7TH TRUMPET—- CHRIST'S RETURN—- THE "SECRET" RAPTURE???

 I PUT THIS STUDY UP EARLY FOR THE WESTERN WORLD, BECAUSE THE EASTERN WORLD IS ALREADY INTO THE SABBATH NIGHT; SO IT WILL BE UP AND AVAILABLE FOR THE EASTERN WORLD WHEN THEY ARISE SABBATH MORNING.

THE "SECRET" RAPTURE AND CHRIST'S COMING! 

Thee topic of Christ's return has been for the past 150 years one of the major subjects of interest and debate by theologians and "fundamental" Christianity. There are many verses in the New Testament that speak of Christ to come, His coming again, His presence, His return. Do these verses show that He will bodily, literally - at one specific event - come, return to this earth? by Keith Hunt There are basically two teachings regarding the coming of Christ. 1.Christ will not bodily return but has returned already through the coming of the Holy Spirit into individual lives. 2.Christ will return literally, bodily, at one specific time in the future. Those that teach that Christ will bodily return are not in complete agreement as to whether He will stand on the earth at that time or return to heaven. Or will it be a secret return to catch away the saints for 3-1/2 or 7 years (while the great tribulation takes place) and then return visibly? By searching the scriptures line upon line, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 2:10) and putting them together and with the help of God's Spirit (John 16:13), we can come to know the truth. INSTRUCTIONS: Following you will find a scripture reference, a set of questions and a set of notes on the verses sighted. We recommend you read the scripture carefully and the context in which it is found, thinking through each of the questions listed. We recommend you mark your Bible freely and make notes in the margin. Further study helps could be Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Nave's Topical Bible. We suggest you read over notes on the questions only after you have given some thought to them yourself. We want you to think for yourself and believe us only when you can see it supported by the Bible. CHRIST SAID "I WILL COME AGAIN" John 13:33, 14:1-2 Did Christ tell His disciples that He must leave them? Acts 3:21 Where did Christ go to? Is not verse 20 showing it is Jesus that Peter is talking about? Hebrews 4:14 Where did Paul say Christ went to? Acts 2:29-36 Did Peter say specifically where Christ is now - note verse 33. Note: Jesus said He must leave this earth, and He ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father. John 14:1-3 Did Christ promise He would "come again'? See also Mat. 24:42-414, 25:13; Luke 18:8; Acts 1:11. Were the disciples told again (at the ascension of Christ into heaven) that Jesus would return? Acts 3:12-21 Did Peter in his second recorded sermon bodily proclaim that the heavens had only received Christ until a certain time and then He would be sent back? 1Pet. 1:7, 13; 4:13, 5:4; 2Pet. 1:16 Did Peter continue to preach the "coming of Christ"? Note: The books of first and second Peter were written some 30 years after Peter gave his second sermon of Acts 3. Jam. 5:7,8 Did the apostle James write about the coming of the Lord"? 1John 2:28; 3:2 Did not John also talk about "His coming"? Who is John speaking about here? Read Chapter 2: 21-28. Jude 14 Is Jude proclaiming the coming of the Lord? Rev. 22:12,20 In the last chapter of the Bible is Christ still telling us He will come? Note: The book of Revelation was the last book of the Bible to be written (around 90-100 A.D.). If you have a red letter edition you will notice that verse 12 and "surely I come quickly" in verse 20 are in red - signifying these are the words of Christ. The Apostle Paul also preached and wrote much about the promise Jesus gave us that he would "come again," some of the passages are 1Cor. 1: '7, 4:5; 15:23; Col. 3:4; 1Thes. 1:10; 2:19; Tit. 2:12; Heb. 9:28. It does not make sense that the apostles of the New Testament would, years after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, continue to preach and write about the coming of Christ as an event that had not yet happened and that they looked forward to, if in fact Christ had returned via the Holy Spirit. FALSE TEACHING Mat. 24:26; Mark 13:21 Did Jesus warn that some would claim He had already come before His true return would take place? 2 Thes. 2:1-2. Did false teachers proclaim that very idea in the life time of the apostle Paul? Note: The King James rendering "is at hand" in verse 2 is misleading. The Greek word is in the perfect tense, which signifies an action done in the past and its effect existing in the present. The interlinear Greek-English New Testament by G.R.Berry renders this word, "is present." See also some other translations, such as the Amplified Bible or the New International Version. 2 Peter 3:1-4 Did Peter prophecy that in the last days people would scoff at the teachings of Christ's return? Note: Not only do the Bible agnostics ridicule the idea that Christ will return, that He will "come again" but a large portion of Christendom dose not preach or believe it either. THE SIGNS CHRIST GAVE Mat. 24:30; 26:64; Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7 When Christ "comes again" will it be with clouds? Mat. 16:27; 24:30-31; 25:31; 2 Thes. 1:7 Will angels accompany Christ at His coming? Mat. 24:27. Will the coming of the Lord be like lighting? Note: Lighting comes quickly, but it comes visibly. It shines for all to see. In such a manner Jesus said His coming would be. 1 Thes. 3:13; Jude:14 Will the saints be with Christ at His return? Mat. 24:30-31; 1 Thes. 4:l-17; 1 Cor. 15:20-23. Do the saints come with Christ at His return because the resurrection takes place at that time? Mat. 24:31; 1 Thes. 4:16. Will Christ descend from heaven quietly? 1 Cor. 15:51-52 Will the raising of the dead (the resurrection) and the changing from mortal to immortality, for those living, take place at the Last Trump? Rev. 11:15-19 What happens when the 7th angel sounds? Is this a trumpet blast (see Chapter 8:1-26)? Is Christ to have great power? Are the dead to be judged and rewarded at this time? Is the heaven of God to become visible? Note: The 7th angel is the 7th trumpet. There are only seven trumpet blasts in the book of Revelation. We have seen that Paul said it was at the last trump that the resurrection would take place and Christ would return. Some would place great emphasis on the Greek words used for "come" - "presence" - "appear" as used in connection with Christ's return. The truth is these Greek words by themselves do not prove or disprove that Jesus will return bodily at some specific time, but the context in which these words are used does show us what the coming of Christ will be like. We have seen from the foregoing scriptures that the coming of Christ will be accompanied by clouds, angels, saints, lighting, fire and a trumpet sound. Can it be said that the ever presence of the Holy Spirit or the presence of Christ today via the Holy Spirit in the minds of Christians is accompanied with clouds, lightning, fire or a trumpet sound from heaven?' When a sinner repents and accepts Christ into his life, when the Holy Spirit is given to such an individual upon baptism and the laying on of' hands, do the heavens open to show God's throne? Do the nations of the earth mourn? Do they see Christ in the clouds? Are people caught up into the air to be with Christ? NO! There is only one way to understand those scriptures we have studied - they mean what they say and they say what they mean. Those scriptures will literally come to pass when Christ comes again. CHRIST WILL COME VISIBLY Acts 1:6-12 1.Were the disciples or saints with Christ at this time? 2.Was Jesus there with them bodily, in person? 3.Did the disciples see Jesus ascend into heaven? 4.Did a cloud receive Him out of their sight? 5.Were angels present also at this time? 6.Were the disciples told that Christ would return in like manner - in similar fashion, as He went? 7.Did Jesus ascend bodily from the mount called Olivet? Note: The disciples were told that Jesus would return in like manner - similar but not exactly as He left. We have already seen that on His return He will come with much more glory and power - many more angels and saints - much more noise and heavenly signs than on His ascension to heaven, but He will return with the same basic phenomena as He went - clouds, angels, disciples, bodily, visibly seen. Rev. 1:7; Mat. 24:27 Are we told again the Christ will come visibly? Will every living person see Him? Note: The Greek word "astrape" used in Mat. 24:27 may mean the lightning of thunderstorms or any brilliant illumination. Now what light comes out of the east and shines unto the west? The sun does! Can we see the sun? Yes. Christ's presence now is like the sun in full strength (Rev. 1:16). Jesus went on to say in Mat. 24:30 that all tribes or nations of the earth would see Him on His return. The expression "and they also which pierced him" in Rev. 1:7 does not necessarily mean that one Roman soldier who literally pierced Jesus' side will see Him at this time, or that the Jews who were living then will be alive at His coming. It probably refers to the whole human family, you and me. Our sins took his life. It could be possible that this refers to the last generation of Jews, the house of David, who will, upon seeing Him, acknowledge that He is their saviour (Zech. 12: 9-14). The main point of Rev. 1:7 is to show that all who are alive when He returns will be able to see Him. THE MOUNT OF OLIVES Act 1:12 Did the ascension of Christ to heaven take place on the mount called Olivet? Zech. 14:1-14; Rev. 14:1-14 1.Do both these passages show that the "Lord" - "a Lamb" will stand with His feet on the Mount of Olives? 2.Is it at this time when Christ will fight against all nations? 3.Those that are with Christ at this time, are they called Firstfruits? Note: Christians of all ages are called Firstfruits (Jam. 1:18) of God's creation. Paul has already instructed us (1 Cor. 15:20-23; 1 Thes. 14:13-17) that true Christians will be with Christ (via a resurrection or instantaneous change) at His coming. Job was a servant of God. He is one of the Firstfruits. He knew he would be in the resurrection and that his Redeemer (Christ) would at that time stand on the earth. Yes, Christ will descend to and stand on the very mount that He ascended from over 1900 years ago - the Mount of Olivet near Jerusalem. CAN WE KNOW THE EXACT TIME OF CHRIST'S COMING? Luke 21:24-35 1.Will God intervene in the affairs of this world with supernatural power before Christ's return? 2.Are we Christians told to take heed, be watchful so the day of His return does not come on us unexpectedly? 3.Will the world as a whole be expecting Christ's return? Mat. 24:37-39 1.To what period in history did Jesus compare His return? 2.Did the people of Noah's day really expect God's supernatural intervention? 3.Will people today expect God's intervention and Christ's coming? Luke 21:36; Mat. 25:13 1.What did Christ tell His disciples to do? 2.Why? Note: These utterances of Jesus have often been taken to say only the disciples of Christ's day would not know the day or the hour of His return, but we today can know. This is not true. Notice: Luke 12:40-48. Jesus had said we must be ready - watchful, for He would come when we least expect it. Peter specifically asked Jesus if what He said only applied to them, of that generation, or to all. Christ plainly went on to show it applied especially to those alive when He comes. It is plain then that those of the generation at His coming would not know the day or hour. Though we cannot know the day of His return, Jesus did give us signs to watch for, that would tell us His coming is near. These signs are mainly contained in Mat. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21 and the book of Revelation. WHEN CHRIST WILL NOT RETURN A concept on Christ's return is that He will come after a thousand years of peace and harmony on this earth has expired. That man will bring about peace among all nations, that man will by his own power, bring UTOPIA to this earth and then Christ will return. Act 3:21 What does Peter tell us about the restoration of all things? Must Christ be sent back to restore order and peace? Isa. 33:5-9 When the Lord dwells in Zion what condition will the earth be in? Rev. 19:11-21 Is Christ coming to a world that is at peace - that will welcome Him with open loving arms, or is He not coming to fight and destroy those that destroy the earth, and to rule all nations? Rev. 5:6-10; 20:1-6 1.Will the saints of God reign with Christ a thousand years? 2.Where will they reign? 3.When is Satan chained up before or after the 1,000 years? 4.Those that reign with Christ, are they in the first resurrection? Note: The first resurrection takes place at the coming of Christ, then these immortal saints reign with Christ for a 1,000 year period. It is one, two, three - Christ's coming, the resurrection, the 1,000 year reign. Christ does not come after a millennium (1,000 years) of perfect human rule. He comes before it. He comes to restore peace and harmony. THE SECRET RAPTURE There is a popular doctrine amongst so-called "fundamental religionists" called the "Rapture". The word "rapture" is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Rapture comes from the word "rapere," meaning to seize (the same word, incidentally, from which the word "rape" is taken). The term rapture has come into common usage however, and is applied to the statement of Paul that believers will be "caught up....in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air......" (I Thes. 4:17). This catching up or rapture is said to be a separate event from the second coming of Christ at the end of the age. According to this teaching, Christ will return in two separate events: (a) First, He will come in the air before the tribulation period and gather His own (the rapture) secretly (b) At the close of the tribulation period (which some say will be 3-1/2 years; others 7 years), He will come again, this time openly and in glory (the revelation). Thus, the rapture is set in contrast to the revelation and two second comings (or two phases of the second coming) are taught. THE THIEF PASSAGES The "Thief" passages of the New Testament are the most used and most heavily relied on texts to support the rapture. The first phase of Christ's coming is taught to be quietly, as "a thief in the night," whereas the second phase is taught to be with power and glory. 1 Thes. 4:16,17 1.Is there any word here that Christ will come invisibly? 2.Does He come quietly or with a great deal of noise? 3.Where are the saints transported to - heaven, or just above the earth? 4.Would tens of thousands of saints still be visible to others on the earth if they only go as high as the clouds? 2 Pet. 3:10-12 1.Does this "Day of the Lord" come as a thief? 2.Is there quietness at this time or great noise? 3.Shall we then understand "thief in the night" to mean - secretly, quietly, invisibly, or as meaning unexpectedly? Mat. 24:37-44 1.What specific day is Christ talking about? 2.Did Christ say anything about coming invisibly or quietly? 3.Are the words "secretly" - "quietly" - or "invisibly" used here? Note: Now, notice the "thief" section of Matthew 24:43. Let's read the whole context. Begin with verse 26. If some say to you, Christ has secretly come - that He is over here or He is over there - Do NOT BELIEVE IT, for (v.27) the coming of Christ will be like LIGHTNING - swift, bright and suddenly. Verse 29 - the Tribulation and then (v.30) after that the Son of man comes in clouds with great glory. He at this time (when He comes in glory, after the tribulation not before, as the rapturists teach) sends His angels with a trumpet sound (1 Thes. 4:16,17) to gather the elect (Christians) unto Him. Yes, for where the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together (v. 28). Christ has come and received His disciples unto Himself; that where He is there they may be also (John 14:3). Continue with verse 32. Christ says - be observant, just as you can observe the times of the year by physical phenomena - be observant, be ready for my return because you will not know the exact day (v.36). As people in Noah's day did not know the exact day of the flood, were not prepared for it.... even Noah did not know the precise day....but he was prepared. So watch and be ready for on that day my disciples will be resurrected to meet with me (v. 36-44). The day of Christ's return will come on the world like a thief breaks into a house, unexpectedly. Only to those watching will it not be a surprise. The whole context of this passage shows that Christ is talking about the literal day of His return. That day will be AFTER the tribulation, and THEN the saints are gathered to Him by the angels with a trumpet sound. Paul taught Christ's glorious visible return and the gathering of the Saints to Him at that time (1 Cor. 15: 17-19, 22, 23, 50-53 and 1 Thes. 4:13-17). The '"Day of the Lord" (1 Thes. 5:2-3) - Christ's return will come upon the world as a "thief in the night" but it will NOT catch the true Christian unawares (verses 4-6). Christ is pictured as coming as a "thief" (Rev. 16:15). Again we ask, does this mean He will return secretly, invisibly, in clandestine fashion? That's a fair question, but here's another question we must ponder concerning "thieves." When thieves rob a home, do they come invisibly? No, not at all. A thief usually comes at night when the household is away or sleeping. He comes unaware to them, he catches them off guard, surprises them. You never know when a thief is coming. If you did then you would be prepared for him. Christ will not come invisibly, any more than a thief comes invisibly. He will come unexpectedly though. No one will know the day or hour that He will come. Jesus said: "Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord doth come, but know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh" (Mat.24:42-44). Jesus likened His coming to a "thief" in respect to the time of His coming - a surprise! THE GREEK LANGUAGE Another argument used to teach the "two second comings" is that the Greek language teaches it. One writer once wrote: "The two phases of Christ's second coming are clearly distinguished in the Greek. The 'parousia'.... is His coming FOR His saints.....the 'apokalupsis' (the revealing, unveiling, making manifest) is His coming WITH His saints". But is this true? Note: Such statements are either a deliberate falsehood, intended to deceive, or come from a lack of study and research. All of the various Greek words such as "Parousia" and "Apokalupsis" are used interchangeably in regard to Christ's coming. A distinction of two separate events was never intended by the writers of the New Testament. This can be easily proven by taking a Greek concordance such as Strong's and looking up all the places where the Greek words "Parousia" and "Apokalupsis" are used. In Mat.24:37 we read of the "coming (Parousia) of the son of man," while Luke's account of the same passage uses "Apokalupsis" (when the son of man is revealed - Luke 17:26,30). In 2 Thess. 1:7-10 we read: "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed (apokalupsis) from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God.... when He shall come to be glorified in His saint." If the rapture had taken place 7 or 3-1/2 years before this, the saints would have already been glorified. Christians are pictured as "waiting" for the coming (apokalupsis) of our Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 1:7) If the Apokalupsis is a separate coming - after the Parousia - how could Christians be waiting for the Apokalupsis? According to this, they should not be waiting on the Apokalupsis, for they would have already been raptured a number of years earlier at the Parousia! Notice another scripture. 2 Thes. 2:3-8. The Greek word used in v.8 for "coming" is "Parousia". What will Christ do to "that wicked (one individual) who has seated himself in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (verse 4)? Christ's coming to execute judgement on this individual is His Parousia - His powerful coming. Notice this verse not only says that that wicked one will be destroyed at the parousia of Christ, but it says His parousia will be with brightness. Plainly, Christ's parousia will not be an invisible, secret event at all. GREAT TRIBULATION AND PROTECTION There is one last element of the "rapture" teaching that needs studying. The rapturists say that a great tribulation will come on the earth in the last days, but Christians will be spared this trouble because Christ will protect them by bringing them all up to heaven. A mere recent theory - an adaptation from the rapture doctrine is that God will grant protection for His people by sending them all into a central location on this earth where they will all be housed and fed until Christ returns. Dan. 12:1-3; Jer. 30:7 Did both Daniel and Jeremiah foretell of one supreme time of trouble that would be like no other? Does Daniel show that a resurrection takes place around this same time? Will the wise shine as the sun and stars? Mat.24:21 Did Christ also mention this Great Tribulation, unequalled in all earth history? Note: The Bible does speak of a coming tribulation - let's see if we can find out approximately when this tribulation is to come. Mat. 24:29-31 Can you find three main events shown to us in these verses? Note: Christ gives us a sequence of 3 events to occur before the resurrection of the saints (v.31). These three events are: 1. tribulation 2. heavenly signs 3. Christ's return Mat.24:15-26; Luke 21:20-24 What does Christ tell His followers in Judea to do when they see a particular "abomination" standing in the holy place (Jerusalem) and the city of Jerusalem encompassed about by armies? Will some try to persuade true Christians at that time into believing Jesus has returned? Note: If there were to be a "secret rapture" to heaven, Christ's followers would not have to be physically fleeing from Jerusalem or concerned about either winter, the Sabbath day or armies. If all true Christians have been "raptured away" they would not have to be concerned about being led astray (as Jesus warned them) into believing Christ was over in some desert spot somewhere. If they had been raptured they would already be with Christ. Luke 21:11-17 Before the great signs in heaven did Jesus forecast a time of great persecution on His true followers? Will some of His followers be put to death? Note: We have seen (Mat.24) that the heavenly signs occur after the tribulation and Christ makes it very plain here in Luke that before the signs of heaven take place a persecution (even into death for some) of His servants will occur. The tribulation that comes before the heavenly signs includes persecution of true Christians. But if all Christians have been raptured away to heaven no persecution could come on them. Rev. 6:9-7 What does the fifth seal tell us must happen to some of God's servants (note v. 11)? What makes up the next seal, the sixth? Are these the same events that we have seen recorded in Mat. 24 and Luke 21? John 17:15 Did Jesus ever pray that His followers would be "raptured" out of this world? What did Jesus ask the Father to do? Luke 21:36 Will some be granted protection from this time of trouble? Rev. 3:7-11 Are the Christians represented here promised protection? Is the place of protection stated? Note: Some say this passage of scripture typifies those Christians who will be given protection during the great tribulation - who will "escape all these things that shall come to pass..." (Luke 21:36). That may be true, but there is nothing in this passage to say those Christians will be "raptured" to heaven or transported to some central hide-out location on this earth. Daniel was protected by God while in the lions den while in the empire of Babylon (Dan. 6:16-24). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were protected while in the fiery furnace while being subjected to bondage in Babylon (Dan. 3:8-29). God is able to protect any of His servants whatever situation and place they are in. He is able to protect them right where they are, in their area of the world. Rev. 12:10-17 What is the prophetic time setting for this prophecy? Note verse 10. Did some overcomers have to die? Is the woman persecuted by the dragon? Does this passage say the woman was raptured to heaven or that she went to only one specific location on this earth? What does God use to help the woman? Does the dragon manage to make war with the woman's remnant seed? Note: A "woman" in prophecy symbolizes a church (see 2 Cor. 11:1-2; Eph. 5:23-29). The "dragon" is Satan (Rev. 12:9). "'The wings of a great eagle" represent protection from God (see Ex. 19:1-4). Water as a flood can symbolize people, multitudes, nations (Rev. 17:15). Whatever safety or protection is given here to those accounted worthy to receive it (Luke 21:36) It is NOT protection in heaven via a secret rapture, nor does it state the woman will go to some specific location in only one particular country on earth. Notice! The woman represents the church - world wide, in every nation - true followers of Christ wherever they be. So likewise the wilderness, the earth, that helps the woman represents the whole world, the earth in Australia, the earth in Argentina, the wilderness in Palestine, Switzerland, Russia. The earth in Europe, Canada, the wilderness in the United States, etc. If you are one of those accounted worthy to escape these terrible times ahead, God is able to protect you right where you are, in your particular part of the earth, in your wilderness. Some must suffer martyrdom, be put to death for following Christ, but remember, nowhere does your Bible say martyrdom is a sin. The apostles Peter, Paul, James, Stephen, and many others suffered martyrdom. John and others died a natural death. They will all be in the first resurrection. The greatest martyr of them all was the one who said "I will come again" - Jesus Christ. ............................ Written in 1983

 

Key to the Future

All told to us in Daniel 11

by Keith Hunt Daniel chapter 11 and up to about verse 30, the old well known Bible commentaries like Adam Clarke, Albert Barnes, and others, have the historical events pretty well right on the bull's eye. The reader is referred to those such Commentaries for the understanding of verse one to thirty. Verses 29-30 hold the KEY to who the king of the north is in verse 40. Syria has been the king of the north up to v.29. But what happens in v.30 is missed by nearly all students of Bible prophecy. For there is a CHANGE in who is the NORTHERN KING from v.30 to the end of the chapter. In modern language, Rome told him to stop his invasion against Egypt - OR ELSE! Antiochus put his tail between his legs like a whipped dog and bowed down to the dictates of Rome. The ROMAN EMPIRE from this point in history became the "king of the north". There's never any change in the "king of the south". It is EGYPT for the entire chapter. Without understanding what the significance is in v.30, the rest of the chapter cannot be understood. V.33-35 Covers the Christian era from the time of the New Testament Church to 313 A. D. (in its first fulfilling) and to the second return of Christ in its second larger fulfilling. These verses cover the martyrdom of true followers of Christ. ".......BUT MANY SHALL CLEAVE TO THEM WITH FLATTERIES." Compare this with 2 Pet. 2. Notice v.l-3, 13-14, 18,19. The New Testament church was in Peter's time being corrupted from within by persons who eventually went out and formed the great apostate church, Babylon Mystery, the Mother of Harlots (Rev. 17). V.36-39. Here is depicted a GREAT king - as the king of the north is now the ROMAN EMPIRE, this king here mentioned must be a king of that Empire. Let's note what is said of him: 1. He exalts himself above every god. 2. He speaks AGAINST the true God. 3. He prospers. 4. He rejects his ancestors' god - (He then chooses another). 5. Rejects the desire of women. 6. He honors with gold, silver and riches a god that his former ancestors did not. 7. This god he honors is called a 'strange' god - not the true God then. And this strange god rules over many. The event and KING here depicted must be a FIRST of a kind - a king who is different than all other kings of the Roman Empire. He has to be a LANDMARK-type person, someone who does so many changes in the Empire and himself that he will stand out as a unique king of Rome. There is only ONE king who fits all seven of the aforementioned points - King CONSTANTINE of Rome. See the following pages: FROM "A HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY" by Laterette. QUOTE: One of the factors to which is attributed the triumph of Christianity is the endorsement of Constantine. But,as we have suggested, the faith was already so strong by the time when Constantine espoused it, that it would probably have won without him. Indeed, one of the motives sometimes ascribed to his supposed desire to enlist the cooperation of what had become the strongest element in the Empire, the Christian community.... CONSTANTINE ESPOUSES CHRISTIANITY What must have seemed an unequal contest between naked ruthless force and unarmed, passive resistance, it was not the imperial government which emerged victor. Presumably this would have been the eventual outcome, for christianity was clearly proving itself the stronger. As it was the individual who was preeminent in the surrender of the state was Constantine. Constantius Chlorus, the father of Constantine, was governing Britain; Gaul,and Spain as Caesar when the persecution broke out. He seems never to had any stomach for it and to have been at best half-hearted in his enforcement of the anti-Christian edicts. When, after the abdication of his two superiors, Diocletian and Maximian, he became one of their successors under the title of Augustus, he appears to have allowed the anti-Christian measures to lapse. On the death of Constintius Chlorus, in 306, Constantine, then in York in distant Britain, already his father's known choice for the succession, was proclaimed Emperor by his troops. He was confronted with rivals and a prolonged struggle followed. He did not become sole Emperor until 323, when he defeated his last competitor, Licinius. Constantine took the decisive steps in his relation with Christianity in the year 312. He had invaded Italy on his march towards Rome and was faced with the army of his first formidable opponent, Maxentius. Apparently he knew that Maxentius was relying on pagan magic and felt the need of a more powerful supernatural force to offset it. Years later he told his friend, bishop Eusebius, the most eminent of the early Church historians, that, after noon, as he was praying, he had a vision of a great cross of light in the heavens bearing the inscription, "conquer by this," and the confirmation came in a dream in which God appeared to him with the same sign and commanded him to make a likeness of it and use it as a safeguard in all encounters with his enemies. How accurately Constantine remembered the experience we do not know, but Eusebius is usually discriminating in his evaluation of data, and he declares that he himself saw the standard which was made in response to the vision- a spear overlaid with gold, with a cross which was formed by a transverse bar and a wreath of gold and precious stones enclosing a monogram of the letters Chi and Rho for the name of Christ. The staff also had an embroidered cloth with the picture of Constantine and his children. Constantine was victor, the winning battle being at the Milvian Bridge, near Rome, and he therefore took possession of the capital. Presumably his faith in the efficacy of the Christian symbol was thus confirmed. In the following year Constantine and Licinius, between whom the realm was temporarily divide, met at Milan and action was taken which was later looked back upon as having ensured toleration for the Christians through precisely what was done at Milan remains controversial. Some, declare that an edict of toleration was issued. On the other hand it is contended that Constantine had already granted religious freedom and that whatever was done at Milan was by Licinius and was intended only for the eastern portions of the Empire where Licinius was in control. Whatever the details, it seems clear that important measures on behalf of the Christians was taken at Milan and that Constantine was consistently friendly. The policy of Constantine was one of toleration. He did not make Christianity the sole religion of the state. That was to follow under later Emperors. He continued to support BOTH paganism and Christianity. In 314, when the cross first appeared on his coins, it was accompanied by the figures of SOL INVICTUS and MARS CONSERVATOR. To the end of his days he bore the title of PONTIFEX MAXIMUS as chief of the pagan state cult. The subservient Roman Senate followed the long-established custom and classed him among the gods. He did not persecute the old faiths. As time passed, Constantine came out more pronouncedly in favour of Christianity. Whether he was a Christian from political motives only or from sincere religious conviction has been hotly debate. Perhaps he himself did not know. However, it is clear that he granted to members of the Christian clergy the freedom from all contributions to the state which had been the privilege of the priests of other religions which were accorded official recognition.... Will in favor to the Church were permitted. Christian Sunday was ordered, placed in the same legal position as the pagan feasts, and provincial governors were instructed to respect the days in memory of the martyrs and to honor the festivals of the churches. The manumission of slaves in churches in the presence of the bishop and clergy, was legalized. Litigants might bring suit in a bishop's court and the decision tendered was to be respected by the civil authorities. Constantine forbade Jews to stone such of their co-religionists as chose to become Christians. He had his children instructed in the Christian faith and kept Christian bishops and clergy in his entourage. He built and enlarged churches and encourage bishops to do likewise and to call on the help of civil officials. When he removed head-guarters to Bayzantium,on the Bosporus, and enlarged that city and renamed it Constantinople, he built in it many churches. He prohibited the repair of ruined temples and the erection of new images of the gods. He forbade any attempt to force Christians to participate in non-Christian religious ceremonies. He took an active part in the affairs of the church, thus establishing a PRECEDENT,which was to be followed by his successors. The fashion in which he sought to promote Christian unity by calling the first general council of the Church and presiding at it will be noted to the next chapter. While Constantine did not receive baptism until the latteR part of his life, the deferment of that rite seems not to have been from indifference to it, but from the conviction, then general, that it washed away all previous sins and being Unrepeatable, had best be postponed until as near death as possible. The CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY UNDER THE SONS OF CONSTANTINE The three sons of Constantine who followed him successively in the imperial purple were much more positive furthering the Christian faith than heir father had been. In 341 the second of them ordered that pagan sacrifices be abolished in Italy. The third, Constantius, commanded that the "superstition cease and the folly of sacrifices be abolished" and removed from the Senate the statue of Victory which had been placed there by Augustus after the battle of Actium. He ordered temples closed. Yet of the pagan rites only sacrifices were forbidden, and processions, sacred feasts,and initiation to the mysteries still permitted, presumably continued. Under this prolonged patronage by the Emperors the Christian communities grew rapidly. The momentum acquired before Constantine was accelerated. Many now sought admission to the Church from other motives than purely religious conviction. Official favour and even wealth could be hoped for where formerly persecution, always in the background, tended to give pause...." END QUOTES We can note: 1. To the end of his days he bore the title of Pontifix Maximus as CHIEF priest of the pagan cult - he thus exalting himself above every god. Rome classed him among the gods. 2. He followed both paganism and a so-called 'Christianity' which was not the Christianity of the New Testament. He was never truly converted. He thus spoke AGAINST the true God. 3. He became very rich and wealthy as king of Rome. 4. As time went on, he rejected more and more the pagan cult to follow his new-found life with the church of Rome. He thus rejected the god of his fathers. 5. By accepting the Roman Catholic religion, he accepted and approved of the doctrine of "celibacy" for the clergy - an unmarried priesthood; thus rejecting the desire for women. 6. He puts himself above all gods EXCEPT ONE - the god of the Catholic faith, which god he honored with gold, silver and riches. Constantine built and had built many churches. He supported with riches the church and faith of Rome. 7. He honors the god of 'forces' - a supernatural power; yes, this power is of Satan. And this is indeed a 'strange' god - the true God calls it in Rev.17 "MYSTERY Babylon the Great". It is a church full of strange or mysterious doctrines and practices, which can be traced back to the original pagan empire of Babylon. CONSTANTINE, like no other, fits this king of Dan. 11:36-39. But Constantine was only a TYPE of a YET-TO-COME king of the resurrected Roman Empire, now forming in Europe. (See the study on 'The Beasts of Daniel and Revelation') This king is to be given the power and strength of a 10-nation European end-time Roman empire, as Jesus returns. TEN nations will unite with the "beast" man and the 'FALSE PROPHET." He, together with a great false miracle-working religious leader, will try to fight Christ on His return. (Rev.17:12-14; Rev.19:11-20). You see, Dan.11:35 brings us to the "Time of the End". Dan.11:36-45 is then yet AHEAD OF US!! V.40 KING OF THE SOUTH - never changes. It is EGYPT, yesterday, today, and yet future. But other scriptures say it will be an Egypt with ALLIES. (See Ezekiel 30:4-5,7) Both Daniel and Ezekiel name at least Egypt and Ethiopia and Libya as falling together. "KING OF THE NORTH" - the end-time 10-nation Roman Empire of Europe - will yet in the future attack and destroy Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and other Arab nations (v.40,42,43; Ezek. 30:4-7). This "King of the North" of Daniel is the "King of Babylon" of Ezekiel. (See text on 'The Beasts of Daniel and Revelation") The whole chapters of Ezekiel 30, 31 and 32 concern the destruction of Egypt and her allies, the "King of the South". V. 41 and 45 These go together. They are talking about the SAME event. GLORIOUS LAND - same Hebrew word as is in Ch. 8:9 - "Pleasant Land". History shows that it was the land of Palestine that fulfilled Ch. 8:9. It is also Palestine spoken of here in Ch. 11:41,45. TABERNACLE BETWEEN THE SEAS - between the Dead Sea and Mediterranean Sea - in Jerusalem - the glorious HOLY MOUNTAIN. The Bible gives us its interpretation as to WHAT is the "Holy Mountain". In Ch. 9:16 we read: "..Thy city Jerusalem, thy Holy Mountain ..." The last Roman Empire of Europe will come down and destroy the King of the South, and then enter Palestine and set its seat in Jerusalem, thus causing the "abomination that makes desolate" spoken of in Dan.12:11, and by Christ in Mat.24:15. Three nations will escape - Edom (Turkey), Moab (Jordan), and Ammon (Iraq). V-44 - an INSET verse. The event here spoken of takes place AFTER verses 40-43,45. This verse is a prophecy of the power to the north east of Jerusalem - Russia. Sometime after V.45, Europe will attack Russia. These prophecies had a TYPE fulfillment back in the 1930's and 40's. (More on that later.) NOTICE! Daniel 12:1 goes on to say that AT THAT TIME - when this Northern power has set its seat in Jerusalem - there will come "a TIME OF TROUBLE, SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION, EVEN TO THAT SAME TIME ..." Jeremiah was inspired to write of this also: "ALAS! FOR THAT DAY IS GREAT,SO THAT NONE IS LIKE IT: IT IS EVEN THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE ..." (Jer.30:7). MATTHEW 24 Christ spoke about this SAME time of trouble in Mat. 24:21 - "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be." What is the S I G N of this coming time of tribulation? Christ gives us the answer in Mt.24:15, Lk.21:20 and Mrk. 13:14: "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place..." Mark says, "...stand where it ought not ..." Luke says and interprets for us, "And when you see JERUSALEM compassed with armies, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh." The 'holy place' - 'stand where it ought not' and that spoken of by Daniel is the DESOLATION OF JERUSALEM, the holy city of God, the holy mountain - where this European Roman Empire will desolate and plant its seat, as Daniel 11 foretells. When we see this happen, THEN will be a time of trouble on this earth as there never was or shall be again. WHO WILL THIS TRIBULATION BE UPON? Christ gives us the answer: "...Then let them that be in JUDEA flee to the mountains." Mark 13:14 "Then let them which are in JUDEA flee to the mountains ... for these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled ...for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon THIS PEOPLE [those in Judah] and they shall fall by the edge of the sword: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the gentiles ...." (Luke 21:21-24). The people of Judah - the Jews of Palestine - will be part of this great tribulation. They shall fall by the sword - by war. Jeremiah wrote that this GREATEST TIME OF TROUBLE to come on this earth would be JACOB'S trouble (Jer. 30:7). Jacob was renamed Israel (Gen. 35:9-10). Israel was to become "...a nation and a company of nations ..." (Gen. 35:11). This promise and blessing was passed on to Joseph and his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh, by the hands of Israel, ".....Bless the lads and let MY NAME be named on THEM ..... Let them GROW into a MULTITUDE in the midst of the earth." (Gen.48:16). Israel then put his right hand on the head of Ephraim and his left hand upon Manasseh and said, "..... He [Manasseh] shall become A PEOPLE [singular] and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he and his seed shall become a MULTITUDE OF NATIONS [many nations - plural]". (Gen. 48:19.) The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh have more right to the NAME of Israel than do any of the other eleven tribes of Jacob. THEY were to grow TOGETHER in the earth until one became A NATION - A PEOPLE [singular - one great nation] and the other a COMPANY or MULTITUDE OF NATIONS [many nations - plural]. Who in all of history - what people - grew together, were of the same stock, looked alike, had the same culture and language, and have become A NATION and a COMPANY OF NATIONS? History testifies there has only been ONE such people who find themselves as brothers, and who constitute A GREAT SINGLE NATION and a GREAT COMPANY, or COMMONWEALTH, OF NATIONS. Who they are should be obvious! This great tribulation - time of trouble - Jacob's trouble - will come upon them also, just as it will upon Judah - the Jews. There is still yet another group that this greatest-ever tribulation will fall upon: "But before all these [great signs in heaven - v.11] they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, ..... and you shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you [Christians] shall they cause to be put to death" (Luke 21:3.2-16). True followers of Christ will go through this tribulation - they will come out of it victorious and stand before Christ in righteousness (Rev. 7:9-15). Some Christians will have to go through this tribulation, while others will not: "For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. WATCH you, therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the son of man" (Lk. 21:35-36). John, in Revelations 12, was also given this truth that a part of God's church will go through this time of world trouble, while others of His church will be spared and protected. A woman in prophecy represents a church (Rev.19:6-9; Eph.5:31-32). Rev.12 is the history of God's true church from its beginning to the second advent of Christ. Verse 12 - Satan is cast down from heaven once more, and comes down to take his wrath out on the true church - knowing his time is short before he will be chained up (Rev.20:1-3). He persecutes the woman [church] which brought forth the man who was to rule all nations (Rev.12: 13,4). The woman is protected (Rev.12:14). Where? In heaven? In a secret rapture? No! In the wilderness. The earth helps the woman (Rev.12:16). Satan cannot touch this part of God's church, but he is allowed to make war with the remnant of her seed - with those who will not escape the great tribulation (v.17). These are the ones who must go through the tribulation and these are the ones whom Christ spoke about. The great tribulation is also a persecution of true saints of God. The tribulation will be FIRST and FOREMOST on: 1. The WESTERN world - where the bulk of true Christians live 2. It will be upon Judah, the Jews of Palestine. 3. And Israel - the nation and company of nations of Ephraim and Manasseh. I said earlier that the last world war of 1939-45 was a TYPE of the yet-future third world war. It is indeed; but with SOME differences: The last world war and the first (1914-18) was perpetrated by Europe - Germany. So will be the third one - but this time Germany will be at the head of a ten-nation Europe. There were TWO leaders of Europe against the Western allies in the 1940's war - Mussolini and Hitler. They were civil-military leaders. There will be TWO leaders of Europe in the next war - but ONE will be a great miracle working RELIGIOUS LEADER and the OTHER a CIVIL-MILITARY LEADER. (Rev.17:12-14; 19:11-20). As Mussolini and his Italian Empire [as he called it], with the sanction of the religion of Rome, attacked and conquered Ethiopia in 1935-36, so the coming 10-nation empire of Europe [the King of the North] will attack Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya [the King of the South] in the future end time. As Europe [through Germany] attacked the western nations AFTER Ethiopia had fallen, so this 10-nation Roman Empire will attack the western nations again, but this time AFTER also entering and making Jerusalem a desolation and destroying many of the Jews of Palestine. The last two leaders failed in their attempt to dominate the Western world. The coming two leaders will not - they shall prevail. As Hitler, AFTER attacking the Western nations, turned and attacked Russia, so the coming 'Hitler' of Europe will do in the Third World War. And as Hitler failed to conquer Russia in the 40's, so the Beast power of Europe will fail again. The Eastern power strike back and the Western and Eastern powers will face it off. But unless this battle is stopped, the entire earth would be destroyed (Mt.24:21,22). Christ says it will be stopped for the elect's sake. Christ will return as King of Kings to destroy them that destroy the earth. He will set up His Kingdom that will rule all nations. He shall be King of the whole earth in that day. There will be peace and salvation for a thousand years. ................... Written 1980

BY THE TIME OF THE 7TH TRUMPET

 

The Triumphant Return and Kingdom 

Babylon - Europe - Russia/China!

From a book by Grant Geffrey (published in 2001) Babylon Rises Again The Bible's prophecy that the ancient city of Babylon will be rebuilt and will play a key role in end time events is so unusual that many scholars doubted that it could ever be literally fulfilled. (And those "other scholars" are correct! Jeffrey does not understand the modern Revelation Babylon is NOT the ancient city of Babylon, but the last resurrected Holy Roman/Babylon Mystery Religion Europe Empire that is under the control of a woman whore church - Keith Hunt) Some have attempted to spiritualize this prophecy or treat it as an allegory. However, the prophet Isaiah revealed that the rebuilt city of Babylon will be destroyed by supernatural fire from heaven in a similar manner to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although Babylon was repeatedly attacked and destroyed several times in ancient history, the specific supernatural nature of the destruction described by Isaiah has never occurred. Therefore, this prediction must refer to a future destruction in the last days. The name Babylon was derived from Bab-ili, meaning "Gate of God." Babylon was the most powerful kingdom of the ancient world during the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, the greatest of the Chaldean kings who ruled the Middle East from 605 to 562 B.C. The sands of the desert ultimately covered the city of Babylon for over a thousand years until it was rediscovered by archeologists, such as Sir William Ramsey and Austen Layard, in the early 1800s. The Lord repeatedly commanded His people to "come out of her" and to "flee from the midst of Babylon, and each of you save his life" before He would ultimately destroy Babylon at the Great Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:1,6,19; Revelation 18:4; Jeremiah 51:6). The context of these prophetic passages reveals that Babylon will be rebuilt as a literal city during the last days. (No, the prophecies say no such thing as far as the ancient literal city of Babylon - Keith Hunt) John prophetically refers to the destruction of Babylon as a real "great city" (Revelation 18:10). He also predicts the utter annihilation of the rebuilt city at the end of the Tribulation: And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 18:21-23) (If you look at all of Revelation 18, it clear to see that this is an Empire not some literal Babylon city in Iraq. Note Rev.18:3 - no city in Iran can boast of this. Verses 7-8 is not of some physical city. No Babylon city in Iran is going to do what verses 9-17 say she will do. The sea merchants shall literally see her destruction in flames and smoke. No person on the sea could ever literally see a city in Iran go up in smoke, but you can be on the sea in ships and see much of Roman/Babylon Europe go up in smoke. Those on the Mediterranean sea will see her destruction and smoke - Keith Hunt) The prophet Isaiah foretold this future divine destruction as follows: "The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. . . . Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. ... And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah" (Isaiah 13:1, 6,19). Obviously, this prophecy of future destruction requires that the ruined city of Babylon must be first rebuilt. (Oh not at all. Oh my how some can get things mixed up and out of whack and inside-out. The "day of the Lord" will see the last Holy Roman/Babylon Empire of Europe go up in smoke by the kings of the East [Revelation 9 - the battle of the two Empires of the 5th and 6th trumpet blasts - Keith Hunt) The president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, who has ruled the nation ruthlessly for almost three decades, has spent over $1.5 billion rebuilding the ancient city since 1978. The Iraqi government published a booklet entitled "Babylon," which dealt with Hussein's plans to rebuild the ancient city. The back cover of the booklet reads: "Archaeological Survival of Babylon is a Patriotic, National, and International Duty." L.A.Times journalist Michael Ross wrote: "Babylon has assumed additional importance for the government since the war [with Iran] broke out in September, 1980. Keen on establishing a link between its current conflict with the Persians and the legendary battles of the past, the Iraqi government has speeded up the reconstruction in order to make Babylon a symbol of national pride." Hussein began rebuilding Babylon during the eight-year-long Iraq/Iran war to motivate the Iraqi people. He has manufactured over sixty million new clay bricks to rebuild the sixty miles of walls that surround the city. These new bricks are cemented into the wall above the original ancient bricks that are marked with Nebuchadnezzar's name. The new bricks are embossed with the following statement in Arabic that declares, "In the era of Saddam Hussein, protector of Iraq, who rebuilt the Royal Palace." Saddam identifies powerfully with King Nebuchadnezzar, the ancient ruler who invaded Israel and took the Jewish population as captives back to Babylon. Incredibly, Hussein has stated that he believes that he is the reincarnation of Nebuchadnezzar and that he was given a supernatural vision to restore the great Babylonian empire and to conquer the territory of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Israel once again. He threatened to set Israel "on fire," demonstrating his implacable hatred for the Jewish people. The Arab News Internet site reported on January 18, 2001: "Iraq's President Saddam Hussein stressed that Iraq is ready to bombard Israel for six continuous months and this is in the first place to liberate the Arab lands, occupied by Israel in 1967." Hussein has announced that Babylon will become the center of a future revived Babylonian empire. The chief archaeologist of Babylon, Shafqa Mohammed Jaafar, declared, "Because Babylon was built in ancient times, and was a great city, it must be a great city again in the time of our new great leader, Saddam Hussein." Charles Dyer, the respected prophecy teacher and author of "The Rise of Babylon" described the International Babylon Festival in 1988, among the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon: It is a cloudless September night, and the moon casts its shining image on the banks of the gentle Euphrates River. Thousands of guests and dignitaries walk by torchlight to Babylon's Procession Street and enter the city from the north. Instructed to line the streets along the massive walls, the guests obediently follow orders. When the audience is in place, the dark-eyed man in charge nods, and the procession begins. Rows and rows of soldiers parade in, dressed in Babylonian tunics and carrying swords, spears and shields. Interspersed among the ranks of soldiers are groups of musicians playing harps, horns and drums. Clusters of children carry palm branches, and runners bear bowls of incense. Then come soldiers and still more soldiers in a seemingly endless line of men and weapons. After the procession, the guests attend a ceremony paying tribute to Ishtar, the mother goddess of Babylon. For the last twelve years, the Iraqi government has celebrated a Babylonian Festival among the archeological ruins and new buildings of the rebuilt ancient city with invited guests from fifty Arab and many other nations. During the fall of 2000, the Arabic News organization reported: "Artistic bands representing some 50 Arab and foreign states, took part in the activities of the festival which lasted for ten days, performed art shows on three stages in the city which is four thousand years old, and is go kilometers [60 miles] to the south of the capital Baghdad. On the sideline of the festival, musical, singing, and cultural activities were organized including an intellectual seminar on the Iraqi antiquities and photo exhibition and visits for the main archaeological sites." (YOU HAVE READ THIS WHOLE SECTION OF JEFFREY'S BOOK. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HUSSEIN SINCE? THIS IS HOW FAR OUT THE PROPHETS LIKE JEFFREY ARE!! THEY HAVE NOT A CLUE OF INSIGHT INTO THE TRUTHS OF BIBLE PROPHECY. THE WHOLE SITUATION IN IRAQ SINCE JEFFREY WROTE ALL THIS HAS BLOWN HIS IDEAS TO A MILLION BITS!! - Keith Hunt) The prophet Daniel was given a very important prophetic vision about the last days recorded in Daniel 2:34-45 in which he witnessed the revival of the ancient empire of Rome. However, although most prophecy teachers have ignored this part of the prediction, Daniel's prophecy clearly predicts that there will also be a simultaneous revival of the empires of Babylon, Persia, and Greece in the days prior to the return of the Messiah. (Absolutely NOT! Oh yes there will be a "king of the south" - an Arab coalition in the last days, but a power that will be destroyed by the Roman/Babylon Empire and the kings of the East. I've expounded it to you in full detail in my studies of the Old Testament prophets - Keith Hunt) Therefore we should not be surprised to see the rise of Iraq as a powerful nation in our days together with Iran (ancient Persia), and Turkey-Syria (the ancient Grecian empire). While Saddam Hussein is a definite threat to his Arab neighbors, they admire him for his courage in standing up to the perceived military threat from Britain, America, and Israel. L.A.Times journalist David Lamb wrote: "Finally, for the first time since Egypt's Gamal Shawki Abdel Nasser, an Arab leader had been bold enough to stand up to the West and had said all the catchwords - Palestine, Islam, unity, sharing Arab oil - that reminded the Arabs how much should be right, and how much had gone wrong." It is important to note that Iraq possesses the second-largest oil reserves in the world, which almost equal those of her neighbor Saudi Arabia. This enormous oil wealth will allow Iraq to quickly rebuild its nation into a powerful economic and military regional power in only a few years once the decade-long UN oil and economic sanctions end. In addition, Saddam's armies and his rapid development of weapons of mass destruction will make it possible for Iraq to quickly dominate the surrounding nations including the militarily weak oil states of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. (ARE YOU HAVING A BIG LAUGH AT THESE WORDS BY JEFFREY? YOU SHOULD BE!! HE ALSO WAS FOOLED BY "WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION" IDEOLOGY!! DO YOU SEE HOW THE FUNDAMENTAL PROPHETS ARE OUT TO LUNCH? Keith Hunt) Isaiah foretold that the wicked city will burn forever as an object lesson to humanity of God's ultimate judgment: For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall he waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. (Isaiah 34:8-10) (The modern Babylon city of ROME will be the fulfilment of this prophecy, not some city in Iran or Iraq - Keith Hunt) During the War in the Gulf, the final burning of Babylon was illustrated to the watching world through the cameras of CNN when Saddam Hussein set fire to hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells, filling the desert with black smoke and fire that took months to extinguish. (And what has happened to Hussein since and to Iraq? Do you think people today are concerned about re-building the anciant city of Babylon to be the mighty power of the world. All that has taken place since Jeffrey published this book in 2001 has made his comments not only obsolete but silly. No wonder the "Chapters" book store was practically giving away the last dozen or so copies of this book - Keith Hunt) Plans for Global Government The prophets Daniel and John predicted that a global government would exist in the last days and will be dominated by the Antichrist (Daniel 7:14). "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him" (Revelation 13:7-8). (Just a minute now, how can this power make war with the saints when the saints, according to fundamental prophets like Jeffrey, have been secretly raptured away to heaven, before the Great Tribulation begins? - Keith Hunt) These prophecies reveal that the world will be under the totalitarian control of a global government, led by the Antichrist, in the final years leading to Christ's return. For the first time in history, the future Antichrist will have power "over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." Despite the rise and fall of countless empires over the past several thousand years, a one-world government has never before been achieved in human history. The rising political, economic, and military power of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, International Court of Criminal Justice, and World Court are rapidly destroying national sovereignty and the independent powers of nations. The United Nations Commission on Global Governance published a report in 1995 entitled "Our Global Neighborhood," which encouraged world leaders to plan for a World Conference on Global Governance. The UN Commission on Global Governance has proposed a number of remarkable changes in international relations that would transform the relations between nations and erode their independent sovereignty. Although this was not an official organization of the UN, it was authorized by the UN secretary-general and funded jointly by the UN and several key global elite foundations including the Ford, Carnegie, and McArthur Foundations. While denying that they are seeking a new world order, they call their goal "global governance," which is world government by another name. (The Bible says no such "all over the world" power will ever arise! The Bible teaches that there will be a Holy Roman/Babylon power in Europe that will rule the "western" world, and there will be a power that will come together in the Eastern world to rule the "east." These two powers will finally collide in modern space war-fare as told in Revelation 9 - Keith Hunt) These global governance proposals include: * Establishing a new system of global taxation to enable the UN to raise its own revenues without dependence on dues from member states * Creating a powerful standing UN army militarily capable of enforcing the will of the Security Council * Setting up an International Court of Criminal justice that would function independently of nation states * Expanding the power and authority of the UN secretary general * Creating an Economic Security Council to coordinate global economic policies * Establishing UN authority over the global commons including the oceans and the environmentally sensitive seacoasts of all nations * Eliminating the veto power of permanent Security Council members * Creating a new parliamentary body of "civil society" representatives based on present-day private groups called non-government organizations (NGOs). (ALL is utter falsehood. They may like to do this but it will never happen. The coming last and seventh resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire of Europe will rule over ONLY the Western world, no more! Keith Hunt) If anyone thinks that these proposals are not serious, they should carefully evaluate the significant international developments that have taken place during the last few years. The General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) has created the World Trade Organization, which has eroded every nation's economic sovereignty. For example, as soon as President Clinton signed the GATT, both the European Union and Japan presented lists of hundreds of federal and state laws that they demanded must be rescinded immediately to comply with World Trade Organization rules. A key goal of the global elite is the creation of a powerful United Nations standing army, including a rapid-reaction armored force that will allow the Security Council to enforce the will of the world body against any nation or group of nations that opposes its political agenda. In the last decade, the UN has engaged in more peacekeeping operations around the world than it did in its first four decades. (Maybe - but the UN army is just about useless to do anything but get themselves killed - Keith Hunt). The UN's peacekeeping budget has experienced massive increases in military and civilian personnel. During the last few years, the UN Security Council deployed peacekeeping troops in nineteen countries around the globe, at an annual cost of over $3 billion. (The UN army is about as far away from ruling the world as the moon is from planet earth - Keith Hunt) According to the authoritative study "The Military Balance 2000/2001" published in October 2000 by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, the United Nations has currently deployed 28,900 troops contributed from thirty-eight countries in fourteen UN peacekeeping operations around the world. During the 1993-95 period of peacekeeping operations, over 70,000 UN troops were deployed throughout the globe. International military expenditures throughout the globe amounted to $809 billion, with $53.4 billion in international arms sales by America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, and China. (So what? The UN army will never rule the world. Europe will one day have its own army powerful enough to rule the Western world, that is what prophecy teaches, not some UN army having power over all the nations on earth. The already mighty power of China and Russia make the idea of the UN army ruling the world as easy as man living on Venus - Keith Hunt) The globalists have embarked on a worldwide socialist program to subvert and erode the sovereignty of nation-states, including America and Canada. The plans for an international court of criminal justice were brought to fruition in July 1998 when the nations met in Rome to create the International Criminal Court (ICC). President Clinton signed this treaty before leaving the White House. This global ICC now claims legal jurisdiction and binding verdict power over every nation and citizen on earth, including those who are citizens of nations that refuse to ratify the treaty. Now the ICC will be able to charge an American or Canadian peacekeeping soldier with war crimes anywhere on earth. (Will they rule over Russia and China and India and Korea, not in a thousand wishful dreams - Keith Hunt) Additionally, nations will have to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for a financial bailout, but under the condition that borrowers abandon their historic national sovereignty to the UN. (Now have a laugh again! Do you see, reading this in 2009, as I enter it on this Website, how silly was the thinking of fundamental prophets in 2001. There is no banking system anywhere in the world that is not at this time shot full of holes from a thousand shot-guns. The UN is utterly useless in this world-wide economic and banking deep dive into recession - Keith Hunt) The proposal to eliminate the veto power of the five superpowers in the UN Security Council would put the western democracies at the mercy of the majority votes of the 189 present member states in the UN General Assembly. We need to remember that the majority of these nations do not share our values concerning economic free enterprise, democracy, the rule of law, or religious freedom. The existing veto power in the UN Security Council is held by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. This veto power allows these superpowers to prevent any UN action against their fundamental national security interest. This power has prevented the potentially devastating problem of the UN coming into military conflict with a superpower with weapons of mass destruction. The elimination of the veto power could produce a very dangerous military confrontation in the future. (The veto power will never be eliminated until the Roman/Babylon power of the Beast is powerful enough to say, "To hell with all of you, we will first conquer the Western world and then we'll take the East - Keith Hunt) In addition, proposals to greatly enhance the political power of the UN secretary-general would transform him from his present situation as an important diplomatic representative of the world body into a true global president - a potential world dictator as described in the ancient prophecies. (There will be a political "man beast" ruling with the false prophet, this Roman/Babylon Europe, but it probably will have nothing to do with the UN, which will one day be past history as it is today - Keith Hunt) Henry Lamb, a researcher who has carefully studied global government, wrote: The foundation of global governance is a set of core values, a belief system, which contains ideas that are foreign to the American experience and ignores other values and ideas that are precious to the American experience. The values and ideas articulated in the Commission's report are not new. They have been tried, under different names, in other societies. Often, the consequences have been devastating. (And it will be tried again, this time with results that will allow Europe to rule the Western world for a short time - the last 42 months of this age - Keith Hunt) In 1994 the Ford Foundation created a United Nations study entitled "Renewing the United Nations System," which recommended massive changes to streamline UN operations. Recommendations include that the United Nations General Assembly, Security Council, International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization, and International Labor Organization should be transferred to Bonn or New York to improve efficiency and centralize political control. The study suggested a radical new voting system for the International Monetary Fund to permit poor undeveloped nations to determine when and where loans would be made from wealthy nations to poor ones. (Ya, and where are the nations of the world today? In global economic free fall and recession. All nations will have to look out for themselves, new attitudes of finance will emerge for the United Europe, for Russia, for China, for America and Britain, it will all lead eventually to a two system world - Europe ruling the West, and Russia and China ruling the East - Keith Hunt) These global governance proposals in Renewing the United Nations System are intended to set the stage for a coming oneworld government. "While there is no question, at present, of the transformation of the UN system into a supranational authority, the organization is in a transitional phase, basically shaped and constrained by national sovereignty, but sometimes acting outside and beyond it" (emphasis added). This important document repeatedly uses such expressions as "gradual limitation of sovereignty," "notable abridgements of national sovereignty," "chipping away at the edges of traditional sovereignty," as well as "small steps towards an eventual trans-sovereign society." The authors, Childers and Urqhart, enthusiastically describe the elite program to erode our nation's historic democratic sovereignty step-by-step. Significantly, the study suggests that this transition toward global government should proceed incrementally "until the world is ready for world government," to avoid a political backlash by the patriotic voters of the western nations who will ultimately be forced to surrender their political freedom and national sovereignty. (No such power through the UN will ever rule the world. No one- world-order will rule the whole world. It is simply not prophesied to happen anywhere in Bible prophecy. The Bible does tell you that an end-time Holy Roman Empire of Europe will rule the Western world under a "beast man" and a false prophets. Bible prophecy does say there will be an mighty power to the East under Russia and China and other united with them. These two powers will collide in war - Revelation 9 - Keith Hunt) The study recommends that the United Nations should independently raise its own budget by assessing a global surcharge tax on all "arms sales," on "transnational movement of currencies," on "international trade," and "petroleum." They also suggest "a United Nations levy on international air and sea travel" as well as a "one day" income tax on all global citizens annually. These proposals provide compelling evidence that we are witnessing a well-planned transformation of the United Nations from an international consultative body into a global superstate. There are now calls for a "world people's assembly." (Whatever the calls are and from whoever they come, today's climate of 2009, should tell you as clearly as can be told, that all what the fundamental prophets proclaim is goooobady-goooo-lop - far out-of-step with understanding true Bible prophecy. The idea that some UN based whatever can rise to take over the world, all nations upon it, is totally idiotic, Russia and China would never be a part of it, they are too independently "nationalistic" to ever give their power over to some central authority out of Europe - Keith Hunt) .....................

7TH TRUMPET AND AN ARMY FROM THE EAST!!!

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  MEGIDO—- ARMAGEDDON OF REVELATION 16,  IS  A  MIGHTY  POWER  OF  EATERN  NATIONS——-

IT  IS  THE  TIME  OF  THE  LAST  OF  7  TRUMPETS  TO  BE  BLOW——

The Triumphant Return and the Kingdom 

The Army from the East

From a book by Grant Jeffrey Preparations for the Battle of Armageddon The Scriptures record three unique predictions regarding the future Battle of Armageddon that could never be fulfilled in any previous generation in history. The first prediction regarding an army of 200 million soldiers of the kings of the East implies that there must be significant increase in the population of males in Asia. Second, the Scriptures indicate that the kings of the East will prepare a military highway across Asia to facilitate the marching of that huge army toward Israel. Third, the prophecies about the final Battle of Armageddon describe an event when the Euphrates River will suddenly dry up to allow the army of the kings of the East to cross it and march west toward Israel. Then the vast army of the "kings of the East" will confront the western armies of the Antichrist to determine whether the West or the East will rule the earth. (No! The armies of the East - Revelation 16 - will be coming to united with the 10 nation Beast united armies, to battle against Christ. They will gather at the plain of Megiddo, about 70 miles NW of Jerusalem. This prophecy I deal with in other in-depth studies on my Website - Keith Hunt) The following paragraphs will document evidence that these unique prophecies are being fulfilled in our generation for the first time in history. An Unprecedented Increase in the Male Population in Asia The apostle John foretold the final Battle of Armageddon: "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Revelation 16:16). The name Armageddon is derived from the Greek phrase that means "mount of Megiddo," the small mountain that overlooks the ancient ruins of the biblical city of Megiddo. From the mountain you can look out over the enormous Valley of Jezreel that extends from northern Israel far to the south toward Jerusalem. Numerous strategic battles have been fought at Armageddon including the triumphant victory recorded in Judges 5:19 and the devastating Egyptian victory over the forces of the righteous King Josiah. The last great battle at Megiddo occurred when Lord Allenby and his Allied Expeditionary Force defeated the armies of Turkey in 1918 and set the stage for the rebirth of Israel. The prophecy indicated that the army of the Oriental alliance from the nations of the kings of the East will consist of an astonishing army of two hundred million soldiers: "And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them" (Revelation 9:16). This statement was remarkable when you realize that the entire population of the ancient Roman Empire in the first century was only approximately 200 million people. Some students of prophecy mistakenly assumed that the Bible referred to 200 million horsemen. However, there are only approximately 35 million horses throughout the globe. A careful reading of the prophecy reveals that John's use of the word "horsemen" in Revelation 9:16 actually refers to "the four horsemen of the Apocalypse" described by John under the symbols of the first four seal judgments (Revelation 6:1-8). The best interpretation is that the prophecy reveals that the army of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse that represents God's wrath will include 200 million soldiers. (Jeffrey has it mixed here again. The four horsemen are just before the Great Tribulation of the 5th seal. They have nothing directly to do with the "day of God's wrath" which is the 7th seal. Revelation 9 is during the day of the Lord, and it is here that the East will come against the Europe Roman/Babylon West, not at Armageddon as Jeffrey teaches - Keith Hunt) Many have wondered if this number could actually be literal. Yet, the population of Asia is growing so quickly that the nations of the East could field an army in the next few years that would contain 200 million soldiers. The Chinese government instituted an unprecedented "One Child Policy" in 1979 in an attempt to reduce the massive population growth that threatened their ability to feed their rapidly growing billion-plus population. Under this policy, each couple can only have one child during their lifetime and each woman must obtain an authorized birth coupon prior to conceiving a child. Incredibly, this horrendously intrusive population policy requires that fertile women's menstrual cycles be publicly monitored and that they undergo mandated pelvic examinations if suspected pregnant. An official circular of the Party Central Committee and the State Council in November 1982 required mandatory sterilization of all couples who have had two or more children. The official policy requires that all unauthorized pregnancies must be aborted whenever detected, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Government population control doctors use forceps to crush the unborn baby's skull, or inject pure formaldehyde into the soft cap of baby's head either before birth or during the actual delivery of fully developed babies in the ninth month. Fines equal to one year's income are imposed on couples who have an unauthorized birth. An article in the New York Times in April 1993 reported that punishments also included the confiscation of property, the destruction of their houses, and severe physical beatings. This was also confirmed by an Internet article. As a result of the Communist government's cruelty, Chinese couples who become pregnant frequently abort babies if an ultrasound test indicates the unborn child is a female. They often continue to abort female fetuses until the test reveals that the woman is carrying a male fetus. Then they allow the male child to be born. Since they can only have one child, many couples choose to have a son to continue their family name and to support them in their retirement. In 1991, an article in a Shanghai, China, journal warned that the unbalanced ratio of boys to girls would eventually produce an army of young bachelors numbering some 70 million strong, without any prospect of marriage by the year 2000. The Toronto Star newspaper reported in 1995 that Chinese officials admitted this unprecedented imbalance of boys and girls. Numerous reports by human rights organizations reveal that China, India, and North Korea are also involved in the selective abortion of female babies. In addition, many families in these nations admit to killing or abandoning their young female children. This unprecedented situation may set the stage for the fulfilment of the ancient biblical prophecy about an army of 200 million in the last days. (The kings of the Easy will be from Russia, China, India, Korea etc. There will be no problem at all in putting forth an army of 200 million - Keith Hunt) A Highway for the Kings of the East The prophet John also prophesied in Revelation about the preparation of a military highway across Asia in the last days that will allow this massive Oriental army to march across the vast reaches of Asia toward the final Battle of Armageddon in northern Israel. John refers to the building of this highway in these curious words: "The way of the kings of the east might be prepared" (Revelation 16:12). The Chinese Communist government has recently spent extraordinary sums of money and expended hundreds of thousands of lives of construction workers to build an unprecedented military super-highway from mainland China across southern Asia, heading directly west toward the land of Israel. This new highway through the most rugged mountain terrain across the south of China and through Tibet, Afghanistan, and Pakistan has no obvious economic purpose, and no foreigners are allowed near it. The following (poorly translated) statement regarding this highway, from a January 1999 article by Oleg Limanov in "Marco Polo Magazine," reads: "Karakorum highway, connecting Afghanistan through Central Asia states and China to Pakistan with probable joining India would be very significant for all concerning parties, agreement on using of which was signed by China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in July 1996." Another Internet article describes the land route from China towards the Middle East: "With Myanmar [Burma] support, the Indian government is creating a transportation corridor from South Asia through Myanmar to Southeast Asia. This corridor will compete with other grand trans-Eurasian projects, such as a land transportation link from China through Central Asia to Turkey and Europe." (Even without a "highway" with modern means of travel via planes etc. it would not be at all difficult to get a massive army into Palestine and the plain of Megiddo - Keith Hunt) The Drying Up of the Euphrates River Another prophecy of the apostle John in Revelation declares that the Euphrates River will dry up to allow this army to cross from Asia into the Middle East to invade Israel: "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared" (Revelation 16:12). (This is no doubt a physical symbol only, for even if the Euphrates does not dry up, that river cannot possibly stop the movement of a huge army from the East into the Megiddo plain, for modern air-born machines are not stopped by a river - Keith Hunt) Throughout history, the Euphrates River has been an almost impassable military barrier between East and West, often preventing large armies from crossing from one side to the other in their attempts to conquer the nations on the other side. (This was only so before the invention of the modern huge planes - Keith Hunt) The former Turkish president Turgut Ozal built a series of twenty-two dams on the Tigris and Euphrates river systems during the 1980s and 1990s. The huge Ataturk Dam, the fifth largest dam on earth, is part of the $32 billion Southeastern Anatolia Project, which was designed to produce electricity and to double the irrigation to approximately 30,000 square miles of semi-arid land. This series of dams is intended to allow Turkey to produce ample food for the growing population of the Middle East. The Ataturk Dam is estimated to provide irrigation to over four million acres of land, enabling Turkish farmers to grow cotton, tobacco, sugarbeets, and soybeans. What's most notable about the Ataturk Dam, one mile long and 600 feet high, is that it is capable of completely blocking the headwaters of the Euphrates River for the first time in history. The great Euphrates River can now be dried up exactly as prophesied to allow an Asian army to march toward Israel across the ancient battlefields of Mesopotamia, which have witnessed so many historically decisive battles throughout history. This is another example of a unique prophecy that can now be fulfilled in our generation. (It really means very little in the context of the modern space- age world we have today. No army today is stopped by a river, they can fly over it, even bringing with them tanks, missile launchers and all fighting equipment. It is shocking that an educated man like Jeffrey did not have the simple logic of the mind to realize in today's world this drying up of the Euphrates [which will be literal] has only a symbolic meaning for the most part, and will also of course be a "time" of the end "time line" so we will know this prophecy of Revelation 16 is coming to pass. Certainly armies will be able to move across a dried up river, but they sure would not be stopped if it was not dried up - Keith Hunt) ....................

KINGDOM OF GOD—- IN HEAVEN OR ON EARTH???

Kingdom of God - Where will it be?

On Earth or in Heaven? THE Feast of Trumpets is the Key! 

COMPILED by Keith Hunt CHRIST SAID HE WAS BORN TO BE A KING - HE HAD BEEN APPOINTED A KINGDOM. HE TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THEY COULD HAVE A PLACE A PLACE WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM. IS THIS KINGDOM A LITERAL KINGDOM OR JUST SOMETHING IN THE HEARTS OF MEN? WILL IT BE SET UP ON THIS EARTH OR IN HEAVEN? WHEN WILL THIS KINGDOM COME - HAS IT ALREADY COME? WILL THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST BE IN TWO STAGES WITH THREE AND A HALF, SEVEN OR ONE THOUSAND YEARS BETWEEN EACH COMING? THE WORD OF GOD CAN ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS AND OTHERS BESIDE, IF WE WILL SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO FIND WHAT GOD TELLS US. CHRISTIANS ARE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD - WE NEED TO KNOW - WE CAN KNOW WHAT THAT KINGDOM IS. HERE THEN ARE THE MAIN PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT SHOW US WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD! Job 19:25,26 Job said he knew his Savior was alive and that in the latter day He (the Redeemer) shall STAND ON THE EARTH. Job said nothing about a 1,000 years after the latter day or a third return of Christ to this earth. In verse 26 he went on to show EXACTLY what time he knew his Redeemer would stand on this earth - when he (Job) is RESURRECTED - Job was to die - yet in his flesh (a resurrection) he shall see God. That resurrection of the righteous takes place at the return of Christ (I Thes. 4:16) and Job will be in it, and Job said that at that time the Redeemer would stand on the earth. Isa. 2:1-4 God gave two prophets living at different times (Micah 4:1) the same truth. (Isa. 2:2) Mountain is a symbol for kingdom (Dan. 2:35, 44). In the LAST DAYS God is going to set up His kingdom, mountain of the Lord's house - Christ is preparing us a place in it, Jn. 14:1-3. He brings it with Him on His return (Rev. 22:12) and on top of, above the other kingdoms and all nations will look to it, flow to it. v. 3 Notice! People will say after God has set up His kingdom, let us go up to it and let God teach us HIS WAYS - they will be willing to walk in His ways. Here then are people who do NOT KNOW God's ways, saying we WANT TO LEARN His ways. This cannot be the new earth for only the immortal righteous dwell on it - only those who ALREADY know God's ways and have been made eternal dwell on the new earth - sin and death have been destroyed (Rev. 20:14,15). v. 4 He shall REBUKE many people. This cannot be on the new earth, only sinless saints are on it. Swords into ploughshares - here are people that still have weapons of war, and God makes them turn those weapons into implements of peace - they are TAUGHT not to fight anymore. NONE Or THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE NEW EARTH - it has not happened yet - it must be for the 1,000 years after God sets up His kingdom over this earth. Micah 4:6-13. This is a continuation of Isaiah's prophecy - God gathers Israel - all the prophecies about Israel at Christ's return find them in a state of captivity - v.8, the kingdom comes to Jerusalem - v.10, Zion is delivered from enemies - v.13, Zion or Judah shall break their enemies. None of this will happen on the new earth. It is speaking of the SAME DAY (v.6) as v.1-5. Isa. 11:1-16 v. 1-3 Most Bible scholars agree that this is Christ talked about here. v.4 Smite the earth ... slay the wicked. The second advent of Christ. v. 6-9 The earth full of God's knowledge - wild animals tame - no more destruction. Notice! A little child, sucking child (months old) and weaned children (v.6,8) are playing with these animals. The NEW EARTH will not be for bearing; and rearing children - only for immortal saints - see Mt. 22:29 30 v. 10 AND IN THAT DAY - the same time as v. 1-9 - the Gentiles shall seek Christ - cannot be the new earth. v. 11-12. Again we are told about Israel being regathered at this time. v. 13-14 Israel will literally subdue some countries. v. 15-16 At this same time there will be a SECOND EXODUS for physical Israelites. None of Isaiah 11 has happened yet - it will not take place on the new earth - it must be for the 1,000 years. Isa. 24:1-6 This is a prophecy for the yet future - when God comes to punish the earth. v.6 Few men are left. v.19,20 The earth reeling to and fro. v. 23 Heavenly signs (see Mt.24:29) God reigns in JERUSALEM. Isa. 25 It is a continuation of the same prophecy. v. 7 Spiritual blindness is removed (see II Cor. 3:15) v. 8 No more tears. v. 9 People will be saved -people rejoicing in salvation. Isa. 26 IN THAT DAY - this prophecy continues - Judah will sing this song. v. 19 the resurrection!! Isa. 27 Still continuing the same prophecy - IN THAT DAY v. 1 Satan is bound (compare with Rev. 12:3,9. 13:1, 20:1-3). v. 6 Israel will blossom and be a blessing to all the world. v. 11 God will show them favour. v. 13 Notice! The great trumpet shall blow - Israel is regathered and they come to worship God AT JERUSALEM. This is the second return of Christ - the last or great trumpet - Israel gathered - the resurrection - salvation - spiritual blindness removed - the earth punished - heavenly signs. Isa. 66:15-24 Verses 15 and 18 tell us when this prophecy will be fulfilled - "...the LORD WILL COME with fire... and His rebuke ...I will gather all nations... they shall come and see my glory." This has never yet happened - it will at this second advent - he will gather all nations to fight them at the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16,17:12-14, 19:19, 20) - see my text on "Armageddon and the Age to come" v. 19 People will be sent out to other nations, isles that have NOT HEARD of Christ's fame nor seen his glory. This cannot be on the new earth. v. 23 People will keep the Sabbath and worship God. v. 24 The stubborn wicked will be destroyed from one Sabbath to another - for a long period and the righteous shall view their carcasses. None of this can be on the new earth, There is no sin or death then (see Rev. 21:4,5, 20:14); no salvation offered then - no need - only immortal saints on the new earth. Dan. 2:31-44 Daniel's image is well known by most Bible scholars as depicting the four world-ruling empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. Rome was to have a final ten-nation resurrection at the time of Christ's return (the ten toes). See also Rev. 17:12-14. v. 35 the stone smashes the image and becomes a great mountain. v. 44 Interpreted as a kingdom. v. 35 WHEN this stone (Christ, Acts 4:10-11) smashes the image - God sets up a kingdom - THEN, not three and a half or 1,000 years later, but in the DAYS OF THESE (TEN KINGS) NATIONS v. 44. And this stone becomes a great kingdom and fills the WHOLE EARTH, not heaven. There's no mention of heaven AT ALL for THIS kingdom (Christ's kingdom). Dan. 7:9 The earthly kingdoms have been cast down. v. 11 gives us the time setting - the beast is slain, his body given to the burning flame - compare with Rev. 19:19, 20. This is the second advent of Christ. v. 13 Son of Man coming with clouds - see Acts 1:9-11. v. 14 Christ receives DOMINION - GLORY - KINGDOM - that all people, nations (plural), languages (plural - different languages) should SERVE HIM - you can not serve someone if you DO NOT EXIST. There will not be DIFFERENT nations and languages in the new earth - God will dwell with us, we all shall be HIS PEOPLE then - immortal and like him, I Jn. 3:2; one family of God. v. 27 The kingdom is UNDER the whole heaven - not in heaven - no three and a half or seven years in heaven stated here. All dominions (plural - different ones) shall SERVE and OBEY Him. The saints are IN the kingdom - all other kings and kingdoms obey the overall kingdom - God's kingdom - which is set up UNDER the whole heaven - as Daniel in chapter 2 tells us, it fills the whole earth. No mention at all in these two chapters of Christ's kingdom being in heaven for a 1,000 years. Just the opposite - in the days of these kings (last ten nations to compose the last Roman Empire) the God of heaven sets up a kingdom, and it "filled the whole earth". 2:35,44 Zech. 12:1,2,3 A prophecy directed to Israel. Zech.12:2-5 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON - Nations are gathered at Jerusalem. God will destroy them verses 9,11. See my text on "The Battle of Armageddon." Zech. 12:10 This is at Christ's second advent - NOT 1,000 years later. Proof - When this battle takes place, the house of David (Judah), the Jews will have God's spirit and grace poured out on them. They do not have it today. They have rejected Christ and grace. "...... and the (house of Judah - Jews) shall look upon me (Christ) whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him ...... " Zech. 12:11-14 The Jews shall weep when they see that the king they have waited for, for so many centuries, is the very person they - the Jews - crucified 2,000 years earlier. Zech. 13:6 IN THAT DAY (see v.1) a person shall ask Christ about the wound scars in His hands. He shall tell them about how He was put to death by His own people 2,000 years earlier. These two chapters of Zechariah are yet to be fulfilled. They will be fulfilled at Christ's SECOND ADVENT - not a 1,000 years after or on the new earth. Zech. 14:1 The time setting is clearly given for this prophecy - DAY OF GOD - Christ's return to punish this earth. Zech. 11:2-3 The Battle of Armageddon Zech. 14:4 IN THAT DAY - the day of God - the Armageddon battle - HIS FEET SHALL STAND UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES - from whence he left (Acts 1:9-12). Zech. 14:5 THE LORD SHALL COME and all the saints. Yes, the resurrection has taken place (1 Cor.15). We have been caught up to meet the descending Christ in the air - the clouds (1 Thes. 4:16), and we continue to descend with him to the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. This is at Christ's SECOND ADVENT - NOT three and a half, seven or one thousand years later. The rest of the chapter proves it will not be on the new earth nor at the end of the Millennium. Zech. 14:6 IN THAT DAY - as preceding verses. The light not clear or dark. (See Mt. 24:29). Zech. 14:7 ONE DAY - a literal twenty-four hour period. WHICH SHALL BE KNOWN TO THE LORD - Compare this with Mt. 24:36. This is the SAME DAY Christ talked about. Zech. 14:8 IN THAT DAY - a literal river going from Jerusalem representing the Holy Spirit - living water - God's word and salvation going forth. Zech. 14:9 Christ is king over the earth. Zech.14:8 Notice! This river flows to the EASTERN sea (see margin ref.) and the Hinder Sea - to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. On the NEW EARTH there is NO SEA - Rev. 21:1. Zech: 14:10-11 Specific areas of land and what God will do to them at this time of His return and after. Zech. 14:12-15 How God will destroy the nations at the great battle. IN THAT DAY - the same day as the previous verses. Zech. 14:16. Continuing - what shall happen IN THAT DAY (v. 13) and after - the people LEFT of the nations who fought at Jerusalem will come to worship the King Christ. Zech. 14:17 If any family - families (plural - different ones) WILL NOT send representatives to Jerusalem to worship God - God shall withhold the rain from them - they will be punished. On the new earth there is no unrighteousness, rebellion, sin (Rev. 21:1-8). Zech. 14:18 Here is a specific nation mentioned - Egypt - if they rebel God will send a plague upon them - God will smite the heathen (unconverted, rebellious, sinners) if they do not do as God says. Zech. 14:19 God repeats what He just declared. None of this will happen on the new earth. Zech. 14:20,21 SACRIFICES will once again be done in Jerusalem - to remind people of sin (Heb. 10:3, 4). This is all foretold in great detail in Ezekiel, chap.40-48. This will not happen on the new earth. Rev. 14:1 A COUNTERPART OF ZECH. 14 - it is the same day and the Lamb (Christ, Jn.1:29) is standing on Mount Zion - the resurrection has taken place, v.1-5. Rev.14: 6-7 Then - AFTER v.1-5 an angel is sent out to preach to them that dwell - ARE STILL DWELLING ON THE EARTH - to every nation (different ones), kindred, tongues (different people speaking various languages) and people. The angel says to fear God and worship him - THEY ARE NOT YET DOING SO. Rev. 14:8 Another angel cries that Babylon HAS fallen (who Babylon IS I have explained in my text on "The Beasts of Daniel and Revelation" which one day shall be on this Website). Rev. 14:9-11 Another angel cries out that if anyone still wants to worship the false way, he will be in the WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD - see v. 19,20; 16:13-16; 19:11-21 - the battle of Armageddon. Lk. 1:31-33 Christ was to be given THREE things: 1. The throne of David, 2. rulership over Israel, 3. a kingdom. He never received ANY of these the time He was here in the flesh. Did Christ believe He would receive these three things? 1. THE THRONE OF DAVID It was foretold in the prophets - see Ps. 132:11-18; Isa. 9:6-7; 16:1-5. Christ BELIEVED he would receive a throne - Mt. 19:28 - Christ has NOT YET been given that throne. Rev. 3:21. He is now sitting on the Father's throne in heaven. Christ receives that throne when He returns - Mt. 25:31. The throne of David is a LITERAL throne - it is somewhere on this earth today - God knows where. It will be given to Christ at Jerusalem on His return - Jer. 3:17. 2. RULERSHIP OVER ISRAEL It was foretold in the prophets - see Micah 4:6,7. I have already explained Micah's prophecy. Christ never denied that Israel was to be a great kingdom. Acts 1:6, the disciples ask if He would at THAT TIME in history restore the kingdom to Israel - they knew and expected Israel to have a great kingdom - they knew what was prophesied in the Old Testament. Verse 7, Christ did NOT say "oh, you misunderstand the prophets, you've got it all wrong, here is the truth, let me put you straight." He said it was not FOR THEM at that time (2,000 years ago) to be given the understanding when that (Israel to be a great kingdom) should take place. 3. A KINGDOM - It was foretold in the prophets Ps. 45:6, 7. I have given you dozens of passages that foretell Christ is to have a kingdom. Christ plainly said He was to be a king and that's why He was born - Jn. 18,37. But His kingdom was not to start at that time in history, verse 36. It starts when He returns - Lk. 19:11, 12, Mt. 25:31,32; Rev. 19:11-15. These verses depict Christ's return in power and glory - He comes to punish the nations. BUT LOOK, verse 15, He is to RULE THEM also. If there is no one left on this earth, how is He going to rule them? Rev.20:1-3 Satan is bound. Why? So he WILL NOT deceive the nations, verse 3. If there are no nations, people that could be deceived, why bother saying he is bound so he WILL NOT deceive them. Rev. 20:4,6 Christ and the saints REIGN - rule for a 1,000 years. A king or priest reigns over people or nations who are subject to him. Rev.19:15 has stated Christ will rule the nations. Rev.20:7,8. After the 1,000 years, Satan is loosed to go out to deceive the nations - notice it - which ARE - already there - already living - in the earth. The second resurrection has NOT YET happened. It does not occur until after verse 7-10 have been fulfilled. Rev. 5:10 In chap. 20 we are told that the saints shall be priests and kings with Christ - they shall reign for a 1,000 years. Where shall they reign? In heaven? On Mars? Under the sea? The Bible must tell us - not our own idea or dreams--"AND HAS MADE US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH." Rev. 5:10 Mt. 5:5 THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. We have never EVER been promised in the Bible to go to where God the Father is now. You try to find it. God the Father is coming to be with us, see Rev. 21:3 Rev. 22:12 Christians are to receive REWARDS at Christ's return. Mt. 19:27 Notice the SPECIFIC reward that Christ promised each of the twelve disciples, "Jesus said to them, truly, I say to you, in the new age (the Messianic rebirth of the world ) when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you (who have become my disciples, and followed me) will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel" (Amplified Bible). The literal twelve disciples are to sit on literal thrones judging the literal tribes of Israel. Christ will sit on the literal throne He was promised - the throne of David. Rev. 2:26,27 The overcomers will have rulership over nations (plural - many different ones). Lk. 19:11-27 Because some at Christ's first advent thought His kingdom should IMMEDIATELY BE SET UP, He gave them this analogy. A nobleman was to receive a kingdom but first must take a long journey. He gave his servants a job to do while he was away. Lk. 19:15. When he returned and had received the kingdom he called his servants to reward them according to their works. Lk. 19:16-19. Those who had done something with what he gave them, the nobleman (Christ) gave them rulership over CITIES. Lk. 19:20-26. The Christian who did nothing - received nothing. Lk. 19:27. The ones who rejected Christ - were slain. Christ is the nobleman - He has gone to heaven - He will return and set up his kingdom - His servants will be given RULE OVER CITIES. Mt. 25:14-30. Is the same parable given by Matthew. Mt. 13:24-30. Parable of the sown seed. Mt. 13:36-43. Christ gives us the interpretation in verse 40: the harvest is the end of THIS AGE (world - see the Greek). Compare with Rev. 14:18-1; 19:11-21; 16:13-16. See my text on "The Battle of Armageddon." Verse 41 Christ will start dividing the righteous and unrighteous. But the question is how long will this take? A day? A month? A year? In THIS PARABLE Christ does not say. We must look elsewhere in the scriptures to find the answer. Mt. 25:31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats - gives us some of the answer to the parable of the seed and how long the harvest lasts. v. 31, Christ comes and sits on HIS throne - the throne of David (Lk. 1:31-33) at Jerusalem (Jer. 3:17). V. 32 and THEN - after He is on this earth - after the battle of Armageddon - after He receives the throne of David and His kingdom - ALL NATIONS are before - under His rule - and THEN starts the dividing. Yes, this dividing - this harvest - starts at Armageddon and continues through the 1,000 years. All the prophets of old testify to this truth. Read again the whole chapters of Zech.12,13,14, and Isa. 66:15- 24. Mat. 13:31-33 Christ likened His kingdom to a small mustard seed - it will start small (at Jerusalem) spread over Israel and eventually the entire earth (the stone becomes a great mountain and fills the whole earth, Daniel 2) and then the nations will lodge in its protection, strength, and goodness. The little leaven put in the bread so all became leaven is another example Christ gave, to show how His kingdom will spread over all the earth when He comes to set it up and sit on the throne of David. THY KINGDOM COME LORD, THY KINGDOM COME! ................ Written 1980