THE GOOD NEWS IS FOR EVERYONE

The Gospel Message

 

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).

 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

 

The Gospel Mission

 

"And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in ALL the world for a witness unto ALL nations; and then shall the end come" (Mt. 24:14).

"And He said unto them, Go ye into ALL the world, and preach the Gospel to EVERY creature" (Mk. 16:15).

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the Gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in ALL the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth" (Col. 1:5-6).

Conclusion

If we are to proclaim the Gospel to EVERYONE (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:45-47; Jn. 1:11-13; Jn. 3:14-17; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Jn. 2:2), and the Gospel states that Jesus died for ALL those who hear the Gospel (Isa. 53:6; Jn. 1:29; Jn. 12:32; Rom. 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:6; 1 Tim. 4:10; Heb. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 2:2), then Jesus must have died for ALL of mankind.
 

This is what the Word says, and it also says, "Let God be true, but every man a liar!"

CALLED AND CHOSEN

Twice in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus used parables to teach the difference between one being called, and one being chosen.  In Matthew 20:1-6, Jesus used the "Parable of the Vineyard," and in Matthew 22:1-14, He used the "Parable of the Marriage Feast," to illustrate His point. 

"So the last shall be first, and the first last:

for many be called, but few chosen" (20:14)

In the "Parable of the Vineyard," the focus is man's reward for his works.  The owner hires four times throughout the day.  The first group, I like to call the union workers because they wanted an agreed upon wage, worked from early morning until the evening.  The second, third, and fourth groups trusted the owner to be fair, and at the end of the day, they received the same wages as the "union workers."  It is funny that the second and third groups did not complain when they received the same amount as the fourth group, but the first group was outraged.  The owner told them he could do what he wished with his money.  He ended his answer to them by declaring the last to be hired as his laborers would be paid first, and the first would be paid last.

This is my interpretation of the "Parable of the Vineyard."  God is the owner.  Throughout its history, He has covenanted with Israel to reward their works with earthly reward.  Once their eyes are opened, Israel will be surprised to learn that God will have rewarded the works of the Gentiles, as well.  He blesses those who bless Israel (Gen. 12:1-2)! 

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (22:14).

In the "Parable of the Marriage Feast," the focus is man being the recipient of grace.  The King sent "his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come" (v. 3).  He sent more of his servants, and while it was bad enough that none came, some of them even killed the servants (v. 4-6)!  The King's reaction was to send an army to destroy them and their city, calling them unworthy (v. 7-8).  Again, he sent his servants to gather guests, both good and bad (they too were unworthy), and the marriage feast was full (v. 9-10).  Apparently, the King's servants provided wedding garments for all the guests, but one refused to wear it.  The King had him removed, and then made the statement:   "For many are called, but few are chosen" (v. 14).

My interpretation of the "Parable of the Marriage Feast," is that the King is God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus, will be wed to His bride (the Church - Mk. 2:18-20; Jn. 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:22-33; etc.). The "wedding garment" is the gracious gift of the "righteousness of Christ" (Rom. 5:17-19; 2 Cor. 5:21; etc.).  The one who refused "Christ's righteousness," attempted to be a part of the celebration, wearing his own "righteousness"; compared to Christ's, ours is but filthy rags (Isa. 64:6)!

God has chosen Israel, but He has called "whomsoever will!"    

MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE FINAL JUDGMENT

"And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of  Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.... And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:11-15).

First, notice that the Great White Throne Judgment is a judgment of the dead!  It occurs at the end of the Millennial Reign of Jesus, when there will be only one group of people remaining upon earth:  the living saints within the Lord's camp (the rest of the world's population, who will have been gathered to war against Jesus, will ALL have been killed - Rev. 20:9).  "Saints" are those who have been sanctified IN Christ, and though they will not be a part of the Church, I believe they will be born again (1 Cor. 1:2).  The Church will have been removed from earth one thousand seven years earlier (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:1-29; Rev. 6 - 18; etc.)!

Now notice the outcome of the Great White Throne Judgment is based upon what is written in books.  There are two theories as to the meaning of "the books":  1)  the Word of God, and 2)  a biographical history of the one being judged.  Either way, the person facing "his Maker," will be found guilty of sin!  And, the sentence for sin is death (Rom. 6:23a).  In other words, EVERYONE will be deserve God's eternal punishment. 

Having been found guilty, before God pronounces His sentence, another book, the Lamb's Book of Life, will be consulted (Phil. 4:3, and seven references from Revelation:  3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; and 22:19).  I believe the book, based upon God's foreknowledge, contains the names of ALL the souls who will have trusted in God.  Those who rejected the Lord's offer of salvation, will, by this time, be both physically and spiritually dead!  They will then experience the "second death" (Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8).

 

Think of the Lamb's Book of Life as the Lord's last will and testament.

It contains His provision for all of His children after His death.

  

THE MARK OF THE BEAST

The "mark of the beast" has long been debated, and many students of Bible prophecy believe it will either be a computer chip implanted in the forehead, or in the hand; or that it will be a tattooed bar-code for a scanner to read.  The word "mark" (Rev. 13:16, 17; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4) is translated as such from the Greek χάραγμα (charagma), which, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, means "a stamp, an imprinted mark, similar to the brand on horses; a thing carved, sculpture, graven work of idolatrous images."  Young's Analytical Concordance defines it as "an impressed mark, or engraving."  The only other time χάραγμα appears in the Word of God, is in Acts 17:29, where it is translated "graven."  Luke wrote:  "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."

Another issue, when it comes to knowing exactly what John meant, is the fact that it is not defined by him!  He wrote:  "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Rev. 13:17).  According to this verse, the "mark" could be one of three things:  an identifying mark, the name of the Antichrist, or a number which represents his name.  That number, of course, is six-six-six; "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" (Rev. 13:18).  That number in Latin, is "DCVI."  In Greek, it is "chi-xi-stigma."  In Hebrew, (reading backwards) it is "Vav-Mem-Resh-Tav."  Many have pointed out that when it is written as "666," the Hebrew is "vav-vav-vav," which in modern day Hebrew, is "WWW."  While it might be tempting to declare the World-Wide Web as being the Antichrist, the Word of God is clear that he is an individual, a human being.

Putting this all together (I am not exactly sure how this even works), the "mark of the beast," could be a brand on the forehead or hand, that is either the name of the Antichrist spelled out (not sure which language would be used), and the letters of his name would equal six hundred, three score, and six, in that language.  OR, it could be all that data within a computer chip.  I do not know, and unless you are the Antichrist or his False Prophet, I suspect you do not know either!

 

Regardless of what it is, born again believers will not be here to receive it!

Praise God!

    

FOR WHOM DID JESUS DIE?

Let the Word of God be true, and every man a liar!

"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" (Isa. 53:6).

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of THE WORLD" (Jn. 1:29).

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL MEN unto Me" (Jn.12:32).

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for THE UNGODLY" (Rom. 5:6).  NOTE:  ALL have sinned; there is NONE righteous; ALL are ungodly!

"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon ALL MEN unto justification of life" (Rom. 5:18).

"Who gave Himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time" (1 Tim. 2:6).

"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe" (1 Tim. 4:10).

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN" (Heb. 2:9).

"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 Pet. 2:1).  NOTE:  He even died for those who deny Him!

"And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD" (1 Jn. 2:2).

 

 

Calvin's "limited atonement" is a heresy!


 

HIS OFFER IS TO EVERYONE

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Mt. 28:18-20).

"And He said unto them, Go ye into ALL the world, and preach the Gospel to EVERY creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:15-16).

"Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among ALL nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:45-47).

"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But AS MANY AS received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn. 1:11-13).

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so LOVED THE WORLD, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED" (Jn. 3:14-17).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized EVERY ONE OF YOU in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, WHOSOEVER believeth on Him shall not be ashamed" (Rom. 10:9-11).

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE" (2 Pet. 3:9).

"And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD" (1 Jn. 2:2).

TEN REASONS TO TRUST IN JESUS

If one watches or listens to the news, it is quite easy to become discouraged, and worse yet, fearful!  But I have good news for all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior:  according to the Bible, of the ten future events which are about to occur, beginning with the Rapture of the Church, and "ending" with born again believers spending eternity with God, none are to be feared by God's children!   They are:

1)  The Rapture - The Church will be taken up into heaven before God sends judgment upon the earth (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Ti. 2:13; Rev. 4:1).

2)  The Judgment Seat of Christ - This will occur in heaven, where born again individuals will be judged and rewarded for their faithfulness (Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:9-15; 9:25; 2 Cor. 5:5-10;1 Th. 2:19-20; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:2-4; Rev. 2:10).

3)  The Tribulation - It is also known as "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27).  It is a seven year judgment of Israel on earth (Mt. 24:4-28; Rev. 6:16 - 19:15).

4)  The Marriage of the "Lamb" - The Church, as the Bride of Christ, will be married to Christ in heaven (Jn 3:29; Rev. 19:7-8).  The wedding super will occur later on earth (Mt. 25:1-13).

5)  The Second Coming of Christ - Jesus will return to earth to destroy His enemies (Mt. 24:29-25:46; Acts. 1:11; Rev. 1:7; 19:11-21).

6)  The Marriage Supper of the "Lamb" - Jesus and His bride, the Church, will celebrate at the wedding feast on earth (Mt. 25:1-13; Lk. 14:15-24; Rev. 19:9).


7)  The Millennial Kingdom - Jesus, as The Christ, will rule on earth for 1000 years (there are many reference to His kingdom throughout the Word of God, especially Rev. 20:1-10).

8)  The Great White Throne Judgment - This will be the final judgment of those who reject Jesus Christ (Rev. 20:11-15).

9)  The New Heaven and New Earth - There will be a new heaven and the new earth, and its description is a great deal like the Garden of Eden in many ways (Gen. 2:4-15; Rev. 21:1-22:5).

10) Eternity with Almighty God - All whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, will live in peace with God forever (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:17; 22:19).
 

Fear not; our all knowing and all powerful God says, "I'VE GOT THIS!" 

JESUS IS LORD, AND HE SAVES HIS FOLLOWERS

"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14).  "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Mt. 1:23)]

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isa. 9:6).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (Jn. 1:1, 14, 17).

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I AM?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." (Mt. 16:15-17).

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.  Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I AM." (Ex. 3:14; Jn. 8:58; 13:13 - see also Jn. 6:48; 8:12; 10:9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1; etc.)!

"Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.  And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."  (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16).

If you are preaching a Jesus who is not LORD, you are preaching a false Jesus!

Jesus is LORD; saving is what He does!

FOREHEADS, HANDS, AND HEARTS

Because the human eye is unique to the individual, as are the fingerprints, modern science has developed ways of identifying individuals, using a scan of their eye, or by scanning their hand.  If they are permitted to enter to restricted areas, identification of them by their eye or their hand, grants them access.  But before their data is recorded, their loyalty (their heart) is closely scrutinized by security agents.  In the religious culture of the Jews, they, too, were identified by the wearing of the Word of God as a sign of their love of God.  Here is what Moses wrote:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:  and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes" (Deut. 6:4-8).

As a result, devout Jews, even today, own phylacteries, which are defined, according to Lexic.us, as "either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm)."  Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making them large so everyone could see how religious they were (Mt. 23:5).  God wants them to honor His Word, even above the honor they give His name (Ps. 138:2)!

It is ironic, that the Jews, being the "main target" of the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15-29; Rev. 12 - 18), will be commanded by the False Prophet, to show they worship (their heart) the Antichrist before they are allowed to wear his name, his mark, or his number, on their forehead or their hand (Rev. 13:15-18)!  Here is what the Apostle John wrote concerning this:

"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.  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship (their heart) the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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.  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 (their heart) the image of the beast should be killed.  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" (Rev. 13:11-18).

 

You must choose:  worship God or worship the Antichrist - your choice will show!

HIS SECOND COMING IN ALL FIVE CHAPTERS

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

1 Thessalonians 2:19 - "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 - "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 - "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  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.  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

TO THE JEW FIRST

Most students of God's Word are aware that the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as Israel's Messiah.  Matthew's genealogy presents Jesus as a child of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation (Gen. 12:1-2; Mt. 1:1-16); and he repeatedly uses phrases like "this was done that it might be fulfilled" (Mt. 1:22; 21:4; 26:56; etc.).  The following two passages show the Lord's mission was to Israel"

"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt. 10:5-6).

"And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.  But He answered...and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt. 15:22-24).

However, Matthew also records Jesus as praising the faith of two Gentiles:  in 8:5-13, a Roman Centurion pleads with Jesus for help, and after listening to the Centurion, He said, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (v. 10).  Then, in 15:22-28, the Canaanite woman (Gentile) I referred to above, begged Jesus to heal her daughter.  Her words to Him prompted Jesus to say, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour" (v. 28).

Then, all four Gospels suddenly change.  What was His mission to Israel, became His ministry to the whole world!  I believe the explanation for that is found in John's Gospel.  He wrote:  "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (Jn. 1:11-12).  Matthew's final words clearly show the Gospel is now the message of hope to all mankind!  He wrote in 28:18-20:

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you (always), even unto the end of the (age).  Amen."

THE TEMPLE, THE TRIBULATION, AND THE MILLENNIUM

The Olivet Discourse is Christ's teaching, specifically meant for the Jews during the Tribulation. In Matthew 24:15-16, Jesus says:

"When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whosoever readeth, let him understand), then let them who are in Judea flee into the mountains."

 The people who see the Abomination of Desolation will have read the Book of Daniel, especially Daniel 9:24-27, and they will understand that they are in danger from the one who guaranteed them seven years of peace. Notice, it is to them, and not you. Christians will not be in Judea, or anywhere else in this world, for that matter, because the Rapture will have removed us at least three and a half years earlier (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 1:10; 5:9; 2 Th. 4:13-18; Rev. 3:10; etc.).

Here are thirteen pieces of evidence to support my view:

*  Matthew 24:4 - Only Jews are still expecting the Messiah (Christ).
*  Matthew 24:6 - Israel hears of wars but does not experience them.
*  Matthew 24:7 - There are famines, pestilences, and earthquakes elsewhere.
*  Matthew 24:9 - Messianic Jews persecuted in synagogues.
*  Matthew 24:14 - The Gospel is about an earthly kingdom.
*  Matthew 24:15 - Only Jews would be outraged at the abomination of desolation.
*  Matthew 24:16 - Those in Judea are warned to flee.
*  Matthew 24:20 - The Jews care about the Sabbath.
*  Matthew 24:23 - The Jews who flee are still looking for the Messiah.
*  Matthew 24:24 - The Jews require a sign (1 Cor.1:22).
*  Matthew 24:29 - The Tribulation is Daniel's 70th Week is for Israel (Dan. 9:24).
*  Matthew 24:30 - The "Son of Man" refers to the Messiah of Israel.
*  Matthew 25:32-46 - Judgment is based upon how people treated the Jews.

His Jewish disciples asked Him when the Temple would be destroyed, and what were to be the signs of His return.  The Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70.  There are no signs for the Rapture of the Church, but all these signs point to His Second Coming, when He will establish His Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1-7).

All the signs listed above, refer to the first half of the Tribulation.

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

What I am about to say is my opinion, my theory, as to the identity of the Bride of Christ.  It is not meant to be taken as biblical truth.  It is merely my understanding of God's Word. 

The Old Testament clearly states that Israel is their Creator's bride: 

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called" (Isa. 54:5).

And yet, the New Testament is equally clear when it says: 

"And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 21:9)! 

Does God have two brides?  Is Israel the Father's bride, and the Church the bride of Christ?  It is possible, but I doubt it.  Remember, the Lamb is the Creator (Jn. 1:1-3, 29, 36; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2).

First, let's look at a description of the Bride.  I believe that Revelation 21:9-21 is a metaphorical description of the Bride of Christ.  After all, the Bride is said to be a single city, the New Jerusalem (v. 10).  The walled city will have twelve gates, each one having the name of one of the twelve Tribes of Israel (v. 12).  The wall, itself, will be built on twelve foundations, each one having the name of one of the twelve Apostles of the Church (v. 14).  That means, at least to me, that the Bride of Christ will be made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ.  In other words, the Church (2 Cor. 11:2; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 22-33; Col. 3:11), and Messianic Jews, whose eyes are opened during the Abomination of Desolation, which takes place in the middle of the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 12-13). 

Also, I find it very interesting that what began with lost mankind being cast out of God's presence, ends with saved humanity spending eternity with Him!  It appears the heavenly city will be like the Garden of Eden after Adam sinned, when God placed angels (plural, and yet only one sword) to prevent sinners from entering (Gen. 3:24).  However, here in the New Jerusalem, there are twelve gates, which never close (Rev. 21:25), and there is only one angel stationed at each, to welcome God's children home (Rev. 21:12; 25-27).  One book (the Word is the sword) kept Adam out, and one book (the Lamb's Book of Life) will ensure our eternal access!

 

Praise God!  We are His children; we are His bride; and we are His workmanship! 

 

THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND DEEDS

Christianity, according to those who claim to know these things, is the world's largest religion.  Of course, their figures are based upon the responses of individuals to the question, "What is your religion?"  Unfortunately, the vast majority of those professing to be Christians, are deceived.  While some of them attend church, far more claiming to be a Christian do not.  I know, "You don't have to attend a church to become a Christian."  But, I have found that those who are born again, more often than not, do attend.  That is because the Lord wants us to go (Heb. 10:23-25).

As I said, the vast majority of those claiming to be Christian are deceived.  The Scriptures say, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  who can know it?  I, the LORD, search the heart..." (Jer. 17:9-10).  God repeatedly warns man to be on guard (Deut. 11:16; Lk. 21:8; 1 Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7).  So, how does one know if he is deceived?

First, one must be certain that he is born again.  Until God draws a man's attention to Jesus (Jn. 6:44), until the Holy Spirit convinces him that what the Bible says about Jesus is the truth (Jn. 16:7-15), and until that man acknowledges Jesus as his Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; Phil. 2:9-11), he is lost and condemned to an eternity of suffering and torment (Jn. 3:18; Rev. 20:10).  It is not enough to just believe what the Bible teaches about Jesus; Satan and his devils believe, and yet, they refuse to surrender to His authority (Mt. 8:28-29; Jam. 2:19).

The knowledge about Jesus which has the power to save us, is known as the Gospel (Rom. 1:16).  The Apostle Paul wrote:  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.... For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  To those of us who are born again, Jesus rules in our lives; He is our "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Rev. 19:16).

Do you want to know if your are born again?  Check your "fruit" (Mt. 7:20; Gal. 5:22-23)!  What are your thoughts, words, and deeds?  "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  these are the things which defile a man..." (Mt. 15:18-20).

Be not deceived; God knows your thoughts, your words, and your actions!

SAVED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD

Because the wrath of God is not mentioned in the Book of Revelation until the fourteenth chapter, some have concluded that only the second half of the seven-year Tribulation can be described as the period known as "the wrath of God," and therefore, the removal of the Church via the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Th. 4:16-17; etc.), must take place at the middle of the Tribulation.  If that were the case, born again believers would know the very day the Rapture will happen, and that cannot be (Mk. 13:32).  In addition, the events described in Revelation 6 - 13 are clearly the result of the wrath of God!

There are ten verses in the Bible which contain the phrase, "the wrath of God."  They are:

Psalm 78:31 - "The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel."
John 3:36 - "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Romans 1:18 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."
Ephesians 5:6 - "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
Colossians 3:6 - "For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience."
Revelation 14:10 - "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb."
Revelation 14:19 - "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God."
Revelation 15:1 - "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God."
Revelation 15:7 - "And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever."
Revelation 16:1 - "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."

Note the events which occur during the first half of the Tribulation, that is, those listed as the Seven Seals (Rev. 6:1-8:5), and those listed as the Seven Trumpets (Rev. 8:6-11:19).  Is there any sane person who believes those events are not the result of God's wrath?  I think not! 

 

The Church, by the grace of God, will not be here during any of the Tribulation period!

THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

In Matthew 21:1-13, Jesus taught prophecy through a parable concerning His own future wedding.  The King (God) sent His servants (the prophets) out to gather those who had earlier received an invitation (Israel) to His Son's (Jesus') wedding, but they refused to come (v. 1-3).  Later, the King sent more servants, but this time, the previously invited guests beat and killed His servants (v. 4-6).  The King was furious, and He sent His army (Rome) to kill those who had murdered His servants, and destroy their city (Jerusalem) (v. 7). 

Time passed, and finally the King sent more servants, telling them to invite any and all (Jews and Gentiles), good and bad, to His Son's wedding; this time, they responded, and the wedding was filled with guests (v. 8-10).  At last, all was ready, except for one small problem:  one of the guests was not wearing a wedding garment, and before the ceremony began, the King had him removed and severely punished (v. 11-13).

You and I are left with the obvious question:  What is a wedding garment, and why did an invited guest attempt to attend without one?  Believe it or not, the Bible reveals exactly what it is!

Let's first look at Revelation 19:7-8 - "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."  Notice that the wife is given permission to wear her garment, and that we are told it is "the righteousness of the saints."  But how can that be?  Doesn't God's Word say that our righteousness is far from "clean and white?"  Isaiah wrote:  "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).

It is obvious, at least to me, that the rest of the guests were not wearing their own garments, but they were wearing the garments which had been provided for them.  Remember that they were there, both good and bad; and remember that even the "good," are far from righteous.  So, from where did the wedding garments come?  The Apostle Paul tells us who provides the wedding garments:  "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21).  God offers us the garment of righteousness, and obviously, all but one of the guests humbled themselves and accepted God's gift.  His self-righteousness prevented him from receiving what God offers all who will come to Him:  the righteousness of Jesus Christ, His faithful, obedient, and loving Son!

Will you accept His garment, or will you insist you don't need it? 

Today may be your last opportunity to make the right decision!

FEAR IS THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW BIRTH

For the past two days, I have been writing my thoughts about my pastor's sermons on man's slide into total rebellion.  Romans 1:18-32 shows how man goes from secret sins, to public sins, and finally to the point of promoting sin in others.  Much like "misery," apparently "rebellion loves company!"

For some, the slippery-slope is gradual, and the individual doesn't even realize he is beginning to remove the influences of God from his life.  It reminds me of the story of the frog.  He is enjoying swimming in the pot of water, and doesn't even notice the temperature is rising.  By the time he becomes aware of it, he will no longer have the ability to escape.  So it is with sin.

I wish I could say that this phenomena is restricted to those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I cannot.  Many, perhaps even most, church-goers sing hymns, tithe, listen to the sermons, a few even taking notes, but they have never been born again.  Sure, they have "turned over a new leaf."  The have stopped much of their bad behavior, and replaced it with religious activity, but they have never actually recognized Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority in their lives.  They are simply religious!  They might as well be Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, or Muslims.  After all, members of those religions do the same things!  These "church members" are living a lie, disciplining themselves, thinking their religious behavior pleases God.  And as a result, they gradually find they are "sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore!"  Their self-discipline always gives way to their lusts.

This is not true for those who are born again.  To begin with, the new birth results from the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:7-11).  The Spirit produces a genuine fear of the Lord, which in turn:  Cleanses (Ps. 19:9); Provides wisdom (111:10); Provides knowledge (Pr. 1:7); Results in the hatred of evil (Pr. 8:13); Provides strong confidence (Pr. 14:26); Is the fountain of life (Pr. 14:27); Provides instruction (Pr. 15:33); and the fear of the Lord is HIS treasure (Isa. 33:6)!

Notice that the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4), the message which is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), reveals that you and I are sinners headed toward God's judgment, and apart from someone rescuing us, we are doomed!  That is why Jesus died!  That is why, after He was buried for three days and nights, God raised Him from the dead!  To offer us salvation!  So that gratitude could replace fear!  Fear brought me to my knees, and He raised me with a desire to honor, praise, and obey Him as my Lord!  He answers the prayers of those who call upon Him as their Lord (Rom. 10:8-13)!

Unless God began a good work in you, you are not born again (Phil. 1:6)!

AMERICA NO LONGER FEARS THE LIGHT

The first chapter of the Book of Romans shows us the downward spiral of mankind into darkness.  During His ministry on earth, Jesus had spoken of Himself as the "Light of the world" (Jn. 8:12), and He had this to say on why man rejected Him: 

"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (Jn. 3:19-20).

Romans 1:18-20 tells us that God has provided ample evidence of His existence, that man is accountable to Him, and that he cannot plead ignorance as an excuse for rejecting Him.  But, instead of worshipping the Creator, man failed to acknowledge God, and the light faded (Rom. 1:21).  The result?  Idolatry (Rom. 1:22-23)! 

So God, allowing them to continue in rebellion, "gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts" (Rom. 1:24).  The result?  Man added sexual immorality to his idolatry (Rom. 1:24-25).

Because mankind reveled in sexual immorality and idolatry, God allowed them to sink deeper into darkness.  Paul writes, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections"; the next stage in man's downward spiral was homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27).

By this time, man had begun denying God even existed, so He "gave them over to a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1:28).  Now, in addition to idolatry, sexual immorality, and homosexuality, man had become totally without conscience.  His activities included: 

"Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1:29-32).

Notice that he not only is known for his own wickedness, but that he delights in bringing others into his total darkness!  Fortunately, for the few (Mt. 7:14), God gets through to them before they self-destruct!  His Spirit convicts the hearts of men, and hearing the Gospel, they respond in faith (Jn. 16:6-14; Rom. 1:1-17).  They call out to Jesus for forgiveness, and surrender to Him as their Lord and Savior (Rom.10:9).

 

Beware when sin no longer fears the light!  

GOD IS ALLOWING AMERICA'S DOWNWARD SPIRAL

According to the Word of God, all human beings are sinners, and as a result, must die (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 3:9; 6: 23; etc.).  Fortunately for us, there was one exception, the God/Man, Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:1, 14; Heb. 4:15)!  Because He did not have to die due to His own sins, He was qualified to die and pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind (Isa. 53:6, 9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:22-24; 1 Jn. 3:5; etc.)!  Following His death on the cross, and His burial in a "borrowed tomb," God raised Him from the dead, as proof His death was acceptable as payment for our sins (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 3:25; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10; etc.)!  That is the Good News, the Gospel message (1 Cor. 15:1-4)! 

Failure to accept Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, on my behalf, will result in my being required to stand before Almighty God, and be sentenced to death (Jn. 8:24).  We tend to think of death as the termination of life, but that is not so.  Death is followed by God's judgment.  All will stand before God's Great White Throne Judgment, and those who had refused to trust in Jesus, will be sentenced to the "second death," an eternity in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:6-15)!

I do not profess to know what hell (or the Lake of Fire) will be like, but I think of it as being on fire (like the burning bush - burning but not consuming), and varying in depth from ankle-deep, to chin-deep.  We do know that there will be varying degrees of punishment, based upon the teachings of Jesus (Mt. 10:15; 11:22; etc.).  I know that the torment will be horrible, and that those sentenced to suffer there, will beg for a drop of water to quench their terrible thirst (Lk. 16:24). 

Some refuse to believe that God will carry out His sentence, claiming that He is a God of love (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:8, 16; etc.).  However, every other thing that He has said would do has come to pass!  God would be a liar if He failed to carry out what He said He will do, and we know that God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18)! 

Besides, He has gone out of His way to warn mankind.  He tolerated their rejection and as a result, their hearts were darkened (what light He had given them, faded - Rom. 1:21-23).  Then, He allowed them to become defiled with lust and idol worship (Rom. 1:24-25).  They continued to reject Him, and so He gave them up to homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27).  Finally, God gave them over to a reprobate mind; a mind devoid of morality (Rom. 1:28-31).  They not only mocked God, they encouraged others to do the same (Rom. 1:32)!  Sound familiar?

When God removes His restraints, man becomes more and more like Satan!

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

While there is but one God, the one God is a Trinity.  At Creation, the Word says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1).  "God" ('elohiym) is plural.  When the Triune God was ready to create mankind, He said, "...Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Gen. 1:26).  The Scripture uses plural pronouns, because the Father commanded (Gen. 1:3, 26; Jn. 12:50; etc.), the Son created (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.), and the Spirit breathed into man life (Gen. 2:7; Job 27:3; 34:14; Isa. 42:5; etc.).

To the Jews, the concept of a Triune God is heresy.  They were, and still are, quick to point to Deuteronomy 6:4, which says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."  However, the Hebrew for this verse says:   shama` (hear), Yisra'el  (Israel): Yĕhovah (LORD) 'elohiym (God) 'echad  (one) Yĕhovah (LORD).  Notice, as I said before, that the word 'elohiym is plural; Yĕhovah is singular. 

There is irony in the fact that the Jews bristle at the suggestion of a Trinity, since the Old Testament speaks of God as having a Son (Ps. 110:1; Prov. 30:4; compare Mt. 22:44; Acts 7:49; 1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 1:13; 10:12-13; etc.)!  And, it was clear to Jesus' enemies that He was claiming to be "the Son of God" (Mt. 26:63-66; Lk. 22:67-71; Jn. 5:18; etc.).

There is little in the Word of God that addresses the Holy Spirit as God, although it is clearly stated in Acts 5:3-4!  Perhaps that is due to His mission.  Jesus said when He would come, He would be totally focused upon convincing the lost that Jesus was Israel's Christ, and the Savior of all who would acknowledge Him as Lord (Jn. 16:7-11; Acts 2:1-44; Rom. 10:9-17; etc.).  He said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me" (Jn. 15:26).  And again in John 16:13-14, His mission is clear:  "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." 

If you are filled with the Spirit, your focus will be on Jesus! 

  

  

KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD

The phrase, "the will of God," does not appear in the Old Testament!  That was a total surprise to me, because I have always pictured Israel as being weighed-down by the will of God, as it is expressed in the 613 commandments found in the Law!  There is absolutely no doubt that God wanted Israel to do His will, as it is expressed in the Law, but all twenty-two times the phrase "the will of God" appears, it is in the New Testament.  I know what you are thinking; I should look up the phrase, "the will of the Lord."  Well, I did, and you know what?  It on appears twice in the Bible, and both are in the New Testament (Acts 21:14; Eph. 5:17)!

As I pondered the reason for this, I believe I know why.  No one in their right mind, would ever considered the Law to be anything but the will of the Lord.  It is so obvious, it need not be stated.  However, the Church Age (the mysterious period between the sixty-ninth and seventieth "weeks" of Daniel's prophecy - Dan. 9:24-27; Eph. 5:32) is recognized as no longer being under the Law (Rom. 6:14-15; Gal. 5:18; etc.).  Because of this, many have argued over the years, that born again believers can do as they please.  The Apostle Paul answered this:  "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law" (Rom. 3:31).  Paul also dealt with this heresy in the sixth chapter of his Epistle to the Romans.  He wrote:  "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid" (6:1-2).  "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid" (6:15).

So what does the New Testament have to say about the will of God?  It teaches us to know God's will, and to do it (Jn. 13:17)!  Here are some examples:

*  We are to believe and trust Jesus whom the Father sent (Jn. 6:29).
*  We are to honor Jesus by partaking in the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:24-25).
*  We are to do God's will from the heart (Eph. 6:6).
*  We are to be sanctified, that is, set apart unto God's service (1 Th. 4:3).
*  We are to thank God regardless of our circumstances (1 Th. 5:18).
*  We are to act like God is our Father (2 Tim. 2:19).
*  We are to be ready to share our faith at all times (1 Pet. 3:15).

 

As my four year old daughter said, when I asked her what she meant

when she "ask Jesus into her heart":  She said, "I want to mind Him!"

  

THE GREAT TRIBULATION

The word "tribulation" appears twenty-two times in the Bible; three in the Old Testament, and nineteen in the New Testament.  The three times it is translated as such from the Hebrew, the root word is tsar, and it means "to be troubled by someone or something."The Greek root is thli, and it means "to be pressured by someone or something."  With the exception of Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22, and 7:14, the "trouble" or "pressure" has to do with one's circumstances; at home, at work, or simply the difficulty of existing in a fallen world.  These three verses, however, are referring to a specific time period called "the Great Tribulation." 

All references to the Great Tribulation have to do with Israel.  The Bible uses two other phrases to describe this period:  "The Time of Jacob's (Israel's) Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27).  Note that this passage refers to the prophecy concerning "thy people" (Dan. 9:24).    Although the latter is not specifically mentioned as such, it is clear from Daniel 9:24-27, that of the seventy weeks refers to "weeks of years."  We know this from half of the period being 1260 days (Rev. 11:3 & 12:6); 42 months (Rev. 11:2 & 13:5); and "a time, times, and a half time" (3 1/2 years - Dan. 9:27 w/ 12:7).  Since the prophecy says that after sixty-nine weeks, the Messiah will be killed, and the events described in passages referring to the Tribulation have yet to occur, only one "week" remains:  "Daniel's Seventieth Week").  This period is described in great detail in Matthew 24:3-29 and in Revelation, chapters six through eighteen.

The period between "Daniel's Sixty-ninth Week," and "Daniel's Seventieth Week," is known as the Church Age.  The Bible calls this period a mystery due to the fact that there is no reference to it in the Old Testament (Eph. 5:32).  During this time, the Jews have no Temple in which to offer sacrifices; however, during the Tribulation, there will again be a Temple (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Rev. 13:6; etc.).

Because the Tribulation is specifically aimed at Israel, it is not necessary that the Church remain on earth.  In fact, because the seven years are described as "the wrath of God" (Zeph. 1:15; Rev. 11:18; etc.), the Church cannot be here.  The Word says the Church is not appointed to wrath (1 Th. 5:9).  The Scriptures describe the removal of the Church prior to the Tribulation (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-52; 1 Th. 4:16-17) ; and the Church is not mentioned in the thirteen chapters of Revelation which describe the Tribulation.  Praise God!

We are saved by grace, and by the grace of God, we will be spared from His day of wrath! 

GOD HAS A DIFFICULT TASK

The day I went from being an atheist, to being a believer in Jesus Christ, I thought my whole life would change.  Having never read more than one chapter of the Book of Matthew, I still somehow knew the truth of the verse which says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).  I expected life to be perfect!  I expected my attitude to be Christ-like.  I expected to be free of sin and immune to temptations.  I expected my marriage to instantly be healed.  I expected to be loved by everybody.  Unfortunately, none of those things happened.  Now, forty-three years later, I have given up expecting, and have finally begun accepting; I am not perfect, my wife is not perfect, my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are not perfect; nothing in this world is perfect!

And yet, "all things are become new!"  Not perfect, but definitely new.  For instance, whenever my attitude is out of harmony with that of Christ, I am aware of it.  The Apostle Paul told believers to "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).  If our attitude was instantly changed at our salvation, then why would Paul tell believers to begin thinking like Jesus? 

I expected to be pure and sinless, to be impervious to temptation, but if that were the case, why was the Perfect Man tempted (Mt. 4:1-10)?  Why did Paul struggle with temptations (Rom. 7:15-25)?  Why would God need to tell believers how to regain fellowship with Himself, if we could not break it through our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds (1 Jn. 1:8-10)? 

My wife and I have been married for fifty-two years.  It did not take very long for us to realize our mate was imperfect!  Reality set in almost immediately, and although I do not remember the circumstances of our first fight, I know my wife remembers it all too well!  She never forgets anything when it comes to our fights.  She can't remember to close drawers, cabinet doors, or turn off lights, but she remembers every detail when her husband disappointed her.  And it got worse after I was saved!  She, too, thought I would change!  We are both disappointed!

Now that I have read and studied the Bible, I understand what changed the moment I believed the Gospel:  a "Voice" within me now lets me know when I am out of harmony with both God and man!  The indwelling Holy Spirit has spent a great deal of time being grieved and quenched by me; I wish it were not so, but it is.  He convicts me, and because I am so hard-headed, He often has to chastise me in order to bring me to repentance.  And yet, there is something comforting in His "spankings" (Heb. 12:5-11)!

Yes, I constantly fail to think, speak, or act like Jesus would, but now, I am no longer surprised.  I realize that my salvation was a gift, and not earned (Eph. 2:8-9).  I understand that the process of becoming Christ-like is a life-long endeavor (Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 3:2; etc.).  I have accepted the fact that I, my wife, my kids, etc., are all "works in progress." 

 

Thank God, the One responsible for the outcome, will do it!

HELPLESS BUT NOT HOPELESS

According to Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary (m-w.com), "depression" is:  "a state of feeling sad; a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way; a period of time in which there is little economic activity and many people do not have jobs."

 

I hate to admit this, but more often than not, I am depressed.  I find myself crying out to God, begging Him to take me home.  The Bible says that born again believers will immediately be with Jesus the moment they die (2 Cor. 5:8).  It says that the moment we see Jesus face-to-face, we will no longer struggle with sin; we will be like Him (1 Jn. 3:2).  As one very popular song says:  "It's Friday....but Sunday's a-comin'!" 

 

The first thing I though about when I awoke this morning, was one of our three miniature poodles:  "Scoobie-Doo."  I love all three, but "Scoobie" is my favorite (please don't tell "Buddy" & "Pippy").  He refused to come when I fed them last night, and he remained curled up on the couch all evening.  It makes me sad, and I feel so helpless.

 

Then, after checking on "Scoobie," I checked Facebook and the Internet to see what was going on all  over the world.  Facebook was loaded with posts about Arab and Israeli teens being beaten, tortured, and even burned alive.  There are stories of thousands of rockets being aimed at Israel, from outside and even from within its borders.  I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but I know that until Jesus returns at the end of the seven-year Tribulation (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. 19:11-21; etc.), the only peace they will experience will be the false peace of Antichrist!  I feel so helpless.

 

I read about how terrible America is because its weak "leadership," its weak economy, its weak moral standards, its weak educational system, and its weak self-discipline!  We are the nation which leads the world in obesity, for heaven's sakes!  The one thing we do better than anyone else, is eat!  Then I see the videos of starving children in Africa, and because of the corrupt governments that control donations of food and other resources, I know I am unable to help them!  I feel so helpless!

 

And then there is the guilt!  I sin!  My thoughts, words, and deeds are constantly out of harmony with the leading of the Holy Spirit!  I will be in prayer, and before I realize it, I am thinking hateful or selfish or just plain evil thoughts!  Right in the middle of prayer!  I can't even pray right!  I feel so helpless!!

 

But then I remember that although all things became new to me when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Word of God says I am a "work in progress!"  God has declared He will "fix me" (Phil. 1:6)!  He has stated that I am His "workmanship" (Eph. 2:10)!  He has shown me that I am not alone; the Apostles also struggled with the same things (Rom. 7:15-25; Jam. 5:15-16; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; etc.)!!!  I have joy because He is my God!  I have joy because my future will be spent with Him!  I have joy because I know God had this all worked out before Creation even began (Jn. 17:24; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; etc.)!!!

 

I am helpless, but Jesus gives me all the reason I need to be hopeful (1 Tim. 1:1)!!!!

GOD WANTS ALL MEN TO KNOW HIM

We know from 2 Peter 3:9, that God does not want any man, woman, or child, to perish; that is, to stand before His judgment, and be sentenced to eternal torment.  That is why He has provided His Son as a substitute, a stand-in, to take the death sentence our sin has earned us (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; etc.)!  And, man cannot plead ignorance as a defense.  The Scriptures tell us that God's glory is revealed to humanity through nature, and that because He may be known by His Creation, man will stand without excuse at God's judgment (Rom. 1:18-32; Rev. 20:11-13; etc.).  God, being just, provided evidence of Himself. 

But, that was not all!  The LORD repeatedly worked miracles to reveal Himself to man!  The Word of God uses the exact phrase "shall know that I am the LORD," fifty-seven times in the Scriptures.  All are in the Old Testament, with fifty-one of them being found in the Book of Ezekiel.  It also appears five times in Exodus (6:7; 7:5; 14:18; 16:12; 29:46), and once in First Kings (20:28). 

The phrase can be divided into two groups.  The first group of verses focus upon "they" (heathen, Egyptians, Babylonians, etc.); that is, that "they shall know that I am the LORD."  There are thirty-one of these, and all are found in Ezekiel with the exception of three which are in Exodus (7:5; 14:18; 29:46). 

I was surprised to discover that there is nearly an equal number of verses, in which the phrase was addressed to God's chosen people:  Israel!  One would think that with all of the interaction between God and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Moses, etc., that God would not need to prove Himself by the time the Book of Ezekiel was written!  And yet, Ezekiel records twenty-three instances where God says, "ye shall know that I am the LORD!"

The New Testament Gospels each record an instance where Jesus uses the phrase "that ye may know" (Mt. 9:6; Mk. 2:10; Lk. 5:24; Jn. 10:38).  The first three refer to His ability to forgive sins, something even His enemies knew could only be done by God (Mk. 2:7; Lk. 5:21)!  The last, John 10:38, tells us that His mighty miracles were evidence that He and His Father are one!  I will close with a quote from 1 John 5:13:

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;

that ye may know that ye have eternal life...."

BELIEVERS ARE BORN AGAIN

Just in case you have never put "two-and-two together," the passage that tells us we need to be born again, is part of the same conversation in which Jesus informs His listeners that salvation has been provided by God to all those who will simply trust Him.  John 3:1-18:

*  A Pharisee named Nicodemus approached Jesus under the cover of darkness.
    He knew Jesus was from God by His teaching and His miracles.
*  Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again.
*  Nicodemus did not understand.
*  Jesus told Nicodemus that in addition to his physical birth, he needed a spiritual birth.
    His physical birth was a "water birth"; the Holy Spirit would give him a spiritual birth.
*  Nicodemus still did not understand?
*  So Jesus explained,

"...as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Today, churches are filled with people like Nicodemus.  While they obviously are not Jews, like Nicodemus, they know a lot about their religion.  They know what the Bible has to say about Jesus.  They know He died for their sins.  They know that He was raised from the dead.  They know all about the early Church, the Apostles, and that God wants them to be like Jesus.  The problem is, they constantly fail in their efforts to be like Him.  And they are devastated!

Why?  God is not surprised you and I fail.  In fact, some of His best spokesmen, men like Peter and Paul, were a long way from perfect.  Peter took ten chapters into the Book of Acts before he was able to accept that Gentiles could be saved, and fifteen chapters before he understood uncircumcised Gentiles who trusted in Jesus were saved.  Paul confession of his inability to live a holy life, even after being saved (Rom. 7:1-25 - notice all the present tense verbs), should comfort you and I in our struggle to be pleasing to the Lord.  James and John referred to Christians sinning, as well (Jam. 5:15-16; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).  Paul wrote in Galatians 3:2-3, "This only would I learn of you:

Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"

HOME OF SATAN'S SEAT

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Rev. 2:12-13).

The "seven churches of Asia," as listed in Revelation 1:11, and chapters two and three, were the only churches about which Jesus spoke to the Apostle John in his vision (Rev. 1:1, 10; 9:17).  Because the Book of Revelation came late in the life of John (the book is believed to have been written sometime between A.D. 90-100), there were hundreds of churches throughout the Roman Empire.  And yet, Jesus chose these seven, all located in what is now Turkey.  Why? 

Some believe these seven provide a representation of the seven periods in Church History; that is, over the time between Christ's Ascension, and His Second Coming (Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 1:8; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Rev. 19:11-21).  Although theologians holding this view differ on the exact dates, the seven periods are pretty consistent.  Ephesus (Desired One) represents the Apostolic Church from its birth on Pentecost, until A.D. 100.  Smyrna (Myrrh) represents the suffering Church between A.D. 100-313.  Pergamum (Thoroughly Married) pictures the union between Rome and the Church (A.D. 313-606).  Thyatira (Continuous Sacrifices) depicts the Church as dominated by Roman Catholicism (A.D. 606-1520).  Sardis (Those Escaping) represents the Church emerging as a result of the Reformation, until the "opening of Daniel's sealed prophecy" (A.D. 1520-1830).  Philadelphia (Brotherly Love), the Christ-centered Church, A.D. 1830 until the Rapture, is known for close relationship with Jesus, and its love of the brethren.  The last church, the Church of Laodicea (the People Rule), summarizes the entire Church Age, with "so called believers playing church," while Jesus remains excluded from their gatherings.  This church is dominated by "tares," and "leaven" (Mt. 13:25, 33)!

The land known as Turkey, has been conquered, at one time or another, by all six empires referred to in Revelation 17:10 - Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.  At the time John wrote Revelation, Pergamum was the center of Rome's worship of many false gods, the most Satan-like being Caesar!  Note that "Pergamum" means being "thoroughly married"; the church was married to Rome!

Do not allow patriotism to become a god; always put Jesus first!

THE ENTIRE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

                         O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
                         What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
                         Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
                         O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
                         And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
                         Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
                         O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
                         O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

                         On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
                         Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
                         What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
                         As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
                         Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
                         In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
                         'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
                         O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

                         And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
                         That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
                         A home and a country, should leave us no more?
                         Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
                         No refuge could save the hireling and slave
                         From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
                         And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
                         O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

                         O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
                         Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
                         Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
                         Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
                         Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
                         And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
                         And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
                         O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

 

Trust not in family, in friends, in allies, nor in self.

Trust in Jesus Christ, who alone is trustworthy! 

I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE

And Moses said unto God, "Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name?  What shall I say unto them?"  And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM": and He said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Ex. 3:13-14).

Said by Jesus in the Gospels:

       * Mt. 5:17 - "I AM come...to fulfill."
       * Mt. 9:13 - "I AM come...to call sinners to repentance."
       * Mt. 10:34 - "I AM come...to send...a sword."
       * Mk. 14:61-62 - "I AM the Son of the Blessed."
       * Lk. 12:49 - "I AM come to send fire upon the earth."
       * Lk. 12:51 - "I AM come to give...division."
       * Lk. 22:27 - "I AM among you as He that serveth."
       * Jn. 5:43 - "I AM come in My Father's name."
       * Jn. 6:48 - "I AM the Bread of Life."
       * Jn. 7:29 - "I AM from Him."
       * Jn. 8:12 - "I AM the Light of the World."
       * Jn. 8:23 - "I AM from above."
       * Jn. 8:58 - "Before Abraham was, I AM."
       * Jn. 9:39 - "For judgment I AM come."
       * Jn. 10:7 - "I AM the Door."
       * Jn. 10:10 - "I AM come that they might have light."
       * Jn. 10:11 - "I AM the Good Shepherd."
       * Jn. 10:36 - "I AM the Son of God."
       * Jn. 11:25 - "I AM the Resurrection and the Life."
       * Jn. 13:13 - "I AM Master and Lord."
       * Jn. 14:6 - "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
       * Jn. 14:10 - "I AM in the Father."
       * Jn. 15:1 - "I AM the true Vine."
       * Jn. 17:14 - "I AM not of this world."
       * Jn. 18:6 - "'I AM' and they fell to the ground."
       * Jn. 18:37 with 19:21 - "I AM...King of the Jews."

The Jews understood what Jesus was claiming; do you?

THE ANTICHRIST AS REVEALED IN THE MINOR PROPHETS

This material is from The Antichrist, by Arthur W. Pink, Chapter Nine, Part Five, "Antichrist in the Minor Prophets."

Hosea makes several references to the Man of Sin. In 8:10, he is termed "the King of princes," and as such, he is Satan's imitation of the King of kings. In 10:15, he is named "the King of Israel," which shows his connection with the Jews. In 12:7, he is called a "Merchant" or "Trafficker," and of him it is said, "The balances of deceit are in his hands: he loveth to oppress"; this should be compared to Rev. 6:5. These words denote his twofold character in connection with the Jews: first he makes them believe he is the true Christ; and second, he ultimately stands forth as their great Enemy.

Joel alludes to him as the head of the "northern army," i.e., "the Assyrian." And here God declares that He will "drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea; and his stink shall come up, and his ill savor shall come up, because he has magnified to do great things" (2:20).

Amos speaks of him as "an Adversary" which shall be "even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled" (3:11). That this is referring to the end-time is clear from the verses that follow, where we read, "That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him," (3:14).

Micah terms him "the Assyrian", and of him it is said, when he "shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men...thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian" (5:5, 6).

Nahum has this to say of him: "There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counseller. Thus saith the Lord; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more...for the Wicked shall no more pass through thee" (1:11, 12, 15). These verses contain another of the many antitheses between Christ and the Antichrist. The One is the Wonderful Counseller" (Isa. 9:6); the other, the "Wicked Counseller."

Habakkuk describes him as one whose "soul is lifted up," and "is not upright in him," and as one who "transgresseth by wine," as "a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people" (2:4, 5).

Zechariah denominates him "the Idol Shepherd that leaveth the flock," and then pronounces judgment upon him - "The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye" (11:17).

God used all four Major Prophets and seven Minor Prophets

to warn His people about Satan's "right-hand man."   

I'VE GOT BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS

Today, the message being preached in the media and in the churches around the world, is that God is love, and that He wants all men to turn to Him from their wicked ways and be saved.  And, I say AMEN to that!  God is love (1 Jn. 4:8, 16)!  The Lord does not want any to perish, but for all to repent and turn to follow Him (2 Pet. 3:9)!  Even the Gospel has become better known as the "Good News!"  So what is the problem?

The problem is, the same God who loves mankind enough to send His Son to be tortured and die on a cross to pay for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 2:2; etc.), did so because otherwise, He would have to sentence every human being to an eternity in a burning lake of fire.  All have sinned (Rom. 3:23)!  The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23)!  "Death" means more than a person dying; it means facing the judgment of a righteous God, being found guilty, and being sentenced to the true death, the "second death" (Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8)!

The Gospel is good news, because it reveals to us a means of escaping God's justice.  It says that Jesus was sent to die as payment for your sins (Rom. 5:8).  It says that Jesus did die exactly how the Scriptures said He would, that He was buried exactly how the Scriptures said He would, and that He was raised from the dead exactly how the Scriptures said He would (Lk. 24:20-27; 1 Cor. 15:1-4).  Believing the Gospel results in one turning to God and trusting in Him; the Gospel message is God's very power to save, to produce the new birth (Rom. 1:16; Jn. 3:3-8; etc.)!

Some might ask, "From what are we saved?"  The answer is:  "From the wrath of God!"  His wrath is referred to at least thirty times in the Bible.  The word "wrath" is from the Greek ὀργή (orgē), which can be defined by how it is translated elsewhere in the Bible.  It means "anger" (Mk. 3:5); "vengeance" (Rom. 3:5); and "indignation" (Rev. 14:10).  However, we find:

*  The power provided for our escape - Believe on the Son of God - John 3:36!
*  The provision for our escape - The shed blood of Christ - Romans 5:9!
*  The purpose for our escape - His children are not appointed to wrath - 1 Thessalonians 5:9!
*  The plan for our escape - It was decided before the foundation of the world - Hebrews 4:3!

His love sent His Son for us; His justice demanded His Son die for us!  

From THE ANTICHRIST by Arthur W. Pink

THE ANTICHRIST  -  "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son" (1 Jn. 2:22). This name introduces to us one of the most solemn and foreboding subjects in the Word of God. It brings before us one of the persons in the Trinity of Evil. At every point he is the antithesis of Christ. The word "Antichrist" has a double significance. Its primary meaning is one who is opposed to Christ; but its secondary meaning is one who is instead of Christ. Let not this be thought strange, for it accords with the two stages in his career. At first he will pose as the true Christ, masquerading in the livery of religion. But, later, he will throw off his disguise, stand forth in his true character, and set himself up as one who is against God and His Christ.
     Not only does anti-christ denote the antagonist of Christ, but it tells of one who is instead of Christ. The word signifies another Christ, a pro-Christ, an alter christus, a pretender to the name of Christ. He will seem to be and will set himself up as the true Christ. He will be the Devil's counterfeit. Just as the Devil is an Anti-theos - not only the adversary of God, but the usurper of the place and prerogatives of God, demanding worship; so the Son of Perdition will be anti-christ - not only the antagonist and opponent of Christ, but His rival: assuming the very position and prerogatives of Christ; passing himself off as the rightful claimant to all the rights and honors of the Son of God.

THE ASSYRIAN  -  "O Assyrian, the rod of Mine anger, and the staff in their hand in Mine indignation...Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed His whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks" (Isa. 10:5,12). We cannot here attempt an exposition of the important passage in which these verses occur - that, in subsequent chapters, we shall treat in detail of the Antichrist in the Psalms, and the Antichrist in the Prophets - suffice it now to point out that it treats of the End-time (see vv. 12,20), and that the leading characteristics of the Man of Sin can be clearly discerned in what is here said of the Assyrian. Almost all pre-millennial students of prophecy are agreed that "the King of Isa. 30:33 is the Antichrist, and yet in the two verses which precede, this "King" is identified with "the Assyrian".

THE KING OF BABYLON  -  "Thou shalt take up this proverb against the King of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!" (Isa. 14:4). We do not wish to anticipate what we shall discuss at length in our future studies, enough now to state it is our firm conviction that Scripture plainly teaches that there will be another Babylon which will eclipse the importance and glories of the one of the past, and that Babylon will be one of the headquarters of the Antichrist. He will have three: Jerusalem will be his religious headquarters, Rome his political, and Babylon his commercial. For those who desire to anticipate our future expositions, we recommend them to make a minute study of Isa. 10,11,13,14; Jer. 49:51; Zech. 5, and Rev. 18.

From:  http://www.biblebelievers.com/Pink/antichrist06.htm