Ezekiel's Malefactors on the Move - By Terry James -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/28/ezekiels-malefactors-on-the-move-by-terry-james/
 
News today continues to prove Bible prophecy truth. Stage-setting for fulfillment of things foretold to come moves forward.
 
In the realm of setting the stage for the horrific wars that are predicted at the windup of the days leading to Christ's return, the prophet Ezekiel's words are front and center:
 
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands: and many people with thee. (Ezekiel 38:1-6)
 
Dr. Harry A. Ironside, one of the most recognized of those who had a literal, futurist view of Bible prophecy, wrote the following early in the twentieth century:
 
In the last days, the final head of the Russian people will look with covetous eyes upon the great developments in the land of Palestine. They will determine that Russia must have her part of the wealth there produced. Consequently, we have the picture of a vast army, augmented by warriors from Persia, Cush, Phut, marching down toward Palestine.
 
Dr. Jack Van Impe, who recently went to be home with the Lord, wrote the following about Ezekiel's prophecy:
 
There is no need to marshal the scholars of the past to confirm the place or purpose of this war. Ezekiel explained:
 
"After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them." (Ezek. 38:8).
 
What a clear and up-to-date description of Israel! She is certainly the land that is brought back from the sword-gathered out of many people-a former wasteland-brought forth out of the nations. ("The Coming War with Russia," Dr. Jack VanImpe, Perhaps Today magazine)
 
There is little question that Russia is the nation or people of Rosh, as Ezekiel terms it, which will be the lead nation in the Gog-Magog assault. Its chief prince, i.e., its leader, will be the leader of the coalition that will invade Israel. The reason, according to the prophet, will be to take "spoil." That is, they will desire to plunder Israel's wealth.
 
It is rational to ask what could induce a coalition of nations to conspire to do such a thing in these days of nuclear weaponry. Israel reportedly has one of the top nuclear arsenals in terms of number of weapons. It would be foolhardy to attack as described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. This is especially a relevant question since Israel has demonstrated on many occasions that it will defend its territory. And, in modern times, it has never lost!
 
Ezekiel gives the reason Gog gets the evil thought. It is apparently because Israel will be dwelling in "unwalled villages." That is, it will be without defense, as walls were for the defense of nations in so-called Bible times.
 
But there is the factor also of that matter of Gog's "evil thought" including, apparently, the knowledge that there are "spoils" to be garnered by such an attack. It must be that the "spoil" is desperately needed for some reason.
 
Now we consider the way things are shaping in the Middle East in these times. One must concede they are strange, I think. Never has there been a world completely shut down because of something proven to be not much more than a flu bug with somewhat of an extra bite.
 
So, with these strange times and all other considerations we've discussed in these commentaries many times, it is prudent to ask whether the Gog-Magog war might be in view.
 
It is my opinion that this assault won't take place until after the Rapture of the Church. My belief revolves around a number of factors covered before. Space here doesn't allow that we go over that territory again.
 
So what do we see in the news at the moment that might be setting the stage for the Gog-Magog war, which the Lord Himself will win for Israel?
 
A quick look at the three major players in that coalition and one more minor nation involved in the attack will help clue us.
 
The first news item involves Iran, Israel's chief Middle East enemy of dangerous proportion. Iran, of course, covers much of what was Persia in Ezekiel's time.
 
Iran will support any nation or group that fights Israel, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday, ahead of this week's annual observance of Quds (Jerusalem) Day to express support for Palestinians.
 
We will support and assist any nation or any group anywhere who opposes and fights the Zionist regime, and we do not hesitate to say this," Khamenei said in a post on his official English-language Twitter account.
 
Iran, Israel's arch-enemy in the Middle East, has been a key supporter, along with Russia, of President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war, sending military advisers as well as material and regional Shi'ite militias. ("Iran: Will Support Any Nation or Group That Fights Israel Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Launches Threat," Reuters, May 22, 2020)
 
The second story brings into view a major and a minor player as listed by Ezekiel. These two nations, close in proximity in military affairs, prove they're already closing in on conflict that might bring Libya totally into the Turkish orbit. The way things go with strongmen bullying and bashing their way around in the region, it might be just a matter of time before joint battle strategy is forthcoming.
 
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Haftar's LNA received warplanes with 'foreign support' [File: Cem Ozdel/Anadolu]
 
Turkey has warned that attacks on its interests in Libya by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's forces will have "grave consequences" after advances by the country's Turkish-backed government.
 
Ankara has provided military support to the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, which has been battling to fend off a year-long offensive by Haftar's forces to take control of the capital Tripoli.
 
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy on Thursday said Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) had received warplanes with "foreign support" and that they had vowed to target Turkish positions in Libya with an air campaign.
 
"In the event Turkish interests in Libya are targeted, this will have very grave consequences," Aksoy said on Thursday, adding that the LNA's statements were "delusional." ("Grave Consequences: Turkey Warns Libya's Haftar Against Attacks | Turkey News, Al Jazeera May 21, 2020)
 
The third nation in the news will lead the coalition against God's chosen people, according to Ezekiel. Russia, already strapped for cash because of falling petroleum and natural gas prices and myriad other economic woes, was hit harder by the COVID-19 crisis than has been reported.
 
MOSCOW (Reuters)-Russia's economy could contract by more than 8% in the second quarter of 2020, central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina said on Friday, adding that the bank would revise its most recent gross domestic product forecast.
 
Nabiullina said cutting Russia's benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points from 5.5% will be considered in June.
 
On inflation, Nabiullina said the bank's year-end forecast was 3.8-4.8%, with peak annual inflation expected in the summer. ("Russian GDP Could Fall by More than 8% Second Quarter 2020, Nabiullina, May 22, 2020)
 
Russia's Gross National Product figures are dismal and scheduled to get much, much worse. Israel is all but certain to pick up Russian clients in Europe and elsewhere because of tremendous finds in and around Israel. Could it all have to do with the "evil thought" the Russian leader of that day will have, thus bring Russia, Turkey (Togarmah), Iran (Persia), and Libya down over the mountains of Israel to take "great spoil"?

What Shall Be the End of These Things (Part 2)
- by Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-will-end-of-these-things-be-part-2.html
 
43, "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44, And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. " (Daniel 2:43-44)
 
11,"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12, Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13, But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. " (Daniel 12:11-13)
 
5,"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6, And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7, And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8, The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." (Revelation 17:5-8)
 
This is part 2 of a series dealing what is coming upon the earth in the form of the false prophet supporting the coming Anti-Christ. A class of people may not approve of the message, but history shows what has been and what will be according to your Bible...Daniel and Revelation prophecy what is written.
 
As we studied the end of Daniel's book in chapter 10-12 in our last message, we explored the possible rise again of the "Holy" Roman Empire after it's defeat in 1798 and the Pope was imprisoned coinciding with the Catholic Church's influence over the whole earth dwindled and she changed her leopard spots and instead of a wolf, began to project the image of being harmless as a lamb. But times are changing in these final days of man's rule upon the earth and I believe the connection between Daniel and Revelation points to a resurgence of the political power wielded by Rome during the Dark Ages.
 
DANIEL'S INTERPRETATION REVISITED
 
In Daniel chapter 2, Daniel is given the interpretation of King Nebachadnezzer's dream of a golden idol and the true God in heaven reveals the kingdoms that will arise after Mystery Babylon is replaced as the world power. Then at the end of the book, Gabriel the ark angel reveals the future of these kingdoms, their rise and their fall. Daniel was astonished and said:
 
" And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Daniel 12:8-10).
 
It was not for Daniel to know, as the future was forward some 500+ years before part of the vision was fulfilled, but another 2000 years to come to our time...our time of the end, when the prophecy is set to be completed.
 
The two books of prophecy in Daniel and Revelation have given many scholars trouble understanding and the average Joe on the street steers clear of prophecy to his detriment, as " the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy." (Revelation 19:10b)
 
Let us now examine certain aspects of Daniel and the book of Revelation to show how they are forever connected with one another, as they speak of the same events in different ways.
 
In Daniel 2:43, the Word of God says that the seed of men will mingle:
 
"And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay."
 
The great obscurity of this verse is partially cleared by a reference to Jeremiah 31:27-28:
 
27 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord."
 
To my understanding, this is the political power that governs the world being mingled with "apostate religions" that I have coined the title "Chrislam" or the joining of all religions into a one world religion, with Islam and apostate Christianity at its center. They will be loosely connected for nothing else but political and religious power upon the earth.
 
Daniel appears to be contrasting what man is endeavouring to accomplish by his own efforts with that which the God of heaven will carry out :
 
44 "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."(Daniel 2:44)
 
IN the past, man has formed his plans for uniting the discordant parts of this empire, by encouraging marriages between the royal families that rule the various component kingdoms. The allusion in this verse is to matrimonial alliances contracted between the Ptolemies and the Seleucidae :
 
6 "And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times." And in another chapter in Daniel:
 
17 "He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him". (Daniel 11:6; Daniel 11:17),
 
This did not, however, succeed in producing permanent harmony or union between them. Each kingdom fell until the Roman Empire became the strongest, "like iron that breaks" until they imploded from within and the kingdom was given over to Papal rule instead of pagan rule, which is a contradiction in terms, as both were just the flip side of the same coin. We discussed this in our last message, but let us move on when the truth is revealed in Revelation when it was obscure in Daniel's time.
 
REVELATION, REVEALING PROPHECY IN JESUS CHRIST
 
The testimony of Christ, a testimony of the most solemn character, is to be borne to the world. All through the book of Revelation there are the most precious, elevating promises, and there are also warnings of the most fearfully solemn import. Will not those who profess to have a knowledge of the truth read the testimony given to John by Christ? Here there is no guesswork, no scientific deception. Here are the truths that concern our present and future welfare.
 
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
 
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Revelation 1:1-3)
 
Beginning with chapter 1 of Revelation with the description of the One who stood among the seven golden candle sticks, with seven stars in His hand that represented the seven Asian Churches at the time, and the future which represents the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ. Thus there are three applications that can be made.
 
-The first is the literal letter to the literal Church
-the second is the application showing the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ,
-and lastly certain aspects we find in these messages apply to the condition of our own Christian experience.
 
This is a vision that was given to John by Jesus Christ Himself, as He spoke to John as the sound of a trumpet. Each successive period of church history shows that down through the ages, the church of Jesus Christ has had 7 periods in church history that Jesus reveals to John with the last being the church of the end times, the Laodecian Church of luke warm believers that have fallen into apostasy and will be cast headlong into the Tribulation.
 
COME UP HITHER
 
The book of Revelation makes a defined shift after chapter 3 leading into chapter 4, as John is called by the sound of trumpet calling:
 
"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Revelation 4:1-3)
 
This is a different vision given to John and they run concurrently, as God reveals the opening of the 7 seals of judgment upon the earth. Notice one of the first thing John sees after the description of "One who sat upon the throne" is 24 elders sitting on their respective thrones. Many people have tried to imply and to interpret who these elders are. First let us look at their descriptions:
 
"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." (Revelation 4:4)
 
Note that they are clothed in white raiment which stands for righteousness which is defined in chp. 19 of Revelation in describing the bride of Christ, and the armies who come back with Jesus to reign and rule. So they are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and a crown of victory. They have been in warfare with sin and overcome. (sin is only upon this earth) They are seen in heaven before the sequence of the seals begins and have been redeemed from among men. They have crowns of gold on their heads, which represents rewards for service. This is none other than the crown of life or crown of righteousness that the Lord gives to those that have endured temptation and have fought the good fight of faith, finishing their course and have overcome.
 
Since they can't be angels, as angels are in service to those of the redeemed, the Church, then the vision shows redeemed mortal men saved by the blood of the Lamb. They have received rewards, they are seated, as they have received victory over their struggles with evil. The rewards of service to God Almighty comes only in one time period..the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ to receive rewards for things done for Christ in this life. They are a multiple of the number 12, as the number 12 is the divine sign of government. The only explanation is that this is the Church, redeemed from the earth and taken to heaven just before the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth.
 
"10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."(1st Corinthians 3:10-15)
 
Another false doctrine spewed by the Gnostic Church of the dark ages, was this passage spoke of "purgatory", which was nothing but a scam to gather riches in giving out prayers of indulgences to "so-called" pray these folks out of torments for minimal sins, (Venial Sins). This is what Paul spoke of as a reward ceremony for work done for the Kingdom of God and built upon the solid Rock, which is the foundation of the church, Jesus Christ. All work done for ourselves, will be burned up, BUT those done for Christ that have produced results will command a reward for service....even if a man's or woman's works are all burned up, save Jesus Christ in his heart, as a deposit of future glorification, he will received a reward of righteousness, and eternal life, even passing through the fire of revealing what sort of work it is.
 
But I point to a passage that says those who have that deposit of God's Holy Spirit will NOT be subject to what is coming upon the earth.
 
Remember what Jesus said in chapter 3 of this book:
 
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10)
 
The original Greek tells us that Jesus is saying we will be taken out of this time period, not through as some erroneously believe. Because the phrase "will keep thee from, is the Greek word 'EK" which I have preached many times, which literally means "to be taken out by force from the time and place of the event" What event is Jesus speaking of...yes, the coming Tribulation that will engulf the whole world.
 
Then in Chapter 6 of this Revelation, it is reveals the plagues that come upon the earth, starting with the four horseman of the Apocalypse.
 
As Daniel saw in vision the rise of a great beast out of the sea and described in terrible ferocity, so too does Revelation speak of this beast that comes, but first God describes him as a rider on a white horse, with a bow in his hands.
 
"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Revelation 6:2)
 
The man has a bow, but no arrows. He rides a white horse, which is a false sign of purity and righteousness. He goes to conquer, but with words of flattery, words of deceit, and political power given to him by other nations as their supreme leader. He has a crown, but unlike the King of kings, his crown is a crown of conquest and victory, much like the victor's crown of leaves given to Roman athletes in the Colosseum.
 
We are reintroduced to this man, which is described as a beast power, ridden and controlled by a "harlot woman" in chapter 17 noted in the opening verses of this message:
 
6, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7, And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8, The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." (Revelation 17:5-8)
 
I've spoken of this in past messages, that the woman is a harlot. In scripture, the sign of a harlot woman is a sign of a religious organization that has prostituted itself to false gods, and doctrines of demons and devils. Greek porne - Meaning "prostitute," "harlot." Porne probably goes back to a word meaning "to sell" or "to export for sale" such things as slaves. In Greece prostitutes were usually purchased slaves. The Old Testament prophets often compare apostate Israel, which repeatedly went "a whoring" after heathen gods, (Ezekiel 23:30; Isaiah 23:17; Ezekiel 16:15) with an adulterous woman. Concerning mystical Babylon as a harlot (Revelation 19:2) For Old Testament passages whose thought or wording is similar to that of chapter 17, see Isaiah 47:1; Jeremiah 25:12; 50:1; Ezekiel 26:13.
 
She has slain millions upon million of the innocent down through the ages and is drunk with their blood.
 
She has a sign of her habitation of sitteth upon many waters. Exercising power over many "peoples" and "nations." (see verse 15) The form of the verb in Greek presents the "great whore" as in power at the time and as continuing to exercise power. As the ancient city of Babylon was situated upon the literal waters of the Euphrates (see Jeremiah 50:12, 38) and dwelt figuratively "upon many waters" or peoples, (Jeremiah 51:12-13; cf. Isaiah 8:7-8; 14:6; Jeremiah 50:23) so modern Babylon is represented as sitting upon or oppressing the peoples of earth.
 
12 "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.(Revelation 16:12-15)
 
This whore in but a metamorphosis of ancient Babylon who received power from the imploding Roman Empire and instead of Caesar became the leader of a pagan religion. But look again at the end of verse 8 of the above passage in chapter 17: "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."
 
Who have we revealed as the persecutor and tormentor of millions of non-compliant Christians and Jews throughout the Dark Ages? Who has robes of scarlet and purple, pearls and costly jewels? Who was defeated in 1798 by France and "that was, and is not, yet is" ?
 
There is only one institution that fulfills every aspect of this description that seeks a return of her former glory and sadly, my Catholic friends, it is the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy headed by the Pope of Rome. I take no pleasure in warning of this "religion",but even as much as I would warn of Islam and it's "religion", because people follow a creation, and institution, a man-made parallel to worshiping God in vain and both, if a person is not careful, will lead those people to hell. Both proclaim a different way to God instead of the true way through Jesus Christ. This present "Pope" has clearly stated that there are alternative ways to heaven. "Just be good" is what he says giving a pass to atheist (denying that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life) or not taking a stand on Romans 1 that God calls homosexuality an abomination, but says "who am I to judge?" He even gives a pass to Muslims who "worship" a false god saying "we all worship the same God" (NO, we do not), and any other aberration to the Truth of God's Word. Thus the head of this "religion" denies that Jesus is the Only Way back to God the Father.
 
Jesus calls this institution, "a beast" which represents kingdoms or political powers. (Daniel 7:3-7, 17; 8:3, 5, 20-21; cf. Revelation 12:3; 13:1) The color of this beast no doubt representing a sinful kingdom, not just sinful but one that thought to change the law of God.
 
25 "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints (Tribulation saints, my explanation) of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Daniel 7:25)
 
The names of blasphemy with which it is covered indicate that it stands in opposition to God. Accordingly, the beast itself may be identified as Satan working through those political agencies in all ages that have submitted to her control.
 
In certain respects this beast resembles the great red dragon of Revelation 12:3, and in others the leopard like beast of Revelation 13:1-2 . The context makes the latter relationship appear to be closer. The chief difference between the beast of chapter 13 and that of chapter 17 is that in the former, which is identified with the papacy, no distinction is made between the religious and the political aspects of Papal power, whereas in the latter the two are distinct. The beast representing political power and the woman a religious power.
 
ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT AND ONE WORLD RELIGION
 
I have covered this before, but for this message, I will briefly touch on it again. The United Nations coupled with the USA and the rest of the world are pushing for a complete and total control of every aspect of human life and endeavor by the year 2030. Agenda 21 introduced in the 1990's has morphed into 'SUBSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" and their aim is a one world government. Stage right, the pope in Rome advocating the implementation of this nefarious scheme for complete control of planet earth. And it is reported that he has commanded that this be taught in every parish that he controls through his priest. Some will scoff, but coupled with the foolish notion of "climate change" the earth dwellers are being primed for tyranny and a one world government. What better way to unite the world, than to unite them in the same religious authority. "Which was, and is not, but is" and will rise again. She has inherited and proclaimed the abominations of ancient Babylon:
 
Seduction. By seducing the kings of the earth into illicit union with her, in order to further her own sinister designs.
 
Oppressive despotism. By sitting upon "many waters" and oppressing the people of earth. '
 
Contributing to human delinquency. By making the people of earth except for the saints, drunk with the wine of her political policy thus causing them to become her accomplices in her evil plot. By her fornication, she "did corrupt the earth" (Revelation 19:2)
 
Drunkeness. By being "drunken with the blood of the saints, who had offended her by refusing to drink of her evil potion of error or to submit to her ambition to rule the earth.
 
Murder and attempted murder. By plotting the murder of God's people, the "woman" of chapter 12. This political/religious organization has been anti-semitic from her inception and has attempted to destroy the Jewish nation, even through Nazi Germany of which she was in bed with.
 
Note in the verses, that she rides the beast and controls him though from the beast perspective, reluctantly. She guides it's policy. The beast representing political power and the "harlot woman" the spiritual power of the last days found in the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation. But who controls this beast of Revelation...the Catholic church is but a tool of the supreme deceiver who will arise out of the bottomless pit. But when the "beast" is done with the uniting the known world through apostate religion, he, the Anti-Christ, will destroy her....why? Because the Anti-Christ which is possessed of Satan will both desire worship, as Satan has from the time of his fall from heaven when pride entered into him and he became corrupted.
 
When the beast exists again as "the eighth," "they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world when they behold the beast." Remember the analogy of the sixth pope stepping down to take the helm of the European Union and then taking it up again from the seventh who will become the false prophet, until the beast "will burn her (this false religion) with fire and eat her flesh". (For a refresher course, if you have not read part 1. then see my blog and read how the 8th pope comes into existence.)
 
A very similar statement is made in Revelation 13:3, 8 on the world's attitude toward the beast of that chapter when its deadly wound is healed:
 
"All the world wondered after the beast ... And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
 
If chapter 13 refers to the same event as Revelation 17:8, it means the statement "his deadly wound was healed" (Revelation 13:3) is equivalent to the expression "shall ascend out of the bottomless pit." (Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:3, 7) In a similar way the words "did live" (Revelation 13:14) would be equivalent to the expressions "yet is" and "he is the eighth." (Revelation 17:8, 11) The wounding of the head, (Revelation 13:3) the going "into captivity" and "the wound by a sword" (Revelation 13:10, 14) would have their counterpart in the implied descent of the "beast" into the "bottomless pit." (Revelation 17:8) And "death" (Revelation 13:3) would be equivalent to the "bottomless pit" phase of the experience of the beast. The similarities noted here tend to identify the seventh head of the beast as the Papal head. If there be any doubt, then I invite you to take these scriptures passages and read them for yourself and then decide who the description fits and who is pandering to the whole religious world telling them to "Come home to the mother church" .
 
DANIEL AND REVELATION IN PARALLEL
 
My reader, the book of Daniel was a prophecy of what was to come upon the earth, but history has proven it to be correct. Daniel was not given the details of how this would come to pass, so it was hidden from view until the events actually happened.
 
Revelation in comparison is written to "reveal" what Daniel wrote when that prophecy was given to him by the angel Gabriel from our ABBA Father God in heaven. Jesus came to flesh out the events and they are not obscure if you study them closely and compare them to other prophets in your bible...History is fast becoming completed in our modern times and all we wait for it the signs that point to the coming of a one world government and the installing of it's one world religion...already, the world is promoting a cashless society in different parts of the world into digital cash to monitor every transaction on earth. For one reason, and one reason only is control of the masses of the earth. That is what the coming Anti-Christ will demand, utter and complete control.
 
I'm a firm proponent that the church, the true Church of Jesus Christ, washed in His precious blood which is not an institution, a building, (but members of His own body as individuals one at a time upon receiving grace and mercy through faith in the atonement paid for on Calvary's cross), will never see the actual in the flesh Anti-Christ, but if we see the stage being set for his revealing, how much closer is the Lord Jesus coming for His people, the Bride of Christ? That much closer everyday. The signs are all around us, from the Middle East, to Israel, to the USA, to the United Nations, and yes, even to this pope.
 
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.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-12)
 
I pray for family members who have been seduced into this false religion who have come full circle from a Christian home, into atheism, then the occult, Wiccan, and finally becoming an agnostic only to succumb to the Satanic lie disguised as the "rock that Jesus would build His Church on"...that Rock is Christ, not some religious organization headed by a "vicar of Christ", but try telling that to a convinced and converted Catholic. (the strongest kind that are blindly convinced of their piety by being members of this cult). If you have come out of this harlot church, then praise God for His mercy. If you see yourself in any of this, or still being influenced by the idolatrous doctrines spewed by your priest, your bishop, or even this pope or any pope, then I pray you will look behind the curtain that hides their abominations by looking at their history and their hypocrisy...I pray for my family members daily that their lives are sold out to the real Jesus, not the Catholic Jesus who they insult with their false doctrines and blasphemy.
 
Remember my friend, the Catholic church is not the way of salvation....Jesus is the way:
 
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh to the Father, but by Me.." (John 14:6)
 
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18)
 
8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-13)
 
I know I have briefly described what will be coming upon this earth, when Jesus comes for His bride, as a thief in the night, but if you will see what I speak of and believe in your heart the two passages above and repent of the way you have lived, even if it a moral life, but devoid of Jesus Christ as Savior...then you WON'T see any of the horrific fulfillment of prophecy that Daniel and Revelation paint a most hellish time on this earth, that Jesus said:
 
"21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:21-22)
 
I pray earnestly that you will make that decision for Jesus Christ and become a child of God with a deposit of His Holy Spirit which is the guarantee of our future glorification, even as Jesus was glorified, which Romans describes our future family with ABBA Father as the head of the Family of God.
 
"16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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)
 
And what if we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ? What has Jesus got that we will share in?? Everything that is pure, righteous and holy....we will be immortal and live for eternity in the presence of our God, and our Lord and Savior. The opposite is even truer....those who reject the calling of God's Holy Spirit will experience torment instead of joy, peace, love, holiness, and life, instead they will be given eternal death.
 
"27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out." (Luke 13:27-28)
 
9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," (2nd Peter 3:9-11)
 
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you escape the apostasy that will fill the earth in the coming Tribulation. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , . God bless all.
 
TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET

At Hand - By Daymond Duck -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/24/at-hand-by-daymond-duck/
 
A reader recently e-mailed me Hal Lindsey's quote, "The coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:8).
 
This great prophecy teacher pointed out that "at hand" does not mean that the Rapture would happen in the next few years (although it could have).
 
"At hand" means the Rapture will happen at any time and without warning.
 
"At hand" is an admonition for everyone in every generation to be ready to go at any moment, all the time.
 
There is a lot of misunderstanding about this issue.
 
God told Adam if he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die in that day (Gen. 2:17).
 
Adam ate the fruit, but he did not die within 24 hours; he died when he was 930 years old (Gen.5:5).
 
1,000 years in man's eyes are like one day to God (Psa. 90:4; II Pet. 3:8).
Some Christians believe that "last days" sometimes refers to days 5, 6 and 7 of a 7,000 year cycle (two 1,000-year God-days called the Church Age and one 1,000-year God-day called the Millennium (Heb. 1:1-2; I Pet. 1:20; James 5:3; II Pet. 3:3).
 
The first 4 God-days (4,000 years; equivalent to our Sun., Mon., Tue. and Wed.) ran from Adam to the first coming of Jesus.
 
The last 3 God-days (last 3,000 years; 2 days of Church Age and 1 day of rest called the Millennium; equivalent to our Thur., Fri. and Sat.) run from the first coming of Jesus to the end of the millennium.
 
Don't forget that Peter called the beginning of the Church on Pentecost the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of the last days (Acts 2:16-18).
 
Days 5 and 6 (two 1,000-year God-days) began when the Holy Spirit was "poured out" on Pentecost (Acts 2:17), and they will end when the Holy Spirit is "taken out" of the way at the Rapture of the Church (II Thess. 2:7).
 
It is debatable, but according to Catholic tradition, Jesus was crucified and the Church began in 30 A.D. (others say 30-33 A.D.).
 
Now, take note of the fact that the UN goal of a world government by 2030 is exactly 2,000 years or two God-days from the possible beginning of the Church.
 
Below are more reasons to believe that the Church could be in the last hours of the Church Age (last hours of the last days on God's clock).
 
One, concerning tracking everyone, a new bill called the "Covid-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act has passed and been signed.
 
TRACE originated in the House of Representatives and, for some strange reason, it is numbered H.R. 6666.
 
H.R. 6666 appropriates $100 billion to trace and monitor people that have come in contact with someone that has (or has had) the Coronavirus, plus it hints at more money for future use (monitoring that could extend into the Tribulation Period).
 
Monitoring includes mobile testing stations; visiting people in their homes, if necessary; requiring (forcing) people to be tested for the Coronavirus; and "other purposes" (a phrase with ominous overtones).
 
This is more evidence that the Mark of the Beast prophecy is literal, and the Tribulation Period could be close.
 
Two, in mid-May 2020, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Cal., said he intends to send city employees and volunteers to visit defiant businesses that are open and urge them to voluntarily close.
 
People that refuse to voluntarily close will have their water and electricity shut off (city will not sell, and businesses will not be allowed to buy water and electricity).
 
FYI: For more details on these first two items, listen to the message by J.D. Farag at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPvghpK3oxk
 
Three, on May 12, 2020, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony Fauci, was addressing a U.S. Senate Committee about the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus when he said he is cautiously optimistic, but "There's no guarantee that the vaccine is actually going to be effective."
 
Pray that an effective vaccine will be found but know that man cannot do anything without God's permission, and make sure you are saved in case He does not grant it.
 
Four, on May 11, 2020, Israel announced that Israel's Health Ministry will immediately start offering voluntary blood tests at existing clinics.
 
Israel's health officials believe some people may have been exposed to the virus and developed an immunity to it.
 
These officials plan to test 100,000 volunteers for antibodies that show an immunity.
 
If some people are immune to the virus, they do not need to be vaccinated or quarantined; they can go back to work, travel, etc.
 
If this is true, a law requiring everyone on earth to be vaccinated and tattooed may be unnecessary.
 
Five, on May 15, 2020, Executives at Sorrento Therapeutics in California said they have discovered a Coronavirus antibody that has been 100% effective in lab tests.
 
They said the antibody will protect healthy cells from the virus and get rid of it in 4 days.
 
Six, concerning world religion and his departing from the faith, on May 10, 2020, possible (emphasis on possible) False Prophet, Pope Francis said, "I believe that should he (Trump) be re-elected, God will abandon all of his blessings upon America, and may see fit to raze it down, as Sodom and Gomorrah."
 
Pope Francis should know that the problem in Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexuality, not people like Trump (Gen. 19:1-28).
 
Pope Francis has departed from the traditional Roman Catholic teaching (and the teaching of Pope Benedict) that homosexuality is unchristian.
 
Concerning America's future, Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) said it well, "For years we've (American's have) been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the Gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"
 
Seven, on May 14, 2020, U.S. Sec. of State Mike Pompeo was in Israel to: 1) try to advance Pres. Trump's Peace to Prosperity proposal, and 2) to discuss the Israeli annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria.
 
These two issues relate to prophecies that must happen after the Rapture.
 
The Antichrist must confirm a covenant of peace before the Tribulation Period can begin (Dan. 9:27; there could be swift movement after the rapture of the Church, plus many Arabs are beginning to move away from the Palestinians and toward Israel).
 
The Palestinians want all Jews out of Judea and Samaria, but Jesus revealed that there will be a Temple, and Jews living in Judea at the middle of the Tribulation Period (Matt. 24:15-16).
 
In exchange for Israel's written assurance that Israel will make an honest effort to negotiate a final peace treaty with the Palestinians, the U.S. is ready to recognize Israel's annexation of about 30% of Judea and Samaria (There has been some wavering in Israel because of threats from the UN, EU, Palestinians, Jordan and others, but at this time it looks like Israel plans to vote on it around July l, 2020).
 
Advancing Trump's peace proposal and annexing 30% of Judea and Samaria does not mean that the Tribulation Period is close (the Ten Kings haven't appeared, Elijah hasn't appeared, etc.), but it seems evident that the Tribulation Period is shaping up, and dividing Israel has ominous implications for the Battle of Armageddon (Joel 3:2).
 
Prime Min. Netanyahu said, "I think that this (Israel's new government) is an opportunity to promote peace and security (peace and safety), based on the understandings that I reached with President Trump (during) my last visit in Washington in January."
 
The promotion of peace and safety is a major sign that the Tribulation Period could be close (I Thess. 5:3), and Trump's peace proposal is like fuel on a fire.
The creation of a map by Israel and the U.S. that will divide the Promised Land (if agreed to) and set aside 70% of Judea and Samaria for a potential Palestinian State, the freezing of Israeli construction on 70% of Judea and Samaria for four years, and the abandonment of 10,000 Jews to Palestinian control transgress the warnings of God.
 
Finally, there is always hope for every individual and nation.
 
God is all-powerful, God can destroy, God can deliver, and God offers hope to individuals and nations that do not know Him or that have abandoned Him (Jer. 1:10; II Chron. 7:14).
 
But the Bible is very clear that truly accepting Jesus as one's Lord and Saviour is the only way to be saved (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), and the Rapture is the only hope of the terminal generation (Titus 2:13).
 
Be sure that you are trusting in Jesus and nothing else, draw close to Him, repent of your sins, and no matter what happens you will come out on top (Joel 2:11-13).
 
Because the Rapture is at hand, the time to act is now.
 
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
[email protected]

Cryptocurrency and the Coming Global Tyranny - By Britt Gillette - https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/21/cryptocurrency-and-the-coming-global-tyranny-by-britt-gillette/
 
As the coronavirus swept across China in early 2020, several news outlets posted stories about the Chinese government laundering money - not in a traditional sense, but in a literal sense. With so many people touching paper currency, China cleaned and disinfected vast amounts. In other parts of the world, where governments haven't taken similar measures, many are making a personal choice to avoid paper currency because they're afraid of contracting the coronavirus. This fear of virus-tainted paper money is only the latest event driving the world toward an all-digital financial system.
 
In late March, as state lockdowns led to a massive increase in unemployment claims, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (known as the CARES Act for short). One of the highlights of the bill was a one-time $1,200 payment to most people over age 18 (with additional $500 payments for children). Believing these payments would "stimulate" an economy in freefall, Congress sought to get cash in the hands of workers as soon as possible. But two weeks after Congress passed the CARES Act, few people had received their stimulus payments. Even now, some people still haven't, and critics have attacked the government for its slow, bureaucratic response. With millions struggling to pay their bills, many believe a U.S. government-backed cryptocurrency could have delivered the payments faster.
 
So, what do virus-tainted paper currency and slow economic relief payments have in common? Both have led to a more aggressive push to create national digital currencies. Supporters (mostly government insiders) believe government-sponsored cryptocurrencies will offer greater benefits than the current paper currency system. But government-sponsored cryptocurrencies also create an unprecedented opportunity for government abuse.
 
The Call for National Cryptocurrencies
 
Adversaries of the United States view state-controlled cryptocurrency as a way to counter U.S. dollar dominance and a way to avoid sanctions. They also see it as a way to counteract the rise of Bitcoin and other private cryptocurrencies they can't monitor or control. It's no coincidence the nations most interested in launching state-sponsored cryptocurrencies are some of the world's most brutal regimes.
 
Need an example? Last month, Wang Zhenying, president of the Shanghai Gold Exchange, called for a new "super-sovereign currency system" to rival the U.S. dollar. Wang said no country should have the ability "to freeze the international assets of another country." What Wang really means is the United States shouldn't have that ability. I doubt he would protest if China had such power. After all, China is seeking that power by rolling out plans for its own cryptocurrency. No doubt, they hope it becomes a rival to the U.S. dollar.
 
China is currently testing a state-sponsored cryptocurrency through internal pilot tests in four different Chinese cities. Known as the DCEP (Digital Currency Electronic Payment), current expectations are for a late 2020 rollout to the general public. The aim is to eliminate the use of Chinese paper currency and replace it with the new Chinese cryptocurrency, giving China insight into every transaction DCEP is involved in - whether or not the transaction in question takes place in China.
 
And again, China isn't the only nation interested in entering the cryptocurrency business. In February 2019, Iran launched a gold-backed cryptocurrency for internal bank transactions. In the second phase of their plan, they intend to make it available for use by individual citizens. In May 2019, CNN reported on Russia's plans to implement a gold-backed cryptocurrency. And, in September, North Korea announced plans to create a gold-backed cryptocurrency with the purpose of bypassing U.S. and international sanctions. Authoritarian regimes love the idea of their own cryptocurrencies. And once you study the implications, it's easy to understand why.
 
Government Cryptocurrency = Tyranny
 
The end of paper money and its replacement with government-sponsored cryptocurrency will put unlimited power at the fingertips of government leaders. Not only does cryptocurrency offer a way to permanently record every financial transaction, but it will also be able to track where you go and what you do. It will track the websites you visit and make note of who your friends are. While most of this information is already available through tracking of credit and debit cards, mobile phones, and social media profiles, a state-sponsored cryptocurrency will provide unfettered access to this information. It will create a closed, government-controlled economic system where you'll be dependent on the government's cryptocurrency to pay for all your needs.
 
If the government decides they don't like you, they can turn off your access and freeze you out of the banking system. They'll be able to decide what you can and can't buy. They'll be able to tell you where you can and can't go. In essence, they'll have complete control over your life. And while I'd like to think we can take measures to avoid it, the rise of government-sponsored cryptocurrency is inevitable.
 
Coming Soon... The End of Paper Money
 
The coronavirus will accelerate the adoption of state-sponsored cryptocurrencies and the elimination of paper currency. For instance, earlier we mentioned passage of the CARES Act and the weeks-long delay in processing stimulus payments. Advocates for a national cryptocurrency say the payment process could have been faster if every citizen had a "digital wallet" and the government could simply deposit the cryptocurrency with the push of a button. In the aftermath of the coronavirus, they'll push for such a system.
 
Think most people will oppose it? Think again. Adoption of such a system will be quick and easy. The government will simply launch a campaign to "claim your digital wallet." To incentivize people to do so, they'll provide an initial deposit of $10,000 (or $20,000, $30,000, or whatever amount it takes to get people to take action). Once everyone is onboard, they'll eliminate paper currency and other options for payment of goods and services. The result will be a government-sponsored cryptocurrency-only economic system. One the government controls from top to bottom.
 
But even if that doesn't happen, paper money will disappear anyway. How can I be so sure? Because new technologies will soon make it impossible to prevent counterfeiting. 3D desktop printing technologies will create objects where every molecule is perfectly positioned. With such technologies, counterfeiters will flood the world with perfect copies of every national currency. No one will be able to tell the difference between a fake dollar bill and a real dollar bill. When that happens, both the fake and the real will be worthless. World governments won't have a choice. They'll quickly do away with all physical currency, and all economic transactions will go electronic. The replacement will be either a series of national cryptocurrencies or a single global cryptocurrency.
 
The Coming Global Economic System
 
None of this should surprise you. Long ago, the Book of Revelation foretold the establishment of an end- times economic system eerily similar to a world dominated by a government-sponsored cryptocurrency. The Bible says a time will come when a global dictator will require everyone on earth to receive a mark on the right hand or the forehead (Revelation 13:16). Without this mark, the people of the world will be unable to buy or sell anything (Revelation 13:17). How will this work? It remains to be seen. But the worldwide rush to create government-sponsored cryptocurrencies provides us with a glimpse as to how such a system might work.
 
The Bible says the Antichrist will rule a global government (Revelation 13:7). In order to control who can buy and who can sell, the Antichrist will need a system capable of tracking every transaction on earth. He'll need a way to monopolize all financial transactions and a way to kick people out of the system if they don't do his bidding. A global government-controlled cryptocurrency will provide him with such a system.
 
So, what does all this mean? It means we're fast approaching a time the prophets warned about. We're in the midst of a global pandemic (Luke 21:11). Israel is back in the land (Jeremiah 23:7-8). The Jewish people are back in Jerusalem (Luke 21:24-28). And the Gospel is being preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14). The end times approach. The tribulation, the Antichrist, and global government aren't far behind. But this means the rapture is also near. So don't despair. While it looks like the world is falling apart, every Christian should be filled with peace. We know how it all ends. Jesus is coming (Revelation 22:20), and He's coming soon!

What Shall be the End of These Things? (Part 1) - Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-future-of-this-sinful-world-part-1.html
 
"And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Daniel 12:8-10 )
 
I wrote this message several years ago, but I feel it is time to review what is happening around us, and the rise of the Beast power influenced by the false prophet Events are building rapidly that point to the end of days being upon us. Control of the masses is becoming evident everyday, especially when chaos and fear over this so called "plannedemic" of the CoVID-19 that is being used for political control of the masses of humanity.
 
PROPHECY OF THE BIBLE BEING FULFILLED.
 
Understanding that the Bible is 25% + prophecy, and that to understand the whole of the bible, one must come to learn the meaning of the books of the Bible that deal with prophecy and it's fulfillment. The Bible has been and will be 100% accurate in its predictions of things to come. No other book gives the reader so much difficulty than the Book of Daniel and the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Each have symbols and passages that speak of things to come. Things that have been completed as prophesied and things yet to occur. In this message we will deal with the Prophecy noted in the title found in Daniel and then later, jump to Revelation and show their connection to the time of the end.
 
GABRIEL REVEALS THE FUTURE TO DANIEL
 
In Daniel, the prophet had a vision that started in chapter 10 and goes through unbroken till the end of the book in chapter 12. Even though there are chapter breaks in our bible, they were not there in the original manuscripts and proceed with one vision that Daniel had been given to him by this angel from Almighty God.
 
In this vision, Daniel is given details that tells of the coming future events, long before they had even happened. Many of these verses in Daniel lay out historical events starting with the kingdom of Babylon and goes forward through the kings of Persia, Alexander the Great, the split of Alexander's kingdom into four regions by four of his generals, and proceeds to give details of each struggle of each ruler and king that sought power in the region of the Middle East, even unto the coming of the Roman Empire with it's Caesars ruling during the time of Jesus Christ and the subjugation of Jerusalem and Judea by it's forces.
 
Rome became the most powerful nation on earth during the time of this vision prophesied and would remain a regional power up until the time of Constantine, when things began to disintegrate. This implosion of the Roman Empire began in the year 330 A.D. It was in this year that Rome ceased to be the city from where all ruling was done and the base of the kingdom. It was at this time that Emperor Constantine moved the seat of power to Byzantium, later called Constantinople, in the west. Then Rome was to rise up and have indignation against the holy covenant, or the true Gospel or those who hold fast the true profession of faith. But how did they do this?
 
HISTORICAL RISE OF THE "HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE"
 
The Emperors of Rome began to be united with the Bishops of Rome who had departed from the true Gospel as they had turned to worshiping angels, saints, and martyrs. Superstitious ceremonies were woven into everyday life. Wakes and banquets for the dead were celebrated; the relics of the saints were collected and adored, and they pushed aside the council of Christ by uniting church and state:
 
20 "And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:20-21.) .
 
This move, of uniting the church with the state, was done to increase the stability and power of the state. "Thus the state within the state was abolished; the strongest political force then to existent, to wit, the church, was made the cornerstone of the state. Both parties, the emperor and bishops, were equally well pleased." (Historians History of the World pgs 639, 640, 642.)
 
This all began with Constantine, who had "converted" to Christianity, or the form that was evident during his reign that brought him more power. Christianity no longer was persecuted within the empire. It proceeded so to exterminate the heresy of Arianism held by the three powers that overran the "Eternal City" namely the Heruli, Goths and Vandals. Emperor Justinian decreed in 533 A.D that the Bishop of Rome would be the head of the entire "church" and rid the church/state of heresies. Many faithful were scattered abroad through the crumbling Roman Empire that refused to bow the knee to the newly created head of the "church", the Bishop of Rome. Thus began the transition of the Paganism of Rome into the Papal Rome.
 
(Notice to the reader: I seek not to make inflammatory remarks against any religion, but let history speak for itself and confirmed by bible prophecy. Sadly, one religion that is present on this earth has fulfilled the prophecy spoken of in Daniel and it begins and ends with the Catholic Church. So I must use their name.)
 
"And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." ( Daniel 11:31)
 
History shows us that in 496 A.D. Clovis, King of the Franks converted to Catholicism, recognizing the Bishop of Rome as head over all the church, corrector of heretics and vicar of God on earth. Thus he places his armies at the disposal of the Pope to defend the faith, expand her borders and correct the heresies currently so popular in the Western Empire. Between 496 and 508 A.D., Clovis used his military forces to convert idolaters to Romanism, through alliances, capitulations, and conquests, the Arborici, the Roman garrisons in the West, Brittany, the Burgundians, and the Visigoths, were brought into subjection. They gave up their pagan attachments, but only to perpetuate its abomination in another form called Christianity. The Christianity of the Catholic Church was and still is only baptized paganism.
 
Many in the failing empire of Rome refused to submit to the Bishop of Rome, meaning the Vandals, Ostrogoths and Heruli, all avowed Arians, refused to acknowledge the Bishop of Rome as head over the churches and opposed the Catholic Emperor. Justinian sent his army with General Belisaris to take care of the opposition. After defeating the Vandals, and the Heruli only the Ostrogoths remained. The Goths retreated and allowed Belisaris to enter Rome unopposed. They then in a better season laid siege to the city: which they held for over a year. However, the siege that included the entire nation in its attempt was a bitter failure and that remnant of Goths that remained abandoned the city to Belisaris and disappeared from history. Thus by the year 538 A.D. there remained no opposition to the Pope of Rome to take the seat of the Empire to himself.
 
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." ( Daniel 11:32) IN this verse we see a connection with Daniel 8:11-14,
 
"Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.
12. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.
13. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
14. And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." (Daniel 8:11-14)
 
Even during this time, called the Dark Ages, there were many that would not submit and did heroic deeds for the cause of the Gospel with self sacrifice who kept the pure Word of the Gospel alive. These were the Waldenses, Albigenses and Hugenots. Papal Rome would hunt down these groups and destroy them by whatever means available by sword, torture, fire, or being thrown off a cliff to their destruction.
 
"And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." ( Daniel 11:33-35)
 
Highlighting the words in the above passage, "and by spoil, many days" refers to the many days to the much repeated 1260 years of Papal Supremacy over Europe. There would be war between the Protestant governments and the Papal Governments until those who would escape the persecution fled to a fledging country just discovered, the newly founded government of the United States of America. The end of papal supremacy was ended in 1798 when the Pope was taken prisoner by Berthier of the French army, and to all intents and purposes the power that had fueled the inquisition and the persecution of heretics was stopped. Papal power was broken and received a deadly wound. Although such persecution has existed and still does exist today in many places, the scope and control of such persecution is extremely limited in contrast to its jurisdiction under the Dark Ages.
 
Papal Rome has never regained the power she once had, up to modern times. But make no mistake, she lusts after regaining her former power and glory and works behind the scenes by mixing the religious affairs of the Papal state with the politics of the secular world. But mark this word, she will rise again.
 
"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain." ( Daniel 11:36-39)
 
Who on earth would this describe, even in our modern era? You say the Pope in Rome and you would be right. The king of the north described here is the Pope in Rome, as she had conquered through various armies all the land surrounding papal Rome. As Daniel, when discussing the issue of Pagan Rome, outlined secular events involved in the rise of this power and then retraced the time and outlined specific characteristics of Pagan Rome, so in discussing Papal Rome here he outlined the rise of the power in Daniel verses 30-35 and then retraces his steps and outlines the characteristics of the Papacy in verses 36-39.
 
The Papacy had total control over the king and queens of Europe and on threat of excommunication, enforced their will on secular governments. This is true to the point of death, that no other god could be acknowledged, but the Pope in Rome. So in Daniel 8:25, 11, we see that the Papacy would magnify himself in his heart and also to Jesus Christ the Prince of the host, for he claims to be the Vicar of Christ, or God on earth. This man blasphemed God by taking attributes that are Divine and belong to solely to God in Heaven (John 10:30-31) and claiming to have the right to forgive sins. (Mark 2:5-7)
 This is an affront to the God of Heaven to do so. Further, the "church in Rome" decided to change the Sabbath to Sunday worship based on pagan practices of sun worship to lead men away from the Creator to the false god, the Pope in Rome and their sole power and supremacy. God has allowed this indignation to be accomplished and when it is fulfilled, the end will come.
 
NEITHER SHALL HE WORSHIP THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS.
 
This is attributed to the French Atheistic Revolution but in context references that "he magnifies himself above all other gods", even the God he claims to represent. His fathers worshiped the God of the scriptures, the God of heaven, however, the papacy regarded the gods of the pagans under a "Christian" garb. Also it claimed that the wafer was actually God and thus it is worshiped as though it is God, carried about as any pagan deity might be in celebrations and processions, and ultimately eaten that the devotee might possess it for their "salvation". This is but one of many of their rituals and doctrines that lead men away from God and to Rome.
 
The above verse speak of the desire of women which could mean several things. I've heard that the coming Anti-Christ, which the Papal Roman church could be a forerunner of such a system or the even the real deal, will be a homosexual. Hmmm, could be. Other interpretations is that during the time of Christ, that women dreamed of being the mother of the Messiah, so the man doesn't desire the Messiah produced by a virgin according to scripture. In other words, he doesn't truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or desire to follow Him in spirit and in truth. Another interpretations, is the celibacy of the Catholic priesthood, if you can find one that is actually celibate to his calling and not found pleasure in little boys, or Catholic nuns. Not all priest do these things, but a subset have been found guilty and protected by their hierarchy in this church.
 
Further, the subsequent popes have elevated saints, and the worship of Mary. Even in places where there seemed no desire to follow the pagan practices of Catholicism had Mary worship developed and taken hold. In fact, in the religion of the American Indians, the Tibetan Dalai Lama and even the Hindus are the prophecies of a woman who is to come and bring peace to the world. Thus the world was being prepared in the most unexpected places to accept Catholicism as the world spiritual leaders. I'm sure the virgin Mary, should she be alive today would never have envisioned being elevated to the same level as the Messiah she brought into the world. Popes in Rome have made edicts and papal bulls to make Mary in an exalted position of Co-mediatrix, co-redemptrix with Christ.
 
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven (Jesus Christ) given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
 
To elevate any other mortal on earth, no matter their station in life or the righteousness imparted to them by God through Jesus Christ our Lord, is blasphemy against a Holy God.
 
THE FINAL ANALYSIS OF THE DOWNFALL OF THE "HOLY" ROMAN CHURCH
 
"In 1798 the king of the south, France began an ongoing war against the king of the north, Catholicism. Atheism continued to develop its ideology and reached another stage of growth at the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Communism continued the war against Catholicism attempting to bring the former empire of Papal Rome into its grasp, but in time, Catholicism mounted an overwhelming counterattack. The king of the north swept away the entire structure of the king of the south/communism, entering into all the countries of the former Soviet Union and her tributary states. This overwhelming attack came with the military and economic assistance of the United States of America. This alliance repeats the history of Clovis, when "arms shall stand on his part." Could this point to Revelation 13, teaching that soon the United States of America will speak as a dragon, and then force the world to also form an image to the beast? Daniel 11:40 is the first historical manifestation of this end-time unholy alliance." (Taken from The Final Rise and Fall of the King of the North by Jeff Pippinger.)
 
This quote plays back to my prior assertion that an unholy trinity will develop between Papal Rome and the United States of America and the coming Anti-Christ. Who the man is can only be speculation on anyone's part, I believe the man will not be fully revealed until the church is removed from this earth. He/She could be the POTUS, or the Pope in Rome, or some unidentified monarch/dictator of Middle Eastern descent.
 
But Paul warned that apostasy will come in the last days:
 
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, (apostasy) and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; v4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (II Thessalonians 2:3-4)
 
The Papacy will enter into God's church. This is done through the doctrines of Catholicism coming in and being accepted into the Remnant Church. That is, apostasy from the truth of God. Just as during the initial rise of the Papacy in the dark ages, those who were against the holy covenant united with the false church to promote its agenda. (This could also be applied to the inculcating of the false doctrines of Catholicism into Protestantism.)
 
Many shall be overthrown and many shall be taken in by the false doctrines that are coming in amongst them. These false doctrines that permeate the Catholic Church will be enforced by the alliance of the Papacy and the United States of America is my hypothesis.Egypt shall not escape -
 
"40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape." ( Daniel 11:40-42)
 
Egypt is both a reference to Atheism, (symbolized in the Bible as the land of sin with her idols) and also to symbolize the secular world. Thus this reference is to state that after a Sunday law is enforced all the religions of the world will unite to accept it. Even secular countries, or non-Christian countries will come under the Papal decree enforced through her alliance with the United States of America. Papal Rome will wield power over the whole earth, as the verse speaks of power over silver, gold and precious things of Egypt (the atheistic world). This is referring to economic power. The Papacy will control all trade etc. in the world, through such laws as the prohibition to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. (Revelation 13:16-17)
 
43 "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." ( Daniel 11:43-45)
 
Daniel is being told that the papacy will be frustrated because of the witness of many saved individuals that believe the Gospel message, either by the 144,000 Hebrew evangelists, the two witnesses at the Temple Mount, or those saved because of their message. This is the Loud Cry of the fourth angel of Revelation 18, which comes against the Papacy's attempt to control the entire world and bring it under its false teachings. This group who are giving the Loud Cry are the only ones who stand in the way of full control for the Papacy. Thus their strong Biblical message under the power of the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit (See Revelation 18) causes much consternation and frustration for the Papacy. As seen before many will accept this message and "escape" from under its tyranny.
 
ISRAEL THE DOOR, JERUSALEM ,KEY TO END OF DAYS
 
8 "I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?"
9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." (Daniel 12:8-10)
 
The prophet Daniel did not understand, and was not given to him to understand, because the time of the end was far into the future. No one has understood this prophecy until one thing happened in our modern age. What happened is that Israel became a nation again, and the fig tree put forth her leaves. Jesus said:
 
"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." (Matthew 24:32-35 KJV)
 
When Israel became a nation again, those that were alive to see its birth or born in that generation, that generation will still be alive when all things are completed. That tells me that Jesus will be reigning and ruling on this earth, and I may even be alive to see His coming. Why do I say that? Because the bible tells us that man is appointed 70 years, 80 years by strength. (Psalm 90). Not making any predictions or assuming a date or year of the return of our Lord Jesus, simple addition tells me the general area of the completion of this prophecy. In the last 72 years, Israel has become a stumbling block to all the world. Not a day goes by that Israel is not in the news in the negative and the world powers trying to force a peace treaty between the Palestinian Authority and the government of Israel.
 
We see politics and threats of yet another war on the world stage daily. The former so called "POTUS" was trying to force Israel into a date with death, and world powers at the UN demonizing this small country and ignoring all the human rights violations of other countries that blatantly torture and kill Christians and Jews. We see the present papal office sticking their self-righteous nose into the affairs of the secular world and bringing doctrines that fly in the face of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. It all centers around Israel, because Jerusalem is the center of God's world here on earth. Satan hates Israel, hates God and hates anyone connected to them by biology or spiritual awakening to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who as we know was a Jew Himself while here on earth.
 
Remember in the first parts of this message that I spoke that Rome lusts to regain the power she lost during the 18th century in 1798 when the Pope was imprisoned? How will that be accomplished, if at all?
 
THE MERGING OF THE STATE AND THE PAPAL CHURCH
 
What I'm about to discuss here is not all my own thoughts, but the thoughts and beliefs of a brother I converse with in South America. When asked how this will be accomplished, the friend of mine had an interesting theory...Mind you, it is only conjecture on anyone's part how the coming of the Anti-Christ will come upon the earth, but his analogy leaves one wondering and scratching their head.
 
"And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
 
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." (Revelation 17:10-11)
 
Based on this passage which in reading it, is a most strange passage in the bible, but this is my friend's theory and it's most interesting:
 
"Most of Pre-millennial Protestants have nowadays a better and clearer sight than our brothers in the third century. We ought to be all expecting the Rapture of the Church. Most believers deem that it will happen after the Apostasy which shall take place just before the appearing of the eschatological Antichrist. But thanks to God there is diversity of opinions and some are getting aware that Apostasy is here today, and has infected at least 90 % of the local churches, and that a pope may be the eschatological Antichrist as our fathers of Reformation were wont to teach dogmatically. I will talk about pope Number 5, because he is the one who prepares the way for pope Number 6: the eschatological Antichrist. Number 5 is actually molding the proper profile that is convenient for Number 6 when he be ready to take control over the EU; the new Roman Empire which shall be the head of the New World Order. But before we go any further let us remind our readers the reason why I call Francis I the pope Number 5. We find it in Revelation 17:
 
9 "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."
 
This is a mysterious passage, isn't it? However there is a clue to that mystery which unfolds it and makes it crystal clear to anyone. I have this clue, and although I cannot say that it is for sure the right interpretation, nevertheless it is the most simple, literal and contemporary one you can find among the multitude of available interpretations. This is at least good hint! Time will tell after Francis I burial whether the Holy Spirit showed me the truth about the 7 kings or whether I was mistaken as many others..."
 
THE KINGS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
 
"According to verse 10 these 7 heads are also 7 kings. Now who are the kings of Rome? Everybody knows that for more than 15 centuries the real kings of Rome have been the popes, wherefore I do assume that these 7 kings are 7 popes. The angel says to John at the precise moment he gives him this vision that 5 kings are fallen.
 
What kind of fall can be deemed if we compare these 5 popes with the long list of the rest of them? The answer is easy: it is a fall from their traditional arrogance, it is a fall from their pretenses, and it is a (temporary and seemingly) doctrinal fall. Remember the Catholic church received a deadly wound in the 1700s that has not fully healed. As a matter of fact all popes before the ecumenical council of Vatican 2 proclaimed openly and dogmatically their absolute supremacy above all religions. They were the only and exclusive Church of Jesus Christ whose popes were the vicars whereof. They used to say and teach that without submission to the pope there was no salvation.
 
Protestants were just a bunch of heretics they had to fight, and the Bible societies were just devilish organizations. Since Pope Nicolas I (858-867) started to use the crown as a king founding his pretenses upon a forged document called "The donations of Constantine" which claimed that the emperor Constantine had made the popes heir to the entire Roman Empire, since then the Caesars in religious costumes have pulled it off. Till Vatican 2 the aim was to subdue all secular powers, all nations, and all kingdoms. They also increased at the same time their spiritual pretenses so as to fulfill their arrogance in issuing the dogma of papal infallibility in 1870.
 
Nevertheless after WW II when their puppet (Hitler) fell. (Bear in mind that Hitler and his entire clique were all Roman Catholics who were never ever excommunicated). So when Hitler passed away they had to change their politics and profile. Until Pius XII (Hitler and Mussolini's friend), Rome thought she could re-establish her dominion by her dogmatic pretensions and the Jesuits cunning craftiness, but the victory of the Allies, the shame of the Nazi Holocaust and the new born Hebrew State in 1948 supported by the USA put an end to any public and dogmatic arrogance. They had to make a sudden cosmetic change so as to turn the Roman wolf into a harmless lamb; they definitely fell! So they descended from their clouds of arrogance and presumptions and since John XXIII they have been making a big show of humility and brotherly love.
 
Remember that according to the Roman canonical laws no priest loses his "holy unction" as long as he lives, even if he gives up his functions and does not minister sacraments any longer. That is why pope # 6 will step down for a while as the chief of the Roman Catholic Church so as to comply with the EU regulations, and this will entail new elections in Rome so as to replace # 6 by # 7. I believe that Number 7 will be the false prophet of Rev. 16: 13 and 19:20, if the 7 kings are the last 7 popes... In effect pope # 7 will exalt with all kind of signs and wonders former for pope # 6, so that the entire world will be lulled into following the devilish agenda of the Antichrist.
 
Once Pope# 6 has full sway of the EU, he will become instead of president, the new Caesar. Then # 7 will step down and give him back his functions as a new pope: pope # 8. Then will come to pass what was the common to all emperors of the former empire: the Caesar was chief of the State and a god to be worshiped. But this pope after a short time as # 8 will claim to be the only true God and not only the Vicar of the Son of God. At that time he will break the covenant he had done 3 1/2 years before with the Jews, allowing them to rebuild the temple and perform their sacrifices and rituals in it, and he will come in the temple and set up a TV broadcast inside the holiest demanding the whole world to worship him in front of their TV sets (the image of the beast: Rev. 13:15, 14: 11). So the ministry of # 7 will be short; it will last until # 6 becomes the supreme leader of the EU and of the ecumenical Roman church which will have absorbed all religions.
 
Therefore it is written: "the beast that was, and is not, even is the eighth, and is of the seven", which simply means that the Caesar who existed during the former Roman Empire, does not exist when pope # 6 becomes the president of the EU (the new Roman Empire), but he makes part of the seven latter popes and become in fact the eighth because he retakes his functions after # 7 when he gets a total control of the new Roman Empire. This last Caesar will not only demand worship but he will also eagerly looking forward to get the people chipped in their right hand and forehead promoting the mark of the beast for economical transactions." (end quote)(Gilbert Lillo, Rise of the Anti-Christ)
 
Are you still with me? Troubling is it not? This present Pope is nothing but a forerunner of the coming man of lawlessness, using his Jesuit training to usher in the foundation of a New World Order and a One World Religion...Remember the UN with it's Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development that was discussed by many authors on this site, including myself? But how can you protect yourself from falling prey to this imp of Satan? By arming yourself with the truth of God's Word..by believing and accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth.
 
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
 
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."...(John 3:16-18)
 
8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
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)
 
Next time we explore how Daniel and Revelation connect to each other in prophecy...
 
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for you. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, then email me at [email protected] . God bless you all,
 
TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET

Who and What are the Beasts in the Bible? (Part 2 of 2) - By Michael Hile - https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/19/who-and-what-are-the-beasts-in-the-bible-part-2-of-2-by-michael-hile/
 
Modern-Day Beast Nations
 
An example of a modern-day "beast" nation using its power to expand territorial control was exhibited when Russia, in early 2014, under the direction of President Putin, used its military might to capture the Crimean Peninsula, which is located south of Ukraine on the Black Sea. Russia's "beast" leader, President Vladimir V. Putin, has also been active in the Syrian civil war and has built and/or upgraded two of their naval and air bases in Syria (Tartus and Khmeimim). Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in late 2017 stated, concerning Syria, "We have started to form a permanent presence there."
 
Iran, Turkey and Russia are all actively competing for Syria's oil fields and to establish hegemony in Syria, which just happens to be next door (adjacent) to the Golan Heights. The United States, under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, became the first country to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel by issuing a Presidential Proclamation on March 25, 2019.
 
The Golan Heights was captured by Israel from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967, and has been considered part of Israel since 1981. In December of 2014, Afek Oil and Gas began round-the-clock drilling in the Golan Heights and found large reserves of oil at three drilling sites in the southern part of the region.
 
"We are talking about a layer which is 350 meters thick," Dr. Yuval Bartov, the chief geologist of Afek Oil and Gas told Channel 2 News. "On average in the world, strata are 20-30 meters thick, so this is 10 times as large as that, so we are talking about significant quantities." 'Afek, a subsidiary of American company, Genie Energy, estimates that oil production at the site could potentially reach billions of barrels. Currently Israel consumes 270,000 barrels of oil a day.'"
 
Russian President Putin's close association with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, Iran's Spiritual Leader Khamenei, and Iran's President Rouhani portend troublesome times ahead in the Middle East, especially concerning Israel, which all three nations strongly disdain. In recent years, the Russian "bear" has been meeting frequently with Turkey (Grey Wolf) and Iran (formerly Persia-Ram), which most assuredly will generate nefarious plans concerning the land of Israel. The frequent meetings of this trio of nations in recent years is a harbinger of the Gog/Magog battle (Ezek. 38:1-23 - 39:1-29), where God intervenes on Israel's behalf and decimates most of Russia, Iran and Turkey's armies on the mountains of Israel.
 
The Rise and Fall of a Future Beast Nation
 
President Vladimir Putin's current prime minister and former president, Dmitry Medvedev, along with the Russian Parliament leaders, recently resigned (January 22, 2020) in order to allow Putin to revise and consolidate his constitutional powers. Restructuring the Russian government will help Putin maintain control and stay in power after his term of office expires in 2024. Russia's aggressive posture is like the bear described in Daniel 7:5 that is told to "Arise, devour much flesh." Having the demeanor (outward behavior, conduct) of a bear which "devours much flesh" implies invading and conquering other "beast" nations, overthrowing their leaders and subjugating their citizens.
 
Russia's offensive and hostile action in taking over the Crimean Peninsula, projecting its naval and air force military might into Syria and developing long-term strategic partnerships with many nations in northern Africa and the Middle East, most assuredly, qualifies Russia as a "beast kingdom/nation," like those described by Daniel (7:1-7, 8:1-27). Russia's provocative behavior throughout the Middle East is what would be expected from a "beast nation" that behaved like a hungry bear on the prowl, similar to the one described by Daniel (7:5).
 
Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 lay out in great detail, a future prophecy about a nation "Gog, of the land of Magog" (38:1-3) which is north of Israel (38:15, 39:2) that God puts "hooks in its jaws" (38:4) and brings down into the land of Israel (38:16-17) to show God's power and might to the nations and the "house of Israel" (38:23, 39:25-29). For God to "put hooks into the jaws" of a nation and drag it down into the Middle East to the mountains of Israel, implies that it must represent a large beast that exhibits "beast-like" behavior. Many Bible scholars believe Russia "the bear" is the best candidate for the "beast" God is talking about in Ezekiel's prophecy (38:2).
 
Although we do not know when the Gog/Magog war will occur or who "Gog" will be, the leader from "the land of Magog" who currently represents "Gog" is Russian President Vladimir Putin.
 
The rapid development of the Russian, Iranian and Turkish alliance in recent years, coupled with the more recent unveiling of "The Deal of the Century" peace initiative by the Trump administration, should be a "wake up" call to those "watching" for Christ's return in the air for his saints (Heb. 10:25; Luke 21:28). The prophetic "code words" given by the Apostle Paul, that were to be recognized by a future generation (Matt. 24:32-34; Mark 13:28-30; Luke 21:28-36), when the "day of the Lord" (God's judgment) was near, are the words "peace and security" (also peace and safety).
 
Frequent use of the words "peace" and "security" in recent speeches, concerning the on-going Israel/Palestinian peace process, is unmistakable evidence of Bible prophecy that is currently in the process (happening now) of being fulfilled (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11). The code words "peace and security" (5:3) are closely linked with "the times and seasons" (5:1) of the resurrection (4:14-16), rapture (4:17) and beginning of "the day of the Lord" (5:2). The Apostle Paul did not want his brothers in Christ (and future disciples) to be "ignorant" (4:13) of the order in which the "resurrection," "catching up" of the saints and "day of the Lord" would occur.
 
Believers would not be "comforted" (4:18, 5:11) or excited to see "the day of the Lord" approaching (Heb. 10:25), unless they were confident "the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30; Luke 21:28) would occur before "the day of the Lord," and they would not be left here on the earth when "the day of the Lord" was taking place. That is exactly the apocalyptic portrayal put forth by Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11) with the "resurrection" and "catching up" of the saints preceding "the day of the Lord," and both events surprising those left behind as "a thief in the night" (Matt. 24:43-44, 25:1-13; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 3:3, 10-11, 16:15). The prophecy of the rapture, resurrection and "day of the Lord," given by the Apostle Paul (5:3), is also the scenario we see unfolding in the world today, along with many other converging, prophetic harbingers.
 
Two Future Beasts that Control the World
 
The most famous "beast" combination in the Bible is the coming Antichrist and False Prophet (first and second beast), that will reign over the earth for a brief season (time, times, half a time-Rev. 12:14) at the end of the age. This final "beast" kingdom, which is described cryptically in Daniel and Revelation, will be the most ruthless dictatorship to ever exist on earth (Dan. 7:7-12, 15-27; Rev.13:1-18).
 
"Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'
 
"And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:1-8).
 
Revelation chapter 13 describes the kingdom the Antichrist and his partner, the False Prophet, will rule over during the last half of Daniel's 70th week, which will be three and one-half years (also 1,260 days; 42 months; time, times and a half time). In Daniel, this kingdom is called the "fourth beast" (7:7), but in Revelation (13:1-2), it is described as a leopard with the mouth of a lion and the feet of a bear. In Daniel chapter two, this same, final Gentile kingdom is represented by the ten toes of the great metallic image (statue) that was part of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Dan. 2:42).
 
The first beast (man of sin, wicked one, Antichrist) will "be revealed" after "the departure" of the saints 5 on the "day of redemption" when the Holy Spirit (He who now restrains) and the saints (who are sealed) will be removed from the earth (2 Thess. 2:3, 7-8; Eph.1:13-14, 4:30; Luke 21:28). After "the departure" of the saints, the Antichrist rises to power, confirms "the covenant with many for one week" and begins his sinister plan to take over and control the whole world (2 Thess. 2:4; Dan. 9:27). He is assisted by the second beast (False Prophet) who becomes the first beast's chief enforcer, miracle worker, worship leader and propaganda publicist. He requires all to "receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead" in order to buy or sell and forces everyone to worship "the image of the beast" or be killed (Rev. 13:11-18).
 
"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 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 name. 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" (Rev. 13:11-18).
 
The scriptures tell us that the last half of the seven-year tribulation, when Antichrist and the False Prophet are active, will be a time of "great tribulation," and it will also be a time "such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matt. 24:21-22). At the end of the seven-year period (Daniel's 70th Week), the Lord Jesus Christ will return from Heaven with all His saints to the earth and establish His millennial reign (1000 years-Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14:5). It will also be at this time that the Antichrist (first beast) and False Prophet (second beast) will be cast into the lake of fire.
 
"And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev. 19:19-20).
 
Satan: The Beast Master, His Master Plan and His Demise
 
We know that Satan, who is "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2), has the ability to take control of an animal's cognitive functions and behavior when he desires. He can also possess the minds and bodies of people and greatly influence their behavior in certain circumstances. A couple of examples in the New Testament are when Satan entered Judas before betraying Christ (Luke 22:3; John 13:27), and when Jesus cast out demons from two men, who were possessed, into a herd of swine (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39).
 
According to the scriptures, the beast of choice Satan indwelt after Adam and Eve were created was the serpent, which tempted Eve to sin against God. "Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'" (Gen. 3:1)? The serpent was considered to be the most subtle and deceitful (sly, crafty) of the creatures God had created.
 
Due to the serpent's cunning and manipulative nature, which the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees also exhibited (beastly nature), Jesus and His predecessor, John the Baptist, called the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees a "brood of vipers," and "serpents." After openly rebuking them in public about their "beastly" behavior, Jesus asked them: "How can you escape the condemnation of hell" (Matt. 3:5-8, 23:29, 33)?
 
Although Satan's demons take advantage of people given over to alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography and other sins of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-21; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Jn. 2:15-17), they especially operate in the corporate, political and religious world to influence wealthy business owners, people in positions of authority and other unsuspecting victims. When Satan and his demons influence or possess these high-level leaders, they many times take on the characteristics of domineering and oppressive "beasts" (Rev. 17:1-18) rather than thoughtful, compassionate human beings. God not only views many high- level leaders in positions of authority as "beasts," He views Satan as the supreme "beast," who manipulates and controls all of the other beast-like personalities on earth (owners, bosses, presidents, prime ministers, kings, etc.).
 
Satan's ultimate goal is to establish his own kingdom on the earth (the beast master) in order to rule and reign in place of Jesus during the millennium (1000-years, Rev. 20:6). The description of Satan in the book of Revelation (12:1-17) is as a dragon who seeks to destroy Jesus after He is born, and then persecutes the Jewish people (the woman) who were responsible for bringing the "Savior" into the world.
 
When Jesus Christ returns back to earth, Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (20:1-3). For the first time in history, people living on the earth will not be tempted or influenced by Satan and his demonic horde.
 
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while" (Rev. 20:1-3).
 
The king over the human "beasts" on earth, Satan, will be defeated by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords when He (Jesus Christ) returns with all of His holy angels and saints, and sets up His kingdom on earth. At that time, all of the "beast" nations on earth will be subordinated to Christ (Rev. 19:15-21), and they will be judged, according to their behavior, at the judgment of nations where Christ sits on "the throne of His glory" (Matt. 25:31-46; Dan. 7:9-12). The Antichrist (first beast) and False Prophet (second beast) will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone before the millennial reign of Christ begins (Rev. 19:20), and Satan (the dragon, that old serpent, the devil) will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone at the end of the millennial reign (Rev. 20:10).
 
"Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:7-10).
 
Just as those who dwell in the heavens were told to "rejoice" after Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:10-12) at the middle of Daniel's 70th week (7-year period), the people living on earth during the millennial reign, and all those in heaven will also "rejoice" when Satan (accuser of the brethren) is permanently expelled from the earth and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. The inhabitants of heaven and the earth will "rejoice" together when Satan (the beast master) is banished forever and will never again tempt, trick, torment, torture, vilify, slander or falsely accuse those on the earth and in heaven. After the millennial reign, the first heaven and first earth will be replaced, and "the holy city, New Jerusalem" will come down to earth.
 
"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away'" (Rev. 21:1-4).

Who and What are the Beasts in the Bible? (Part 1 of 2)- By Michael Hile - https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/14/who-and-what-are-the-beasts-in-the-bible-part-1-of-2-by-michael-hile/
 
The Beasts of the Earth
 
"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (Gen. 1:24-25).
 
There are many different types of "beasts" mentioned in the Bible. There are beasts (living creatures) in Heaven (Rev. 4:6-9), beasts that live on the earth (Gen. 1:24-25) and beasts that come up from the bottomless pit to torment men on the earth (Rev. 9:1-11, 11:7). On the earth, there are beasts that are used for work, especially in underdeveloped countries (horses, mules and oxen), beasts that are raised for food (cattle, hogs and chickens) and beasts that are domesticated for pets (dogs, cats and birds).
 
There are wild beasts and creeping things that live in the forests, jungles and deserts that are carnivores (meat eaters), herbivores (plant eaters), omnivores (meat and plant eaters) and scavengers that eat dead and decaying organic matter (Gen. 1:30-31). There are also small, microscopic organisms, sometimes referred to as micro-beasts, such as germs, viruses, fungi and parasites that cause sickness, disease and death.
 
"So I looked, and behold, an ashen (pale greenish gray) horse [like a corpse, representing death and pestilence]; and its rider's name was Death; and Hades (the realm of the dead) was following with him. They were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague [pestilence, disease] and by the wild beasts of the earth" (Rev. 6:8).
 
A Different Kind of Beast
 
There are several places in the prophetic scriptures where the term "beast" is used, but the description and context let us know that it is not talking about traditional animals and creatures that inhabit the earth (Gen. 2:19-20). The term "beast" was originally used to describe any animal (living organism) that was not a human being. Later, the word "beast" was expanded to describe "a person who is gross, brutal, vile, etc." When a "beast" is described in the scriptures, and it is not an animal in the normal sense of the word, it is probably a king or ruler on the earth who acts like a "wild beast" and rules over his "beast kingdom."
 
The word "beast" is used in apocalyptic writings, especially the books of Daniel and Revelation, to refer to kings and kingdoms whose behavior is more like a wild beast from the wilderness than a human being created in God's image (Dan. 7:17, 23; Titus 1:12). Carnivorous animals that live in the wild are aggressive, vicious, and predatory in their quest for survival. Their beastly nature and habits are self-serving, and they have no regard for the life of other creatures. They prey upon other unsuspecting animals, sometimes to the point of devouring their own offspring.
 
Animals on the earth (beasts) do not know they are going to die. God has given them instincts to run, fly or swim in order to escape predators (beasts) that want to devour them. Somewhat resembling the voracious behavior of predatory animals, people in positions of high leadership (kings, dictators, despots) sometimes develop "delusions of grandeur," thinking they are god-like, immune to death and not accountable to anyone, including God. They then begin to act like ravenous animals (beasts) and seek to destroy or maim anyone (even their own children) who might challenge their authority or get in the way of their quest for power and control.
 
A "beast" from God's point of view, as described in Daniel and Revelation, is a person (and the kingdom he rules over) who has decided to live like a wild animal, who ignores and disregards God, takes advantage of other people, is only interested in themselves or those close to them, and does not regard the lives of other people, unless it furthers their own selfish, self-centered goals (Dan. 7:1-8:27; Rev. 13:1-18, 17:1-18, 19:11-21). Due to the temptations associated with their position, power, prestige, and possessions, it is rare that a "beast" leader sees the error of their way and turns to God for the redemption of their sins (1 Cor. 1:25-29). Rather, they operate as if there is no God and sometimes foolishly believe they are God (Psalm 14:1). The ultimate example of man thinking he is God will someday be exhibited by "the man of sin" (Antichrist).
 
"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:3-4).
 
Motivation, Methods and Manners of the Beasts
 
Beastly rulers do not usually implement their evil plans by themselves, but use surrogates and subordinates to carry out torture, mayhem and carnage in order to advance their position, power and possessions. Death camps (gulags-political labor camps) and the accompanying starvation, deprivation, medical experimentation and execution are many times the products of wicked "beast" rulers. Numerous means of torturing the victims of evil, "beast" leaders have been devised and specifically designed to induce "horror, dread and despair" to those who have challenged or opposed their wicked plans. Torture chambers have been around for centuries and were used frequently during the Middle Ages for religious, social and political persecution.
 
Historically, torture chambers were located in royal palaces, in castles of the nobility and even buildings belonging to the church. The medieval torture chamber was windowless and often built underground, was lit by a few candles and featured secret trap-doors which could be activated to throw victims into dark dungeons where they remained and eventually died. A notable torture chamber mentioned in the Bible was the lion's den that the Medo-Persians maintained for their enemies (Dan. 6:16). The depravity (moral corruption; wickedness) of mankind towards other human beings appears to have no limit when evil men are given an excessive amount of money, power and authority.
 
Although dictators and despots have been around since the days of Noah (Nimrod, et al), the twentieth century saw more enslavement, torture and death under "beast" rulers than all the previous centuries combined. People who have accomplished much on this earth in business, sports, agriculture and other endeavors are sometimes inducted into a "Hall of Fame" for outstanding achievement in their chosen field. If recognition was given to the many evil "beast" rulers that have lived on the planet, and they were voted into a "Hall of Shame," some of the top candidates who have tortured, maimed and killed the most people in the world include:
 

• MAO ZEDONG, China (1949-76), Regime: Communist, Victims: Over 60 million
• JOSEPH STALIN, Soviet Union (1929-53), Regime: Communist, Victims: c. 40 million
• ADOLF HITLER, Germany (1933-45), Regime: Nazi dictatorship, Victims: c. 30 million
• KING LEOPOLD II, Belgium (1886-1908), Regime: Colonial Empire in Congo, Victims: 8 million
• HIDEKI TOJO, Japan (1941-45), Regime: Military dictatorship, Victims: 5 million
• ISMAIL E. PASHA, Ottoman Turkey (1915-20), Regime: Military dictatorship, Victims: 2 million
• POL POT, Cambodia (1975-79), Regime: Communist (Khmer Rouge), Victims: At least 1.7 million
• KIM ILSUNG, North Korea (1948-94), Regime: Communist, Victims: At least 1.6 million
• SADDAM HUSSEIN, Iraq (1979-2003), Regime: Ba'ath Party dictatorship, Victims: 600,000
• JOSIP BROZ TITO, Yugoslavia (1945-80), Regime: Communist, Victims: 570,000

 
"Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. They all shall speak and say to you: 'Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, and worms cover you'" (Isa. 14:9-11).
 
Who are some of the Beasts?
 
In addition to the infamous bunch of "beast" leaders who created havoc (widespread destruction) during the twentieth century, many of today's religious and political leaders, including kings, presidents, prime ministers, and high-level government officials are considered "beasts" from God's perspective. Deception and intrigue are prevalent among today's politicians and will be major traits of the Antichrist (Dan. 8:24-25, 11:21, 23, 27, 32).
 
Rich and famous people, terrorists, murderers, thieves, liars, and ordinary humans who forsake God and take advantage of others are also referred to as "beasts" in the scriptures (2 Peter 2:12; Jude 10; Titus 1:12).
 
Some beast-like personalities in the ancient world include King
 
 Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 634-562 BC-Daniel 3:1-30), Antiochus IV Epiphanes (c. 215-164 BC-1 Maccabees, Josephus), Herod the Great (c. 73-4 BC-Luke 1:5), Attila the Hun (c. 406-453 AD), Genghis Khan (c. 1162-1227 AD) and many others. The four great beasts (7:3-7) described in Daniel's dream/visions during the first year of Belshazzar's reign (553 BC) are "four kings" (beast kings) "which shall arise out of the earth" and rule over their kingdoms (Dan. 7:17-23).
 
One example of God giving a "beast" king "a taste of his own medicine" and changing his thinking and behavior into that of a beast (insanity, madness), so that he acted like a beast and ate grass with the oxen (boanthropy) for seven years, was Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (4:1-37). Nebuchadnezzar was very fortunate, unlike many leaders with "beast" personalities, in that his punishment to eat grass and behave like an oxen for seven years caused him to awaken spiritually, experience God's grace, perceive God's sovereign rule over creation, realize that he had a haughty spirit and was full of pride, understand that his accomplishments were really God's blessings and that he was not as important and autonomous as he once thought himself to be.
 
"And at the end of the time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down" (Dan. 4:34-37).
 
Examples of Beast Kingdoms in the Bible
 
Daniel's writings contain examples of dreams and visions he had about future "beast" kingdoms that would rise to power and battle with other "beast' kingdoms for dominance. The vision Daniel received of a "ram" and "goat" during the third year of King Belshazzar's rule (551 BC) was so traumatic emotionally that he fainted and was sick several days (Dan. 8:27). In Daniel's vision, the Medo-Persian Empire was referred to as a "ram which had two horns," and all the surrounding kingdoms were referred to as "beasts" (8:3-4, 20). The Grecian kingdom (8:21) of Alexander the Great was referred to as a "he goat with a notable horn between his eyes" (8:5-7). The implication is that God views kingdoms and nations in the world as "beasts" (8:4), and their rulers (horns) and accomplices are also considered "beasts" (Dan. 7:17; Rev. 13:3-8, 11-18).
 
One rare exception, revealed to Daniel, is the lion with eagle's wings, whose wings were plucked from the lion (7:4). Although the lion is the major component of the first beast, the eagle's wings are also part of the first beast. After the eagle's wings are painfully removed from the lion, the offspring of the lion (the eagle) appears to become independent of the lion (a separate beast), is made to stand up like a man and is given a man's heart. It remains an eagle, but its beast-like behavior changes, so that it acts like a human being rather than a beast.
 
Modern-day examples of world powers (beast kingdoms/nations) that have adopted animal symbols include England (lion), France (rooster), Spain (bull), Germany (black eagle), United States (bald eagle), Russia (bear) and China (dragon).
 
Rarely do kingdoms or nations give their citizens personal, political and religious freedom like the United States. Rather, most "beast kingdoms/nations" in the world today, that have socialist/communist/Islamic governments, use military force and intimidation to oppress and limit freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, expression and access to a fair judicial system (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, et al).
 
Modern-Day Beast Leaders
 
Some famous dictator "beasts" in recent history include Lenin and Stalin (Russia), Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Hirohito (Japan), Castro (Cuba), Amin (Uganda), Hussein (Iraq), Gaddafi (Libya), Chavez (Venezuela), Kim Jong-un (North Korea) and many others. Two notorious examples of human "beasts" that will rise to power in the future at "the time of the end" (Dan. 12:4-13) are the Antichrist (First Beast-Rev. 13:4-8, 19:20) and the False Prophet (Second Beast-Rev. 13:11-18, 19:20).
 
"Beast" leaders have goals and behaviors that are self-serving, and they are usually arrogant, boastful, charismatic leaders with narcissist personalities. They frequently have statues and pictures of themselves placed in public places for everyone to see, and they control the news markets so that they receive positive media coverage. "Beast" leaders are good at misleading and deceiving those they rule over through carefully crafted lies, distortion and propaganda.
 
Sometimes, "Beast" leaders suffer violent and tragic deaths when the populace revolts or stronger "beast" nations remove them from power. Examples include Belshazzar (Babylon-Dan. 5:30-31), Adolf Hitler (Germany), Nicolae Ceausescu (Romania), Saddam Hussein (Iraq) and Muammar Gaddafi (Libya). God directly intervened to save the children of Israel when He took out the "beast-like" Pharaoh and his army by drowning them in the Red Sea following Israel's exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:5-15:19; Psalm 136:15).
 
"Beast" leaders sometimes come to power by overthrowing an existing government (coup d' état). They many times solidify their power base through corrupt elections or by taking advantage of an ignorant voter population through control of the media and using various propaganda schemes. "Beast" leaders sometimes build their military strength until they feel confident enough to overtake their neighbor(s). "Beast" leaders, especially the more powerful and aggressive types, follow their "beast-like" nature and "devour" (conquer) other less powerful countries or provinces.
 
Before the advent of television and the modern-day news media, world leaders were not as concerned about their public image, since they could control what was released and what was withheld from public scrutiny. All that has changed with the 24-hour news cycle, where saying or doing the wrong thing can expose you to mockery or public (national and international) condemnation. It may seem unnatural to think of current world leaders as "beasts," since they are usually seen in the public arena at international conferences with other "beast" leaders, wearing expensive clothing and taking advantage of photo opportunities.
 
Modern-Day "beast" leaders are frequently seen smiling and shaking hands with other world leaders, especially when the cameras are on. However, if you look at their actions off camera when no one is watching and observe how their citizens, religious groups and political opponents are treated when they are back in their home country, it is no wonder God refers to these ruthless, wicked tyrants as "beasts."
 
To be continued in Part 2.

Racing - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/16/racing-by-daymond-duck/
 
One, in the late 1900's, it was not unusual to hear people talking about a "shadow government."
 
These people promoted the idea that unknown people and entities (former politicians, the military-industrial complex, heads of large corporations, government agencies, State Dept. officials, DOJ officials, FBI officials, and others) were influencing the U.S. elections and exercising a degree of control over America's elected officials, the appointment of Judges and more.
 
Today, some call these unknown people and entities the "deep state."
 
Those that talked about the "shadow government" were called conspiracy theorists.
 
It is now obvious that some employees in the DOJ and FBI have committed crimes because they wanted to overthrow the incoming president and keep the U.S. on the path to a world government.
 
This is evidence that the "shadow government" is a fact, not a conspiracy theory.
 
It is my opinion that the "shadow government" people that have been identified up to this point (Strzok, Page, Comey, etc.) are just the little fish.
 
There are bigger fish to fry, meaning there are more people higher up, in covert shadowy places (Kissinger, Obama, Clinton, Brennan, Clapper, Soros, etc.), that need to be brought out of the shadows (exposed) and dealt with.
 
Some may mean well, but they are enemies of God because the government they are so committed to bringing in will turn out to be the prophesied world government under Satan, the Antichrist and his False Prophet.
 
Two, I tend to believe that current events indicate that globalists are now racing toward the New World Order (NWO).
 
The NWO means:
 

• A global government (first, 10 regions or groups of nations with a leader over each one; then, the Antichrist; Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 13:7, 17:12).
• A global ethic (a replacement for the religions of the world, including Christianity, with what the Bible calls Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth; Rev. 17:5).
• A global ID Number (to identify and track everyone on earth).
• A global economic system (perhaps a cashless society; a digital currency).
• A global surveillance system (to track everyone on earth).
• A global Mark (to separate those that support the NWO from those that do not support the NWO; Rev. 13:16-18).

 
The Rapture will happen before these things, and globalists are not expecting that.
 
But before the Rapture happens, Christians need to realize that one of the main goals of the NWO is to replace the teachings of the Bible with a global ethic, and that will bring on persecution (Matt. 24:9).
 
Three, some prophecy teachers believe the globalists have sped up this race to bring in the NWO because Pope Francis is totally committed to the NWO, he can influence most of the 1.2 billion Roman Catholics to support it, and he is 83 years old (meaning the globalists need to act before Pope Francis dies or is replaced).
 
Four, I recently wrote that 19 members of the G-20 held a virtual meeting on Apr. 22, 2020, and called for a document to be signed to strengthen the WHO and put it in charge of a coordinated worldwide response to the Coronavirus Crisis.
 
I also mentioned that Trump did not participate, and I later wrote that they scheduled another virtual meeting for May 4, 2020.
 
That meeting is now history, and it immediately garnered about $8 billion in pledges (sponsors expect more to come in) from world leaders, organizations, and banks for research on a vaccine to prevent the Coronavirus.
 
Trump still did not participate, but French Pres. Macron said he has discussed the issue with Trump, and he is confident the U.S. will join the initiative at some point.
 
European leaders released a jointly signed letter that said, "If we can develop a vaccine that is produced by the world, for the whole world, this will be a unique, global public good of the 21st Century."
 
Notice the words "produced by the world, for the world."
 
Yes, without asking the citizens of the world, these globalists are asking the G-20 to approve an international agreement that they can use to force everyone on earth to be vaccinated, have a global ID number and be marked or tattooed in a way that will allow them to identify everyone and track their buying and selling.
 
Here is a link to a 30-min video that seems important for those that are interested:
https://www.bitchute.com/video/xvD0eYUraZkq/
 
Five, a study of Bible prophecy reveals that some prophecies that were written long ago require advances in technology.
 
For example, the increase of travel, the ability to destroy the whole world, the ability for the whole world to see the bodies of the Two Witnesses lying in the street of Jerusalem, and the ability to track all buying and selling require advances in technology.
 
It is interesting to note that the last prophecy in the Bible that requires an advance in technology is the Mark of the Beast, and the beginning stages could be coming on the scene now.
 
Six, concerning an economic collapse, on May 6, 2020, the U.S. national debt reached $25 trillion; it has increased by $5 trillion since Pres. Trump took office, and some say it will be more like $9 trillion before this is over.
 
According to information released on May 7, 2020, 33.5 million U.S. citizens have filed unemployment claims in the last 7 weeks.
 
Seven, on May 5, 2020, Franklin Graham posted the following on Facebook:
"It's becoming more obvious to people that the response of some in the government (to the Coronavirus Crisis) is not just about protecting lives, but it's about control" (emphasis on it's about control).
 
Graham said, "Never before in our history have those who are well been quarantined rather than those who are sick! We need to take precautions, and we need to exercise personal responsibility. But we also need to be cautious before we say yes to every ban proposed and agree to anything that we think might help protect us from the virus, to make sure that we're not letting go of some of our constitutional rights."
 
Eight, on May 5, 2020, former Vice Pres. Biden said if he is elected, he will resume economic aid to the Palestinian people.
 
Pres. Trump cut off economic aid to the Palestinian people because they were using some of the U.S. money to pay terrorists and the families of terrorists that have killed and injured Israelis.
 
Nine, the rain will return to Israel at the end of the age.
 
Israel has now gone through two consecutive years of above-average rainfall, and this year the rainfall was 24% above average.
 
As I close, it is my belief that the race toward world government is on.
If I am right, the race toward a world government is underway.
 
Everyone's life is in God's hands.
 
The only thing that God will accept to let a person into heaven is to sincerely believe what the Bible says about the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 16:30-33), confess that belief, and ask Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.
 
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
[email protected]

Evil Men and Seducers - By Terry James -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/15/evil-men-and-seducers-by-terry-james/
 
Can there be little doubt that we have witnessed over these recent, past years, deception that has turned the nation upside down? Is the chaos and turmoil still not broiling almost every facet of life in America on a continuing basis? Anyone with the capability to comprehend their own presence on the planet should answer "yes," if they are of the age to understand things going on within America and the world.
 
Of course, many among us have no concern for what they see happening, except as it might affect their ability to buy, sell, and access their favorite entertainment outlets. However, the COVID-19 matter has brought even most of these who are disinterested in the politics of things into the "we care" group with the rest of us.
 
This includes even the teen-agers who normally have their noses stuck in their devices. They are now more than inconvenienced by the social distancing and other restrictions imposed by increasingly dictatorial-like edicts.
 
In our town, for example, the mayor issued an order that no children below 16 years of age can go outside until the order is lifted. That was several weeks ago, and I think that has been lifted since. At any rate, it didn't work around here. Children out of school because the schools were shut down for the balance of the year had no concept of the order, and parents ignored it for the most part, according to what I observed.
 
Nonetheless, the many gathering places for the teens and young adults have been off-limits. No more than ten people in the few stores that have been opened during the coronavirus "crisis" has discombobulated many others, young and old alike.
 
We now learn that many things about the "pandemic" have been without legitimate foundation, scientifically and even medically speaking.
 
The entrenched governmental bureaucrats continue to fight against the president, who vowed to "drain the swamp." The conclusion is obvious-with only a scant possibility of that conclusion being unreasonably conspiratorial in my estimation.
 
What the deep state couldn't accomplish through all of the things they tried-that is, to overturn the 2016 presidential election-they are now trying to do through a Mafia-like terror tactic. They are, in effect, threatening the very lifeblood of the American populace, both literally and figuratively. Literally, by telling people they will die if they don't acquiesce to their draconian restrictions, figuratively by working to destroy the economy of the nation, thereby destroying ability to earn livelihoods, in order to take the president down at the voting booths in November...thus to regain the political power they insanely crave.
 
The Apostle Paul's prophecy has emerged with stark revelation at this time so near the end of the Age of Grace: "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13).
 
We see the deception within the manipulations of the entrenched bureaucracy, through revelations learned by reports such as the following.
 
As reported weeks ago - in mid April, Dr. Fauci admitted that it was he and Dr. Birx who persuaded President Trump to lock down the US economy knowing the massive destruction this would cause in jobs, lives and commerce.
 
The president admitted that during a press conference in April that "two very smart people" came into his office and urged him to lock down the economy or 2.2 million Americans would die from the China virus. But President Trump did not say who those "two very smart people" were.
 
President Trump: "The big projection being that 2.2 million people would die if we did nothing. That was another decision we made, close it up. That was a big decision that we made. Two very smart people walked into my office and said listen these are your alternatives. And that was a projection of 1.5 to 2.2 million people would die if we didn't close it up. That's a lot of people."...
 
After Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci sat with the president the US went into lockdown and since that time over 30 MILLION Americans have lost their jobs and thousands of companies have gone bankrupt.
 
In late March, Neil Ferguson, who was behind the Imperial College coronavirus study, backtracked and said 20,000 Brits may die from the coronavirus instead of his original estimates of 500,000.
 
Neil Ferguson resigned from his government post as researcher this week after he was caught breaking his own lockdown rules by meeting with his married mistress at his home. (Jim Hoft, "Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx Used Imperial College Model-NOW CONFIRMED AS A COMPLETE FRAUD-To Persuade President Trump to Lock Down Entire US Economy!" Gateway Pundit, May 8, 2020)
 
Many medical experts, physicians, and others have weighed in, pointing to the fact that the "modeling" on which this disastrous shutdown occurred is erroneous at best and a complete fraud at worst. Mainstream media news has refused to acknowledge these contradictory expert findings, because it doesn't fit their narrative-the model-that they deem necessary to take down this president and, in effect, overthrow the 2016 election results, which have driven them to the madness we have witnessed since that election.
 
Proof of Paul's prophecy was further validated the past week as having emerged in these troubled times through the matter of General Michael Flynn and the railroading done to him by the deep-state, intelligence-agency top officials. The lying and deceit was so vicious that it reached the point that those who were sent to entrap General Flynn threatened to destroy his son and family if he didn't plead guilty to the totally false charges they concocted.
 
Here is a brief account of last week's findings in the Flynn case:
 

• The U.S. Department of Justice is dropping its case against former national security advisor and retired Army general Michael Flynn, according to new court documents on Thursday.

• The DOJ filed new documents on Thursday to drop the case, "after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information." 

• The DOJ further contended that Flynn's Jan. 24, 2017 interview was "conducted without any legitimate investigative basis" and was "untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI's counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn."...

• U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen, who reviewed the Flynn case, recommended that Attorney General Bill Barr dismiss the case last week. 

• "Through the course of my review of General Flynn's case, I concluded the proper and just course was to dismiss the case," Jensen said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. "I briefed Attorney General Barr on my findings, advised him on these conclusions, and he agreed."... 

• Flynn, 61, had pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 1, 2017, for providing a false statement to the FBI about his contact with Moscow's then-ambassador to the United States, Sergei Kislya, during President Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Flynn was an advisor on the Trump campaign.

• Internal FBI notes unsealed last week suggest agents deliberated a "goal" of getting Flynn to lie during an interview that ultimately resulted in his firing from the White House and prosecuted by Robert Mueller's special counsel team.

• The notes, handwritten by the FBI's former head of counterintelligence Bill Priestap after a meeting with then-FBI Director James Comey and then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, suggest the FBI wanted to draw Flynn into a lie if they couldn't get him to admit to a violation of the Logan Act, which forbids U.S. citizens from conducting foreign diplomacy without authorization.

• "What is our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?" said the note, which was shared on Twitter. (Laura Widener, "DOJ Drops Case against Gen. Michael Flynn," Rapture Ready News, May 8, 2020)

 
Shakespeare's Mark Antony said in his words about Julius Caesar: "The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones." We sure have endured the evil men and seducers have done in contravention of God's precepts for dealings in this life. Considering there being any "good" in these Washington, would-be Caesars, I think had he lived today in America, the great Bard might have changed his tune in the case of the D.C. swamp creatures.