By
William F. Dankenbring
On April 5, 30 A.D., Jesus Christ was crucified on the 14th of Nisan, the day of the Passover sacrifice. But several other events happened that year, recorded in history, which were strange and foreboding of the future. A remarkable year indeed...
IN the gospel accounts dealing with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we find that strange events occurred, surrounding the event of the crucifixion, stamping it in the memory of man and God. Such a significant year in the history of all mankind would hardly seem to be allowed to pass without some "sign" or "wonders". Indeed, although unbelievers continue to deny the facts, 30 A.D. was a strange, anomalous year.
In the book of Matthew we read:
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.... Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit. And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks were split; and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints that slept were raised, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now, when the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” - (Matthew 27:45-54).
Writes Alfred Edersheim in The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah:
“And now a shudder ran through Nature, as its Sun had set. We dare not do more than follow the rapid outlines of the Evangelistic narrative. As the first token, it records the rending of the Temple-Veil in two from the top downward to the bottom; as the second, the quaking of the earth, the rending of the rocks and the opening of the graves.., while the rending of the Veil is recorded first, as being the most significant token to Israel, it may have been connected with the earthquake, although this alone might scarcely account for the tearing of so heavy a Veil from the top to the bottom. Even the latter circumstance has its significance. That some great catastrophe, betokening the impending destruction of the Temple, had occurred in the Sanctuary about this very time, is confirmed by not less than four mutually independent testimonies: those of Tacitus, of Josephus, of the Talmud, and of earliest Christian tradition. The most important of these are, of course, the Talmud and Josephus. The latter speaks of the mysterious extinction of the middle and chief light in the Golden Candlestick, forty years before the destruction of the Temple; and both he and the Talmud refer to a supernatural opening by themselves of the great Temple-gates that had been previously closed, which was regarded as a portent of the coming destruction of the Temple” (p.610).
The Temple was destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D. Forty years before that date would be 30 A.D. - the year of the crucifixion!
Says Josephus, in his Wars of the Jews:
“Thus also, before the Jewish rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus [Nisan] and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day-time; which light lasted for half an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it. At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was being led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple. Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner, [court of the temple,] which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night. Now, those that kept watch in the temple came thereupon running to the captain of the temple, and told him of it; who then came up thither, and not without great difficulty was able to shut the gate again. This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy prodigy, as if God did thereby open them the gate of happiness. But the men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the advantage of their enemies. So these publicly declared, that this signal foreshewed the DESOLATION that was coming upon them” - (IV,5,3).
In early writings of the church fathers, Jerome in a Letter to Hedibia relates that the huge lintel of the Temple was broken and splintered and fell. He connects this with the rending of the Veil. Says Edersheim, “it would seem an obvious inference to connect again this breaking of the lintel with an earthquake” (p. 610, op. cit.). The lintel was an enormous stone, being at least 30 feet long and weighing some 30 tons!
The Temple Veils were 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and the thickness of the palm of a man’s hand, wrought in 72 squares. They were so heavy that we are told 300 priests were needed to manipulate each one. The Veil being rent from top to bottom was such a terrible portent because it indicated that God’s Own Hand had torn it in two, His Presence thus deserting and leaving that Holy Place.
Says the Jewish Talmud in Yoma 39b of the events which occurred in 30 A.D.:
“Forty years before the Temple was destroyed [i.e., 40 years before 70 A.D., or in 30 A.D.] . . .the gates of the Hekel [Holy Place] opened by themselves, until Rabbi Yohanan B. Zakkai rebuked them [the gates] saying, Hekel, Hekel, why alarmist thou us? We know that thou art destined to be destroyed...”
For the huge doors of the Temple behind the Veil to open, of their own accord, or in association with the great earthquake, would cause them to pull powerfully against the Veil, and with the lintel falling, at the same time, could have torn it in two from top to bottom.
This same year, 30A.D., the Sanhedrin had to abandon the Chamber of Hewn Stones, near the Holy Place in the Temple, which was its official seat or location. This was about 40 yards southeast of the entrance to the Holy Place. In 30 A.D. the Sanhedrin had to move to another location, called “The Trading Place,” farther to the east and a much less significant spot. To be forced to move from a beautiful, gorgeous, awesome location in the Temple to a spot much less beautiful, esteemed, and reverential, must have seemed a terrible “put down.” Says the Talmud:
“Forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the Sanhedrin was BANISHED (from the Chamber of Hewn Stone) and sat in the trading station (on the Temple Mount)” - (Shabbat 15a).
Forty years before the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. is 30 A.D. - the very year of the crucifixion of the Messiah! Why was the Sanhedrin moved in the very year Jesus was crucified? Could it also have been forced to do so because of damage due to the earthquake associated with the crucifixion of Jesus - and be direct punishment for their complicity in handing Jesus over to the Romans? Was this evidence of God’s official displeasure with their actions?
Prior to the War with Rome, Josephus tells us that the Sanhedrin had to move once again. This time they moved to an area outside the Temple complex, in an ordinary part of Jerusalem - actually a place west of the Temple near a building called the Xystus (see Josephus’ Wars of the Jews, V,4, 2).
What a come-down! Says Ernest Martin in his book Secrets of Golgatha:
“If an earthquake of the magnitude capable of breaking the stone lintel at the top of the entrance to the Holy Place was occurring at the exact time of Christ’s death, then what would such an earthquake have done to the Chamber of Hewn Stones (a vaulted and columned structure) no more than 40 yards away from where the stone lintel fell and the curtain was torn in two?”
“There is every reason to believe, though the evidence is circumstantial, that the Chamber of Hewn Stones was so damaged in the same earthquake that it became structurally unsafe from that time forward. Something like this had to have happened because the Sanhedrin would not have left this majestic chamber (to take up residence in the insignificant ‘Trading Place’) unless something approaching this explanation took place” - (p.230-231).
Martin is right! They would not have made such a humiliating move - voluntarily! It had to be forced upon them by circumstance. There is no record of the Roman government compelling such a move - they stayed out of Jewish religious life. Nor would Herod the king have been responsible - to offend the entire Sanhedrin would have been a disastrous political mistake. Only a “natural cause” which men could not remedy would seem plausible for causing such a move.
Martin goes on:
“If this is actually what happened (and I have no doubt that it did), we then have a most remarkable witness that God the Father engineered every action happening on the day of Christ’s trial and crucifixion. It means that the judgment made by the official Sanhedrin against Jesus within the Chamber of Hewn Stones, was THE LAST JUDGMENT ever given by the official Sanhedrin in their majestic chambers within the Temple! It would show that God the Father demonstrated by the earthquake at Christ’s death that the sentence of the Sanhedrin against Jesus would be the last judgment it would ever make in that authorized place!” - (p.231).
But this is not all. The events of the year 30 A.D. are amazing, when viewed from the perspective of almost 2,000 years later. Why did so many anomalous events occur during that one single year? Why did so many “curses” begin that very year? Why was the Sanhedrin so obviously rebuked by God that year, by being forced to “relocate” to a much lesser station than that which they previously held? Writes Rabbi Leibel Reznick in The Holy Temple Revisited:
“Although this was the largest structure on top of the entire Temple Mount, the purpose and function of the Basilica is not recorded anywhere.
The TALMUD tells us that when the Sanhedrin (Supreme Court) CEASED TO JUDGE CAPITAL OFFENCES, they MOVED from the Supreme Court chambers to the ‘shopping mall’ (Rosh HaShana 31a). This shopping mall was located on the Temple Mount (Rashi) ... Perhaps this shopping mall was located within the Royal Basilica. Because this area was built on Herod’s extension, it did not have the sanctity of the Temple itself, and commerce would have been permitted” (Jason Aronson, Inc., Northvale, New Jersey, 1993, p.69).
Notice! The year the Sanhedrin was moved was 30 A.D., the year Christ was crucified. This was also the year they CEASED to judge capital offences! This “authority” was thenceforth removed from their purview, denied to them - another withering rebuke to the sages of the Court which so injudiciously and intemperately MISJUDGED the Messiah Himself! Writes Craig Blomberg of this event:
“...the claim that the Romans retained the sole right of capital punishment (John 18:31) has often been termed a Johanine error, especially in view of the counter-example in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). But this right is strikingly confirmed by a passage in the Talmud, which says that capital punishment had been taken from the Jews FORTY YEARS before the destruction of the temple in A.D.70 (pSanh. 1:1,7:2). Stephen’s stoning reads more like mob action which defied technical legalities” - (The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, by Craig Blomberg, Inter-Varsity Press, 1987, p. 179).
It was the very year of the crucifixion that the Jews were denied the right to perform capital punishment by the Romans. When the members of the Jewish Supreme Court brought Jesus to Pilate, he told then “Take him and judge him according to your law.” But they replied, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death” - (John 18:31). Yet they connived and pressured Pilate and stirred up the crowd to demand the crucifixion of Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One of God (John 18:32-40; 19:1-16).
Great trouble and trial has come upon the Jewish nation ever since this moment frozen in time in 30 A.D. As He was led away to be crucified, Jesus warned the women of Jerusalem,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep foryourselves, and for your children.
For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” - (Luke 23:28-31).
Truly, that was a memorable year of infamy!
Jun 15, 2008
May 27, 2008
Why I No Longer Believe in the 7 Years of Tribulation
Why I no longer believe in-------
SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION.
For more than twenty five years I was a staunch pre-tribulationist. You can read my testimony at http://www.propheticoutreach.blogspot.com . After reading the “Pre Wrath Rapture” by Marvin Rosenthal in 1998, I began a search for the truth regarding Bible Prophesy, and in particular------Bible Eschatology. I had known as much, or maybe more, about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, that most PEW SHEEP in the “church” of America. I knew all about the “Seventieth Week of Daniel”, and the source of that late eschatology. The whole “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION” hinges on Daniel 9:27, and the revelation by an Angel that reads as such-----“and he shall confirm the covenant with many for ONE WEEK [of years], and in the MIDST of the week [Shabbat—7], he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease”. This verse has been translated by modern eschatologists to mean that the future ANTICHRIST will cause the [re-instituted] sacrifice [in the Tribulation Temple], to cease in the “midst” of the “seventieth week of Daniel” which is a FUTURE------SEVEN YEAR EVENT. Multitudes, upon multitudes, of books have been written about this particular eschatology. It has become so pervasive in contemporary Christianity so as to cause the words “seven years of tribulation” to spill off the lips of even the LEAST of prophecy students as cliché as “cleanliness is next to godliness”---------and just as un-biblical!
Let’s begin at the beginning; This same angel of the book of Daniel declares “seventy weeks [shabuah Shabbat/ 70-7s] are determined upon THY PEOPLE [the JEWS], and upon THY HOLY CITY [Jerusalem], to-----
1. finish the transgression
2. make an end of sins
3. make reconciliation for iniquity
4. bring in everlasting righteousness
5. seal up the vision and prophecy
6. anoint the most Holy
Then the passage goes on to say: “know therefore and understand---------that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, UNTO MESSIAH THE PRINCE shall be
A. seven weeks [seven 7’s]
B. three score and two weeks [sixty two 7’s]l
“the streets shall be built again, even in troublous times”. The streets were repaired during the FIRST WEEK [seven years] of the decree.
C. And AFTER [the] THREE SCORE AND TWO WEEKS [sixty two 7’s] shall Messiah be CUT OFF---------but NOT FOR HIMSELF”
Now here is where the confusion begins as the passage begins a description of the destruction of the SECOND TEMPLE [Herod’s Temple] in 70 ad.
D. “and the people of THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary------“
We’ll stop here for a close examination of this portion of the passage. WHO, may I ask,-----will destroy the Temple? It is “THE PEOPLE of the PRINCE TO COME” ! Now-----WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?----------They are the Syrian Wing of the ROMAN ARMY! That is an historical FACT!! Jesus prophesied this event just before he was sacrificed on the stauros. NOW-----------who was the PRINCE of these ROMAN TROOPS?---------IT WAS TITUS--------that is also AN HISTORICAL FACT, and yet modern eschatologists would have us to believe that this portion of the passage somehow LEAPS through a TWO THOUSAND YEAR gap between the “PEOPLE” who destroy the Temple, and their PRINCE-----who history shows to be the ROMAN PRINCE/GENERAL named TITUS. Let’s return to the passage:
E. “and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war; desolations are determined”
Other translations say “and UNTO THE END----desolations are determined”. NOW we have a legitimate “GAP” since “DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED UNTO THE END-------------end of WHAT?----------the SEVENTY WEEKS!
F. “and he [a personal pronoun] shall confirm the covenant with many-------“
The pronoun “he” refers to the LAST identifiable PERSONAL PROPER NOUN of the passage. This linguistic rule applies both to English, and Hebrew. The LAST identifiable PERSONAL PROPER NOUN of this passage is----------------MESSIAH! IT IS MESSIAH THAT CAUSED THE SACRIFICE and oblations FOR SIN----------TO CEASE, when he cried out------“IT IS FINISHED”, and the veil that separates the Holy Place from the HOLY OF HOLIES was RIPPED -----------TOP TO BOTTOM!
Heb 10:2
For then would they not HAVE CEASED TO BE OFFERED? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
It is clear in this passage that the SACRIFICES HAD CEASED to be offered, even before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. When the veil of the Temple was rent TOP to BOTTOM---------the sacrifices CEASED !
Hos 3:4-5
4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, WITHOUT A SACRIFICE or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness IN THE LATTER DAYS NKJV
Hos 6:1-3
Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
2 After TWO DAYS He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
NKJV
These verses clearly speak of the days of desolation determined on the Jewish people, their ability to sacrifice, and their Temple-----FOR TWO MILLINIAL DAYS as evidenced in the passage. -------from the days of Hosea----to THE LATTER DAYS.
HE-----------------MESSIAH--------caused the sacrifice for sin to CEASE!!------and desolations [for Jerusalem] were determined UNTO THE END!
Gal 3:15-18
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say , that the COVENANT THAT WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
KJV
This COVENANT was confirmed in the ENTIRETY of the seventieth week, consummated at the stauros-------and will be realized fully to Israel WHEN THEY SEE HIM coming in the clouds of glory. This is the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27
And now to the SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL
In 458 B.C., the decree of Artaxerxes went forth to rebuild Jerusalem [Ezera 7:11-16]. Ezra 7:12-8:1
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
This was the BIRTH POINT of the SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL as revealed in Daniel 9:24. Adding the initial “SEVEN WEEKS [49 years]” for “rebuilding the streets”, to the following SIXTY TWO WEEKS [of years], we arrive at a total of SIXTY NINE weeks of years or------7 X 69 = 483 years from that decree, to the BAPTISM of Messiah in Jordan [Tishri 15/Tabernacles] in the year 26 a.d. [Luke 3:21-23 “and he began to be about THIRTY YEARS OLD”],------- having discovered the BIRTHDATE OF MESSIAH in Luke 1 and 2--------TABERNACLES, and confirmed in Luke 3:21-23, This baptism in Jordan was the beginning of the SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL---------and in the MIDST OF THE WEEK [three and one half years of Messiah’s ministry]---HE---------MESSIAH--------CAUSED THE SACRIFICE for sin TO CEASE-------and desolations were determined TO THE END. The FIRST HALF of the 70th week was fulfilled in Christ’s ministry, and death. We have ONLY the SECOND HALF of the week remaining to be fulfilled. If you doubt this, then I encourage you to find “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION” in your New Testament-------GO AHEAD----------JUST TRY. AH AH now, don’t try adding together, those passages in Rev. [time, times, and a half----forty two months-----and “three and one half years”]. It is VERY CLEAR that these three time frames are SYNONOMOUS. FACT: There is not one reference to “SEVEN YEARS” of tribulation in the New Testament. Listen to the voice of the angel of the book of Daniel:
Dan 11:30-32
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
Tell me this:------WHAT ABOMINATION [singular] WAS EVER SET UP IN THE PASSAGE OF DANIEL 9:27 ?-----it states “for the overspreading of ABOMINATIONS [plural]-----it shall be desolate”. ABOMINATIONS------PLURAL. The reference to Antichrist speaks of the ABOMINATION------SINGULAR-------being SET UP ! Do you see the STARK DIFFERENCE ?
KJV
Dan 12:6 - Hos 1:1
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
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.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
KJV
It is abundantly clear that the time of TRIBULATION will be THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS. A “SEVEN YEAR” tribulation is FICTIONAL. That is why there is no mention of “seven years” in the most profound record of scriptural eschatology that we can rely on---------that being---Matthew 24/ Mark 13, the Olivette Discourse..
When Antichrist is revealed:
Matt 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
KJV
AND
2 Thess 2:1-4
2 Thessalonians 2
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
KJV
SIR ROBERT ANDERSON
Much of the doctrine concerning a “seven year” peace covenant for the safety, and protection of Israel---------confirmed by Antichrist himself-----is the contrivance of Sir Robert Anderson. This eschatological SPIN was adopted into pre-tribulationism as that late eschatology took root, and eventually became the dominant force in the American church. Sir Robert is esteemed as NEAR TO GENIUS in his works in Bible apologetics. One OUTRAGEOUS work that he has done, is to proclaim the LAST SUPPER, as the Passover Seder-------and the crucifixion of Christ on the FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD [15 Nissan], which completely disregards MOUNTAINS of scriptural evidence otherwise. It is clear to me that Sir Robert postulates PRIOR to his studies, and craftily weaves his apologetics into his outrageous scenarios. Having said this ----------the challenge remains---------WHERE DO YOU FIND A “PEACE TREATY FOR SEVEN YEARS” in your New Testament? WHERE DO YOU FIND “SEVEN YEARS” AT ALL?
MATTHEW HENRY
Matthew Henry [though a historicist] certainly exceeds the “genius” of one Robert Anderson. He, AS MANY OTHERS, recognized the MINISTRY of CHRIST as being the FIRST HALF of the Seventieth Week. Of course he errs, as do ALL historicists, in concluding that the entire 70th week is an historic event.
COINCIDENCE?
Is it simply a COINCIDENCE that the ministry of Jesus began at Jordan ON HIS THIRTIETH BIRTHDAY, and that his baptism occurred at the conclusion of the SIXTY NINTH WEEK?. Is it mere HAPPENSTANCE that he was crucified EXACTLY THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LATER----------TO THE DAY---------HALF THE WEEK! It is beyond MY mental ability to DISMISS such evidence. Is it some sort of FREEK EVENT, that the veil of the Holy Place was torn top to bottom exactly three and one half years from that time when the Spirit of God descended upon Messiah at Jordan? TOO MUCH-----JUST TOO MUCH for me to believe that these things are coincidence.
ALL OF THESE THINGS------
All of these things MUST OCCUR INSIDE the Seventy Weeks!
A. finish the transgression
B. end sin
C. Reconciliation for iniquity [Is.53:4-5]
Isa 53:6
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.
KJV
Some proclaim that these Messianic verses of Daniel 9, are concluded at the END OF THE AGE, as Israel is collectively redeemed. Let’s see what the New Testament says;
1 Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: BY WHOSE STRIPES WE ARE HEALED[a reference to Isaiah 53] .
KJV ------------This is a CLEAR reference to the historicity of the fulfillment of that RECONCILLIATION promised WITHIN the Seventy Weeks of Daniel. It is therefore IMPOSSIBLE that the sacrifice of Messiah could be OUTSIDE the 70th Week--------and within that renowned “GAP”.
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
KJV
Gal 1:4-5
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
KJV
Heb 1:3-4
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
KJV
1 Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
KJV
1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
KJV
1 John 2:2-3
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
KJV
1 John 3:5-6
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
KJV
1 John 4:10-11
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
KJV
Rev 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
KJV
D. bring in everlasting righteousness
E. seal up the vision and prophecy [Jn.19:30] “IT IS FINISHED”
F. and to anoint the most Holy
John 1:32-33
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
KJV
Luke 3:22-23
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
KJV
Mark 1:10-11
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
KJV
Matt 3:16-17
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.-------“AND TO ANNOINT THE MOST
HOLY”--------DAN.9
KJV
THE GAP
Remember that the angel that spoke to Daniel revealed that the above CRITERIA for the mission of Messiah --------MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE SEVENTY WEEKS! In modern eschatology, there is a TWO THOUSAND YEAR GAP between the end of the Sixty Ninth Week-----and the beginning of Seventieth Week. Since the 69th week ended BEFORE Christ’s crucifixion---------this places the REDEMPTION OF MANKIND ----------IN THE GAP! There can be no redemption outside the Seventy Weeks-----hence, No redemption at all.
Of course we know that we have been redeemed at the Stauros-------the crucifixion. The question is; Was this redemption acquired INSIDE the Seventy Weeks-------or in that now renowned “GAP”?
THE TRIBULATION
It is clearly stated in the Old, and New Testaments; that the demarcation point for the Tribulation is the ABOMINATION spoken of by Daniel. Jesus emphasizes; “let the reader UNDERSTAND”! There is NO “SEVEN YEAR PEACE COVENANT” for the “safety, and protection of Israel”, This is nothing but non-biblical drivel which has been published abroad. Isaiah clearly refers to a COVENANT WITH HELL-------but NEVER attaches a “SEVEN YEAR” timeframe to that covenant.
Isa 28:15
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
KJV
-----------NOTHING of a “SEVEN YEAR PEACE COVENANT”!
This is why it is critical to understand NOT ONLY, that Babylon will be destroyed prior to the Great Tribulation, but the Gog/Magog conflict will take the world QUICKLY into the GREAT TRIBULATION as Antichrist rises to SAVE THE WORLD from chaos, and to persecute the Church for forty two months.
A LIKELY SCENERIO
The most likely scenario follows;
1. America/ Babylon attacks Iran [Persia of Ezek.38]
2. Syria attacks Israel under their alliance with Iran
3. Israel retaliates with a devastating nuclear reprisal [Isaiah 17]
4. America/Babylon burns under an all out nuclear attack [Rev.!7:16-17]
promoted by TEN [would be] kings.
5. The Gog/Magog war begins [Ezek 38]. America has been neutralized [Ezek 38:10-12, Isaiah 18, Rev. 17:16-17]
6. Antichrist/the Beast intervenes and saves Israel from Islamic annihilation
[Ezek.38:21]
7. Israel begins to build the THIRD TEMPLE, and sacrifices begin
8. Antichrist desecrates that Temple and STOPS THE DAILY OBLATIONS [Dan.11:30-31]
Dan 11:30-31
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
KJV
9. . Just as Jesus caused the sacrifices for sin to CEASE in the midst of the Seventieth week-------------Antichrist will STOP THE [re-instituted] SACRIFICES. and abominate the Temple [or Tabernacle], and cause the final HALF of the week to run to it’s conclusion.
10. The GREAT TRUBULATION begins
BURN WITH FIRE FOR SEVEN YEARS
Ezek 39:9-10
9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
10 So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD
KJV
It has been suggested that the Ezekiel account of Israel burning the weapons of Gog for “seven years” is a STRONG INDICATION that following the destruction of the Gog forces, there will be a “peace agreement” for seven years, and that it is during THIS “seven years” that Israel will be burning the remains of those abandoned weapons of the Gog forces. I would like to point out some challenges to this proposal.
1. Jesus said to those in Judea: “when you see that abomination”-----FLEE. Don’t turn back for ANYTHING.
Matt 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
KJV
2. The book of Revelation tells us clearly that Israel will be in HIDING in the “wilderness”, where God has a place prepared for them to survive for the duration of the Great Tribulation.
Rev 12:5-17 [5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
KJV
* It seems unlikely that the Jewish people will be burning such a vast array of arms during that time when they will be in FLIGHT from the agents of Antichrist. I believe that these “arms” will be destroyed during the first seven years of the Millennial Reign. The earth will undergo a massive restoration during this time, and the Land of Jacob must undergo that cleansing as well.
Rev.13:5-9
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue FOURTY AND TWO MONTHS.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
KJV
* In this passage there is described a time-frame of FOURTY TWO MONTHS in which Antichrist will reign.
Rev 11:2-3
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
KJV
* In this passage it is clearly indicated that the “TEMPLE” has been re-built at this point, which clearly places the timing of this command BEYOND the point of an alleged “Peace agreement” which begins an alleged “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION”. What is the significance of these passages?-----They clearly indicate that the THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS thrice mentioned in the book of Revelation are EMPHATICALLY-------SYNONOMOUS ! Why is this important to know?-----Because there are those who, in a desperate attempt to DEMONSTRATE a “seven year tribulation”, will attempt to conjoin TWO of the three time-frames mentioned, in order to reach a SUM of “seven years”. A careful reading of the three references will clearly demonstrate that these three time references are synonymous----------and that there is NOT ONE SINGLE REFERENCE TO “SEVEN YEARS “ OF TRIBULATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION, or indeed----the entire New Testament----------NONE !!
To those who scoff at this eschatology I say---------WHERE IS YOUR SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION in the New Testament? Christ fulfilled the FIRST HALF of the 70th week in his ministry from Tabernacles, 26 ad-------to his crucifixion, Passover 30 ad----------EXACTLY----------HALF THE WEEK! Just as Israel had FORTY YEARS in the wilderness, to work through their rebellion to God, so also the Jews of Jerusalem had EXACTLY----------FORTY YEARS---------[from Nisan 14, ad 30,-------- to Nisan 14, ad 70 when the army of Titus surrounded the city just as Jesus had prophesied]----to repent of their sins--------but they refused, hence--------the destruction of 70 ad., and the NINETEEN HUNDRED YEARS of exile
Time will vindicate. It always does. If there is a “SEVEN YEAR COVENANT” which is betrayed at the midpoint---------and there is a Temple abomination at that time--------Oh Well-----been wrong before! BUT------IF THIS ESCHATOLOGY that I have presented IS CORRECT, then you are headed at LIGHT SPEED toward the GREAT TRIBULATION.
Danny McDowell
SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION.
For more than twenty five years I was a staunch pre-tribulationist. You can read my testimony at http://www.propheticoutreach.blogspot.com . After reading the “Pre Wrath Rapture” by Marvin Rosenthal in 1998, I began a search for the truth regarding Bible Prophesy, and in particular------Bible Eschatology. I had known as much, or maybe more, about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, that most PEW SHEEP in the “church” of America. I knew all about the “Seventieth Week of Daniel”, and the source of that late eschatology. The whole “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION” hinges on Daniel 9:27, and the revelation by an Angel that reads as such-----“and he shall confirm the covenant with many for ONE WEEK [of years], and in the MIDST of the week [Shabbat—7], he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease”. This verse has been translated by modern eschatologists to mean that the future ANTICHRIST will cause the [re-instituted] sacrifice [in the Tribulation Temple], to cease in the “midst” of the “seventieth week of Daniel” which is a FUTURE------SEVEN YEAR EVENT. Multitudes, upon multitudes, of books have been written about this particular eschatology. It has become so pervasive in contemporary Christianity so as to cause the words “seven years of tribulation” to spill off the lips of even the LEAST of prophecy students as cliché as “cleanliness is next to godliness”---------and just as un-biblical!
Let’s begin at the beginning; This same angel of the book of Daniel declares “seventy weeks [shabuah Shabbat/ 70-7s] are determined upon THY PEOPLE [the JEWS], and upon THY HOLY CITY [Jerusalem], to-----
1. finish the transgression
2. make an end of sins
3. make reconciliation for iniquity
4. bring in everlasting righteousness
5. seal up the vision and prophecy
6. anoint the most Holy
Then the passage goes on to say: “know therefore and understand---------that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, UNTO MESSIAH THE PRINCE shall be
A. seven weeks [seven 7’s]
B. three score and two weeks [sixty two 7’s]l
“the streets shall be built again, even in troublous times”. The streets were repaired during the FIRST WEEK [seven years] of the decree.
C. And AFTER [the] THREE SCORE AND TWO WEEKS [sixty two 7’s] shall Messiah be CUT OFF---------but NOT FOR HIMSELF”
Now here is where the confusion begins as the passage begins a description of the destruction of the SECOND TEMPLE [Herod’s Temple] in 70 ad.
D. “and the people of THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary------“
We’ll stop here for a close examination of this portion of the passage. WHO, may I ask,-----will destroy the Temple? It is “THE PEOPLE of the PRINCE TO COME” ! Now-----WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?----------They are the Syrian Wing of the ROMAN ARMY! That is an historical FACT!! Jesus prophesied this event just before he was sacrificed on the stauros. NOW-----------who was the PRINCE of these ROMAN TROOPS?---------IT WAS TITUS--------that is also AN HISTORICAL FACT, and yet modern eschatologists would have us to believe that this portion of the passage somehow LEAPS through a TWO THOUSAND YEAR gap between the “PEOPLE” who destroy the Temple, and their PRINCE-----who history shows to be the ROMAN PRINCE/GENERAL named TITUS. Let’s return to the passage:
E. “and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war; desolations are determined”
Other translations say “and UNTO THE END----desolations are determined”. NOW we have a legitimate “GAP” since “DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED UNTO THE END-------------end of WHAT?----------the SEVENTY WEEKS!
F. “and he [a personal pronoun] shall confirm the covenant with many-------“
The pronoun “he” refers to the LAST identifiable PERSONAL PROPER NOUN of the passage. This linguistic rule applies both to English, and Hebrew. The LAST identifiable PERSONAL PROPER NOUN of this passage is----------------MESSIAH! IT IS MESSIAH THAT CAUSED THE SACRIFICE and oblations FOR SIN----------TO CEASE, when he cried out------“IT IS FINISHED”, and the veil that separates the Holy Place from the HOLY OF HOLIES was RIPPED -----------TOP TO BOTTOM!
Heb 10:2
For then would they not HAVE CEASED TO BE OFFERED? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
It is clear in this passage that the SACRIFICES HAD CEASED to be offered, even before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. When the veil of the Temple was rent TOP to BOTTOM---------the sacrifices CEASED !
Hos 3:4-5
4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, WITHOUT A SACRIFICE or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness IN THE LATTER DAYS NKJV
Hos 6:1-3
Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
2 After TWO DAYS He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
NKJV
These verses clearly speak of the days of desolation determined on the Jewish people, their ability to sacrifice, and their Temple-----FOR TWO MILLINIAL DAYS as evidenced in the passage. -------from the days of Hosea----to THE LATTER DAYS.
HE-----------------MESSIAH--------caused the sacrifice for sin to CEASE!!------and desolations [for Jerusalem] were determined UNTO THE END!
Gal 3:15-18
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say , that the COVENANT THAT WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
KJV
This COVENANT was confirmed in the ENTIRETY of the seventieth week, consummated at the stauros-------and will be realized fully to Israel WHEN THEY SEE HIM coming in the clouds of glory. This is the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27
And now to the SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL
In 458 B.C., the decree of Artaxerxes went forth to rebuild Jerusalem [Ezera 7:11-16]. Ezra 7:12-8:1
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
This was the BIRTH POINT of the SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL as revealed in Daniel 9:24. Adding the initial “SEVEN WEEKS [49 years]” for “rebuilding the streets”, to the following SIXTY TWO WEEKS [of years], we arrive at a total of SIXTY NINE weeks of years or------7 X 69 = 483 years from that decree, to the BAPTISM of Messiah in Jordan [Tishri 15/Tabernacles] in the year 26 a.d. [Luke 3:21-23 “and he began to be about THIRTY YEARS OLD”],------- having discovered the BIRTHDATE OF MESSIAH in Luke 1 and 2--------TABERNACLES, and confirmed in Luke 3:21-23, This baptism in Jordan was the beginning of the SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL---------and in the MIDST OF THE WEEK [three and one half years of Messiah’s ministry]---HE---------MESSIAH--------CAUSED THE SACRIFICE for sin TO CEASE-------and desolations were determined TO THE END. The FIRST HALF of the 70th week was fulfilled in Christ’s ministry, and death. We have ONLY the SECOND HALF of the week remaining to be fulfilled. If you doubt this, then I encourage you to find “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION” in your New Testament-------GO AHEAD----------JUST TRY. AH AH now, don’t try adding together, those passages in Rev. [time, times, and a half----forty two months-----and “three and one half years”]. It is VERY CLEAR that these three time frames are SYNONOMOUS. FACT: There is not one reference to “SEVEN YEARS” of tribulation in the New Testament. Listen to the voice of the angel of the book of Daniel:
Dan 11:30-32
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
Tell me this:------WHAT ABOMINATION [singular] WAS EVER SET UP IN THE PASSAGE OF DANIEL 9:27 ?-----it states “for the overspreading of ABOMINATIONS [plural]-----it shall be desolate”. ABOMINATIONS------PLURAL. The reference to Antichrist speaks of the ABOMINATION------SINGULAR-------being SET UP ! Do you see the STARK DIFFERENCE ?
KJV
Dan 12:6 - Hos 1:1
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
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.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
KJV
It is abundantly clear that the time of TRIBULATION will be THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS. A “SEVEN YEAR” tribulation is FICTIONAL. That is why there is no mention of “seven years” in the most profound record of scriptural eschatology that we can rely on---------that being---Matthew 24/ Mark 13, the Olivette Discourse..
When Antichrist is revealed:
Matt 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
KJV
AND
2 Thess 2:1-4
2 Thessalonians 2
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
KJV
SIR ROBERT ANDERSON
Much of the doctrine concerning a “seven year” peace covenant for the safety, and protection of Israel---------confirmed by Antichrist himself-----is the contrivance of Sir Robert Anderson. This eschatological SPIN was adopted into pre-tribulationism as that late eschatology took root, and eventually became the dominant force in the American church. Sir Robert is esteemed as NEAR TO GENIUS in his works in Bible apologetics. One OUTRAGEOUS work that he has done, is to proclaim the LAST SUPPER, as the Passover Seder-------and the crucifixion of Christ on the FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD [15 Nissan], which completely disregards MOUNTAINS of scriptural evidence otherwise. It is clear to me that Sir Robert postulates PRIOR to his studies, and craftily weaves his apologetics into his outrageous scenarios. Having said this ----------the challenge remains---------WHERE DO YOU FIND A “PEACE TREATY FOR SEVEN YEARS” in your New Testament? WHERE DO YOU FIND “SEVEN YEARS” AT ALL?
MATTHEW HENRY
Matthew Henry [though a historicist] certainly exceeds the “genius” of one Robert Anderson. He, AS MANY OTHERS, recognized the MINISTRY of CHRIST as being the FIRST HALF of the Seventieth Week. Of course he errs, as do ALL historicists, in concluding that the entire 70th week is an historic event.
COINCIDENCE?
Is it simply a COINCIDENCE that the ministry of Jesus began at Jordan ON HIS THIRTIETH BIRTHDAY, and that his baptism occurred at the conclusion of the SIXTY NINTH WEEK?. Is it mere HAPPENSTANCE that he was crucified EXACTLY THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LATER----------TO THE DAY---------HALF THE WEEK! It is beyond MY mental ability to DISMISS such evidence. Is it some sort of FREEK EVENT, that the veil of the Holy Place was torn top to bottom exactly three and one half years from that time when the Spirit of God descended upon Messiah at Jordan? TOO MUCH-----JUST TOO MUCH for me to believe that these things are coincidence.
ALL OF THESE THINGS------
All of these things MUST OCCUR INSIDE the Seventy Weeks!
A. finish the transgression
B. end sin
C. Reconciliation for iniquity [Is.53:4-5]
Isa 53:6
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.
KJV
Some proclaim that these Messianic verses of Daniel 9, are concluded at the END OF THE AGE, as Israel is collectively redeemed. Let’s see what the New Testament says;
1 Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: BY WHOSE STRIPES WE ARE HEALED[a reference to Isaiah 53] .
KJV ------------This is a CLEAR reference to the historicity of the fulfillment of that RECONCILLIATION promised WITHIN the Seventy Weeks of Daniel. It is therefore IMPOSSIBLE that the sacrifice of Messiah could be OUTSIDE the 70th Week--------and within that renowned “GAP”.
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
KJV
Gal 1:4-5
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
KJV
Heb 1:3-4
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
KJV
1 Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
KJV
1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
KJV
1 John 2:2-3
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
KJV
1 John 3:5-6
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
KJV
1 John 4:10-11
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
KJV
Rev 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
KJV
D. bring in everlasting righteousness
E. seal up the vision and prophecy [Jn.19:30] “IT IS FINISHED”
F. and to anoint the most Holy
John 1:32-33
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
KJV
Luke 3:22-23
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
KJV
Mark 1:10-11
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
KJV
Matt 3:16-17
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.-------“AND TO ANNOINT THE MOST
HOLY”--------DAN.9
KJV
THE GAP
Remember that the angel that spoke to Daniel revealed that the above CRITERIA for the mission of Messiah --------MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE SEVENTY WEEKS! In modern eschatology, there is a TWO THOUSAND YEAR GAP between the end of the Sixty Ninth Week-----and the beginning of Seventieth Week. Since the 69th week ended BEFORE Christ’s crucifixion---------this places the REDEMPTION OF MANKIND ----------IN THE GAP! There can be no redemption outside the Seventy Weeks-----hence, No redemption at all.
Of course we know that we have been redeemed at the Stauros-------the crucifixion. The question is; Was this redemption acquired INSIDE the Seventy Weeks-------or in that now renowned “GAP”?
THE TRIBULATION
It is clearly stated in the Old, and New Testaments; that the demarcation point for the Tribulation is the ABOMINATION spoken of by Daniel. Jesus emphasizes; “let the reader UNDERSTAND”! There is NO “SEVEN YEAR PEACE COVENANT” for the “safety, and protection of Israel”, This is nothing but non-biblical drivel which has been published abroad. Isaiah clearly refers to a COVENANT WITH HELL-------but NEVER attaches a “SEVEN YEAR” timeframe to that covenant.
Isa 28:15
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
KJV
-----------NOTHING of a “SEVEN YEAR PEACE COVENANT”!
This is why it is critical to understand NOT ONLY, that Babylon will be destroyed prior to the Great Tribulation, but the Gog/Magog conflict will take the world QUICKLY into the GREAT TRIBULATION as Antichrist rises to SAVE THE WORLD from chaos, and to persecute the Church for forty two months.
A LIKELY SCENERIO
The most likely scenario follows;
1. America/ Babylon attacks Iran [Persia of Ezek.38]
2. Syria attacks Israel under their alliance with Iran
3. Israel retaliates with a devastating nuclear reprisal [Isaiah 17]
4. America/Babylon burns under an all out nuclear attack [Rev.!7:16-17]
promoted by TEN [would be] kings.
5. The Gog/Magog war begins [Ezek 38]. America has been neutralized [Ezek 38:10-12, Isaiah 18, Rev. 17:16-17]
6. Antichrist/the Beast intervenes and saves Israel from Islamic annihilation
[Ezek.38:21]
7. Israel begins to build the THIRD TEMPLE, and sacrifices begin
8. Antichrist desecrates that Temple and STOPS THE DAILY OBLATIONS [Dan.11:30-31]
Dan 11:30-31
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
KJV
9. . Just as Jesus caused the sacrifices for sin to CEASE in the midst of the Seventieth week-------------Antichrist will STOP THE [re-instituted] SACRIFICES. and abominate the Temple [or Tabernacle], and cause the final HALF of the week to run to it’s conclusion.
10. The GREAT TRUBULATION begins
BURN WITH FIRE FOR SEVEN YEARS
Ezek 39:9-10
9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
10 So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD
KJV
It has been suggested that the Ezekiel account of Israel burning the weapons of Gog for “seven years” is a STRONG INDICATION that following the destruction of the Gog forces, there will be a “peace agreement” for seven years, and that it is during THIS “seven years” that Israel will be burning the remains of those abandoned weapons of the Gog forces. I would like to point out some challenges to this proposal.
1. Jesus said to those in Judea: “when you see that abomination”-----FLEE. Don’t turn back for ANYTHING.
Matt 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
KJV
2. The book of Revelation tells us clearly that Israel will be in HIDING in the “wilderness”, where God has a place prepared for them to survive for the duration of the Great Tribulation.
Rev 12:5-17 [5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
KJV
* It seems unlikely that the Jewish people will be burning such a vast array of arms during that time when they will be in FLIGHT from the agents of Antichrist. I believe that these “arms” will be destroyed during the first seven years of the Millennial Reign. The earth will undergo a massive restoration during this time, and the Land of Jacob must undergo that cleansing as well.
Rev.13:5-9
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue FOURTY AND TWO MONTHS.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
KJV
* In this passage there is described a time-frame of FOURTY TWO MONTHS in which Antichrist will reign.
Rev 11:2-3
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
KJV
* In this passage it is clearly indicated that the “TEMPLE” has been re-built at this point, which clearly places the timing of this command BEYOND the point of an alleged “Peace agreement” which begins an alleged “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION”. What is the significance of these passages?-----They clearly indicate that the THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS thrice mentioned in the book of Revelation are EMPHATICALLY-------SYNONOMOUS ! Why is this important to know?-----Because there are those who, in a desperate attempt to DEMONSTRATE a “seven year tribulation”, will attempt to conjoin TWO of the three time-frames mentioned, in order to reach a SUM of “seven years”. A careful reading of the three references will clearly demonstrate that these three time references are synonymous----------and that there is NOT ONE SINGLE REFERENCE TO “SEVEN YEARS “ OF TRIBULATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION, or indeed----the entire New Testament----------NONE !!
To those who scoff at this eschatology I say---------WHERE IS YOUR SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION in the New Testament? Christ fulfilled the FIRST HALF of the 70th week in his ministry from Tabernacles, 26 ad-------to his crucifixion, Passover 30 ad----------EXACTLY----------HALF THE WEEK! Just as Israel had FORTY YEARS in the wilderness, to work through their rebellion to God, so also the Jews of Jerusalem had EXACTLY----------FORTY YEARS---------[from Nisan 14, ad 30,-------- to Nisan 14, ad 70 when the army of Titus surrounded the city just as Jesus had prophesied]----to repent of their sins--------but they refused, hence--------the destruction of 70 ad., and the NINETEEN HUNDRED YEARS of exile
Time will vindicate. It always does. If there is a “SEVEN YEAR COVENANT” which is betrayed at the midpoint---------and there is a Temple abomination at that time--------Oh Well-----been wrong before! BUT------IF THIS ESCHATOLOGY that I have presented IS CORRECT, then you are headed at LIGHT SPEED toward the GREAT TRIBULATION.
Danny McDowell
Apr 29, 2008
Divestment - The Forgotten Words of Christ
Joshua-gate
Part 4. Divestment--The Forgotten Words of Christ
April 21, 2008
By Ron and Karen Schwartz
There is a word for contemporary Christians, but it is not a word of assurance and comfort as is being preached from pulpits all across our land, and it is not a word of encouragement as spoken by contemporary (self-proclaiming) prophets. The word is “Divest.” Recently, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to an assembly of His people and said, “Divest yourself of all things you think make you spiritual.”
The Greatest Lies
Most Christians see Satan as the Great Deceiver, so they try to focus their attention on thwarting his deeds. They believe that the great deception of the last days is his action to deceive the world into denouncing the deity of God through social corruption and sin such as humanism, atheism, abortion, liberalism, and the homosexual agenda. As a result, they undertake a less than mediocre attempt to prevent these social sins from overtaking their societies. But all these activities of Satan are what in military terms may best be described as “feints.”
“Feints” are “maneuvers designed to distract or mislead, done by giving the impression that a certain maneuver will take place, while in fact another, or even none, will.” One type of feint is when an army pretends to be attacking in one area to draw the enemy’s attention away from the place where the true attack will occur. That way, while the enemy is marshaling its forces in one area, the real attack takes place in another.
The scripture tells us that Satan is the ultimate foe, with superior knowledge and an unfathomable ability to deceive. Knowing this, why would we as Christians believe that Satan’s objectives and activities are so obvious that his strategies would be so predictable? The social sin that we see all around us is obviously from Satan. It goes without saying. But to assume that social sin is his ultimate strategy discredits him and makes Christians foolish. All these social sins (which he is certainly behind) are feints, designed to draw attention away from his actual attack. These feints cause Christians to continually look at the world and society to find satanic activity, thereby preventing them from seeing the true focus of his assault.
Consider how cleverly disguised is his deception. First, allow Christians to build societies founded on godly principles, and then bring these societies under attack. The “wicked, lazy servant[s]” of God (contemporary Christians), seeing the assault upon their Christian values in society, become “afraid.” Knowing that they are losing ground to societal sin, they have “circled their wagons” around their churches, valiantly proclaiming that these sins will not become part of their last bastions of hope. They don’t understand that these social sins, which now seem to be assaulting their churches, are not the true nature of Satan’s attack. His goal is NOT to get Christians to renounce God and turn to sin. He has done this in the past and mighty revivals came about as a result. No, this time he’s much cleverer: he will accomplish the same thing without the possibility of revival.
Social Utopia
Christians are on the defensive. They have invested their treasures in “society.” They engrave “In God We trust” on their currency, post the Ten Commandments in their courtrooms, teach Creation in schools, and offer prayers at their sports events. But these novelties are merely icons of their faith and not the actual substance of it. Satan has allowed and even encouraged Christians to “invest” in these outward manifestations of their faith for a reason. He wants Christians to spend their time and focus their energy on engravings and statutes instead of their spiritual lives. He knows that in attacking these icons Christians will rally around them and deify them.
Consequently, Christians are battling society for their rights to have shrines engraved on their walls and on their currency while remaining ignorant of the true nature of Satan’s attacks. And as they lose their battles, they become more and more afraid of the other “social” liberties they stand to lose. Just as profitless as burying money in the ground is the effort Christians waste on battling society over Christian rights.
This is the reason why God does not aid Christians in their efforts to create their Christian utopia. He’s not interested in their social utopia. He wants, no… He demands that His people serve Him and exalt Him above the engraved icons of their faith. God is a jealous God, and He doesn’t care about Christian shrines, idols, or the icons of their faith that serve to exalt their achievements instead of the gospel of Christ.
It’s not that a Christian utopia would not be a nice thing to have. And yes, we ought to stand up and firmly advocate doing what is right. The problem is that our focus on social and political agendas has become such a major distraction. Many Christians feel that it is their ONLY PURPOSE IN LIFE. They feel that it is God’s will for them to battle politically for society to adopt Christian values and morality. They have come to believe that God views their success or failure by the degree of social redemption they achieve. That is simply not the case. Nowhere in the scripture are we encouraged to change the morality of an unsaved society. It is an impossible goal. Christians who try to do so will find themselves at war with the unsaved, because it all comes down to personal rights. Instead of warring with the lost over societal morality, we are supposed to bring redemption to them.
Let’s be clear about this. God’s will is that none “should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” The Great Commission is not to go into the world to change its morality but to bring the gospel to the lost. This is what seems to be forgotten among today’s politically active, socially militant Christians: the pursuit of God’s true objective, which is to “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).”
This is not to say that we don’t have responsibilities to society; we do. But our responsibilities do not include the hostile antagonistic opposition (pervasive in Christian thinking) against all those who do not embrace our morality. In contrast, Christianity is meant to be socially responsible for the weak and unfortunate. It is meant to care for the “fatherless” and the “widows (James 1:27)” by showing the love of Christ to those in need.
Does this mean that we should allow society to push their morality on us? Or, as Christians like to ask, “Does this mean that we should lie down and ‘take it’ like the proverbial doormat?”
This is “cart before the horse” thinking. If Christians would simply do what they are supposed to do, society would take care of itself. That is, if Christians would “humble themselves” and repent [“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways (repent); then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)”], if they would embrace the Great Commission and evangelize [“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15)”], and if they would take responsibility for the poor, the needy, and the outcast [“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27)”], then all these things would take care of themselves [“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)”]. However, as long as Christians continue to selfishly focus on their own interests, comfort, and enjoyment, the world (society) will never see Christianity as the benevolent faith it is meant to be. Instead, Christianity will be hated.
The Choice of Humility
It is this idea of “humility (1 Chronicles 7:14)” that is lost among the politically active Christian “thinking” of today. Christians view their western nations as belonging to “them” – not to God. They take their “rights” in hand and arrogantly demand civil liberties, and then they wonder why God does not rush to their aid. Today Christianity has a choice. Christians can “humble themselves, and pray, and seek [God’s] face, and turn from their wicked ways (repent),” and wait for God to “hear from heaven …forgive their sin, and … heal their land (1 Chronicles 7:14),” or they can create political action groups and “try” to do it under their own power. But then, Christians have already made their choice haven’t they? And their choice does not include God. Contemporary Christians are arrogant enough to believe that they can change society through their own effort, and through the intelligence, politics, and savvy of their own experts. They do pray also as a sort of backup plan in case their efforts fail, however, it is clear that they do not trust God to be capable of the job without their help. Or perhaps it’s just that the idea of humility is lost to the self-confident, power hunger, and self-absorbed Christian leaders who shape the opinion of contemporary Christianity. Christians will ask, “should we do nothing?” To that we respond: “Absolutely not. Why not try humility and repentance. Why not listen to God rather than the leaders who are looking only to make a name for themselves.”
It is clear that going “into all the world and preach[ing] the gospel (Mark 16:15)”, taking responsibility for the poor, the needy, and the outcast (James 1:27)” and allowing God the govern their lives (Matthew 6:33)” are not viable options for today’s socially militant Christians. Christians don’t want to redirect their money toward the poor and away from their buildings, their ministries, and their programs (less than 1% goes to the poor and outcast). Neither do they wish to embrace the outcast, the drug addict, the prostitute, or the gang members in their churches. They see themselves as being above such social “trash.” As a result, their only option is to go to war with society and attempt to achieve their religious agenda by creating a Christian utopia. However, this is a war they will never win. The “commoners” (society) are rebelling against what they see as today’s aristocracy (the arrogant, moralizing, and didactic Christians).
History records that Christian’s once succeeded in creating their utopia. It was known as the Holy Roman Empire. This is what can be expected when religion is successful in creating its own utopia. Consequently, it is clear that the healing of our nations must come from God. But to have His support there must first come humility and true repentance from His people. Because of the politically militant course that some Christians have chosen, Christians everywhere will eventually be hurt. Those who enjoy homeschool education will come under attack, religious liberties in public schools and the workplace will fall victim, and every social religious right and freedom we currently enjoy will come under scrutiny. Our only hope is not found in politics but in the promises of God. We must humble ourselves, seek His face, and repent.
Satan knows that for their arrogance Christians will not turn to God but battle society over religious rights all on their own. Consequently, Christians are unable to see the attack on their social values as a “feint” designed to ensnare them in a battle that will simply waste their energy. They have invested too much into their societies to trust them to God. Once again we remind you that we must humble ourselves, seek His face, and repent.
Political Interference
In addition, the preoccupation that Christians have with the politics of Israel is another feint. Christians politic, lobby, and campaign, along with government officials and religious organizations, to try to stop what they view as the final climatic assault on God’s Chosen People (Israel). How foolish! Satan has cleverly orchestrated these things. He knows where Christians place their values, so that is exactly where he directs his feints. Christians see these attacks and respond just like Satan knew they would: they bury their talent (i.e., engage in useless, profitless activities) by battling solely against political agendas while the true nature of Satan’s attack goes unnoticed. Does anyone really believe that the objectives of our greatest adversary are so transparent? Do Christians really believe that his cunning and guile are so elementary?
Contemporary Christianity has eroded under the subtle assaults of Satan to become the center of the most concealed form of idolatry that this world has ever known. Its idols are not made of wood and stone but of flesh and blood. The idols they worship are themselves. It is a clever deception, is it not? While Christians are attempting to shore up the sin eroding their societies (no matter how lame their efforts may be), then he begins the true attack: cleverly disguising idolatry as spiritual maturity.
Christians have invested centuries of effort in creating their pseudo-Christian utopian societies. One needs only to visit any Christian forum or listen to any Christian network to see its effect. The goal and objective of every Christian organization has at its core the creation of a Christian social utopia. As a result, social fulfillment becomes the goal of every Christian church, and the church’s spiritual net worth is measured by the amount of personal fulfillment that each member experiences. Consequently, Christians have become very self-indulgent. Their lives are consumed by the pursuit of this utopia in both their social and spiritual settings.
Revelation 3:14-18
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Contemporary churches have bought into the myth that “gain is godliness.” They have come to believe that a growing church that is financially productive, able to undertake building programs, and able to afford to hire more staff is a church that God has blessed and in which the Spirit of God is moving. Such a philosophy has given rise to the “word of faith” and the “prosperity” movements. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that Satan continues to use this myth to thrust the church into the final stages of his deception: idolatry.
Think about it. When any church believes that growth in numbers, finances, and building size are measures of how blessed they have become, it then concludes that greater numbers and finances are ultimately the will of God. Therefore, its success and effectiveness can be measured by how productive it is (in regard to membership and donations) in comparison to other churches of the community. This eventually leads to the culture we have today – pervasive throughout Christendom - where everything concerning Christianity revolves around churches, and where individual Christian identity is defined by the particular church they attend rather than the Lord they claim to serve.
Christianity is supposed to center around the “good news” of Christ’s death and resurrection, and it is therefore supposed to be evangelistic. Instead, it has become all about the personal fulfillment of its members. They are obsessed with making themselves feel better spiritually. There is no end to inspirational books, Christian media, churches, and broadcast Christian entertainment that encourage Christians to continue their “pursuit of happiness.” The poor, the needy, and the outcast of society fall by the wayside as they pursue their pleasures. What Christians see today as their utopia is in reality their apostasy. Their pursuit of self-fulfillment has created the competitive, non-cooperative, divisive, egocentric, and self-centered form of Christianity we find everywhere. It has ultimately become the apostate form of church that we find today in communities everywhere. These churches largely ignore their communities and sacrifice the “good news” for self-indulgence.
This form of Christianity is Laodicean Christianity. It is all about individual pseudo-spiritual and social fulfillment, where self-fulfillment becomes the goal. As churches reach this level of apostasy, they claim, ”I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” Churches like this have need of nothing that money can’t buy, and therefore they have no need of God. They buy church members by building better churches and through purchasing better preachers than their competition. With more members come more finances and the ability to build even bigger churches. But contemporary churches are not the true Church of the living God. They are edifices of death. They are whores that sell themselves for pay.
Like every good junkie, Christians have become addicted to their pleasures, and the churches have become places where Christians go to get their fix. Churches are not threats to the “gates of hell,” but they most certainly are threatened by them.
The greatest lies are not the lies told by Satan to keep the world in sin – everyone in the world knows that they need God regardless of how much they deny it. The greatest lies are those embraced by contemporary Christians to validate their belief that their profitless activities - done in the name of Christ – are the work and the will of the Lord.
The forgotten words of Jesus
Luke 18:18-25
18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.' "
21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The theme of Christ’s teaching has at its center a single instruction: divest!
The institutional church, for the most part, actually ignores the words of Jesus and instead focuses all its attention and effort on the epistles of Paul. But have the writings of Paul made void the teachings of Christ? Is it possible to do one without the other? Or is it possible that the teachings of Jesus are supposed to be the center of the New Testament, and if so, then why are His teachings ignored?
Many Christians will take issue with this. They will retort, “We have not ignored His teaching. It is precious to us.” Okay, if so, ask yourself this: What would happen if the institutional church actually embraced and obeyed Jesus’ teaching? What would happen if churches would divest themselves of their property, give it to the poor, and simply follow Christ? Churches bring in around $100 billion each year but give less than 1% of this to the poor and needy. Some churches claim to give 5% to 10% of their income to the poor, but this is only because they roll into their numbers administration fees, support for Western missionaries, and building and utility expenses for all programs that can also support community and social affairs. However, be not deceived. The vast majority of these expenses are incurred because their constituents want it. Churches merely open their programs to the public.
What would happen if the church itself would obey the words of Jesus (whom they claim to serve) and divest itself of the trillions of dollars in assets they own. For one thing, world poverty might just about be eliminated. Along with that, at least $100 billion per year could go to maintaining that status. Churches would find that when their members can see their money being used for something more important than parking lots and sound systems, contributions would actually increase. Instead of a meager 3% of their income, Christians would give 10% to 20%, and contributions would approach a trillion dollars per year. Remember the hundreds of millions of dollars that poured in from everywhere following disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center on 9/11? That is what the church is capable of. So why not obey the words of Jesus? Why not divest?
Many Christians seek to justify the need for the beautiful buildings by explaining that they “build churches to draw the unsaved.” Such a statement is utterly ridiculous. How many sinners drive past a church and say to their friends: “Look at that church! I can’t wait to go there next Sunday!” They are not thinking about going to church on Sunday, nor do they think that because some church is particularly fancy they want to attend it. They are thinking about sleeping in on Sunday, getting drunk, going fishing, playing golf, watching the game, etc. But the few sinners who do get desperate enough to attend a church each year and get saved are enough for contemporary churches to claim success.
Let’s be honest. Contemporary churches do not pick locations in upscale neighborhoods to build their majestic churches because they are trying to draw the lost. They are trying to draw rich Christians. If they truly wanted to draw the lost, they would build their churches in the inner cities where they could do the most good – where the truly desperate people live.
Moreover, if Christians were truly honest, they would admit that they really do not want to draw sinners. What would happen if the world really took churches up on their offer, and one Sunday, dozens, hundreds, or thousands (depending on the size of the church) of sinners walked in and sat down? Prostitutes dressed their working clothes, drug addicts who haven’t showered in weeks, murderers, inner city gang members, etc. What would happen? Well, you can be sure that if people of this sort came in, the Christians would leave and find another church where “that sort” are not welcome.
So let’s quit lying that the majestic, upscale churches in affluent suburbia were built in the name of Christ, for His glory, and “to reach people.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Churches are designed and built not to attract the world but to attract wealthy Christians.
Up to this point we have merely considered the easy part. That is to say, we have only considered the financial aspects of divestment as instructed by Jesus. However, the words the Spirit spoke were not about the financial aspects of our lives but about divesting ourselves in the areas we consider spiritual.
Divestment
In many ways, contemporary Christians act like investment brokers. They see their life as a portfolio of investments and invest in whatever yields them the highest rate of return. The problem is that their return on investment is not a return that benefits God. It is what benefits them individually. Consequently, before they can begin to be a benefit to God, they must first divest themselves of their current investments.
Paul observed how quickly the Galatians embraced “another [alternate (Wuest)] gospel.” If the Galatians could be guilty of embracing an alternate gospel, should it surprise you that contemporary Christians are also guilty of embracing an alternate form of spirituality – something they believe to be spirituality but in reality is little more than self-indulgence?
The form of spirituality in which contemporary Christians continue to invest is a “feel good” religion. It encourages them to placate to Christian needs for pleasure instead of evangelizing the lost, it covers up the guilt Christians feel for not obeying the words of Christ. It rationalizes away their sin, apathy, and compromise, and it numbs them against the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
That is why it is so very important for Christians to divest themselves of the form of spirituality they have come to believe is from God. It is not from God. It is part of Satan’s end time deception. It is part of Joshua-gate.
We call upon you to see yourselves as God does. When you walk down the street and see a woman all decked out in seductive attire, do you think of her as virtuous? Of course not. So when God sees apostate, idolatrous, compromising Christians attending church, “acting” like something in their hearts they are not, pretending to be spiritual, anointed, and gifted, do you think He tells Himself, “Now, there is a super Christian”? Of course not. He calls them as they are. He says, “Now, there is a whore.”
If you are ever to truly receive from God, you must divest yourself of your acting, your pretending, your arrogance. You must freely admit that you are a fake and a fraud. If your arrogance will not allow it, then be sure of this: someday everyone will know what kind of fraud you are.
You probably believe that you and your church are spiritually sound, but then, don’t all Christians think that way? If you are at par with most Christians and your church is at least par with most other churches, and most other churches are spiritually dry fountains, then what does that say about you? We beseech you to listen to the words of Jesus: “You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Quit buying into Joshua-gate. Quit buying into the greatest lies from the greatest liar. You are not what you think you are. Your greatness and spiritual “overcoming” exists only in your mind. It’s time to get real. It’s time to divest.
Final Thoughts…
It’s important to understand that God never said that our nations must repent in order to receive His healing - God said that His people must. In the book of Revelation we find that after the curses and plagues are poured out upon this world that people “still [will] not repent (Revelation 9:20).” Since God only asks that His people repent it becomes clear that the arrogant and defiant people of that age are His. If Sodom would have been spared for 10 righteous what then do we know about the end of this age? We know that judgment does not hinge upon the “spiritual” condition of this world, but upon that of God’s people. If judgment is falling upon our nations it’s because of the failure of Christians and not the sins in our land.
In addition, we all know that Saul was the first king of Israel and that his reign ended in disaster. Saul eventually overstepped his authority and was rejected by God. But Saul’s predisposition to overstep what God ordained for him was, in fact, characteristic of his reign. Twice in the book of Samuel God said that He ordained Saul to be a “captain” over His people (1 Samuel 9:16, 10:1). The Hebrew word used is nagid, which means “chief leader” or head of a family. However, when Samuel presented Saul to the people, they declared him to be their “king (1 Samuel 10:24).” The Hebrew word used is mamlakah which means “kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, or reign.”
We find here that God and His people had two different opinions. God had in mind to give the people a political leader as their “captain.” The people, however, were looking to replace God with a king. Whether or not God remained king of His people lay squarely in the hands of Saul. Would he succumb to the flattery of God’s people, or would deny himself and take his rightful place as their leader? Saul succumbed to flattery, choosing to accept their endorsement instead of God’s.
The tragedy of this situation is that it did not end there. Church leaders throughout history have refused to recognize the disastrous consequences of giving in to the flattery of their followers and accepting the mantle of king. People are never satisfied with just a leader. They want someone who will be an icon of their kingdom, someone to set on a pedestal, someone they can deify and follow. Christians continue to press their leaders to be more than what God apportioned to them. And their leaders humbly accepted this new role, excusing their sin by saying, “I never wanted this responsibility. They made me take it.”
Remember Saul. Whether or not he replaced God as their king was in his hands. It was not up to the people. The people declared him to be their king, but God declared him to be their leader. Who would he listen to? We know what happened. Saul chose the grandeur of the kingship the people offered, and in doing so, he stole the kingdom from God. Don’t allow that to be the commentary on your life.
Most Christian leaders find it both impossible and impractical to “divest” themselves of the honor and respect they feel is due them because of their ministries. Like the Pharisees, they sit in “chief seats” resembling thrones, set up in front of the congregation, sometimes even on a platform or stage. Are they willing to follow the words of the Christ and divest themselves of all their grandeur? Would they “sell it all” and follow Christ?
We call on Christian leaders to set an example for the church to follow. Divest yourselves of your greatness, of all that you believe makes you special and spiritual, and then perhaps your congregations will do the same. Look at the cold arrogance of your congregation and understand that you are looking through the window of your own heart. Therefore, we call upon Christian leaders to repent and to “divest” themselves of all that they hold as spiritually valuable.
Satan’s plan of deception is not at all as simplistic and transparent as you think. He has guile that you cannot begin to fathom. The deceptive nature of Joshua-gate is far too cunning. Consequently, you must listen to the small voice in your heart that is telling you it is time to stop being a fraud and repent. Don’t try to figure it out. Just do what in your heart you know that you must: divest!
Amen.
Part 4. Divestment--The Forgotten Words of Christ
April 21, 2008
By Ron and Karen Schwartz
There is a word for contemporary Christians, but it is not a word of assurance and comfort as is being preached from pulpits all across our land, and it is not a word of encouragement as spoken by contemporary (self-proclaiming) prophets. The word is “Divest.” Recently, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to an assembly of His people and said, “Divest yourself of all things you think make you spiritual.”
The Greatest Lies
Most Christians see Satan as the Great Deceiver, so they try to focus their attention on thwarting his deeds. They believe that the great deception of the last days is his action to deceive the world into denouncing the deity of God through social corruption and sin such as humanism, atheism, abortion, liberalism, and the homosexual agenda. As a result, they undertake a less than mediocre attempt to prevent these social sins from overtaking their societies. But all these activities of Satan are what in military terms may best be described as “feints.”
“Feints” are “maneuvers designed to distract or mislead, done by giving the impression that a certain maneuver will take place, while in fact another, or even none, will.” One type of feint is when an army pretends to be attacking in one area to draw the enemy’s attention away from the place where the true attack will occur. That way, while the enemy is marshaling its forces in one area, the real attack takes place in another.
The scripture tells us that Satan is the ultimate foe, with superior knowledge and an unfathomable ability to deceive. Knowing this, why would we as Christians believe that Satan’s objectives and activities are so obvious that his strategies would be so predictable? The social sin that we see all around us is obviously from Satan. It goes without saying. But to assume that social sin is his ultimate strategy discredits him and makes Christians foolish. All these social sins (which he is certainly behind) are feints, designed to draw attention away from his actual attack. These feints cause Christians to continually look at the world and society to find satanic activity, thereby preventing them from seeing the true focus of his assault.
Consider how cleverly disguised is his deception. First, allow Christians to build societies founded on godly principles, and then bring these societies under attack. The “wicked, lazy servant[s]” of God (contemporary Christians), seeing the assault upon their Christian values in society, become “afraid.” Knowing that they are losing ground to societal sin, they have “circled their wagons” around their churches, valiantly proclaiming that these sins will not become part of their last bastions of hope. They don’t understand that these social sins, which now seem to be assaulting their churches, are not the true nature of Satan’s attack. His goal is NOT to get Christians to renounce God and turn to sin. He has done this in the past and mighty revivals came about as a result. No, this time he’s much cleverer: he will accomplish the same thing without the possibility of revival.
Social Utopia
Christians are on the defensive. They have invested their treasures in “society.” They engrave “In God We trust” on their currency, post the Ten Commandments in their courtrooms, teach Creation in schools, and offer prayers at their sports events. But these novelties are merely icons of their faith and not the actual substance of it. Satan has allowed and even encouraged Christians to “invest” in these outward manifestations of their faith for a reason. He wants Christians to spend their time and focus their energy on engravings and statutes instead of their spiritual lives. He knows that in attacking these icons Christians will rally around them and deify them.
Consequently, Christians are battling society for their rights to have shrines engraved on their walls and on their currency while remaining ignorant of the true nature of Satan’s attacks. And as they lose their battles, they become more and more afraid of the other “social” liberties they stand to lose. Just as profitless as burying money in the ground is the effort Christians waste on battling society over Christian rights.
This is the reason why God does not aid Christians in their efforts to create their Christian utopia. He’s not interested in their social utopia. He wants, no… He demands that His people serve Him and exalt Him above the engraved icons of their faith. God is a jealous God, and He doesn’t care about Christian shrines, idols, or the icons of their faith that serve to exalt their achievements instead of the gospel of Christ.
It’s not that a Christian utopia would not be a nice thing to have. And yes, we ought to stand up and firmly advocate doing what is right. The problem is that our focus on social and political agendas has become such a major distraction. Many Christians feel that it is their ONLY PURPOSE IN LIFE. They feel that it is God’s will for them to battle politically for society to adopt Christian values and morality. They have come to believe that God views their success or failure by the degree of social redemption they achieve. That is simply not the case. Nowhere in the scripture are we encouraged to change the morality of an unsaved society. It is an impossible goal. Christians who try to do so will find themselves at war with the unsaved, because it all comes down to personal rights. Instead of warring with the lost over societal morality, we are supposed to bring redemption to them.
Let’s be clear about this. God’s will is that none “should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” The Great Commission is not to go into the world to change its morality but to bring the gospel to the lost. This is what seems to be forgotten among today’s politically active, socially militant Christians: the pursuit of God’s true objective, which is to “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).”
This is not to say that we don’t have responsibilities to society; we do. But our responsibilities do not include the hostile antagonistic opposition (pervasive in Christian thinking) against all those who do not embrace our morality. In contrast, Christianity is meant to be socially responsible for the weak and unfortunate. It is meant to care for the “fatherless” and the “widows (James 1:27)” by showing the love of Christ to those in need.
Does this mean that we should allow society to push their morality on us? Or, as Christians like to ask, “Does this mean that we should lie down and ‘take it’ like the proverbial doormat?”
This is “cart before the horse” thinking. If Christians would simply do what they are supposed to do, society would take care of itself. That is, if Christians would “humble themselves” and repent [“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways (repent); then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)”], if they would embrace the Great Commission and evangelize [“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15)”], and if they would take responsibility for the poor, the needy, and the outcast [“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27)”], then all these things would take care of themselves [“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)”]. However, as long as Christians continue to selfishly focus on their own interests, comfort, and enjoyment, the world (society) will never see Christianity as the benevolent faith it is meant to be. Instead, Christianity will be hated.
The Choice of Humility
It is this idea of “humility (1 Chronicles 7:14)” that is lost among the politically active Christian “thinking” of today. Christians view their western nations as belonging to “them” – not to God. They take their “rights” in hand and arrogantly demand civil liberties, and then they wonder why God does not rush to their aid. Today Christianity has a choice. Christians can “humble themselves, and pray, and seek [God’s] face, and turn from their wicked ways (repent),” and wait for God to “hear from heaven …forgive their sin, and … heal their land (1 Chronicles 7:14),” or they can create political action groups and “try” to do it under their own power. But then, Christians have already made their choice haven’t they? And their choice does not include God. Contemporary Christians are arrogant enough to believe that they can change society through their own effort, and through the intelligence, politics, and savvy of their own experts. They do pray also as a sort of backup plan in case their efforts fail, however, it is clear that they do not trust God to be capable of the job without their help. Or perhaps it’s just that the idea of humility is lost to the self-confident, power hunger, and self-absorbed Christian leaders who shape the opinion of contemporary Christianity. Christians will ask, “should we do nothing?” To that we respond: “Absolutely not. Why not try humility and repentance. Why not listen to God rather than the leaders who are looking only to make a name for themselves.”
It is clear that going “into all the world and preach[ing] the gospel (Mark 16:15)”, taking responsibility for the poor, the needy, and the outcast (James 1:27)” and allowing God the govern their lives (Matthew 6:33)” are not viable options for today’s socially militant Christians. Christians don’t want to redirect their money toward the poor and away from their buildings, their ministries, and their programs (less than 1% goes to the poor and outcast). Neither do they wish to embrace the outcast, the drug addict, the prostitute, or the gang members in their churches. They see themselves as being above such social “trash.” As a result, their only option is to go to war with society and attempt to achieve their religious agenda by creating a Christian utopia. However, this is a war they will never win. The “commoners” (society) are rebelling against what they see as today’s aristocracy (the arrogant, moralizing, and didactic Christians).
History records that Christian’s once succeeded in creating their utopia. It was known as the Holy Roman Empire. This is what can be expected when religion is successful in creating its own utopia. Consequently, it is clear that the healing of our nations must come from God. But to have His support there must first come humility and true repentance from His people. Because of the politically militant course that some Christians have chosen, Christians everywhere will eventually be hurt. Those who enjoy homeschool education will come under attack, religious liberties in public schools and the workplace will fall victim, and every social religious right and freedom we currently enjoy will come under scrutiny. Our only hope is not found in politics but in the promises of God. We must humble ourselves, seek His face, and repent.
Satan knows that for their arrogance Christians will not turn to God but battle society over religious rights all on their own. Consequently, Christians are unable to see the attack on their social values as a “feint” designed to ensnare them in a battle that will simply waste their energy. They have invested too much into their societies to trust them to God. Once again we remind you that we must humble ourselves, seek His face, and repent.
Political Interference
In addition, the preoccupation that Christians have with the politics of Israel is another feint. Christians politic, lobby, and campaign, along with government officials and religious organizations, to try to stop what they view as the final climatic assault on God’s Chosen People (Israel). How foolish! Satan has cleverly orchestrated these things. He knows where Christians place their values, so that is exactly where he directs his feints. Christians see these attacks and respond just like Satan knew they would: they bury their talent (i.e., engage in useless, profitless activities) by battling solely against political agendas while the true nature of Satan’s attack goes unnoticed. Does anyone really believe that the objectives of our greatest adversary are so transparent? Do Christians really believe that his cunning and guile are so elementary?
Contemporary Christianity has eroded under the subtle assaults of Satan to become the center of the most concealed form of idolatry that this world has ever known. Its idols are not made of wood and stone but of flesh and blood. The idols they worship are themselves. It is a clever deception, is it not? While Christians are attempting to shore up the sin eroding their societies (no matter how lame their efforts may be), then he begins the true attack: cleverly disguising idolatry as spiritual maturity.
Christians have invested centuries of effort in creating their pseudo-Christian utopian societies. One needs only to visit any Christian forum or listen to any Christian network to see its effect. The goal and objective of every Christian organization has at its core the creation of a Christian social utopia. As a result, social fulfillment becomes the goal of every Christian church, and the church’s spiritual net worth is measured by the amount of personal fulfillment that each member experiences. Consequently, Christians have become very self-indulgent. Their lives are consumed by the pursuit of this utopia in both their social and spiritual settings.
Revelation 3:14-18
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Contemporary churches have bought into the myth that “gain is godliness.” They have come to believe that a growing church that is financially productive, able to undertake building programs, and able to afford to hire more staff is a church that God has blessed and in which the Spirit of God is moving. Such a philosophy has given rise to the “word of faith” and the “prosperity” movements. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that Satan continues to use this myth to thrust the church into the final stages of his deception: idolatry.
Think about it. When any church believes that growth in numbers, finances, and building size are measures of how blessed they have become, it then concludes that greater numbers and finances are ultimately the will of God. Therefore, its success and effectiveness can be measured by how productive it is (in regard to membership and donations) in comparison to other churches of the community. This eventually leads to the culture we have today – pervasive throughout Christendom - where everything concerning Christianity revolves around churches, and where individual Christian identity is defined by the particular church they attend rather than the Lord they claim to serve.
Christianity is supposed to center around the “good news” of Christ’s death and resurrection, and it is therefore supposed to be evangelistic. Instead, it has become all about the personal fulfillment of its members. They are obsessed with making themselves feel better spiritually. There is no end to inspirational books, Christian media, churches, and broadcast Christian entertainment that encourage Christians to continue their “pursuit of happiness.” The poor, the needy, and the outcast of society fall by the wayside as they pursue their pleasures. What Christians see today as their utopia is in reality their apostasy. Their pursuit of self-fulfillment has created the competitive, non-cooperative, divisive, egocentric, and self-centered form of Christianity we find everywhere. It has ultimately become the apostate form of church that we find today in communities everywhere. These churches largely ignore their communities and sacrifice the “good news” for self-indulgence.
This form of Christianity is Laodicean Christianity. It is all about individual pseudo-spiritual and social fulfillment, where self-fulfillment becomes the goal. As churches reach this level of apostasy, they claim, ”I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” Churches like this have need of nothing that money can’t buy, and therefore they have no need of God. They buy church members by building better churches and through purchasing better preachers than their competition. With more members come more finances and the ability to build even bigger churches. But contemporary churches are not the true Church of the living God. They are edifices of death. They are whores that sell themselves for pay.
Like every good junkie, Christians have become addicted to their pleasures, and the churches have become places where Christians go to get their fix. Churches are not threats to the “gates of hell,” but they most certainly are threatened by them.
The greatest lies are not the lies told by Satan to keep the world in sin – everyone in the world knows that they need God regardless of how much they deny it. The greatest lies are those embraced by contemporary Christians to validate their belief that their profitless activities - done in the name of Christ – are the work and the will of the Lord.
The forgotten words of Jesus
Luke 18:18-25
18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.' "
21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The theme of Christ’s teaching has at its center a single instruction: divest!
The institutional church, for the most part, actually ignores the words of Jesus and instead focuses all its attention and effort on the epistles of Paul. But have the writings of Paul made void the teachings of Christ? Is it possible to do one without the other? Or is it possible that the teachings of Jesus are supposed to be the center of the New Testament, and if so, then why are His teachings ignored?
Many Christians will take issue with this. They will retort, “We have not ignored His teaching. It is precious to us.” Okay, if so, ask yourself this: What would happen if the institutional church actually embraced and obeyed Jesus’ teaching? What would happen if churches would divest themselves of their property, give it to the poor, and simply follow Christ? Churches bring in around $100 billion each year but give less than 1% of this to the poor and needy. Some churches claim to give 5% to 10% of their income to the poor, but this is only because they roll into their numbers administration fees, support for Western missionaries, and building and utility expenses for all programs that can also support community and social affairs. However, be not deceived. The vast majority of these expenses are incurred because their constituents want it. Churches merely open their programs to the public.
What would happen if the church itself would obey the words of Jesus (whom they claim to serve) and divest itself of the trillions of dollars in assets they own. For one thing, world poverty might just about be eliminated. Along with that, at least $100 billion per year could go to maintaining that status. Churches would find that when their members can see their money being used for something more important than parking lots and sound systems, contributions would actually increase. Instead of a meager 3% of their income, Christians would give 10% to 20%, and contributions would approach a trillion dollars per year. Remember the hundreds of millions of dollars that poured in from everywhere following disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center on 9/11? That is what the church is capable of. So why not obey the words of Jesus? Why not divest?
Many Christians seek to justify the need for the beautiful buildings by explaining that they “build churches to draw the unsaved.” Such a statement is utterly ridiculous. How many sinners drive past a church and say to their friends: “Look at that church! I can’t wait to go there next Sunday!” They are not thinking about going to church on Sunday, nor do they think that because some church is particularly fancy they want to attend it. They are thinking about sleeping in on Sunday, getting drunk, going fishing, playing golf, watching the game, etc. But the few sinners who do get desperate enough to attend a church each year and get saved are enough for contemporary churches to claim success.
Let’s be honest. Contemporary churches do not pick locations in upscale neighborhoods to build their majestic churches because they are trying to draw the lost. They are trying to draw rich Christians. If they truly wanted to draw the lost, they would build their churches in the inner cities where they could do the most good – where the truly desperate people live.
Moreover, if Christians were truly honest, they would admit that they really do not want to draw sinners. What would happen if the world really took churches up on their offer, and one Sunday, dozens, hundreds, or thousands (depending on the size of the church) of sinners walked in and sat down? Prostitutes dressed their working clothes, drug addicts who haven’t showered in weeks, murderers, inner city gang members, etc. What would happen? Well, you can be sure that if people of this sort came in, the Christians would leave and find another church where “that sort” are not welcome.
So let’s quit lying that the majestic, upscale churches in affluent suburbia were built in the name of Christ, for His glory, and “to reach people.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Churches are designed and built not to attract the world but to attract wealthy Christians.
Up to this point we have merely considered the easy part. That is to say, we have only considered the financial aspects of divestment as instructed by Jesus. However, the words the Spirit spoke were not about the financial aspects of our lives but about divesting ourselves in the areas we consider spiritual.
Divestment
In many ways, contemporary Christians act like investment brokers. They see their life as a portfolio of investments and invest in whatever yields them the highest rate of return. The problem is that their return on investment is not a return that benefits God. It is what benefits them individually. Consequently, before they can begin to be a benefit to God, they must first divest themselves of their current investments.
Paul observed how quickly the Galatians embraced “another [alternate (Wuest)] gospel.” If the Galatians could be guilty of embracing an alternate gospel, should it surprise you that contemporary Christians are also guilty of embracing an alternate form of spirituality – something they believe to be spirituality but in reality is little more than self-indulgence?
The form of spirituality in which contemporary Christians continue to invest is a “feel good” religion. It encourages them to placate to Christian needs for pleasure instead of evangelizing the lost, it covers up the guilt Christians feel for not obeying the words of Christ. It rationalizes away their sin, apathy, and compromise, and it numbs them against the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
That is why it is so very important for Christians to divest themselves of the form of spirituality they have come to believe is from God. It is not from God. It is part of Satan’s end time deception. It is part of Joshua-gate.
We call upon you to see yourselves as God does. When you walk down the street and see a woman all decked out in seductive attire, do you think of her as virtuous? Of course not. So when God sees apostate, idolatrous, compromising Christians attending church, “acting” like something in their hearts they are not, pretending to be spiritual, anointed, and gifted, do you think He tells Himself, “Now, there is a super Christian”? Of course not. He calls them as they are. He says, “Now, there is a whore.”
If you are ever to truly receive from God, you must divest yourself of your acting, your pretending, your arrogance. You must freely admit that you are a fake and a fraud. If your arrogance will not allow it, then be sure of this: someday everyone will know what kind of fraud you are.
You probably believe that you and your church are spiritually sound, but then, don’t all Christians think that way? If you are at par with most Christians and your church is at least par with most other churches, and most other churches are spiritually dry fountains, then what does that say about you? We beseech you to listen to the words of Jesus: “You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Quit buying into Joshua-gate. Quit buying into the greatest lies from the greatest liar. You are not what you think you are. Your greatness and spiritual “overcoming” exists only in your mind. It’s time to get real. It’s time to divest.
Final Thoughts…
It’s important to understand that God never said that our nations must repent in order to receive His healing - God said that His people must. In the book of Revelation we find that after the curses and plagues are poured out upon this world that people “still [will] not repent (Revelation 9:20).” Since God only asks that His people repent it becomes clear that the arrogant and defiant people of that age are His. If Sodom would have been spared for 10 righteous what then do we know about the end of this age? We know that judgment does not hinge upon the “spiritual” condition of this world, but upon that of God’s people. If judgment is falling upon our nations it’s because of the failure of Christians and not the sins in our land.
In addition, we all know that Saul was the first king of Israel and that his reign ended in disaster. Saul eventually overstepped his authority and was rejected by God. But Saul’s predisposition to overstep what God ordained for him was, in fact, characteristic of his reign. Twice in the book of Samuel God said that He ordained Saul to be a “captain” over His people (1 Samuel 9:16, 10:1). The Hebrew word used is nagid, which means “chief leader” or head of a family. However, when Samuel presented Saul to the people, they declared him to be their “king (1 Samuel 10:24).” The Hebrew word used is mamlakah which means “kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, or reign.”
We find here that God and His people had two different opinions. God had in mind to give the people a political leader as their “captain.” The people, however, were looking to replace God with a king. Whether or not God remained king of His people lay squarely in the hands of Saul. Would he succumb to the flattery of God’s people, or would deny himself and take his rightful place as their leader? Saul succumbed to flattery, choosing to accept their endorsement instead of God’s.
The tragedy of this situation is that it did not end there. Church leaders throughout history have refused to recognize the disastrous consequences of giving in to the flattery of their followers and accepting the mantle of king. People are never satisfied with just a leader. They want someone who will be an icon of their kingdom, someone to set on a pedestal, someone they can deify and follow. Christians continue to press their leaders to be more than what God apportioned to them. And their leaders humbly accepted this new role, excusing their sin by saying, “I never wanted this responsibility. They made me take it.”
Remember Saul. Whether or not he replaced God as their king was in his hands. It was not up to the people. The people declared him to be their king, but God declared him to be their leader. Who would he listen to? We know what happened. Saul chose the grandeur of the kingship the people offered, and in doing so, he stole the kingdom from God. Don’t allow that to be the commentary on your life.
Most Christian leaders find it both impossible and impractical to “divest” themselves of the honor and respect they feel is due them because of their ministries. Like the Pharisees, they sit in “chief seats” resembling thrones, set up in front of the congregation, sometimes even on a platform or stage. Are they willing to follow the words of the Christ and divest themselves of all their grandeur? Would they “sell it all” and follow Christ?
We call on Christian leaders to set an example for the church to follow. Divest yourselves of your greatness, of all that you believe makes you special and spiritual, and then perhaps your congregations will do the same. Look at the cold arrogance of your congregation and understand that you are looking through the window of your own heart. Therefore, we call upon Christian leaders to repent and to “divest” themselves of all that they hold as spiritually valuable.
Satan’s plan of deception is not at all as simplistic and transparent as you think. He has guile that you cannot begin to fathom. The deceptive nature of Joshua-gate is far too cunning. Consequently, you must listen to the small voice in your heart that is telling you it is time to stop being a fraud and repent. Don’t try to figure it out. Just do what in your heart you know that you must: divest!
Amen.
Feb 29, 2008
What To Do About Easter?
Danny McDowell
Most Christians either DO NOT KNOW--------or DO NOT CARE, about the history of EASTER and the meanings of it’s varied celebrations world-wide. The history of Easter is decoded in it’s very NAME.
This yearly celebration is named for the ancient Babylonian goddess “ISHTAR” of the very same pronunciation [eester]. The celebration, like most ancient holy days, begins in Babylonian religious myth. In the days of ancient
Nimrod was married to Ishtar. After Nimrod’s death; in order to consolidate power, and to keep power in the hands of Ishtar and her son. Ishtar married her own son who’s name was Tammuz. One day as Tammuz was hunting for wild boar [for he was a great hunter as was his father Nimrod], he [Tammuz] was gored by a wild pig. He became very ill from this injury and later died of his wounds.
In torment, and grief,. Ishtar prayed to the gods of the underworld to release her son from the bondage of the underworld. In the mythology; the god’s of the underworld agreed to release Tammuz from his captivity for one day per year.
This DAY came to be known as ISHTAR , and the day of the week was that ancient, weekly pagan holy day of SUN-DAY. Each year at
It was required that the WOMEN of the empire should WEEP IN TRAVAIL for FOURTY DAYS prior to Ishtar Sun-day morning. With GREIF satisfactory to the gods----Tammuz was released. This became known as the “WEEPING FOR TAMMUZ” It is recorded in Ezekiel:
|
In this same vein----it was required of the ELDERS to stand with their BACKS TO THE TEMPLE and to worship the RISING OF THE SON [Tammuz]. This abominable practice made it’s way into apostate
Later in time, as the Bishops of Rome [popes] contrived to unify Roman religions, and give unchallenged POWER to the Pontiff; many pagan practices were introduced to the NOW APOSTATE church. EASTER was one of MANY to find it’s way into Christendom In order to “Christianize” these clearly PAGAN traditions , the church was compelled to create acceptable fable in order to placate the contemporary believer. Hence, we have the “LENTEN SEASON [fourty days of weeping for Tammuz], and EASTER SUNDAY [the resurrection of Tammuz].
| Tim 4:1-3 |
| 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; |
| |
| 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; |
| |
| 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. |
| KJV |
So now we have, NOT ONLY THE HOAX-------but the hoax has become an an ENTRENCHED TRADITION to the very sad realization that the entire PASSION STORY is abundantly presented in the New Testament. There is no need for fable.
| Cor 5:7-9 |
| 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: |
| |
| 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. |
| KJV |
The New Testament is so CLEAR about this matter that the DENIAL of these Biblical witnesses borders on that very proclamation of the Apostle Paul:
| 2 Thess 2:10-12 |
| 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. |
| KJV |
Christ is our ETERNAL PASSOVER ! There is NO EXCUSE for this abominable exchange that has been celebrated in the church for CENTURIES-----NONE!!
What shame-------shame, shame, shame! That we should sacrifice the TRUTH for such a lame fable as EASTER. EASTER IS NOT PASSOVER-------and PASSOVER IS NOT EASTER. Passover falls on the FULL MOON nearest the SPRING EQUINOX [March/April]. It shall NEVER CHANGE.
For two hundred years the church followed the tradition of the Apostles and celebrated the ONLY AUTHORIZED CELEBRATION of the DEATH----BURIAL----AND RESURRECTION of the Savior. Jesus said “do this in rememberance of me”. They celebrated this event ONCE PER YEAR------AT PASSOVER. It was THE LORD’S TABLE !--------THEN CAME THE BISHOPS OF ROME !
| Cor 11:24-31 |
| 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. |
| |
| 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. |
| |
| 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. |
| 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. |
| |
| 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. |
| |
| 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. |
| |
| 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. |
Let’s get this straight-----WE WERE NEVER AUTHORIZED TO CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION, CERTAINLY NOT EASTER !! We are COMMANDED to celebrate the Savior’s DEATH------TILL HE COMES. This sacrament has been lost to PAGAN TRADITION.------IT’S NOT TOO LATE. WE CAN FIX IT. GOD IS MERCIFUL. JUST REPENT AND FOLLOW THE NEW TESTAMENT!
Just look at I Cor.11:27-----it says “whoever celebrates this sacrament UNWORTHILY is GUILTY OF CHRIST’S BLOOD. That’s how important this matter is to Y-O-U !
Each year at Passover, we at the New Testament Fellowship of Winston/Salem North Carolina, celebrate the LORD’S TABLE under a predictable FULL MOON in the evening of 14 AVIV. Why not do the same. It’s wonderful to know that you are following a GREAT CROWD of New Testament Saints as we celebrate “CHRIST----OUR PASSOVER”. Danny McDowell---------ps don’t waste your time with all that hoey about law and grace. It has NOTHING TO DO with this lesson.
2Thessalonians And The Return Of Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians and the Return of Christ
By Kato Mivule
February 12th 2008
We once again humble ourselves to study the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonica Saints concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We have been taught many doctrines in Christendom which totally disagree with the word of God and as such we must judge those views in light of God’s Word and reject what is evil – the deception and lies and hold on to Truth, allowing the Bible to interpret itself on this crucial subject.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a very important subject that one’s view of this topic will certainly affect their walk with The Lord. The Lord desires that we correctly and biblically know about His Second Coming and not be caught up like the Pharisees who failed to discern the signs of the times that pointed to the First Coming of the Messiah.
Counted worthy for God’s kingdom, for which you suffer…
2 Thessalonians 1:3-5
(3) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
(4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
(5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Paul gives thanks to God once again as he did in his first letter to the Thessalonians that their faith had grown exceedingly with love despite the persecution and tribulations that they were going through. Tribulations and Persecutions are not words that the Church today desires to hear.
Yet for God to have mercy on many in the Church and count them worthy of the kingdom of God, The Lord Himself will allow the saints to go through persecutions and sufferings for the Name of Christ Jesus. It is when the saints go through persecutions and tribulations that their faith becomes sound and grows exceedingly. This is a very hard saying but that is what the global Christian church is going to face in the very near future.
Church Denominations will fall, Church buildings will mean nothing, pompous Christian leaders will fail and all saints will fix their eyes on Jesus Christ as all nations hate those who love Jesus Christ. Our only consolation will be Jesus Christ and hope in His return…
It is manifest token of God’s Righteous Judgment that we be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we suffer… Suffering for Christ Jesus is part and parcel of the Christian life experience…
The Lord Jesus Christ will come to Judge – Vengeance belongs to Him…
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
(6) Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
(7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
(8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
(9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Paul encourages the saints that The Lord Jesus Christ will return and take vengeance on…
• Those who have troubled the saints… This involves all who engage in persecuting, causing suffering, and killing of the saints. The Lord Himself will judge them and repay their evil deeds. However, this calls for patience of the saints for vengeance belongs to The Lord alone. We are not to take up arms and fight against our captors and those who cause suffering to us. We are to endure the suffering and await the return of The Lord when He Himself will avenge our persecutors. We are to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ as He endured the cross and did not fight back…for His Kingdom is not of this world…
John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Romans 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• All who don’t know God… This involves all those who have not known The Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. They might have heard about Him but rejected Him.
• Those who don’t obey the gospel… This involves those who knew the truth of the gospel but refused to obey it. It involves those who have decided to turn their backs of The Teachings of Jesus Christ and His commandments to the Church. Most of Christendom today falls under this category as people simply refuse the Teachings of Jesus Christ but obey Man and Traditions of Man…
Hebrews 10:26-31
(26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Be Counted Worthy of THIS Calling…
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, what is ‘THIS’ worthy calling that Paul is speaking about here? Is it not the very calling he speaks about in the verses above this very one?
2 Thessalonians 1:5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
It is this calling that Paul alludes to here, the calling to be counted worthy for the kingdom of God for which we suffer… Yes, being counted worthy for the kingdom of God also means suffering for the Name of Jesus Christ.
Today most of the ‘Westernized’ Church scorns and scoffs at those who suffer for the Name of Jesus Christ and pays little attention to our fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering and enduring persecution for the name of Jesus Christ. Is it because that the ‘Westernized’ Church might not be worthy of the kingdom of God? Have they compromised with the world to such an extent that they are best friends with the world and therefore enemies of Jesus Christ?
The early church did not view Christians who endured suffering for Jesus Christ with scorn and scoff; they applauded them, encouraged them, and saw such Christians as counted worthy for the kingdom of God. It sounds out of place that one would tell Christians today that suffering for Christ is part of our Christian faith. Most of the ‘comfortable’ Church would totally laugh at such yet the early apostles did not…
Acts 5:40-42
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Brethren, sufferings for Christ Jesus are not to be taken lightly. Let’s pray that we be counted worthy for that same calling that the apostles rejoiced for – counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name… In the coming days, the Antichrist will arise and heavily persecute the saints and all those who reject the Number of the Beast…will you be among those counted worthy to suffer shame and reproach for the Name of Jesus Christ even unto death?
Revelation 13:4-10
And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If any man have an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 12:9-11
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
The Coming of Jesus Christ and Our Gathering To Meet Him…
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Paul reiterates to the saints in Thessalonica what he had taught them earlier in his first letter to the Thessalonians about the Coming of Jesus Christ. Paul clearly was speaking about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in this passage. It is also clear that he speaks about one event…
• The Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ…
• Our Gathering to Meet Him…
All these are one and the same event. When Then Lord returns, we as saints gather to meet Him. This is also very consistent with what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21… Jesus Christ is very clear that when He returns – after the tribulation of those days…during which the angels gather his elect… So it is very clear that when Jesus Christ returns the saints shall be gathered to meet Him. But wait a minute, there is going to be an order of things even as we are gathered to meet The Lord…
Can the Rapture happen at any time?
Paul warned the Thessalonica saints not to be shaken in mind or troubled in spirit by word or letter as if from the apostles claiming that ‘the day of ‘Christ is at hand’… Interestingly King James Version uses this phrase ‘the day of Christ is at hand’… Other translations state ‘that the day of the Lord has already come’…
However, the King James Versions brings this verse out correctly, which is that there are those who went around churches telling the saints that the day of Christ is ‘at hand’…
When we look into the Strong’s Dictionary for this meaning in Greek of the phrase ‘at hand’, we find something astonishing…
G1764
enistēmi
en-is'-tay-mee
From G1722 and G2476; to place on hand, that is, (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant: - come, be at hand, present.
The Greek word for the phrase ‘at hand’ is ‘enistemi’ with meanings…
To place on hand…
• Impend… be imminent, loom, be about to happen…
• Be Instant… immediate, instantaneous, moment….
• Present…
• Imminent…
We find out that there were folks who erroneously taught that the day of Christ is ‘at hand’…that the day of Christ is IMMINENT… they caused trouble in the churches in Thessalonica that Paul the apostle had to write a letter to correct this doctrinal error.
Today we do have the same spirit of error around that has engulfed the large part of the Church to day. There are those who teach that the day of Christ is at hand…they teach that Jesus Christ’s return is IMMINENT. The Imminent doctrine teaches that Jesus Christ can return any moment and that the rapture can happen any time.
The biggest pushers of this imminent rapture doctrine are Tim LaHaye of ‘Left Behind Series’ among others who have sold millions of books worth millions of dollars… This doctrine is also known as the Pre Tribulation Rapture… Brethren, lets see what Paul had to say concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ…
That day will NOT come UNLESS…
Paul explains to the Thessalonians that that day will NOT come UNLESS the following happen…
• The falling away comes first…
• The Man of sin is revealed…
These two events have to occur before The Day of the Christ comes… Paul goes on ahead to warn the Thessalonians that they should NOT let any one DECIEVE them by ANY means as that day will NOT come unless those events take place…
Paul’s teachings agree very well with the Prophet Daniel, Jesus Christ and John the apostle…there is no contradiction at all in what they write…they all strongly agree with each other.
The prophet Daniels states that in the latter days the Antichrist will fight against the saints and will be destroyed at the coming of The Lord Jesus Christ…
Daniel 7:20-28
(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 spoke 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.
(23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
(24) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
(25) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
(26) But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
(27) And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
(28) Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Jesus Christ clearly speaks of the Abomination of Desolation being set up of course by the Antichrist, thereafter which will be such great tribulation in which the saints will heavily be persecuted…and Jesus Christ returning after the tribulation of those days…
Matthew 24:15
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Matthew 24:21-22
(21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Matthew 24:29
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
John in the Book of Revelation narrates how he saw the Antichrist fight against the saints and is destroyed when Jesus Christ returns…
Revelation 13:1-10
(1) 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.
(2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
(4) And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
(6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
(7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(9) If any man have an ear, let him hear.
(10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
It is a coincidence that the writers in the Bible all agree concerning the return of Jesus Christ or is it proponents of the Pre Tribulation rapture and IMMINENT Return teachers that are contradicting scripture?
So, for the day of The Christ – the day of The Lord to come, we must first see the Falling away and the revealing of the Man of Sin…
The Falling Away…
Concerning the Falling Away… Paul the apostle is speaking about those who will fall way from the Truth and follow after deceptive spirits and doctrines of demons… The Greek word for the phrase ‘the falling away’ is…
G646
apostasia
ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”): - falling away, forsake.
The Greek meaning for ‘Falling Away’ is ‘Apostasia’ commonly known as Apostasy with meaning of …
• Defection from truth…
• Falling away…
• Forsake…that forsaking truth…
Paul, the apostle is speaking of a time that will come when some of those who know the truth will decide to forsake the truth and defect or depart from truth and follow after doctrines of devils and demons.
Paul repeats this in his other letters to the churches, Peter, Jude and John point to this ‘defection’ from truth in the last days. When we see this event take place in which Christians defect from truth and give heed to doctrines of man and demons, we should know that we are in the last days and that the next event that will transpire is the revealing or unveiling of the Antichrist….
Matthew 24:23-25
(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 show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
(25) Behold, I have told you before.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
(1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 Timothy 3:1-5
(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
(3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
(4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
(5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 4:1-4
(1) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
(2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Peter 2:1-3
(1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
(3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
1 John 2:18-23
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
(19) They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
(20) But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
(21) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
(22) Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
(23) Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Jude 1:3-4
(3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no doubt that today, many Christians have defected from truth and given heed to doctrines of demons. Many have followed false Christs (false anointed ones) and gone after miracles while forsaking Truth. This is the Falling Away happening before our very eyes. Christians are forsaking the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and the Teaching in the New Testament to follow after doctrines of denominations and of Man. The next event is the revealing of the Man of Sin…
The Man of Sin being revealed…
Paul speaks of the second event that happens after the Falling Away – the Apostasy…and that is the Man of Sin being revealed… The Working of the Antichrist is already taking place but THE Antichrist is yet to be revealed. He will be revealed when he stands in the Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself to be God. His true character will be unveiled.
It is interesting that the King James Version uses the phrase ‘that man of sin be revealed’… When we check out the Strong’s Concordance on the term ‘revealed’ used in this passage we find out the following…
G601
apokaluptō
ap-ok-al-oop'-to
From G575 and G2572; to take off the cover, that is, disclose: - reveal.
Revealed here in Greek is ‘apokalupto’ which means…
• Take off the cover…
• Disclose…make known, unveil, expose…
• Reveal…expose, make public, divulge, disclose…
It is very clear that the Man of Sin – the Antichrist will come under some sort of cover and most folks will not know that this is the Antichrist until he is exposed when he sets himself up in the Temple to proclaim that he is God.
For most people this Antichrist – the Man of Sin will come under the cover of a world peace maker and one who can solve world problems. Even the Jews in Israel will not know that this man is the Antichrist – the Man of Sin because perhaps he will grant them peace to rebuild the Temple and peace with Israel’s enemies especially the Palestinians and Arabs…
The Antichrist bringing in false peace…
Many people including Christians will be taken away by this man’s Charisma and wisdom that they not know that He is the Man of Sin until it is too late… Remember that when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them.
1 Thessalonians 5:3
(3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
At some point in time, folks allover the world will be saying ‘Peace and Safety’ and then sudden destruction begins which I believe will be the Seal and Trumpet Judgments in the Book of Revelation being released on the earth as the Antichrist sets up the Abomination that causes desolation in the Temple…
Where does the ‘Peace and Safety’ Fit, before or after the Great Tribulation?
Now it is important to note that the folks in the world cannot say ‘Peace and Safety’ as Jesus Christ is about to return after the tribulation of those days…this scripture has to fit in somewhere before the Great Tribulation which is 3.5 years, takes place. This is because during the Great Tribulation there is virtually no peace on earthy but chaos, judgments from Heaven, and war upon the saints launched by the Antichrist…
This is evidence that the Antichrist will surely and certainly come in with false peace agreements with Israel and people will not know that he is the Man of Sin especially the Jews, they will be deceived in accepting an era of Pseudo Peace and Safety until that time when The Antichrist in ‘exposed’ when he declares himself as God in the Temple in Jerusalem and thus the Abomination that causes desolation…
It is also important to note that Temple will have to be rebuilt in Jerusalem for this scripture to be fulfilled. So, it will take an agreement to have Israel rebuilt their temple in the location they want and also it will take time for that Temple to be rebuilt…
Some have erroneously taught that The Antichrist will just show up some how out of the blue and go to Jerusalem and maybe a Temple is miraculously built and then he declares himself to be God and as such cause the Abomination that causes Desolation.
This is not so brethren, there will be a signing of a peace treaty – a false covenant between Israel and the Antichrist who will still be undercover as a man of peace. This is just history repeating itself…for the Antichrist comes in peacefully…
Daniel 8:23-26
(23) And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
(24) And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
(25) And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
(26) And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
Daniel 11:21-24
(21) And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
(22) And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
(23) And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
(24) He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
Just like Antiochus Epiphanes did when he first deceived the Jews into accepting a false peace accord, then he turned around and came and took over Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple…
The Antichrist confirms a covenant with many for one week – 7 years…
Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Many have argued that the ‘he’ in this verse is Jesus Christ and argue that the New Testament does not in any way speak about a 7 year covenant that the Antichrist makes with Israel. However, the ‘he’ here CANNOT be Jesus Christ but the Antichrist whom Jesus Christ was referring to in Matthew 24:15
Matthew 24:15
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The fact that Jesus Christ was referring us to the book of Daniel should be of note. Jesus Christ admonishes the reader to UNDERSTAND this book of Daniel. You cannot place Daniel 9:27 out of context with the other types of Antichrists that Daniel writes about like Antiochus Epiphanes…
Secondly Jesus Christ IS NOT referring to himself here as the one who will cause the abomination of desolation… Jesus Christ is NOT the Antichrist… Some as I said earlier argue that the 7 year period of the tribulation is not found in the New Testament but that it is Jesus Christ who confirms His covenant with many for one week…
I have argued that let any one dare show me a scripture in the New Testament that says Jesus Christ will confirm His covenant with many for ONE WEEK…. No one can come up with such a scripture… The Covenant that Jesus Christ makes is EVERLASTING and NEVER TIME SPECIFIED… (I will deal with the 70 weeks of Daniel in a separate article in much more detail)
So, it is clear that the Antichrist will come with a PEACE AND SAFETY program that the whole world including the Jews will buy into and will not know the true character of the Antichrist until he is UNVEILED, EXPOSED and UNCOVERED when he stands to declare himself as God in the Temple…
So, Brethren, the Antichrist will sign a 7 year false peace covenant with Israel and in the Middle of the 7 years, he will break covenant with the Jews and declare himself to be God and then the Great Tribulation will start which will be 3.5 years full of chaos, judgments from Heaven, the forced 666 Economics, and war on the saints by the Antichrist…
So let us watch as President Bush and EU leaders are busy traveling to Israel seeking a Peace Agreement with Israel and the Arabs over Palestine State and dividing of Jerusalem… Don’t over look this, it is serious and we are to watch as The Lord commanded us to…
He that restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way…
2 Thessalonians 2:5-7
(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.
Another contentious issue when it comes to Bible Prophecy is the issue of who is the ‘Restrainer’ in 2Thessalonians 2:6-7. Some have argued that the ‘Restrainer’ is the Church and the Holy Spirit. These are folks from the Pre Tribulation camp who claim that when the rapture takes place, then the Church and the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the way giving room to the Antichrist… However, we see the work of the Holy Spirit during the Tribulation, we also see saints present during the great tribulation, and so then that argument does not work.
Secondly if it is the Church that is resisting evil on the earth, then the church seems to be doing a very bad job as we see evil increasing and abounding in these last days. We also see evil taking place inside many Churches. So the argument does not hold up.
We must remember that the restrainer restrains the revealing of the Antichrist. The Bible is clear that the mystery of iniquity is already at work and there is one who restrains the revealing of the Antichrist and so the antichrist will not be revealed until he that restrains is taken out of the way…
Events prior to the Great Tribulation, a clue to the Restrainer…
Now when we put the pieces of this puzzle together, we are led to look at what happens just before the Antichrist is revealed and the start of the Great Tribulation as detailed in scripture… In other words, what events transpire according to the Bible just before the Antichrist is revealed and right after his being revealed, including the start of the Great Tribulation.
We know that the Great Tribulation does NOT start until the Antichrist is exposed in the Temple as he declares himself to be God. So, if we can figure out the events that happen prior and around the start of the Great Tribulation, we can figure out who the ‘restrainer’ is that is taken out of the way… This will help us see who it is that is ‘taken out of the way’ so that the Antichrist is revealed…
Matthew 24:15-22
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
(16) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
(17) Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
(18) Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
(19) And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
(20) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
(21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
We see here in this passage of scripture above that when the Antichrist causes the abomination of desolation, there is chaos and great tribulation immediately after the abomination of desolation…
When we compare this passage with Daniel chapter 12 we find out some more information about the events that transpire before and after the revealing of the Antichrist and the start of the Great Tribulation… We see that there is Great Trouble…which Jesus Christ alluded to earlier in Matthew 24 that if not being shortened, no man would be saved…
Daniel 12:1-3
(1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
(2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
Now, we find something very interesting here in Daniel 12:1…we see that a time will come when Michael the archangel shall STAND UP, the great prince who stands for the children of God…
However, when Michael STANDS UP, there is an event that takes place and that is a TIME OF TROUBLE happens such as never was. The Angel communicating these events to Daniel uses the exact same language that Jesus Christ used as we saw earlier in the book of Mathew 24:21-22…
“For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be…” Matt 24:21-22
“And at that time shall Michael STAND UP, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation…” Dan 12:1
Now we know that Daniel and Jesus Christ are speaking of one event and that is the GREAT TRIBULATION… For Daniel is clear that this refers to the last days when the dead shall be resurrected and we know that he was referring to the resurrection of the Just and the unjust.
However the Resurrection of the Just takes place at the Second coming of Christ as described in Revelation 20:4-6. Now we know for certain that Michael only STANDS UP just at the eve of the Great Tribulation so that the Great time of Trouble can take place…
Interestingly is the Hebrew meaning of the phrase ‘STAND UP’ when we check it out in the Strong’s Concordance…
H5975
‛âmad
aw-mad'
A primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literally and figuratively, intransitively and transitively): - abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be [over], place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
We find Hebrew word for the phrase ‘STAND UP” is ‘AMAD’ with meanings of…
• Stand…, Abide…, Appoint…, Arise…
• Cease…, stop, finish, come to an end…
• Confirm…, Continue…, Dwell…, Be Employed…, Endure…, Establish…
• Leave…,
• Make…, Ordain…, Be…, Place…, Present…, Rise up…, Remain…, Stay up…
• Tarry…
So, I will use for the word “amad” to mean, ‘Cease’, ‘stop’, ‘come to an end’ in context with passage in Daniel 12:1 telling us that Michael shall ‘STAND UP’ and also the ‘Restrainer being removed’.
We shall see that this ties in well with other scriptural witnesses in regards to this matter… So, Michael the archangel ceases to restrain…he stops to restrain, he comes to an end of restraining the revealing or exposing of the Antichrist… After which a time of trouble such as has never been takes place – the great tribulation…
So, we now establish a fact that before the GREAT TRIBULATION Michael does stand up and then the Great Tribulation takes place which starts with the Antichrist unveiled in the Temple as he declares himself to be God… However, let’s look at another witness of scripture in this matter…
Revelation 12:7-13
(7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
(8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
(9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
(10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
(11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
(13) And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
We get more details of what happens just before the Great Tribulation starts in this passage above. We see that there is war in heaven that breaks out, the Devil – Satan and his angels are cast out to the earth.
When that happens, there is a voice heard in Heaven declaring a ‘woe’ to the peoples of the earth because Satan and his angels have been cast down to the earth. The Voice in heaven also declares how the saints are to overcome the cast down Satan…and that is by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and not loving their lives till death…
The same voice in heaven also declares that the devil has come down to earth with great wrath KNOWING THAT HIS TIME IS SHORT… The Devil then goes on to persecute the saints…
So, now we establish facts here that…
• Michael STANDS UP…
• There is war in Heaven…
• The Devil is cast to the earth…
• There is a Time of Great Trouble never before on earth…
• This is the time of Great Tribulation never before on earth…
• Those Days are shortened otherwise no man would be saved…
• This period is 3.5 years according to Daniel 12…
• The Devil knows he has a short time…
• The Devil comes down to earth with Great Wrath…
• The Devil Persecutes the Saints…
• The Saints are told how to overcome…
Revelation 13:1-10
(1) 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.
(2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
(4) And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
(6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
(7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(9) If any man have an ear, let him hear.
(10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
We see that there is a beast that arises from the sea and is given power by the dragon - Satan… Now this beast goes on to blaspheme God and blaspheme His tabernacle… Notice that the Beast does not get power until the Dragon empowers him. The Dragon is the one who was cast down, he is the Devil – Satan – The serpent of old…
So, now we know that the Dragon only empowers the Beast when he is cast down and the Antichrist or the man of sin can now go into the Temple to blaspheme God by declaring himself to be God…
This should be enough information for anyone that the restrainer is none other than Michael who STANDS UP or CEASES to RESTRAIN the Devil and once he does that, there is war in Heaven and the Devil is cast to the earth and then the Devil goes ahead to empower the Beast who then causes the Abomination of Desolation…
And then the wicked one shall be revealed – exposed – unveiled…
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
(8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
(9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
So, the mystery of iniquity is already at work and only Michael the Archangel is restraining the Devil by holding him up in the Heaven until when the time shall come when the Devil will be cast out of Heaven with his angels… When that happens, the Devil will go ahead with full wrath to desecrate the Temple of God by empowering or incarnating the Antichrist and thus causing the Abomination of Desolation… what follows will be a great period of tribulation and great judgments coming upon the earth for 3.5 years. Many saints will be persecuted, beheaded, killed, and murdered for the 3.5 years…
As I have noted above, the revealing of the Antichrist will be by the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. It is Satan that is behind the whole beast system and the Antichrist. This mystery of iniquity is already at work and was already at work even during the early church but the restrainer – Michael the archangel has restrained even to this day.
John the apostle in one of his letters tells the saints that there are many antichrists out there already in the world… However, THE Antichrist is yet to be revealed… The Mystery of iniquity throughout all the past 2000 years has been at work but restrained from revealing THE Antichrist…
1 John 2:18
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
However, soon the restrainer will CEASE to restrain and the Devil will be cast to the earth from then on he will go to empower the Antichrist who will declare himself to be God in the Temple in Jerusalem…
Paul the apostle concurs with John in the book of Revelation that the Antichrist – Beast will come with lying wonders, all power, and signs to deceive then that are to perish… Notice that Paul uses the word DECIEVE then that will perish…
The Antichrist, I believe will during his first 3.5 years of the 7 year covenant with Israel engage in deception that many people will not know they are being deceived…this will go on until when he will be ‘revealed’ – ‘exposed’ in the Temple when he declares himself to be God.
However even after, those who are to perish will continue to believe in his false signs and wonder’s movement… This false signs and wonders that accompany the Antichrist will be orchestrated by the False Prophet… So, the Antichrist and False Prophet will be folks well familiar with the signs and wonders movement in Christendom today…
Revelation 13:11-15
(11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
(12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
(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.
God shall send them strong delusion…
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
(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.
This is a warning to all Christians and all who profess to follow Christ Jesus yet deny His Doctrines and Teachings. The Lord will give them into the hands of the Antichrist and False Prophet and then finally into damnation.
Today Christians would rather follow after miracles and signs and yet reject the doctrine of Jesus Christ and teachings of His apostles as we have them in the New Testament. Remember that the Antichrist and False Prophets will come with lying signs, wonders, and all kinds of miracles to deceive those who reject truth and believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness…
All deception today in the church in form of false doctrines is geared towards leading people to the courts and worship of the Antichrist and false prophet. Many people will not even see the Antichrist just before the Great Tribulation; they will simply think that he is a ‘good’ man who loves peace and with a global vision for peace in the world. They will freely follow after the Antichrist, and gladly work for him, including the Jews who will only have their eyes open that they were deceived when he declares himself to be God in the Temple in Jerusalem…
So, Brethren, let us stay watchful that we hold fast to the traditions given to us by Jesus Christ in the New Testament…
1 John 2:18
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Hold fast the traditions – Doctrine of Jesus Christ…
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
(13) But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
(14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
(16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
(17) Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
Paul encourages the saints at Thessalonica after all that he has taught them concerning the revealing of the Antichrist that they should hold fast to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ or the traditions taught to us by word or epistle…
We should hold fast to the New Testament Doctrine that we have – the sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ and that of His apostles as written down in the New Testament. This is what will keep us from the spirit of deception and damnation out there in the world and presently engulfing many Christian churches today…
It is the Holy Spirit and Belief in Truth – God’s Holy Word that sanctifies us, presenting us a Bride without spot or wrinkle at the coming of Jesus Christ. Those who reject Truth – God’s Word – Doctrine of Jesus Christ reject The Holy Spirit and therefore are not sanctified by the Spirit of Truth…
John 16:13-15
(13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
(14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
(15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
John 17:17
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Being Kept From the Evil one…
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
(1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
(2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
(3) But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
(4) And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
(5) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Paul’s prayer for the saints in Thessalonica was that the word of The Lord would spread forth and be glorified even as it was among the saints in Thessalonica. We need the same prayer in today’s church.
There is so much rejection of truth not just in the world but inside the church and it should be our heart’s cry before The Lord that His Word and Truth will have free course among His Elect and that The Lord will be glorified among them. I believe that in these last days, The Lord is going to answer that prayer but not as we would like it but His way… Many saints will be purified through the fires of the great tribulation.
Interestingly Paul prays for the saints that The Lord would keep them from evil. Jesus Christ did pray for us in the same way that we would be kept from the evil one. When the disciples asked The Lord to teach them to pray, one of the things The Lord taught the disciples was to pray that they be led not into temptation and be delivered from evil. That is a very important prayer for us in these last days that are filled with so much evil.
It should be our prayer that The Lord keeps us from all kinds of evil, especially evil that comes through false doctrines - deception, causing spiritual defilement. We should pray that The Holy Spirit will give us discernment based on God’s word to be kept away from the great deception going on in Christendom today...
Matthew 6:13
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
John 17:11
(11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 17:15
(15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16-17
(16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Philippians 4:7
(7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:12
(12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 4:18
(18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 1:4-5
(4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
(5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jude 1:24
(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,
Revelation 3:10
(10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 2:22
(22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Continuity of Life even during the Tribulation…
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
(6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
(8) Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargable to any of you:
(9) Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.
(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(12) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
(16) Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
(17) The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
(18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Interestingly Paul the apostle ends his letter with these verses exhorting the saints in Thessalonica to continue with their business and to work and not be idle, doing nothing.
It seems that if one reads this passage in context of the first two chapters in the letter, that some folks might have been idle because they had false teachers who came telling them that the Rapture was Imminent. Therefore they could have seen no point of working and engaging in business but awaited the imminent rapture.
Paul exhorted the saints to work and not be idle as it would cause a bad testimony among those who believe not. This is a clear message even to our generation, that we should not cease working even in persecution; we should work and not be idle and lazy. Otherwise we bring reproach to the Name of Jesus Christ.
Now, some will say, what about those who are persecuted and thrown out of the city… Well, Paul experienced such but he had attained skills were he could survive even in another city… perhaps we should pray that The Lord give us skills that we can use anywhere like Paul used to make tents for a living.
Yet Paul was persecuted almost everywhere he went but he speaks of how he labored with his hands so as not to be a burden to the saints. Let us ask The Lord for wisdom in this matter. This will also help us finance and support the weak and also the preaching of the gospel. Ministers should and must work, there is no reason why they should not…
Acts 20:33-35
(33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(35) I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Thessalonians 2:9-10
(9) For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
(10) Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
The Prosperity gospel is a result of preachers who hate to work but become burdens on others through extortion and empty ‘seed faith’ promises they air on TV and Christian Radio. Brethren, it ought not to be so…
I know during the Great Tribulation no man will be able to buy or sell except they have the Number of the Beast…and that will go on for 3.5 years were it will forcefully be placed on all except the Saints of The Lord who will reject it.
During that time The Lord will provide for his people and still I believe that there will be ways to transact business outside the world economic system…perhaps exchange of good for goods and services without any use of the electronic monetary system…
However, that is just my speculation but the point I am making is that we won’t be sitting idle and lazy waiting for our heads to be chopped off! No way! We shall have to be involved in some kind of work even then, outside the Beast 666 Economic system… So, brethren, End Time Bible Prophecy studies is not excuse for us not to work, we must work and help the weak and needy…
Even when our fellow saints get persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ Jesus(which will happen to many saints ), those left behind should continue with a strong work ethic, both in secular work and ministry, and not be idle…
We should pray to God to give us business ideas that we be self employed if possible, especially we ministers and in such a way, you can control your time and work schedules so as to spend more time in God’s Word, Prayer and Ministry…
In Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
Uganda, Africa
By Kato Mivule
February 12th 2008
We once again humble ourselves to study the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonica Saints concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We have been taught many doctrines in Christendom which totally disagree with the word of God and as such we must judge those views in light of God’s Word and reject what is evil – the deception and lies and hold on to Truth, allowing the Bible to interpret itself on this crucial subject.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a very important subject that one’s view of this topic will certainly affect their walk with The Lord. The Lord desires that we correctly and biblically know about His Second Coming and not be caught up like the Pharisees who failed to discern the signs of the times that pointed to the First Coming of the Messiah.
Counted worthy for God’s kingdom, for which you suffer…
2 Thessalonians 1:3-5
(3) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
(4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
(5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Paul gives thanks to God once again as he did in his first letter to the Thessalonians that their faith had grown exceedingly with love despite the persecution and tribulations that they were going through. Tribulations and Persecutions are not words that the Church today desires to hear.
Yet for God to have mercy on many in the Church and count them worthy of the kingdom of God, The Lord Himself will allow the saints to go through persecutions and sufferings for the Name of Christ Jesus. It is when the saints go through persecutions and tribulations that their faith becomes sound and grows exceedingly. This is a very hard saying but that is what the global Christian church is going to face in the very near future.
Church Denominations will fall, Church buildings will mean nothing, pompous Christian leaders will fail and all saints will fix their eyes on Jesus Christ as all nations hate those who love Jesus Christ. Our only consolation will be Jesus Christ and hope in His return…
It is manifest token of God’s Righteous Judgment that we be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we suffer… Suffering for Christ Jesus is part and parcel of the Christian life experience…
The Lord Jesus Christ will come to Judge – Vengeance belongs to Him…
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
(6) Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
(7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
(8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
(9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Paul encourages the saints that The Lord Jesus Christ will return and take vengeance on…
• Those who have troubled the saints… This involves all who engage in persecuting, causing suffering, and killing of the saints. The Lord Himself will judge them and repay their evil deeds. However, this calls for patience of the saints for vengeance belongs to The Lord alone. We are not to take up arms and fight against our captors and those who cause suffering to us. We are to endure the suffering and await the return of The Lord when He Himself will avenge our persecutors. We are to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ as He endured the cross and did not fight back…for His Kingdom is not of this world…
John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Romans 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• All who don’t know God… This involves all those who have not known The Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. They might have heard about Him but rejected Him.
• Those who don’t obey the gospel… This involves those who knew the truth of the gospel but refused to obey it. It involves those who have decided to turn their backs of The Teachings of Jesus Christ and His commandments to the Church. Most of Christendom today falls under this category as people simply refuse the Teachings of Jesus Christ but obey Man and Traditions of Man…
Hebrews 10:26-31
(26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Be Counted Worthy of THIS Calling…
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, what is ‘THIS’ worthy calling that Paul is speaking about here? Is it not the very calling he speaks about in the verses above this very one?
2 Thessalonians 1:5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
It is this calling that Paul alludes to here, the calling to be counted worthy for the kingdom of God for which we suffer… Yes, being counted worthy for the kingdom of God also means suffering for the Name of Jesus Christ.
Today most of the ‘Westernized’ Church scorns and scoffs at those who suffer for the Name of Jesus Christ and pays little attention to our fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering and enduring persecution for the name of Jesus Christ. Is it because that the ‘Westernized’ Church might not be worthy of the kingdom of God? Have they compromised with the world to such an extent that they are best friends with the world and therefore enemies of Jesus Christ?
The early church did not view Christians who endured suffering for Jesus Christ with scorn and scoff; they applauded them, encouraged them, and saw such Christians as counted worthy for the kingdom of God. It sounds out of place that one would tell Christians today that suffering for Christ is part of our Christian faith. Most of the ‘comfortable’ Church would totally laugh at such yet the early apostles did not…
Acts 5:40-42
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Brethren, sufferings for Christ Jesus are not to be taken lightly. Let’s pray that we be counted worthy for that same calling that the apostles rejoiced for – counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name… In the coming days, the Antichrist will arise and heavily persecute the saints and all those who reject the Number of the Beast…will you be among those counted worthy to suffer shame and reproach for the Name of Jesus Christ even unto death?
Revelation 13:4-10
And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If any man have an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 12:9-11
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
The Coming of Jesus Christ and Our Gathering To Meet Him…
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Paul reiterates to the saints in Thessalonica what he had taught them earlier in his first letter to the Thessalonians about the Coming of Jesus Christ. Paul clearly was speaking about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in this passage. It is also clear that he speaks about one event…
• The Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ…
• Our Gathering to Meet Him…
All these are one and the same event. When Then Lord returns, we as saints gather to meet Him. This is also very consistent with what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21… Jesus Christ is very clear that when He returns – after the tribulation of those days…during which the angels gather his elect… So it is very clear that when Jesus Christ returns the saints shall be gathered to meet Him. But wait a minute, there is going to be an order of things even as we are gathered to meet The Lord…
Can the Rapture happen at any time?
Paul warned the Thessalonica saints not to be shaken in mind or troubled in spirit by word or letter as if from the apostles claiming that ‘the day of ‘Christ is at hand’… Interestingly King James Version uses this phrase ‘the day of Christ is at hand’… Other translations state ‘that the day of the Lord has already come’…
However, the King James Versions brings this verse out correctly, which is that there are those who went around churches telling the saints that the day of Christ is ‘at hand’…
When we look into the Strong’s Dictionary for this meaning in Greek of the phrase ‘at hand’, we find something astonishing…
G1764
enistēmi
en-is'-tay-mee
From G1722 and G2476; to place on hand, that is, (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant: - come, be at hand, present.
The Greek word for the phrase ‘at hand’ is ‘enistemi’ with meanings…
To place on hand…
• Impend… be imminent, loom, be about to happen…
• Be Instant… immediate, instantaneous, moment….
• Present…
• Imminent…
We find out that there were folks who erroneously taught that the day of Christ is ‘at hand’…that the day of Christ is IMMINENT… they caused trouble in the churches in Thessalonica that Paul the apostle had to write a letter to correct this doctrinal error.
Today we do have the same spirit of error around that has engulfed the large part of the Church to day. There are those who teach that the day of Christ is at hand…they teach that Jesus Christ’s return is IMMINENT. The Imminent doctrine teaches that Jesus Christ can return any moment and that the rapture can happen any time.
The biggest pushers of this imminent rapture doctrine are Tim LaHaye of ‘Left Behind Series’ among others who have sold millions of books worth millions of dollars… This doctrine is also known as the Pre Tribulation Rapture… Brethren, lets see what Paul had to say concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ…
That day will NOT come UNLESS…
Paul explains to the Thessalonians that that day will NOT come UNLESS the following happen…
• The falling away comes first…
• The Man of sin is revealed…
These two events have to occur before The Day of the Christ comes… Paul goes on ahead to warn the Thessalonians that they should NOT let any one DECIEVE them by ANY means as that day will NOT come unless those events take place…
Paul’s teachings agree very well with the Prophet Daniel, Jesus Christ and John the apostle…there is no contradiction at all in what they write…they all strongly agree with each other.
The prophet Daniels states that in the latter days the Antichrist will fight against the saints and will be destroyed at the coming of The Lord Jesus Christ…
Daniel 7:20-28
(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 spoke 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.
(23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
(24) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
(25) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
(26) But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
(27) And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
(28) Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Jesus Christ clearly speaks of the Abomination of Desolation being set up of course by the Antichrist, thereafter which will be such great tribulation in which the saints will heavily be persecuted…and Jesus Christ returning after the tribulation of those days…
Matthew 24:15
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Matthew 24:21-22
(21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Matthew 24:29
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
John in the Book of Revelation narrates how he saw the Antichrist fight against the saints and is destroyed when Jesus Christ returns…
Revelation 13:1-10
(1) 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.
(2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
(4) And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
(6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
(7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(9) If any man have an ear, let him hear.
(10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
It is a coincidence that the writers in the Bible all agree concerning the return of Jesus Christ or is it proponents of the Pre Tribulation rapture and IMMINENT Return teachers that are contradicting scripture?
So, for the day of The Christ – the day of The Lord to come, we must first see the Falling away and the revealing of the Man of Sin…
The Falling Away…
Concerning the Falling Away… Paul the apostle is speaking about those who will fall way from the Truth and follow after deceptive spirits and doctrines of demons… The Greek word for the phrase ‘the falling away’ is…
G646
apostasia
ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”): - falling away, forsake.
The Greek meaning for ‘Falling Away’ is ‘Apostasia’ commonly known as Apostasy with meaning of …
• Defection from truth…
• Falling away…
• Forsake…that forsaking truth…
Paul, the apostle is speaking of a time that will come when some of those who know the truth will decide to forsake the truth and defect or depart from truth and follow after doctrines of devils and demons.
Paul repeats this in his other letters to the churches, Peter, Jude and John point to this ‘defection’ from truth in the last days. When we see this event take place in which Christians defect from truth and give heed to doctrines of man and demons, we should know that we are in the last days and that the next event that will transpire is the revealing or unveiling of the Antichrist….
Matthew 24:23-25
(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 show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
(25) Behold, I have told you before.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
(1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 Timothy 3:1-5
(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
(3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
(4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
(5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 4:1-4
(1) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
(2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Peter 2:1-3
(1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
(3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
1 John 2:18-23
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
(19) They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
(20) But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
(21) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
(22) Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
(23) Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Jude 1:3-4
(3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no doubt that today, many Christians have defected from truth and given heed to doctrines of demons. Many have followed false Christs (false anointed ones) and gone after miracles while forsaking Truth. This is the Falling Away happening before our very eyes. Christians are forsaking the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and the Teaching in the New Testament to follow after doctrines of denominations and of Man. The next event is the revealing of the Man of Sin…
The Man of Sin being revealed…
Paul speaks of the second event that happens after the Falling Away – the Apostasy…and that is the Man of Sin being revealed… The Working of the Antichrist is already taking place but THE Antichrist is yet to be revealed. He will be revealed when he stands in the Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself to be God. His true character will be unveiled.
It is interesting that the King James Version uses the phrase ‘that man of sin be revealed’… When we check out the Strong’s Concordance on the term ‘revealed’ used in this passage we find out the following…
G601
apokaluptō
ap-ok-al-oop'-to
From G575 and G2572; to take off the cover, that is, disclose: - reveal.
Revealed here in Greek is ‘apokalupto’ which means…
• Take off the cover…
• Disclose…make known, unveil, expose…
• Reveal…expose, make public, divulge, disclose…
It is very clear that the Man of Sin – the Antichrist will come under some sort of cover and most folks will not know that this is the Antichrist until he is exposed when he sets himself up in the Temple to proclaim that he is God.
For most people this Antichrist – the Man of Sin will come under the cover of a world peace maker and one who can solve world problems. Even the Jews in Israel will not know that this man is the Antichrist – the Man of Sin because perhaps he will grant them peace to rebuild the Temple and peace with Israel’s enemies especially the Palestinians and Arabs…
The Antichrist bringing in false peace…
Many people including Christians will be taken away by this man’s Charisma and wisdom that they not know that He is the Man of Sin until it is too late… Remember that when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them.
1 Thessalonians 5:3
(3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
At some point in time, folks allover the world will be saying ‘Peace and Safety’ and then sudden destruction begins which I believe will be the Seal and Trumpet Judgments in the Book of Revelation being released on the earth as the Antichrist sets up the Abomination that causes desolation in the Temple…
Where does the ‘Peace and Safety’ Fit, before or after the Great Tribulation?
Now it is important to note that the folks in the world cannot say ‘Peace and Safety’ as Jesus Christ is about to return after the tribulation of those days…this scripture has to fit in somewhere before the Great Tribulation which is 3.5 years, takes place. This is because during the Great Tribulation there is virtually no peace on earthy but chaos, judgments from Heaven, and war upon the saints launched by the Antichrist…
This is evidence that the Antichrist will surely and certainly come in with false peace agreements with Israel and people will not know that he is the Man of Sin especially the Jews, they will be deceived in accepting an era of Pseudo Peace and Safety until that time when The Antichrist in ‘exposed’ when he declares himself as God in the Temple in Jerusalem and thus the Abomination that causes desolation…
It is also important to note that Temple will have to be rebuilt in Jerusalem for this scripture to be fulfilled. So, it will take an agreement to have Israel rebuilt their temple in the location they want and also it will take time for that Temple to be rebuilt…
Some have erroneously taught that The Antichrist will just show up some how out of the blue and go to Jerusalem and maybe a Temple is miraculously built and then he declares himself to be God and as such cause the Abomination that causes Desolation.
This is not so brethren, there will be a signing of a peace treaty – a false covenant between Israel and the Antichrist who will still be undercover as a man of peace. This is just history repeating itself…for the Antichrist comes in peacefully…
Daniel 8:23-26
(23) And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
(24) And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
(25) And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
(26) And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
Daniel 11:21-24
(21) And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
(22) And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
(23) And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
(24) He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
Just like Antiochus Epiphanes did when he first deceived the Jews into accepting a false peace accord, then he turned around and came and took over Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple…
The Antichrist confirms a covenant with many for one week – 7 years…
Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Many have argued that the ‘he’ in this verse is Jesus Christ and argue that the New Testament does not in any way speak about a 7 year covenant that the Antichrist makes with Israel. However, the ‘he’ here CANNOT be Jesus Christ but the Antichrist whom Jesus Christ was referring to in Matthew 24:15
Matthew 24:15
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The fact that Jesus Christ was referring us to the book of Daniel should be of note. Jesus Christ admonishes the reader to UNDERSTAND this book of Daniel. You cannot place Daniel 9:27 out of context with the other types of Antichrists that Daniel writes about like Antiochus Epiphanes…
Secondly Jesus Christ IS NOT referring to himself here as the one who will cause the abomination of desolation… Jesus Christ is NOT the Antichrist… Some as I said earlier argue that the 7 year period of the tribulation is not found in the New Testament but that it is Jesus Christ who confirms His covenant with many for one week…
I have argued that let any one dare show me a scripture in the New Testament that says Jesus Christ will confirm His covenant with many for ONE WEEK…. No one can come up with such a scripture… The Covenant that Jesus Christ makes is EVERLASTING and NEVER TIME SPECIFIED… (I will deal with the 70 weeks of Daniel in a separate article in much more detail)
So, it is clear that the Antichrist will come with a PEACE AND SAFETY program that the whole world including the Jews will buy into and will not know the true character of the Antichrist until he is UNVEILED, EXPOSED and UNCOVERED when he stands to declare himself as God in the Temple…
So, Brethren, the Antichrist will sign a 7 year false peace covenant with Israel and in the Middle of the 7 years, he will break covenant with the Jews and declare himself to be God and then the Great Tribulation will start which will be 3.5 years full of chaos, judgments from Heaven, the forced 666 Economics, and war on the saints by the Antichrist…
So let us watch as President Bush and EU leaders are busy traveling to Israel seeking a Peace Agreement with Israel and the Arabs over Palestine State and dividing of Jerusalem… Don’t over look this, it is serious and we are to watch as The Lord commanded us to…
He that restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way…
2 Thessalonians 2:5-7
(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.
Another contentious issue when it comes to Bible Prophecy is the issue of who is the ‘Restrainer’ in 2Thessalonians 2:6-7. Some have argued that the ‘Restrainer’ is the Church and the Holy Spirit. These are folks from the Pre Tribulation camp who claim that when the rapture takes place, then the Church and the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the way giving room to the Antichrist… However, we see the work of the Holy Spirit during the Tribulation, we also see saints present during the great tribulation, and so then that argument does not work.
Secondly if it is the Church that is resisting evil on the earth, then the church seems to be doing a very bad job as we see evil increasing and abounding in these last days. We also see evil taking place inside many Churches. So the argument does not hold up.
We must remember that the restrainer restrains the revealing of the Antichrist. The Bible is clear that the mystery of iniquity is already at work and there is one who restrains the revealing of the Antichrist and so the antichrist will not be revealed until he that restrains is taken out of the way…
Events prior to the Great Tribulation, a clue to the Restrainer…
Now when we put the pieces of this puzzle together, we are led to look at what happens just before the Antichrist is revealed and the start of the Great Tribulation as detailed in scripture… In other words, what events transpire according to the Bible just before the Antichrist is revealed and right after his being revealed, including the start of the Great Tribulation.
We know that the Great Tribulation does NOT start until the Antichrist is exposed in the Temple as he declares himself to be God. So, if we can figure out the events that happen prior and around the start of the Great Tribulation, we can figure out who the ‘restrainer’ is that is taken out of the way… This will help us see who it is that is ‘taken out of the way’ so that the Antichrist is revealed…
Matthew 24:15-22
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
(16) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
(17) Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
(18) Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
(19) And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
(20) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
(21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
We see here in this passage of scripture above that when the Antichrist causes the abomination of desolation, there is chaos and great tribulation immediately after the abomination of desolation…
When we compare this passage with Daniel chapter 12 we find out some more information about the events that transpire before and after the revealing of the Antichrist and the start of the Great Tribulation… We see that there is Great Trouble…which Jesus Christ alluded to earlier in Matthew 24 that if not being shortened, no man would be saved…
Daniel 12:1-3
(1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
(2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
Now, we find something very interesting here in Daniel 12:1…we see that a time will come when Michael the archangel shall STAND UP, the great prince who stands for the children of God…
However, when Michael STANDS UP, there is an event that takes place and that is a TIME OF TROUBLE happens such as never was. The Angel communicating these events to Daniel uses the exact same language that Jesus Christ used as we saw earlier in the book of Mathew 24:21-22…
“For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be…” Matt 24:21-22
“And at that time shall Michael STAND UP, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation…” Dan 12:1
Now we know that Daniel and Jesus Christ are speaking of one event and that is the GREAT TRIBULATION… For Daniel is clear that this refers to the last days when the dead shall be resurrected and we know that he was referring to the resurrection of the Just and the unjust.
However the Resurrection of the Just takes place at the Second coming of Christ as described in Revelation 20:4-6. Now we know for certain that Michael only STANDS UP just at the eve of the Great Tribulation so that the Great time of Trouble can take place…
Interestingly is the Hebrew meaning of the phrase ‘STAND UP’ when we check it out in the Strong’s Concordance…
H5975
‛âmad
aw-mad'
A primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literally and figuratively, intransitively and transitively): - abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be [over], place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
We find Hebrew word for the phrase ‘STAND UP” is ‘AMAD’ with meanings of…
• Stand…, Abide…, Appoint…, Arise…
• Cease…, stop, finish, come to an end…
• Confirm…, Continue…, Dwell…, Be Employed…, Endure…, Establish…
• Leave…,
• Make…, Ordain…, Be…, Place…, Present…, Rise up…, Remain…, Stay up…
• Tarry…
So, I will use for the word “amad” to mean, ‘Cease’, ‘stop’, ‘come to an end’ in context with passage in Daniel 12:1 telling us that Michael shall ‘STAND UP’ and also the ‘Restrainer being removed’.
We shall see that this ties in well with other scriptural witnesses in regards to this matter… So, Michael the archangel ceases to restrain…he stops to restrain, he comes to an end of restraining the revealing or exposing of the Antichrist… After which a time of trouble such as has never been takes place – the great tribulation…
So, we now establish a fact that before the GREAT TRIBULATION Michael does stand up and then the Great Tribulation takes place which starts with the Antichrist unveiled in the Temple as he declares himself to be God… However, let’s look at another witness of scripture in this matter…
Revelation 12:7-13
(7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
(8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
(9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
(10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
(11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
(13) And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
We get more details of what happens just before the Great Tribulation starts in this passage above. We see that there is war in heaven that breaks out, the Devil – Satan and his angels are cast out to the earth.
When that happens, there is a voice heard in Heaven declaring a ‘woe’ to the peoples of the earth because Satan and his angels have been cast down to the earth. The Voice in heaven also declares how the saints are to overcome the cast down Satan…and that is by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and not loving their lives till death…
The same voice in heaven also declares that the devil has come down to earth with great wrath KNOWING THAT HIS TIME IS SHORT… The Devil then goes on to persecute the saints…
So, now we establish facts here that…
• Michael STANDS UP…
• There is war in Heaven…
• The Devil is cast to the earth…
• There is a Time of Great Trouble never before on earth…
• This is the time of Great Tribulation never before on earth…
• Those Days are shortened otherwise no man would be saved…
• This period is 3.5 years according to Daniel 12…
• The Devil knows he has a short time…
• The Devil comes down to earth with Great Wrath…
• The Devil Persecutes the Saints…
• The Saints are told how to overcome…
Revelation 13:1-10
(1) 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.
(2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
(4) And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
(6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
(7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(9) If any man have an ear, let him hear.
(10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
We see that there is a beast that arises from the sea and is given power by the dragon - Satan… Now this beast goes on to blaspheme God and blaspheme His tabernacle… Notice that the Beast does not get power until the Dragon empowers him. The Dragon is the one who was cast down, he is the Devil – Satan – The serpent of old…
So, now we know that the Dragon only empowers the Beast when he is cast down and the Antichrist or the man of sin can now go into the Temple to blaspheme God by declaring himself to be God…
This should be enough information for anyone that the restrainer is none other than Michael who STANDS UP or CEASES to RESTRAIN the Devil and once he does that, there is war in Heaven and the Devil is cast to the earth and then the Devil goes ahead to empower the Beast who then causes the Abomination of Desolation…
And then the wicked one shall be revealed – exposed – unveiled…
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
(8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
(9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
So, the mystery of iniquity is already at work and only Michael the Archangel is restraining the Devil by holding him up in the Heaven until when the time shall come when the Devil will be cast out of Heaven with his angels… When that happens, the Devil will go ahead with full wrath to desecrate the Temple of God by empowering or incarnating the Antichrist and thus causing the Abomination of Desolation… what follows will be a great period of tribulation and great judgments coming upon the earth for 3.5 years. Many saints will be persecuted, beheaded, killed, and murdered for the 3.5 years…
As I have noted above, the revealing of the Antichrist will be by the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. It is Satan that is behind the whole beast system and the Antichrist. This mystery of iniquity is already at work and was already at work even during the early church but the restrainer – Michael the archangel has restrained even to this day.
John the apostle in one of his letters tells the saints that there are many antichrists out there already in the world… However, THE Antichrist is yet to be revealed… The Mystery of iniquity throughout all the past 2000 years has been at work but restrained from revealing THE Antichrist…
1 John 2:18
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
However, soon the restrainer will CEASE to restrain and the Devil will be cast to the earth from then on he will go to empower the Antichrist who will declare himself to be God in the Temple in Jerusalem…
Paul the apostle concurs with John in the book of Revelation that the Antichrist – Beast will come with lying wonders, all power, and signs to deceive then that are to perish… Notice that Paul uses the word DECIEVE then that will perish…
The Antichrist, I believe will during his first 3.5 years of the 7 year covenant with Israel engage in deception that many people will not know they are being deceived…this will go on until when he will be ‘revealed’ – ‘exposed’ in the Temple when he declares himself to be God.
However even after, those who are to perish will continue to believe in his false signs and wonder’s movement… This false signs and wonders that accompany the Antichrist will be orchestrated by the False Prophet… So, the Antichrist and False Prophet will be folks well familiar with the signs and wonders movement in Christendom today…
Revelation 13:11-15
(11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
(12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
(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.
God shall send them strong delusion…
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
(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.
This is a warning to all Christians and all who profess to follow Christ Jesus yet deny His Doctrines and Teachings. The Lord will give them into the hands of the Antichrist and False Prophet and then finally into damnation.
Today Christians would rather follow after miracles and signs and yet reject the doctrine of Jesus Christ and teachings of His apostles as we have them in the New Testament. Remember that the Antichrist and False Prophets will come with lying signs, wonders, and all kinds of miracles to deceive those who reject truth and believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness…
All deception today in the church in form of false doctrines is geared towards leading people to the courts and worship of the Antichrist and false prophet. Many people will not even see the Antichrist just before the Great Tribulation; they will simply think that he is a ‘good’ man who loves peace and with a global vision for peace in the world. They will freely follow after the Antichrist, and gladly work for him, including the Jews who will only have their eyes open that they were deceived when he declares himself to be God in the Temple in Jerusalem…
So, Brethren, let us stay watchful that we hold fast to the traditions given to us by Jesus Christ in the New Testament…
1 John 2:18
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Hold fast the traditions – Doctrine of Jesus Christ…
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
(13) But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
(14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
(16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
(17) Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
Paul encourages the saints at Thessalonica after all that he has taught them concerning the revealing of the Antichrist that they should hold fast to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ or the traditions taught to us by word or epistle…
We should hold fast to the New Testament Doctrine that we have – the sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ and that of His apostles as written down in the New Testament. This is what will keep us from the spirit of deception and damnation out there in the world and presently engulfing many Christian churches today…
It is the Holy Spirit and Belief in Truth – God’s Holy Word that sanctifies us, presenting us a Bride without spot or wrinkle at the coming of Jesus Christ. Those who reject Truth – God’s Word – Doctrine of Jesus Christ reject The Holy Spirit and therefore are not sanctified by the Spirit of Truth…
John 16:13-15
(13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
(14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
(15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
John 17:17
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Being Kept From the Evil one…
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
(1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
(2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
(3) But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
(4) And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
(5) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Paul’s prayer for the saints in Thessalonica was that the word of The Lord would spread forth and be glorified even as it was among the saints in Thessalonica. We need the same prayer in today’s church.
There is so much rejection of truth not just in the world but inside the church and it should be our heart’s cry before The Lord that His Word and Truth will have free course among His Elect and that The Lord will be glorified among them. I believe that in these last days, The Lord is going to answer that prayer but not as we would like it but His way… Many saints will be purified through the fires of the great tribulation.
Interestingly Paul prays for the saints that The Lord would keep them from evil. Jesus Christ did pray for us in the same way that we would be kept from the evil one. When the disciples asked The Lord to teach them to pray, one of the things The Lord taught the disciples was to pray that they be led not into temptation and be delivered from evil. That is a very important prayer for us in these last days that are filled with so much evil.
It should be our prayer that The Lord keeps us from all kinds of evil, especially evil that comes through false doctrines - deception, causing spiritual defilement. We should pray that The Holy Spirit will give us discernment based on God’s word to be kept away from the great deception going on in Christendom today...
Matthew 6:13
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
John 17:11
(11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 17:15
(15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16-17
(16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Philippians 4:7
(7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:12
(12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 4:18
(18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 1:4-5
(4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
(5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jude 1:24
(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,
Revelation 3:10
(10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 2:22
(22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Continuity of Life even during the Tribulation…
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
(6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
(8) Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargable to any of you:
(9) Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.
(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(12) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
(16) Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
(17) The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
(18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Interestingly Paul the apostle ends his letter with these verses exhorting the saints in Thessalonica to continue with their business and to work and not be idle, doing nothing.
It seems that if one reads this passage in context of the first two chapters in the letter, that some folks might have been idle because they had false teachers who came telling them that the Rapture was Imminent. Therefore they could have seen no point of working and engaging in business but awaited the imminent rapture.
Paul exhorted the saints to work and not be idle as it would cause a bad testimony among those who believe not. This is a clear message even to our generation, that we should not cease working even in persecution; we should work and not be idle and lazy. Otherwise we bring reproach to the Name of Jesus Christ.
Now, some will say, what about those who are persecuted and thrown out of the city… Well, Paul experienced such but he had attained skills were he could survive even in another city… perhaps we should pray that The Lord give us skills that we can use anywhere like Paul used to make tents for a living.
Yet Paul was persecuted almost everywhere he went but he speaks of how he labored with his hands so as not to be a burden to the saints. Let us ask The Lord for wisdom in this matter. This will also help us finance and support the weak and also the preaching of the gospel. Ministers should and must work, there is no reason why they should not…
Acts 20:33-35
(33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(35) I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Thessalonians 2:9-10
(9) For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
(10) Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
The Prosperity gospel is a result of preachers who hate to work but become burdens on others through extortion and empty ‘seed faith’ promises they air on TV and Christian Radio. Brethren, it ought not to be so…
I know during the Great Tribulation no man will be able to buy or sell except they have the Number of the Beast…and that will go on for 3.5 years were it will forcefully be placed on all except the Saints of The Lord who will reject it.
During that time The Lord will provide for his people and still I believe that there will be ways to transact business outside the world economic system…perhaps exchange of good for goods and services without any use of the electronic monetary system…
However, that is just my speculation but the point I am making is that we won’t be sitting idle and lazy waiting for our heads to be chopped off! No way! We shall have to be involved in some kind of work even then, outside the Beast 666 Economic system… So, brethren, End Time Bible Prophecy studies is not excuse for us not to work, we must work and help the weak and needy…
Even when our fellow saints get persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ Jesus(which will happen to many saints ), those left behind should continue with a strong work ethic, both in secular work and ministry, and not be idle…
We should pray to God to give us business ideas that we be self employed if possible, especially we ministers and in such a way, you can control your time and work schedules so as to spend more time in God’s Word, Prayer and Ministry…
In Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
Uganda, Africa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)