Psalm 46:1-3 (The Message)
A Song of the Sons of Korah
God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
We know in the last days these events will be taking place. We are seeing much evidence that these are the last days. No matter if the “last days” last 20 years or 200 years, we are living in the last days now. At this moment. We are seeing events coming together like we only could have imagined 20 years ago. We do not have to be afraid of what is happening around us. We do not have to be afraid of what we see.
Psalm 46:8-10 (The Message)
Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."
We do not have to be afraid
We do not have to fear, whatever we see happening. God is on our (Christians) side.
We see that the governments of the world are lining up. The one world government is coming into shape and soon will be a reality. These governments are being unified on social and economic issues. Decisions are being made how to deal with them. Until recently, at least one government refused to get in line or kept stepping out of line on this unification. But no more.
The governments of the world almost have reached a total unification on philosophy and action.
So much that happens in the future: The great tribulation; the rule of the anti-Christ; the rapture, and the unification of the world under one government are starting to happen now. It is necessary for these events to occur so the end time’s stage will be set for the final time. We are in the beginning of these events now. We are seeing them happen. There is nothing we can do about them.
Some of these nations have been given much by God and it is in these times, these very nations will give it all away. That is happening now. These very nations that have received much from God, primarily because of their handling and support of the gospel will give it all away. The word of God explains the events that will happen. We can not stop it, but we do not have to fear it. God is in control.
A lot of Christians think that the Appearance of the Antichrist, the image where it should not be, the mark of the Beast, and the Beast's alliance of nations will be easy to see. They also believe that these things will be universally recognized as evil and sinister. But the sad part of the truth is that the Antichrist and the accompany religious system will be universally popular and well accepted. This form of government will look like the greatest and most wonderful religious, political, and economic system the world has experienced.
This leader, president, king, benefactor of nations will appear as a dynamic, popular, gentle, and charismatic individual who will lead his alliance of nations and the world into peace and prosperity never known before.
The Antichrist is an individual who is against the true Christ. Moreover this individual is attempting to pass himself off as the true Christ. And does so for a time.
The Antichrist will be a dynamic and charismatic individual
He is to become the leader of a powerful religious governmental system. This powerful system will control an alliance of nations. The Antichrist is the individual who has absolute authority, power, and control over all religious, philosophical, economic, and political aspects of people who live under his control.
The Antichrist is the product of a creative deception of the Devil. This deception will deceive all but the elect of God.
The Antichrist will gain power and be accompanied by supernatural signs and miracles and will be accepted as a god in the flesh by most people on earth. This false Christ’s and his prophets who will precede his arrival as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The characteristics of the devil?
The devil is a liar, cunning, a tempter, deceitful, totally evil, a thief, an adversary, wicked, cowardly, a murderer, without principles, rebellious, fierce, cruel, spreading discord, a destroyer and proud. But he has limitations. Does the devil know what you are thinking? No, not directly. He knows what you are thinking in the same way you know what your friend, husband or wife is thinking.
Can the Devil know what you are praying about or for? No unless you pray out loud. Otherwise, things prayed with your thoughts, mind and heart are invisible to the devil.
Satan, unlike God, is not omnipresent and therefore, since he can’t be everywhere at once, he must be somewhere at once. Satan does not have that ability (to know our thoughts). Satan has some capacity to drop thoughts into our consciousness – we are told to “take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.” Some thoughts are ours; some thoughts are from God; some are straight out of the pit of hell.
Satan works in the area of lies
He’s the Father of Lies – and fathers produce seed.
These are the end times. What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and found that the rapture had taken place and you were left behind, you were to partake of the rapture? You were not “caught away” What would you do? How would you conduct yourself? Is there any hope for you and others who are left behind?
There is a special message for those of you who are seeking answers that are filled with hope, encouragement, and comfort. Along with the bright side of the message, there is a message of dark warning. Our world is in a state of deep shock. The earth has lost a significant part of the population. Millions of people have suddenly disappeared without any warning, and without any real, clear explanation.
The liberal press is making a large effort to guide your thoughts on this matter. The media is making suggestions maybe not of their own: Aliens kidnapped them; they were “beamed up” as in Star Track movie; maybe suggestions are that the world is somehow better off without them; the leaders certainly know what they are doing and they have the power to do something like this. Maybe these people are not worthy of any more thought or action. They could have been whisked into another time and dimension for reform. The feeling being projected is one of concern but trust in the great leaders of the world. They will be found and returned when it is right for them to do so. Once you understand what has happened, and why it has happened, you will realize that this will not be the case.
You really need to know what has really happened.
Following that you will be in position to understand what you need to do and what steps you need to take to protect yourself in the days ahead. You will have to completely answer the question “What does it mean to be left behind?" But first you are probably asking, "Who or what left me behind?"
Every person on earth has been affected by this event. There is not a person alive right now that is unaffected. Everyone has a personal knowledge of a missing person. The whole planet is asking, "What happened?"
What took place is an event the Bible calls the Rapture of the Church. It is clearly explained in Scripture.
John 14:1-4 (The Road)
Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking."
He made that promise to believers
The Common name for what happened is “the Rapture”.
The rapture of the church is the event in which God removes all believers from the earth in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured out on the earth during the tribulation period. The Rapture of the Church is an event that happened for Christian believers who knew Jesus Christ as their Savior. They are "in Christ" - a term that is used 53 times in the New Testament to identify those who belong to the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a church that had a denominational label, or any name at all. It is comprised of all those who received the FREE gift of salvation from God. Jesus became their Lord and Savior.
As said before, the Bible has the “Rapture” spelled out for the reader. For example, in that passage, the Apostle Paul explained this event that ultimately would happen in the future.
Paul said: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (The Message)
The Master's Coming
And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.
Those believers, who had died, had gone to Heaven to be with the Lord. Their spirits have returned. Their spiritual bodies have now been resurrected and reunited with their spirits, and they have been taken to Heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (The Message)
And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master's word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they'll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.
This is the special message referred to in the beginning for those of you who are seeking answers that is filled with hope, encouragement, and comfort. This is the bright message of comfort for believers. Please take note that one day the dead in Christ will rise. Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up with them.
That term, "caught up," harpazo in the original Greek New Testament means to be snatched away or caught away. The Latin meaning of this word is Rapture. We refer to both Latin and English as”rapture." To be "ruptured up" means, just as a dead body can be resurrected from the grave, so a living body can be ruptured away. This is exactly what happened when all of a sudden millions of people are missing all over Planet Earth. These people had a personal living relationship with Jesus, their Lord and Savior.
Some may be saying and have come to mind that they thought they had a personal relationship with Jesus, because they are a “believer”. After all I am a member of a church. I believe in God. I have had spiritual experiences.
Why would I be “left behind”?
But remember, Jesus said:
Matthew 7:13-14 (The Message)
Being and Doing
Don't look for shortcuts to God. Do not fool yourself. Do not engage in wishful thinking. Take this serious, for it is the most serious matter that will ever come into your life, period. Do not joke about it. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do.
The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention!
There will be only a few who find the narrow way to Christ. The narrow way comes through faith in the Lord Jesus. That is to say, you have given control of your life, your existence, over to Jesus. A intellectual belief is not enough. Remember that the devil also believes and he trembles. So belief in itself is not the same as belonging to God.
If in fact millions of people are missing, and if in fact you have been left behind, you must absolutely face the fact that you are not really a part of the family of God, You are not a child of God. You have not been” born again” in to that family.
For your information the meaning of the word few: a small elite group; "it was designed for the discriminating few", a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'; a small but indefinite number; "a few weeks ago"; "a few more wagons than usual"; "an invalid's pleasures are few and far between"; "few roses were still blooming"; "few women have led troops in battle”..
Many people trust their own good works to get them to Heaven. This includes those who say and think “I am better off than the guy next door, so I will be taken on up to Heaven." You must face the fact that salvation is not about what you can do of good things or behavior. Salvation is based on what Jesus did on the cross for you. God loves us. We have sinned. Sin must be punished by death. (God must be true to Himself.) God so loved the world that he sent His only Son to be punished for our sin (s). If you believe and accept this act by Jesus on your behalf, your sin will be forgiven through the death of Jesus. He died for your sins. He shed His blood and gave His life for you. What He did on the cross is the only payment God accepts as a payment for our sin. It is by placing our faith in this sacrifice, He gives us the gift of eternal life.
If you have been left behind, it means you never really knew Jesus as the Savior from God at all. That is why you are still here. Having saving faith means that you accept the Lordship of Christ completely and you are no longer “in charge” of your life.
Second Thessalonians explains what you can expect in the days ahead.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 (The Message)
The Anarchist
Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don't go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don't let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master's arrival has come and gone. Don't fall for any line like that.
Before that day comes; a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He'll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he'll then set himself up in God's Temple as "God Almighty." Don't you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?
This is a dark warning that an evil world ruler is coming on the scene. At first, he may not seem evil. He will appear to be promising peace, success, and prosperity, assuring everyone, "Out of all this chaos, I'll bring order. Trust me. Follow me."
But the Bible says:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 (The Message)
Before that day comes; a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He'll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he'll then set himself up in God's Temple as "God Almighty." Don't you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?
You'll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn't mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don't worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.
That is what exactly had happened!
That Restrainer has been removed. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, comprised of genuine, born again believers, is now gone. God has called His Family home to Heaven. He is about to declare war on the world...
.. and you have missed the rapture!
You are about to take part in what the Bible describes this time as the time of Great Tribulation. You will experience and take part in this time of suffering; you are about to experience the wrath of God which will be poured out on the world. And those alive in it. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said this:
Matthew 24:21-22 (The Message)
"This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God's chosen people, the trouble will be cut short.
Nothing like this has ever happened. Jesus made it very clear that this time of trouble that is coming on the world. The Old Testament prophets said the same thing as well. They put the word out that judgment and troubles are coming, especially for the nation and people of Israel. The Prophet Jeremiah called it the time of "Jacob's trouble".
Jeremiah 30:5-7 (The Message)
"God's Message: "'Cries of panic are being heard. The peace has been shattered. Ask around! Look around! Can men bear babies? So why do I see all these he-men holding their bellies like women in labor, Faces contorted, pale as death? The blackest of days, no day like it ever! A time of deep trouble for Jacob— but he'll come out of it alive.
The whole world will experience this time of trouble. Read the he Book of Revelation like your life depends on it, because it does. Pay extra attention to Chapters 6-18. These chapters describe seven seals opened by Christ the Lamb; seven trumpets sounded by the angels; and seven bowls of judgment poured out by the angels. All together, 21 judgments of Divine wrath are to be unleashed upon the Earth. That is what you can expect in the days ahead. This is what you must live through.
The leaders are talking peace, stability, and even prosperity. We can overcome. This is a time for change. We must pull together and set this right. Let us led you out of this mess. We can do it.
Read the warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (The Message)
The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions. Read the book of revelation. Make it your own. It is a road map for the time ahead. Look especially at those chapters describing judgment. The trees burn up. The grass burns up. The air is dirty. The water is polluted. And not fit to drink. Armies are moving. Orders are given. Leaders are making excuses. Men are fighting. Men are dying. The whole world is at war. A third of the world will die. Soon, another third will die. All together, most of the world's population is facing extinction in the years ahead. Food will be in short supply. Everything alive will suffer. Of course the devastation will be universal and incredible. No wonder Jesus said, "Unless those days were shortened, nobody would survive."
Right now you are facing the experience of war and unprecedented climate changes which will produce great famine, as agriculture suffers huge losses.
Starvation, sickness, and disease will assail you if you survive. These events are all caused by God to make mankind turn to Him for salvation.
What to expect
Satan is a great counterfeiter. It is trick to devise false teachers and false prophets. So be forewarned about the days ahead.
2 Peter 2:1-2 (The Message)
Lying Religious Leaders
But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They'll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They've put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can't tell right from wrong. There will be false apostles with false gospels. Be on the watch for them.
2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (The Message)
Pseudo-Servants of God
1-3 Will you put up with a little foolish aside from me? Please, just for a moment. The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much—this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband. And now I'm afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ. 4-6 It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached—different spirit, different message—you put up with him quite nicely. But if you put up with these big-shot "apostles," why can't you put up with simple me? I'm as good as they are.
It's true that I don't have their voice, haven't mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I'm talking about. We haven't kept anything back. We let you in on everything.
7-12 I wonder, did I make a bad mistake in proclaiming God's Message to you without asking for something in return, serving you free of charge so that you wouldn't be inconvenienced by me? It turns out that the other churches paid my way so that you could have a free ride. Not once during the time I lived among you did anyone have to lift a finger to help me out. My needs were always supplied by the believers from Macedonia province. I was careful never to be a burden to you, and I never will be, you can count on it. With Christ as my witness, it's a point of honor with me, and I'm not going to keep it quiet just to protect you from what the neighbors will think. It's not that I don't love you; God knows I do. I'm just trying to keep things open and honest between us.
12-15 And I'm not changing my position on this. I'd die before taking your money. I'm giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing "preachers," vaunting themselves as something special. They're a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ's agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn't surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they're not getting by with anything. They'll pay for it in the end.
There will be false miracles to win you over. Be on guard since you missed the rapture, your very life depends on it.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 (The Message)
9-12 The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.
In the end times these will combine into a powerful deception that will even seem to threaten the existence of the church itself. Scripture states seven times those false miracles will mislead many.
Matthew 7:21-23 (The Message)
21-23 "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.
Matthew 24:24 (The Message)
The Arrival of the Son of Man
23-25 "If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it. Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. But I've given you fair warning.
Mark 13:22 (The Message)
No One Knows the Day or Hour
21-23 "If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it. Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. So watch out. I've given you fair warning.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 (The Message)
6-8 You'll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn't mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don't worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.
9-12 The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.
Revelation: 13 13-17
This second Beast worked magical signs, dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed. It forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on the right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the name of the Beast or the number of its name, it was impossible to buy or sell anything.
Revelation 13:14 (The message) this second Beast worked magical signs, dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed. It forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on the right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the name of the Beast or the number of its name, it was impossible to buy or sell anything.
Revelation 16:14 (The Message)
12-14 The sixth Angel poured his bowl on the great Euphrates River: It dried up to nothing. The dry riverbed became a fine roadbed for the kings from the East. From the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet I saw three foul demons crawl out—they looked like frogs. These are demon spirits performing signs. They're after the kings of the whole world to get them gathered for battle on the Great Day of God, the Sovereign-Strong. It seems that this will involve a large section of the world's population (the Greek word for many has the connotations of a majority).
Revelation 9:20 (The Message)
20-21 The remaining men and women who weren't killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn't change their way of life, didn't quit worshiping demons, didn't quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn't see or hear or move. There wasn't a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways. The people who are deceived believe that they are serving God in the name of Jesus. However; they are "workers of iniquity". God does far more miracles than the Devil. True miracles are in the majority. God is calling God's people to exercise discernment in the last days.
Is there hope for those who have been left behind?
Yes hope exists!
You need to know at this point in your life that it is possible to come to a saving faith in the time ahead of you.
The final deception that is ahead of you will be like this. You will not be able to believe your eyes. It will seem wonderful in the truest sense of the word. It will be spectacular. Wonders will happen. Fire will fall from heaven to earth on command. People will be genuinely healed. The leader will be triumph over the forces of nature. A sense of magic will prevail. It will seem that to follow the leader will be a wonderful breakthrough into the instant, easy life. Most will believe this is a Utopia World peace will arrive at any time. Just follow the leader. The leader (The Beast) will seem to be a benign dictator. He will be in charge of both militarily and spiritual matters. He will have a centralized rule of law on earth under him. He will have a slogan that will be picked up and broadcast by all the media. It will be something like "Peace through strength”. ... "And they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
Revelation 13:4 (The Message)
3-4 One of the Beast's heads looked as if it had been struck a deathblow, and then healed. The whole earth was agog, gaping at the Beast. They worshiped the Dragon who gave the Beast authority, and they worshiped the Beast, exclaiming, "There's never been anything like the Beast! No one would dare go to war with the Beast!" Your senses will be cover come with the entire goings on. You will think this is an exciting time to be alive. It is true, but for very different reason than you believes. You knowledge and beliefs about who God is and what Christianity is will become strangely irrelevant. The promise of instant good life will over-ride everything. In short, you will become in awe of this marvelous new age.
You will feel it is OK to take part in magic around you!
A person will emerge that will at first appear to be saintly, lamb-like, and meek. "He had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon."
This person is described like this:
Revelation 13:11 (The Message)
The Beast from Under the Ground
11-12 I saw another Beast rising out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb but sounded like a dragon when it spoke. It was a puppet of the first Beast, made earth and everyone in it worship the first Beast, which had been healed of its deathblow.
Of course He will try to win you and He will win many. The will accept His leadership. Then He will lead the world into worshiping the image of the Beast. They will follow Him for three reasons. The cunning promises; the great signs he performs and great power of economic compulsion. God will step in on this situation. Soon, God's judgments will be poured out on the Earth. The sham will be exposed. Surprisingly, few will repent. Most will try to restore their magic and they will be hardened in their new found belief system and logic. One day they will all assemble at a place called Armageddon to do battle with God - and lose.
These people did not and will not believe the plain truth before their eyes. They will follow the leaders. They will not believe that the rapture took place, infect that will not believe the truth of the Bible in any form.
Again, let it be said that the Bible will be the only source of truth during this time
The Bible tells us in Revelation Chapters 6 and 9, "They did not repent."
Revelation 6:15-17 (The Message)
12-17 I watched while he ripped off the sixth seal: a bone-jarring earthquake, sun turned black as ink, moon all bloody, stars falling out of the sky like figs shaken from a tree in a high wind, sky snapped shut like a book, islands and mountains sliding this way and that. And then pandemonium, everyone and his dog running for cover—kings, princes, generals, rich and strong, along with every commoner, slave or free. They hid in mountain caves and rocky dens, calling out to mountains and rocks, "Refuge! Hide us from the One Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! The great Day of their wrath has come—who can stand it?"
At this time of Tribulation a great world leader will come on the scene. According to the Bible, he will be a Beast, the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, the son of perdition, and the lawless one. He will be promising peace to the world. He will promise to bring peace to the Middle East. But ultimately, he will plunge the world into war, and the war will culminate in the Battle of Armageddon.
The Book of Revelation affirms that the world is in chaos in the time of the Tribulation. The Tribulation will last for seven years. This corresponds with the seventieth seven of Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27.
Daniel 9:24-27 (The Message)
24 "'Seventy sevens are set for your people and for your holy city to throttle rebellion, stop sin, wipe out crime, set things right forever, confirm what the prophet saw, and anoint The Holy of Holies.
25-26 "‘here is what you must understand: From the time the word goes out to rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Anointed Leader, there will be seven sevens. The rebuilding will take sixty-two sevens, including building streets and digging a moat. Those will be rough times. After the sixty-two sevens, the Anointed Leader will be killed—the end of him. The city and Sanctuary will be laid in ruins by the army of the newly arriving leader. The end will come in a rush, like a flood. War will rage right up to the end, desolation the order of the day.
27 "'Then for one seven, he will forge many and strong alliances, but halfway through the seven he will banish worship and prayers. At the place of worship, a desecrating obscenity will be set up and remain until finally the desecrator himself is decisively destroyed.'"
There is (are) 69 sevens, 483 years, of history for the Jewish people from the time they rebuilt the city of Jerusalem (445 BC) until the time the Messiah (Jesus) came and died in substitution for us and bore our sins by being crucified on the cross (AD 32). There are still seven more years in God’s plan for the world in general, and God's plan in particular for the nation and people of Israel. There will be seven years calculated from the time of the rapture before Jesus finally returns and the great battle of the great day of God Almighty takes place.
This conflict is called the Battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 16:16 (The Message)
16 The frog-demons gathered the kings together at the place called in Hebrew Armageddon.
This is the final war between Christ and Antichrist, between the forces of God and the forces of evil. When over, the judgment is poured out.
Revelation 16:17 (The Message)
17-21 The seventh Angel poured his bowl into the air: From the Throne in the Temple came a shout, "Done!" followed by lightning flashes and shouts, thunder crashes and a colossal earthquake—a huge and devastating earthquake, never an earthquake like it since time began. The Great City split three ways, the cities of the nations toppled to ruin. Great Babylon had to drink the wine of God's raging anger—God remembered to give her the cup! Every island fled and not a mountain was to be found. Hailstones weighing a ton plummeted, crushing and smashing men and women as they cursed God for the hail, the epic disaster of hail.
The voice of God speaks out from the throne of Heaven, saying, "It is done." Finished. It is over. Done. Nothing but bad news. Too late. Judgment is here. The wrath from God is real. Millions of people will die, because they have turned their backs on God for their entire lives. As the singer often sang “I will do it my way” People think they own their lives. I don't need God."
At this particular time of your life, you need to know Him more than any other.
You could meet Him any moment in this dangerous world. You need Him right now more desperately than you have ever needed Him. You need to turn the reins of your life over to Him before it is too late. You may be among the millions who will die soon. You may not make it through the next seven years. There are no guarantees.
Now is the time to come to Christ!
Revelation 7:9-17 (The Message)
9-12 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb! All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals— fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:
Oh, Yes! The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, The honor and power and strength, To our God forever and ever and ever! Oh, Yes!
13-14 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" Taken aback, I said, "O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know."
14-17 Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That's why they're standing before God's Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, and no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes."
This means that there will be many that will be saved out of the Great Tribulation.
You find that you have been left behind.
Accept that fact. Do not think of other reason for these events. You are going to find yourself in the time of Tribulation. You ask, "What should I do?" You need to do the same thing people have always needed to do, and that is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Believe that He died on the cross for your sins. Believe that He shed His blood on your behalf. Believe that He took the punishment and wrath of God against your sin on the cross.
The world you are living in will experience the wrath of God. It will be poured out. "Is there any hope for me?" you might ask. Yes, there is. Remember the advice to make the book of revelation your own. It is your road map to coming events. Look in Revelation Chapter 7 and discover that there are at least two groups of people mentioned in that chapter that have an opportunity of salvation.
Revelation 7:4-8 (The Message)
4-8 I heard the count of those who were sealed: 144,000! They were sealed out of every Tribe of Israel: 12,000 sealed from Judah, 12,000 from Reuben, 12,000 from Gad, 12,000 from Asher, 12,000 from Naphtali, 12,000 from Manasseh, 12,000 from Simeon, 12,000 from Levi, 12,000 from Issachar, 12,000 from Zebulun, 12,000 from Joseph, 12,000 sealed from Benjamin.
This tells the reader there are 144,000 Jews, described as coming from the 12 tribes of Israel. At least 144,000 Jewish people come to faith in Christ. They ultimately are witnesses for Christ and for their faith in Him. Eventually, many of them will even give their lives for their faith in Christ. And many more of the Jewish people will be saved.
You must know and realize one thing: Salvation is not just for the Jews in the time of the Tribulation. It is also for Gentiles, for non-Jews:
Revelation 7:13-14 (the message)
13-14 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" Taken aback, I said, "O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know."
14-17 Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That's why they're standing before God's Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, and no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes."
The Revelation goes on to describe them as being from every people, tribe, tongue, and nation. There will be lots of them - both Jews and Gentiles - who will come to faith in Jesus Christ. They will believe for the first time ever, "Jesus is the Savior. Nothing else matters. They will see the falseness of their previous beliefs. You will see the absolute need to give your heart and life and soul to Him. The Book of Revelation goes on to tell the reader in the eleventh chapter that God can and will save and at the same time seal their fate. God will send two people to be His witnesses during the time you are about to experience.
This is the time of trouble that you have been reading about and informed about.
These two evangelists will rise from the Jews. They will preach the message of the Gospel, in contest to what the rest of the world is hearing through the media outlets and the leaders. As the book of Revelation relates, they will be killed. But what for this: Three and a half days later, they will be resurrected and ruptured up to Heaven to be with the Lord. This will be the proof for those who choose to accept it. The experience of the millions who disappeared earlier was indeed the Rapture. So now you find yourself in the post Rapture era.
This will have a huge effect: The Antichrist will intensify his hatred of the saved Jews. He will hate the nation of Israel. The demand will be made that everybody in the world receives the mark of the beast.
He will take the following action: He will then break his covenant with Israel and invade them, according to Daniel Chapter 9. He will go to the Temple of God in Jerusalem as outlined in 2 Thessalonians 2, and claim that he is God, and he will demand that the world worship him.
While you can, reconsider the foundations of your life and establish a trusting, personal relationship with Jesus. Remember, Jesus will not be used as a fire escape. You must come to Him in all seriousness, honestly, and yieldness. Examine your motive. Again, know you motives.
I would urge you, if you are willing to come to Christ by faith now, do not receive the mark of the beast. Do not believe the lie of the Antichrist. Be a witness for Jesus Christ, even if you have to be faithful unto death.
Faith
The definition of faith
Complete confidence in a person or plan. Faith is the confident belief or trust in the truth or trustworthiness of a person, concept or thing. Christian faith is about seeking and knowing Jesus with all facets of your character. Your motive is to know Him, and then to realize why you were given life. It is not a proper motive to view Jesus as a fire escape.
The mark of the beast
The mark of the beast is more than just a means of being able to buy and sell during the Tribulation.
Revelation 13:11-18 (The Message)
The Beast from Under the Ground
11-12 I saw another Beast rising out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb but sounded like a dragon when it spoke. It was a puppet of the first Beast, made earth and everyone in it worship the first Beast, which had been healed of its deathblow.
13-17 This second Beast worked magical signs; dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed. It forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on the right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the name of the Beast or the number of its name, it was impossible to buy or sell anything.
18Solve a riddle: Put your heads together and figure out the meaning of the number of the Beast. It's a human number: 666.
Notice that the mark of the beast is actually implemented by the False Prophet. You can view this man as the Antichrist's vice president of the world. He will, in fact, be the leader of the one-world religion. This religion will come to the fore front during the Tribulation. This means to you that the acceptance of the mark of the beast IS EVIDENCE that you are giving your complete allegiance and worship to the Antichrist.
This means that anyone who takes the mark of the beast cannot have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you accept the Antichrist's mark, you will come into everlasting judgment for doing so:
Revelation 14:9-11 (The Message)
9-11 A third Angel followed, shouting, warning, "If anyone worships the Beast and its image and takes the mark on forehead or hand, that person will drink the wine of God's wrath, prepared unmixed in his chalice of anger, and suffer torment from fire and brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels, in the presence of the Lamb. Smoke from their torment will rise age after age. No respite for those who worship the Beast and its image, who take the mark of its name." Once you come to faith in Christ, you have a good chance of paying for your decision with your life. Because this is the time of Tribulation, the seven year period after the rapture, it will cost you your life. You could be put to death by the Antichrist's forces for not accepting the mark of the beast. You could die for witnessing to others of your faith. You could starve to death because of your inability to buy anything. Food, heat, or housing. You might die from the natural disasters taking place around you.
Revelation 2:10 (The Message)
10 "Fear nothing in the things you're about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won't last forever. "Don't quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you. Those who lose their lives for the cause of Christ will receive the crown of life. God will ultimately give you the gift of eternal life.
The Tribulation will be seven years in length. Then it will be over.
You will find that as the tribulation progresses, more and more people come to faith in Christ. They may meet in secret groups for prayer and help. You need to find one of these secret groups and join it. These will be the only friends you have on earth. Keep these words from Hebrews:
Hebrews 10:25 (The Message)
22-25 So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Make no mistake: Christ will return and triumphantly. This is the faith and hope of the future: The triumphant return of Christ. Here it is in plain language:
Revelation 19:11 (The Message)
A White Horse and Its Rider
11-16Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! A white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that's known only to him. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as "Word of God." The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, and then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.
Jesus Christ is definitely coming back from Heaven to wage war with the Antichrist at Armageddon, where He will win.
Revelation 19:12 (The Message)
Christ who rides out of Heaven with an army made up of the ruptured Church.
Revelation 19:14 (The Message)
A White Horse and Its Rider
11-16Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! A white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that's known only to him. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as "Word of God." The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, and then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords. The Church will be established finally on earth. Mark my words. Make no mistake. Christ is coming again to bring an end to the tribulation and to time. He will capture the Beast and the False Prophet and cast them alive into the Lake of Fire. He will bind Satan in the Abyss for 1,000 years. Christ and the Church will reign on Earth for 1,000 years in a time of wonderful prosperity in the world, a time of blessing that will characterize the Millennial Kingdom.
Others will be there also. Imagine. The Old Testament saints will be there.
Matthew 8:11 (The Message)
10-12 Taken aback, Jesus said, "I've yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions—streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God's kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up 'in the faith' but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened."
Everyone who believes on and has faith in Jesus and the good news that Jesus brings within Him. The message is changeless. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
When Jesus was here on Earth, He often said, "He that believes in me will never perish, but shall have everlasting life"
John 3:16 (The Message)
16-18 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
He died for your sins, died in your place, and paid the penalty of sin for you, because He loves you and offers you the gift of eternal life. You can receive that gift by faith, by trusting in Him. The Scripture explains that in the Bible very clearly.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (The Message)
7-10 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. The result..
Ephesians 2:10 (The Message)
7-10 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
You are saved by faith in what Jesus did. Then, the Spirit of God comes to live within your heart and life, and you are born again by the power of God.
Before it is too late, come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your salvation is based on a personal relationship with Christ. Again, make the Book of Revelation your own. Make the New Testament your own. It is your future road-map.
1 John 5:13 (The Message)
The Reality, Not the Illusion
13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.
You need to consider the person you are rejecting. Establish the proper relationship with Him.
Romans 10:13 (The Message)
11-13 Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it." It's exactly the same no matter what a person's religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help."
If you reading this before the tribulation consider carefully in whom your life revolves. Remember that saving faith is the right, loving relationship with Jesus!
