The Mark of the Beast: Part II - Pete Garcia -
https://www.rev310.com/2020/10/the-mark-of-the-beast-parts-i-iii Mystery-Babylon Inc. Part II A couple of weeks ago, I had a very vivid dream about this very subject. In fact, I woke up from it (3AM-ish) to scribble down some notes. Normally, I don't remember my dreams, so it's a rare thing indeed for me to have one that vivid and also have the self-discipline to get up and actually write it down while simultaneously wiping the crusties from my eyes. I hope you'll join me on this excursion, and as always, a caveat to this interpretation: as the Apostle Paul succinctly put it, 'for now we see through a glass darkly'. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12) Most scholars assumed that Mystery Babylon was simply the accompanying religious system that the Beast uses to promulgate his/their madness upon the peoples of the world. Yet, neither government nor religion causes people to be astonished since they have been ever-present with mankind down through the ages. It has to be something that either the world has never seen before, or it is something that has not been seen for a LONG time and is present again in today's day and age. Two verses jump out at me that I think although they are of different topics, they're very much connected. "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six." Revelation 13:18 "And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." Revelation 17:9 Both instances call the reader to reckon a special understanding of what John was speaking of. One has to deal with a specific number that will be utilized by the entire world in all manners of financial transactions and as a matter of loyalty and worship. The other, is describing Mystery Babylon, and in this, John marveled at it: "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." Revelation 17:6 Greek Lexicon for the Textus Receptus version: megas thauma = great admiration 1) a wonderful thing, a marvel 2) wonder a) to wonder [with great wonder i.e.] exceedingly The NIV states that John was 'astonished'. The ESV records it as 'marveled greatly'. The NASB states it as 'wondered greatly', so based on the context and the other translations; we can dismiss number one from the Greek Lexicon here as a possible alternative. Apparently, this is something that really blew John away, which is saying a lot, considering all he had already been witness to. The angel goes on to tell him about what the Mystery is: "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. 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..." Revelation 17:7-8 So what is Mystery Babylon? Unlike the beast, she is not a government. She rides the beast:
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Revelation 17:5
And what was the first lie? Genesis 3:4-5 says: "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Every religion and belief system, not based around the Gospel of Jesus Christ, inherently promotes this notion that we can be as gods. It is bathed in pride and sprinkled gratuitously with the idea that man can achieve salvation without God's help. It was the lie that led to God destroying the world by a global flood. It led God to separate mankind at Babel. It led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It led to God having to come down here in person, and sacrifice Himself so those who believed could be saved. Mystery Babylon is the lie that man can be as a god. She rides the revived Roman Empire while shrouding herself with the Babel globalist's mantra of, one race. "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Revelation 17:18 It's not until Revelation 17:18 that the woman finally described as 'that great city' who controls all the kings of the world. Only two cities are called 'that great city' in the Bible; Nineveh and Babylon. She is a system of control over the rulers of the earth. At the Tower of Babel, mankind united under the world's first dictator, Nimrod. Mankind, united outside of the will of God, is a disastrous thing to behold indeed. God knew back at the Tower of Babel, that mankind under the leadership of a single man, would have reaped apocalyptic judgment back then. It was God's mercy, not cruelty that separated mankind to prevent us from destroying ourselves many thousands of years ago. Conclusion It is likely, that since the global infrastructure for global worship is already in place via the Roman Catholic Church network (more so than any other single religion) that this could easily and readily be put in place through the church as the mechanism of implementation. Granted, any church still remaining beyond the rapture will likely be incorporated into this system, but the Roman Catholic Church already has a global reach and doctrinally doesn't have any qualms about re-writing their doctrine to stay relevant during this time. *Not saying that all Roman Catholics are a part of this system, rather, the system itself is what I am referencing. The papacy has already shown a great willingness to compromise doctrinal beliefs to accommodate Islam and Protestants alike in a misguided effort to promote ecumenism. As the EU waffles, the US sinks, and the 'Arab Spring' disintegrates, the Union for the Mediterranean (UofM) will take on more significant responsibility in stabilizing the region, ultimately fulfilling the role of the revived Roman Empire. When the US collapses, what's left of our government may cede control of our military assets to NATO and the European Union, of which to prevent them (military weapons) from falling into the hands of rogue 'terrorists'. Within the UofM, contains the previous ancient dynasties of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Persia, and Assyria (Syria). The "Arab Spring" will shake up the current power holders in the Middle East and fill the vacuum with leaders who are willing to take war to Israel. In lieu of their biblically prophetic defeats, most likely the UofM will be there to reorganize the pieces, just like they did after the Ottoman Empire's defeat at the end of World War I. And since Rome is the geographical hub there, it seems logical that it would also serve as its headquarters for both the religious and economic center that can control and direct this resurrected empire. Maybe this was why John was astonished. At the time he recorded this (95AD), the Church in Rome was still Christian. He could also be astonished at the fact that the Roman Empire still exists at the time of the end. Either way, as the old saying goes, 'All roads lead to Rome.'
0 Comments
The Mark of the Beast: Part I - Pete Garcia -
https://www.rev310.com/2020/10/the-mark-of-the-beast-parts-i-iii Even the Elect Part I: Deception If you've ever watched a Glenn Beck show, you've probably more often than not seen him at his ever-present blackboard, connecting the dots between players and agencies interwoven in an insidious socialist-progressive agenda to bring the US down from within. That's kind of how the next three articles will attempt to do, in a less grandiose fashion of course as we apply his methodology of untangling the web of deceit that has been over-laid on humanity to the material at hand. If I may add one additional allusion, in the movie "The Matrix", the main character 'Neo', played by Keanu Reeves wakes up or is woken up from reality, only to realize that what he thought was reality is the façade and the reality is much, much worse. Most people go through this life thinking that this is all there is, or that if it can't be put into a test tube and scrutinized six ways to Sunday by a team of scientists, it doesn't exist. But we (bible believing Christians) know that there is more to this life than what we see around us. We know that there is a God, and there are echelons of angelic and demonic beings that move in and out of this world unseen by the human eye. We know and trust that belief because the bible has not only validated itself, over and over through validation by history, archeology, and prophecy but because no man (or men) could have come up with a bible on their own. If they could have, they would have. In the bible, the God-Man we know as Jesus Christ spoke concerning the end times that above all, deception would be great. So great in fact, that 'even the elect' would be deceived if it was possible. That is God saying that, not me. "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:4) So, in light of the fact that none of us can peek into the future, we have to trust God's word and take heed to the various warnings issued by Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, and John as given them by the Holy Spirit. So we go with what we know and make the best reasonable explanations that we can. One thing to consider though is that prior to the age of global communications and instant newsfeeds, the whole world couldn't be deceived. Too many people were disconnected from other parts of the world, so the majority of people would not know what deception was going on regardless of where it happened unless it specifically happened to them. We know (to the best of our ability) that the Beast is the governmental/political system headed by the Antichrist that takes control during the Tribulation. We currently live in the 'age of information' and believe this to be the same age in which our Lord will return for a whole host of reasons. The information age (and the rapidity in which knowledge doubles), is almost entirely reliant on the ability to process information through the use of computers and the internet. Adding to that, think about the current administration and their over-arching agenda too: A. Blanket the entire US with free WI-FI B. Cement governmental control over who uses it, what they've seen, and what they can see Globalists seek to place the entire planet on the electronic grid. With the use of low orbiting satellites, and taking advantage of the newly freed-up 'white space' from television's frequency waves (since we've gone digital), this is a very achievable agenda. The initial plan was called 'WiMAX' but that fell through to 'LightSquared'. Regardless of what plan actually succeeds, the plans are in the works to get everyone on board and 'on the grid'. Remember a simple idea here, in that no matter what freebies are offered, or what promised legislation will fix, increased control is the outcome of whatever plan is put forward. Wi-Fi may be offered as free, but it will come at the cost of your anonymity. Artificial Intelligence Now, think for a moment about the gigantic Google Corporation. They have been working on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for years now based on the studies that track all the trends, typed searches, information, street-views, maps, etc for the entire world. Google has more information at its disposal than all the libraries in the world combined. The owners of Google preempted public panic by declaring the AI known as 'CADIE' as an April fool's joke, but just imagine, if this thing "became" (maybe with a little supernatural help) self-aware and began taking over the global grid. Most of our public utilities and energy sources are controlled electronically already, but maybe "Sky Net" (Terminator movies) wasn't that far off the mark after all? It seems silly, even fantastical for the most hardened skeptics out there, but it is not impossible. Considering that 20 years ago, the idea of holding a computer/phone /GPS/gaming device in the palm of your hand seemed ludicrous, yet, here we are today. Most accredited universities have within their Computer Science departments, active programs for the creation of Artificial Intelligence. At some point, in the not too distant future, man is going to cross that technological threshold between fantasy and reality and launch a system that is 'self-aware'. Scary thought! Nephilim Many bible scholars attribute the statements Jesus made to end times of being similar to Noah's day (Matt 24:37-38, Luke 17:26-27) as veiled references to the return of the Nephilim (Hebrew for "Fallen Ones"). The supernatural has largely been hidden from man since biblical times, but here in the last 60 years or so, mankind has been an eyewitness to increasingly strange goings-on in the sky and on the ground. The supernatural activity appears to be ramping up, and although widely accepted as plausible, no 100% verifiable proof has ever been substantiated. It is through movies and television that mankind has been desensitized to the mysterious. Just like with horror movies, man has been given an increasingly larger, violent, and realistic version of the same monsters over and over. What scared audiences 30 years ago, makes today's audience's chuckle. "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matthew 24:23-24 Common themes amongst both horror and science fiction shows are alien invasions and global destruction events. They have to keep topping the previous shows and movies so they are portrayed in more graphic and over the top sensationalistic ways to keep audiences coming back. This will have either one of two effects when fantasy does become reality:
I think the latter of the two is Satan's preferred method, but considering the fact that Satan will realize he has but a short time, he will pull out all the stops. And this time, God will allow him to. Although we can only speculate as to what type of events will happen that aren't mentioned specifically in the Bible, we know what Satan has done in the past. God destroyed the world once because of the great wickedness and violence upon the face of the earth. Out of that (or maybe because of it), an unholy union between fallen angels and mankind created a hybrid race of creatures that were neither men nor angels. Only Noah was found 'perfect in his generations'. Many believe this to be a reference not to Noah's moral righteousness, but to his genetic purity. So it is interesting that Jesus said that no flesh would survive if He did not cut short those days (Matthew 24:22). If God destroyed the world leaving only eight persons at the Flood, are we to not only consider weapons of mass destruction but also technology, like before the Flood, which seeks to annihilate what it is to be human? Weird Science Mankind is currently involved in cross breeding animal-human hybrids. Man is constantly trying to push the boundaries between the biological and the technological. There is coming a point when man will cross that line of no-return and this may in fact be the avenue in which man does it. Whenever modern man broke through other 'impossible' barriers that people said couldn't be done... it was done. And between man's desire to live forever through artificial means (trans-humanism and singularity) and AI's ability to solve seemingly unsolvable problems, it will be a Babel-like moment when God will have to step in and intervene, yet again. "And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.." Genesis 11:6 If mankind was capable of doing this many thousands of years ago, why does it seem unlikely that we couldn't achieve this again today in the Age of Information? God dispersed man and changed languages to avoid them coming together in unison outside of His will and His time schedule. Yet, we are at that same point today through the use of the internet and rapid technological breakthroughs. Knowledge builds upon previously discovered knowledge, so at the rate at which it is doubling and tripling, the time it takes to get there quickly diminishes. Replace 'magic' with technology, and add in some demonic influence and what you have is a recipe for evil incarnate perpetuated by mass mediums to large swaths of people. Man's propensity for evil will have the modern capability to quickly incorporate and disseminate large sums of information and application to a much larger audience today than ever before. Remove God's hand of restraint from the world and the potential for wickedness will explode onto the world as not been seen since those doomed Antediluvian peoples of old. America's Declining Morals - By Daymond Duck -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/10/25/americas-declining-morals-by-daymond-duck/ The list of Bible prophecy teachers that say America is in end-of-the-age Bible prophecy is impressive. Speculation abounds as to why (moral decline, economic collapse, sneak attack, etc.). Most of the items in this article are about America's declining morals. One, on Oct. 18, 2020, Dave Hodges reported that Pres. Trump recently said that if he is re-elected, vaccinations for the Coronavirus will not be made mandatory. I cannot predict who will get elected, but I pray that vaccinations will not be mandated. Two, on Oct. 15, 2020, it was reported that Kris Jacks, a member of the Colorado Democratic Party Executive Committee was videoed and taped by undercover reporters with cameras and microphones saying, "I am going to do everything morally acceptable to win (the election). I will lie. I will cheat. I will steal. Because that's morally acceptable in this political environment." He suggested that there might be a violent reaction if Trump wins. Three, on Oct. 14, 2020, it was reported that Kamala Harris has ties to Muslim groups (Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood) that have been designated as terrorist organizations, and Joe Biden has been endorsed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that has ties with convicted terrorists. Please explain to me why some Democrats attacked Amy Coney Barrett's Catholic religion at the same time that they are accepting the religion of Muslims in public office and on their staffs. Four, some critics have started referring to the Bidens as the "Biden crime family." In 2014, Hunter Biden was given an absurdly high-paying executive position (86,000 dollars per month for five months) on the board of a corrupt gas company called Burisma in Ukraine. In 2015, Hunter Biden introduced an official of the corrupt gas company (Burisma) to his father, and the Burisma official sent an e-mail to Hunter Biden thanking him for arranging the meeting that allowed him to spend some time with then Vice Pres. Joe Biden in Washington, D.C. A spokesperson for the Biden campaign said there is no official record of the meeting, but that does not mean there wasn't a secret off-the-record meeting. In 2016, the Ukraine government was investigating the corruption at Burisma and, at the same time, seeking U.S. loan guarantees for a one-billion-dollar loan. Vice Pres. Joe Biden traveled to Ukraine and threatened to deny the loan guarantees if the Ukraine government did not halt the investigation of corruption at Burisma (Biden is on video bragging about shutting it down). In 2019, the FBI allegedly seized an abandoned laptop computer that was originally left at a repair shop with Hunter Biden's name on it, several photos and personal information of the Biden family on it, an e-mail thanking Hunter Biden for arranging the meeting between the Burisma official and Vice-Pres. Biden on it, other Biden e-mails, and more (information that proves that the laptop belonged to Hunter Biden. Fox News said it has confirmed that the laptop was, in fact, Hunter Biden's laptop, and the Biden family has not denied that it is Hunter Biden's laptop. The repair order has Hunter Biden's phone number, e-mail address and signature on it.) Joe Biden denies speaking to Hunter about any of this, but Hunter Biden said they have spoken about it. (Someone is lying. It has also been reported that one e-mail in 2017 shows that Hunter Biden received ten million dollars from a Chinese billionaire just for introducing him to then Vice-Pres. Joe Biden. It has been reported that the e-mail says Hunter had a consulting contract worth ten million dollars a year for three years and Joe Biden got part of the money. Some are calling it a "pay to play" scheme.) By 2020, the Bidens had accumulated millions of dollars from Ukraine, China and Russia, but despite that, Hunter Biden was asked to address the Democratic Convention about his father's honesty. Perhaps, this explains how the Biden family (father and sons) got so wealthy while Joe Biden was a Senator and Vice-Pres. (Follow the money.) If Joe Biden is the Democratic Party, as he claims to be, then the Democratic Party appears to be in moral decline. It remains to be seen, but if Biden is the next leader of the so-called free world, it is my opinion that he will pave the way for a corrupt global leader (the Antichrist). Think about the seriousness of this. Joe Biden supports globalism, open borders, the global warming farce, the global ethic, the gay agenda, wealth-redistribution, socialized medicine, gun control, etc. Voting for Joe Biden is almost the same thing as voting for the Antichrist. The Republican Party has its problems too, but it appears to be worse in the Democrat Party. I recently read that 70% of Republicans (a majority) believe in the God of the Bible, but only 45% of Democrats do (less than half). This is why the Democrats removed all references to God from their party platform. These are facts that will affect our family, the Church, our nation, and the world. Five, when the Biden-corruption story broke, Facebook and Twitter censored it. (Facebook's Election Integrity Expert was an advisor to former Vice-Pres. Biden, and it has been shown that more than 90% of the money that Twitter and Facebook employees donated to politicians in 2020 went to Democrats.) It is time for Congress to do more than give lip-service to its dealings with Facebook, Twitter and Google. They appear to be deliberately and selectively suppressing freedom of speech. I am receiving e-mails from reliable Christian ministries with warnings that they may contain harmful content. When I click on links to some Christian websites, I occasionally receive warnings that they may be dangerous. If social media is suppressing newspapers, YouTube videos, Christian ministries, U.S. Senators, etc., they will eventually suppress anyone that they disagree with. Deception is an end-of-the-age sign, and it exists in the highest places of the social media as well as our government. Note: On Oct. 18, 2020, it was reported that the EU and Japan will join forces with the U.S. in a crackdown on big-tech companies. Six, Pres. Trump is being blamed for ruining the U.S. economy and causing high unemployment during the Coronavirus Crisis. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the month of August (the latest available data) show that 9 of the 10 states with the lowest unemployment have Republican governors, and 9 of the 10 states with the highest unemployment have Democrat governors. One can only conclude that unemployment in Democrat-run states is worse because they want the economy to fail so they can blame it on Trump. Lower unemployment is one reason why citizens are moving from Democrat-run states to Republican- run states. Seven, about two days after this article is sent to the editor, there will be another debate between Pres. Trump and former Vice-Pres. Biden, and it is being reported that the debate moderator's family has donated large sums of money to Democrats (something stinks at the Debate Commission). Eight, on Oct. 17, 2020, the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) said, "There is both a fundamental need and an increasingly widespread demand for a new kind of capitalism." He called for a "Great Reset" of economies, politics and societies. (They want wealth redistribution, world government, and world religion.) Nine, famine, pestilences, and an economic collapse will kill billions of people during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 6:5-8). On Oct. 15, 2020, officials at the International Monetary Fund warned that the Coronavirus Crisis will have a long-lasting impact on the global economy in the form of greater unemployment, greater debt, and increased poverty (things that cause hunger and disease). Ten, God said the days will come when the plowman will overtake the reaper (Amos 9:13) and there will be crops in the desert (Isa. 35, 41), etc., and this is happening in Israel right now. But it is interesting to note that one of the main things the UAE and Bahrain want from their "treaty of peace" with Israel is the technology to produce food in the desert. Eleven, concerning a covenant of peace that will be confirmed by the Antichrist, we are not there yet, but Pres. Trump has received his fourth nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to get a final peace treaty in the Middle East. Twelve, I have felt uneasy about the political nature of my articles lately, but an Oct. 13, 2020, Pew Research poll found that 78% of Evangelical Christians support Trump and Pence because of their bold pro-life, pro-religious, pro-law-and-order, pro-Second Amendment, pro-Israel policies. The fact that almost 4 out of 5 Evangelical Christians (including Franklin Graham) support Trump tells me there is a big difference between the two candidates. In conclusion, it is obvious that America is in a moral decline or the "Biden Crime Family" would have no chance to be elected. If he is elected, the results will be bittersweet. Bitter because the Tribulation Period, world government, world religion, tracking all buying and selling, etc., are very close. Sweet because the Rapture is even closer. God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this. Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc. Daymond Duck duck_daymond@yahoo.com Dramatic Increases in Travel and Knowledge - By Britt Gillette - https://www.raptureready.com/2020/10/22/dramatic-increases-in-travel-and-knowledge-by-britt-gillette/
Twenty-six hundred years ago, God provided the prophet Daniel with a number of visions concerning the future. In one of these visions, God revealed several events set to take place just prior to the Second Coming. But an angel told Daniel to seal up his vision until the end times, "when travel and knowledge will increase" (Daniel 12:4). That means one of the clearest indications of the end times (and thus, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ) is a general worldwide increase in travel and knowledge. As we survey the world today, do we see such an increase in travel and knowledge? Absolutely. In fact, we see a dramatic and undeniable increase in travel and knowledge. It's so dramatic, it's best described as exponential. Why? Because from the time of Daniel (6th Century B.C.) to around A.D. 1800, we didn't see any noticeable increase in either. Then, something happened. The speed and frequency of travel started to pick up, and the pace of change continues to this day. And human knowledge? It took off as well, and it shows no sign of slowing down. The pace of change has been so rapid and consistent, people take it for granted. But if you take a moment to reflect on where we've been, where we are now, and where we're going, I promise you one thing - it will astound you. Increased Travel In the days of Daniel, most people traveled less than 50 miles from where they were born - not in the course of a year, but in the course of a lifetime. As a slave carried away into captivity hundreds of miles from where he was born, Daniel was the exception, not the rule. After arriving in Babylon, he spent the remainder of his years in and around the city. In the ancient world, routine travel from one part of an empire to another was not commonplace. It was extremely rare. And sometimes these trips took months if not years. In Daniel's time, a horse was the fastest way to travel over land. This remained true for over two thousand years. During all those centuries, the speed of human travel didn't change in any noticeable way. In the year 1800, the fastest land-based mode of transportation was... still a horse. The War of 1812 offers an excellent example to illustrate just how slow early 19th Century travel was. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war on December 24, 1814. The famous American victory at the Battle of New Orleans occurred on January 8, 1815 - fifteen days later. Travel was so slow, it took weeks for news of the treaty to reach the United States. But this shows something important - in terms of travel, things stayed relatively unchanged from the days of Daniel to the Battle of New Orleans. Then, it all changed. Human travel exploded, and the change was both swift and dramatic. What caused this change? The Industrial Revolution. In the 19th Century, the Industrial Revolution gave birth to the steam locomotive. This revolutionized the speed of travel. While the average horse galloped at 30 mph, by 1900, trains routinely traveled twice that speed. Then, in the early 20th Century, the horseless carriage (the car) took the world by storm. In 1908, the Ford Motor Company produced the first Model T - a car with a top speed of 40 mph. By the 1920's, race cars topped 100 mph. For thousands of years, the horse dominated land-based travel. Yet within the span of a single century, trains and cars completely replaced horses as the dominant mode of travel. And the speed and power of human travel continued to increase throughout the 20th Century and right up to our present day. Similar advances took place in both water and air travel. For instance, in 1952, the ocean liner Blue Riband crossed the Atlantic in less than four days - a voyage that took Christopher Columbus and his crew five weeks. In 1998, that record fell. A passenger ship crossed the Atlantic in under three days. And air travel? No other mode of travel better illustrates Daniel's long-ago foretold increase in travel and knowledge. For several thousand years, men dreamed of controlled flight. But for centuries, that's all it was. A dream. Then, in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright put together an airplane that flew for 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet. Just 66 years later, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. Do you think that qualifies as a notable increase in travel and knowledge? Increasing Knowledge About three hundred years before Jesus, the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt constructed a library. Known as the Ancient Library of Alexandria, many consider it to be the greatest collection of written knowledge in the ancient world. While we don't know for sure how much knowledge was housed there, some estimates say as many 500,000 papyrus scrolls. This means the library probably housed tens of thousands of original works comparable to today's books, although some of these may have been duplicates. Two thousand years ago, this was the height of human knowledge. Today? You probably have a bigger library on the phone in your pocket. Today, the number of books in the world is orders of magnitude larger than in ancient times. Ten years ago, Google estimated more than 129 million books are in print, and UNESCO claims 2.2 million new books are published each year. The emergence of ebooks and self-publishing has only accelerated that number. Today, you can buy a Kindle for less than a hundred dollars and hold a library larger than the Library of Alexandria in the palm of your hand. In terms of books alone, we've seen an exponential explosion in the amount and availability of knowledge. But Daniel's predicted increase in knowledge is not limited to books. The 20th Century witnessed an explosion of information via newspapers, magazines, radio, television, 24/7 cable networks, the Internet, and smart phones. Think of all the knowledge and information available on the Internet. In 1990, there was only one website. Hard to believe, isn't it? Six years later, the Internet had over 100,000 websites. A decade later? One hundred million. As of right now, estimates say two billion websites are in existence. And that number will be out of date by the time you read this because each day sees another 500,000 websites come online. In fact, more information is added to the Internet every day than existed in the Ancient Library of Alexandria. The world today features more than 25,000 universities. And according to University World News, over 30,000 scientific journals publish a total of two million articles each year. Think we're witnessing a significant increase in knowledge? I think so, and the Bible says this means we're on the cusp of seeing significant world events. Where We're Headed The Book of Daniel says an increase in travel and knowledge will immediately precede the Second Coming (Daniel 12:4). That's exactly what we see today. For thousands of years, the horse remained the fastest mode of transportation on land, while the world's most celebrated libraries contained at best a few hundred thousand papyrus scrolls. Today, jets travel faster than the speed of sound, and handheld devices store hundreds of times as much information as the Library of Alexandria. It's clear the world we live in has transformed dramatically since the days of Daniel. Critics mock this idea. They say, "Oh, Jesus is coming back, is He? Christians have been saying that for 2,000 years. Yet, the world goes on just the same as it ever has. What's so different now?" This is the same argument Peter warned about almost 2,000 years ago (2 Peter 3:3-4). But it's an absurd argument. Do you believe the world of today is "the same as it's always been"? I don't. For centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus, the world was very much the same. Not one of the signs of the Second Coming Jesus and the prophets said to look for was present. But today? It's clear travel and knowledge have exploded. And all the signs Jesus and the prophets said to look for are present. They include, but aren't limited to:
These signs point to the soon return of Jesus. He's right at the door. Jesus told us to "look up" when we see all these signs converge (Luke 21:28), and they're converging right now. That means we're on the cusp of the end times, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is close at hand. The Rapture and Being Left Behind - By Pastor Mike Taylor -
https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-rapture-and-being-left-behind.html 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 2:8-12) 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. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before." (Matthew 24:21-25) As we enter the end of days, many people believe so many different religious beliefs, that its hard for the one who is seeking truth to find biblical reality, instead of finding perversions of that truth. Both my Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul prophesied that in the end of days, that there would come a deception, a delusion so strong that men and women will believe a total lie. I've often contemplated and wondered, what could it be that will be shown to unrepentant men in the coming Tribulation that would be so convincing that most people would accept it without question? The question becomes, "how can the coming Beast Power introduce the Anti-Christ to the world and have near total compliance from the unrighteous masses that will inhabit the coming Tribulation?" I say total compliance, as it will be those who love unrighteousness and want to continue in their sins. Many in this world have no interest in the things of God, but there are those who think they are following the Truth of God's Word, but are deceived by cunning charlatans who have nothing in their minds, but power control over the people. There will be many who won't buy what they are selling, as they have been on the fringes of Christianity, but never had made a commitment to Jesus Christ, much to their dismay. Those who have been taught all their lives a false religiousity have just been subjected to the complete chaos that is gripping their world. What am I talking about that will leave many people totally confused and distraught? The event that just now happened, right before their eyes is the catching away of the Church, and the resulting frightened masses that will want an answer to what just happened. The powers of government must cause the unsuspecting masses of sheeple to follow their song and dance of the New World Order and follow the coming dictator known as the Anti-Christ. How will they do it? DURING THE COMING TRIBULATION What I'm about to discuss with you is so disturbing to me and should the average Christian, it will make you lean back in your chair, scratching your head. It will give, or should, the lateness of the hour and the urgency to reach your loved ones, your friends, or anybody that will listen to what may be coming upon the earth. If you are reading this, and what I'm about to discuss and even what is suggested becomes a matter of fact, then my friend, you will be ripe for a strong delusion without realizing what is being said is a big lie from the depths of hell. Let me begin by saying, technology has become so fast paced the world knowledge has increased at such an astounding speed, (doubling every few years), as God through Gabriel told Daniel in chapter 12: 4"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.... 8 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 12:4, 8-10) Daniel was told that knowledge would be increased in the last days in which the bible said an image would be set up in the temple in Jerusalem and would be an abomination that causes desolation. WHAT IS THIS ABOMINATION? I have had many people ask me, or tell me, what is the abomination that the Bible speaks of. Many get it wrong. I had one fellow tell me is was the rejection of the Law of God. I had to educate the man that it would be as it was in 167 BC when a Syrian king came into Israel, into Jerusalem and stopped the sacrifices in the Temple of God and set up a statue of Zeus with his face on it and demand worship. The man also had a pig sacrificed on the altar and in the eyes of the people, a pig was blasphemy as it is considered unclean by any standards. Who was this man I speak of? It was his goal to Hellenize the people to Greek thinking and to do away with Jewish traditions and customs. His name was Antiochus Epiphanes and the desecration of the Temple kindled the Maccabean Revolt that expelled the invaders and began what is called "the days of Hanakkah" where the temple was cleansed and the oil of the Menorah burned for 8 days by Divine will as they were out of Holy Oil to burn in the lamps. In our time, this event will transpire once again, as our Lord Jesus plainly tells us. 15 "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:15-21) This whole chapter sets dead aim at the Jewish people of modern day Israel. It was written for no other nation, as Jesus was a Jewish man speaking to other Jewish men and telling them what would happen, but it was partially for their time and also another time in the far distant future that would have duality of prophecy, as the Abomination had only happened once and it was almost 200 years in their past of the above event noted and described. 13 "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" (Revelation 13:13-16) Many who read this passage come away puzzled and can't figure out how an image would conceivably be able to speak and demand worship of itself. I envision that this idol will be as it was in 167 BC and have the face of the coming Anti-Christ on the idol and display it much as King Nebuchadnezzer displayed his golden image before the people and also demanded worship of it. We see technology growing by leaps and bounds to the point, as it was in the days of Noah, that nothing was not beyond being made that came into the imagination of mankind. This was a time of the "sons of God" or fallen angels mating with women and created hybrid offspring, we call now, the Nephilim. These all had supernatural knowledge of dark and evil manifestations that caused judgment to fall upon this earth. Today we have explored and created the same evil practices that were done in this Antediluvian time period before the flood. Mankind has explored crossing animal with humans, artificial intelligence of robotics that appear almost human and many scientific discoveries that were best left undiscovered, as God destroyed the earth once by water, and will again, by fire. Course, I'm not concerned with this coming to pass, as I fully believe the Church of the Living God will not be on this planet when all this comes to pass. I envision a huge AI (Artificial Intelligence) idol being able to speak on command from those who control its functions....For myself, I am not concerned, but am for the millions to billions of people who will be totally deceived and will worship this image, not so much because they believe it is a "god" but they wish to continue their lifestyle of wickedness and "what a little worship of some mechanical idol" a big deal anyway, (as long as I can live as I want, or as evil as I want). So will be the mindset of those in this coming time we have come to know as "Jacob's Trouble" or the coming Tribulation. 3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 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:" (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8) The Wicked shall be revealed, the Anti-Christ, ONLY after the church is removed, right along with the Holy Spirit, ("He who will let will let, until HE be taken out of the way"). Understand, that this message is primarily for the unbeliever that comes on the internet that is searching for a reason for the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of people, including their loved ones, and the rise of a powerful dictator that came on the scene out of no where, known as the Anti-Christ who has control of the Beast Power, prophesied and fulfilled in this "lawless one". You may be confused. If you are not part of those who just want to live in their sinful ways, you may be scared out of your mind and you may have been introduced to something that does nothing but raise more questions than answers them. The coming idol that will be set up in the newly constructed third Temple in Jerusalem, is but one of the ways that the coming "lawless one" will attempt to deceive, right along with his right hand man, the False Prophet. Then there was always the question before the internet age of how some of the prophecies of the end times would be carried out and be fulfilled. Let's take the scriptures that speak of the two witnesses that preach the Gospel in the first part of the Tribulation found in Revelation, 3 "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." (Revelation 11:3-8) Those born in our recent past history, say 100 years ago, could not fathom how the world would be able to see these two men who proclaimed the Gospel of God at the Temple, would be killed by the "beast who rises out of the bottomless pit, and would kill them and leave their bodies without the respect of a proper burial. They wondered how would they be seen worldwide and would finally see them raised from the dead after 3.5 days Of course, in our day and age, the answer is easy, as we live with it everyday. The invention of mass communication and satellite links that broadcast worldwide with news in the moment it is happening, through the internet and satellite TV has happened in our time. What is happening on the other side of the planet can now be viewed by anybody a world away, LIVE! So that answers that question, but how will the statue that is set up in the Holy of Holies as an abomination toward God speak to the world who will follow the Anti-Christ? The words of this idol will be broadcast to the world via satellite TV. Not only will this idol speak and demand worship of the one whose face it displays, but I may have discovered how there is another way they will do it, or a possible solution. And what will be the strong delusions that make a person believe a lie, as spoken of in scripture? WHAT MAY BE COMING? As mentioned, this message is for those who are left behind, meaning those who miss the greatest event, apart from the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all the history of man. That being the coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord in the clouds to separate His church from the coming wrath that is about to overtake the earth. We, who are in the day light and not living in the night, will not be surprised by the events that transpire before the Anti-Christ takes the stage. For as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: 3 "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." (1st Thessalonians 5:3-10) As we are discussing, evil men will attempt to explain the whole "missing millions" by hook or crook, and they will use modern technology to do it. Their only goal is to usher in a New World Order, headed by the risen Anti-Christ to power and for a time, promote a One World religion, with the Anti-Christ their sole object of worship. In the past, I have spoken of a possible explanation of an "alien invasion" that has removed hundreds of thousands of people who have suddenly disappeared from off the planet. No plausible explanation can be provided, but the globalist will try and leaders of the world will be searching for any talking point to calm the fears of the masses that know that something they cannot explain has just happened. I have dealt with the possible explanation of this alien invasion, as they will allow nothing to stand in their way of their concept of the coming "utopia" that this New Age religion and secular forces of this fallen world will push at you to convince you that those that "stood in the way of the next level of human existence" have been removed. As Rahm Emanuel made famous by saying "Never let a crisis go to waste" I do believe, besides technology of A.I. and the false explanation of what happened to millions of people from all over the planet, they will attempt to "mesmerize" you with false prophecies that come "out of thin air". This new approach in addition to the possible explanation of an alien invasion is the world leaders need to get the people of the world to follow them and secure their loyalty to follow this new world dictatorship comprised of ten regions or "Ten Horns" of Daniel's prophesy in chapter 7, and headed eventually by a one world dictator, the Anti-Christ. 19 "Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (Daniel 7:19-22) We must remember that the new age religion is the very foundation for the new world government, where without some kind of faith based religion, even a false religion the dictatorship of the new world order is completely impossible. That's why the next topic of this message is so important to the powers that be. THE BLUE BEAM PROJECT? I got an email message from one of the members of my online congregation that pointed me to something so outlandish and devilish, so diabolical that I was taken back when I started to research what he sent me. The subject deals with a type of technology that has been or will be developed shortly. It will attempt to explain what has happened, and designed to deceive unrighteous men and those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Messiah, to believe a strong delusion that God will allow and cause them to become submissive to the worship of the coming Anti-Christ. They will even fake a rapture type event where people are swooshed away to a "never, never land"...all smoke and mirrors so to speak. Let's begin by discussing a Canadian journalist by the name of Serge Monast that gave a speech and wrote about concerning a military project using NASA to wage war on other nations by using technology on the enemy that is nothing short of what we saw on the series "Star Trek"and many outer space movies of fantastic graphics and computer images...I believe the world has been being primed by everything "Outer Space" since the 1970's for what is being planned to overtake the world. This journalist warned that the military had the ability to cause confusion and wage war with high tech technology in any given population and this technology would be used to usher in the coming One World Government and its major religion, headed by what we call the "False Prophet". This began back in the 1980s and was projected to begin in 1983. The time was rescheduled for the 1990s, and the man who broke this story died suddenly of a supposed heart attack, when he had no cardiac history before his demise. Was somebody trying to shut him up? Circumstances of his death are a little suspicious. Now get ready for a summary of how this technology, according to Monast and those who further researched this Blue Beam Project, how it would be used. Oh, there are a lot of scoffers and detractors that spoof this report, but in this day and age we live in of government improprieties, it's not beyond the realm of total possibility. The first step concerns the breakdown of all archeological knowledge. It deals with the setup with artificially created earthquakes at certain precise locations on the planet where, supposedly, new discoveries will finally explain to all people the error of all fundamental religious doctrines. These new "discoveries" will cast doubt on what people have believed in their different faiths and by using man made earthquakes (can you say HAARP?) that will open up selected areas for these discoveries that disprove religious doctrine. What could these "new discoveries" be? Could they have found evidence of the origins of the seeding of our planet by a "master race" from other planets? Will they find evidence of space craft that have been buried for thousands of years? Lord only knows, but to cast doubt on every religions basic faith and beliefs would have to dismiss that the true God, or the god of their religion has been nothing but a sham, or complete misinterpretation of reality. Of course, I hypothesize, as I can only guess what highly technological device they will use. The second step is to produce what can only be likened to a manufactured space show. Remember all the 3-D movies you've gone to, and the computer images that were all too real? How convincing would it be if this delusion was projected on the atmosphere in a holographic image to introduce the deity of the culture, or those of different religions, in different regions of the world, ie. Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna, etc and each image speaking in the regions language, and through computers, make the people believe that their chosen "god" is speaking to them in their ears, and in their minds? The images reportedly will tell the people that they have misunderstood their religious books and the very foundation of their beliefs. Thirdly, to go further in regard to the new technology which is at the base of the NASA Blue Beam Project, we have to consider this statement by psychologist James V. McConnell which was published in a 1970s issue of Psychology Today. He said, "The day has come when we can combine sensory deprivation with drug hypnosis and astute manipulation of reward and punishment to gain almost absolute control over an individual's behavior. It should then be possible to achieve a very rapid and highly effective type of positive brainwashing that would allow us to make dramatic changes in a person's behavior and personality." (Thewatcherfiles.com/bluebeam) The result of deliberately staged events will be to show the world this new "christ," or the new messiah for the immediate implementation into the new world religion. Enough truth will be foisted upon the unsuspecting to hook them into the lie. "Even the most learned will be deceived." And as the Bible clearly tells us: 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 2:10-12) Each of these fake "deities" will proclaim that the "messiah" is on earth and will broadcast his picture all over the planet in a holographic image, to every region, to every tongue and nationality, and to every man and woman. A quote from a website called "The Watcher's Files" and they hypothesize: "Then the projections of Jesus, Mohammed, Buddah, Krishna, etc., will merge into one after correct explanations of the mysteries and revelations will have been disclosed. This one god will, in fact, be the Antichrist, who will explain that the various scriptures have been misunderstood and misinterpreted, and that the religions of old are responsible for turning brother against brother, and nation against nation, therefore old religions must be abolished to make way for the new age new world religion, representing the one god the Antichrist they see before them." (the Watcherfiles.com) DOES SUCH TECHNOLOGY EVEN EXIST? As I said, the very idea that there is a technology that can confuse and deceive the masses of people, (let alone control them) which are left to endure the Tribulation is what may be in store for those who live out this dark time of man's depravity. Our government, or any government that could launch a program to explain the disappearance of people all over the planet and promote a "new god" called the Anti-Christ revealed in your Bible, (called the man of sin), makes the human mind reel. If this has happened, and you are reading this, I'm sure your mind is in much turmoil. You may have lost a loved one, a small child, a close friend, a wife, or a husband and frankly, you're scared. I would be, too, if I was present after this strange sky show and people have gone missing. "New World Order planners can possibly "take over the world by projecting holographic images into the sky while beaming thoughts directly into our heads, telling us to accept the new 'god' of their design." [HAARP: The Ultimate Weapon Of The Conspiracy , by Jerry E. Smith, p. 15; New Age adherent] Let me confess one thing here and you may be feeling the same thing, I was a little skeptical concerning this new technology, but my skepticism took a huge hit when I discovered that indeed our military in the USAF and most likely other nations have the technology to do just what is described above...you may browse the websites to reach what the U.S. Air Force is using militarily on other nations for computer wars of the future, and what hit me the most, was they use holographic images to further their objectives in a war model to defeat the enemy. You who read this, will be the enemy they wish to control. USAF CENTER OF STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY. The military of the USA and that of the world are most advanced for warfare, but also can be used for just such a scenario noted above using holographic images and computer generated speech that seems to come out of space. Now would our own government do such a thing? Of course they would as they are more than lawless, they are treasonous. Who knows who will come to power in the near future that will throw our Constitution under the bus. They are already trying to do it as I type. Another website shows that technology is present to use optics to project such images on the clouds and even the blue sky. Anyone can do a Google search and explore what can be done with holographic images and the capabilities of nefarious governments and the elite promoting a new world order by creating a new world religion. As I have spoken of this new world order needs as its foundation a world religion to base the takeover of the governments of the world into one. This project will focus the attention of the world population of the Tribulation to follow a "false religion" built on lies. Religion is the basis for any loyalty of a new government that will be put into place. The Anti-Christ will use the new "religion" headed by the false prophet to secure the loyalty and the compliance all who are alive during this time by joining all religions into one, then focusing those who are adherents to this bait and switch, to the Beast Power as shown in prophecy. It is all about total control and was presented in the past at the U.N. This is part of the coming Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development that was promoted by none other than the Pope in Rome, as he pushes all his priest to promote the plan in all their masses, as reported in the news. 3 "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 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 17:3-8) Fellow Christians, believers in Jesus Christ, the world is going to "hell" in a hand basket, literally and sooner than any of us even imagine. Jesus could literally sound the trump of God and call with a loud voice, "come up hither" any moment from this time forward. 13 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) In our Lord Jesus' own words in Matthew, "44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods."(Matthew 24:44-47) Scoffers who read this will dismiss my call to come into the "Light" of Jesus Christ. But when you are living it, you may remember these words. The night is close at hand, when Satan will be loosed and his agent, the Anti-Christ will have full sway over every human being on this planet. It will cost you your eternal soul and spirit by complying. To oppose his agenda of total domination over all nations, will cost you your head, literally. The past ISIS rampage in the Middle East was just a warm up for what carnage will be performed during this 7 year of unspeakable horror and human suffering. But there is a remedy and a plan to save you from ever having to worry about the Tribulation: 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18,) 8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:8-11) If the events that I have briefly described have come to pass and reading this message after the fact, then you have missed the "snatching away" of the Church, and will have to make an even harder choice, than the one you missed making in the past Age of Grace, or the Age of the Church. The Rapture has taken place and to coin a phrase, you "have been left behind" to face unspeakable pain and suffering. Either in the short term, with those who proclaim Jesus as Savior and endure to the end, will loose their life by the favorite form of execution, beheadings. Those who submit will have an even greater punishment as they are slain with the Sword of the Mouth of a returning Jesus Christ and be cast into the Lake of Fire forever....an eternity with no end of suffering. 11" And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." (Revelation 19:11-15) Call His name right now. He will save you when you ask Him in all humbleness and repenting of your sins. He will honor your prayer and become your best Friend, Savior and Redeemer. Do not neglect so great a salvation. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." (Hebrews 2:3-5) 14 "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."(Hebrews 2:14-18) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying the you call on the only Name that is above every name, Jesus Christ my Lord for your eternal salvation. If you have a need for prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com. God bless you all.. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET Finality - By Jerry McDermott -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/10/19/finality-by-jerry-mcdermott/ Have you realized the Final Age is already here, maybe not in its entirety, but clearly it has commenced? I am speaking of the End Times also known as the last days, the last generation or the later days. You have to be aware of worldwide problems: the clashes of ethnic groups, the lack of food, widespread immorality, and incessant anarchy. How about school closures as well as closures of restaurants, salons, barbers, sports? What about bacteriological warfare disguised as a virus or called a pestilence that is causing worldwide quarantines? As 2020 moves forward, most people have no clue what is happening and what will happen. It is the era of great fear because almost no one has a handle on the happenings or the future. This is not news, for thousands of years ago scriptures said that "My people will perish for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). This lack is widespread and universal in its scope. God once more proved His love for us by scriptural forecasts and prophecies that are happening as I type this. They are contained in the Bible; the answers to these questions were always there. You don't have to dig them out. In the Old Testament, He used prophets to warn us; in the New Testament, Jesus Himself was not only the world's Savior but highlighted the future. These prophetic teachings of Jesus were listed in Chapter 24 of Matthew's gospel writings as well as the Book of Revelation starting with Chapter 4. Jesus called these items birth pangs, mirroring the human experience. It is important to remember that they increase in time and intensity. The culmination of these occurs in the Tribulation period which we will discuss later. These are so bad that scripture tells about millions of people losing their lives in this seven-year period before the second coming. And just before the ending of the Tribulation, the War of Armageddon takes place. If you are not familiar with these seven years, you should investigate, as there is a safety feature available to avoid the intensity of this era. Before this Tribulation era, there is absolute proof of God's love for His people in the Rapture of the Church, God's gift to His followers. This is the incredible gathering of believers to meet Jesus in the clouds and then a quick passage to heaven with Christ. People could shout, "We're outta here!" This will not just include people who go to church, whether weekly or Christmas/Easter church goers. However, when you become a believer, a church becomes your community and is necessary for further Christian development. Continuing, the rapture will not include people who just know about the Bible nor folks who only read it but do not have a relationship with who inspired the content. You may wonder, "Well then, who will be brought to heaven. Earlier, we wrote about people perishing because they did not make the effort to understand God's plans for His people. The gathering of people for the heavenly journey initially consists of former dead Christians now risen, followed by Christians who are alive at the occurrence. They will immediately receive an incorruptible heavenly body. The operative word for the travelers is Born-Again Christian believers. They have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, confessed that they are a sinner and asked forgiveness, and strengthened their lives in Christ. In other words, just being religious won't cut it. This event is called the Rapture of the Church or those being lifted up. It is the next worldwide spiritual happening. The clock started May 14, 1948, when Israel became a nation and was also confirmed when the world's Jews started to return to Israel. Unfortunately, the exact date for the Rapture is unknown, but it will take place before the Tribulation period of seven years. There are numerous beliefs about the timing of the Rapture. However, the most prominent and realistic is that the Rapture takes place before the coming of the anti-Christ and the Tribulation period. However, the Rapture is almost universally misunderstood. Here are two erroneous beliefs: "At the Rapture, if you are missing g a limb, it will be replaced." Actually, at the Rapture, we receive completely new eternal bodies. I had trouble assessing this next one when someone told me, "I don't believe Jesus will be in the clouds." When I explained that scripture states this happening, the reply was, "That is your interpretation; you believe what you want to." When I continued mentioning that Jesus waiting in the clouds is the revealed Word of God, I found it difficult to comprehend or even find a word for their answer, so I'll just say I was flabbergasted at their retaliation which was, "I don't believe the Jesus in the clouds narrative, so I'll wave at you as you fly by." The word Rapture itself poses a problem to some folks. The belief is that the word is not in the Bible, which is not true, as it is just the English translation of the Latin version of the word. If the word is a problem, think "lifted up." Our salvation is not based on words but only the Word of God, Jesus Christ. As Paul told Timothy, "Keep reminding people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about mere words. This does no good and can be the ruin of those who listen" ( 2 Timothy 2:14). The occurrence can also be called Rapture of the Church. This sometimes raises the question, "Which Church?" Even answering "the Christian Churches" doesn't solve anything, as churches aren't raptured - people are. The question now becomes, "Which people?" It would seem that church people are the obvious answer. However, since some church people are not believers, they won't be in the Rapture. The Rapture takeoff is for people who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, confessed their sins and reformed their life. This is being Born-Again. Remember the passage in John chapter 3 where Jesus told Nicodemus, "Unless one is Born Again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The next observation is difficult as it involves the loser category for those left behind as adults and children disappear in the Rapture. While the general classification is unbelievers, there are different classes. These include atheists, or people who claim they are Christians because of family history, or folks who are just aware of Christ and the Jews. There is another ill-timed group who have the knowledge but never acted upon it or sought salvation, rejecting God's Word. Jesus was aware of them and commented, "Be on your guard; the Son of Man will come when you least expect Him" (Luke 12:40). Therefore, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ before the Rapture or were going to wait until the last minute, you are in for some chaotic times. Scripture says the timing is in the "Twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52). Do you think you can fulfill the requirements for salvation that fast? Incredibly, while God sent His Son as the Prince of Peace, the world today is devoid of peace. Furthermore, it is going to get worse as the anti-Christ takes power with his prophet some time after the Rapture. His time starts with a peace agreement with Israel, which is broken 3-1/2 years later as He proclaims himself as God. This is the seven-year period called the Tribulation and consists of two periods of 3-1/2 years. During these periods, one third of the populace will be killed. In the second period, the wrath of God will be poured forth upon the earth for the people not accepting His Son, who died for all mankind. Based on Jesus' description of a wide gate to perdition and a narrow gate to glory, numerous people will still be on earth after the Rapture. This means they either rejected Jesus' salvation or were indifferent to anything religious. However, the next major worldwide religious event is the Rapture followed by the Tribulation under the demonic patronage of the anti-Christ and his prophet. He will establish a One- World Government and a One-World Religion with himself at the top. One of the insidious problems in the era will be the requirement to worship the Anti-Christ as God or be killed as martyrs. In addition, everyone else will need the number 666 on their right hand or forehead to live a normal life. Under no circumstances, do not be signed 666! The reason is that there is only one true God. Therefore, anyone who worships a false god will be considered as blaspheming the Holy Spirit and will be subject to eternal condemnation (Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:28-29). You will not be duped into receiving this mark, as you must choose it. You will be considered as declining God's forgiveness as well as rejecting Him in favor of the demon possessed Anti-Christ. In addition, scripture proclaims that the one sin that will not be forgiven is blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28-29). Paul also reminds us that there will be terrible times in the last days. Now turn to the current attack on Christian churches and the hatred of Jews again. Sin itself is easily disguised as ungodliness, wickedness, legality; anarchy, or just politics. How else can we explain the deadly news of untold mayhem and unresponsive politicians in American cities? It is the revealed specter of madness predicted for the End Times. This unlawful craziness is obvious in the news, but what is not apparent is the hidden aberrations. Anne Graham recently remarked that we are being invisibly attacked. Nikita Khrushchev previously proclaimed, "We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the United States as we will destroy you from within!" Consider the demonically induced destruction already in increasing numbers of America towns and the push for socialism. Now reflect on the recent problems due to socialism in Venezuela. History always repeats itself as Edmond Burke once proclaimed. He also stated, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." The surprise is we haven't learned anything from either North Korea or Venezuela. Unless we stop this madness, only fools will flourish. Jesus was quite aware of this human tendency of memory fade and commented on it. Three of the gospel writers repeating His warning: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to destruction, and every city or town divided against itself will not stand" (Matthew 12:25; Mark 3:25; Luke 11:17). Clearly, America is divided into two major factions and numerous smaller ones. It is not only a verbal war but also a physical time of brutality. What would cause such a blessed nation to deteriorate in so many aspects? To find the answer, again we turn to the Bible, the collection of God's wisdom and commandments. Today we are imitating Israel where God said, "Oh, that my people would listen to Me! But my people would not heed My voice and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart to walk in their own counsels." Other translations say, "To follow their own devices" (Psalm 81:12). What does this mean? It reveals the true cause of American's problems which is sin. Mankind was born as sinners. And without salvation and the indwelling of the Lord with His Holy Spirit, we remain sinners. The scriptures stress the time of Noah as people unconcerned with God's laws. The danger they faced is the same for sinners today. While the Lord is about to return to judge and rule after the Tribulation, the exact timing is unknown. Therefore, believers are supposed to be ready at all times. By contrast, sinners could care less. The sins are so apparent as are the various levels of media where curses are leveled at government officials. While the overall commandment is to love God and neighbor, God is even more specific, having the writers of holy scripture give advice to their contemporaries and to ages following: Government: "Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all goodness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). "Let every soul be subject to the government authorities. For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (Romans 13:1). Rulers: "Be wise, Oh kings; be instructed you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling" (Psalm2:10). "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Discussions: "Shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness, and their message will spread like cancer. Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they generate strife" (2 Timothy 2:16-17, 23). Regardless of topics discussed here, with the advent of the Rapture, people will ask, "Why weren't we told?" For two thousand years, the words of Christ have beckoned every generation to "Be on your guard; the Son of Man will come when you least expect Him" (Luke 12:40). Earlier, I mentioned there IS a way to avoid the deadly machinations during the Tribulation. This is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He is the only one that will forgive a sinful life and grant a heavenly eternity. sacranet@aol.com The Spirit of Antichrist in 2020 - by Randy Nettles and Pete Garcia - https://www.rev310.com/2020/10/the-spirit-of-antichrist-in-2020
Well, it is not often that I would openly agree with the Chinese Zodiac, but 2020 certainly has been the Year of the Rat. There are certain years that have stood out in human history as being the worst years on record. Certainly, the year of Noah's Flood (1656 Anno Mundi) should take the record as THE worst year. However, if you were a Creation-denying, godless heathen, you would probably relegate that honor to the year 536AD. In recent history, we have the years 1918 (Spanish Flu outbreak), 1929 (Great Depression), and 2001 (9/11) as coming in the top ten of all around, terrible years to live through. That was, until 2020. Volcanic eruptions? Bubonic Plague? Those were nothing compared to 2020. So far this year, we have been treated too: COVID-19(84), a faux presidential impeachment, mandatory lockdowns, forced economic shutdown, murder hornets, racial conflict, rampant rioting and looting, tolerance of the anarchist's and Marxist violence by progressive politicians and the media, the hyper-sensationalism by the media to ramp up hysteria, the normalization of pedophilia by California, unchecked Trump Derangement Syndrome, Beirut explosions, massive wildfires, 10 hurricanes (thus far), state-sanctioned mail-in ballot fraud, and a potential civil war centering around one of the most contentious elections since Abraham Lincoln. And we still have three months left in this year. All apocalypticism aside, this is an article about certain numbers and their spiritual significance in reference to Biblical scripture; in particular the number 2020. Does 2020 mean anything? Is it just simply some number on the Gregorian calendar that has no bearing to reality? It has been largely believed by many sources (Ussher, Masoretic Text, Jewish tradition, etc.), that Abraham (the Patriarch of the Genesis account) was born in the year 1948 Anno Mundi (from Creation). Is it a coincidence then that after nearly 2,000 years in diaspora, that national Israel is reborn as a nation in the year 1948? Alternatively, how about the year 2033? According to some (Beresheet Passover Prophecy) the timeline for the start of man's 6,000-year history on the earth did not begin at Creation day, but 33 years later when Adam and Eve sinned, thus allowing sin and death to enter into the world. This article is not about gematria, numerology, astrology, or the occult. Although men under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible, God was actually the author. Thus we must conclude that either God is a God of numbers (that numbers have significance), or He is not. However, there are too many numerical instances in Scripture to ignore the prodigious correlations. God is perfect in both his works and his words, and according to His own method of creation and sovereignty. The existence we currently live in is built almost entirely on numbers. Whether that is in the numbers describing the size and distance of the planets from the sun, to the mathematical formulas for how we understand the elements that make up our physical world. Therefore, we conclude numbers matter greatly to God, especially certain numbers in scripture that are used repeatedly by Devine design so man can understand their meaning. Nevertheless, this article will only be concentrating on a few numbers and their significance. E.W. Bullinger, the author of the book, Number in Scripture, had this to say about God's work and words: They are both perfect in power, perfect in holiness and righteousness, perfect in design, perfect in execution, perfect in their object and end, and, may we not say, perfect in number. As He is perfect, so His works and His words also must be perfect. And when we see numbers used not by chance, but by design; not at haphazard, but with significance; then we see not merely so many works and words, but the Living God working and speaking. The year 2020 has been (and continues to be) a very tumultuous year, as we can all agree on. Of course, that is all we can agree on these days. The divisiveness of the nation and the world has happened so quickly that it begs the question as to the nature of the rapidity at which it is occurring. Underlying the societal and global divide, of which, politics, religion, governmental philosophies, economics, etc., reside, is the spiritual component. Geo-spiritual affairs have always governed the activities of man, regardless of whether we acknowledge it or not. From the ancient Egyptian's belief in their demigod Pharaohs to the Catholic Crusades, and from Manifest Destiny, to ISIS, our beliefs govern why people (and nations) do what they do. Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul warned us that in the last days, perilous times would come and that our battles would not be with people, but the forces of darkness. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 Still, the speed and intensity of these perilous times are unnerving. It is as if the world has become unwitting recipients of massive psychological-spiritual warfare operation on a global level, and we simply think it is just a byproduct of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Perhaps the reason for this is that Satan knows his time is short, and he is readying his demonic forces to act in preparation for the impending great separation (the Rapture of the Church). He knows it could happen at any moment, thus, he is working quickly to prepare the world for what comes after the Restrainer has been removed. Paul does not specifically identify what or who the restraining force is since the Thessalonians already knew. Many scholars have speculated as to the identity of the restrainer, naming the restraining force as 1) the Roman government; 2) gospel preaching; 3) the binding of Satan; 4) the providence of God; 5) the Jewish state; 6) the church; 7) the Holy Spirit; and 8) Michael the archangel. We believe the restrainer is none other than the Holy Spirit, or we could say the Holy Spirit working through the New Testament church. Supporting the idea that the Holy Spirit within the church is the restrainer is the fact that the restrainer is referenced both as a thing (neuter gender, verse 6) and as a person (masculine gender, verse 7). Also, the power delaying Satan's masterplan to unveil his false messiah must be of God. It makes much more sense to say that the Holy Spirit is curbing the devil than a political entity or even an angel. The Holy Spirit of God is the only Person with sufficient (supernatural) power to do this restraining. The Numbers The number two represents division, opposition, enmity, and oppression. The number 10 stands for perfection of divine order and completeness. The number 20 is reconciled with the perfection of division. Of course, most recognize the number six as being the number for man, with 666 (the number of the Beast), being the multiplication and ultimate perfection of an imperfect man. The number 2020 can be fragmented into two numbers, 2 and 10 (2 x 10 x 10 x 10) + 2 x 10 which equals 2020. "Two is the first number by which we can divide another, and therefore in all its uses we may trace this fundamental idea or division or difference. Where there are two people, ideas, or acts concerned, they can be either in unity or in opposition to one another. Where man is concerned, the number 2 testifies of his fall more often than not, for that difference implies opposition, enmity, and oppression." {1} However with God, 'two' is a good thing and so is the division that comes with it. This is especially true during the time of the creation...in the beginning. On the first day of creation, God said "Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day" (Genesis 1:3-5). On the 2nd day of creation, God divided the waters by making a firmament, which separated the waters, which were under the firmament from the waters above the firmament. God called the firmament heaven. God divided the land from the seas on the 3rd day. He also created all vegetation on this day. On day 4, God made two great lights; the greater light (sun) to rule the day and the lesser light (moon) to rule the night. He divided them (kept them apart) by time and space. He also made the stars. The Bible records many instances of two people who became divided or separated: Cain and Abel, Noah and Ham, Abraham and Lot, Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau (twins who struggled with each other even before they were born), Jacob and Laban, Joseph and his brothers, Saul and David, and many others. The spiritual significance of the number 2 is difference, division, separation, and enmity. Is it beginning to sound familiar yet... as in the year 2020? "The number 10 signifies completeness and the perfection of Divine order." Entire cycles are complete with the number 10. Noah completed the antediluvian age in the 10th generation. The 10 commandments contain all that is necessary for the law to be complete. The Lord's Prayer is completed in 10 clauses. The 10 plagues were representative of the complete circle of God's judgment on Egypt. The tithes of 10% represent the whole of what was due from man to God as marking and recognizing God's claim on the whole." {2} Abraham, the father of many nations, was the 10th generation from Noah and the 20th (2 x 10) generation from Adam. There were 10 rebellions of the children of Israel in the wilderness, which marks the completed series of their sin, and rebellion against God during their 40 years of testing in the wilderness. There are many more examples of the number 10 representing completeness and Divine order in scripture. See more of these here. Next, we come to the number 20 itself, which is the product of 2 and 10 and represents division or separation that is complete or of divine order. For example, Jacob spent 20 years working for his father in law, Laban and was separated from his father and mother. His wages for these 20 years were marriage to Laban's two daughters, Rachel and Leah, and his livestock. Joseph's brothers sold him for 20 shekels of silver to the Ishmaelite's, who took him to Egypt, thus he was separated from his family. No one (including the Levite family of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam) who were twenty years of age or older when they started the journey would survive to enter the Promised Land except for Caleb and Joshua, the two faithful scouts of Israel who trusted and believed in God. Their faith and reward is a prophetic-type in regards to the Rapture of the Saints (Church), where all believers in Christ will enter their new home in the Promised Land of Heaven (the New Jerusalem). Twenty was the age of the men of Israel when they were finally able to serve in the army during the time of Moses and Joshua. At this time, they were separated from their family. During the time of the Judges, the Israelites spent 20 years being oppressed by the King of Canaan due to their apostasy against the Lord. Samson led Israel for 20 years in the days of the Philistines. The Ark of the Covenant was separated from the Israelites for 20 years, for it remained at Kiriath Jearim. These are just a few examples of the number 20 and its Biblical significance. Conclusion In this current year of 2020, we are 13 years away from the prophetic year of 2033. I believe 2033 is prophetic because Jesus could possibly return to the earth at the Second Coming during this year, making the length of his absence exactly 2000 years. Not only is God a God of numbers, but He is precise in His execution. What is in question here is not His perfect timing, but our obvious lack of omniscience. We cannot know exactly when God will return, but if historical consistency and God's word holds true (it will) then we can know with a degree of certainty, the season of His return is soon. The number 13 represents rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, ill omen, and evil power. Does this sound like the year 2020 to you? It certainly seems that the spirit of antichrist is blowing hard across our nation and the world these days. The Bible is full of examples of rebellion, apostasy, division, and evil behavior. Some of these examples are recorded in the 13th chapters of the books of the Old and New Testaments. We will only focus on a couple of them in this article, but it does warrant further study. The first mention of the number 13 is in Genesis 4:14: "Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and the thirteenth year they rebelled." Genesis 13 describes the division of Abraham and Lot and the strife between their herdsmen. This division was necessary due to the lack of land for the great number of cattle for which they both possessed. Abraham told Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and you, and between my herdmen and your herdmen; for we be brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself, I pray you, from me" (Genesis 13:8-9). Abraham then told Lot to choose the land he preferred for his herd. Lot chose all the plain of Jordan and dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly" (Genesis 13:13). Does this verse sound comparative to the inhabitants of the earth living in the year 2020? The most famous example of the number 13 representing evil and apostasy occurs in Revelation 13, where the apostle John introduces the formation of the unholy trinity of Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet. This is Satan's plan to deceive the world into believing that the Antichrist is the long-awaited messiah of the world and is a god who needs to be worshiped. "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (Revelation 13:1). This occurs at the mid-point (in the midst) of the seven-year Tribulation after the remaining seven kings abdicate their authority to the Antichrist. "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty-two months" (Revelation 13:5). Revelation 13:11-17 introduces the false prophet and describes the power he exercises in the presence of the first beast. Revelation 13:13 describes the supernatural miracles he is able to accomplish by Satan's power, such as making fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. Revelation 13:14 describes the event known as the Abomination of Desolation that was first mentioned by Daniel the prophet in Daniel 12:11. Revelation 13:16-18 describes the "mark of the beast" and the number it represents. "Here is wisdom, Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred threescore and six (666)" Revelation 13:18. In my recent article entitled The 30330 Man, I discussed the power and principalities operating behind the scenes of world government officials and the new world order elites. The number 30330, in my opinion, represents their goal of a one world government, religion, and economy. It is the number for the spirit of antichrist that comes before the lawless man himself, the Antichrist. 30330 is the precursor of 666. These demonic powers are paving the way for a one-world government, which in turn will pave the way for the Antichrist. After the 30330 article was published, I received several emails informing me of a new fact regarding this number that I was not aware of, and which had a significant relationship with the article itself. This fact comes in the way of a mathematical equation: 2020/666 = 3.0330... For some reason, the Biden administration chose the number 30330 for his supporters to contact his campaign. So why was this particular number used and why is the Democratic slogan called "Build Back Better"? The Secretary-General of the United Nations had previously used this slogan as a code word for the Great Reset or Climate Change. We believe the answer is because Satan's powers and principalities are using these institutions to bring about a New World Order. There are many speculations, almost as old as the Bible text itself, regarding the meaning of 666 or to whom it is referencing. The Catholic Church states that Irenaeus (130 - 202 A.D.), an early church "father," wrote about whom this number might reference. He stated that the Greek word "Lateinos," when given their corresponding Greek values and added up (30 + 1 + 330 + 5 + 10 + 50 + 70 + 200), equals 666. The word itself means "Latin man." (Source) Although we do not know who the Antichrist is, we do know he will herald from somewhere within the boundaries of the Old Roman Empire (Dan. 9:25-27). As for 2020, we are again, left to speculate as to its significance of the life-changing nature of this year. Perhaps this idea of the new normal is not so much the death of the old world order and the birth of the new, but the start of Satan's groundwork for world-dominance and submission by his chosen man; the beast known as the Antichrist. Satan's demons and human acolytes are working feverishly to bring this plan to fruition. In the short time that is left before the Rapture occurs, we as watchmen on the wall must sound the alarm of the danger that is now at the gate. If you want to know what the future holds, do not go to a medium/physic/astrologer, listen to corrupt politicians, or pay attention to fake news; but instead, read your Bible. It has all the answers you will ever need. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Amen, even so, come quickly Lord Jesus! Endnotes: {1} Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger by Kregal Publications {2} Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger by Kregal Publications Unlike Any Time Before - By Daymond Duck -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/10/18/unlike-any-time-before-by-daymond-duck/ One, on Oct. 6, 2020, Pres. Trump tweeted that he has authorized the total declassification (no redactions) of any and all documents related to the Russian Collusion investigation and the Clinton e-mail scandal. It is now clear from handwritten notes of some Obama Administration officials that they knew that the DNC and Hillary Clinton financed this hoax. It is my opinion that the U.S. government should sue Hillary and the DNC to recover the cost of their deliberate scam. Two, concerning lawlessness, on Oct. 9, 2020, U.S. Sec. of State Pompeo said his department has Hillary Clinton's deleted e-mails, and he will release them perhaps before the election. Clinton said the e-mails had been deleted. Time will tell, but it has been reported that Atty. Gen. Barr has enough evidence to charge former Pres. Obama, former Vice Pres. Biden and several other members of the Obama Administration with espionage and treason against the U.S. If Trump wins, this may happen, but if Biden wins, it will be covered up, and they will get away with it. Three, on Oct. 9, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that a federal court has ordered one of Hunter Biden's former business partners, Devon Archer, to stand trial on securities fraud and conspiracies charges. Hunter Biden is not accused of being involved, but he and Archer served together on the board of a corrupt gas company in Ukraine, and Hunter received large sums of money at a time when Biden's father, now Democrat Pres. Candidate Joe Biden, was in charge of America's dealings with Ukraine. Four, on Oct. 11, 2020, it was reported that a CIA Whistleblower has come forward with documents, audio, e-mails and pictures that prove that Obama and Biden sent $152 billion in cash to Iran to cover up the Benghazi tragedy and the deaths of Seal Team 6. On Oct. 12, 2020, it was reported that Pres. Trump tweeted about this, and the evidence has been turned over to someone in the U.S. Congress for evaluation. On Oct. 13, 2020, Pres. Trump retweeted about this, and another report said the information will come out. If the CIA Whistleblower evidence really exists and it is true, there is proof that Obama, Biden, and Clinton have been lying to the American people about these things and they bribed a terrorist nation to help cover it up. Five, when asked about the signs of His Second Coming, Jesus said, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains" (Matt. 24:15-16). In the Book of Revelation, John wrote about the sun-clothed woman (Israel), and he said, "And the woman fled into the wilderness [for years many prophecy teachers have suggested that the Jews will flee to a place in Jordan called Petra], where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (Rev. 12:6). John added, "And to the woman [Israel] were given two wings of a great eagle [it may be a stretch, but, for years, some prophecy teachers have suggested that the U.S. may fly the Jews to Petra], that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent" (Rev. 14:6). On Oct. 8, 2020, Israel and Jordan agreed to allow the U.S. and a few other nations to fly over Petra. Six, concerning famine, on Oct. 8, 2020, it was reported that Feeding America, a group of more than 200 Food Banks, has estimated that their Food Banks will need three times as much food in the U.S. next year as they received this year. The destruction of crops, factory slowdowns for lack of workers, and natural disasters are impacting America's food supply. Seven, in August 2020, Pastor John MacArthur reportedly said, "From a Biblical standpoint, Christians cannot vote Democratic." He added, "There's no way that a Christian can affirm the slaughter of babies, homosexual activity, homosexual marriage, or any kind of gross immorality." My understanding of Bible prophecy and current events means that Christians that vote Democratic will also be voting for a satanic world government, an anti-Christ world religion, wars and rumors of wars, increased drug abuse, increased violence, persecution of Tribulation-Period believers, the division and attempted destruction of Israel, population control, tracking all buying and selling, and the wrath of God to fall on the earth unlike anything that has ever happened before. It is not my intent to be political, and God is not a politician, but these are moral issues that God spoke about in the Bible. This calls for discernment because there are some Republicans that Christians should not vote for either. Eight, concerning persecution and freedom of religion, several religious groups in New York have filed federal suits for restricting their attendance at religious gatherings. Gov. Cuomo said he doesn't care about people's religion; everyone has to follow the rules of the state. The rules of the state must comply with the rules of the U.S. Constitution, and if one person can set aside the freedom of religion clause in that document, religious citizens are in for persecution. U.S. Supreme Court judges are needed that will require government officials to adhere to the Constitution. Nine, concerning the recent peace treaty between Israel and the UAE, the UAE has officially requested permission to purchase F-35 Fighter Jets from the U.S. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Israel opposes the deal, but they will look for ways to move the deal forward that will guarantee Israel's peace and security (peace and safety). To conclude, America has never seen a time like this. God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin born, sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, was buried and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this. Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc. Daymond Duck duck_daymond@yahoo.com The Green New Deal: Slavery by Any Other Name
- Jonathan Brentner - https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2020/10/10/the-green-new-deal-slavery-by-any-other-name The climate alarmists of our day would have us believe that a grave environmental crisis exists; one that requires immediate and drastic action in order to save the planet. The leaders of the United Nations tell us that the solution requires all nations to submit to a central government, a New World Order. The UN's strategy for resolving the climate emergency consists of seventeen goals that fall under their Agenda 2030. These objectives, however, go far beyond protecting the environment. They call for a Marxist type of government that distributes wealth evenly among all nations and all people. The World Economic Forum (WEF) refers to this redistribution of wealth as the "Great Reset." The quote below comes from the Fox Business website regarding the WEF's meeting in June 2020: We're still in the earliest phase of the Great Reset. The full plan won't be rolled out until January 2021, when the World Economic Forum will host its annual meeting in Davos. But the framework of the plan is clear: By combining many of the money-printing strategies endorsed by Modern Monetary Theory economists with global Green New Deal-like policies and corporate cronyism, the elites at the World Economic Forum can effectively control economic activity on a scale that has never been achieved. The words "effectively control economic activity" sound remarkably similar to the words of Revelation 13, which describe how the beast, the antichrist, will control all the buying and selling worldwide. Agenda 2030 and its United States' equivalent, the Green New Deal, are the engines behind the coming economic control that the elite globalists plan to impose on the world. The Marxist nature of these programs is slavery by any other name. THE CHILLING DETAILS OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL According to Wikipedia, "The Green New Deal (GND) is a proposed package of United States legislation that aims to address climate change and economic inequality." A Washington Post article on February 11, 2019, reports that the GND resolution calls for a "10-year national mobilization" with the following as its key goals that focus as much on wealth redistribution as on the environment: Guaranteeing a job with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations, and retirement security to all people of the United States. Providing all people of the United States with - high-quality health care; affordable, safe, and adequate housing; economic security; and access to clean water, clean air, healthy and affordable food, and nature. Meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources. Repairing and upgrading the infrastructure in the United States, including by eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as technologically feasible. Upgrading all existing buildings in the United States and building new buildings to achieve maximal energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, affordability, comfort, and durability, including through electrification. The GND legislation leaves no aspect of human life outside the realm of government control. Its description on the CNN website provides a frightening and chilling depiction of just how the elite would control all areas of our lives under the GND. With implementation of the GND, a totalitarian government would guarantee the well-being of everyone in the United States. It would regulate all aspects of one's employment, housing, healthcare, availability of food, and of course clean up the environment (a secondary objective of the plan). It would ensure equal outcomes for all with the elite choosing the nature of such "outcomes." Does this not sound a little bit like being in prison? The response of the world to COVID-19 has given the globalists confidence that they can control people through fear. Might there be climate lockdowns in the world's future under the guise of saving the planet from an impending environmental catastrophe? Some are already talking about just a scenario. Mariana Mazzucato, a University College London economics professor who is a member of the U.N. Committee on Development Policy recently wrote the following, "Under a 'climate lockdown,' governments would limit private-vehicle use, ban consumption of red meat, and impose extreme energy-saving measures, while fossil-fuel companies would have to stop drilling." Despite what he said in the debate, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party fully support the GND and will work for its full implementation should they prevail in the election this November. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL Tom Hughes, in a recent prophecy update, played a video from the World Economic Forum (WEF). It portrays the future as a wonderful utopia free of pandemics and all threats to our environment. The leaders of WEF fail to point out, however, the pain and suffering that will come from the move away from fossil fuels they envision under the UN's Agenda 2030 and its US counterpart, the GND. The planting, maintaining, and harvesting of crops requires a tremendous amount of fossil fuels. Beyond that, the food would never make it from the farms to our grocery stores without diesel fuel powering millions of trucks as well as a numerous trains. And without fuel, it would be a very long walk for most of us to get our food home from the store. Alternatives do not exist for all the fuel needed to support all the activities needed to meet the demands of even a fraction of population in the US or in the world. Below is what I wrote in my chapter on the climate alarmists for Lawless-The End Times War Against the Spirit of Antichrist (due for release this month, October 2020) concerning the consequences of the GND should it become law: God designed the world to sustain the large population we have today. This may sound highly controversial, but I believe the Lord provided fossil fuels in the earth for the benefit of mankind. Why else would He have designed the earth with such vast resources of oil, coal, and natural gas and given humanity the knowledge to use it? These resources not only make it possible for food to reach our tables, but for millions of people to survive the harsh winters of the north. These enormous reserves did not come into being apart from God's sovereign purposes nor did they originate from decaying dinosaurs. It would have required an astronomically high number of decomposing prehistoric animals to create the gigantic reservoirs of natural gas and oil that exist beneath the earth's surface. Climatologist Dr. Pat Michaels says eliminating all fossil fuels would reduce the average earth temperature by .14 degrees Celsius. "That's a very small change for putting humanity back in the Stone Age." The implementation of the Green New Deal would lead to record high fuel costs and with that soaring and out of control food prices. Those with fixed incomes would have no opportunity to keep up with the skyrocketing inflation. The economic fallout would devastate life in the United States and lead to starvation on a massive scale. As Dr. Michaels said, it just might push us back in "the stone age." But do not panic; the Lord told us thousands of years ago that this would happen. BIBLICAL PROPHECY PROVIDES A BIBLICAL CONTEXT FOR THE FUTURE NEW WORLD ORDER Amir Tsarfati explains how the current climate-change hysteria furthers Satan's agenda for a world government: The Bible describes the man of sin, the Antichrist, as a man who will have the reins for a world government handed over to him. Involved with this will also be a world religion that will help subject all things under his evil control. The Bible indicates that this man is going to rise from what we now know as Europe (Daniel 7). This climate change hysteria is doing nothing but screaming for the world to let the globalist regime have more control. Eventually, things are going to get to the point where the economic, political, and even religious platforms of the world are going to be right where Satan wants them in order for this man to take control. The Great Reset championed by the World Economic Forum is nothing new. Both Daniel and the Apostle John prophesied about just such a world government would emerge during the Tribulation (Daniel 7; Revelation 13). The globalists who push for a New World Order act as Satan's minions promoting his agenda to put his man, the Antichrist, in charge of all the nations just as the Bible says will happen in the last days. Yes, it's exceedingly disheartening to watch the push for a totalitarian world government gain popularity under the deceptive guise of climate alarm. We must keep in mind, however, that not only does the Bible tell us this will happen someday, it provides details of the destruction of Satan's kingdom at the Second Coming of Jesus (Rev. 19:11-20:10). The Lord Jesus will totally destroy both the antichrist and his kingdom at His Second Coming. What we see in our world is precisely what the Bible said would happen in the last days; a New World Order of some sort will take finally shape before or during the initial stages of the seven-year tribulation. We already see the planning for this New World Order in the United States' GND, in Agenda 2030 of the United Nations, and in The Great Reset of the WEF. All these programs have the same goal of unifying the world under the control of the elite globalists. The Great Reset will not be the utopia the WEF advertises it to be; it will enslave all who are alive at the time. The good news is that we will already be with Jesus in the place He has prepared for us before the antichrist rises to worldwide power (John 14:2-3; 2 Thess. 2:1-8). We will not see the sudden destruction that will kick off the day of the Lord; that is the Lord's promise to us. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) Maranatha!! Rewards at the Rapture and the Great White Throne Judgement - by Pastor Mike Taylor -
https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/10/rewards-at-rapture-and-great-white.html 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) How is Christianity different from all other man-made religions? Being a Christian is the only hope for the believer that after we die, we gain what we can only imagine in this life. It's not like the Muslim who fears a non-existent god whose only call is for them to die a martyr for "allah". Or the Buddhist who believes in a long dead philosopher that is only good for this life and attempt to live morally. For the Christian, to die is to gain....everything. 9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1st Corinthians 2:9) As one who has put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by grace through faith, I have sat and meditated on what it will be like when Jesus comes for His church and we are forever with the Lord. You know what? I can't even imagine what it will be like. I can only feel in my spirit that it will be thousands of times greater than whatever we can achieve in this life. This life is but a warm up for the next one (the one that counts). Everyone of us want to go to heaven, as this earth is nothing but sin and misery. Oh, God gives us the things that are necessary to endure the years we have on this earth, so we can work for Him, and He knows what we need to endure this life. But we are but pilgrims in a land that is not our home. We search for a home not built with hands, but is waiting for us, as Jesus will bring us to His Father's House and where our mansions are being made right now. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." (John 14:1-4) But the rub of the point is we will cling to this life with both hands until the very last second, as we pray for long life even if we acknowledge the joy that we want to go home. It is bred into our DNA that is called the sympathetic nervous system, or "fight or flight" to preserve life. Even though we know the next life is by far better than the one we now live, we fight to live a long life. God gave us a commandment that our days would be long on this earth: "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:2-3) With what has been said, it appears quite contradictory. The promise is that we will live a long life upon the earth by honoring our father and mother in this life. Knowing our doctrine of to "die is gain" it would seem illogical to reward believers with a long life on this earth. As the old saying goes, "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." Atheists are quick to point out the seeming inconsistency to that position as 'evidence' that our faith, no matter how staunchly we might defend it, is really just a sham, like whistling past the graveyard. I have a brother in law that is a self proclaimed atheist, that believes that this life is all there is, and that the whole heaven and hell thing is nothing but a fairy tale, because as he says, "everybody dies", which Karl Marx called the "opiate of the masses" to give some type of meaning for the inevitable of a person dying. Or so my brother in law points out. The contradiction is in my brother in laws mind, if heaven was real, wouldn't all of us be standing at the cliff waiting for our chance to jump? Of course, his argument is deliberately misleading, as the argument forgets the obvious of what we mentioned what is ingrained into our DNA...but the Christian doesn't fear death, but the getting there is what nobody wants to speak of. I have no FEAR of being dead, because I know of whom I have believed. "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) But being dead is far different that getting dead. The fear anyone has is getting there, than it is of BEING there. So the promise given by God that "my days be long upon the earth" is attractive to the mortal flesh, because none of us are eager or looking forward to the jumping off point, even though we long to be clothed with immortality. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked." ( 2nd Corinthians 5:1-3) No one wants to die prematurely, that is before the fullness of days for one's chances to do what is right will have all been used up. Someday, I will stand before my Lord Jesus Christ and be rewarded for what I have accomplished in this life, for HIM, not for myself. None of us know how much time we have left, so we should not waste a moment, as I know within myself of what I have wasted already, so I can't afford to spare another second for anything but the glory of God. WE ARE GIVEN TALENTS. While a Christian in this life expects to go to heaven when they die, speaking for myself, I would hate to show up at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ alone, with no fruit to show for my existence. Jesus spoke of this very thing of three servants to bring the point home for the disciples and those who were listening to His sermon that day. "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey." (Matthew 25:15-16) There is an eternal truth that is often overlooked in this parable that Jesus spoke of. In the ancient times, a talent was a measure of gold. It is not in reference to "talents" like singing or playing a musical instrument, although they are worthy to be given to the Glory of God in church services, but what is the most precious item that God imparts to His children that is worth much gold in His eyes? To me, the one thing that is most precious to God our Father, is His Word. It is what God is about. His Word will not come back to Him void. 10 "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11) Each of us are given a portion of God's Word to share with the world. The parable of the nobleman, which is synonymous with God our Father, "gives each of us" talents of His Word that He gives us to understand, discern and expects each of us to share it with the lost of this world. Those abilities to witness, to preach, to minister, and to tend to the widow and the orphans of this world are given as God sees fit to allow service within this earth and bring us to the Kingdom of God as Kings and Priest to God. That is not only for your local pastor, but for each individual that looks to Jesus for Salvation. "Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two." (Matthew 25:17) Note that the servant that was given the most produced the most. But then we turn our attention to the end of the parable where the unprofitable servant hid His Master's talents in the ground. "But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money." (Matthew 25:18) The parable shows that two of the Lord's servants invested their Lord's money (His talent, His Word) so that when the Lord returns He receives what is His with interest. What interest? The sharing of the Word of God to bring lost souls to repentance. We may only be planting seeds, and another waters, but the Holy Spirit gives the increase. Note the first two servants are rewarded handsomely and were commended on their service: 20 "And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."( Matthew 25:21-23) But what of the unprofitable servant? The reward is much different than for the first two servants. 24 "Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."(Matthew 25:24-30) The Lord orders that the unprofitable servant be stripped of what what he has and give it to the servant who produced the most, and to be cast into outer darkness, " where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth". These verses are often used to 'prove' a believer can lose his salvation, but it only works by taking the verses out of context. In context, Jesus is teaching concerning the fate of the "nations"on the last day, not that of individual believers, as the next verses make clear. 32 "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" (Matthew 25:32-34) As you read further into the chapter, those things that have been done to the least of their brethren, so has it been done to Jesus Christ. This is in direct reference of those who have ministered to His people, (the Jewish brethren) during the Tribulation and have protected them in peril even for their own life. But those who treated them harshly or gave them up to the coming beast power will be sorely punished, as they have not really had the Spirit of our Lord within them, but only professed an empty religiousity of empty rituals that most likely could refer to the One World Religion and those who will be led astray by the coming False Prophet. But, while the unprofitable servant story is ultimately referring to the separation into the 'sheep' and 'goat' nations in the last day, it also gives some insight into what the Lord expects us to do with the "talents" He gave each of us right now, in our time before the coming HARPAZO or the forceful removal of the Church, we know as the rapture. The Bema Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ As spoken of, we are given certain "talents" from the Lord and He expects us to give Him "His own with usary"---That is to say that our Lord expects us to show up at the judgment seat of Christ with more than just ourselves. Note this is not a judgment as the coming "White Throne Judgment" at the end of the Age of Mankind, but this is a "reward" banquet to give each of those who have accepted Jesus as Personal Savior, rewards and benefits that is given to those who have used their abilities to win souls for Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul likens a believer to a building set on the foundation of Jesus Christ and says that it is, from then on, up to us to build upon it. 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." (1st Corinthians 3:10-11) Each of us will be given rewards for what is built upon this foundation, which is Christ the Lord. We are free to build whatever on this foundation with building materials of our own choosing, or eternal security is based upon this foundation, not our subsequent construction efforts. 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." (1st Corinthians 3:12-13) Each work we perform that is built upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ will be tested to see what sort of work it is....those that have used silver, gold or precious stones will receive a reward, as they will last. But not those of wood, hay, or stubble as each will be tested with the Fire of God. This is the believer's judgment and you can loose rewards for lazy service much like the unprofitable servant, but you cannot loose you salvation, or that has been guaranteed from the foundation of the world as an earnest deposit of our future glorification. When the apostle Paul wrote this epistle, the judge of the Olympic games would sit at the finish line and his job was to determine the position of each runner when they finished the race. He would decide who was first, second, third and so on, for the purpose of rewarding medals according to placement, just as we do in our modern Olympics. This conveys a singularly important truth. EVERYBODY that makes it past the Bema Seat FINISHED the race. The Bema Seat is where the Judge awards the medals based on performance. And as Paul told us in verse 13 above, our work will be tested by fire. But each person will be saved, "as through the fire". Because each one standing belong to Christ, their reward will be based on service to God, but even the lazy Christian with God's Holy Spirit residing, will come through the fire with salvation intact, excluding rewards. "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." You can't get to the Bema Seat of Christ on intellectual "head knowledge" of Jesus, as even Satan and the demons believe and they are not saints. Believing is not enough. 19" Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19-20) Head knowledge must become heart knowledge, that those who by faith have repented of their sinful condition, changed their mind about God, and do a total 180 degree turn around and follow Jesus Christ in His footsteps and have accepted the Free Pardon secured for them at the Cross at Calvary. And, as we've seen, repentance ALWAYS results in a changed life, but a changed life isn't the same thing as a life of sinless perfection. Individuals are redeemed or condemned according to the single criteria of either accepting or rejecting Christ. I don't know about you, but speaking for myself only, I only want to hear those words by my Lord Jesus when I stand before Him, and hear Him say, "well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of they Lord"...Anything else the Lord gives me will be icing on the cake, whether a crown of righteousness, or being a King and a Priest and ruling many cities, or being a teacher of righteousness to point others to salvation, it all comes down to doing the will of God and being praised for a "job well done". I pray that my Lord is pleased with me. GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT We have been speaking of a coming judgment at the Bema Judgment seat of Christ that is a reward for service for those who have followed our Lord in faith believing on Him as our Savior, and doing what each of us are able to do while in our mortal state by following His commands and doing His will. But there is coming another judgment of those who have not accepted Jesus as Personal Savior of their lives. This will come when the element of time is abolished and the rule of mankind is over and just before eternity begins that all nations left will be gathered together to stand before the Judge of all the earth to be condemned. 11 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (Revelation 20:11-13) The books that will be opened are, I believe, the books of your Bible, that saves or condemns each man or woman. Each of these are given immortal bodies, just as the Church was given to receive a glorious future of immortality and live eternally in God's presence. But those who stand before God, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has been given the right to judge the nations by God our Father, will examine each person and run His finger down the ledger of the Book of Life to look for YOUR name. There is only one way that your NAME will be found and that is sometime in the past you were offered the the grace and mercy of God through the finished work of Christ dying on the Cross at Calvary and shed His blood for all mankind. Every person ever born that has rejected the Free Gift of eternal life through accepting Jesus as Lord of their life, now stands before the Supreme Judge of all mankind to have the formality of being found still in their sins and not forgiven in the life they lived while on earth. Their own righteousness was not enough. Their own good deeds and doing their own will is not good enough, because in the final analysis, our righteousness are worthless before God. 5" Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities." (Isaiah 64:5-7) Those that God saved were clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, but here those that stand here are clothed in their own righteousness, as the interpretation of ours being as filthy rags, is equated to a woman's used menstrual cloth (a very unclean thing because of unforgiven sin). God will not allow sin to be in His presence and the only way to stand before God Almighty is through the sacrifice of His Son. No one standing here will be able to make an excuse, given a second chance, or be allowed into Heaven's glory, but will receive the ultimate punishment for their rejection of the only payment for their sins, Jesus Christ, Him crucified and resurrected who is now YOUR Judge. 13 "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:13-15) WHERE ARE YOU IN THIS LIFE? The aforementioned long life, is for the Christian a chance to do more for God and bear fruit worthy of repentance. Every morning is a second chance to do the right thing in the eyes of God and to invest the "talents" we have been given so that we may return to God what is His plus interest, or lost souls reached for God. One day, you and I will stand before the Judge of all the earth. Some will stand before the Bema Judgment Seat to receive rewards for service of a well lived life found in Jesus Christ that bore fruit for our King Jesus. Others will stand before the Great White Throne where they will be judged according to their own works done in their own behalf and to receive the "ultimate reward" or penalty for their own self righteousness. Where one stands in those days of judgment depends on a simple act of repentance receiving the grace and mercy through God our Father, based on the sacrifice of His only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Will you use your talents that God has given you for your own selfish interest, or will you use the talents that God gives you to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God? Will you humble yourself and cry out to God for mercy and to ask Him to save you? 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) Then because of God's grace and love reach out to others and witness to them of the love you have found in God building rewards that will be given to those who bring the love of God to others. The Bema Judgment Seat will be coming for those who have found the truth of the above verses and proclaim that Truth to all who enter your life. 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) The alternative is beyond anyone's comprehension of what will come to those who reject God's Love and are not found with their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. No one would want to endure what those who are thrown away from God's presence in outer darkness where the fire is not quenched, the worm dieth not, and there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Choose you this day where your eternal destiny lies. A hope of life of glory, or a life in eternity filled with torment and suffering. 21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 1:21-25) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your salvation and being standing there with me there at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ and avoiding the Great White Throne condemnation. I pray for my brother in law. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, email me pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, . God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEE |
AuthorVarious Archives
February 2021
Categories |
Proudly powered by Weebly
This Site Was Updated By The Computer Group
|