trigger a domino effect. However, we could very well collapse first, and if we go, the world economy goes down with us. What is frightening is that we can see our collapse on the horizon. It no longer stretches the imagination to see how any number of scenarios could do it. With breakthrough technologies like bitcoin or other digital blockchain technologies already in play (i.e., the technology and platforms now exist), dumping the old fiat system is becoming a matter of when not if.
 
Conclusion
 
Jesus, in His seminal treatise on the last days, mentions deception no less than four times as being the first and key indicator (or marker) of the last days. As mentioned earlier, it is difficult, nigh impossible, to commit widespread deception without a way to transmit it. Let us take a quick trip back to 1938.
 
On Halloween morning, 1938, Orson Welles awoke to find himself the most talked-about man in America. The night before, Welles and his Mercury Theatre on the Air had performed a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’s The War of the Worlds, converting the 40-year-old novel into fake news bulletins describing a Martian invasion of New Jersey. Some listeners mistook those bulletins for the real thing, and their anxious phone calls to police, newspaper offices, and radio stations convinced many journalists that the show had caused nationwide hysteria. By the next morning, the 23-year-old Welles’s face and name were on the front pages of newspapers coast-to-coast, along with headlines about the mass panic his CBS broadcast had allegedly inspired.
 
If Orson Welles could prompt a nationwide hysteria over a fictionalized radio broadcast, how much more could it be done today? Especially with how widespread our smart devices are and the technology capable of creating deep fakes, CGI, and other forms of mind-altering manipulation. Deception on a global scale, like digital currency, requires technology with a global reach. In fact, deception requires information, albeit false information (or fake news) in order to convey a message. We are now in the Age of Information.
 
My theory on how all this shakes out is that we will continue on the path of global crises for the foreseeable future. Satan needs all of these crises to expedite the emplacement of his demonic chess pieces for these final ten kings to arise. These crises will most likely not be real crises but manufactured for the sole purpose of putting everyone under this web of control. However, the Rapture of the Church is (in my opinion) the real crisis that will upturn the global applecart and be the true cause for all the geopolitical re-shuffling of power structures in the world. This is why no one can know the day or hour. God is playing this one close to the vest.
 
After the Rapture, the world will, for a brief period, break apart into these ten regions, each with a leader of some sort. It is here that the Gog-Magog coalition (all the nations listed will be outliers to newly forming regional powers) comes against Israel in the chaos and confusion and is soundly destroyed by God. In the aftermath of this war, we see the strengthening of the Ten and the political, economic, and military neutering of Russia and Islam. Here is where we see the Antichrist begin his ascent to power by toppling three other leaders somehow.
 
Once in control of the majority, the Antichrist and the False Prophet begin fast-tracking some new digital-ID/Passport (biometric) for all the citizens of their member states. This new system, which will include access to a digital currency, will be operated through a super-powerful, 5G, quantum-based Internet system.
 
It is at some point that this system is thought to become “self-aware” and/or sentient but, in reality, is possessed by either some high-ranking demon or Satan himself (hey, if a demon can possess a person, it can possess a system). When the Antichrist is “assassinated,” we will see this false resurrection by them putting this AI system into his slain body, supposedly giving him immortality. He will then have the devil incarnate inside him and demands everyone takes the Mark, or if they refuse, they lose their heads.
 
This mark will be a direct, cyber-physical connection from Satan (i.e., fourth dimension/astral plane) to those who bear his mark and will be relentlessly controlling them until they die. They will be under this compulsory delusion and unable to come to the truth so as to be saved because Satan will alter their ability to reason and understand. This is presumably why those who take the mark are doomed forever.
 
As much as we want to think we are in the Tribulation now – especially under a Biden/Harris administration – we aren’t. The bad news is, we are seeing the finishing touches on the beast’s final kingdom happening in real-time. The good news is, if you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, you won’t be here for any of it.
 
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
 
Maranatha!

​The End of the Age Seen By Zechariah - by Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-end-of-age.html
 
4 “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee..” (Zechariah 14:1-5)
 
The earth groans for the coming day when the LORD of creation, will come again to earth and make this sinned filled planet to return to the time that it lost because of the sin of Adam and Eve. It will be a most glorious time that the Church of the Living God patiently waits for.
 
THE END OF THE AGE IN ZECHARIAH
 
If you begin reading in the book of Zechariah, God basically gives a time line, when Israel was in captivity in Babylon and as Daniel was before the Lord at this time, so was Zechariah having visions and prophetic words spoken to him by the Messenger of the Lord telling him the events that will transpire in the coming generations that would span more than 2500 years.
 
Zechariah sees the judgment that has come to Israel and her suffering in her captivity in Babylon, but he also sees the restoration of Israel to her own land, and beyond to the end of days. Note that Israel was scattered as the four winds by God.
 
13 “Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:
14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.” (Zechariah 7:13-14)
 
Historically, one can read about what happened to Israel because of their idolatry and not following the commands of the LORD our God. And in the Bible, you can read the words of their exile into Babylon of the nation of Judah, and the previous exile of Israel to the north, by Assyria, which some called the “Ten lost tribes of Israel”...only thing is, before this happened to Israel, a remnant of the northern tribes returned to Jerusalem to be near the Holy City, and they too became exiled along with the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and the Levitical priest who ministered in the temple of God. So all of the twelve tribes were represented when God exiled even the nation of Judah to the land of Babylon. So there has always been a representation of a remnant of all the tribes of Israel found even in this latter exile.
 
Never has any nation that has been so completely scattered as was the two kingdoms that comprised the Hebrew people, we call today “Jews” been able to come together and become that nation again with all its customs, traditions, and language as has the modern nation of Israel we see today.
 
ISRAEL JUDGED BUT RESTORED
 
A person reading this one book of the Bible which confirms other passages in the the Holy pages of what the nation of Israel went through because of her disobedience to the laws of God and His commandments, judgments and decrees can see her ultimate judgment. Prophets like Daniel, agree with Zechariah that after 70 years, Israel would be brought back into her land and rebuild the Temple of God, but would be under pagan rule for all of the time of her being again, reborn in the Holy Land of her fathers. History provides what happened to her once again for her inability to see the “signs of the times” or the visitation of the prophesied Messiah who they rejected and ultimately had crucified by the Romans on a wooden cross.
 
Zechariah is only 14 chapters long, and it chronicles the passage of time of the diaspora of the Jewish nation, once again when her temple and the city were destroyed in 70 AD. Prophecy concerning the coming of our Lord is spoken of here and speaks of Jesus riding into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
 
9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)
 
All of this happened many years in the future and the prophet spoke of that day when Jesus would ride into the Holy City and allow the people to proclaim Him their King,
 
“7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:7-9)
 
Not long after this, Jesus would be tried in a kangaroo Sanhedrin court and condemned to death and die upon the cross, buried and raised from the dead.
 
And afterwards, 40 days would pass to give Israel a chance to recognize their Messiah, but nobody investigated the miracle of God, by sending anybody from the Jewish Authorities to confirm and witness to the people of Israel that indeed, Jesus was raised from the dead. They did everything in their power to hide the fact.
 
Note that near 40 years passed from the time of Jesus, which is the number of years of withholding judgment until punishment is passed when those accused are found to be guilty and Israel was destroyed and again scattered to the four winds for the next 2000 years.
 
It is reported that Mark Twain passed through the land of Israel at the turn of the 20th century...the central motif that weaves through Twain’s writings is the polarization between American progress and the enslavement of the Holy Land to its own past. In his opinion, it was precisely the reverence of the three religions towards the Land of Israel that was responsible for the miserable state he perceived it to be in. In one of the sharpest and most beautiful passages in the book, Twain states that “Palestine is desolate and unlovely. And why should it be otherwise? Can the curse of the Deity beautify a land? Palestine is no more of this work-day world. It is sacred to poetry and tradition – it is dream-land.”
 
ISRAEL AGAIN REBORN A SECOND TIME
 
But I have said all that to come to this. Jesus will come to the modern day of Israel and rescue her from the Tribulation that will come upon her, as the above opening scripture speaks of when our Lord and Savior will come and fight for Israel.
 
But before that happens, Israel will be tried by fire and she will come to know her Messiah..our Messiah, who they rejected 2000 years ago, through much persecution.
 
As you read this Old Testament prophetical book, you sense a time noted when God will fight for Israel, which reminds me of the coming Ezekiel war of Gog-Magog and the previous war of Psalms 83, not to mention all the wars fought prior. In 1948 War of Independence, Sinai War of 1954, Six Day War in 1967, and many wars from 1973 of Yom Kippur War to the modern times of Lebanon wars with Hezbollah. God has truly been overseeing the continued habitation of the Jewish people in their ancient homeland of Israel.
 
THE END OF DAYS COMING
 
This will all come to a climax, I believe in the near future, when Jerusalem will be besieged by the coming Anti-Christ and the Beast Power of the One World Government he controls. God has promised that Israel would NEVER be uprooted again and God will come and fight for them, as in the day of Battle. I believe we are seeing the stage set for the USA to be taken down as the only thing standing in the way of 10 kingdoms formed and the coming Anti-Christ being made the leader of all.
 
“The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
 
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
 
4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God.
6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
7 The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.” (Zechariah 12:1-7)
 
Is this speaking of the coming Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39 that God will put a hook into the jaws of those who wish to invade Israel and destroys 5/6 of their invading forces with rain, hail, fire and brimstone that sends them all into a panic and they destroy even themselves even as God brings judgment upon them.
 
At the end of the coming Great Tribulation, when the Anti-Christ seeks to destroy the nation of Israel, God will not hold Israel without blame, as she will be tried as silver is refined in the fire.
 
2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4)
 
This is a time of intense suffering and persecution that will make the holocaust seem like a picnic in the part, in comparison. It breaks my heart, that the people of Israel will be sorely tested and 2/3 of the people will meet an untimely end.
 
8 “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:8-9)
 
There is a story that I have told before about a women's bible study that read Malachi 3 and wondered what and how silver is refined. So they decided to attend a local silversmith that would demonstrate how it was done....as they watched the silversmith do his work, they thought upon the verses and asked “how do you know when the silver is refined?” The silversmith smiled and said, “when I can see my image in it”. That is how Israel will be refined as well.
 
Note only a third part of the whole nation of Israel will survive and be refined. It is a remnant that our Savior will come and fight for them. Why? Because our Lord said He would when they cry out and state the words He prophesied they would say.
 
34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 13:34-35)
 
Israel will be purged and many will die who have not believed the Lord's Words that He spoke of for the end times.
 
14 “And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
16 And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids” (Zechariah 9:14-17)
 
This passage seems to be referring to the return of the King of kings at the Battle of Armageddon when God will destroy all rebellion on this earth at the valley of Jezreel and saves Israel and those who believes in their Messiah and begins His 1000 year reign upon this earth.
 
..Israel will cry out what Jesus said they would and He will hear them and come to rescue them.
 
8 “In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”(Zechariah 12:8-10)
 
This battle is prophesied in the end chapter of Zechariah and the opening verses will be fulfilled and Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives and conquer this sinful world by the “sword” proceeding out of His mouth, which can only mean, He but speaks the Word and they are destroyed.
 
12 “And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.”
 
This is confirmed in Revelation chapter 19, but I want you to see something that I have been leading up to that many miss and I have preached it many times. Jesus will come, but note what is happening in this Apocalyptic book.
 
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.” (Revelation 19:6-9)
 
I want you to focus on verse 8 of the above passage. Here the Apostle John writes what was revealed to him, concerning the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Notice that she is arrayed in “fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints”. Now let us skip forward when Jesus comes back to rescue Israel from the persecution of the Anti-Christ.
 
11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” (Revelation 19:11-15)
 
What has the Bride of Christ have in common with those who come back with Jesus riding upon white horse? And it is the same thought professed by Zechariah in the opening verses of this message. Yes, their apparel. What they are clothed with is both a sign of saints redeemed. Both are the same group of people, which are the Bride of Christ, the truly Born Again people of God who leave for a destination. What destination? They have been taken to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ to receive rewards done for Him in this life, and to be joined with our “HUSBAND” the Lord Jesus Christ and become the adopted sons and daughters of Almighty God, the ABBA Father in heaven.
 
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."(John 14:1-4)
 
Note that the saints are going to where Christ is, not Him coming to us...it is a clue that Jesus comes in the rapture and then at the end of the Tribulation, comes to reign and rule on earth for 1000 years.
 
Concerning being adopted into the family of, it is the same as on earth, when my son married his wife, she became my daughter in law. Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God has married us in a ceremony that makes us “in-laws” or children of the Most High God. Note that on earth, as it is in heaven, the property of the husband becomes also the property of the wife.
 
16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:16-19)
 
Can you even imagine being a “joint heir with Jesus Christ”? And heirs of God which is what Jesus is...I ask you, what has God and Jesus possess? Everything that is found in this universe. What will we share together with our Abba Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ? The exact same thing as they possess, we will be given access to the same glorious future..It is almost too much to ponder or try to wrap your mind around.
 
Several places around scripture, prophets speak of the righteous saints of God, returning with Jesus when He sets up His kingdom on earth.
 
14 “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 1:14-15)
 
Even where we have been in the book of Zechariah, but many read right over this passage. Let us look at it again:
 
5 “And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with the thee. (Zechariah 14:5)
 
Our future is intermingled with Israel, as she holds the key to end time prophecy. Israel will be refined, but before the Tribulation starts, the church is removed, to return with Jesus as accounted in Revelation, Jude, and Zechariah.
 
WE are destined by God's will and design to not receive the wrath that is coming upon this earth, as He will remove us out of the way, because Jesus has saved us from the wrath to come.
 
9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:9-10)
 
The life of Jesus who is the ETERNAL Son of God, is now our High Priest who has sent His Holy Spirit to bring the knowledge of our sins, and the remedy for forgiveness of those sins.
 
44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”( John 6:44-45)
 
Looking off into the horizon, we see the storms clouds brewing...the events of these last days are growing more clear as time passes. Israel is being nearly surrounded from all sides and their Arab “cousins” desire nothing but to destroy them. President Trump made headway to create peace between Israel and “some” of their Arab neighbors, but with a Biden presidency looming large, will it last? It will continue in this pattern for an undetermined amount of time passing. Then war will lead to another war, will lead to the near ultimate war of Ezekiel 38-39, which will bring about the revealing of the Anti-Christ, which will trigger beforehand, the removal, the HARPAZO of forcefully snatching away His Bride before the “hell of the Tribulation” breaks forth in all its human destruction.
 
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:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”(2nd Thessalonians 2:6-9)
 
I've quoted that above scripture numerous times, as it points to the HE, the Holy Spirit removing the bride of Christ beforehand, as God will not leave His bride comfortless during this awful coming time, as He has promised it to be so, that when she needs Him the most, He will be right beside her. Knowing that God cannot lie, we know that the Anti-Christ will overcome the saints, but since we have God's Holy Spirit, the devil and his demon forces cannot overcome us, because “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”. So scripture points to the removal of God's people before this time overtakes the world
 
Conclusion:
 
I have given you a brief, for space and time, a quick run-down of what is in store for Israel..Where she has been and what will happen to her in the coming time that the Bible calls “Jacob's Trouble” and what both Zechariah and Revelation speak of. We also see what will become of God's church and those who are left behind is almost too graphic to speak of in a short paragraph. I have chronicled these events in numerous messages and sermons on my blog. What you have to decide, where will you be when Israel is being refined, and the world is being destroyed and billions of people are slain? Will you be singing praises to God, or be screaming in anguish when it is your turn to be slain by environmental disasters or of the rampage of the Beast power found in the Anti-Christ, because you refuse to take his mark of loyalty to your right hand or forehead? And if you do, then you are doomed for all eternity and tormented in an everlasting fire.
 
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,
10The 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.” (Revelation 14:9-11)
 
Do not be deceived, that time could overtake you and you are thrown headlong into the worst nightmare that humanity has ever had to endure.
 
Jesus could come at any moment, as we are not given a date, or a time when Jesus will come for the Church, or when the Tribulation will begin in earnest. We are in the birth pains right now, and the signs of the birth of the church, and the beginning of the Tribulation are growing even stronger as time passes. Will you make that decision for Jesus Christ before it is past time to escape what is coming, or be forced into survival mode to escape what is going to come upon the earth? How can you be ready? Simply by believing in two passages in the Bible and making them part of you.
 
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)
 
And belief comes with confessing your trust and faith in Jesus Christ.
8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11) Christ .
 
If you have needs, for counseling, prayer, or just listen ear, then email at [email protected]. God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET
 

The rapture of the Rapture - By Randy Nettles - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/01/16/the-rapture-of-the-rapture-by-randy-nettles/
 
First published on 7/10/2015 as “Enraptured by the Rapture.” Updated for 2021
 
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word “rapture” has three basic definitions. 1) Ecstatic joy, bliss, euphoria, or delight. 2) The carrying away of a person to another place or sphere of existence. 3) The final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end-time according to Christian theology.
 
As a believer in Christ, can you imagine the joy (rapture definition #1) one will experience when we, as the bride and soul mate of Jesus, are “carried away“ (rapture definition #2) into the air to meet with Jesus, our Savior, Lord and King? He will then escort us to our new home in heaven… (rapture definition #3); where we will be with Him forever.
 
The English word “rapture” is derived from the Latin word “rapio,” which means “to carry away,” or “to catch up.” Although the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible, it is based on Biblical scripture. Jesus never fully explained the Rapture to his disciples before his crucifixion, although he hinted at it a few times (Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 17:26-36; John 14:1-4). The Rapture was a mystery until God revealed it to Paul many years after Jesus’ death.
 
The timing of his revelation is unknown. Perhaps it was when Paul went into Arabia (Galatians 1:17) after his Damascus experience and conversion or later when he returned to Damascus. Some have suggested this revelation occurred when Paul was caught up to heaven as per 2 Corinthians. “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1).
 
The details of the Rapture regarding the resurrection and transformation of all dead and living believers in Jesus Christ was first given by Paul to the Church in Thessalonica in about A.D. 51.
 
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
 
The Greek word for “caught up” is “harpazō” and means “to seize, or carry off by force” or “to snatch away.”
 
About 5 years later, in 56 BC, Paul reinforced the concept of the rapture to the Church of Corinth. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
 
Another famous scripture regarding the rapture was given by Jesus himself and recorded by the disciple John many decades later. “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
 
At the moment of the Rapture, all living believers in Jesus as Lord and Savior, as well as all deceased Christians since the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in AD 33, will receive new spiritual bodies that are made for heaven and eternity. We will retain our souls which have been cleansed of sin, and our spirits will be in perfect alignment with God, the Holy Spirit.
 
Here are a couple of Old Testament prophecies that hinted at the mystery of the Rapture, which is to come before the Great Tribulation (Day of the Lord): “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain” (Isaiah 26:20-21).
 
“Before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger” (Zephaniah 2:2-3).
 
The unbridled bliss we will experience when we are together with Jesus and all of our saved relatives and friends will be unimaginable. It will be the ultimate family reunion of the ages. We will experience perfect love and happiness. Never again will we experience the negative emotions of fear, hate, envy, greed, sorrow, uncertainty, lust, selfishness, and pride. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore; for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
 
The will of the Father shall become the will of all humans and angels in heaven. We will never again experience the sorrow of sin in our lives. Our sin nature, inherited from Adam, will no longer be with us, for we will be made holy and righteous after Christ.
 
Our mortal bodies will be transformed into immortal bodies that will be suited for eternity in the new heavens and earth. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, then shall it be brought to pass the saying, that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
 
We will have a spiritual body like Jesus’ resurrected body. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. For everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).)
 
It will be a glorious body similar to Jesus. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving spirit… And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49).
 
“For our citizenship is in heaven; from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall transform our lowly body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Our bodies will not be as glorious as Jesus’, for He is God; but it will be similar.
 
What does Jesus’ glorious body look like? In the book of Revelation, John had a vision of Jesus Christ in His glory:
 
“Then I turned to see the voice [a loud voice, as of a trumpet] that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands [theophany of the Holy Spirit], and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man [Jesus Christ], clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:12-16).
 
For more descriptions of Yahweh (pre-incarnate Jesus) and God the Father, see Can You Imagine? – PROPHECY UPDATE
 
Even before Jesus’ resurrection, he had supernatural abilities, such as walking on water, turning water into wine, feeding the multitude with little food, slipping through a murderous crowd unnoticed, and, of course, his many healings. After the resurrection, Jesus entered through a locked door where the disciples were hiding in a room and stood in their midst, according to John 20:19-20. Jesus’ ascension into heaven forty days after his resurrection was another supernatural event as recorded in Acts 1:9-11.
 
In our spiritual bodies, we will have supernatural abilities and senses, compared to our current carbon- based earthly ones. What an upgrade it will be! “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
 
Our knowledge will greatly increase as we will be able to use 100% of our brains. “For we now know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:9-12).
 
All transformed believers in Jesus will become children of God and will be co-heirs with Christ throughout the Millennium and Eternity. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:16-18).
 
“But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
 
God’s kingdom will consist of the new heavens (universe) and earth; including the eternal city… the New Jerusalem. Here is John’s description of our new home:
 
“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
 
“On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs.
 
“The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.
 
“The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
 
“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
 
“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:10-27).
 
Oh, the rapture of the Rapture! Does this sound like an event you want to miss? If you miss the Rapture train, you will have to face the train wreck known as Daniel’s 70th week, otherwise known as the 7-year Tribulation. It would be a shame to miss it because of not making a decision for Christ. Even if the Rapture doesn’t happen relatively soon (although I believe it is very near) or if you miss it, no person knows when he or she might pass from this life into the next one.
 
The next life will be for eternity… do you want to spend it in Heaven (the New Earth and New Jerusalem) or Hell (the Lake of Fire)? The first article I wrote for R.R. was about this subject. See: Scary, Isn’t It? :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready Choose Jesus and live forever as a royal son of the most high God. Make your decision today, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow. “But God said unto him, you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you; then whose shall those things be, which you have provided for yourself” (Luke 12:20).
 
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified… For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:28-30, 38-39).
 
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
 
Randy Nettles
 
[email protected]
​

​Our Glorious Future – Jonathan Brentner - https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2021/1/18/our-glorious-future
 
Perhaps you wonder why I’m writing about glory amid the turmoil swirling around us today that point to difficult days ahead for the followers of Jesus. The spewing of demonic hatred at the highest levels of our government and in the media toward President Trump and his supporters is something that should greatly alarm even those who do not like the President or his supporters. It spells trouble ahead for all of us who hold to the truths of Scripture.
 
As I write, there are upwards of thirty thousand heavily armed soldiers and special forces in Washington, DC that have orders to use lethal force if necessary. Is this part of a last second plan by President Trump to restore our republic and keep America from falling into the hands of a Marxist regime via a stolen election? Or, is the military expecting something far greater than a domestic uprising? We just do not know.
 
How do we deal with such uncertainty? At times, I do not respond well when I read about the vile and evil agenda that Biden plans to set in motion during his first days in office. I know all to well that it takes a steady dose of God’s Word, time in prayer, and the Holy Spirit keep us focused on our hope before us. And even then I blow it at times and find myself coming back to the Lord for mercy and strength to wait upon Him.
 
I believe that a focus on the glory that awaits all of us who know the Lord as our Savior is something that can encourage us and even cheer our hearts regardless of what we face in the perilous days ahead for us in this world.
 
WHAT DOES THE WORD “GLORY” SIGNIFY?
 
We see or hear the word “glory” so often that we rarely stop to consider what it means or signifies. More times than I would care to admit, I gloss over the word without slowing down to consider its implications for my life or my future in eternity.
 
A proper examination of the word “glory” would fill a large book, so this will be a brief discussion.
 
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word denotes something weighty or someone who is worthy of great honor and reverence such as befitting a great king or God.
 
Glory further depicts the luminous manifestation of the Lord’s presence, beauty, power, and character. When the Lord’s glory filled the temple, the priests could not enter it because of the dazzling brightness of God’s presence (2 Chron. 7:1-3).
 
Creation also displays the Lord’s glory. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, / and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Today we know the universe above contains trillions of stars, all of which God named, and we see beautiful, stunning pictures of our universe via the Hubble telescope. God’s glory includes His matchless beauty and His power displayed throughout His creation.
 
The Old Testament characterization of glory as God’s majesty, character, radiant presence, and exaltation carries over into the New Testament in the person of the Son. In John 1:14 we read, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
 
Jesus reveals the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all the prophets to us. Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Jesus is not only the One to whom all of the Old Testament points, He is the precise representation of God the Father and possesses all His glory.
 
In John 14:9 Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” He showed us the character and power of God the Father during His first coming; when Christ comes for His church, we will see the full extent of His glory.
 
THE REVEALING OF JESUS’ GLORY TO US
 
So, what does God’s glory mean for us as followers of Jesus who face affliction, suffering, and uncertain days?
 
Paul provides the answer in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” For the apostle, the anticipation of seeing the full display of God’s glory far outweighed his personal afflictions, which we know were severe and exceedingly painful. Despite the beatings and scourgings, he anticipated a future unveiling of God’s glory that would make all his intense sufferings in this life seem insignificant by comparison. Wow!
 
I believe this great unveiling of glory starts with the rapture, as Paul refers to it later in the same passage (Rom. 8:23-25). Please stay with me as we go back to the Jesus’ words in the Upper Room as He spoke to His disciples as leaders of the church that would come into being on the Day of Pentecost.
 
Jesus said this in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” The Lord is talking about a time when He takes us to “Father’s house” so that we might be where He is at now.
 
In John 17:24, Jesus reveals a key reason for taking us to the “place” where He now resides, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” Jesus prayed that we would someday be with Him, where He is at in heaven, so that we would see the full extent of His glory. In 14:3, Jesus says He will take us to where He is at and in 17:24 He prays for this to happen so that we will see the glory He possessed before the world even existed.
 
Jesus longs to take His bride to His Father’s house in heaven so we can see the glory He possessed before the creation of the world. We are not the only ones looking forward to the rapture.
 
Don’t let the scoffers and naysayers deter you from your glorious hope in these troubling last days. We will someday, perhaps very soon, see Jesus in all His spectacular brilliance, power, and beauty. Notice the words of Paul in Colossians 3:4, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Do you really see what this verse tells us? When Jesus appears, we do not remain on the earth, but we “appear with him in glory;” we depart from this earth to be with Jesus, where He now resides, and witness His glory. This is the rapture!
 
As one of the first disciples, John spent three and a half years with Jesus on earth. He saw Him on multiple occasions after His resurrection and watched Him ascend into heaven. So, what happened when John saw a vision of his glorious Savior on Patmos Island? John says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Rev. 1:17). It never ceases to amaze me that one who knew Jesus so well on earth would respond that way when seeing Him in His glory.
 
What will it be like when we see Jesus in all His glory?
 
WE WILL EXPERIENCE GLORY FOR OURSELVES
 
The news gets even better for us. There is a sense in which we will not only see Jesus’ in all His glory, but also experience it through our resurrected bodies.
 
Romans 8:30 ends with this promise, “. . . and those whom he justified he also glorified.” I believe this relates to what the apostle wrote in Philippians 3:20-21, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
 
Until our faith becomes sight, we can bask in the wonder of the change we will experience when the Lord exchanges our perishing bodies for those that will never grow old or die and when we see Jesus in all the glory He possessed before the incarnation. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
 
1 John 3:2 says this about the moment Jesus comes for us, “. . . what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” Notice John’s reference to seeing Jesus “as he is.” 
 
We must not divorce the rapture from the Gospel; it’s the substance of our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:11-14) as so many do today. Our ultimate hope is not in earthly outcomes as desirous as they might be, but in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus. The appearing of Jesus to take us to His Father’s house in heaven is the substance of the hope of the Gospel. The apostle Paul, in speaking of the the “redemption of our bodies,” the rapture, said, “For in this hope we were saved” (Rom 8:23-24).
 
If the tremendous suffering and afflictions that the Apostle Paul experienced were “not even worth comparing with the glory” that Paul anticipated at Christ’s return for him, how much more should our hope of future glory comfort us during these most uncertain times?
 
Regardless of what we experience in the coming days and weeks, we know that glory awaits us at the imminent return of Jesus to take us home. Sometimes I try to image what it will be like to suddenly set foot in glory with my resurrection body, see Jesus, reunite with family members who have gone before me, and see the place He has prepared for me. I am sure that my imagination falls far short of what life will actually be like in heaven, but it does help focus my mind on things to come.
 

Featured Article: Dark Days - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/01/17/dark-days-by-daymond-duck/
 
The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was the most contentious and corrupt election in the history of America (it has been reported that almost 80% of Republicans, about 30% of Independents, and 17% of Democrats believe there was fraud).
 
The shadow government and globalist elite have used an illegal election to replace a president that wanted to put America first with a president that will push world government, and these people are now closer to their long-cherished goal of a one-world government, economy, and godless global religion than they have ever been.
 
In my last article, I reported that Dr. James Dobson said the Republican loss of the two Senate Seats in Georgia will lead to the loss of “government of the people, by the people and for the people” because the Democrats will add more Senate Seats (Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico) and more judges to the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
The Republicans lost both seats, so if Dr. Dobson is right, the election fraud has cost America “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
 
The shadow government and globalist elite have gained control of every branch of U.S. government through the Democrat Party, and there will be no way to stop the surrender of U.S. sovereignty.
 
Demonic forces have taken over America, and our nation will never recover.
 
Faithful students that study Bible prophecy on a regular basis are not surprised: We have long taught that the Bible prophesies the following:
 
·      the nation of Israel will be re-established (it has),
·      the Church will grow lukewarm (it is),
·      there will be global pandemics (worse than Covid),
·      persecution of Christians (lockdowns, pastors arrested, churches fined),
·      global economic problems (trillion-dollar stimulus packages, the economy of many nations near collapse),
·      global famine (unemployment and hunger are spreading),
·      gross immorality and abominations to God (abortion, LGBTQ, etc.),
·      deceit will increase (censorship, lying, etc.),
·      the technology to track all buying and selling (coming on the scene now),
·      the elimination of cash (digital currencies are now going into use),
·      the arrival of 10 kings in the world (this could be approved at “The Great Reset” soon),
·      that the U.S. must decline (this appears to be happening now),
·      a world government (Biden plans to push it),
·      an antichrist religion (Democrats have removed God from their party platform), etc.
 
This is a spiritual war; America is no longer a Christian nation; Biden and Harris have indicated that they will greenlight globalization, rejoin the World Health Organization, push the Green New Deal, open America’s borders, and more.
 
Fraud has turned America into a one-party nation; voting was worthless; fear, frustration and concern are spreading; many pastors are silent; their church members are like sheep without shepherds in front of a pack of wolves; it is not an easy time for Christians and patriots; this is probably America’s last stand; citizens are upset; and there is a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds for us, our children, our grandchildren, etc.
 
This has prompted me to offer these thoughts:
 
·      God is not surprised, He is still in control, the Church has been told to watch for these things, prophecy is being fulfilled, and these things indicate that this present generation could be the terminal generation (Matt. 24:32-34).
·      Jan Markell said, “Things are not falling apart; things are falling in place,” and Rev. J.D. Farag said, “God isn’t trying to make you happy. God is trying to get you ready.”
·      This world is not the Christian’s hope or home; the Christian’s hope is not an anti-Christ world government, corrupt politicians, politically motivated judges and courts, or anything except the Rapture of the Church (John 11:11; Titus 2:13).
·      The purpose of the Rapture is to give Christians knowledge and comfort about their future and that of their deceased loved ones (I Thess. 4:13-18).
·      Christians are not alone (John 14:16).
·      The Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church (Matt. 6:18).
·      Nothing can separate Christians from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39).
·      Christians should set their affections on heaven, stand firm, live by the Word of God, keep the Judgment Seat of Christ in mind, and know that our sins will find us out (Col. 3:2; Matt. 4:4; II Cor. 5:10; Num. 32:23).
·      A lukewarm attitude, the silence of pastors, and Church members that know very little Scripture signify the end of the age (Rev. 3:15-18).
·      People who are not saved should quickly and sincerely put their faith in Jesus (not baptism or joining a church) for the forgiveness of their sins (Prov. 3:5-7; John 3:16; 14:6).
·      Christians should love others, do good works, attend Church, get the gospel out (to everyone, but especially to their family), pray often, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and more (Heb. 10:24-25; Mark 16:15; Psa. 122;6).
·      Christians should watch the signs and pray that God will consider them worthy to be Raptured before the Tribulation Period arrives (Luke 21:36).
·      Know that God raises up leaders and God brings down leaders. He had a reason for putting Trump in office, He has a reason for removing Trump, and a reason for putting Biden in office. I tend to believe God is ready to let world government advance, and Trump would have been in the way.
·      God’s prophecies must be fulfilled, and good will come from every situation (Rev. 1:1; Rom. 8:28).
Here are more of my thoughts along a different line:
 
·      On Jan. 6, 2021, an angry mob stormed and breached the U.S. Capitol building, and tragically, 1 person was killed almost immediately, several others died, several police were injured, and there was property damage.
·      Politicians and pundits immediately blamed Trump, but Congress, the FBI, CIA, the Media, and the U.S. Supreme Court must share the blame (also there have been reports that Antifa and Black Lives Matter were among the protesters and responsible for some of the violence; On Jan. 7, it was reported that 2 members of Antifa had already been identified by facial recognition technology. Some officials deny it, but they proved untruthful in the Russian Collusion hoax).
·      Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer have boasted that they will fundamentally change America, and they have been involved.
·      The House tried to dump Trump for 4 years, falsely accused him, impeached him for nothing, and ignored the crimes of the Bidens and Clintons.
·      The FBI, CIA and others lied and falsely prosecuted people because they wanted to dump Trump, and little to nothing has been done.
·      A Special Prosecutor was appointed to investigate the Clintons and the Russian Collusion hoax, and the public has been promised a report for years, but it has never been released, and it will probably be covered up.
·      Politicians, the Media, and some police claim that we are a nation of laws, but they have ignored 4 years of Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioting, looting, burning, injuring people, and attacking the police.
·      Despite overwhelming evidence of voter fraud, judges have refused to hear the evidence, the U.S. Supreme Court has done nothing, and some people think violence is the only answer (God is the only answer).
·      Pundits immediately started saying “we must come together,” but it will not happen because the left’s definition of “coming together” is that the right must totally submit. The left will never agree to restrictions on abortion, sexual perversion, drug abuse, etc. (Rev. 9:20-21), and true Christians will not totally surrender.
 
Simply put, violence is wrong, but Washington is corrupt and broken; frustration started building before Trump ran for President. Millions of people do not want mob rule, one-party rule, their voice to go unheard, to open America’s borders, to surrender America’s sovereignty, to let unsaved diplomats at the UN tell the U.S. what laws we have to pass, different voting rules for different people, the crimes of the Clintons and Bidens ignored, the police attacked, the police defunded, and judges that ignore the law and rule in favor of their own political party.
 
It saddens me to say it, but I do not believe Congress will listen. According to Bible prophecy, abortion, perversion, drug abuse, and globalism will explode; freedom of speech and freedom of religion will decline; persecution of believers and anti-Semitism will increase; violence will increase; there will be no revival in the Church; and God will soon send the Tribulation Period to deal with godless government in America and the world.
 
On the other hand, I rejoice to say that God is listening to the grievances of His people. The world is dark, but light is coming, and these tragic events are reasons for hope (I Thess. 5:4-9).
 
The Christian’s future is glorious, and the nearness of world government and the Tribulation Period implies that the Rapture of the Church is close.
 
I don’t know how to define close, but I honestly believe the appointment of 10 people to rule over a world government in the next 4 years is a distinct possibility.
 
Here are some more stories that made the news:
 
One, concerning false accusers, Democrats praised and bailed out rioters, looters, and arsonists in some cities, but on Jan. 7, 2021, Biden called those that stormed the capitol “rioters, insurrectionists and domestic terrorists.”
 
Some reports said hundreds of thousands of people attended the March to Save America, and about 40-50,000 went to the capitol.
 
Thus, most of those that went to Washington were not involved in the violence.
 
Violence is wrong, and if the Democrats want to “come together,” they should recognize that most of those that went to Washington have legitimate grievances that must be addressed and admit the truth about the involvement of Antifa and Black Lives Matter.
 
Sadly, there is every reason to believe that hypocrisy, lying and deceit will prevail.
 
Two, one TV commentator said the reason Pelosi, Schumer, Ilhan Omar and others want to remove Trump from office with less than 2 weeks to go is because removal from office will disqualify him from running for President 4 years from now.
 
They obviously do not know that they have no control over who will run for President 4 years from now because God raises up our leaders.
 
As I see it, the President of the U.S. could very well be one of the Ten Kings under the rule of the Antichrist 4 years from now (I am not setting a date for the Rapture).
 
Incidentally, saying the election was stolen is not an impeachable offense.
 
Three, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog, on Jan. 4, 2021, Iran announced that it is now enriching uranium to 20%.
 
Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu said Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and Israel will not let them do it.
 
I have been saying it for a long time, but the latter days, latter years Battle of Gog and Magog could be close (Ezek. 38:8, 16).
 
Four, on Jan. 6, 2021, Rev. Franklin Graham said, “We (America) are in trouble. I believe God’s judgment is coming, for the sins of our nation are great, and they are a stench in the nostrils of our Creator.”
 
Five, concerning famine, on Jan. 7, 2021, Bloomberg reported that global food prices hit a 6-year high in Dec. 2020, and they are likely to go higher in 2021.
 
The higher cost of food is expected to increase inflation.
 
Six, the place that is believed to be the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus is in an area between Israel and Jordan that was designated a war zone more than 50 years ago.
 
Land mines were laid in the area, and people were warned to stay away.
 
Two years ago, Israel started removing the landmines, and the area has now been declared safe.
 
On Jan. 10, 2021, it was reported that a group toured the area and held a baptism ceremony there.
 
Seven, concerning the censorship of Trump, and Christian and conservative websites, on Jan. 10, 2021, it was reported that Biden has at least 14 current or former executives of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Twitter ready to serve in his administration or advising his transition team.
 
In my opinion, one of the primary reasons for censorship is to silence anyone that opposes the surrender of America’s sovereignty to a world government.
 
Eight, on Jan. 10, 2021, it was reported that a post on Biden’s website says he has plans to defeat the NRA and “end our epidemic of gun violence.”
 
There are not a lot of specifics, but the NRA is saying Biden will make “a concerted attack on the rights of gun owners.
 
Finally, God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.
 
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
 
Daymond Duck
 
[email protected]
​